Liturgical Guide: Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael; Archangels

c. 1450 Painting by the 'Master of Pratovecchio' - Courtesy of Wikipedia

The hymns chosen for the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael; Archangels proclaim with the Church that the existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith which is in complete unanimity with Sacred Tradition. Beginning at Paragraph #329, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says this concerning Angels: "Who are they? St. Augustine says: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit', from what they do, 'angel.'" With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word - Matt. 18:10".


Reflection by the Apostleship of Prayer

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
151. Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens, Adore Him
152. They Come, God's Messengers of Love
153. You Holy Angels Bright

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
Angels of God, You See the Father's Face

ROMAN BREVIARY
Christe, Sanctorum
Te Splendor et Virtus Patris
Tibi Christe Splendor Patris

Liturgical Guide: Exaltation of the Holy Cross

15th c. Altarpiece of St. Helena; Aragon, Spain - Wikipedia

The hymns selected for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (also known as the Triumph of the Cross) honour the Cross on which Our Lord died out of love for us, and through his death on the Cross - brings Salvation to the world. Celebrated on September 14th, the date for this public veneration of the Cross marks the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 4th century. It is built upon the spot that St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, discovered a portion of the True Cross.


Reflection by the Apostleship of Prayer

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
102. Hail, Redeemer, King Divine
126. The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns
150. O Cross of Christ Immortal Tree

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
O Cross of Christ Immortal Tree

ROMAN BREVIARY
Crux Fidelis