My Soul is a Candle

by Saint John of the Cross

My soul is a candle that burned away the veil;
only the glorious duties of light I now have.

The sufferings I knew initiated me into God.

I am a holy confessor for men.

When I see their tears running across their cheeks
and falling into

His hands,

what can I say to their great sorrow
that I too have
known.

The soul is a candle that will burn away the darkness,
only the glorious duties of love we will have.

The sufferings I knew initiated me into God.

Only His glorious cares
I now have.

My Soul is a Candle

by Saint John of the Cross

My soul is a candle that burned away the veil;
only the glorious duties of light I now have.

The sufferings I knew initiated me into God.

I am a holy confessor for men.

When I see their tears running across their cheeks
and falling into

His hands,

what can I say to their great sorrow
that I too have
known.

The soul is a candle that will burn away the darkness,
only the glorious duties of love we will have.

The sufferings I knew initiated me into God.

Only His glorious cares
I now have.

Feast of St. Blaise

Today is the feast of St. Blaise. He was a physician and bishop in Armenia in the second century. He was arrested for being a Christian after being discovered in prayer. On the way to prison, he prayed over a child who was choking on a fish bone. The child was healed.

From this, grew the custom of the blessing of the throats on his feast day, February 3.

How common is this custom today? Do any of your pastors bless throats either on this day, or on the Sunday nearest to the feast day? I know some otherwise reluctant priests will bless throats if the parishioners ask for it to be done.

Feast of St. Blaise

Today is the feast of St. Blaise. He was a physician and bishop in Armenia in the second century. He was arrested for being a Christian after being discovered in prayer. On the way to prison, he prayed over a child who was choking on a fish bone. The child was healed.

From this, grew the custom of the blessing of the throats on his feast day, February 3.

How common is this custom today? Do any of your pastors bless throats either on this day, or on the Sunday nearest to the feast day? I know some otherwise reluctant priests will bless throats if the parishioners ask for it to be done.

Happy Candlemas

Today is the feast of Candlemas--The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. (The 4th Joyful Mystery of the Rosary).

Forty days after the birth of Christ, Our Lady followed Mosaic law and presented Him in the temple, along with a sacrifice of two turtle doves or young pigeons.

Around the 11th century, the custom of blessing candles came into practice. Catholic Encyclopedia describes it this way:

According to the Roman Missal the celebrant after Terce, in stole and cope of purple colour, standing at the epistle side of the altar, blesses the candles (which must be of beeswax). Having sung or recited the five orations prescribed, he sprinkles and incenses the candles. Then he distributes them to the clergy and laity, whilst the choir sings the canticle of Simeon, "Nunc dimittis". The solemn procession represents the entry of Christ, who is the Light of the World, into the Temple of Jerusalem.

Nunc Dimittis

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:

Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum

Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:

Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people;

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Happy Candlemas

Today is the feast of Candlemas--The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. (The 4th Joyful Mystery of the Rosary).

Forty days after the birth of Christ, Our Lady followed Mosaic law and presented Him in the temple, along with a sacrifice of two turtle doves or young pigeons.

Around the 11th century, the custom of blessing candles came into practice. Catholic Encyclopedia describes it this way:

According to the Roman Missal the celebrant after Terce, in stole and cope of purple colour, standing at the epistle side of the altar, blesses the candles (which must be of beeswax). Having sung or recited the five orations prescribed, he sprinkles and incenses the candles. Then he distributes them to the clergy and laity, whilst the choir sings the canticle of Simeon, "Nunc dimittis". The solemn procession represents the entry of Christ, who is the Light of the World, into the Temple of Jerusalem.

Nunc Dimittis

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:

Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum

Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:

Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people;

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Lyrics to French song

Below are the French lyrics to the song in the YouTube video in the post below this one. Unfortunately, we do not yet know anything about what CD it might be on.

COURONNEE D'ETOILES
Paroles : A. Dumont
Musique : Marc Dannaud N°14-10

Nous te saluons,
Ô toi notre Dame Marie,
Vierge Sainte que drape le soleil
Couronnée d’étoiles, la lune est sous tes pas
En toi nous est donnée
L’aurore du Salut

1 - Marie Eve nouvelle et joie de ton Seigneur,
Tu as donné naissance à Jésus le sauveur.
Par toi nous sont ouvertes, les portes du jardin
Guide-nous en chemin, étoile du matin.

2 - Tu es restée fidèle,
mère au pied de la croix,
Soutiens notre espérance et garde notre foi.
Du côté de ton fils, tu as puisé pour nous,
L’eau et le sang versés qui sauvent du péché.

3 - Quelle fut la joie d’Eve lorsque tu es montée,
Plus haut que tous les anges, plus haut que les nuées,
Et quelle est notre joie, douce Vierge Marie
De contempler en toi la promesse de vie.

4 - Ô Vierge immaculée, préservée du péché,
En ton âme en ton corps, tu entres dans les cieux.
Emportée dans la gloire, sainte reine des cieux,
Tu nous accueilleras, un jour auprès de Dieu.

And now, an English translation by Erin (from the NFP board).

We hail you,
Oh Our LadyMary,
Holy Virgin clothed with the sun
Crowned with stars, the moon is under your feet
In you we are given
The dawn of salvation

1 - Mary New Eve and joy of your Lord,
You have given birth to Jesus the savior.
Through you the doors of the garden are opened to us
Guide us on the way, morning star.

2 - You stayed faithful, mother at the foot of the cross,
Sustain our hope and guard our faith.
From the side of your son, you have drawn for us,
The water and the blood that saves us from sin.

3 - Such was the joy of Eve when you were lifted,
Higher than all the angles,
higher than the clouds,
And such is our joy, sweet Virgin Mary
To contemplate in you the promise of life.

4 - Oh Immaculate Virgin, preserved from sin,
With your soul and your body, you entered the heavens.
Brought in glory, holy queen of the heavens,
You will welcome us, one day in front of God.