Category Archives: pre-conciliar documents

Remember, this document is written to and for bishops. Keeping that in mind … 176. In keeping with your pastoral solicitude, Venerable Brethren, do not cease to recommend and encourage these exercises of piety from which the faithful, entrusted to … Continue reading →

Part IV of Mediator Dei begins with some “practical applications.” 172. In order that the errors and inaccuracies, mentioned above, may be more easily removed from the Church, and that the faithful following safer norms may be able to use more … Continue reading →

Let’s wrap up Pope Pius’ examination of the Blessed Mother, and with it, Part III of this encyclical letter (MD 138-171) addressing the Liturgy of the Hours and the Liturgical Year: 170. Throughout this liturgical journey which begins anew for … Continue reading →

Mary is preeminent among the saints, and there are many reasons for this, based on Scripture as well as Tradition: 169. Among the saints in heaven the Virgin Mary Mother of God is venerated in a special way. Because of … Continue reading →

Then, as is true today, saints are important to us Catholic believers: 166. In the course of the liturgical year, besides the mysteries of Jesus Christ, the feasts of the saints are celebrated. Even though these feasts are of a … Continue reading →

I think many would suggest that the Passion, Death, and Resurrection as one mystery is essential Christianity. This is how the Roman Eucharistic Prayers stress it. A strong examination of the Passion is certainly part of our twenty-century tradition: 164. … Continue reading →

Pope Pius XII offers a critique of a movement that, perhaps, we have seen a bit of in churches and in Catholic piety: 162. From what We have already explained, Venerable Brethren, it is perfectly clear how much modern writers … Continue reading →

Easter joy: 159. At the Paschal season, which commemorates the triumph of Christ, our souls are filled with deep interior joy: we, accordingly, should also consider that we must rise, in union with the Redeemer, from our cold and slothful … Continue reading →

The seventeen-day period prior to Lent is referenced here, as is that prime penitential season: 157. During the days of Septuagesima and Lent, our Holy Mother the Church over and over again strives to make each of us seriously consider … Continue reading →

The liturgical year begins with Advent–this was true prior to Vatican II, of course. The sense of Advent prior to the council was a bit more penitential, hence this witness of Pope Pius: 154. In the period of Advent, for … Continue reading →

Let’s turn our attention to the liturgical year according to Pope Pius XII: 151. Throughout the entire year, the Mass and the divine office center especially around the person of Jesus Christ. This arrangement is so suitably disposed that our … Continue reading →

Let’s wrap up Pope Pius XII’s examination of the Liturgy of the Hours with a look at possible lay participation: 150. In an earlier age, these canonical prayers were attended by many of the faithful. But this gradually ceased, and, … Continue reading →

The Psalms, ah! 147. The Psalms, as all know, form the chief part of the divine office. They encompass the full round of the day and sanctify it. Cassiodorus speaks beautifully about the Psalms as distributed in his day throughout … Continue reading →

Pope Pius XII emphasizes interiority again. This time, in connection with the daily prayer of the Church: 145. To this lofty dignity of the Church’s prayer, there should correspond earnest devotion in our souls. For when in prayer the voice … Continue reading →

More on the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, as many of you know. A basic definition, which doesn’t include the laity: 142. The divine office is the prayer of the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, … Continue reading →