Saturday, November 03, 2012

The Feast of All Saints 2012: The Angels

From the Breviary according to the use of the Roman Curia, 1529, the continuation of the sermon for the third day in the Octave of All Saints.
Accordingly, let us invite the most sacred orders of blessed spirits to the joy of our solemnity, that today they may work along with us more earnestly than usual, offering the incense of our prayer before the golden altar which stands before the eyes of the Lord. There let them faithfully intercede for us, and here (in this world) vigilantly protect and defend us against the attempts of the ancient enemy. For we urgently ask this of them by a certain right of law, and by that confidence in the privilege (given to us) by which we hope that through God’s grace, we shall be their fellow citizens in heaven. Firmly certain of their beatitude, they are sent as ministering spirits to us, who (rightly) fear the (spiritual) losses we may suffer in the uncleanness of our bodily condition. All the more generously then, must they come to our aid, as they see how much more we need their help.
Eight of the nine choirs of Angels, shown on the panels of the roodscreen of St. Michael and All Angels' Church in Barton Turf, a village in the county of Norfolk, England.
The roodscreen is seen here in its place; detailed photographs of the paintings on both sides can be seen at this website.

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