The Door We Have to Pass Through

A door at St. Michael's Cathedral.

Humble yourselves...We cannot pass through the low door with our head held high unless we want to crack it.  And the door we have to pass through is Christ crucified, who humbled Himself down to the level of us witless fools.       

                 – St. Catherine of Siena


By the by, Dear Hearts, I am back from Rome.

How to Bring Souls to God and His Church

St. Michael's Cathedral reaches up toward heaven.

Pray and weep for their conversion like St. Monica because...

Nothing is far from God. – Saint Monica

Students

A poster in the narthex of St. Michael's Cathedral reminds Catholic Ryerson students about the upcoming Annual Mass and BBQ at St. John's Chapel.

Do you wish to study to your advantage?
Let devotion accompany all your studies.
Consult God more than your books.
Ask Him to make you understand what you read.
Never begin or end your study except by prayer.
Science is a gift of God.
Do not consider it merely the work of your own mind and effort. 

                          – St. Vincent Ferrer, OP

For Frequent Use

Holy water in the sacristy of St. Michael's Cathedral.

I know by frequent experience that there 

is nothing which puts the devils to flight like Holy water. 

– St. Teresa of Avila

What Joy

A Deacon greets parishioners outside St. Michael's Cathedral with evident joy.

Would that mortal men might know how wonderful is divine grace, how beautiful, how precious; what riches are hidden therein, what treasures, what joys, what delights. If they but knew, surely they would direct their energy with all care and diligence to procuring sufferings and afflictions for themselves. Instead of good fortune all men everywhere would seek out troubles, illness and suffering that they might obtain the inestimable treasure of grace...No one would complain about the cross or about hardships coming seemingly by chance upon him, if he realized in what balance they are weighed before being distributed to men. 

                                    – St. Rose of Lima

On Christian Modesty

Women wearing mantillas at St. Michael's Cathedral.

Photo from internet.

The mantilla is not an obligation but it is a traditional way for women to do honour to the Blessed Sacrament. These veiled heads are also a powerful answer to the androgyny and immodesty of our age:

One cannot sufficiently deplore the blindness of so many women of every age and station. Made foolish by a desire to please, they do not see to what degree the indecency of their clothing shocks every honest man and offends God. Most of them would formerly have blushed for such apparel as for a grave fault against Christian modesty. Now it does not suffice to exhibit themselves on public thoroughfares; they do not fear to cross the threshold of churches, to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and even to bear the seducing food of shameful passions to the Eucharistic Table, where one receives the Heavenly Author of Purity.  

                    - Pope Benedict XV, 1921.

Memento Mori

The funerary marker of Rev. P.F. Cummins in the basement crypt of St. Michael's Cathedral.

REV. P. F. CUMMINS

DIED July 17, 1862.

AGED

26

YEARS.

Father died young. One summer day was his last day on this earth. 

Memento mori.

Crosses

A cross in a stained glass window in the narthex of St. Michael's Cathedral.

Thanks be to God I am having my share of these crosses in my life. I live, but my life is that of Christ’s, and in possessing me, my poor Lord possesses a nothing, and I, in possessing Him, possess everything.  

                           – St. Anthony Mary Claret

On Worrying about Every Detail

Detail of stained glass window at St. Michael's Cathedral.
photo credit

[The Lord] does not tell us that we must not work, must not plan ahead. He does not tell us that everything will be done for us. But He does tell us that we must not be always worrying and fretting and making a great commotion, as though we, and not He, were responsible for the universe. 

                                     – Fr. Gerald Vann, OP

On Obedience

A single pious soul stands with the angels (not pictured) before the altar of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Michael's Cathedral.  Photo from internet.

Obedience unites us so closely to God that in a way it transforms us into Him, so that we have no other will but His. If obedience is lacking, even prayer cannot be pleasing to God.
  

                    – St. Thomas Aquinas

Ite ad Joseph

A stained glass window dedicated to St. Joseph in St. John's chapel at St. Michael's Cathedral. Note the S.J. for Saint Joseph,  the tools of his trade, the lilies for his chastity, and the directive "ite ad Joseph".

There is a need of living well, but there is even more need of dying well. A good death is everything. – Blessed Louis Guanella

You want to die in God’s friendship? Me too. Let's go to St. Joseph whose singularly privileged death (in the presence of Jesus and Mary) makes him the patron of a happy death.  

St. Padre Pio on the Storms of Life

A storm drain in the front courtyard of St. Michael's Cathedral.

It is very easy to guide a boat when it is not troubled by the winds, and to go through life without any accident whatsoever. But in the middle of the obstacles or trials, as through the winds, it is very difficult to continue the journey.

Behold the necessity to always watch and to look after one’s self, of one’s own actions, of one’s intentions and to show that the heart is good and just, sweet, humble and generous. To such an end, often place your heart in the state of an absolute confidence in Him who has called you into the bosom of His affection.                                        – St. Padre Pio

The Gift of Himself on the Cross

A cross in the moulding around a window in the narthex of St. Michael's Cathedral.

I dare say that God

in His omnipotence could not give more;

in His wisdom, He knew not how to give more;

in His riches He had not more to give. 

– St. Augustine

Nature Liberated From its Dross

Mosaic flowers in the Altar to the Sacred Heart in St. Michael's Cathedral.

Only by the power of grace can nature be liberated from its dross, restored to its purity, and made free to receive divine life. And this divine life itself is the inner driving power from which acts of love come forth. Whoever wants to preserve this life continually within herself must nourish it constantly from the source whence it flows without end: from the holy sacraments, above all from the sacrament of love. To have divine love as its inner form, a woman’s life must be a Eucharistic life. 

                 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)

What to Ask of the Blessed Virgin

Detail of the Marian altar in St. Michael's Cathedral.

I will ask the Blessed Virgin for an all-embracing charity and perfect union with God, a most profound humility, and the desire for contempt from others. I will greatly esteem virtues in others.  I will look on everybody as my superior, judging well of all his works, reprehending, cen­suring, and judging only myself.   

                    – St. Anthony Mary Claret

Verbum Sapienti

***UPDATE***

I had occasion last week to be in the sacristy of Santa Maria Maggiore (Rome) and saw there the following sign:

CELEBRA MISSAM

UT PRIMAM

UT UNICAM

UT ULTIMAM

This word of advice hangs in the sacristy of St. Michael's Cathedral where it will be seen before every Holy Mass.

The priest or layperson looking for more advice on the Holy Mass and matters Catholic would find it convenient to look to Father Z whose simple directive to priests (Say the Black, Do the Red) is now famous.

On Confession

The top of a confessional (the wood was once part of the reredos) in St. Michael's Cathedral.

My children, we cannot comprehend the goodness of God towards us in instituting this great Sacrament of Penance. If we had had a favour to ask of Our Lord, we should never have thought of asking Him that. But He foresaw our frailty and our inconstancy in well-doing, and His love induced Him to do what we should not have dared to ask.   

                              – St. Jean Vianney

Sing To The Lord

The prophetess Mary, sister of Aaron, leads the women with timbrel in hand in a stained glass window of St. Michael's Cathedral.

Let us sing to the Lord: for He is gloriously magnified, the horse and the rider He hath thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my praise, and He is become salvation to me: He is my God and I will glorify Him: the God of my father, and I will exalt Him.                                – Exodus 15:1-3

Want To Stand Out In A Crowd?

A smartly uniformed Police Officer departs after Holy Mass at St. Michael's Cathedral.

SERVE.

Fourth Ordinary of Toronto

A painting of Archbishop John Walsh (d.1898) hangs in the sacristy of St. Michael's Cathedral.

Inside St. Michael’s Cathedral Walsh was ordained a priest, consecrated a bishop, seated as archbishop, and buried. In so far as we Christians have a home in this vale of tears, St. Michael’s Cathedral must have been his.

Lourdes

Detail of mural by Vaclav Vaca at the Lady altar in St. Michael's Cathedral.

Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest yourself shining with light, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child Saint Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception!"

O Mary Immaculate, inflame our hearts with one ray of the burning love of your pure heart. Let them be consumed with love for Jesus and for you, in order that we may merit one day to enjoy your glorious eternity...

Pray For Sisters

A marker from the crypt of St. Michael's Cathedral.

SOROR

M.J. BONAVENTURA

Migravit ad sponsum

11° APRILIS 1849

Migravit ad sponsum – what a precious way to put it.  Religious do not have biological children to pray for the repose of their souls. Lucky for us they do have spiritual children, so get praying. If Sister is already with her Divine Spouse, she doesn't need your prayers but prays for you. Communion of saints, People. Communion. Of. Saints.

St. John

A statue of St. John in the altar to the Sacred Heart at St. Michael's Cathedral.

The beloved disciple. He took part in the Last Supper. Standing at the foot of the cross, he was made guardian of Our Lady by Jesus himself. Upon hearing of the Resurrection, he was the first to reach the tomb. When he met the risen Lord at the lake of Tiberias, John was the first to recognize Him.

Fair as the Moon

A panel of the painted ceiling of St. Michael's Cathedral.

Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?

Why aren't you in the Legion of Mary anyway?  

Come on. You know you wanna.

St. Edwin of Northumbria

The likeness of St. Edwin of Northumbria on the exterior of St. Michael's Cathedral.

St. King Edwin of Northumbria was converted by St. Paulinus whose likeness is on the other side of the main doors of St. Michael’s Cathedral. After his baptism the king entertained Paulinus for five weeks at the royal villa where Paulinus was occupied from morning to night instructing and baptizing the crowds that flocked to him. 

St. Michael's Restoration Fund

A sign reminding parishioners of the St. Michael's Cathedral Restoration Fund.

As a protestant I was always impressed with the dignity and beauty of Catholic Cathedrals.  So I’m not too proud to beg: for love of souls give something to the St. Michael’s Cathedral Restoration Fund. 

Ecce Agnus Dei

A crest in St. John's Chapel depicting the victorious Lamb of God.

John saw Jesus coming to him, and he saith, Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Who taketh away the sin of the world.  – John 1:29

Our Lady Gate of Heaven

Detail of mural by Vaclav Vaca at the Lady altar in St. Michael's Cathedral. Our Lady is here identified under the devotional title: The Gate of Heaven.

Gentle Mother of God, full of grace, the Door of Heaven that is always open, through you may the eyes of God rest upon us.

Ianua Coeli, ora pro nobis.

The likeness of Bishop Armand Francois Marie de Charbonnel, P.S.S. hangs in the sacristy of St. Michael's Cathedral.

de Charbonnel was consecrated Toronto’s second bishop by Pope Pius IX in the Sistine Chapel on May 26, 1850.

A Frenchman and a Sulpician, he doubled the number of priests and parishes in Toronto, introduced several religious orders to the diocese, and used his personal funds to pay off the Cathedral’s debts.

Question the Beauty

St. Michael's Cathedral.  credit

Question the beauty of the earth, the sea, the air distending and diffusing itself, the sky, question all these realities. All respond: "See, we are beautiful." These beauties are subject to change. Who made them if not the Beautiful One who is not subject to change?    

                                  - Saint Augustine

The Gift of Chains

A chain hangs on the gate outside St. Michael's Cathedral.

St. John Chrysostom on St. Paul’s chains:

No glittering diadem so adorns the head as a chain borne for Christ. Were the choice offered me either of heaven or of this chain suffered for Christ, I would take the chain. If I might have stood with the angels above, near the throne of God, or have been bound with Paul, I should have preferred the dungeon. Had you rather been the angel loosing Peter or Peter in chains? I would rather have been Peter. The gift of chains is something greater than power to stop the sun, to move the world, or to command the devils.

Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

God the Father (right), God the Son (left), and God the Holy Spirit (in form of a dove) crown the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven while angels adore in a stained glass window of St. Michael's Cathedral.

What tongue could worthily describe Mary’s triumphant entry into heaven?  If the triumphs prepared here below arouse such admiration and great enthusiasm that they attract many people to contemplate them, what can be said of the triumph prepared by God Himself for His mother?   

                                       - St. Padre Pio

Griffin

A panel of the painted ceiling of St. Michael's Cathedral depicting a griffin.

The griffin which is both lion and eagle is, among other things, a symbol of the hypostatic union. 

Christ: fully human, fully divine.

Reflect with the Ancients on the Power of a Name

At the back of the nave in St. Michael's Cathedral.

Still don’t read Ancient Greek? Hang your head in shame. Then read the translation in the Palatine Anthology 1.32.

At Her Feet

This large statue of Our Lady with her hands folded and head bowed in prayer stands in the sacristy of St. Michael's Cathedral. Its placement means that Our Blessed Mother must be the very last thing Father sees before exiting the sacristy to say Holy Mass.

Ah! Queen most worthy of love, I desire to love you in heaven.  There, at your feet, I shall better know how worthy you are of love, how much you have done to save me; and thus I shall love you with greater love, and love you eternally, without fear of ever ceasing to love you.  O Mary, I hope most certainly to be saved by your means.  Pray to Jesus for me.   

                            – St. Alphonsus Liguori

Passionists

Note the Passionist symbol on his holy habit: a heart with three nails at the bottom, the words "Jesu XPI Passio", topped with a cross. Oh to wear the Holy Name over a consecrated heart!

While walking I was recollected in prayer: when I turned the corner to go home I was raised up by God to the heights of recollection to the point of forgetting everything else and sensed an interior sweetness: it was at this moment that I saw myself, in spirit, vested in black from head to toe, with a white cross on my breast and under the cross the Most Holy name of Jesus in white letters.      – St. Paul of the Cross

Rome-ward Bound

Photo credit.

Yours truly shall shortly be in the centre of the Catholic world and shall remember your intentions before the Blessed Sacrament in St. Peter’s Basilica.  Don’t worry, Dear Hearts, I have set up automatic posts in advance, lest you suffer without your daily dose of St. Michael’s Cathedral...

The Rose of Charity

A rose adorns the area above the crown molding in St. John's Chapel at St. Michael's Cathedral.

Thou art the box of holy perfumes, O Mary, gathered by the heavenly Perfumer, delightfully blooming with the beautiful flowers of every virtue, among which three are excellent above all, the violet of humility, the lily of chastity, and the rose of charity.                                           – St. Bernard

Under the Protection of Mary

A side window beside the Marian altar in St. Michael's Cathedral.

The letters A and M superimposed stand for Auspice Maria.  Where could we refuse to go with Mary as our guide? 

The Divine Lamb

A panel of the painted ceiling of St. Michael's Cathedral depicting a lamb atop a book. Christ is the Word and the Lamb.

To prepare oneself constantly for martyrdom, and accept it without a shadow of reluctance, like the Divine Lamb - in Jesus, through Jesus, for Jesus - I must try and live as if I were to die a martyr today.  Every minute I must imagine I am going to be martyred this very evening.

               - Blessed Charles de Foucauld

Ever Ancient Ever New

Metropolitan Methodist in foreground and St. Michael's Cathedral in background circa 1890.

It is of the new things that men tire - of fashions and proposals and improvements and change. It is the old things that startle and intoxicate. It is the old things that are young.          - G. K. Chesterton

Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

The sixth station of the Cross hangs in St. Michael's Cathedral.

My most beloved Jesus, Thy face was beautiful before, but in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have disfigured it. Alas! my soul also was once beautiful, when it received Thy grace in Baptism; but I have disfigured it since by my sins. Thou alone, my Redeemer, canst restore it to its former beauty...

                          - St. Alphonsus Liguori

The Crosier

Most Reverend William McGrattan, Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto offers a blessing outside St. Michael's Cathedral.

A Bishop’s crosier is a beautiful symbol of his role as the spiritual shepherd of a flock.  His Excellency’s crosier has a crook at the top (to draw stray sheep back to the spiritual fold) and a ferrule at the bottom (to goad the spiritually lazy and beat back the dangerous wolves). Note the position of the crook which is always held away from himself and toward the persons or objects which he is facing.

Purity

A hand-sanitizing station in the narthex of St. Michael's Cathedral.  It is just steps from the vital soul-sanitizing station inside.

How far the unhappy human race has strayed from the path of Christian purity!  

St. Maria Goretti, child martyr, pray for us on your feast day!

Good St. Anne

A statue of St. Anne looking lovingly at her child Mary in St. Michael's Cathedral.

St. Anne the mother of Our Lady, the grandmother of Our Lord.

While leading a devout and holy life in your human nature, you gave birth to a daughter nobler than the angels, whose queen she now is.

        - Saint John Damascene to St. Anne

Stain Removal

The faucet and window sill in the sacristy of St. Michael's Cathedral.

The sign next to the sink reads:

WASHING HANDS BEFORE EVERY MASS

GRANT TO MY HANDS, OH LORD

THE POWER TO REMOVE

EVERY STAIN OF SIN,

SO THAT I MAY SERVE YOU

WITHOUT DEFILEMENT OF

MIND AND BODY 

Light of Christ

A candle on the painted ceiling of St. Michael's Cathedral.

Lumen Christi gloriose resurgentis

Dissipet tenebras cordis et mentis.

Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

The fifth station of the Cross hangs high in St. Michael's Cathedral.

My most sweet Jesus, I will not refuse the cross as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death that Thou hast destined for me with all the pains which may accompany it; I unite it to Thy death, I offer it to Thee. Thou has died for love of me, I will die for love of Thee, and to please Thee...Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt. 
  

                       - St. Alphonsus Liguori

Dominion Day

Painting of Archbishop John Joseph Lynch, third Bishop and first Archbishop of Toronto, hangs in the sacristy of St. Michael's Cathedral.

When Canada was born on July 1, 1867 Bishop John Joseph Lynch was reigning over the Diocese of Toronto.  Three years later during Vatican Council I the diocese was raised to an archbishopric by Pope Pius IX and Bishop Lynch became Archbishop Lynch.