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2006/05/31

Roman Link Page

appears this has a very comprehensive listing of links on Rome, some early Christianity. I've not attempted to navigate to them, but the table of contents seems impressive.
 
 
Mark

2006/05/28

US Memorial Day Prayers

Today, the Sunday after Ascension, a centurion requested a prayer for US Memorial Day. In unison, we said prayers similar to these: first for those departed, the second for those in harms way.
 
For those who died in war:
 
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give thee thanks for all those thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence, that the good work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen
 
For those who serve in harms way.
 
O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers of our country; Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Amen
 
--
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]

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

2006/05/27

Sunday After Ascension Day

 

O GOD, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Source: Archbishop Cranmer [1549 AD]. The collect is based on the anthem that was sung on Ascension Day at Vespers "O King of Glory, Lord of Hosts, who today didst ascend in triumph far above all heavens, who did not leave us orpahns..." and John xiv "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you " [Barbee and Zahl]

Isaiah lxv. 17, 1 St. Peter iv. 7  St. John xv. 26

Homilies


be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer

Announcements for the week beginning
Sunday after Ascension Day 28 May 06


Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts

Sundays are feast days our our Lord throughout the year
Major Feasts and Fasts in bold.

We are now in the short season of Ascensiontide, the 10 days beginning on Ascension Thursday till the eve of Pentecost, when Jesus had ascended into heaven and the Apostles awaited the promised Paraclete. -- Come Holy Ghost and comfort us

Joan of Arc, Martyr - May 30th


2006/05/24

Ascension and Reflection from Tatomir

Ascension Day
Forty Days after the Resurrection
John Chrysostom on Acts 1

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Daniel 7:9, Psalm 96, Acts i.1    St. Luke xxiv. 49.

Homilies


Ye shall receive power
  
 For this feast day, I forward a reflection and blessing I received today from Centurion Tatomir of Romania for the Order upon the occasion of his anniversary in the Order of Centurions
 
 
THE ORDER OF CENTURIONS

The Peace of Christ, the head of Legio Christi may descend over all the Centurions. In this moment of membership anniversary our thoughts are directed toward the duties and responsibilities we hold as Centurions.

To be and rest One in Faith. Unum in fidem. Unum in Dominus Nostrum, Jesus.

To be walls of resistance against the moral falling touching our communities.

To drink from the river of evangelic purity and stand against the darkness which covers many eyes and souls. To bring Light and to serve with our means the purpose of existence:

Praise the Lord and the Name of the Lord, serve Christ through charity and courage.

Christ is forgiveness, strength and wisdom.

The blessings may come over all the Centurions, over Superiors-Primus Pilus, Praefectus Castrorum, Aquilifer, Labarum Guardum, Cohorts, etc.

Pax in cælo, pax in terra, pax in omni populo pax sacerdotibus ecclesiarum Dei! Pax Christi et Ecclesiæ maneat semper vobiscum!

                                                   V

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM


 

2006/05/22

Rogation Tuesday Reflection

 
On Rogation Monday as I read over the short homily that I provided for Rogation Days, I could not help but to reflect on its relevance to the Order's Rule... that of Pray "without ceasing". If you've read it already, you may like to just see where I've highlighted the passages that I thought most pertinent. Let us now hear John "Golden Mouth" speak to the Order on Praying as we think of the order's Rule
 

"There is nothing more worthwhile than to pray to God and to converse with him, for prayer unites us with God as his companions. As our bodily eyes are illuminated by seeing the light, so in contemplating God our soul is illuminated by him. Of course the prayer I have in mind is no matter of routine, it is deliberate and earnest . It is not tied down to a fixed timetable; rather it is a state which endures by night and day.

Our soul should be directed in God, not merely when we suddenly think of prayer, but even when we are concerned with something else. If we are looking after the poor, if we are busy in some other way, or if we are doing any type of good work, we should season our actions with the desire and the remembrance of God. Through this salt of the love of God we can all become a sweet dish for the Lord. If we are generous in giving time to prayer, we will experience its benefits throughout our life.

Prayer is the light of the soul, giving us true knowledge of God. It is a link mediating between God and man. By prayer the soul is borne up to heaven and in a marvellous way embraces the Lord. This meeting is like that of an infant crying on its mother, and seeking the best of milk. The soul longs for its own needs and what it receives is better than anything to be seen in the world.

Prayer is a precious way of communicating with God, it gladdens the soul and gives repose to its affections. You should not think of prayer as being a matter of words . It is a desire for God, an indescribable devotion, not of human origin, but the gift of God's grace . As Saint Paul says: we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.

Anyone who receives from the Lord the gift of this type of prayer possesses a richness that is not to be taken from him, a heavenly food filling up the soul. Once he has tasted this food, he is set alight by an eternal desire for the Lord, the fiercest of fires lighting up his soul.

To set about this prayer, paint the house of your soul with modesty and lowliness and make it splendid with the light of justice. Adorn it with the beaten gold of good works and, for walls and stones, embellish it assiduously with faith and generosity. Above all, place prayer on top of this house as its roof so that the complete building may be ready for the Lord. Thus he will be received in a splendid royal house and by grace his image will already be settled in your soul.

Amen

************** and AMEN ***********

Let us praise God for this Gift of Prayer.... I heard it put nicely by another once... it was said that constant prayer is likened to one who sits at the foot of Christ day and night, ever conscious of his presence, his observation, ever ready to serve the Master.  pax Christi, Mark

2006/05/21

Rogation Days


 ALMIGHTY God, Lord of heaven and earth; We beseech thee to pour forth thy blessing upon this land, and to give us a fruitful season; that we, constantly receiving thy bounty, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Table of Lessons for Morning and Evening Prayer Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday


At Holy Commuion
Ezekiel xxxiv. 25   &   St. Luke xi. 5
Homilies

 and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD,



"Rogation" comes from the Latin rogare, "to ask" (petition earnestly). Rogation Sunday has for the Gospel the verse: "Ask and ye shall receive". Ancient Rogation days are observed on the three days before Ascension Day. The Rogation days began in 470 under Bishop Mamertus of Vienne in response to a series of natural calamities. Later the prayers were for bountiful crops and the good work of farmers. On these days the priest might bless crops. Nowadays prayers may be for other occupations with a recommitment to their labors Rogation days may be used anytime where there is a specific need for earnest prayer -- as that was its original use in 470. A modern custom has been to focus prayers and actions toward charity to help feed poor folk.

SECOND HARVEST | WORLD VISION | FEED THE CHILDREN

 

2006/05/20

Rogation Sunday

The Fifth Sunday after Easter
Rogation Sunday

O LORD, from whom all good things do come; Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that are good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Source: Sacrementary of Gelasius [ca 464 AD]. The collect refers to James 1:17 which is appointed for the 4th Sunday after Easter. Known as Rogation Sunday for the Latin "Rogare" means to ask, (earnestly petition), and the Gospel says, "ask, and ye shall receive." The three days following this Sunday are Rogation Days with prayer and fasting good crops and industry. This Sunday in latter times was also when folk in England would go out in procession around the parish boundaries and pray for protection.

Isaiah i. 10, Psalm 51, St. James i. 22, St. John xvi. 23

Homily

Announcements for the week beginning
Rogation Sunday 21 May 06


Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts

Sundays are feast days our our Lord throughout the year
Major Feasts and Fasts in bold.

Rogaton Days
Mon Tue Wed

Constantine, Emperor - May 22nd

Ascension (Thursday - 40 days after Easter)

Julius, Soldier, Martyr - May 27th

News:
New gereral homily posted to Eucharist and Baptism: Gives a very good picture of the baptismal rite, that basically agrees with that of Hippolytus that we have on our page:
Homily of Ambrose on the nature of the Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist

BIDDINGS
Thanksgivings for all the young who are graduating this season
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast

2006/05/19

US Armed Services Day

US Armed Forces Day

As the US recognizes its service members on the 20th of May, we salute those on the rolls of their country's Armed Forces and Militias: Active, Reserve, and Retired. In particular let us remember those in harms way: and other friends of the Order who are in combat zones or are preparing for deployment.



I BID YOUR PRAYERS FOR ALL IN  SERVICE

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving their country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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

2006/05/13

The Fourth Sunday after Easter

 

The Fourth Sunday after Easter

ALMIGHTY God, which dost make the minds of all faithful men to be of one will; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Sacrementary of Gelasius [ca 494 AD]. This is the 1552 BCP rendering. The collect was later changed in 1662 so that the attribute read, "who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men" , in response to the years before when the Church of England, Bishops, and Prayer Book had been suppressed under Cromwell.

Ezekiel xxxix. 21, Psalm 147, St. James i. 17. St. John xvi. 5.
Homilies featuring Chrysostom on John

Fix your heart on Jesus

Announcements for the week beginning
Fouth Sunday in Easter 14 May 06


Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts
Acacius - May 20th

 

2006/05/06

The Third Sunday after Easter


The Third Sunday after Easter

ALMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Source of Collect: Sacramentary of Leo, Bishop of Rome [440-461AD]. The Vigil of Easter was the traditional time for Baptism, and this collect speaks to the newly baptized "all those who are admitted into the fellowship". One had to be baptized to be present during the Eucharist. Christiana professione censentor

1 Samuel ii. 1b, Psalm 113, 1 St. Peter ii. 11. St. John xvi. 16.

Homily of John Chrysostom on the Gospel


A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

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

2006/05/03

LUIGI LORENZI [4 May] and the Soldiers of Nassiriya

Today, I wanted to share with the Order a Italian Christian Soldier martyr who died for Christ during WWII in on 4 May 1945; submitted by Diego of Italy. First however, Diego bids your prayers for these Christian Italian soldiers who were killed by terrorists in Nassiriya, Iraq recently, and were buried in Italy this week.

 

Carlo De Trizio * Franco Lattanzio * Nicola Ciardelli

 

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give thee thanks for all those thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence, that the good work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen

    _________________________________________________________________________

LUIGI LORENZI
[4 May 1945]

National Guard Officer of Italy, Martyr
in Italian, Spanish, & English

Prayer:

Signore nostro Gesù Cristo, che hai detto: «Chi vuole essere mio discepolo, prenda la sua croce e mi segua», noi Ti ringraziamo per il privilegio accordato al giovane Luigi Lorenzi di essere crocifisso per testimoniare la sua eroica risposta al Tuo invito. Ora Ti preghiamo perché, sul suo esempio, siamo anche noi sempre generosi nella fedeltà alla Tua parola, e, per sua intercessione, possiamo ottenere la grazia che più ci sta a cuore. Amen.

LUIGI LORENZI

, nato a Bergamo il 14 ottobre 1925, sottotenente della Guardia Nazionale della Repubblica Sociale Italiana, fu ucciso barbaramente il 4 maggio 1945 nell'eccidio avvenuto nei pressi della Cartiera Burgo, in località Mignagola di Carbonera, nella provincia di Treviso. Testimoni oculari affermano che fu inchiodato su una specie di croce e riferiscono che, a coloro che gli additavano il supplizio al quale stava per essere sottoposto, abbia risposto: «La croce che Gesù Cristo ha portato non può far paura ad un cristiano». Così rispose ai carnefici che gli chiedevano di abiurare la sua fede. Chiaro esempio d'eroismo umano e cristiano. Con il suo sacrificio entra con merito nella gloriosa schiera dei Martiri.

LUIGI LORENZI

, natos a Bérgamo (Italia) en el 14 de octubre 1925 segundo de teniente de la Guardia Nacional Republicana (G.N.R.) de la República Social Italiana (R.S.I.), fue matado en el 4 de mayo de 1945 en la matanza bárbara en presionadas del Cartiera Burgo, en el lugar Mignagola di Carbonera, la provincia de Treviso. Los testigos oculares afirman que la clavaron en una especie cruzada y divulgan que, a las que precisaron la tortura a ella a cuál ella era para ser subordinado, ella ha contestado: «La cruz que Jesús Cristo ha llevado no puede hacer miedo a un cristiano». Por lo tanto contestó a los verdugos que la pidieron para abjurar su fe. Claramente ejemplo del ser humano y del cristiano heroísmo. Con su sacrificio entra con mérito en la formación gloriosa de los martirios.

LUIGI LORENZI

, been born at Bergamo (Italy) in the 14 October 1925, second lieutenant of the National Guard (G.N.R.) of the Italian Social Republic (R.S.I.), was killed in the 4 May 1945 in the barbaric killing in the oppressed ones of the Cartiera Burgo, in the locality of Mignagola di Carbonera, the province of Treviso. Eyewitnesses assert that he was nailed on a cross in a type of crucifixion and report that, to those who they pointed out the torture to it to which she was in order to be subordinate, he has answered: «The cross that Jesus Christ has carried cannot make fear to a Christian». Therefore it answered to the executioners who asked it to abjure its faith. Clearly example of human and Christian "eroismo". With its sacrifice it enters with merit in the glorious formation of the Martyrdoms.

Order of Centurions: A gift of centurio Diego of Italy - Trinitytide 2005

 

 


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