Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

In the Name of Jesus let every knee bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: and let every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. O Lord our Lord: how admirable is Thy Name in the whole earth!

Mass at 5pm, St Patrick's Church, College Rd, Kilkenny, Sunday 2^nd January.

Celebrant: Rev Thomas O'Toole CC

Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Jesus, hear us.

Jesus, 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.

Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, splendour of the Father, have mercy on us.

Jesus, brightness of eternal Light, have mercy on us.

Jesus, King of Glory, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Sun of Justice, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.

Jesus, most lovable, have mercy on us.

Jesus, most admirable, have mercy on us.

Jesus, mighty God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Father of the world to come, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Angel of great counsel, have mercy on us.

Jesus, most powerful, have mercy on us.

Jesus, most patient, have mercy on us.

Jesus, most obedient, have mercy on us.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, have mercy on us.

Jesus, lover of Chastity, have mercy on us.

Jesus, lover of us, have mercy on us.

Jesus, God of peace, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Author of life, have mercy on us.

Jesus, example of virtues, have mercy on us.

Jesus, zealous lover of souls, have mercy on us.

Jesus, our God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, our refuge, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Father of the poor, have mercy on us.

Jesus, treasure of the faithful, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Good Shepherd, have mercy on us.

Jesus, true light, have mercy on us.

Jesus, eternal wisdom, have mercy on us.

Jesus, infinite goodness, have mercy on us.

Jesus, our way and our life, have mercy on us.

Jesus, joy of Angels,  have mercy on us.

Jesus, King of Patriarchs, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Master of Apostles, have mercy on us.

Jesus, teacher of Evangelists, have mercy on us.

Jesus, strength of Martyrs, have mercy on us.

Jesus, light of Confessors, have mercy on us.

Jesus, purity of Virgins, have mercy on us.

Jesus, crown of all Saints, have mercy on us.

Be merciful unto us, spare us, O Jesus!

Be merciful unto us, graciously hear us, O Jesus!

From all evil, Jesus, deliver us.

From all sin, Jesus, deliver us.

From Thy wrath, Jesus, deliver us.

From the snares of the devil, Jesus, deliver us.

From the spirit of uncleanness, Jesus, deliver us.

From everlasting death, Jesus, deliver us.

From the neglect of Thy inspirations, Jesus, deliver us.

Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thy Nativity, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thine infancy, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thy most divine life, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thy labours, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thine agony and passion, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thy Cross and dereliction, Jesus, deliver us.

Through thy faintness and weariness, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thy death and burial, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thy Resurrection, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thine ascension, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thine institution of the most holy Eucharist, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thy joys, Jesus, deliver us.

Through Thy glory, Jesus, deliver us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord Jesus!

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus!

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus!

Jesus, hear us.

Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let us pray. - O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said, "Ask and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you"; grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask, the gift of Thy most divine love, that with all our heart, words and works, we may love Thee, and never cease to praise Thee.

Make us, O Lord, to have a perpetual fear and love of Thy Holy Name; for Thou never failest to govern those whom Thou solidly establish in Thy love. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

Saint Stephen, First Martyr

Princes sat, and spoke against me: and the wicked persecuted me: help me, O Lord my God, for Thy servant was employed in Thy justifications. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

Mass at 5pm, St Patrick's Church, College Rd, Kilkenny, Sunday 26th December.

Celebrant: Rev Thomas O'Toole CC

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Saviour. The heavens show forth the glory of God: and the firmament declareth the work of His hands.

Mass at 5pm, St Patrick's Church, College Rd, Kilkenny, Sunday 19th December.

Celebrant: Rev Thomas O'Toole CC

Third Sunday of Advent

Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men: for the Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing by prayer let your petitions be made known to God. Lord, Thou hast blessed Thy land: Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.

Mass at 5pm, St Patrick's Church, College Rd, Kilkenny, Sunday 12th December.

Celebrant: Rev Thomas O'Toole CC

Litany of the Blessed Virgin

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 Savior, 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.

Spiritual 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 assumed into Heaven, 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, O Holy Mother of God,

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. – Grant that we thy servants, Lord may enjoy unfailing health of mind on body an through the prayers of the ever Blessed Virgin Mary in her glory, free us from our sorrows in this world and give us eternal happiness in the next. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Celebrant: Rev. Tomas O'Toole

Candlelight Rosary Procession

The Annual Candlelight Rosary Procession in honour of Our Lady will take place in Kilkenny on Wednesday, Dec 8th, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, beginning at The Parade at 8pm and proceeding to the The Black Abbey for Benediction and Enrolment in the Brown Scapular. The Pilgrim Virgin statue will be carried through the streets and candles will be available at The Parade before the Procession. 

Second Sunday of Advent

Roráte Cœli

Ye heavens, drop down the dew from above, and let the clouds rain down the Just.

Be not angry, O Lord, remember no more our iniquities. Behold the city of the Holy one is deserted: Sion is laid desolate: Jerusalem is laid waste: the home of Thy sanctification and of Thy glory, where our fathers praised Thee.

Ye heavens, drop down the dew from above, and let the clouds rain down the Just.

We have sinned, and we are become like the unclean; we are fallen like the leaves, and our sins, like the storm, have carried us away. Thou hast hidden Thy face from us, and hast thrown us into the power of our sins.

Ye heavens, drop down the dew from above, and let the clouds rain down the Just.

Behold, O Lord, the affliction of Thy people, and send Him whom Thou wilt send forth, the Lamb, the ruler of the earth, from the rock of the desert to the mountain of the daughter of Sion, that He may take away the yoke of our captivity.

Ye heavens, drop down the dew from above, and let the clouds rain down the Just.

Be comforted, be comforted, O my people: thy Saviour shall come quickly. Why hath grief devoured thee? Why hath sorrow disfigured thee? I will save thee: fear not: for I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Redeemer.

Ye heavens, drop down the dew from above, and let the clouds rain down the Just.

Mass at 5pm, St Patrick's Church, College Rd, Kilkenny, Sunday 5th December.

Celebrant: Rev Thomas O'Toole

First Sunday of Advent

To Thee have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed: neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded. Show, O Lord, Thy ways to me: and teach me Thy paths.

Mass at 5pm, St Patrick's Church, College Rd, Kilkenny, Sunday 28th November.

Celebrant: Rev Thomas O'Toole CC

Last Sunday after Pentecost

The Lord saith: I think thoughts of peace, and not of affliction: you shall call upon Me, and I will hear you;  and I will bring back your captivity from all places. Lord, Thou hast blessed Thy land: Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. 

Mass at 5pm, St Patrick's Church, College Rd, Kilkenny, Sunday 21st November.

Celebrant: Rev Thomas O'Toole CC

November - Month of the Holy Souls

“It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins" (II Macc. 12:43-46).

November  is  the  month  dedicated  by  the  Church  to  the  Holy  Souls  in  Purgatory.  Purgatory is  a  place of  temporal  punishment  for  those  who have died in  the  state  of grace, but who are not entirely free from venial faults, or who  have  failed  in  this  life  to  make  full  satisfaction  for  their  sin. The  souls  in  Purgatory  are  also  known  as  the  Church  Suffering.   Our prayers for these souls can help alleviate their sufferings and help them reach heaven more quickly. Although they can no longer pray for themselves, they can and do pray for us.  In this Month of the Holy Souls, we should devote some time each day to prayer for the dead.   We should also  help the  souls  in  Purgatory by having Masses said for them and by engaging in works of charity and/or sacrifice on their behalf.

Eternal rest grant unto him/her (them), O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him/her (them). May he/she (they) rest in peace. Amen.

Réquiem ætérnam dona ei (eis) Dómine; et lux perpétua lúceat ei (eis). Requiéscat (Requiéscant) in pace. Amen.

                                 

De  Profundis

Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord: Lord hear my voice.		De profúndis clamávi ad te, Dómine: Dómine, exáudi vocem meam.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.		Fiant aures tuae intendéntes: in vocem deprecationes meae.
If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?		Si iniquitátes observaveris, Dómine: Dómine, quis sustinébit.
But there is forgiveness with Thee: because of Thy law I wait for Thee, O Lord.		Quia apud te propitiátio est: et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Dómine.
My soul waiteth on His word: my soul hopeth in the Lord.		Sustinuit ánima mea in verbo ejus: sperávit ánima mea in Dómino.
From the morning watch even until night let Israel hope in the Lord:		A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: specret Israel in Dómino.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plentiful redemption.		Quia apud Dóminum misericordia: et copiósa apud eum redémptio.
And He shall redeem Israel, from all their iniquities.		Et ipse redimet Israel, ex ómnibus iniquitátibus ejus.

Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great (Feast Day 16th November)

St. Gertrude the Great was a Benedictine nun and mystic who lived in the 13th century. According to tradition, our Lord promised her that 1000 souls would be released from purgatory each time it is said devoutly. Because of the desire to unite the prayer with the merits of the Mass, it is most powerful:

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood Of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my own family. Amen.

Hymn of Blessed John Henry Newman

Help, Lord, the souls which Thou hast made,

The souls to Thee so dear,

In prison for the debt unpaid

Of sins committed here.

Those holy souls, they suffer on,

Resigned in heart and will,

Until Thy high behest is done,

And justice has its fill.

For daily falls, for pardoned crime,

They joy to undergo

The shadow of Thy cross sublime,

The remnant of Thy woe.

Help, Lord, the souls which Thou hast made,

The souls to Thee so dear,

In prison for the debt unpaid

Of sins committed here.

Oh, by their patience of delay,

Their hope amid their pain,

Their sacred zeal to burn away

Disfigurement and stain;

Oh, by their fire of love, not less

In keenness than the flame,

Oh, by their very helplessness,

Oh, by Thy own great Name,

Good Jesus, help! sweet Jesus, aid

The souls to Thee most dear,

In prison for the debt unpaid

Of sins committed here.

The Brown Scapular and Purgatory - What is the connection?

Among the many ways of avoiding Purgatory we find one wonderful promise to wearers of Our Lady’s ‘Brown Scapular’. This promise is known as the "Sabbatine Privilege”. What is the Sabbatine Privilege? It is a Privilege enjoyed by those who wear the Brown Scapular and fulfill the other necessary conditions, namely:

1. Chastity according to one’s state in life
2. The recitation of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the recitation of the Little Office can be replaced by the recitation of five decades of the Rosary if permission is granted by a priest.)

The pious tradition of the Sabbatine Privilege, approved by the Church, tells us that those who fulfill these conditions will be released from Purgatory (should they still be detained there) on the Saturday following their death.

To take full advantage of the blessings of the scapular, one must be enrolled in the Brown Scapular by a priest. Once you are enrolled in the Brown Scapular you will not need to have any new scapulars you wear blessed by a priest.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Recent speech by Archbishop (soon to be Cardinal) Burke to the Human Life International Gathering

A recent speech by Archbishop Burke deserves as much coverage as it can get. He was today named in the list of prelates that will be made a Cardinal in the Consistory to be held in November. Thank God for these courageous words of His Grace!

One of the things stressed in the address of His Grace is that above all the Bishops must display obedience, obedience to the teaching of the magisterium, and it is by their obedience (a virtue to be practised) that the faithful will be lead to it too.

Some quotes worth reading (the full speech can be found HERE on Zenit):

Obedience to the magisterium and the demands of the natural moral law are not only important for salvation, but are especially required of Catholics if a culture of life is to be advanced in today's world.

"Man is tempted to view the magisterium in relation to his individualism and self-pursuit,"... he called first and foremost on bishops to uphold the natural moral law, reminding them of Benedict XVI's exhortation to bishops "to be aware of the challenges of the present hour and have the courage to face them."

...the bishop, as chief teacher of faith and morals in the diocese, carries an especially "heavy and constant burden" in providing sound teaching... he stressed that obedience to the magisterium is a virtue, one obtained "through the practice" of such obedience.

"When shepherds of the flock are obedient to the magisterium entrusted to their exercise, then surely the numbers of the flock grow in obedience," he said. "If the shepherd isn't obedient, the flock easily gives way to confusion and error."

"Faith is first of all personal adherence of man to God,"... and "Where there are problems of chastity, there are problems of obedience." Rebellion against the moral truth, "is a rebellion against God and all that he teaches us."

...obedience to the magisterium is "difficult to master," adding that "Satan does not sleep" and in the culture of today, he is tempting mankind to act "as if God does not exist." Instead, Satan is "teaching us a radical individualism and self interest which leads us away from the love of God and love of one another,"...

...today's culture "teaches us to believe what is convenient and to reject what is difficult for us or which challenges us," thus leading to a "cafeteria Catholicism" which "picks and chooses which parts of faith to practice." He noted how this happened even among some bishops when they dissented from Paul VI's encyclical "Humanae Vitae." The consequences of that dissent... has "led many Catholics into habits of sin in what pertains to procreation and the education of human life."

...the attack on innocent and defenseless life of the unborn "has its corruption in an erroneous view of human sexuality which attempts to eliminate by mechanical or chemical means the essentially procreative nature of the conjugal act."

"The so-called contraceptive mentality is anti-life and the manipulation of the conjugal act, as Pope Paul VI prophetically observed, has led to many forms of violence in marriage and family life." Once the sexual union is longer seen to be by its very nature procreative, he continued, "human sexuality is abused in ways that are profoundly harmful and in ways destructive of individuals and society itself."

Archbishop Burke then turned to the exercise of the magisterium in public life. He spoke of the tendency today to compartmentalize the faith, and the "hypocrisy" of some Catholics in politics, medicine, business or other human endeavors, who claim to personally hold to the truth of the faith regarding the inviolability of innocent and defenseless human life, yet cooperate in attacks on the unborn, the infirm, or those with special needs. He also cited "self-proclaimed" Catholics who support state recognition of same sex marriage.

"It is not possible to be a practicing Catholic and conduct oneself publicly in this manner," he said to loud applause.

... many have become confused about "the most basic truths," namely the inviolable dignity of innocent human life from conception until natural death, and marriage of one man and one woman "as the first and irreplaceable" source of life and society.

The Lord's admonition of people who lead others into sin was "nothing less than vehement," he reminded listeners. For this reason, he said, the "perennial discipline of the Church [has] prohibited the giving of Holy Communion or the granting of a Church funeral to those who persist after admonition in the grave violation of the moral law."

 "The Church invites every soul to the mercy of God which is great beyond all our imagining, but that does not excuse her from proclaiming the truth of the moral law, also by applying her age old disciplines for the sake of the salvation of all."

To much applause, Archbishop Burke said: "When a person has culpably espoused and cooperated in gravely sinful acts, leading many into error and confusion over fundamental questions regarding respect for life and integrity of marriage and family, his repentance of such actions must also be public."

Archbishop Burke also alluded to what he called "one of ironies of the present situation," which is that a person who brings attention to the scandal of gravely sinful actions by Catholics is accused of a lack of charity and of causing division in the unity of the Church.

Lying or failing to tell the truth, however, "is never a sign of a charity," he said.

"A unity which is not founded on the truth of the moral law is not unity," underlined the archbishop. "The Church was founded on speaking truth with love.

October - Month of the Holy Rosary

The 7th of October marks the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and in our diocese (Ossory) this feast is celebrated as a first class feast of the Dedication of the Cathedral in Kilkenny under Our Lady's patronage.

The Battle of Lepanto, 1571

Originaly celebrated under the title of 'Our Lady of Victory' the feast later become known as 'Our Lady of the Rosary', under which powerful prayer we have been many times been assisted by Heaven.

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia:

Apart from the signal defeat of the Albigensian heretics at the battle of Muret in 1213 which legend has attributed to the recitation of the Rosary by St. Dominic, it is believed that Heaven has on many occasions rewarded the faith of those who had recourse to this devotion in times of special danger. More particularly, the naval victory of Lepanto gained by Don John of Austria over the Turkish fleet on the first Sunday of October in 1571 responded wonderfully to the processions made at Rome on that same day by the members of the Rosary confraternity. St. Pius V thereupon ordered that a commemoration of the Rosary should be made upon that day, and at the request of the Dominican Order Gregory XIII in 1573 allowed this feast to be kept in all churches which possessed an altar dedicated to the Holy Rosary.

A reminder for us all to say the Rosary everyday so that our lives may become examples of conversion and peace!

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!

Sung Mass - Sunday 19th September at 5pm

A reminder that there will be a Sung Mass this Sunday at 5pm, 

at St. Patrick's, College Rd. Kilkenny

Mass will be that of the 17th Sunday after Pentecost (Justus es Domine)

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST (2 Cl)

5pm. St. Patrick's Church, College Road, Kilkenny.
Celebrant: Rev. Thomas O'Toole CC

Ant: 'As Jesus went into the house * of one of the chief Pharisees, to eat bread on the Sabbath Day, behold, there was a certain man before Him which had the dropsy and He took him, and healed him, and let him go.'

Let us place ourselves at the feet of Christ and say to Him: Lord Jesus, Incarnate Word, I believe that Thou art God... By such acts of faith, we lay the very foundation of our spiritual life. And if this act is frequently renewed, then Christ, as St. Paul says, "dwells in our hearts", that is to say He reigns in our souls in a constant manner as Master and King, and becomes in us, through His Spirit, the principle of divine life. (Dom Marmion on the Epistle from the Mass, Eph. 3.13-21.).

Today also marks the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary. 

After the Battle of Vienna and the glorious victory of Jan Sobieski III over the Turks (12 Sept., 1683), the feast was extended to the universal Church by Innocent XI, and assigned to the Sunday after the Nativity of Mary by a Decree of 25 Nov., 1683 (duplex majus).

"Battle of Vienna", by Józef Brandt, 1863. Museum Wojska Polskiego in Warsaw

Ant. O Mary * blessed art thou that didst believe! for there shall be a performance of those things which were told thee from the Lord. Alleluia.

V. Grace is poured into thy lips
R. Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

Let us pray,
Grant we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that thy faithful people, who rejoice in the Name and keeping of the most holy Virgin Mary, may by her Motherly prayers be freed from all ills upon earth, and worthily attain unto thine everlasting joy in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ