Trivia Thread

[Ann M]

April 22

Soter, Fundis in Campánia natus, sancívit ne sacræ vírgines vasa sacra et pallas attingerent, neve thuris ministerio in ecclésia uteréntur. Idem státuit ut Christi corpus in Cœna Dómini sumerétur ab ómnibus, iis exceptis, qui propter grave peccátum id fácere prohiberéntur. Sedit in pontificatu annos tres, menses undecim, dies decem et octo. Martyrio coronátur sub Marco Aurelio imperatóre, et in cœmeterio, quod póstea Callísti dictum est, sepelitur ; more majórum mense Decembri creátis presbyteris decem et octo, diáconis novem, epíscopis per diversa loca undecim.


Soter, a countryman of Fondi in Campania, succeeded the holy martyr Anicetus. It was he who ordained that nuns should not touch the sacred vessels and linen of the Altar, nor serve with the incense in the Church. He ordained likewise, that on the anniversary of the Lord's Supper, every one should receive the Body of Christ, except those who were forbidden to do so on account of grievous sin. He sat as Pope three years, eleven months, and twenty-eight days. He ordained in the month of December eighteen priests, nine deacons, and eleven bishops for divers places. He was crowned with martyrdom under the Emperor Marcus Aurélius, and was buried after the manner of them that had gone before him, in the Cemetery, which was afterwards called that of St. Callistus.

 

[Ann M]

Cajus Dálmáta ex genere Diocletiáni imperatóris, constituit ut his ordinum et honórum gradibus in Ecclésia ad episcopátum ascenderétur : Ostiarii, Lectóris, Exorcistæ, Acólythi, Subdiáconi, Diáconi, Presbyteri. Hic Diocletiáni crudelitátem in Christiános fúgiens, aliquamdiu in spelúnca delituit ; verum octo post annis una cum Gabino fratre martyrii corónam consectus est, cum sedísset annos duodecim, menses quatuor, dies quinque ; creátis mense Decembri presbyteris vigintiquinque, diáconis octo, epíscopis quinque. Sepultus est in cœmeterio Callísti, décimo Kalendas Maji. Ejus memóriam Urbanus octavus in Urbe renovávit, dírutam ecclésiam restituit ; titulo, statióne et ipsíus relíquiis decorávit.


Caius was a Dalmatian and a kinsman of the Emperor Diocletian. It was he who ordained that the following should be the order of degrees in the Church through which all should pass before they be made bishop : First, Porter ; second, Lector ; third, Exorcist ; fourth, Acolyte ; fifth, Subdeacon ; sixth, Deacon ; seventh, Priest. Caius fled from the cruelties practised by Diocletian against the Christians, and lay hid for a while in a cave, but after eight years he and his brother Gabinus won the crown of martyrdom. At that time he had sat in the chair of Peter twelve years, four months, and five days, and had ordained in the month of December twenty-five priests, eight deacons, and five bishops. He was buried in the Cemetery of Callistus upon the twenty-second day of April. It was Urban VIII who renewed the memorial of him in the City, rebuilt his Church, which had been in ruins, and distinguished it by making it one of those whence the Cardinals take their titles, and of those which are called Stations, and enriching it with the relicks of the Saints.

 

[Ann M]

Okay time for a quick review here.....

Feast Days -

April 17 St. Anicetus Pope and Martyr

April 22 Ss. Soter and Caius Popes and Martyrs

April 26 Ss. Cletus and Marcellinus Popes and Martyrs

Paul, I have too many Popes who were martyrs whose feasts are remembered in April.

 

[Paul S]

I wasn't counting Anicetus, since he doesn't share his feast with another Pope Martyr.

Just think of him as a bonus saint.

 

[Ann M]

I like bonuses!!!

 

[Paul S]

I like bonuses!!!

Now you're making me go find some really obscure saints, so you take longer next time.

 

[Ann M]

Fried brain cells!!!!

Man I love this challenge, you're stimulating my intellect and my self worth.

 

[Paul S]

How many vigils and octaves are there:

in the pre-1962 calendar,
in the 1962 calendar,
and in the 1970 calendar?

And name them.

 

[Ann M]

SSPX

What was the reasoning behind the suppression of many vigils and octaves under Pope Pius XII?

It is indeed true that Pope Pius XII abolished several of the Church’s vigils and octaves that had been observed for many centuries before. The reason given by the Sacred Congregation of Rites in its decree of March 23, 1955, to be effective as of January 1, 1956, was the simplification of the rubrics of the Roman Breviary and Missal.

It is certainly true that the rubrics prior to that time were quite complicated, especially when it became a question of overlapping octaves, and that it was a legitimate aspiration of the liturgical movement to simplify these rubrics in such a way that the ordinary faithful could follow, understand and participate. Furthermore, periodic elimination of added feasts, octaves and other liturgical days are not unusual in the history of the Church. Consequently, it is certainly excessive to call this elimination of octaves and vigils a "modernist innovation."

In fact the three most important octaves are the ones that were retained in 1955, namely those of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. Thus the octaves retain their original meaning as a celebration of the major mysteries of our Faith, the Incarnation (Christmas), the Redemption (Easter), and the Descent of the Holy Ghost (Pentecost). One day alone does not suffice to contemplate these momentous events. The octave corresponds to the observation of octaves in the Old Law by the Jews for the feasts of the Paschal Lamb (Passover) and the feast of Tabernacles. Thus it is understandable that such octaves as those of the Feasts of Saint John the Baptist, Saints Peter and Paul, Saint Stephen, and Saint John the Evangelist would have been abolished. However, we can personally regret that some of the other octaves were not retained, especially the octaves of the Ascension and Corpus Christi, and perhaps also those of the Epiphany and the Sacred Heart.

The celebration of vigils dates back to the early Church, at which time the early Christians prayed all night, until the celebration of Mass at the dawn of the feast day. The remaining example of this is the Easter Vigil of Holy Week, restored in 1951 to its ancient time and form of celebration. These vigils were very important then and should be important for us now. They were times of watching, as indicated by the Latin word vigiliae, and also of praying and fasting, in expectation of the solemnity of the morrow. It is certainly true that the sacrifice of fast and abstinence in the expectation of a great feast, and the preparation involved, greatly helps us to profit from the special graces of the feast.

It is true that some less important vigils were abolished in 1955. Nevertheless, all the important vigils were retained, such as those of Easter and Pentecost, the Ascension, the Assumption, Saint John the Baptist, Saints Peter and Paul, and Saint Lawrence. However, we can still personally regret also that certain other vigils were not retained, which vigils highlight the special importance of the corresponding feast days, in particular those of the Immaculate Conception, of All Saints and of the Epiphany. The Church has compassion on the weakness of this non-penitential age in which we live. This does not prevent us from making the effort to observe the spirit of the Church by preparing the major feast days by recollection, sacrifice, spiritual reading and fasting.



New Advent

The number of vigils in the Roman Calendar besides Holy Saturday is seventeen, viz., the eves of Christmas, the Epiphany, the Ascension, Pentecost, the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption, the eight feasts of the Apostles, St. John the Baptist, St. Laurence, and All Saints.

 

[Paul S]

You're missing five octaves - three common and two simple.

And what's the difference between a privileged octave, a common octave, and a simple octave?

I hope Halloween returns to the official calendar some day. For now, I can only celebrate it privately.

Which brings up another question - when was Halloween (the Vigil of All Saints) last year?

And do you celebrate it in Australia, or is the secular holiday more of an American thing?

 

[Ann M]

Okay, we've found a website

The Pius X and John XXIII Missals Compared

Changes in Feasts
16.
St. Peter's Chair in Rome Abolished
Finding of the Holy Cross Abolished
St. John Before the Latin Gate Abolished
Apparition of St. Michael Abolished
St. Leo II Abolished
St. Anacletus Abolished
St. Peter in Chains Abolished
Finding of St. Stephen Abolished
Commem. of St. Vitalis Abolished
St. Philomena (by indult) Abolished
St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church Changed to St. Joseph the Worker
Circumcision of Our Lord Changed to Octave Day of Christmas
St. Peter's Chair at Antioch Changed to St. Peter's Chair
Most Holy Rosary of the BVM Changed to our Lady of the Rosary
St. George Downgraded
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Downgraded
St. Alexius Downgraded
Ss. Cyriacus, Largus & Smaragdus Downgraded
Impression of Stigmata of St. Francis Downgraded
Ss. Eustace and Companions Downgraded
Our Lady of Ransom Downgraded
St. Thomas a Becket Downgraded
St. Sylvester Downgraded
Seven Sorrows of Our Lady Downgraded

Octaves of Feasts All abolished
17.
Epiphany (7th Century)
Corpus Christi (1294)
Ascension (8th Century)
Sacred Heart (1928)
Immaculate Conception (1693)
Assumption (ca. 850)
St. John Baptist (8th Century)
Ss. Peter and Paul (7th Century)
All Saints (ca. 1480)
Nativity of Our Lady (1245)
St. Stephen (8th Century)
St. John the Evangelist (8th Century)
Holy Innocents (8th Century)
Dedication of a Church (8th Century)

Vigils of Feasts All Abolished
18.
Epiphany
St. Matthias
St. James
St. Bartholomew
St. Matthew
All Saints
St. Andrew
Immaculate Conception
St. Thomas

 

[Paul S]

Found them all.

How many are still around in the new Mass?

 

[Ann M]

And what's the difference between a privileged octave, a common octave, and a simple octave?

The celebration of certain feasts may be continued for eight days (an octave). Octaves are of three types:

1. Privileged Octave: All days within the octave are of the first class, and are preferred to any feast whatsoever. The octaves of Easter and Pentecost are privileged octaves.
2. Common Octave: All days within the octave are of the second class, but yield to feasts of the second class. If impeded, they are commemorated.
3. Simple Octave: Only the octave day itself is celebrated. If impeded, it is to be commemorated.

The octave days of all feasts are celebrated with the same rank at the feast itself

I hope Halloween returns to the official calendar some day. For now, I can only celebrate it privately.

Which brings up another question - when was Halloween (the Vigil of All Saints) last year?

October 31?

And do you celebrate it in Australia, or is the secular holiday more of an American thing?

Definately more of an American thing, although people are trying to get it started here in Oz. I don't see it taking off that much to be honest.

From coresponding on the web, I have noticed that when it comes to holidays and celebrations, no-one does it quite like you Americans. Down here we're pretty laid back about most holidays. Our most important holiday here is actually ANZAC Day. For many it even outranks Australia Day.

 

[Paul S]

Correct about the octaves.

October 31?

Not last year. That is, if it were still on the calendar, according to the rubrics.

What was celebrated on October 31 last year?

From coresponding on the web, I have noticed that when it comes to holidays and celebrations, no-one does it quite like you Americans. Down here we're pretty laid back about most holidays. Our most important holiday here is actually ANZAC Day. For many it even outranks Australia Day.

I think it's mainly because we get an excuse to eat and watch sports all day.

And get a day off from work.

 

[Ann M]

Caught out in yoga class this morning!! During the relaxtion at the end of the class, when we lie down comfortably and clear our mind, I was mentally reviewing everything we had written this morning, and thinking of where else I would look next. Suddenly I realised that the instructor had gone onto the next position and I was supposed to have turned over on my side like everyone else After we finished the lady next to me asked if I'd fallen asleep beause I looked so peaceful, and I had to admit to her that I hadn't, I was just caught up in my trivia thread!

 

[Ann M]

Correct about the octaves.

Thank you

Not last year. That is, if it were still on the calendar, according to the rubrics.

What was celebrated on October 31 last year?

Sorry, my mistake, I should have looked it up instead of guessing

October 30 was the Vigil for All Saints (Anticipated) in 2004, because October 31 was the Feast of Christ the King. Silly silly me!

I think it's mainly because we get an excuse to eat and watch sports all day.

And get a day off from work.

I'm still trying to get my head around those jello salads.... and Marshmallow fluff

 

[Ann M]

Found them all.

How many are still around in the new Mass?

If I twiddle my thumbs and look innocent will you pretend I don't want to answer this one today too.....

 

[Paul S]

October 30 was the Vigil for All Saints (Anticipated) in 2004, because October 31 was the Feast of Christ the King. Silly silly me!

Yep.

If a non-privileged Vigil falls on Sunday, it's anticipated on the previous Saturday. The fast, however, is not anticipated, but dropped for that year.

I'm still trying to get my head around those jello salads.... and Marshmallow fluff

And Easy Cheese, the cheese in a spray can.

If I twiddle my thumbs and look innocent will you pretend I don't want to answer this one today too.....

But you will.

 

[Ann M]

Your turn again.


Pope Benedict IX sold the Papcy to his God-father, as he had fallen in love with a cousin, but her father demanded he abdicate before he asked for her hand in marriage. How much is believed to have been paid?

 

[Paul S]

Your turn again.

Pope Benedict IX sold the Papcy to his God-father, as he had fallen in love with a cousin, but her father demanded he abdicate before he asked for her hand in marriage. How much is believed to have been paid?

Are you trying to make my brain fried, too?

About 1500 pounds of gold.

But, as we Catholics know, the Pope is infallible, not impeccable, and neither Benedict IX nor any other bad Pope officially taught heresy.