Online text and audio: “Stations of the Cross”, by Saint Alphonsus Liguori

See these online ebooks/texts and audio:

• Stations of the Cross, composed by Saint Alphonsus Liguori [or St. Alphonsus De Liguori] (Alexandria, VA: Sacred Spaces Liturgical Design Inc., 2011). Produced by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Gainesville, Virginia, with verses from the hymn “Stabat Mater” and “pictures of the Stations of the Cross taken from Church of the Holy Trinity, Gainesville, Virginia by TimeLine Media”. Available in pdf format on this page at The New Evangelization: Share Your Catholic Faith, by Father Francis J. Peffley and on this page at Holy Angels Catholic Church.
• The text of a similar version with the verses of the “Stabat Mater” may be read online on this page at the-latinmass.com, and on this page at Catholic Prayers; and is included in:
  • The Way of the Cross: Traditional and Modern Meditations: Traditional Meditations by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, Modern Meditations by Father Stefano Penna (New Haven CT: Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, 2003-2017), which may be read online and is available in pdf format through this page of the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council – Catholic Information Service.

• The audio of a similar version is provided in the video “Stations of the Cross by St. Alphonsus Liguori – Sacred Art Series” at the Youtube channel of Will Bloomfield. It is narrated by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf (“Fr. Z”) of www.wdtprs.com, with the verses of the “Stabat Mater” chanted, visually accompanied by the “Stations of the Cross painted by Pietro Rudolfi, St. Ignatius Church, San Francisco, California”, and with “Crux Fidelis during closing credits by Schola Sanctae Scholasticae, UK; St. Cecilia’s Abbey UK”.
• The text of a similar version with the verses of the “Stabat Mater”, with responses, is provided in:
  • The Stations of the Cross according to the Method of St Alphonsus Liguori (St Mary’s Shrine, Warrington). Produced by St Mary’s Shrine Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Liverpool, served by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP). Available in pdf format (on this page) at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Balornock.
• The text of a similar version, with Scriptural references and the stanzas of the Stabat Mater (in Latin and English), may read online at Fish Eaters. [N.B., The text is hosted on a website that rejects the hermeneutic of continuity and reform proposed by Pope Benedict XVI; hence readers are advised to exercises prayerful caution if they peruse the site.]
• The version without the verses of the “Stabat Mater” is available in pdf format on this page at Holy Angels Catholic Church, and, under the title “Traditional Stations of the Cross”, on this page at Sophia Institute for Teachers; and it may be read online on this page at e-Catholic2000 and at Daily Catholic. [N.B., The last-mentioned host of the text, Daily Catholic, appears to reject the hermeneutic of continuity and reform proposed by Pope Benedict XVI; hence readers are advised to exercises prayerful caution is they peruse the rest of the site.]
• The text of what appears to be a shorter version may be read online on this page at National Shrine of the Divine Mercy.

See these other meditations on the Way of the Cross:

• Scriptural Stations of the Cross, based on the stations celebrated by Pope John Paul II on Good Friday, 1991. May be read online (on this page) at United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
• Via Crucis, or, The Holy Way of the Cross: containing a novena for the passion of Our Lord, a devout method for performing the stations of the cross, prayers at mass, &c.; with concise instructions on the scapular, and the novena of St. Francis Xaverius &c. &c. &c. compiled for the congregation of St. Patrick’s Church. (Quebec: Augustin Cote & Co., 1844) With episcopal approbation. Available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
• The Way of the Cross, by St. Josemaria Escriva.
  • The ebook may be read online using its Table of Contents accessible through this page (containing the synopsis) at Josemaria Escriva (© Studium Foundation, rights reserved).
  • A leaflet version of the text, entitled “Stations of the Cross” and containing brief summaries of the meditations for the stations, is available in pdf format on this page of San Josemaria Escriva, Fundador del Opus Dei. [N.B., Notwithstanding the availability of the summary, we heartily recommend the use of the original longer text for meditation.]
  • The ebook and paperback of the text are available for worth-it prices at this page of Scepter Publishers (linked by this page of Opus Dei); on this page of Young Catholuc Mums; at Amazon; and at Barnes & Noble.
  • The paperback may be purchased on this page of Casa Maria Bookstore; on this page of Sinag-Tala Publishers (for purchasers in the Philippines); and at St Paul’s (for Australian and international customers).
• Way of the Cross at the Colosseum, Good Friday 2005: Meditations and Prayers, by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI).
  • May be read online at the Catholic News Agency (courtesy of Libreria Editrice Vaticana), Zenit, TotusTuus-Totus2us, and at the Holy See; and available in .docx format on this page at xt3.
  • The audio in English may be listened to at TotusTuus-Totus2us, which also has links to the audio in French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
  • The audio, read out by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, is available in mp3 format on this page of Fr. Z’s Blog, and it is published on this video (embedded in this post) at the bedwere Youtube channel. [The meditations and prayers for each Station are in English, while the responses are in Latin.]

Posted on Holy Friday (Good Friday), 2019 in the one true and Catholic Church. For other online texts and legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject). We adore You, oh Christ, and we bless You, for by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world!

Free ebooks: “Meditations for the Use of the Secular Clergy”, by Father Chaignon, in 2 volumes

See these legally free ebooks:

• Meditations for the Use of the Secular Clergy, new revised edition, from the French of Father Chaignon, S.J., by the Right Rev. L. De Goesbriand, Bishop of Burlington (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1907). With Imprimatur.
  • Volume I may be read online, and is available in pdf, mobi, epub, and other formats, at Internet Archive, with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive.
  • Volume II may be read online, and is available in pdf, mobi, epub, and other formats, at Internet Archive, with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive.

Posted on the Feast of Saint Peter Damian in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, in prayer that the shepherds of the one true Church may heed his call for the reform of the morals of the clergy, through the grace and truth of Christ our Lord. For other online texts and legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

“He who looks upon those entrusted to him with the love of God and, in his spiritual ministry and Christ-like way of life, orients himself after the high priest whom he serves: such a man is the true pastor. The good shepherd distinguishes himself from the hireling because he loves men with the heart of Jesus and Mary and because he lays down his life for the flock. The apostle is collaborator of God, servant of Christ, steward and dispenser of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1; 2 Cor 6:1). He is about one thing only: knowing the fear of the Lord, to win men for Christ (1 Cor 5:11).” (Gerhard Cardinal Müller, Homily on 15 September 2018)

Free ebook: “The Miraculous Medal”, by M. Aladel

See this legally free ebook:

• The Miraculous Medal: Its Origin, History, Circulation, Results, by M. Aladel, C.M., translated from the French by P.S. (Philadelphia: H.L. Kilner & Co., 1880). Available in pdf, epub, mobi, and other formats at Project Gutenberg, Internet Archive and Internet Archive (2^nd copy); and also available at DePaul University Library and, in pdf format, at Hoyle Tutoring. Another imprint (Baltimore: John B. Piet, 1880) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
• This appears to have been translated from: La Médaille Miraculeuse: Origine, Histoire, Diffusion, Résultats, par M. [Jean Marie] Aladel (Paris: Pillet et Dumoulin, 1881). Disponible a Internet Archive et Open Library.

See also these related texts:

• The Conversion of Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne: Original Narrative of Baron Theodore de Bussieres; Followed by a Letter from Mr. Ratisbonne to Rev. Mr. Dufriche-Desgenettes, Cure of Notre Dame des Victoires at Paris, edited by the Rev. W. Lockhart (New York: T.W. Strong). With an 1842 declaration. Available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library.
• The Externals of the Catholic Church: Her Government, Ceremonies, Festivals, Sacramentals, and Devotions, by Rev. John Francis Sullivan (New York : P. J. Kenedy & Sons, 1917). With Imprimatur. May be read online or downloaded in multiple formats at Internet Archive and Open Library (Digitizing sponsor: MSN, Book contributor: Kelly Library, University of Toronto). The 2nd edition with Imprimatur, revised to conform to the new code of canon law (New York: P. J. Kenedy & sons, 1918), may be read online or downloaded in multiple formats at Open Library. [See Chapter ii: “The Cardinals and the Roman Court”.]
• Illustrated Explanation of the Holy Sacraments: A Complete Exposition of the Sacraments and the Sacramentals of the Church, adapted from the original of Rev. Hermann Rolfus, with a reflection and practice on each sacrament, by Very Rev. Ferreol Girardey (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1898). With Imprimatur. Available in multiple formats at Internet Archive, with a second copy at Internet Archive and Open Library.
• The Sacramentals of the Holy Catholic Church, by Rev. A.A. Lambing (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benzinger Brothers, 1892). With Imprimatur. May be read online, and available in multiple formats (pdf, epub, mobi/kindle, etc.) at Internet Archive, Internet Archive (2nd copy), Internet Archive (3rd copy), Internet Archive (4th copy) and Internet Archive (5th copy).
• Sacred Signs, by Romano Guardini, translated and with a preface by Grace Branham (St. Louis, Mo.: Pio Decimo Press, 1956). With Imprimatur. A reprint by Fr. Peter Kwasniewski (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015) may be purchased at Amazon.com and Amazon.de. Sections from the book entitled “Evening” and “Kneeling” may be read at the New Liturgical Movement.
• The Visible Church, Her Government, Ceremonies, Sacramentals, Festivals and Devotions, a Compendium of “The Externals of the Catholic Church”, 5th ed., rev., by Rev. John F. Sullivan; with 120 illustrations from pen drawings by the author. (New York: P.J. Kenedy & Sons, 1922). Available at Open Library.

On the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. For other online texts and legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject). O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

“And I will establish a feud between thee and the woman, between thy offspring and hers; she is to crush thy head, while thou dost lie in ambush at her heels.” (Genesis iii, 15)

Free ebook: “A Thought from Dominican Saints for Each Day of the Year”

See this legally free ebook:

• A Thought from Dominican Saints for Each Day of the Year, translated by a Sister of Charity (New York, Cincinnati, St. Louis: Benziger Brothers, 1886). Available in pdf, mobi, epub and other formats at Internet Archive; and available at HathiTrust Digital Library. A reprint may be purchased at Amazon UK.

On the Feast of Dominican Saints and Blesseds. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject). 

 

 

Online ebook: “Meditations for Every Day in the Year”, edited by Rev. Roger Baxter

See this online ebook:

• Meditations for Every Day in the Year; Collected from Different Spiritual Writers, and Suited for the Practice Called “Quarter of an Hour’s Solitude”, edited by Rev. Roger Baxter, S.J., revised by Rev. P. Neale, S.J. (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1884). With ecclesiastical approbations. Available in various formats (mobi/kindle, pdf, epub, etc.) at Internet Archive and Open Library. A different imprint is also available at Internet Archive.
• An earlier edition with older orthography, Meditations for Every Day in the Year; Collected from Different Spiritual Writers, first written in Latin by N.B., translated into English by E.M., in the year 1669, and now revised by Rev. R. Baxter (Georgetown, D.C.: Joseph Milligan, 1823), is available at Internet Archive and at HathiTrust Digital Library.

On the Feast of All Saints in the Roman Rite.

O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. (From Sancta Missa)

Free ebook: “The Excellence of the Rosary”, by Rev. M. J. Frings

See this free ebook:

• The Excellence of the Rosary: Conferences for Devotions in Honor of the Blessed Virgin, by Rev. M. J. [Math Josef] Frings (New York: Joseph F. Wagner , 1912). With Imprimatur. May be read online on this page of Story of a Soul. May be read online, and available various formats, at Project Gutenberg (epub, mobi) and Internet Archive (pdf, epub, mobi).

In belated observance of the Feast of Our Lady of Victory (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary) in the Roman Rite; and in belated remembrance of the Battle of Lepanto. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

Online ebook: “Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God” by the Abbe Orsini

See this online ebook:

• Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with the history of the devotion to her, from the French of the Abbe Orsini; to which is added Meditations on the Litany of the Virgin, from the French of the Abbe Edouard Barthe; also Poems on the Litany of Loreto, from the German of the Countess Hahn-Hahn, translated by the Very Rev. F.C. Husenbeth (London, New York: Virtue and Company). May be read online, and available in pdf, epub, mobi, and other formats, at Internet Archive.
  • [N.B., It is mistakenly indexed as Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with the History of the Devotion to Her; Completed by the Traditions of the East, the Writings of the Fathers, and the Private History of the Jews, a title that refers to a different translation of the Abbe Orisini’s work, by Mrs. J. Sadlier.]

Posted on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, instituted after the victory of Christian forces at the Battle of Vienna (12 September 1683); and in remembrance of the San Patricios. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

Online ebook: “Special Devotion to the Holy Ghost”, by Bishop Otto Zardetti

See this online ebook:

• Special Devotion to the Holy Ghost: A Manual for the use of Seminarians, Priests, Religious and the Christian People, by the Very Rev. [Bishop]  Dr. Otto Zardetti, with a letter of introduction by the Very Rev. John Keane, D.D., Bishop of Richmond (Milwaukee: Hoffman Brothers, 1888). With Imprimatur. Available at Google Books and Hathitrust Digital Library. May be read online, and available in pdf, epub, mobi, and other formats at Internet Archive and Open Library, with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • N.B., The discussion under Part III. The Office of the Holy Ghost, on pages 187 to 357, provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of Catholic Christian teaching on the Person of the God the Holy Spirit and His mission from creation to the eschaton.

On the Solemnity of Pentecost (Whitsunday), 2018.

 

“I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now. But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak: and the things that are to come, he will shew you. He shall glorify me: because he shall receive of mine, and will declare it to you. All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine. Therefore, I said, that he shall receive of mine, and will shew it to you.” (St. John xvi, 12-15)

Online ebook: “Meditations and Readings from Palm Sunday to Easter”, by Richard F. Clarke

See this online ebook:

• A Little Book for Holy Week: Meditations and Readings from Palm Sunday to Easter; With Two Visits to the Blessed Sacrament on the Altar of Repose, by Richard F. Clarke (London: Catholic Truth Society, 1915). Available in multiple formats at Internet Archive.

On Holy Monday, 2018. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject). 

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Online ebook: “The Externals of the Catholic Church”, by Rev. John Francis Sullivan

See this online ebook:

• The Externals of the Catholic Church: Her Government, Ceremonies, Festivals, Sacramentals, and Devotions, by Rev. John Francis Sullivan (New York: P. J. Kenedy & Sons, 1917). With Imprimatur. May be read online or downloaded in multiple formats at Internet Archive and Open Library. The 2^nd edition, revised to conform to the new code of canon law, may be read online or downloaded in multiple formats at Open Library.

See also the following relevant works previously indexed in the Project:

• The Chair of Peter or the Papacy, by John Nicholas Murphy
• The Evidence for the Papacy, by Colin Lindsay
• From Tarsus to Rome: The Story of the First Christian Hierarchy, by Herman Joseph Heuser
• The Pope of Rome and the Popes of the Oriental Orthodox Church, by Rev. Caesarius Tondini
• The Purpose of the Papacy, by John S. Vaughan
• Saint Peter, Bishop of Rome, Proved from the Fathers, History, Archaeology, by Rev. T. Livius, C.Ss.R.
• St. Peter in Rome and His Tomb on the Vatican Hill, by Arthur Stapylton Barnes
• The Syriac Tradition on St. Peter and the Popes, by Cyril Benham Benni
• The True and the False Infallibility of the Popes, by Joseph Fessler

On the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter in the Roman Rite. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

“The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not.” (St. Matthew xxiii, 2-3 DRB)

“[T]he reason he first said ‘The scribes and pharisees sit upon the chair of Moses’ was so that what he then added, viz., ‘Do everything and observe everything they tell you,’ might be understood to apply to those things which pertain to that chair. However, things which are contrary to the faith or to good morals do not pertain to that chair.” (St. Thomas Aquinas, Quodlibet 3.4.2)