Online ebook: 2018-2019 Liturgical Year: Easter, edited by Jennifer Gregory Miller and Darden Brock

See this online ebook:

• 2018-2019 Liturgical Year, Volume 4: Easter, edited by Jennifer Gregory Miller and Darden Brock (Manassas, VA: Trinity Communications, 2018). Available in pdf, mobi, and epub formats through this index page of Catholic Culture: Free Catholic eBooks. [N.B., The ebooks may be accessed upon login or a free subscription. Registration takes less than a minute, though we recommend taking another 2 minutes to input a password and modify other details of one’s account.] As summarized in the index page:
  • “This fourth volume of the 2018-2019 Liturgical Year series covers all the days of Easter Season from the Easter Vigil through Pentecost Sunday, providing a rich set of resources for families to use in living the liturgical year in the domestic church, that is, in their own families. Resources include biographies of the saints to match each feast day, histories of the various celebrations and devotions, penitential spirituality, descriptions of customs from around the world, prayers, activities and recipes.”

See also these related texts:

• Contemplations and Meditations on the Passion and Death, and on the Glorious Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, According to the Method of St. Ignatius, 5^th edition, [by Charles Michel Alexandre de Brandt,] translated from the French by a Sister of Mercy, revised by the Rev. W. [William] H. Eyre, S.J. (London: Burns & Oates; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1901). With Imprimatur. Available in pdf, mobi, epub, and other formats at Internet Archive (linked by the Free Traditional Catholic Books page of Traditional Catholic) and Open Library.
  • The 2nd edition (London: Burns & Oates), with the approbation of the Bishop of Birmingham, is available in pdf, mobi, epub, and other formats at Internet Archive.
  • The 2nd edition (London: Burns & Oates; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1898), with Imprimatur, is available in pdf, mobi, epub, and other formats at Internet Archive.
• The Mystery of Jesus, by Dom Savinien Louismet, 1858-1926 (London: Burns, Oates, & Washbourne; New York: P.J. Kenedy & Sons, 1922). With Imprimatur. Available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive and Open Library.
• “Risen Time: Easter as the Source of History”, by Professor José Granados, Communio 37 (Spring 2010): pp. 6-33. Available in pdf format (here) through this page at Communio: International Catholic Review.
• The Tragedy of Calvary: or the Minute Details of Christ’s Life from Palm Sunday Morning till the Resurrection and Ascension; Taken from Prophecy, History, Revelations and Ancient Writings, by James L. Meagher (New York, N.Y. : Christian Press Association Publishing Co., 1905). Available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library.

On the Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Easter Sunday) 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).

Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord, Your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Your Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. (Collect Prayer, Fourth Sunday of Advent, with some capitalization modified)

This post is dedicated to Father James V. Schall, S.J. (+17 April 2019), faithful shepherd and teacher, with prayer for his soul, sadness for his passing, and gratitude for his witness and service. Requiescat in pace.

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 ebook: “Manual of Christian Doctrine, Comprising Dogma, Moral, and Worship”, by a seminary professor

See this legally free ebook:

• Manual of Christian Doctrine, Comprising Dogma, Moral, and Worship, authorized English version, 39^th edition, by a seminary professor (Philadelphia, Pa.: John Joseph McVey, 1923). With Imprimatur. [N.B., The Internet Archive index page states that the author is Brother John Chrysostom, who, according to HathiTrust index page, lived in 1863-1917.] . May be read online, and available in pdf, epub, mobi and other formats, at Internet Archive. The 37th edition (1921) is available at Internet Archive. The 1919 edition is available at Internet Archive. The 13th edition (1910) is available at Internet Archive. The 6th edition (1906) is available at Internet Archive and HathiTrust Digital Library.

On the Feast of Pope St. Urban I and St. Epaphroditus in the Maronite church: may their prayers be with us. 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).

“If you continue in my word, you shall be my disciples indeed: And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (St. John viii, 31-32)

“Go out all over the world and preach the gospel to the whole of creation; he who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who refuses belief will be condemned.” (St. Mark xvi, 15-16)

“God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” (II Thessalonians ii, 13-15 KJV)

Free ebook: “Helps to a Spiritual Life”, by Rev. Joseph Schneider & Rev. Ferreol Girardey

See this legally free ebook:

• Helps to a Spiritual Life; for Religious and for All Persons in the World Who Desire to Serve God Fervently, from the German of Rev. Joseph Schneider, with additions by Rev. Ferreol Girardey, C.Ss.R. (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger, 1903). Available in pdf, mobi, and epub formats at Internet Archive, with a 2nd copy at Internet Archive.

On the Feast of Saint Julie Billiart. For other online texts and more legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject). Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints!

Online text: “Guidelines for Music at Funerals”, and other texts on Catholic funerals

See this online text:

• Guidelines for Music at Funerals, prepared by the Office of Liturgy of the Archdiocese of New York, November 2014 (Yonkers, NY: Archdiocese of New York Office of Liturgy, 2014). Available in pdf format at the Archdiocese of New York Office of Liturgy.

See also:

• Parish Book of Chant: A Manual of Gregorian Chant and a Liturgical Resource for Scholas and Congregations; including Order of Sung Mass for both Prdinary an Extarordinary Forms of the roman Rite; with a complete Kyriale, along with Chants and Hymns for Occasional and Seasonal Use and their literal English translations, expanded second edition, prepared by for the Church Music Association of America (2012). Available in pdf format (here) through this page of Musica Sacra, which also makes additional hymns available for download; and at Scribd. The hardcover printed copy may be purchased at Amazon.
  • [The chants for the Missa Pro Defunctis may be found at nos. 155-170 on pp. 151-167 of the work.]

A collection of resources on funerals are indexed and made available on the webpage “Bereavement and Funerals” of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Other texts and resources on the planning of Catholic Christian funerals include:

• Catholic Funeral Planning Guide, developed by the Maine Catholic Cemetery Committee, Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. Available in pdf format at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.
• Good Shepherd Catholic Church and School Funeral Guide, Updated January 2018 (Golden Valley, MN: Good Shepherd Catholic Church). Available in pdf format on this page.
• A Guide to Ensuring You Have the Traditional Mass at Your Funeral, by the Latin Mass Society (London: Latin Mass Society). Available in pdf format (here) at the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales.
• A Planner for Catholic Funerals. 24 pages. Available in PDF format on this page of The Catholic Parishes of Northeast Wyoming.

See also these norms and other materials on liturgical and extra-liturgical observances for the faithful departed:

• “The Celebration of Christian Funerals” by Don Fier (March 24, 2018) at The Wanderer Online Daily.
• Commentary on the Order of Christian Funerals and the Funeral Directives for the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. Available in pdf format on this page.
• “No Eulogies at Funerals” [by Father Dan Vogelpohl?]. May be read online and (preceded by an introductory essay by Geoffrey K. Mondello) in pdf format at Boston Catholic Journal.
  • [N.B., We think it probable, based on textual evidence, that this is the 4-part essay by Father Dan Vogelpohl that was the subject of the article “Never a Eulogy” by Rich Leonardi (January 25, 2007) at Catholic Exchange. However, we cannot confirm this, since that essay no longer appears to be present at the Blessed Sacrament Parish website.]
• Nine-Day Novena Prayer for the Dead (Catholic Filipino-Australian Chaplaincy, Archdiocese of Brisbane). Available in PDF format on this page of the Catholic Filipino Australian Chaplaincy of Brisbane.
• Pastoral Letter on the Christian Burial of the Dead, by Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, D.D., J.C.D. (Diocese of La Crosse, 2 November 2000). May be read online (here) at Catholic Culture; and may be read (here) at the Marian Catechist Apostolate. [N.B., Although the last part of the text provides norms specific to the diocese of then-Bishop Burke, much of it made up of doctrinal and canonical explanations that may be of general use.]
• Pastoral Letter “That We May Have Hope”, by the Bishop of Portland, Richard J. Malone (2 November 2011). Contained in Catholic Funeral Planning Guide, developed by the Maine Catholic Cemetery Committee, Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. which is available in pdf format at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. [N.B., Although the text provides norms specific to the diocese, it also contains doctrinal and canonical explanations that may be of general use.]

Posted on the Feast of Saint Joseph of Arimathea in the Maronite church: may his prayers be with us. 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).

Free ebook: “First Communion”, by Mother Mary Loyola

See this legally free ebook:

• First Communion, by Mother Mary Loyola, edited by Father Thurston (London: Burns & Oates; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1913). With Imprimatur. Available in pdf, mobi, epub, and other formats at Internet Archive. Also available in pdf format and may be read online at Catholic Harbor of Faith and Morals.
  • (N.B., The last-mentioned copy of the text is hosted by a website that rejects the Second Vatican Council, which it interprets in a manner contrary to the hermeneutic of reform and continuity proposed by Pope Benedict XVI. Therefore, while the text itself appear to be orthodox, readers are counselled to avoid any statement on the website concerning the said Council.)

On the Feast of Saint Marie-Eugénie de Jésus. For other online texts and more legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

Online text: Encyclical on the Maronite Liturgy, by Patriarch Rai

See this online text

• The Maronite Liturgy, the Liturgy of the Living Treasure, Encyclical Letter of Bechara Bouros Cardinal Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, 25 March 2014. Available in pdf format on this page of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, and on this page at Saint Ann Maronite Church; and may be read online on this page of Saint Joseph Maronite Catholic Church, and on this page at Maronite Heritage.

On the Feast of the Holy Monk and Patriarch John Maron in the Maronite Church: may his prayers be with us. 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).

Online text: Apostolic Letter on Seminaries, by Pope Paul VI

See this online text:

• Apostolic Letter “Summi Dei Verbum” on the Occasion of the Fourth Centenary of the Establishment of Seminaries by the Council of Trent, by Pope Paul VI, November 4, 1963. Available in pdf format and may be read online at the Holy See.

On the Feast of Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, and in calendar of the Passionist Order. For more legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

 

From the text:

“[T]hose who are called to be with our divine Savior victims of love and obedience for the salvation of mankind, and to lead a life of virginal chastity, and of exemplary detachment, interior and exterior, from the empty riches of this world… will be called upon one day not only to place all their talents at the service of the sacred ministry, but even to sacrifice many lawful desires, and endure hardship and persecution in carrying out faithfully and generously the work of the Good Shepherd.

“Every true minister of Jesus Christ must be able to say with St. Paul: To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I became all things to all men, that I might save all. I do all things for the sake of the Gospel, that I may be made partaker thereof… Docility and fidelity to the divine call are indispensable for anyone who wishes to cooperate more intimately with Jesus Christ in the salvation of souls and to assure himself a more splendid crown of glory in eternity.”

Online ebook: “A Treatise of Spiritual Life”, translated by D.A. Donovan

See this online ebook:

• A Treatise of Spiritual Life: Leading Man by an Easy and Clear Method from the Commencement of Conversion to the Very Summit of Sanctity, 2^nd revised edition,  translated from the Latin of Mgr. Charles Joseph Morrozo, by Rev. D. A. Donovan, O.Cist. (New York and Cincinnati, Fr. Pustet & Co., 1901). With Imprimatur. Available in various formats at Internet Archive and at the HathiTrust Digital Library. An earlier edition (Poplar Bluff, Mich.: published by the author, 1893) is available in pdf, epub, mobi, and other formats at Internet Archive, with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive.
  • [N.B., Although the text attributes the Latin original of the work to the abbot and bishop Mgr. Charles Joseph Morrozo (Carlo Giuseppe Morozzi), HathiTrust Digital Library cites a scholar who states that the author of the work was Giovanni Bona, whom we assume to have been Giovanni Cardinal Bona.]

Posted on the Feast of Saint Angela of Foligno; with prayer for the souls of the author and translator, requiescant in pace. For other online and 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 & audiobook: “Mary”, by Peter Kreeft

See this online ebook and listen to online audiobook:

• Mary, by Peter Kreeft (New Haven: Connecticut: Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, 2001). With Imprimatur. Part of the Luke E. Hart Series: Basic Elements of the Catholic Faith (General Editor, Father John A. Farren, O.P.). The audiobook may be listened to, and is available in mp3 format, and the ebook may be View Online and is available in pdf format, at the Catholic Information Service of the Knights of Columbus.

On the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite; and on New Year’s Day, 2019. 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). Sancta Maria, mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus!

“And in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God… To a virgin… and the name of the virgin was Mary. And the Angel… said to her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women… Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name, Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High… The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God… And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word. 

“And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb: and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.” (St. Luke I, 26, 27, 28, 31-32, 35, 38, 41-45, formatting supplied)