As I was out and about; it is chilly, in the upper 20s at 0500 or so. Holy Mass of Saints Fabian and Sebastian is in forty minutes or so at Saint-Eugène (CE [Pope Saint Fabian, Saint Sebastian], Introibo, Wiki [Pope Saint Fabian, Saint Sebastian]).
When the rule of celebrating two or more feasts on the same day still obtained at Rome, two Masses with two separate stations were celebrated on this day, the one at the cemetery of Callixtus, at the tomb of Pope Fabian, and the other at the neighbouring cemetery ad Catacumbas, at the tomb of Sebastian. Such is the rule as indicated in the Philocalian Feriale: XIII kal. Febr. Fabiani in Callisti et Sebastiani in catacumbas. The ancient Sacramentaries retain both these two distinct celebrations, but give precedence to St Sebastian over Pope Fabian on account of the popularity of his cultus. The early writers, indeed, agree in attributing to the intercession of the soldier saint, defender of the Church, a great number of miracles which brought him fame as a wonder worker; and for this reason, both in to-day’s Gospel Lesson and in the Antiphon for the Communion, there are applied to him the words of St Luke relating how a great multitude of sick persons pressed around our Savior, for virtue went out from him and healed all. The actual Mass described in the Sacramentary is, with a few modifications, the original stational Mass of St Sebastian, --indeed, many codices omit St Fabian altogether-- and the earliest Roman Lectionary, that of the 7th century, described in a codex of Wurzburg, prescribes for to-day, besides the Epistle, also a second lesson from the Old Testament, from the Prophets, as was customary at Rome on the chief festivals of the year.
Noticed just now that yesterday I yet again forgot the 'Today's Collect' post, tsk. But am not going back to rectify my error.
The 'adult learning' staff person at the University returned my email this morning; it may be recalled that I am looking for the least expensive way to obtain access to the circulation desk at Knight Library, ahem, and a hundred bucks for six months of 'adult lectures, classes, presentations' might be the way to go about doing it. She or he is checking to see if their program-- it is called 'Osher LLI'-- photo ID card in fact numbers the 'adult learners' amongst the 'students, faculty, and staff' of the University entitled to use Knight. 'Normally yes but...' so I will be pleasantly surprised if it works and not too disappointed if it doesn't. Friday afternoon, ante Vesperas. The Osher LLI staff person emailed earlier: 'Osher LLI people' are classed with 'alumni', so far as the Library is concerned, and they aren't 'students, faculty, and staff'. I don't think I'll be spending a hundred dollars to listen to a relic of the 70s talk for hours about the greatness of Pierre Boulez.
Tomorrow, 21st January, is the anniversary of the martyrdom of King Louis XVI. Two Solemn Requiem Masses will be celebrated at Saint-Eugène, the one at 1000 being livestreamed. There are photographs and videos from years past at that page.
Ante Sextam. From the Winter (2020/2021) issue of the Claremont Review of Books, the conclusion of Andrew E. Busch's essay 'why Trump lost... but almost won'.
... Nevertheless, Trump failed to make himself acceptable to a majority, or even a plurality, of Americans. The cold fact remains that he was outpolled by 3 million votes by the most disliked Democratic nominee since polling began (Mrs. Clinton) and by 7 million votes by a mediocre career politician who barely campaigned and who will enter office older than Ronald Reagan was when he left. Even before he gave vent to his most narcissistic and demagogic impulses after November 3, there was simply no reason to believe Trump had the potential to expand his appeal enough to produce a different result. Now, his post-election meltdown threatens to become the dominant memory of his presidency, a descent that outweighs all else.The foremost question for Republicans is whether they will be able to walk an electoral tightrope: apply what worked for Trump and keep his core constituency, while learning how to appeal to a broader electorate and avoiding the taint of January 6. The congressional elections of 2020 might be evidence that they have already started to construct such a political amalgam, and that voters are receptive to it. The next question is whether Donald Trump will let them.
Post Sextam. The capitulum was from the Liber Sapientiae Salomonis, the Book of Wisdom.
Réddidit Deus mercédem labórum sanctórum suórum, et dedúxit illos in via mirábili: et fuit illis in velaménto diéi, et in luce stellárum nocte.
The Wisdom of God made good to the holy ones the just reward of their labours and led them out on their marvelous journey, sheltering them by day and guiding them by the light of the stars at night.
A beautiful verse, I think.
Post Vesperas. Vespers were of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr. The antiphon at the Magnificat is quite grand and lovely, although I know nothing (or, anyway, remember nothing) of its background or provenance. The video is the best recording of it that I can find.
Beáta Agnes in médio flammárum expansis mánibus orábat: Te déprecor, omnípotens, adorande, colende, Pater metuende, quia per sanctum Fílium tuum evasi minas sacrilegi tyranni, et carnis spurcítias immaculáto calle transívi: et ecce vénio ad te, quem amávi, quem quæsívi, quem semper optavi.
Blessed Agnes spread out her hands in prayer in the midst of the flames: I beseech Thee, Almighty, Adorable, Venerable Father, awful in Thy Majesty, that by Thy Holy Son I may escape the tyrant's sacrilege and pass through the torments of the flesh undefiled: behold, I come to Thee, Whom I have loved, Whom I have sought, Whose part I have always chosen.
LDVM
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