Prayer for a Stressful Time

A representation of the Holy Spirit on the ambo in St. Michael's Cathedral. We don't call Him "the Comforter" for nothing.

May He support us all the day long,

till the shades lengthen, 

and the evening comes,

and the busy world is hushed,

and the fever of life is over and our work is done!

Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging,

and a holy rest, and peace at the last. 

                - Blessed John Henry Newman

Thy Cross

A Crucifix on the main altar of St. Michael's Cathedral.

Glory be to Thee, O Lord! Thy cross is my resting place. 

              – Blessed Angela of Foligno

Going Back to The Gospel

The ambo in St. Michael's Cathedral.

Let us go back to the holy source, to the Gospel, the word of God.  Let us draw from it lessons of moral strength, heroic patience, tenderness for all creatures and for souls.  Let us Christians be sure never to “break the bruised reed” nor to “quench the smoking flax.”...Let us beware: nothing is so delicate and so sacred as the human soul, nothing is so quickly bruised.  Let each one of our words and deeds contain a principle of life that, penetrating other spirits, will communicate light and strength and will reveal God to them. 

         – Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur 

Nearness

The little Tabernacle (with the Last Supper scene) in St. John's Chapel at St. Michael's Cathedral.

Lord Jesus, You are in the Holy Eucharist. You are there a yard away in the Tabernacle. Your body, Your soul, Your human nature, Your divinity, Your whole being is there, in its twofold nature. How close You are, my God, my Savior, my Spouse, My Beloved!

You were not nearer to the Blessed Virgin during the nine months that she carried You than You are to me when You rest on my tongue in Holy Communion. You were no closer to the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph in the caves at Bethlehem or in the flight into Egypt or at any moment of that divine family life than you are to me at this moment – and so many others - in the Tabernacle.

                     – Blessed Charles de Foucauld

Pillar of Prayer

A detail of the ambo in the Sanctuary of St. Michael's Cathedral.

How often I failed in my duty to God, because I was not leaning on the strong pillar of prayer. 

                  - St. Teresa of Avila

St. Martin of Tours: Patron of Soldiers

Two souls kneel in prayer next to the Remembrance Day flowers in St. Michael's Cathedral.

Lord, if your people still have need of my services, I will not avoid the toil. Your will be done. I have fought the good fight long enough. Yet if you bid me continue to hold the battle line in defense of your camp, I will never beg to be excused from failing strength. I will do the work you entrust to me. While you command, I will fight beneath your banner. Amen.

                     - St. Martin of Tours

                      

For An Altar Server

An adorable little stool for an altar server next to the credence table in St. Michael's Cathedral.

To be Christ's page at the altar,


To serve Him freely there,


Where even angels falter,


Bowed low in reverent prayer...


...No grander mission surely


Could saints or men enjoy:


No heart should love more purely,


Than yours who serve with joy.

Mystery Solved

A week and a half ago there appeared on either side of the chancel window (above the reredos) in St. Michael's Cathedral these large mysterious items.  They are draped in maroon veils (the same colour as the wall) and hanging from small black crosses.  I have tinkered with the colour levels in the above photo to make them more visible, hence the graininess.

They are new speakers for the organ.

The Pillar

Only the six pillars which border the sanctuary at St. Michael's Cathedral have this tinge of red and blue.

Here is another proof of her divine life: in spite of a great number of pernicious opinions and a great variety of errors (as well as the vast army of rebels) the Church remains immutable and constant, "as the pillar and foundation of truth," in professing one identical doctrine, in receiving the same Sacraments, in her divine constitution, government, and morality.  

                                    – St. Pius X, 1910

At the Elevation

The bells sit on the step of the sanctuary in St. John's Chapel at St. Michael's Cathedral.

I had never in my life attended such a stunning Mass.  The Mass became – what in reality it is – an absolutely supernatural act.  When the bells rang at the elevation of the Host, then of the Chalice, Padre Pio was immobilized in contemplation.  How long?...Ten, twelve minutes, maybe longer…  

       - A French ambassador to the Holy See

Preparing to Hear Mass

A few parishioners in contemplation at St. Michael's Cathedral. Photo Credit.

All good works together are not of equal value with the sacrifice of the Mass, because they are the works of men, and the holy Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison; it is the sacrifice that man makes of his life to God; the Mass is the sacrifice that God makes to man of His Body and of His Blood… We ought always to devote at least a quarter of an hour to preparing ourselves to hear Mass well…  

                                - St. Jean Marie Vianney