Monthly Archives: December 2005

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 1st Sunday of Advent – Roman Station: St. Mary Major These WDTPRS articles carefully explore week by week what the Latin prayers of Holy Mass really say. The first year of this series examined … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Holy Family – Sunday in the Octave of Christmas A liturgical “octave” is an eight day period following and including the feast. In a way, the Church suspends time so that we can “rest” … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Fourth Sunday of Advent This Sunday is both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and also Christmas Eve. Thus, in the morning we can have the Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and in … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Supplement Because last week the regular WDTPRS column did not appear (e-mail difficulties, short week, the dog ate my homework), I am putting my regular ramblings in a separate article. It’s Advent again, and … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? The 2nd & 3rd Sundays of Advent Due to technical difficulties and a short week, last week for the first time in four years WDTPRS did not appear. This week, we content ourselves with … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? The 2nd & 3rd Sundays of Advent Due to technical difficulties and a short week, last week for the first time in four years WDTPRS did not appear. This week, we content ourselves with … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? The 2nd Sunday of Advent When we approach difficult questions or topics, we must be humble before them, admitting the truth when made plain and ignorance when plainly we don’t have a clue. I … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? The 1st Sunday of Advent This is the first offering of the fifth year of WDTPRS. We begin anew. In this series we have been examining the original Latin prayers of Holy Mass in … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Sunday in the Octave of Christmas While our column today is being written before the Holy Feast of Christmas, it concerns the final prayer of a … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Sunday in the Octave of Christmas While our column today is being written before the Holy Feast of Christmas, it concerns the final prayer of a … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 4th Sunday of Advent – Station: Twelve Apostles Once in a while I get some feedback that makes my day, nay rather, my year. EM writes via e-mail: “I want to thank you for … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 3rd Sunday of Advent “Gaudete” – Station: St. Peter in the Vatican More: What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get at the Devil? Roper: Yes! I’d cut down … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 2nd Sunday of Advent – Station: Holy Cross in Jerusalem Some news about liturgical developments in case you haven’t heard already. In a Catholic New Service story we find “Vatican guidelines for translating liturgical … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 1st Sunday of Advent – Station: St. Mary Major With joy and optimism we reach the beginning of a new liturgical year with Advent anno salutis 2002. This is the season of preparation for … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 3rd Sunday of Advent The station church in Rome for the Mass today is St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican Hill. This is one of what I call “nick-name Sundays”: Gaudete. The term comes … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 2nd Sunday of Advent This Sunday’s prayer must be kept in context. This is a season of preparation for the Lord’s coming. He comes in many ways. One of the ways in which He … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? 1st Sunday of Advent Each year the Church through the liturgy presents the history of our salvation and the mysteries of the life, death, resurrection and the return of the Lord. Each year we … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Holy Family – Sunday in the Octave of Christmas “Octave” refers to a period of eight days following a feast day, including the feast itself, as well as the eighth day after a feast. … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Fourth Sunday of Advent This Sunday is both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and also Christmas Eve. Thus, in the morning we can have the Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and in … Read More →

What Does the Prayer Really Say? Third Sunday of Advent “Gaudete” Sunday Now we have one of what I call “nickname Sundays”: Gaudete…. a Latin plural imperative of the verb gaudeo, meaning “Rejoice!” These nickname Sundays (like “Cantate… Quasimodo… Laetare… … Read More →