A most blessed feast of Corpus Christi to all readers.
"We think ... of all the thousands of masses which are being said or sung the whole world over, and all rising with one note of blissful acclamation, from grateful creatures, to the Majesty of our merciful Creator.
How many glorious processions, with the sun upon their banners, are now winding their way round the squares of mighty cities, through the flower-strewn streets of Christian villages, through the antique cloisters of the glorious cathedral, or through the grounds of the seminary, where the various colours of the faces, and the different languages of the people are only so many fresh tokens of the unity of that faith which they are all exultingly professing in the single voice of the magnificent ritual of Rome!
Upon how many altars of various architecture, amid sweet flowers and starry lights, amid clouds of humble incense, and the tumult of thrilling song, before thousands of prostrate worshippers, is the Blessed Sacrament raised for exposition, or taken down for benediction! And how many blessed acts of faith and love, of triumph and of reparation, do not each of these things surely represent!
The world over, the summer air is filled with the voice of song. The gardens are shorn of their fairest blossoms, to be flung beneath the feet of the Sacramental God. The steeples are reeling with the clang of bells; the cannon are booming in the gorges of the Andes and the Appenines; the ships of the harbours are painting the bays of the sea with their show of gaudy flags; the pomp of royal or republican armies salutes the King of kings.
The Pope on his throne, and the school-girl in her village, cloistered nuns, and sequestered hermits, bishops and dignitaries and preachers, emperors and kings and princes, all are engrossed to-day with the Blessed Sacrament ... "
Viva il Fabbro!!! May Christendom return!
Why, thanks to the hint of "Viva il Fabbro", that would be dear Fr. Frederick W. Faber, D.D., in his book, "The Blessed Sacrament", Prologue, Triumph, Part I
ReplyDeleteDom Gueranger, I think
ReplyDeleteWith regard to your final comment Father I hope and pray that one day when sane men are once again in control of the Catholic Church's liturgical life that some sort of right and fitting liturgical lament should be composed for the destruction of Christendom. Maybe we can put it on July 14 if Saint Bonaventure wouldn't mind.
ReplyDelete