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2005/10/31

All Saints [November 1]


All Saints
[November 1]

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This Collect is to be said daily throughout the Octave.

The Lord is glorious in his saints; * O come, let us adore him


Revelation vii. 2 & St. Matthew v. 1
Homilies
Hymn: For All the Saints

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven

centurio ordinarius Marcellus and scribe Cassian [30 Oct 298]

Centurion Marcellus and Scribe Cassian [30 Oct 298]. Our military saints of the day. See the story here
 
 
see the court transcript here
 
 

2005/10/29

Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity

 

The Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity

O GOD, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Bishop Gregory of Rome [604 AD] Compare Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help [Barbee and Zahl]. The petition reminds one of Jesus' promise, 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 

Philippians iii. 17   &  St. Matthew xxii. 15
Homilies

 

Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's;
and unto God the things that are God's.

Announcement
 
Please hold all centurions in your prayers this week - and particularly those who were inducted to the Labarum Guard  You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany

 
Observances this week,

Marcellus, Centurion - October 30th

All Saints -- November 1st

Joannicus, Legionary, Abbot November 4th

 

2005/10/28

Saint Simon and Jude 28 Oct

 

Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles.
[October 28]

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head cornerstone; Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ephesians ii. 17   &   St. John xv. 17
Homilies

built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone



 

2005/10/27

BATTLE CRY-LABARUM - 27 OCT

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES
 
27 October is the anniversary of the vision of Constantine, and his epiphany, which led to his adoption of the chi rho as his army's standard,and the motto 'in hoc signo vinces" as the motto/battle cry in the year  312. He ordered a Labarum to be constructed showing the sign and the battle cry, and to be carried before his legions.
 
The next day, 28 October, his forces defeated a much larger force and liberated Rome at Milvian Bridge "Saxa Ruba". He selected pious men to serve as standard bearers and guards of the Labarum.
 
This evening the Order will induct members into the Order's service branch of the Labarum Guard. At Legion we are planning to use this office: http://orderofcenturions.org/labarum_guard/eusebius.html. I invite you to read the account by Eusebius found on the form
 
IHSV
 
 

2005/10/26

Alfred the Great 26 Oct

O Sovereign Lord, you brought your servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Alfred, 848-900, King of England,  led army that defeated Danes, in peace organized government, built up Navy, translated works, encouraged arts, supported the Church, education, a builder

about Alfred http://pages.zdnet.com/kingalfred/id3.html

 

2005/10/25

New Member Lehman Smith Article

centurionum - Primus Pilus - salutem dicit

It is my pleasure to introduce a new member and share some of his work with you. He is Chevalier Lehmam Smith, KGOTJ, Secretary, Scottish Knights Templar, a US correspondent for the Pakistan Christian Post ( www.pakistanchristianpost.com/ ) . The newspaper stands as a witness and comfort to Pakistani Christians.

With his permission, I have posted one of his recent publications he sent me concerning martyrs in Pakistan that I commend; the lead paragraph follows:

January 20th 2005 marked the 6th year anniversary
date of the shameless murder of a 15 year old boy
named Roy Pontoh. On this date in 1995, Roy attended a
Christian Bible camp on the Station field Complex at
the University of Pattimura at Hila, on the Island of
Ambon, Indonesia.

In attendance were 125 other teens and children along
with parents and counselors, who bonded together
proudly calling themselves "Gods Army ".

read more here http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/lehman_smith_050802.html

Lehman also wrote "On becoming a Knight:" http://www.rosslyntemplars.org.uk/becoming_a_knight.htm


IHSV
curate ut valeatis
Marcus

--
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
www.OrderofCenturions.org

2005/10/24

John of Capistrano - [Transferred 23 Oct]

Today the Order remembers John of Capistrano, who was chaplain to a crusade in 1456 that delivered Europe from the Turks
 
 
A good account of this warrior monk is to be found at "The Saint of the Day, by Prof. Plinio CorrĂȘa de Oliveira. Here is an excerpt.
 
After the fall of Constantinople at Islamic hands, he preached the Crusade against the Muslim Turks, exhorting Catholics to raise an army to resist the invaders, who were threatening Christendom by their victorious march into the northwest of Europe. At age 70 he was commissioned by Pope Callistus II as delegate and adviser for the war against the Turks.

He traveled to Belgrade to encourage the 40,000 Catholic soldiers who were surrounded by Mohammed II. By a clever feint, he got past the Turkish guard, entered the city and began to preach constancy in the fight and confidence in the victory. All of Christendom was praying for a successful outcome for the city. The soldiers, under the influence of the Saint, fought and prayed. John Capistrano accompanied the troops in their more difficult maneuvers: the surprise attacks and recoups. Although he took the greatest risks, he was never wounded by a single bullet. It was due to him, above all, that Belgrade was saved. This victory stalled the Turkish invasion, which in turn saved all of Europe. .
 
John died about three months later and so we remember him on the 23 day of October. Read more here
 


2005/10/22

The Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity

see announcements below
 
LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [604 AD] The Latin used the word familia, which points to the traditional Roman family that was the basic and most important element of society. It included all in the household, inlcuding slaves, and was headed by the pater familias who was responsible for the welfare of all. This concept of the household is the basis of the Gospel story today.[Barbee and Zahl]

 

Numbers xx. 14, Psalm 71, Philippians i. 3   &  St. Matthew xviii. 21
Homilies

 

shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant


Announcements for the week beginning 23 October 05

Please hold all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany


Feasts and Fasts

John of Capistrano - October 23rd

Alfred, King & Warrior - October 26th

Demetrius of Thessolonica - October 26th [Maximian 286-305]

In Hoc Signo Vinces & Saxa Ruba - October 27th &
Induction of the Labarum Guard

Simon and Jude, Apostles -- October 28th

Fidelis, Exantus, and Carpophorus - October 28th

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast

Five Fingered Prayer

Centurions. As you will recall, one of our rules of the Order is to pray "without ceasing". I wanted to share this little prayer guide with you that can assist you anywhere you are, at any time, to offer up intercessory prayers for the saints. Use your fingers as follows. Thanks to a Christian friend who sent it to me in an Internet chain letter.

The Five Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, military, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there-unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints

2005/10/18

Luke the Evangelist 18 Oct

 
 [October 18]

ALMIGHTY God, who didst inspire thy servant Saint Luke the Physician, to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of thy Son; Manifest in thy Church the like power and love, to the healing of our bodies and our souls; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

2 Timothy iv. 5   &   St. Luke x. 1
Homilies


2005/10/15

The Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity

See announcements below
 

The Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity

Grant, we beseech thee merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacrementary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494AD]. Cranmer in 1549 replaced the Latin "indulgence" with the English "pardon". The call for "peace" in this collect has been ascribed to the fact that at the time, Rome was under heavy assault that threatened to break Pax Romana. [Barbee and Zalh] This collect is used as an absolution when the office is conducted by a layman.

Isaiah lix. 15b, Psalm 76, Ephesians vi. 10   &   St. John iv. 43
Homilies featuring John Chrysostom on the Epistle 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God

 

Announcements for the week beginning 16 October 05

Weekly Collect, Scripture and Homily
May be used throughout the week following the apppointed Sunday unless another set is appointed for a special day

Please hold all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany


Feasts and Fasts
The Early Church fasted Wednesdays and Fridays except Christmas to Epiphany and Easter to Pentecost

Luke the Evangelist -- October 18th

Artemius, Duke (commander of the troops) -- 20 Oct [under Julian 361-363]

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
An old WWII Normandy Big Red One Div Soldier in the hospital - very ill
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast



 


--
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
               www.OrderofCenturions.org

2005/10/12

Ulrich Zwingli, Minister, Soldier [11 October]

 
Ulrich Zwingli was a Swiss reformer.  He led the Swiss to reform their religion and bring it under national control. He began as a priest in charge of a parish after graduating from college. He deeply studied the Bible, and it changed his entire religious perspective. He led his nation in establishing a reformed Church.

 

Zwingli fell in battle fighting to preserve Swiss freedom of religion. Tradition has it that an enemy solider looked down at the body of the Zwingli as it lay on the battlefield at Cappel on October 11, 1531, and exclaimed, `You were a rotten heretic, but a damned good Swiss!’

 

Zurich remained free. Heinrich Bullinger, who succeeded Zwingli, continued the work of reform and Church organization, collaborating with Calvin.

 

"For God's sake, do not put yourself at odds with the Word of God. For truly it will persist as surely as the Rhine follows its course. One can perhaps dam it up for awhile, but it is impossible to stop it."Ulrich Zwingli

 

Learn more about the many Reformed Chruches worldwide that came from the work of Zwingli, Calvin, and other reformers here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformed_churches

2005/10/11

Christian vs. Christian in the Fourth Crusade

 
Of possible interest to students of Church and Military: The Bysantine Empire was of the new Rome (Constantinople), the Crusade of of the Old Latin Rome. Long document of four pages. It appears that some paragraphs are repeated on page 4.
 
Article from MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History
Christian vs. Christian in the Fourth Crusade
 
The chance to unify the faithful -- and gain a strong ally -- led to the
 conquest of Christendoms's leading city.

By Jonathan Phillips


 
 
In April 1204, the armies of the Fourth Crusade broke into the city of Constantinople and began to loot, pillage, and slaughter their way across the greatest metropolis in the Christian world. Within months Pope Innocent III, the man who had first called for the Crusade, bitterly
lamented the spilling of "blood on Christian swords that should have been used
on pagans" and described the expedition as "an example of affliction and the
works of Hell."
 
read the rest at the link

2005/10/08

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

 see announcements below

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

O ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacrementary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494]. Much minor reworking from the Latin. [Barbee and Zalh]

Ecclesiastes ix. 4, Psalm 1, Ephesians v. 15   &  St. Matthew xxii. 1
Homily of John Chrysostom on the Gosple

For many are called, but few are chosen

Announcements for the week beginning 9 October 05

Weekly Collect, Scripture and Homily
May be used throughout the week following the apppointed Sunday unless another set is appointed for a special day

Feasts and Fasts
The Early Church fasted Wednesdays and Fridays except Christmas to Epiphany and Easter to Pentecost

Gerard, Religious - October 13th

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast

Rise up, O men of God!

An acquaintance recently wrote on another forum about an article in the latest Touchstone:

In an article in titled "A Requiem for Friendship Why Boys Will Not Be Boys & Other Consequences of the Sexual Revolution" by Anthony Esolen
in the September issue of "Touchstone" http://www.touchstonemag.com/ the author calls for 'Christian men with hearts of lions'  to train boys to be men."
 
Unfortunately, this article is not published on line yet, but if you have access to Touchstone you might enjoy reading it. He closed with this hymn
----
 

Rise up, O men of God!

(see verses and hear music and read comment here)

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/r/i/riseupom.htm

Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.

Rise up, O men of God!
The kingdom tarries long.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.

Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!

Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!

 

I'm reminded of an icon of  Centurion George in the Chapel of the Centurions that I often contemplate. It shows George on horseback slaying the mythical dragon of evil in the world. This hymn really captures the Spirit of George and our other "centurions" who have risen in the past to take up their cross and follow Christ and fight the good fight to "end the night of wrong."


William P. Merrill (1867-1954)

Words: Will­iam P. Mer­rill, 1911; first pub­lished in the Pres­by­ter­i­an news­pa­per The Con­ti­nent. Mer­rill wrote:

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/r/i/riseupom.htm



2005/10/04

Francis, Knight, Religious, 4 October

Francis, Knight of Assisi, Monk
 
 
 

Canticle of the Sun

Most High, all powerful, good Lord,

Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor,

and all blessing.

To You alone, Most High, do they belong,

and no man is worthy to mention Your name.

Praise be You, my Lord, with all your creatures,

especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day and

through whom you give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,

and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.

Praise be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon

and the stars, in heaven you formed them

clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,

and through the air, cloudy and serene,

and every kind of weather through which

You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,

which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

through whom you light the night and he is beautiful

and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth,

who sustains us and governs us and who produces

varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through those who give pardon for Your love,

and bear infirmity and tribulation.

Blessed are those who endure in peace

for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through our Sister Bodily Death,

from whom no living man can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin.

Blessed are those whom death will find

in Your most holy will,

for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord,

and give Him thanks

and serve Him with great humility.

AMEN

2005/10/03

Roman, Monk, Soldier, Martyr October 2



Roman, Monk, Soldier, Martyr -- October 2 1994


Roman, an Othodox Monk, was part of a mission sent to reopen Valaam Russian Orthodox Monastery, in Valaam, Russia. He was known for his devout prayer life as a monk. In response to the killing of Orthodox Serbians, by Bosnian Moselms and Catholic Croatians, Roman entered the fight to defend these people. He was killed October 2, 1994. The Russian Orthodox Church has named him a martyred saint.

Source: Excerpts from Valaam Patericon -Book of Days- Valaam Society of America, New Valaam Monastery, Alaska 1999. p. 103.

 
"O LORD GOD of hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the warriors of thy kingdom in the Church Militant. Support them in the day and hour of battle, and, during slow times, keep them safe from evils and temptations. Endue them with courage and loyalty to God's Word like thy servant now departed, Roman. Grant that we may always serve thee without cowardice, ignorance or fear in the face of men, through Christ our only Rock, Defender, and Savior, whom with thee, the Father, and thee, the Holy Spirit, we worship and adore as the One True and Living God, now and forever. Amen."
 
For all the saints, who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might; Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight; Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light. O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold, Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, And win with them the victor’s crown of gold. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, Steals on the ear the distant triumph song, And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong. Alleluia, Alleluia!

2005/10/02

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

 see anouncemets below

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

O GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494]. Cranmer in 1549 reversed the order of mercy and our inability. [Barbee and Zahl] One is reminded again of our Lord's promise send the Comforter to direct us, and of Isaiah 64:6 we are all as an unclean thing... our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.... We, of and by ourselves, are not worthy to stand before God - not even to see him, until we are perfected by his grace. For he is "of purer eyes to behold iniquity" [Hab 1:13]

Job xxiv. 1, Psalm 72, Ephesians iv. 17   &   St. Matthew ix. 1
Homilies featuring Chrysostom on the Gospel

 

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins

Announcements for the week beginning 2 October 05

Weekly Collect, Scripture and Homily
May be used throughout the week following the apppointed Sunday unless another set is appointed for a special day

Please hold all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this
Centurion's Daily Litany


Feasts and Fasts
The Early Church fasted Wednesdays and Fridays except Christmas to Epiphany and Easter to Pentecost

Roman, Soldier, Othrodox Monk - October 2nd

Francis, Knight, Religious - October 4th

Martyr Davictus, Duke and eparchus - under Maximian (286-305)

Sergios and Bacchus, Centurions - October 7th [Maximian 286-305]

Hugh Canefro of Geona, Chaplain, Religious - October 8th

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com


BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast