OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Mater Misericordiæ (Mother of Mercy) Mission glorifies God, uniting its members in faith, hope and charity through confession of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Faith and through participation in

the Sacraments and Traditional Rites of the Missale Romanum of 1962, under the governance of the

Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix and the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter.

Extract From The Liturgical Year by Dom Prosper Gueranger

THE MYSTERY OF LENT

We may be sure, that a season, so sacred as this of Lent, is rich in mysteries. The Church has made it a

time of recollection and penance, in preparation for the greatest of all her Feasts; she would, therefore,

bring into it everything that could excite the faith of her children, and encourage them to go through the

arduous work of atonement for their sins. During Septuagesima, we had the number Seventy, which re-

minded us of those seventy years’ captivity in Babylon, after which, God’s chosen people, being purified from idolatry, was to return to Jerusalem and celebrate the Pasch. It is the number Forty that the Church

now brings before us: - a number, as Saint Jerome observes, which denotes punishment and affliction.

Let us remember the forty days and forty nights of the Deluge (Gen. vii. 12), sent by God in his

anger, when he repented that he had made man, and destroyed the whole human race, with the excep-tion of one family. Let us consider how the Hebrew people, in punishment for their ingratitude, wandered

forty years in the desert, before they were permitted to enter the Promised Land [Num. xiv. 33]. Let us

listen to our God commanding the Prophet Ezechiel to lie forty days on his right side, as a figure of the

siege, which was to bring destruction on Jerusalem (Ezech. iv. 6). There are two, in the Old Testament, who represent, in their own persons, the two manifestations

of God: Moses, who typifies the Law; and Elias, who is the figure of the Prophets. Both of these are per-

mitted to approach God, - the first on Sinai [Exod. xxiv. 18],

the second on Horeb [3 Kings, xix. 8], - but both of them have to prepare for the great favour by an expiatory fast of

forty days.

With these mysterious facts before us, we can under-

stand why it was, that the Son of God, having become Man

for our salvation, and wishing to subject himself to the pain of fasting, chose the number of Forty Days. The institution of

Lent is thus brought before us with everything that can im-

press the mind with its solemn character, and with its power

of appeasing God and purifying our souls. Let us, there fore, look beyond the little world which surrounds us, and see how

the whole Christian universe is, at this very time, offering

this Forty Days’ penance as a sacrifice of propitiation to the

offended Majesty of God; and let us hope, that, as in the case of the Ninivites, he will mercifully accept this year’s of-

fering of our atonement, and pardon us our sins.

The number of our days of Lent is, then, a holy mys-

tery: let us, now, learn from the Liturgy, in what light the Church views her Children during these Forty

Days. She considers them as an immense army, fighting, day and night, against their Spiritual enemies. We remember how, on Ash Wednesday, she calls Lent a Christian Warefare. Yes, - in order that we may

have that newness of life, which will make us worthy to sing once more our Alleluia, - we must conquer

our three enemies the devil, the flesh, and the world. We are fellow combatants with our Jesus, for He,

too, submits to the triple temptation, suggested to him by Satan in person. Therefore, we must have on our armour, and watch unceasingly. And whereas it is of the utmost importance that our hearts be spirit-

ed and brave, - the Church gives us a war-song of heaven’s own making, which can fire even cowards

with hope of victory and confidence in God’s help: it is the Ninetieth Psalm. She inserts the whole of it in

the Mass of the First Sunday of Lent, and, every day, introduces several of its verses in the Ferial Office. She there tells us to rely on the protection, wherewith our Heavenly Father covers us, as with a

shield; to have confidence in him, for that he will deliver us from the snare of the hunter, who had

robbed us of the holy liberty of the children of God; to rely upon the succour of the Holy Angels, who are

our Brothers, to whom our Lord hath given charge that they keep us in all our ways, and who, when our Jesus permitted Satan to tempt him, were the adoring witnesses of his combat, and approached him, af-

ter his victory, proffering to him their service and homage. Let us get well into us these sentiments

wherewith the Church would have us be inspired; and, during our six weeks’ campaign, let us often re-

peat this admirable Canticle, which so fully describes what the Soldiers of Christ should be and feel in

this season of the great spiritual warfare.

Pastor: Rev. Fr. Joseph Terra, FSSP Associate: Rev. Fr. Kenneth Walker, FSSP

Office: 602-253-6090 Cell: 480-231-0573 (for urgent messages) Fax: 602-253-8013

Church: 1537 W. Monroe St. Phoenix, AZ 85007 Mail: same as church address

Email: contact@phoenixlatinmass.org Website: www.phoenixlatinmass.org

Notitiæ March 9, 2014

Sunday Masses

Propers: Readings:

First Sunday of Lent, Class I, Violet

II Corinthians 6:1-10; Matthew 4:1-11

Intentions:

7:00am Low Mass; 9:00am Low Mass; 11:00am High Mass at Mater Misericordiae Mission

7:00am: Stephen Loh+; 9:00am: Ross and Jan Stern; 11:00am: Pro Populo

Intention:

9:00 am Low Mass at Saint Cecilia’s Mission, Clarkdale 9:00 am: Pro Populo

Weekday Masses

At Mater Misericordiae Mission, Monroe St. Church

Monday-Friday: 6:30 am and 6:30 pm, Saturday: 6:30 am and 8:00 am

Monday, March 10 Thursday, March 13

Propers:

Readings:

Intentions:

Feria of Lent

Class III, Violet

Ezechiel 34:11-16

Matthew 25:31-46

6:30am: William De Nault+

6:30pm: James Baumer

Propers:

Readings:

Intentions:

Feria of Lent

Class III, Violet

Ezechiel 18:1-9

Matthew 15:21-28

6:30am: William De Nault+

6:30pm: William De Nault+

Tuesday, March 11 Friday, March 14

Propers:

Readings:

Intentions:

Feria of Lent

Class III, Violet

Isaiah 55:6-11

Matthew 21:10-17

6:30am: William De Nault+

6:30pm: William De Nault+

Propers:

Readings: Intentions:

Ember Friday of Lent

Class II, Violet

Ezechiel 18:20-28

John 5:1-15

6:30am: William De Nault+

6:30pm: William De Nault+

Wednesday, March 12 Saturday, March 15

Propers:

Readings:

Intentions:

Ember Wednesday of Lent

Class II, Violet

Exodus 24:12-18; III Kings 19:3-8

Matthew 12:38-50

6:30am: William De Nault+

6:30pm: William De Nault+

Propers:

Readings:

Intentions:

Ember Saturday of Lent

Class II, Violet

Deuteronomy 26:12-19; I Thess. 5:14-23

Matthew 17:1-9

6:30am: In Thanksgiving

8:00am: Ron and Anne Spiotta

Confessions At MMM Church in Phoenix: Mon-Sat: 30 minutes before each Mass. Saturdays: 3:30-4:30 pm.

Sundays: Between 7am & 9am Masses, between 9am & 11am Masses, and after the 11am Mass.

At St. Cecilia’s: Saturdays: 3-4 pm. Sundays: Before the 9am Mass. Other times by arrangement.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Stations of the Cross will be

done following the Friday evening

Mass during Lent.

Thank you to those who have

volunteered to pray at the Abortion

clinic for the 40 Days for Life. Please continue to be a witness for life, especially during

the 40 Days for Life. For others who are interested,

the abortion clinic called Family Planning Associates is at 1331 N. 7th St. (just north of I-10). It is part

of a medical building called Papago Medical Park.

We pray on Willeta St., which is the first right off of 7th St. north of I-10. It is between the medical

building and the Tutor Time. Please be generous

with your time to help be a witness against the ter-

rible evil of abortion.

The annual Radio Family Rosary Benefit

Dinner will take place on Saturday, March 22, 6:30pm, at St. Paul’s Parish Social Hall (330 W. Coral Gables Dr., Phoenix). The evening includes catered dinner, auctions, book sale, entertain-ment, and guest speaker. Your donation of $22 per plate will help keep Our Lady’s Rosary on the air. For info and early reservations, call Peg-gy at (602) 840-8185 or Maria at (602) 574-6534. Tune in Monday—Friday to KXXT 1010 AM from 6:30-7:00pm for the Holy Rosary followed by informative and inspirational talks on the Catholic Faith.

FSSP PRAYER REQUESTS

March 9: Fr. George Gabet March 10: Fr. Chris Hathaway March 11: Very Rev. Josef Bisig March 12: Fr. Garrick Huang March 13: Fr. James Fryar March 14: Fr. Terrence Gordon March 15: Fr. Daniel Geddes

The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sabaste

These holy martyrs suffered at Sebaste, in the Lesser

Armenia, under the emperor Licinius, in 320. They were of different countries, but enrolled in the same

troop; all in the flower of their age, comely, brave, and

robust, and were become considerable for their ser-vices. St. Gregory of Nyssa and Procopius say, they

were of the thundering legion, so famous under Marcus

Aurelius for the miraculous rain and victory obtained by their prayers. This was the twelfth legion, then quar-

tered in Armenia. Lysias was duke or general of the

forces, and Agricola, the governor of the province. The

latter having signified to the army the orders of the emperor Licinius, for all to sacrifice, these forty went

boldly up to him, and said they were Christians, and

that no torments should make them ever abandon their holy religion. The judge first endeavoured to gain them

by mild usage; as by representing to them the dishon-

our that would attend their refusal to do what was re-quired, and by making them large promises of prefer-

ment and high favour with the emperor in case of com-

pliance. Finding these methods of gentleness ineffectu-al, he had recourse to threats, (Continued on next page)

SUNDAY COLLECT.

O God, Who dost purify Thy Church by the yearly ob-

servance of Lent: grant to Thy household, that what we

strive to obtain from Thee by abstinence, we may achieve by good works. Through our Lord...

SUNDAY EPISTLE: II Corinthians 6:1-10

Brethren: We exhort you that you receive not the grace

of God in vain. For he saith: In an accepted time have I

heard thee and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time: behold, now is the

day of salvation. Giving no offence to any man, that our

ministry be not blamed. But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in

tribulation, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in pris-

ons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in

the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned, In the word of truth,

in the power of God: by the armour of justice on the right hand and on the left: By honour and dishonour: by evil

report and good report: as deceivers and yet true: as un-

known and yet known: As dying and behold we live: as

chastised and not killed: As sorrowful, yet always rejoic-ing: as needy, yet enriching many: as having nothing and

possessing all things.

SUNDAY GOSPEL: Matthew 4:1-11

At that time, Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert,

to be tempted by the devil. And when he had fasted forty

days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry. And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God,

command that these stones be made bread. Who an-

swered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the

mouth of God. Then the devil took him up into the holy

city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple, And

said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge

over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest

perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord

thy God. Again the devil took him up into a very high

mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, And said to him: All these will I

give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me. Then Jesus

saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.

Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and min-

istered to him.

and these the most terrifying, if they continued disobedient to the emperor’s order, but all in vain. To his promis-es they answered, that he could give them nothing equal to what he would deprive them of: and to his threats,

that his power only extended over their bodies, which they had learned to despise when their souls were at stake. The governor, finding them all resolute, caused them to be torn with whips, and their sides to be rent with iron hooks. After which they were loaded with chains, and committed to jail. After some days, Lysias, their general, coming from Cæsarea to Se-baste, they were re-examined, and no less generously rejected the large promises made them than they despised the torments they were threatened with. The governor, highly offended at their courage, and that liberty of speech with which they accosted him, devised an extraordinary kind of death; which being slow and severe, he hoped would shake their constancy. The cold in Armenia is very sharp, especially in March, and towards the end of winter, when the wind is north, as it then was; it being also at that time a severe frost. Under the walls of the town stood a pond which was frozen so hard that it would bear walking upon with safety. The judge ordered the saints to be exposed naked on the ice. And in order to tempt them the more powerfully to renounce their faith, a warm-bath was prepared at a small dis-tance from the frozen pond, for any of this company to go to, who were dis-posed to purchase their temporal ease and safety on that condition. The martyrs on hearing their sentence, ran joyfully to the place, and without waiting to be stripped, undressed themselves, encouraging one another in the same manner as is usual among soldiers in military expeditions attend-ed with hardships and dangers, saying, that one bad night would purchase them a happy eternity. They also made this their joint prayer: “Lord, we are forty who are engaged in this combat; grant that we may be forty crowned, and that not one be wanting to this sacred number.” The guards in the mean time ceased not to persuade them to sacrifice, that by so doing they might be allowed to pass to the warm bath. But though it is not easy to form a just idea of the bitter pain they must have undergone, of the whole number only one had the misfortune to be overcome; who losing courage went off from the pond to seek the re-lief in readiness for such as were disposed to renounce their faith: but as the devil usually deceives his adorers,

the apostate no sooner entered the warm water but he expired. This misfortune afflicted the martyrs; but they were quickly comforted by seeing his place and their number miraculously filled up. A sentinel was warming him-self near the bath, having been posted there to observe if any of the martyrs were inclined to submit. While he was attending, he had a vision of blessed spirits descending from heaven on the martyrs, and distributing, as from their king, rich presents, and precious garments, St. Ephrem adds crowns, to all these generous soldiers, one only excepted, who was their faint-hearted companion, already mentioned. The guard being struck with the celestial vision and the apostate’s desertion, was converted upon it; and by a particular motion of the Holy Ghost, cast off his clothes, and placed himself in his stead among the thirty-nine martyrs. Thus God heard their request though in another manner than they imagined: “Which ought to make us adore the impenetrable secrets of his mercy and justice,” says St. Ephrem, “in this instance, no less than in the reprobation of Judas, and the election of St. Matthias.” In the morning, the judge ordered both those who were dead with the cold, and those that were still alive, to be laid on carriages, and cast into a fire. Their bodies were burned, and their ashes thrown into the riv-er; but the Christians secretly carried off, or purchased part of them with money. Some of these precious relics were kept at Cæsarea, and St. Basil says of them: “Like bulwarks they are our protection against the inroads of enemies.” Portions of their relics were also carried to Constantinople, and there honoured with great veneration. Several visions and miracles were granted to those who paid veneration to them in that city. Though we are not all called to the trial of martyrdom, we are all bound daily to fight and to conquer too. By multiplied victories which we gain over our passions and spiritual enemies, by the exercise of meekness, pa-

tience, humility, purity, and all other virtues, we shall render our triumph complete, and attain to the crown of bliss. But are we not confounded at our sloth in our spiritual warfare, when we look on the conflicts of the mar-tyrs? “The eloquence of the greatest orators, and the wisdom of the philosophers were struck dumb: the very tyrants and judges stood amazed, and were not able to find words to express their admiration, when they beheld the faith, the cheerfulness and constancy of the holy martyrs in their sufferings. But what excuse shall we allege in the tremendous judgment, who, without meeting with such cruel persecution and torments, are so remiss and slothful in maintaining the spiritual life of our souls, and the charity of God! What shall we do in that terrible day, when the holy martyrs placed near the throne of God, with great confidence shall display their glorious scars, the proofs of their fidelity? What shall we then show? shall we produce our love for God? true faith? a disengagement of our affections from earthly things? souls freed from the tyranny of the passions? retirement and peace of mind? meekness? alms-deeds and compassion? holy and pure prayer? sincere compunction? watching and tears? Happy shall he be whom these works shall attend. He shall then be the companion of the martyrs and shall ap-pear with the same confidence before Christ and his Angels. We beseech you, O most holy martyrs, who cheer-fully suffered torments and death for his love, and are now more familiarly united to him, that you intercede with God for us slothful and wretched sinners, that he bestow on us the grace of Christ by which we may be enlight-ened and enabled to love him.” -From Butler’s Lives of the Saints (1866)