December 8th: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, formally defined Ex Cathedra by Pope Pius IX in the encyclicle Ineffabilis Deus on December 8th of 1854. A holy day of obligation.


Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us
Holy Mother of God, pray for us
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us
Mother of Christ, pray for us
Mother of divine grace, pray for us
Mother most pure, pray for us
Mother most chaste, pray for us
Mother inviolate, pray for us
Mother undefiled, pray for us
Mother most amiable, pray for us
Mother most admirable, pray for us
Mother of good counsel, pray for us
Mother of our Creator, pray for us
Mother of our Redeemer, pray for us
Virgin most prudent, pray for us
Virgin most venerable, pray for us
Virgin most renowned, pray for us
Virgin most powerful, pray for us
Virgin most merciful, pray for us
Virgin most faithful, pray for us
Mirror of justice, pray for us
Seat of wisdom, pray for us
Cause of our joy, pray for us
Spritual vessel, pray for us
Vessel of honor, pray for us
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us
Mystical rose, pray for us
Tower of David, pray for us
Tower of ivory, pray for us
House of gold, pray for us
Ark of the covenant, pray for us
Gate of Heaven, pray for us
Morning Star, pray for us
Health of the sick, pray for us
Refuge of sinners, pray for us
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us
Help of Christians, pray for us
Queen of Angels, pray for us
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us
Queen of Prophets, pray for us
Queen of Apostles, pray for us
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us
Queen of Confessors, pray for us
Queen of Virgins, pray for us
Queen of all Saints, pray for us
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of peace, pray for us

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us.

Pray for us, most holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, whose only begotten Son, by his life, death and resurrection has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech you, that while meditating of the mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), December 08, 2003

Answers

The html worked. Wow.

-- (emerald1@cox.net), December 08, 2003.

how do you do those html links?

-- Andrew (andyhbk96@hotmail.com), December 08, 2003.

Thank you for that, Emerald.

-- Psyche +AMDG+ (psychicquill@yahoo.com), December 08, 2003.

Very well done. A wonderful devotion. I have a lot to explore.

I'm also curious as to how you make the links work.

-- Leon (vol@weblink2000.net), December 08, 2003.

An HTML hyperlink has this structure:

<a href="http://www.mysite.com/etc">text on which to point-and-click</A>

-- (YouWantIt@YouGotIt.com), December 08, 2003.

Actually, the final "A" doesn't have to be capitalized.

-- (YouWantIt@YouGotIt.com), December 08, 2003.

Thanks Emerald, Well done.

-- Joe (joestong@yahoo.com), December 09, 2003.

-- JUST TRYING IT OUT (trying@out.com), December 09, 2003.

-- trying (trying@out.com), December 09, 2003.

RANDOM SITE

-- try (trying@out.com), December 09, 2003.

You can go here to practice html without using the forum as a "scratch pad." There's also quick instructions in the FAQ about making links.

FWIW, Paul, an FAQ for this forum might not be a bad idea.

-- jake (j@k.e), December 09, 2003.

Thanks...

-- Andrew (andyhbk96@hotmail.com), December 09, 2003.

I wish our Protestant friends wouldn't push the Blessed Virgin aside, and the Blessed Sacrament in particular as well. There is so much they are missing out on, things that will be at the very essence of the happiness and joy in heaven.

Even as Catholics who are well founded in their faith, there is a never-ending wealth of beauty in the depth of our Holy Faith; it never ever ends. It's good to hear that people like reading these things.

One of the links above under "Queen of Confessors" has something I've never read until today and it; I'm finding out more about St. John Vianney and I really like what I'm reading. Here's something from that link about the Blessed Mother.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), December 09, 2003.

Thnaks Emerald youve put alot of work into this a great devotion. On a bit of a sour note I think people will need to be warned at least two of the links (www.catholicism.org and www.catholictradition.org) are sites that are on the surface at least, appear to be shismatic. I havent had time to have a good loook around but delving around briefly the show all the hallmarks of the subtle anti Catholic lies and deception common to all pseudo traditonalist sites. Certainly some of the sites they proudly link too are anti Catholic- cause enough for concern . I couldnt find any photos of any Pontifs post Vatican II although they show plenty before. ALso a number of articles on salvation and Vatican II are not in line with current Church teachings. Concerning. Am I being alarmist or unnessarily pedantic?

-- Kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), December 10, 2003.

Emerald damn I wish I hand posted that, very petty!- Ignore me please mate- just being a pedantic bore, and it really is a great effort.

God Bless :)

-- Kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), December 10, 2003.

Don't give it a second thought. It'll probably be a while before you and the forum, and I, see eye to eye regarding which position concerning salvation represents the true teachings of the Catholic Church... that, and other issues no doubt.

But above I think I would be more than willing to get ecumenical over the matter of devotion to the mother of God. It seems to be a sort of Pascal's Wager in the practical/spiritual sense, such that if you took one side of any equation and I another, if we were each to appeal in truth to God's own mother's guidance, we'd both win since no doubt this good mother of the Savior wouldn't let either of us down who genuinely asked to know the truth of anything.

Did you ever in your reading come across the term "Lady Philosophy"? When I heard the readings at Mass on the 8th, and heard the priest give his homily touching on the Virgin's title of Seat of Wisdom that you see in the litany above, that term Lady Philosophy came to my head after being out of it for a long time. It was so long ago that I had to remind myself where it had come from; I googled it and saw the title The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius.

At this location, as Customer Review Number #1 for this classic, I found this:

"Boethius was certainly a bright spot in the midst of a darkening world flooded by barbarians and intellectually on the decline. Boethius was among the many commentators and compilers of his age who endeavored to preserve the tenets of Greek Philosophy. His commentaries on the original Greek texts of Aristotle helped to pave the way for Aquinas "Summa Theologia." So Boethius works, though lacking originality, nevertheless made a very significant impact upon the later scholastic philosophers, and to the whole of Catholic tradition as well."

It's been so long ago that I can hardly remember having read the book, but what I'm going to do is to find it and read it again right away. Maybe there's something in it, and maybe not. The only way I'm going to find out is to read it again.

"Be not overcome by your misfortunes, for the gifts of fortune are fleeting and happiness is not to be found in temporal goods. Only by being like God, who is the highest good, can lasting happiness come to man." Lady Philosophy counsels.

We'll do battle again soon on something, but cease-fires have their place. Thanks, man.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), December 10, 2003.

No I havent Emerald but it sounds interesting. Its something but probably fronm a different angle in that that bugs me in that much of Catholic theology is based around a few great Church Fathers like Aquinas whose understanding of the world was limited by their place and time and the assumptions(often false) they made using the basic tennets of Greek philosophy. The more I consder how we are influenced by social constructs, the more doubts I have about all sorts of things. I just cant put it all together in a clear picture.

Thanks and God Bless

-- Kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), December 10, 2003.

sorry for the muddle hopeyou get the gist-where is evryone these days, I seem to post to myself continuously, might be the time time zone but its very quiet here. Com on lurkers speak up!

-- Kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), December 10, 2003.

Kiwi Isherwood writes, in 2003: "... much of Catholic theology is based around a few great Church Fathers like Aquinas whose understanding of the world was limited by their place and time and the assumptions (often false) they made using the basic tennets of Greek philosophy."

Karol Wojtyla (aka JPII) writes, in 1999: "'Doctor Humanitatis' is the name we give St Thomas Aquinas because he was always ready to receive the values of all cultures. In the cultural conditions of our time, it seems truly appropriate to develop further this part of Thomistic doctrine which deals with humanity, given that his assertions on the dignity of the human person and the use of his reason, in perfect harmony with the faith, make St Thomas a teacher for our time. Human beings, especially in the contemporary world, are concerned with this question: What is man? In employing this epithet, 'Doctor Humanitatis,' I am following in the footsteps of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council regarding the use of the teaching of Aquinas´ writings, both in the philosophical and theological training of priests (Decree 'Optatam totius,' n. 16), and in deepening the harmony and agreement between faith and reason in universities (Declaration 'Gravissimum educationis,' n. 10).

Hmmmm...
Whom can I trust? On the one hand, I've got a 30-year-old, lay, secondary school teacher. On the other, I've got an 83-year-old man who has been a bishop for about 50 years and is now the Vicar of Christ on Earth. Hmmmm ... It's such a close call. I'm just torn -- know what I mean?

Sorry, Kiwi. I think that I'll go with "the boss."

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 10, 2003.

Jeez youre a pain John, of course the Pope is going to say this. I dont disagree with the Pope I just struggle to understand how this can be, there is a difference. I need to understand not just WHAT the Pope says but WHY he says this something youve consistently shown on most theological issues to have zero understanding of, nor desire to learn about. fair enough, you know your limits and you stick to them. Good for you lawman. (some would use the word "facile" but its far to generous IMO).

ps Quit the lame "choice between Kiwi and the Pope" its immature and but not surprising. Im not 30 years old and Im not a high school teacher either.

AS the Pope says

"it seems truly appropriate to develop further"

iIf only you would do the same. God Bless

-- Kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), December 11, 2003.

"Im not 30 years old and Im not a high school teacher either."

Really? The last time you mentioned these subjects (maybe a year or two ago), I thought you said you were 28 and teaching in secondary school. Is my memory about this wrong? Are you actually 29 or 31 and being picky? I think I recall that you said you were considering leaving teaching. So you went ahead and left, eh?

Do me a favor and omit further pseudo-intellectual putdowns, like this one: "I need to understand not just WHAT the Pope says but WHY he says this something youve consistently shown on most theological issues to have zero understanding of, nor desire to learn about. fair enough, you know your limits and you stick to them."

Heck, a person can barely make sense out of that sloppy-ass run-on sentence (lacking some puncuation, some upper-case letters, etc.). On another thread Paul M and I are correcting your misunderstandings of morality/conscience, showing you to be pushing relativism. Yet, despite such things, you are going to have the nerve to say that I am the one who has "shown on most theological issues to have zero understanding of, nor desire to learn about" them? Yours are brass, to be sure, Kiwi, but I will give them a swift kick for you, pal!

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 11, 2003.

Moderator:

Please delete the above post for vulgarity and threatening language. Given the poster's history of both, perhaps a warning is in order.

-- jake (j@k.e), December 11, 2003.

Moderator, please ignore (or even better, delete) Jake's message, which is nothing but childish harassment.

I broke no forum rules. I used no obscene language and (as the addressee, Kiwi, will tell you) I did not "threaten" him. Anyone with Jake's knowledge of the friendship that Kiwi and I have ought to realize that I was mixing a serious message with some playful teasing. It appears that Jake is out for revenge. A sad business.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 11, 2003.

John,

You're still out of control. Settle down.

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), December 11, 2003.

John you have all the insight and perception of an ingrown toenail sometimes but I do thankyou for your correction on the other thread. I told you I was 26 two years ago, you do the math, and yes I have left teaching, Im studying next year. It probably sums up the problems of this forum that on a devotion to Mary this is the result and a reason why in order for this board to "recover" its for the best if I vacate the premises as I dont handle confrontations very well.

Merry Christmas and Peace!

-- Kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), December 11, 2003.

Kiwi,

The forum is better off with you, then without you. You will do well with your studys'. You came a million miles in the past two years with Gods' Grace.

God bless you.

-- - (David@excite.com), December 12, 2003.

"You're still out of control. Settle down"

Frank,
"You're still" a royal pain in the gluteus maximus. (Thought I'd use a little medical/anatomical language for you, Mr. Disorderly Orderly.)

As such (i.e., as the royal pain you have been for two years), you lack all authority and persuasiveness to characterize me or to instruct me to do anything. Save the above kind of comments for your children (or for Jake), not for your elders and betters (like me).

We hadn't heard from you for about a week, since the last time you slunk off in shame. I was hoping that you had left us forever (as I recommended would be appropriate penance for what you and the "mad deleter" did to this forum during your co-reign). No such luck, I guess.

God bless you.
John
PS to Kiwi: You know, from e-mail, that I unite my sentiments with those of David. It doesn't matter to me if "don't handle confrontations well." You and I are already used to one another's weak points, even though we gripe about them ... and we cannot benefit from one another's strong points if we leave when discouraged about our weak ones.

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 12, 2003.

Go home Faith;
The main reason you don't understand the importance of Mary in the Catholic (True) faith is,

You're brainwashed by self-ordained ministers. You have fallen into the snares of the devil; and what little spiritual insight you started with once, it's pathetic now. You live in darkness. God have mercy on your helplessness.

______

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), December 22, 2003.

What in the heck is "Faith" doing back in the forum?
I thought that this S.o.B. (son of a baptist) was banned.
If not, it's time for a good old-fashioned banning again.

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 23, 2003.

The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown

O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing in the choir

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Savior

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
Any Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas day in the morn

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all

The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown

Have a Merry Christmas, John. Look deeper, and make sure Faith doesn't pass you on the freeway without honking, for Heaven's sake! lol.

Maybe I'll come back on the 1st, but there's an ambiguity there you know; I didn't say which year...

God bless.

-- Emmaus (emerald1@cox.net), December 23, 2003.

Back to the top . . .

-- Leon (vol@weblink2000.net), January 03, 2004.

Why, Leon?

-- ? (?@?.?), January 03, 2004.

This forum seems to me more bizarre than ever; more strife and confusion than even what I'm used to. I've been thinking about some things, and decided I want to post an apology to the forum for anything at all that I've said in here that may have been displeasing to Our Lord and His Mother.

Am I going Neo? Absolutely not; forget it. I'm sticking with my Traditional Mass and I believe that extra ecclesiam nulla solus without qualification and I'm never not going to.

But I'm keenly aware of my place in the body of Christ, and in some ways I feel like I've way overstepped my boundaries and have needlessly gotten in the face of too many people. I want to apologize to the forum, to Christ and the Virgin Mary if I have been a disservice in any way whatsoever to His Church. My intentions have been honest, but it's the matter of it not being my place to do so.

One more to-your-face shameless plug, if you will. One time several years ago, I asked the Mother of God to rescue me, and she has not failed me. Pain and beauty. Say your Rosary every day to learn to follow Christ and achieve salvation for yourself and others by this means; don't call it an optional devotion or a nice thing to do... call it essential. If it's not part of your every day or that of your family, make it so now and don't put it off. People have no idea what a simple fiat can accomplish.

I know nothing except the above.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), January 08, 2004.