Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

The presence of an august yet veiled Mystery

Saint Pius X carrying the Blessed Sacrament

MONSIGNOR Robert Hugh Benson brings his novel of the apocalyptic era, Lord of the World, to a crashing climax with the pope, Sylvester III, bearing the Blessed Sacrament in procession as Christ comes in glory. As the procession approaches the field of Armageddon, the choir sings the hymn Pange Lingua (Sing, my tongue) whose familiar closing verses are the Tantum Ergo. So moving is the experience of the ceremony, so compelling the presence of the Word of God Incarnate in the Host in the monstrance, that even a Mohammedan is driven to confess his faith in Christ.

Few Catholics who attend the popular devotion of Benediction would dispute these sentiments. The atmosphere surrounding the ceremonies is fairly charged with the presence of an august yet veiled majesty. The splendor of the lights, the curtain formed by the incense, the rich vestments worn by the celebrant, the deep bows and reverences before the precious monstrance all combine to elevate the heart and mind to the contemplation of God truly present in His holy courts. The enduring appeal of Benediction among Catholics faithful to Tradition indicates the esteem in which the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar is held.

The chief purpose of Benediction is the worship of God in His greatest gift to men, the Holy Eucharist. The ceremonies, though they vary from nation to nation, as we shall see, all consist in the exposition of the Host for all to adore It. This perhaps grew out of the custom of elevating the Host at Mass for all to see It.

Corpus Christi 1929 in Germany

THE ELEVATION is a part of Mass dating from the early thirteenth century. As with many external observances, this little custom was introduced and prescribed as a remedy to counteract the false teachings of certain theologians; in this case, the erroneous doctrine held that the species of bread and wine were not to be adored. Perhaps as a result of this error, other pious customs took hold. People flocked to the churches several times a day to be present at the Elevation, and for their part the clergy en-couraged this manifestation of devotion. Spanish priests erected black screens behind the altar so that the Host and the priest’s hands could be more easily seen; acolytes were strictly en-joined not to obscure the Host by the smoke of the thurible, and the church bells were tolled at the moment of the Elevation so that all who could not view the Sacrament could make some act of adoration.

Later in the thirteenth century, the feast of Corpus Christi was established by Pope Urban IV. Part of the solemn ceremonies of the feast include a procession of the clergy and faithful, the priest bearing the Blessed Sacrament and the others not otherwise occupied with carrying the canopy or lighted candles singing hymns of praise to the Blessed Sacrament. In this way the cult of the Blessed Sacrament advanced greatly.

Card. Pacelli during the Eucharistic Congress in Argentina

BY DEGREES the monstrance came into use as the proper vessel for carrying the Eucharist so that It could be seen and adored by the faithful. Originally its use was restricted to processions; nevertheless, the overwhelming demand of the faithful to see the Host and give It adoration caused the clergy to leave the Eucharist exposed on the altar. This practice, though, was considered an abuse because it left the Blessed Sacrament open to the risk of being stolen and then desecrated. A sort of compromise was reached in Germany and Central Europe. To accommodate the devotion of the people, “Sacrament houses” (in German, Sakramentshäuschen) were constructed. These enormous tabernacles, placed in the most prominent locations of the churches, were sealed by a metal latticework door which allowed a view of the interior. In this way the Blessed Sacrament could be seen by the faithful, but It could not be easily stolen. Returning to the monstrance, though, it is clear that once a means of exposing the Sacred Host had been devised, this means could be used to add greater solemnity to certain ceremonies by performing them before the Eucharist in the plain view of all. Mass could be celebrated before the Blessed Sacrament; the canonical hours could be sung. These ceremonies, though, were strictly regulated by the Church.

IT WAS OUT of the custom of singing Vespers before the Blessed Sacrament exposed that Benediction perhaps arose. In Europe, the faithful often attended choral Vespers on Sunday; it is as important as attending Mass. To add greater solemnity to the chanting of this hour, the Eucharist would be placed in the monstrance, and, following the psalms and the Canticle of Our Lady, the clergy would adore and incense the Host, then a special blessing with the Blessed Sacrament of those present concluded the ceremonies.

Another possible source for Benediction is the custom of singing hymns to the Blessed Virgin before one of her images. In the Age of Faith, Marian confraternities, both clerical and lay, were formed, and one part of their function was to assemble every evening in church to sing canticles in honor of the Mother of God. To add solemnity to their gatherings, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, and following the hymns, a special blessing of the confraternity was given. This blessing, of course, was administered by a priest holding the monstrance. Of the two explanations for the rise of Benediction, the second seems more plausible. We have records from wills requesting that confraternities of Our Lady sing their hymns for the repose of the soul of the deceased; for this charity the confraternity received an endowment. Very often, however, the request contained the condition that the service be held before the Blessed Sacrament exposed, and that the customary blessing be given.

ALTHOUGH THE current rite of Benediction has no set form, certain practices are prescribed. The Tantum Ergo must be sung, the versicle Panem de caelo and its response must be sung, and the prayer of Corpus Christi, Deus qui nobis sub sacramento must be said. Incense is prescribed, and no less than ten wax candles must be lighted. Other than this, no other ceremonies are obliged. In English-speaking countries the celebrant, accompanied by no less than two assistants, enters the sanctuary, ascends to the altar and removes the Blessed Sacrament which is enclosed in the luna, a gold clip or a glass case which closes snugly around the Host. He places the luna in the center of the monstrance and sets the monstrance on a corporal which has been spread either on the altar or in the exposition throne, a niche above the altar especially used for exposition of the Host. In the solemn ceremony of Benediction, a deacon, fully vested, performs these functions. The choir sings a hymn to the Blessed Sacrament, usually O Salutaris Hostia, as these are being done. The celebrant, now at the foot of the altar steps, bows profoundly with the ministers, and then rises to place incense in the thurible. He kneels and incenses the Host with three double swings, then returns the thurible to the acolyte. At this point, prayers or litanies may be recited or another hymn may be sung. Usually these prayers are related to a devotion to which Benediction is appended, such as Sacred Heart, Mother of Perpetual Help, or Miraculous Medal Devotions. Sometimes, if Benediction is performed on a great feast, prayers of the feast or in honor of the saint are recited. Such prayers are not required; indeed, nothing at all need be done at this point.

BENEDICTION PROPER takes place with the singing of the Tantum Ergo. A moderate bow is made at Veneremur cernui; a profound bow at Genitori genitoque, the first line of the second verse. Incense is again placed in the thurible; the Eucharist is again incensed by the celebrant. After he returns the thurible to the acolyte, the celebrant intones the versicle and the choir sings the response. An acolyte brings over the humeral veil, a vestment which is worn over the shoulders and which falls over the forearms and hands. He places it over the cope and the priest fastens it over his breast. The priest ascends the altar, genuflects to the Blessed Sacrament, and picks up the monstrance, holding it “through the veil.” He turns around to face the congregation, and gives a blessing with the monstrance. As he brings the Blessed Sacrament “across the center” the bells are rung and the Blessed Sacrament is incensed. The priest replaces the monstrance on the corporal and returns to the foot of the altar. He removes the humeral veil and recites the Divine Praises “in reparation for blasphemy”—a devotion whose origin is obscure, but which seems to be a fairly recent addition to the rite. The Blessed Sacrament is reposed in the tabernacle, a closing hymn is sung, and the ceremony closes. Benediction is a sublime expression of our devotion to Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. Attendance at the ceremonies is a tremendous way of thanking God for such a marvelous invention of His love for us, and the perfect manifestation of our faith in the Real Presence. As St. Thomas Aquinas, author of the Pange Lingua (from which the Tantum Ergo is taken) and the Verbum Supernum (from which the O Salutaris is taken), wrote in another of him hymns to the Blessed Sacrament, the splendid Adoro Te Devote: O Godhead hid, devoutly I adore Thee Who truly art within the forms before me; To Thee my heart I owe with bended knee, As failing quite in contemplating Thee. Sight, touch, and taste in Thee are all deceived; The ear alone most safely is believed; I believe all the Son of God has spoken; Than Truth’s own word there is no truer token. God only on the cross lay hid from view; But here lies hid at once the Manhood too; And I in both professing my belief; Make the same prayer as the repentant thief. 

  The Holy Ghost

General Lamoricière, having entrusted important work to one of his officers, concluded in these words: “Good bye! If you are in difficulty, invoke the Holy Ghost: it seems to me we don’t pray sufficiently to Him: but He is always my source of light and strength: He will be the same for you.” Shortly after, indeed, the officer did find himself in an embarrassing position, which cast him into deepest sadness. He then followed the advice given by his general, and said the Veni, Creator, with great fervor, several times over, and experienced the truth of his words.

THE CURÉ OF ARS ABOUT THE HOLY GHOST

O MY CHILDREN, how beautiful it is! The Father is our Creator, the Son is our Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost is our Guide…. Man by himself is nothing, but with the Holy Spirit he is very great. Man is all earthly and all animal; nothing but the Holy Spirit can elevate his mind, and raise it on high. Why were the saints so detached from the earth? Because they let themselves be led by the Holy Spirit. Those who are led by the Holy Spirit have true ideas; that is the reason why so many ignorant people are wiser than the learned. When we are led by a God of strength and light, we cannot go astray.

The Holy Spirit is light and strength. He teaches us to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and between good and evil. Like glasses that magnify objects, the Holy Spirit shows us good and evil on a large scale. With the Holy Spirit we see everything in its true proportions; we see the greatness of the least actions done for God, and the greatness of the least faults. As a watchmaker with his glasses distinguishes the most minute wheels of a watch, so we, with the light of the Holy Ghost, distinguish all the details of our poor life. Then the smallest imperfections appear very great, the least sins inspire us with horror. That is the reason why the most Holy Virgin never sinned. The Holy Ghost made her understand the hideousness of sin; she shuddered with terror at the least fault.

Those who have the Holy Spirit cannot endure themselves, so well do they know their poor misery. The proud are those who have not the Holy Spirit.

Worldly people have not the Holy Spirit, or if they have, it is only for a moment. He does not remain with them; the noise of the world drives Him away. A Christian who is led by the Holy Spirit has no difficulty in leaving the goods of this world to run after those of Heaven; he knows the difference between them. The eyes of the world see no further than this life, as mine see no further than this wall when the church door is shut. The eyes of the Christian see deep into eternity. To the man who gives himself up to the guidance of the Holy Ghost, there seems to be no world; to the world there seems to be no God….We must therefore find out by whom we are led. If it is not the Holy Ghost, we labor in vain; there is no sub-stance nor savor in anything we do. If it is by the Holy Ghost, we taste a delicious sweetness…it is enough to make us die of pleasure!

Those who are led by the Holy Spirit experience all sorts of happiness in themselves, while bad Christians roll themselves on thorns and flints. A soul in which the Holy Spirit dwells is never weary in the presence of God; his heart gives forth a breath of live. Without the Holy Ghost we are like the stones on the road…. Take in one hand a sponge full of water, and in the other a little pebble; press them equally. Nothing will come out of the pebble, but out of the sponge will come an abundance of water. The sponge is the soul filled with the Holy Spirit, and the stone is the cold and hard heart which is not inhabited by the Holy Spirit.

A soul that possesses the Holy Spirit tastes such sweetness in prayer, that it finds the time always too short; it never loses the holy presence of God. Such a heart, before our good Savior in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar, is a bunch of grapes under the wine press.

The Holy Spirit forms the thoughts and suggests the words in the hearts of the just. … Those who have the Holy Spirit produce nothing bad; all the fruits of the Holy Spirit are good. Without the Holy Spirit all is cold; therefore, when we feel we are losing our fervor, we must instantly make a novena to the Holy Spirit to ask for faith and love. …See, when we have made a retreat or a jubilee, we are full of good desires; these good desires are the breath of the Holy Ghost, which has passed over our souls, and has renewed everything, like the warm wind which melts the ice and brings back the spring. …You who are not great saints, you still have many moments when you taste the sweetness of prayer and of the presence of God: these are visits of the Holy Spirit. When we have the Holy Spirit, the heart expands—bathes itself in divine love. A fish never complains of having too much water, neither does a good Christian ever complain of being too long with the good God. There are some people who find religion wearisome, and it is because they have not the Holy Spirit.

If the damned were asked: Why are you in Hell? they would answer: For having resisted the Holy Spirit. And if the saints were asked, Why are you in Heaven? they would answer: For having listened to the Holy Spirit. When good thoughts come to our minds, it is the Holy Spirit who is visiting us. The Holy Spirit is a power. The Holy Spirit sup-ported St. Simeon on his column; He sustained the martyrs. Without the Holy Spirit, the martyrs would have fallen like the leaves from the trees. When the fires were lighted under them, the Holy Spirit extinguished the heat of the fire by the heat of divine love. The good God, in sending us the Holy Spirit, has treated us like a great king who should send his minister to guide one of his subjects, saying, “You will accompany this man everywhere, and you will bring him back safe and sound.” How beautiful it is, my children, to be accompanied by the Holy Spirit! He is indeed a good Guide; and to think that there are some who will not follow Him. The Holy Spirit is like a man with a carriage and horse, who should want to take us to Paris. We should only have to say “yes,” and to get into it. It is indeed an easy matter to say “yes”! … Well, the Holy Spirit wants to take us to Heaven; we have only to say “yes,” and to let Him take us there.

The Holy Spirit is like a gardener cultivating our souls. … The Holy Spirit is our servant. …There is a gun; well you load it, but someone must fire it and make it go off. … In the same way, we have in ourselves the power of doing good…when the Holy Spirit gives the impulse, good works are produced. The Holy Spirit reposes in just souls like the dove in her nest. He brings our good desires in a pure soul, as the dove hatches her young ones. The Holy Spirit leads us as a mother leads by the hand her child of two years old, as a person who can see leads one who is blind. 

The Sacraments which Our Lord instituted would not have saved us with-out the Holy Spirit. Even the death of Our Lord would have been useless to us without Him. Therefore Our Lord said to His Apostles, “It is good for you that I should go away; for if I did not go, the Consoler would not come.” The descent of the Holy Ghost was required, to render fruitful that harvest of graces. It is like a grain of wheat—you cast it into the ground; yes, but it must have sun and rain to make it grow and come into ear. We should say every morning, “O God, send me Thy Spirit to teach me what I am and what Thou art.”

The Sacraments which Our Lord instituted would not have saved us without the Holy Spirit. Even the death of Our Lord would have been useless to us without Him. Therefore Our Lord said to His Apostles, “It is good for you that I should go away; for if I did not go, the Consoler would not come.” The descent of the Holy Ghost was required, to render fruitful that harvest of graces. It is like a grain of wheat—you cast it into the ground; yes, but it must have sun and rain to make it grow and come into ear. We should say every morning, “O God, send me Thy Spirit to teach me what I am and what Thou art.”

 

  See Encyclical of His Holiness Pope Leo XIII DIVINUM ILLUD MUNUS  on the Holy Ghost

THE SECURE PATH TO HEAVEN

The heavenly encounter of John Bosco with Domenic Savio

On the night of December 6, 1876, while in my room, asleep or not, I do not know, I found myself on a hill overlooking an immense plane. It was blue, like a calm sea, but not of water. It looked like shining crystal.

I saw large gardens of untold beauty. The grass, flowers, trees, and fruit were exquisitely beautiful. The trees had leaves of gold, trunks and branches studded with diamonds—everything blending in wealthy splendor. I saw buildings of such beauty and harmony, so exceptionally magnificent in shape, that not all the wealth of the world could construct even one of them! I was seeing only the outside of these buildings—how magnificent they must have been inside! “If only my boys could live in one of these mansions,” I said to myself, “how happy they would be! How gladly they would stay!” Then I heard music so sweet and rich in harmony that words cannot even describe it. A hundred thousand instruments were playing, and then a choir of voices joined them. There is nothing on earth to compare with it! I was enraptured.

A Group of Boys

As I listened in ecstatic wonder, I saw a group of boys, many of whom had been at the Oratory or at our other schools, but most of them I had never seen. They came towards me, and at their head was Dominic Savio.

“Am I asleep or awake?” I kept wondering. I even hit myself a few times to make sure everything was real!

A boundless joy sparkled in the eyes of those boys, reflecting in their face the inner peace that flooded their souls. Happy smiles played merrily on their lips. Dominic Savio stepped forward alone, coming so close to me that, had I stretched out my hand, I would have touched him.

How magnificent he looked! A snow white tunic, studded with diamonds and interwoven with gold, fell to his feet. About his waist was a wide crimson sash, embroidered with precious stones. About his neck hung a garland of wild flowers. Their petals looked like diamonds hung from golden stems, and they sparkled with a supernatural glory that outshone even the sun, with all its splendor of a spring morning. I almost lost my senses as I looked at him.

The rays from the flowers intermingled and played upon Dominic’s innocent, handsome face in a manner that defies description. Everything about him gave him such an attractive and enchanting appearance that he looked like...an angel.

Where Was I?

I kept staring at everything about me. “What does this mean?” I wondered, “And, how did I get here?” I still had no idea where I was. Stammering, I barely managed to ask, “Are you really Dominic Savio?” “Yes, I am! Don’t you recognize me?” Why are you here?” I asked, terribly confused. Dominic’s reply was reassuring.

I have come to talk with you. We often talked together on earth, and now God is allowing me to return your love for me.” I asked, “Am I in Heaven?”

He answered, “No. This is a natural place of happiness with temporal joys in a lofty degree; it is nature embellished and made so by God’s power. I said, “I thought that it was Heaven.” “No, of course not!” broke in Savio. “No mortal eye can see the eternal beauty of Heaven. Even the tiniest ray of Heaven’s light would strike a man dead, because the human senses cannot stand it.

“I gazed attentively at the heavenly “Is there any natural light lovelier than this?” Oh, yes! If you could only see a ray of sunlight just slightly more powerful than this, you would lose your senses!”

“Could I not look at just one tiny ray of such light?” “All right...but, look carefully at the horizon on the crystal sea.” I did so, and at that moment, far away, a fleeting streak of light, thinner than a thread, flashed across the sky—so brilliant, so penetrating that it burned my eyes. I shut them and screamed. That one streak was a hundred million times brighter than the sun, and its brilliance could have lit up the entire universe!

After awhile, I reopened my eyes and asked Dominic, “What was that—a ray of divine light?”

Savio answered, “It was not supernatural light, although it does surpass all the light of the world. It is nothing else than natural light, intensified by God’s power. Even an immense band of light equal in brilliance to the tiny ribbon which you have just seen, and encircling the entire universe, could not give you even a remote idea of the glory of Heaven!”

Then I asked Dominic, “Why are you wearing such brilliant garments?” Dominic was silent, and seemed to refuse an answer, but then I realized that the blood-red sash was a symbol of the many great sacrifices he had made, his violent efforts, the near martyrdom he had suffered to preserve the virtue of purity...and that to remain chaste in God’s eyes, he had been ready to give his life, should it have been necessary. At the same time, it represented penance, which cleanses the soul from guilt. His shining white tunic represented baptismal innocence retained.

God’s Messenger

“I gazed attentively at the heavenly youngsters who followed him, and asked, “Tell me, Dominic, you are the youngest of all the boys who have died in our houses, so why do you precede these boys?” “I am the oldest of the Oratory boys, because I was the first to die and pass on into eternity. Besides, legatione Dei fungor—”I am God’s ambassador.” He was a messenger for God.

I asked, “Tell me about the past?” He replied, “Do you see that vast number of boys over there? What is written over the entrance to that garden?” “Salesian Garden,” I answered.

“Well,” Savio continued, “all of these people were either Salesians or were influenced by you. They were those saved by you and your priests and seminarians, or by those whom you guided into the paths of their vocation. Count them, if you can! But, they would be a hundred million times more numerous if you had only had greater trust and faith in the Lord!”

I sighed, not knowing what to say to this reproof, and inwardly resolved, “I’ll make sure that I have this faith and confidence in the future!” “How about the present?” I asked.

Dominic showed me a beautiful bouquet of flowers he had in his hands. There were roses, violets, sunflowers, gentians, lilies, and evergreens...with some ears of wheat. He gave them to me, and said, “These flowers represent the virtues that are most pleasing to Our Lord.”

“What are they,” I asked. “The rose is the symbol of Charity; the violet of Humility; the sunflower, Obedience; the gentian, Penance and Mortification; the ears of wheat, frequent Communion; the lily symbolized that beautiful virtue of which it is said, “They shall be as the Angels of God in Heav-en—Chastity. The evergreen tells you that these virtues must be lasting: Perseverance.”

The Most Important Message

“Well now, Dominic,” I said, “you practiced all of these virtues during life. Tell me, what gave you the greatest comfort at the hour of death?” “What do you think it was?” “Maybe preserving the virtue of purity?” “No, not that alone.” “Peace of conscience...obedience?” “That is a good thing, but it is not the best.” “Perhaps the hope of gaining Heaven?” “No, not that.” “Well, was it the treasury of good deeds you had stored up? “No, no!” “Then what did bring you your greatest comfort in that last hour?” I pleaded, embarrassed that I had not discovered the reason.

“What comforted me most at the hour of my death,” Dominic replied, “was the

assistance of the powerful and lovable Mother of God! Tell this to your boys, and to everyone. As long as they live, they are not to forget to pray to Her!”

“And, what of the future?” “As for your Congregation, if your priests guide it well and make themselves worthy of their lofty mission, the future will be resplendent, and an untold number of souls will be saved. But on one condition—that your sons remain devoted to the Blessed Virgin, and that they all keep the virtue of chastity, which is so pleasing to God.”

Out Of Body

“How about myself”? I asked. “Oh, if you only know what trials still await you! But, now, I have little time left to speak to you.” Quickly I stretched out my hands to grasp him, but he seemed immaterial, and I touched only thin air! Dominic smiled, and asked, “What are you trying to do?” “I am afraid that you will go away. Aren’t you here in your body?” “No, not in my body. Some day I shall take it back.” “Then what is this image that I see? Am I not gazing upon Dominic Savio?”

“When a soul is separated from its body by death and, with God’s permission, appears to a human being, it shows the exterior of the body to which it was united in life, with all its phys-ical characteristics greatly beautified. It does so until body and soul are reunited in the Universal Judgment. Then it will take its body to Heaven. That is why I seem to have head and hands and feet. This is why you can see me.” “I understand,” I answered. “But listen, one more question. Are all my boys on the path to salvation? Tell me how I can properly guide them?” Knowledge Of The State Of Souls

“The boys entrusted to you by Divine Providence can be divided into three groups. Do you see these three slips of paper?” and he handed me the first one.

I looked at it. It was entitled Invulnerati — unwounded—and contained the names of those lads whom the devil had been unable to harm, those boys who had retained their innocence unstained. They were many, and I could see them all. Some I knew, others were strangers, undoubtedly boys who were to enter our school in future years.

They were walking straight along a narrow path, in spite of arrows and daggers that were thrown at them from all sides. Indeed, these weapons formed a fence on both sides of the path, striking and tormenting them, but never inflicting a wound. Then Dominic handed me the second slip, entitled Vulnerati—that is, those who had fallen from God’s grace but, rising to their feet, had healed their wounds by repentance and Confession.

There were more boys on this second list than on the first. They had been wounded on their way of life by the enemy lying in wait for them. I read their names and saw them all. Many walked along with their heads bowed in discouragement.

Dominic still had a third piece of paper in his hand. I could see its title Lassti in via inquitantis—those who have collapsed in the way of sin. It contained the names of all those in God’s disgrace. I was anxious to know who they were and stretched out my hand, but Dominic interrupted quickly, “No, wait a moment listen to me! If you open this paper, such a stench will arise that neither you nor I will be able to stand it! The angels withdraw in horror and disgust, and the Holy Spirit, Himself, abhors the hideous odor of sin!”

“How can this be?” I asked. “Neither God nor His angels can feel pain. How can they smell a material stench?” “The better and purer a creature is, the more it resembles a heavenly spirit; but the filthier and more sinful one is, the father one moves from God and His angels, who in turn withdraw from him, who is an object of disgust and loathing.”

Then he handed me the paper. “Take it,“ he said, “open it and use it for the good of your boys. But do not forget the bouquet I have given to you. Make sure that everyone has it, and does not lose it!” Giving me the paper, he hastily withdrew to join his companions. I opened the paper. I saw no names, but in a flash, I saw all the boys who were listed on it. I saw them all! They were a sorry sight! Most of them I knew; they belong to the Oratory or to other schools. I saw some who seem to be good—even the best among all their companions, but they are not!

As I unfolded the paper, an unbearable stench was released—so much so that I got a violent headache, and such cramps that I thought I would die Darkness settled about me the vision with Dominic faded away and, to my sadness, nothing was left of that wonderful sight. Suddenly a bolt of lightning flashed with a crash of thunder so loud and frightening that I awoke in a cold sweat! It was a dream but I remembered everything!

That stench had penetrated the walls of my room, and even my clothing, so that I could smell it for days. So foul is even the name of the sinner before God! Even now, as I recall that odor, I get very nauseated and choke, and my stomach rebels.

I have already made inquiries of boys at Lanzo, and have found out that the dream was not misleading. It was totally true! It is God’s grace that has allowed me to know the state of souls...to help them. 

MAY 3 - THE FINDING OF THE HOLY CROSS

By Prosper Gueranger 





IT was most just that our divine King should show himself to us with the sceptre of his power, to the end that nothing might be wanting to the majesty of his empire. This sceptre is . the Cross; and Paschal Time was to be the sea~n for its being offered to him in glad homage. A few weeks back, and the Cross was shown to us as the instrument of our Emmanuel's humiliation and as the bed of suffering whereon he died; but has he not since then conquered Death? and what is his Cross now but a trophy of his victory ? Let it then be brought forth to our gaze and let every knee bend before this sacred Wood, whereby our Jesus won the honour and praise we now give him!

On the day of his birth at Bethlehem we sang these words of the Prophet Isaias: A child is bom unto us, atJd a son is given unto us, and his government is upon his shoulder.1 We have seen him carrying this Cross upon his shoulder; as Isaac carried the wood for his own immolation; but now it is no longer a heavy burthen. It is shining with a brightness that ravishes the eyes of the angels; and after having received the veneration of man as long as the world lasts. it will suddenly appear in the clouds of heaven, near the Judge of the living and the dead-a consolation to them that have loved it, but a reproach to such as have treated it with contempt or forgetfulness.

Our Saviour did not think the time between his Resurrection and Ascension a fitting one for glorifying the instrument of his victory. The Cross was not to be brought into notice until it had subjected the world to him whose glory it so eloquently proclaimed. Jesus was three days in the tomb; his Cross is to lie buried. unknown to men, for three centuries: but it is to have its resurrection, and the Church celebrates this resurrection to-day. Jesus would, in his own good time, add to the joy of Easter by miraculously revealing to us this sacred monument of his love for mankind. He entrusts it to our keeping-it is to be our consolationas long as this world lasts: is it not just that we should love and venerate it ?

Never had Satan's pride met with such a humiliation as when he saw the instrument of our perdition made the instrument of our salvation. As the Church expresses it in her Preface for Passion tide : • He that overcame mankind by a Tree, was overcome by a Tree.' Thus foiled, he vented his fury upon this saving Wood, which so bitterly reminded him both of the irresistible power of his conqueror and of the dignity of man who had been redeemed at so great a price. He would fain have annihilated the Cross; but knowing that this was beyond his power, he endeavoured to profane it, and hide it from view. He therefore instigated the Jews to bury it. At the foot of Calvary, not far from the sepulchre, was a deep hole. Into this was the Cross thrown, together with those of the two thieves, the Nails, the Crown of Thorns, and the Inscription or Title written by Pilate. The hole was then filled up with rubbish and earth, and the Sanhedrim exulted in the thought of its having effaced the memory of the Nazarene, who could not save himself from the ignominious death of the Cross.

Forty years after this, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, the instruments of God's vengeance. The Holy Places were desecrated by the idolaters. A small temple to Venus was erected on Calvary, and another to Jupiter over the Holy Sepulchre. By this, the pagans intended derision; whereas, they were perpetuating the knowledge of two spots of most sacred interest. When peace was restored under Constantine, the Christians had but to remove these pagan monuments, and their eyes beheld the holy ground that had been bedewed with the Blood of Jesus, and the glorious Sepulchre. As to the Cross, it was not so easily found. The sceptre of our divine King was to be raised up from its tomb by a royal hand. The saintly Empress Helen, Constantine's mother, was chosen by heaven to pay to Jesus---and that, toe·, on the very spot where he had received his greatest humiliations---the honours which are due to him as the King of the world. Before laying the foundations of the Basilica of the Resurrection, this worthy follower of Magdalen and the other holy women of the sepulchre was anxious to discover the instrument of our salvation. The Jews had kept up the tradition of the site where it had been buried: the Empress had the excavations made accordingly. With what holy impatience she must have watched the works! and with what ecstasy of joy did she behold the redeeming Wood. which. though not at first distinguishable, was certainly one of the three Crosses that were found! She addressed a fervent prayer to the Saviour. who alone could reveal to her which was the trophy of his victory; the bishop. Macarius, united his prayers with hers; and their faith was rewarded by a miracle that left them no doubt as to which was the true Cross.

The glorious work was accomplished, and the Church was put in possession of the instrument of the world's Redemption. Both East and West were fill,ed with joy at the news of this precious discovery, which heaven had set on foot, and which gave the last finish to the triumph of Christianity. Christ completed his victory over the pagan world by raising thus his standard-not a figurative one, but his own real standard-his Cross. which. up to that time. had been a stumbling-block to the Jews, and foolishness to the Gentiles; but before which every Christian is henceforth to bend his knee.

Helen placed the holy Cross in the Basilica which had been built bv her orders, and which covered both the glorious Sepulchre and the hill of the Crucifixion. Another Church was erected on the site where the Cross had lain concealed for three hundred years, and the faithful are enabled, by long flights ofsteps, to go down into the deep grotto which had been its tomb. Pilgrims came from every part of the world to visit the hallowed places where our Redemption had been wrought, and to venerate the sacred Wood of the Cross. But God's merciful providence willed not that the precious pledge of Jesus' love for mankind should be confined to one sanctuary only, however venerable it might be. Immediately after its discovery, Helen had a very large piece cut from the Cross; and this fragment she destined for Rome, the new Jerusalem. The precious gift was enshrined in the Basilica built by her son Constantine in the Sessorian garden, which was afterwards called the Basilica of H oly-Cross-inJerusalem.

By degrees, other places were honoured by the presence of the Wood of the Holy Cross. So far back as the fourth century, we have St Cyril of Jerusalem attesting that many of the pilgrims used to obtain small pieces of it, and thus carried the precious treasure into their respective countries; and St Paulinus of Nola, who lived in the same century, assures us that these many gifts lessened not the size of the original relic. In the sixth century, the holy Queen St Radegonde obtained from the Emperor 1ustin II a large piece from the fragment that was in 'the imperial treasury of Constantinople. It was for the reception of this piece of the True Cross into France that Venantius Fortunatus composed the Vexilla Regis-that beautiful hymn which the Church uses in her Liturgy as often as she celebrates the praise of the Holy Cross. After several times losing and regaining it, Jerusalem was at length for ever deprived of the precious relic. Constantinople was a gainer by Jemsalem's loss. From Constantinople, especially during the Crusades, many churches of the West procured large pieces. These again supplied other places; until at length the Wood of the Cross was to be found in almost every town of any importance. There is scarcely to be found a Catholic who. some time or other in his life. has not had the happiness of seeing and venerating a portion of this sacred object. How many acts of love and gratitude have not been occasioned by this? And who could fail to recognize. in this successive profusion of our Jesus' Cross, a plan of divine providence for exciting us to us appreciation of our Redemption. on which rest all our hopes of eternal happiness ?

How dear. then. to us should this day be, which blends together the recollection of the holy Cross and the joys of the Resurrection of that Jesus who by the Cross has won the throne to which we shall soon see him ascend! Let us thank our Heavenly Father for his having restored to mankind a treasure so immensely precious as is the Cross. Until the day comes for it to appear with himself in the clouds of heaven. Jesus has entrusted it to his Spouse, as a pledge of his second coming. On that day. he will collect together all the fragments by his divine power; and the Tree of Life will then gladden the elect with its dazzling beauty. and invite them to eternal rest beneath its refreshing shade.

The Liturgy gives us the following history of the great event we are celebrating to·day:

After the great victory gained over Maxentius by the Emperor Constantine, under the standard of our Lord's Cross; which had been miraculously shown to him. Helen, his mother, was told in a dream to repair to Jerusalem and search for the true Cross. Upon her arrival. she ordered to be taken down a marble statue of Venus. which had been erected by the Pagans some hundred and eighty years before, in order that all memory of our Lord's Passion might be obliterated. She did the same service for the place where reposed the Saviour's crib, as also for the site of the Resurrection: removing from the former an idol of Adonis, and from the latter an idol of Jupiter. The place where the Cross was supposed to be having been excavated, three crosses were discovered at a great depth below the surface; and with them, though not attached, the Title that had been fastened to our Lord's Cross. The doubt as to which of the three crosses the title belonged was removed by a miracle. After having prayed to God, ",1acarius, the bishop of Jerusalem, applied each of the crosses to a woman who was afflicted with a dangerous malady. The first two produced no result; the third was then applied and the woman was restored to perfect health. The holy Cross being thus found, Helen built a magnificent church in Jerusalem, in which she placed a portion of the Cross, enshrined in a silver case: the remaining part she took to her son Constantine, and it was put in the Church called Holy-Cross in- Jerusalem, which was built on the site of the Sessorian palace. She also took to her son the Nails wherewith the most holy Body of Christ Jesus had been fastened to the Cross.    Constantine passed a law that from that time forward a cross should never be used as an instrument of punishment; and thus what hitherto had been an object of reproach and derision became one of veneration and glory.

Both the Eastern and Western Churches abound in liturgical compositions in honour of the holy Cross. We offer our readers a selection from these, beginning with the glorious verses of Venantius Fortunatus:

The standard of our King comes forth; the mystery of the Cross shines upon us-that Cross on which Life suffered death. and by his Death gave life. He was pierced with the cruel spear, that by the Water and the Blood which flowed from the wound he might cleanse us from sin. Here on the Cross was fulfilled the prophecy foretold in David's truthful words: 'God hath reigned from the Tree.' o fair and shining Tree! beautified by the scarlet of the King. and chosen as the noble trunk that was to touch such sacred limbs. o blessed Tree! on whose arms hung the ransom of the world! It was the balance wherein was placed the Body of Jesus. and thereby hell lost its prey. Hail, 0 Cross! our only hope, that bringest us the Paschal joy. Increase the grace of the good and cleanse sinners from their guilt. May every spirit praise thee, o Holy Trinity, thou fount of salvation! and by the Cross, whereby thou gavest us victory, give us too our recompense. Amen.

The Roman Church has the following Responsories and Antiphons in her Office for this feast. They are full of unction, and breathe a fragrance of antiquity:

~. Holy Church celebrates the glorious day whereon wa, found the triumphant Wood,· On which our Redeemer broke the bonds of death, and overcame the crafty serpent, alleluia. V. Hanging on this Wood, the Word of the Father found the way of our salvation. • On which our Redeemer broke the bonds of death. and overcame the crafty serpent, alleluia. R. This is the noblest of all trees, and is placed in the midst of Paradise: • On it the Author of our salvation vanquished. by his own Death, the death of all men, alleluia. V. It is the Cross, dazzling in its exceeding beauty, which Helen. the mother of Constantine, sought with all the ardour of her soul. • On it the Author of our salvation vanquished. by his own Death, the death of all men, Alleluia. R. Man's faith in Christ was strengthened, when the sacred pledge was revealed to him by heaven: • The divine prodigies that were prefigured of old in the rod of Moses, were renewed, alleluia. V. The dead rose again by the contact of the Cross. and the wondrous works of God were made manifest. • The divine prodigies that were prefigured of old in the rod of Moses, were renewed, alleluia. ANT. Save us, 0 Saviour Christ, by the power of the Cross! 0 thou that didst save Peter on the waters, have mercy on us, alleluia. . ANT. Behold- the Cross of the Lord; fiee, 0 ye his enemies, for the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath conquered, alleluia. ANT. 0 Tree loftier than all cedars I whereon hung the Life of the world, and Christ triumphed, and death conquered death for ever, alleluia. ANT. 0 Cross I brighter than all stars, honoured throughout the world, beloved by men, holiest of holy things, that alone wast worthy to bear the ransom of the world I 0 sweet Wood I o sweet nails I that bore so sweet a weight I save the people assembled here this day to sing thy praise! Alleluia, alleluia.

Our Latin Churches of the Middle Ages are fervent in their hymns in honour of the holy Cross. The first we select is the celebrated sequence of Adam of Saint-Victor:

SEQUENCE

Let us proclaim the praises of the Cross, we who have so special a reason to exult in it; for it is in the Cross that we triumph, and gain the victory of life over our fierce enemy.      Let our sweet melodies reach the heavens, for our faith tells us that this sweet Wood is worthy of sweet songs. Oh! let not our life be out of tune with our voice. When our voice is not a reproach to the life we lead, then is our music sweet. Let the servants of the Cross praise the Cross, whereby they have been blessed with the gifts of life. Let each and all thus sing: Hail, thou saving Tree, thou salvation of the world! Oh how honoured and how grand was this altar of. salvation. that was crimsoned with the Blood of the spotless Lamb, who purified the world from its old iniquity I This is the ladder of sinners, whereby Christ. the King of heaven. draws all things to himself. Its very shape shows that it takes in the four parts of the earth. The Cross is not a new mystery. nor does the honour that is paid it date from modern times. It was the Cross that made the bitter waters sweet; it was with the Cross that Moses struck the rock. and made the waters flow. There was no protection in the house of him who marked not the door-posts with the Cross. But he that so marked them neither felt the destroying sword. nor lost his first-born son. The poor woman of Sarephta found her salvation whilst picking sticks. Without the Wood of faith. there is nor oil nor meal. These were blessings of the Cross. hidden under scriptural figures. but now made manifest to the world. Kings have embraced the faith, and enemies are put to flight. With the Cross alone. under the leader Christ. one man routs a thousand. Rome beheld Maxentius and all his fleet drowned in the deep. The Thracians were dispersed. the Persians slaughtered, and the leader of the hostile troops vanquished. The Cross ever gives courage and victory to its soldiers; cure all disease and sickness; check, the devil; sets captives free; gives newness of life; restores all things to their former dignity. Hail, 0 Cross, triumphant Wood, the world's true salvation! ~o tree can yield such shade or flower or fruit as thine. o Medicine of Christian life! keep the healthy strong, and give health to the sick. What man cannot, of his own strength, he can do in thv name. o thou that madest the Cross thus sacred. hear the prayers of them that celebrate the praises of thy Cross. We are 'the servants- of thy Cross-Oh! take us, after this life. to the courts of true light. Grant that we who honour the instrument of thy sufferings, may    escape the sufferings of hell: and when the day of thy wrath comes, give us to enjoy eternal bliss. Amen.

The following hymn is taken from the ancient Roman French Breviaries for this feast:

HYMN

Hail, holy Cross! Hail, thou the world's glory! our true hope, that bringest us true joy, the standard of salvation, our protection in danger, the living Tree, that bearest him who is the life of all ! o sweet glory of the world ! we who were redeemed on thee, tire not in praising and hymning thee as the adorable and life giving Cross. We were made slaves by a tree; by thee, 0 Tree, were we made freedmen. Thou. 0 Christ, didst slay original sin on thy Cross: by thy holy Cross, cleanse us from our own guilty stains, have pity on our human frailty, and grant pardon to them that have fallen. By the sign of the Cross. protect, save, bless, sanctify thy whole people; avert from them every malady of body and mind; let no danger prevail against this sign. Praise to God the Father from the Cross of his Son ! praise coequal be to the Holy Ghost I May the Finding of the Cross be a joy to the angel citizens of heaven, and a glory to the world! Amen.

From the liturgical compositions produced by the Greek Church in honour of the holy Cross. we select the following Canon, or hymn. It was written by St Theodore the Studite:  

HYMN

This is a day of joy I At Christ's Resurrection death disappeared, and life was seen in all its splendour. Adam, who rises again, exults with joy. Let us, therefore, rejoice and sing our hymn of triumph. . The day for the adoration of the precious Cross has arrived. Come, all. ye faithful I It is exposed before us, and it sends forth the bright rays of Christ's Resurrection. Filled. therefore. with spiritual joy, let us embrace and kiss it. o Cross of my Lord. thy glory is immense! Show me now the divine face of thy beauty. Vouchsafe that I who venerate thee may sing thy praises. speak with thee as though thou wert ·a living thing, and I embrace thee. Let heaven and earth unite in singing its praise, for the most holy Cross is shown to all, the Cross on which Christ was fastened and sacrificed. Let us joyfully approach and kiss it. The saintly Moses of old prefigured thy Cross, 0 Christ. when, dividing the waters with his rod, he led the Israelite people through the Red Sea, and sang a canticle of praise to thee in celebration of the going forth from Egypt. Thy Cross, 0 Lord, which we kiss to-day, was prefigured by Moses, when he stretched forth his arms; by it, we put our spiritual Amalec to flight; by it also we are saved. To-day there is joy in heaven and on earth, because there shines upon the world the sign of the thrice blessed Cross. Its sight is a source of unceasing grace to us. What return shall we make to thee, 0 Christ, for thy having permitted us to adore thy venerable Cross, on which thy most· holy Blood was shed, and to which thy Flesh was fastened with nails? We kiss it and give thee thanks. The angelic hosts exult with joy because of the adoration of thy Cross; for on it, 0 Christ, thou didst wound the demon troop and save mankind. The Church has been made a second Paradise, which, like the first, possesses a Tree of Lifethy Cross, 0 Lord-by whose contact we are made immortal. The prophecy of the Psalmist is fulfilled: for lo ! we adore the footstool of thy divine feet, thy venerable Cross, the much loved Wood. The Wood which Jeremias saw put in thy bread is thy Cross, 0 merciful Redeemer! We kiss it, and honour thy chains, and tomb, and spear, and nails. On this day a sweet odour IS exhaled from the thurible of heaven-the Cross, perfumed with a life-giving ointment. Let us inhale this fragrance of heaven; let us ever venerate it with faith. Tell us, 0 Eliseus! what is the wood thou didst put in the water? It is the Cross of Christ, which drew us from the depths of spiritual death. Let us ever venerate it with faith. Jacob prefigured thy Cross of old, 0 Christ, when he adored the top of Joseph's mysterious rod. He foresaw that it was to be the venerable sceptre of thy kingdom. Let us now adore it with ever faithful hearts. The great prophet Daniel, when cast into the lions' den, stretched forth his hands in the form of a Cross; he was saved from the jaws of the wild beasts, and for ever blessed Christ our God. Let all the trees of the forest sing a glad hymn, for on this day they beheld one of themselves, the Tree of the Cross, being honoured with kisses and embraces. This is the Tree whose head was lifted up by Christ, as holy David foretold. I, whose death was caused by a tree, have found thee, 0 Tree of Life, 0 Cross that bearest Christ' Thou art my invincible defence, my power protecting me against Satan. I venerate thee this day, and exclaim: 'Sanctify me by thy glory" Rejoice and be glad, O Church of God, that adorest this day the thrice blessed Wood of the most holy Cross, round which the very angels stand ministering in awe.

Christ Crucified is the power and wisdom of God.! Thus spoke thine Apostle, 0 Jesus! and we are witnesses of the truth of his words. The Synagogue thought to dishonour thee by nailing thee to a Cross, for it was written in the Law: Cursed is he that hangeth on a tree. But, lo! this gibbet, this tree of infamy. is become the trophy of thy grandest glory! Far from dimming the splendour of thy Resurrection, the Cross enhances the brilliance of thy magnificent triumph. Thou wast attached to the Wood-thou tookest on thyself the curse that was due to us,. thou wast crucified between two thieves; thou wast reputed a"s an impostor, and thine enemies insulted thee ill- thine agony on this bed of suffering. Hadst thou been but man, 0 Son of David! all this would have disgraced thy name and memory; the Cross would have been the ruin of thy past glory: but thou art the Son of God, and it is the Cross that proves it. The whole world venerates thy Cross. It was the Cross that brought the world into submission to thee. The honours that are now paid it more than make amends for the insults that were once offered it. Men are not wont to venerate a cross; but if they do, it is the Cross on which their God died. Oh! blessed be he that hung upon the Tree! And do thou, de~rest crucified Jesus! in return for the homage we pay to thy Cross, fulfil the promise thou madest us: And I, ill be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things unto myself.l

That thou mightest the more effectually draw us, thou this day permittedst us to find the very Wood, whereon thou didststretch forth thy divine arms to embrace us. Thou hast deigned to give us this holy instrument of thy victory which is to shine near .thee in the heavens on the day of judgement; thou hast mercifully confided it to (,lUr keeping, in order that we might thence derive a salutary fear of divine Justice, which demanded thy.death on this Wood in atonement for our sins. Thou also gavest us this most precious relic, that it might excite us to a devoted love for thee, o divine Victim! who, that we might be blessed, didst take upon thyself the maledictions due to our sins. The whole world is offering thee to-day its fervent thanks for so inestimable a gift. Thy Cross, by being divided into countless fragments, ~ in all places, consecrating and protecting by its· presence every country of the Christian world.

Oh..! that we had St Helen's spirit, dear Jesus. and knew. as she did. the breadth. and length. and height, and depth of the mystery of thy Cross.2 Her love of the mystery made her so earnest in her search for the Cross. And how sublime is the spectacle offered to us by this holy Empress! She adorns thy glorious Sepulchre; she raises thy Cross from its grave; who was there, that ever proclaimed with such solemnity as this, the Paschal Mystery? The Sepulchre cries out to us: • He is risen: he is not here!' The Cross exclaims: • I held him captive but for a few passing hours: he is not here! He is resplendent in the glory of his Resurrection!' o ~ross! 0 Sepulchre ! how brief was the period of his humiliation. and how grand the kingdom he won by you! We will adore in you the place where his feet stood.1 making you the instruments of our Redemption. and thereby endearing you to our respectful love for ever. Glory. then. be to thee. 0 Cross! dear object of this day's festival! Continue to protect this world where our Jesus has left thee. Be its shield against Satan. Help us to remember that union of sacrifice and triumph which will support us in all our crosses. for it is by thee. 0 Cross! that Christ conquers. and reigns, and commands. CHRISTUS VINCIT, CHRISTUS REGNAT, CHRISTUS IMPERAT.