Lacrimarum Valle

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Welcome

This Web-Log ('blog) was established in October 2006 during the author's final year of Medical School. It is dedicated to his first born; the joy of his heart.

Lacrimarum Valle are two simple words in the hymn Salve Regina. It means Vale of Tears, and this Blog is committed to this sentiment, reminding us that our life is transient and temporary; a pilgrimage of Grace towards our heavenly destination. It was this hymn that the author always appreciated after the years of wandering, taught him by an unpopular Chaplain at boarding school.

This Blog may seem overtly 'Catholic' in flavour. That is because its author experienced a profound conversion and renewal in his character whilst studying, and shortly after his marriage, which led him to rediscover the Faith he barely knew as a child. His wife is an intricate part of this story because it was her prayers and faith which led him towards this encounter. It so happened that, born into the anglican church, she converted to Catholicism and brought her husband with her.

This Blog has been extended to welcome her contributions also. It was begun with the following introduction:

I warmly welcome you into my life! It will take a long time for this blog to get up and running, and I cannot hope for it to be nearly as interesting as those blogs I read regularly... but in any case, here is my humble attempt!

I imagine my musings with revolve around the world through my eyes:

the eyes of a medical student, soon to be a doctor;

the eyes of a young Catholic perplexed and transfixed by the Faith;

the eyes of a married man;

the eyes of a new father.

I hope that anyone interested in these things will glean some joy to see my struggling with life in all its complexities! I shall especially enjoy posting the photographs I love taking, and sharing these with anyone who knows me.

I am also excited to turn my unproductive web-browsing into something useful and concrete: and to reach out to the blogging community to share some of the experiences which would otherwise remain private.

An overriding theme which has developed from a personal perspective is an increasing knowledge and practice of traditional Catholic devotions. Tradition is often a concept attacked in the Church, from within and without. It is an aspect which is especially important to our family, leading to our choice of The Oratory for regular attendance. Many may argue that Sacred Tradition and 'traditions of men' can be distinctly separated. But the one breathes life into the other, and we hope this is clearly evident from our reflections.

You can browse the contents with the tabs at the top (common themes and sections) or through the Archive by date, on the sidebar. I hope you enjoy reading our family's journey in Faith, with all the joys and challenges that brings.

Contact

Comments
If you have a particular opinion on any of my material, please click on the comments feature at the bottom of the relevant post, where you are invited to contribute publically. All comments will be moderated by myself, so will not appear immediately for everyone to read.

(Naturally I reserve the right to selectively publish or reject comments for no given reason. Please avoid being overtly offensive, since this will automatically be rejected by me.)

Disclaimer

External Links - Sites I link to may be for a specific purpose, or just to show I enjoy reading the contents from time to time. In no way does it imply that I endorse or agree with all commentary contained therein.

Photos - I endeavour to display original photographs taken by myself from my own archive. These are distinguishable from other embedded pictures by their ability to enlarge upon clicking them (which I'd recommend!) Feel free to use these photos by following the licensing rules (see below) and giving myself due credit (preferably with a link).

Licensing - Please note that my material is under a creative commons license (displayed at the footer). To find out more please click here.

Above all, the opinions expressed on this weblog are solely my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Birmingham Oratory, the National Health Service, the Latin Mass Society, Englishmen, Irishmen, or South African Immigrants, nor do they necessarily represent a perfectly balanced Catholic mentality. I am what I am and nothing more, although I am learning and growing and would welcome constructive criticism. In the unfortunate event that I misrepresent the Magisterium of the Holy See, I humbly confess Mea Culpa and beg God's mercy and forgiveness, and well as your own.

Friday, April 14, 2006

Credits

O God, who for the world's redemption wast pleased to be born, circumcised, rejected by the Jews, betrayed by the kiss of the traitor Judas, bound with chains, led like an innocent lamb to the slaughter and shamefully presented before Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, and Herod; accused by false witnesses, beaten with whips and buffeted, insulted, spit upon, crowned with thorns, smitten with a reed, blindfolded, stripped of Thy garments, fastened with nails to the cross, and lifted up on high; reputed among thieves, made to drink of gall and vinegar, and wounded by a lance. Oh! by these most sacred sufferings, which, unworthy as I am, I thus commemorate, and by Thy holy cross and death, deliver me, Lord, from the pains of hell; deign to lead me where Thou didst lead that thief who was crucified by Thy side: Thou who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

O Adorable Heart of Jesus! I feel a lively grief at seeing the marks of Thy love repaid with such contempt and indifference by the greater part of mankind; and, what fills me with shame and regret is, that I have been myself of the number of the ungrateful. In reparation for so many injuries, I offer Thee, O Sacred Heart, the love of all just souls, the ardour of the Angels and Saints of Heaven, and above all, the tender love of Mary and St. Joseph. Permit me, O my loving Jesus, to unite to this precious offering all the affections and all the good desires of my own heart. Amen.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

(for the intentions of the Holy Father to complete the conditions for a plenary indulgence)

1. Stabat Mater dolorosa Iuxta crucem lacrimosa Dum pendebat Filius	1. The grieving Mother stood weeping beside the cross where her Son was hanging
2. Cuius animam gementem Contristatam et dolentem Pertransivit gladius	2. Through her weeping soul, compassionate and grieving, a sword passed.
3. O quam tristis et afflicta Fuit illa benedicta Mater unigeniti!	3. O how sad and afflicted was that blessed Mother of the Only-begotten!
4. Quae moerebat et dolebat, Pia Mater, dum videbat Nati poenas incliti	4. Who mourned and grieved, the pious Mother, looking at the torment of her glorious Child
5. Quis est homo qui non fleret, Matrem Christi si videret In tanto supplicio?	5. Who is the person who would not weep seeing the Mother of Christ in such agony?
6. Quis non posset contristari, Christi Matrem contemplari Dolentem cum Filio?	6. Who would not be able to feel compassion on beholding Christ's Mother suffering with her Son?
7. Pro peccatis suae gentis Vidit Iesum in tormentis, Et flagellis subditum.	7. For the sins of his people she saw Jesus in torment and subjected to the scourge.
8. Vidit suum dulcem natum Moriendo desolatum Dum emisit spiritum	8. She saw her sweet offspring dying, forsaken, while He gave up his spirit
9. Eia Mater, fons amoris Me sentire vim doloris Fac, ut tecum lugeam	9. O Mother, fountain of love, make me feel the power of sorrow, that I may grieve with you
10. Fac, ut ardeat cor meum In amando Christum Deum Ut sibi complaceam	10. Grant that my heart may burn in the love of Christ my Lord, that I may greatly please Him
11. Sancta Mater, istud agas, Crucifixi fige plagas Cordi meo valide.	11. Holy Mother, grant that the wounds of the Crucified drive deep into my heart.
12. Tui nati vulnerati, Tam dignati pro me pati, Poenas mecum divide.	12. That of your wounded Son, who so deigned to suffer for me, I may share the pain
13. Fac me tecum, pie, flere, Crucifixo condolere, Donec ego vixero.	13. Let me sincerely weep with you, bemoan the Crucified, for as long as I live
14. Iuxta crucem tecum stare, Et me tibi sociare In planctu desidero	14. To stand beside the cross with you, and to join you in your weeping, this I desire
15. Virgo virginum praeclara, Mihi iam non sis amara Fac me tecum plangere	15. Chosen Virgin of virgins, be not bitter with me, let me weep with thee
16. Fac, ut portem Christi mortem Passionis fac consortem, Et plagas recolere.	16. Grant that I may bear the death of Christ, share his Passion, and commemorate His wounds
17. Fac me plagis vulnerari, Fac me cruce inebriari, Et cruore Filii	17. Let me be wounded with his wounds, let me be inebriated by the cross and your Son's blood
18. Flammis ne urar succensus Per Te, Virgo, sim defensus In die iudicii	18. Lest I be set afire by flames of death, Virgin, may I be defended by you, on the day of judgement
19. Christe, cum sit hinc exire, Da per Matrem me venire Ad palmam victoriae	19. Christ, when it is time to pass away, grant that through your Mother I may come to the palm of victory
20. Quando corpus morietur, Fac, ut animae donetur Paradisi gloria. Amen	20. When my body dies, grant that to my soul is given the glory of paradise. Amen

Finish>>

Station XIV

V/: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee (genufect)
R/: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Ave crux, spes unica,	Hail Cross, our only hope,
Mundi salus et gloria,	salvation and glory of the world,
Auge piis justitiam,	increase justice for the faithful
Reisque dona veniam!	and grant pardon to the guilty.
Amen.	Amen.

Ah! my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that encloses Thee. But Thou didst rise again the third day. I beseech Thee, by Thy resurrection, make me rise glorious with Thee at the last day, to be always united with Thee in heaven to praise Thee and love Thee for ever. O Jesus, I love Thee; and I repent of ever having offended Thee. Permit not that I ever offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

20. Quando corpus morietur,
Fac, ut animae donetur
Paradisi gloria. Amen

20. When my body dies, grant that to my soul is given the glory of paradise. Amen

Credits>>

Station XIII

V/: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee (genufect)
R/: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

O Mother of sorrow, for the love of this Son, accept me for thy servant, and pray for me. And Thou, my Redeemer, since Thou hast died for me, permit me to love Thee; for I wish but Thee, and nothing more. I love Thee, my Jesus, above all things; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

19. Christe, cum sit hinc exire,
Da per Matrem me venire
Ad palmam victoriae

19. Christ, when it is time to pass away, grant that through your Mother I may come to the palm of victory

Next Station>>

Station XII

V/: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee (genufect)
R/: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Eli, Eli, lamma Sabacthani.	My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
In manus tuas commendo Spiritum meum.	Into your hands I commend my spirit.
Consummatum est.	It is finished.
O Traurigkeit, O Herzeleid	O sorrow, O grief,
ist das nicht zu beklagen?	Is it not something to bewail
Gott des Vaters einigs Kind	That God the Father’s only child
wird ins Grab getragen.	Should be laid in a grave?

Ah! Mine outraged Jesus, by the merits of the weakness Thou didst suffer in going to Calvary, give me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect, and all wicked passions, which have led me to despise Thy friendship. I love Thee, Jesus, my love, above all things; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

18. Flammis ne urar succensus
Per Te, Virgo, sim defensus
In die iudicii

18. Lest I be set afire by flames of death, Virgin, may I be defended by you, on the day of judgement

Next Station>>

Station XI

V/: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee (genufect)
R/: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Crucifige!

Crucify him!

My Jesus, loaded with contempt, nail my heart to Thy feet, that it may ever remain there to love Thee, and never quit Thee again. I love Thee more than myself; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

16. Fac, ut portem Christi mortem
Passionis fac consortem,
Et plagas recolere.

16. Grant that I may bear the death of Christ, share his Passion, and commemorate His wounds

17. Fac me plagis vulnerari,
Fac me cruce inebriari,
Et cruore Filii

17. Let me be wounded with his wounds, let me be inebriated by the cross and your Son's blood

Next Station

Station X

V/: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee (genufect)
R/: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

My innocent Jesus, by the merits of the torments Thou hast felt, help me to strip myself of all affection to things of earth, in order that I may place all my love in Thee, who art so worthy of my love. I love Thee, O Jesus, above all things; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

15. Virgo virginum praeclara,
Mihi iam non sis amara
Fac me tecum plangere

15. Chosen Virgin of virgins, be not bitter with me, let me weep with thee

Next Station

Station IX

V/: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee (genufect)
R/: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus cadit.	Jesus falls.
Stabat Mater dolorosa	The grieving Mother stood
Juxta crucem lacrymosa,	weeping beside the Cross
Dum pendebat Filius	where her Son was hanging

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

13. Fac me tecum, pie, flere,
Crucifixo condolere,
Donec ego vixero.

13. Let me sincerely weep with you, bemoan the Crucified, for as long as I live

14. Iuxta crucem tecum stare,
Et me tibi sociare
In planctu desidero

14. To stand beside the cross with you, and to join you in your weeping, this I desire

Next Station>>

Station VIII

V/: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee (genufect)
R/: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Nolite flere super me,	Do not weep for me,
sed super vos ipsas flete	but weep for yourselves
et super filios vestros	and for your children.

My Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for the offences I have committed against Thee, because of the pains they have deserved, and still more because of the displeasure they have caused Thee, who hast loved me so much. It is Thy love, more than fear of hell, which causes me to weep for my sins. My Jesus, I love Thee more than myself; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

12. Tui nati vulnerati,
Tam dignati pro me pati,
Poenas mecum divide.

12. That of your wounded Son, who so deigned to suffer for me, I may share the pain

Next Station>>