Judite Rite (F.S.S.C.T.) Liturgical Calendar

[thesmellypocket 1859]

PREFACE

 

God gave us divers senses and capacities: sight, hearing, smell and feeling, will and intellect, and also many ways to please Him: by prayer, mental and vocal, works of mercy, fasting and the Sacraments, in short, “I am your Father, and the Father of all things.” (Virtue 1:6) It follows therefore, that the Canonist ought not to merely read the Scrolls and meditate on the events therein, but that they be commemorated in a liturgical calendar in which the wondrous workings of Almighty God are, in a way, lived anew, spurring us on to access those means and Sacraments by which God calls us to repentance and reform.

 

To this effect, and with God’s help throughout, I have arranged for you, my brothers, this liturgical calendar in order that the mystery of God’s revelation might be lived out in the world.

-Fr. Pius Sheen of Sutica, F.S.S.C.T.

 

Key. BOLD CAPITALS denotes a first-class feast, bold denotes a second-class feast, italics denotes a memorial, and plain text denotes an optional memorial. Text in blue denotes a penitential solemnity, which has the same status as a first-class feast. The government and employers should give first-class feasts and penitential solemnities as days off. Text in red denotes a period of fasting. All periods without a specific feast, memorial etc. are considered FERIAS, and the priest then can choose to celebrate a generic feast of that liturgical period, or he can celebrate the feast of any Saint he wishes (A mass celebrated by choice for a Saint is called a Votive mass.) An asterisk * denotes a feast that is kept especially by the Fraternity, and not generally.

 

Note that Judite readings are typically short, owing to their prayerful manner, that they like to consider small verses with great care, and also because the Asperges, not the Scroll, is the centre of the Judite Rite.

 

THE FIRST SEASON: HORENTIDE.

(1st of Grand Harvest - 3rd of Sun’s Smile.)

General Liturgical Colour: White.

A Marriage during Horentide.

 

This season re-tells the story of Horen, and of the Revelation vouchsafed unto mankind through him. It is a jovial part of the liturgical year (except for the Murder of Horen) due to the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony originating with him. This season, then, is the start of the liturgical year and is sometimes called “Flowertide” as at this time the churches are decorated in roses for baptisms and weddings, often in seven colours to denote the seven virtues.

 

1st of Grand Harvest - THE BAPTISM OF HOREN. This feast, one of the most solemn and glorious of the liturgical year, commemorates the calling of Horen as the first Prophet of God. Baptisms commonly take place on this Feast. Liturgical Readings: Virtue 1:5-8, Gospel 2:35-39.

 

8th of Grand Harvest - THE FEAST OF SS. HOREN AND JULIA. This feast commemorates the holy marriage of Horen and Julia, and their life together on earth and in heaven. Marriages commonly take place on this feast. It is a custom for husbands to give a gift, or do some deed for their wives on this day. Liturgical Readings: Virtue 2:7-10, Gospel 2:3-4.

 

14th-15th of Grand Harvest - THE MURDER OF HOREN and JULIA. On this solemnity, celebrated over two days, the Church mourns with the children the deaths of Horen and Julia. The priest wears black vestments, intense prayer and fasting is common, and there is a general abstinence from meat.

Liturgical Readings, day one: Spirit 6:7-10, Gospel 3:9-12. Liturgical Readings, day two: Virtue 3:7-9, Gospel 3:15-19.

 

16th of Grand Harvest - THE TRIUMPH OF HOREN. On this feast, Horen’s assumption to heaven and the foretelling of the children of spirit is commended. The colour of the church and vestments is restored and even intensified. Meals at the pub are common on this day! Note that this happened chronologically before Horen’s murder.  Liturgical Readings: Virtue 4:6-9, Gospel 2:70-76.

 

18th, 23rd, of Grand Harvest, 1st of Sun’s Smile - ‘Rorate’ Feasts. Called “Rorate” feasts because at the Asperges hymn is changed to “Rorate Caeli”, these feasts are in place for completeness sake, in order that the whole Scroll of Virtue be read. They commemorate the period between Horen and Owyn. Liturgical Readings: 18th - Virtue 5:7-9, 23rd - Virtue 6:6-8, 1st - Virtue 7:6-8.

 

THE SECOND SEASON: OWYNTIDE.

(4th of Sun’s Smile - 24th of Sun’s Smile.)

General Liturgical Colour: Red.

 

A penitent old man decides to spend Oywnsfast in the silence of the desert.

 

Owyntide commemorates the life of Prophet Owyn, the grandson of Ex. Horen, and the Revelation vouchsafed to him, and culminates in the Feast of SS. Everistus and Clement, which recalls his institution of the High Priesthood. It begins with a period of somewhat lighter fasting than the other the Great Fast. For acolytes, Owynsfast and the Repentance make for excellent preparation for ordination on the 24th, having been purified in the waters of Gamesh by works of mercy and Confession.

 

4th-14th of Sun’s Smile - OWYNSFAST. This ‘warning shot’ is a time of prayer, fasting and penance that recalls Owyn’s fast at the waters of Gamesh. Often during this time people will do works of mercy such as giving to the poor. It is regarded as a period to prepare for Confession on the Sin of Ex. Owyn. During this time, the Scroll of Spirit is commonly read from in the Liturgy and in homes. It is the custom to read an Epistle a day from the 7th to the 14th.

 

15th of Sun’s Smile - THE REPENTANCE OF OWYN. This day commemorates Owyn’s grave sin and redemption. It is the most common time of year for Confessions. Liturgical Readings: Spirit 3:19-20, Gospel 4:53-58.

 

16th of Sun’s Smile - THE FEAST OF EX. OWYN. This day gives the repentant sinners a chance to bask in the mercy of God. Having received absolution, they praise God for the Scroll of Spirit and the works of Ex. Owyn. Liturgical Readings: Auspice 2:39-41, Gospel 4:20-24.

 

24th of Sun’s Smile - FEAST OF SS. EVERISTUS AND CLEMENT. This day recalls Owyn’s institution of the Sacred Priesthood. Ordinations often happen on this day. Liturgical Readings: Virtue 6:6-8, Gospel 5:3-5.

 

THE THIRD SEASON: SILENCE.

(1st Amber Cold - 23rd Deep Cold.)

General Liturgical Colour: Black.

 

In this church, they ran out of black with which to cover the images.

 

Also known as the “Great Fast”, during this time images and statues in churches are veiled. There is no organ or any other musical instrument in the church, and music is solemn and quiet. The Scroll is never sung during this period. There is no incense during any liturgical ceremony. The word ‘alleluia’ is not found in the missals or hymnbooks for this time, as the Asperges hymn “Vidi Aquam” is banned. Most people at the very least give something up for this period, and others give themselves to a period of intense asceticism.  Masses for the dead are often offered by priests in this period.

 

(1st Amber Cold - 22nd of Deep Cold.) THE GREAT FAST - SEE ABOVE. Liturgical Readings largely cycle over the Scrolls of Spirit and Virtue.

 

23rd of Deep Cold - FEAST OF ST. HIGH PRIEST EVERARD. The great High Priest is recalled in this only feast that ends the Great Fast period. Priests have tried to restrain it, but often this is a Feast in which men gorge themselves in massive banquets after the Great Fast. Liturgical Readings: Virtue 4:9, Gospel 5:43-46.

 

THE FOURTH SEASON: GODFREYTIDE.

(24th of Deep Cold - 13th of Snow’s Miaden)

General Liturgical Colour: Purple.

 

The Judite proclaimation of the Gospel for the Epiphany! The Scroll of Gospel is read from in the most solemn manner possible.

 

The story of the third Prophet, Godfrey, returns in royal style to bring the Prophetic Era back after centuries of division and restless waiting on the part of man. Godfrey and Auspicetide represent a great contrast to the Great Fast, as all the images and statues are uncovered and the Altar is adorned splendidly. 

 

24th of Deep Cold - EPIPHANY OF EX. GODFREY. Ex. Godfrey is recognised as the ruler of mankind! Peace and joy to the world. Gift-giving, charity and other kind acts abound, and the hymn “Vidi Aquam” returns - with extra alleluias in the liturgy. It is sometimes called ‘the feast of all feasts’ because the contrast with the Great Fast makes it  a day of triumph liturgically. Liturgical Readings: Auspice 2:11-13, Gospel 6:33-35. Before the Gospel reading at mass, all the bells that can be found are rang. The Gospel is also typically sung and escorted by servers bearing candles.

 

1st of Snow’s Maiden - The Wisdom of Ex. Godfrey. A Feast mostly associated with the semi-canonical text, ‘The Proverbs of Ex. Godfrey.’ Schools often open and lessons begin on this day, causing children to rue it as a day of misery. Liturgical Reading: Proverbs 1:1-2.

 

THE FIFTH SEASON: AUSPICETIDE.

(14th of Snow’s Maiden - 1st of Malin’s Welcome.)

General Liturgical Colour: Red.

 

Exalted Sigismund.

 

The final Prophet closes the Prophetic Era. The Church is now sure of her mission, having received the complete and final Revelation of God. This period has a penitential feel to it, although no official penances are proscribed, since it speaks of the end times and being ready for them.

 

14th of Snow’s Maiden - THE REVELATION OF EX. SIGISMUND. This feast commemorates the reception of the Scroll of Auspice, and focuses on the end times with both hope and want of repentance. During this feast are often commemorated the Just of the non-human descendants, since that in this Feast is contained the promise of the redemption of all the Just. Liturgical Readings: Gospel 7:52-55, Auspice 2:44-49.

 

1st of Malin’s Welcome - THE TRIUMPH OF HOLY CHURCH. The Prophetic Era closes, the Ecclesiastical Era begins. This is often considered the “second chance” date. As in, if a baptism cannot be done on the Baptism, a wedding on SS. Horen and Julia, or an ordination on SS. Everistus and Clement, this is the day it is done, since on this day is recalled the entire mission of the Church, from its lowest member to the High Pontiff, to its members in heaven, the Saints and Just. Liturgical Readings: Proverbs 6:6, Gospel 4:61-62.

 

THE SIXTH SEASON: CHURCHTIDE.

(2nd Malin’s Welcome - 24th First Seed.)

General Liturgical Colour: Green.

 

The Holy Synod.

 

This season commemorates the life of the Church after the Prophets. It is considered just ‘normal’ neither as flowery or triumphant as Godfrey-Siegmundtide, nor as austere as the Great Fast. The Saints are celebrated in this period.

 

8th of Malin’s welcome. *THE FEAST OF SS. JUDE AND KRISTOFF. The patronal feast of the F.S.S.C.T.. St. Kristoff was a model Bishop during the Schism Wars, who died defending young Acolytes from an attack by Dwarves. St. Jude is the father of Monasticism and the greatest Scholastic writer of the Faith who suffered greatly for his rigorous practice of Church Dogma. Liturgical Readings: Virtue 2:7-9;  in the Judite Rite, it is permitted to read an Epistle or a section thereof from the work of St. Jude. 

 

12th of Malin’s Welcome. *Ven. Humbert, O.S.J, Confessor; Doctor. A great public sinner who converted and was distinguished by austere monasticism, devotion to Saint Catherine and fiery charity. Liturgical Reading: Virtue 2:11.

 

13th of Malin’s Welcome. *St Catherine, Virgin. A princess of the house of Horen who humbled herself to serve the poor as a simple virgin, distinguished by humility, fidelity and charity. Liturgical Reading: Spirit 6:9-12.

 

21st of Malin’s Welcome. *Blessed Jude I, Pontiff; Doctor. An Holy Pontiff who wrote several important documents. Liturgical Reading: Spirit 1:6-11.

 

24th of Malin’s Welcome. All Saints of the Schism War. On this feast are commemorated those Saints, known and unknown, of the era of the Schism War, and through whom God worked to save the Church from the machinations of the schismatics. Liturgical Reading: Gospel 3:3-5.

 

2nd of First Seed. *Saint Judith, Virgin. The first great female monastic, distinguished in all the virtues. Liturgical Reading: Spirit 4:12-15.

 

10th of First Seed. ALL SAINTS. All the Saints, canonised and non-canonised, are celebrated on this day. It is the great solemnity of Churchtide, on which biographies and stories of the Saints are widely circulated, and on this day children adopt a patron Saint. Liturgical Readings: Auspice 3:11-17, Virtue 1:1-3.

 

11th of First Seed. The Motherhood of Saint Julia. The Pontiffs call us to recognise St. Julia as our spiritual mother, for if she is the spiritual mother of the Prophets, and we the Church inherit their office, so too is she our mother in the spiritual realm. Liturgical Reading: Gospel 2:71-76.

 

16th of First Seed. Blessed Daniel VI, Pontiff; Doctor. A Pontiff who worked diligently to restore unity and uniformity to the Church. Liturgical Reading: Gospel 5:25-26.

 

20th of First Seed. *Saint Julia, Patroness of the Missions. In which the Church asks for St. Julia’s intercession to spread the truth of the Canonist Faith abroad. Liturgical Reading: Gospel 2:45-46, And/or Proverbs 2:12-20.

 

21st of First Seed. *Blessed Wigbrecht, Abbott and Martyr. Responsible for the revival of Judite monasticism, the proliferation of Judite Chant; Martyred. Liturgical Reading: Virtue 2:7-9.

[VIROS 2915]

HIS HOLINESS JAMES II, High Pontiff of the Church of the Canon, Archbishop of Visigia, Successor of the High Priesthood of the Church, Supreme Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Keeper of the Canon, Missionary to Aeldin, High Servant to the Exalted's Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD places his seal of imprimatur upon the document.

[thesmellypocket 1859]

ADDED AT THE REQUEST OF HIS HOLINESS, JAMES II:

 

APPENDIX: THE FEAST OF ALL THE JUST.  (12th of First Seed.) After being welcomed into paradise by their spiritual Mother, Saint Julia, the Just of all descendant races are commemorated here, that is, those who dwell in the lower Skies below the Saints and Blessed, and who await the destruction of Iblees. On this feast is commemorated especially the brotherly love which ought to exist between the Descendants. Liturgical Readings: Virtue 6:1;  Spirit 6:9-12.