For A Marriage Of St. Catherine By Hans Memmelinck
(In the Hospital of St. John at Bruges)
MYSTERY: Catherine the bride of Christ.
She kneels, and on her hand the holy Child
Now sets the ring. Her life is hushed and mild,
Laid in God's knowledge—ever unenticed
From God, and in the end thus fitly priced.
Awe, and the music that is near her, wrought
Of angels, have possessed her eyes in thought:
Her utter joy is hers, and hath sufficed.
There is a pause while Mary Virgin turns
The leaf, and reads. With eyes on the spread book,
That damsel at her knees reads after her.
John whom He loved, and John His harbinger,
Listen and watch. Whereon soe'er thou look,
The light is starred in gems and the gold burns.
poem by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
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Related quotes
What Child Is This
What child is this who laid to rest
On mary's lap asleeping
Whom angels breed with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch our keeping
This, this is christ the king
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, hastell bring him lord
The babe the son of mary
So bring him incense, bring him gold
Come plesant king to him
The king of kings salvations brings
Let loving hearts enthrone him
Raise, raise the son on high
The virgin sings a lullaby
Joy, joy for christ is born
The babe was son of mary
What child is this who laid to rest
On mary's lap asleeping
Whom angels breed with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch our keeping
Raise, raise the son on high
The virgin sings a lullaby
Joy, joy for christ is born
The babe was son of mary
song performed by by Vanessa Williams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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What Child Is This
(Traditional)
What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, come peasant, king to own Him,
The King of kings, salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high, the Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary!
What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!
song performed by by John Denver
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Holy Matrimony
The voice that breathed o'er Eden,
That earliest wedding day
The primal marriage blessing,
It hath not passed away.
Still in the pure espousal
Of Christian man and maid,
The holy Three are with us,
The threefold grace is said.
Be present, aweful Father,
To give away this bride,
As Eve thou gav'st to Adam
Out of his own pierced side:
Be present, Son of Mary,
To join their loving hands,
As thou didst bind two natures
In thine eternal bands!
Be present, holiest Spirit,
To bless them as they kneel,
As thou, for Christ the Bridegroom,
The heavenly Spouse dost seal!
O spread thy pure wing o'er them,
Let no ill power find place,
When onward to thine altar
Their hallowed path they trace,
To cast their crowns before thee
In perfect sacrifice,
Till to the home of gladness
With Christ's own Bride they rise. Amen
poem by John Keble
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What Child Is This
(traditional)
What child is this, who laid to rest
On marys lap, is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is christ the king,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of mary
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant king to own him,
The king of kings, salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for christ is born,
The babe, the son of mary
Joy, joy, for christ is born,
The babe, the son of mary
song performed by by Olivia Newton-John
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Silent Night Medley
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
This is the night of our dear saviors birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and his soul felt its worth
At thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
O come o ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye o come ye to bethlehem
Come and behold him, born the king of angels
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him christ the lord.
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
Oh night divine o night o holy
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Woah
Oh holy night
When jesus was born
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Look at those stars in the sky
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Jesus was born tonight
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
song performed by by Hanson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I, John
(words & music by william j. gaither)
Oh well, i, john, he saw might numbers
A way up in the middle of the air
I, john he saw might numbers
Way in the middle of the air
Got to mighty move, john, you saw mighty numbers
Way up in the middle of the air
Well there were three gates in the east
And there were three gates in the west
Three gates in the north
Three gates in the south
And that makes twelve gates to the city all square wide
John, you saw might numbers way up in the middle of the air
Well john declared that he saw a man
He held twelve bright stars in his right hand
Well his eyes flashed fire like the burning sun
Old john got scared and he wanted to run
Well he wanted to run but his feet wouldnt go
Cause he felt the gospel cutting like a two-edged sword
And he heard a voice that said john, you take a look
And read what you see and then you write it in a book
And he saw twelve angels in the east
And there were twelve angels in the west
Twelve angels in the north,
Twelve angels in the south
Thats a total of forty-eight angels to the city, four squared wide
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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What Child Is This?
What child is this, who laid to rest
on Mary's lap is sleeping?
whom angels greet with anthems sweet
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
whom shepherds guard and angels sing
haste, haste to bring him laud
the babe, the son of Mary
Why lies He in such mean state
where ox and and ass are feeding?
good christian, fear for sinners here
the silent word is pleading
this, this is Christ the King
whom shepherds guard and angels sing
haste, haste to bring him laud
the babe, the son of Mary
Nails, spear, shall, pierce him through
the cross be bome, for me, for you
hail, hail, the world made flesh
the babe, the son of Mary
this, this is Christ the King
whom shepherds guard and angels sing
haste, haste to bring him laud
the babe, the son of Mary
So bring him incense, gold and myrrh
come peasant, King to own him
the King of Kings salvation brings
let loving hearts enthrone him
this, this is Christ the King
whom shepherds guard and angels sing
haste, haste to bring him laud
the babe, the son of Mary
Raise, raise, the song on high
the Virgin sings her llullaby
joy, joy for Christ is born
the babe, the son of Mary
this, this is Christ the King
whom shepherds guard and angels sing
haste, haste to bring him laud
the babe, the son of Mary
song performed by by Donna Summer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Child-Songs
Still linger in our noon of time
And on our Saxon tongue
The echoes of the home-born hymns
The Aryan mothers sung.
And childhood had its litanies
In every age and clime;
The earliest cradles of the race
Were rocked to poet's rhyme.
Nor sky, nor wave, nor tree, nor flower,
Nor green earth's virgin sod,
So moved the singer's heart of old
As these small ones of God.
The mystery of unfolding life
Was more than dawning morn,
Than opening flower or crescent moon
The human soul new-born.
And still to childhood's sweet appeal
The heart of genius turns,
And more than all the sages teach
From lisping voices learns,--
The voices loved of him who sang,
Where Tweed and Teviot glide,
That sound to-day on all the winds
That blow from Rydal-side,--
Heard in the Teuton's household songs,
And folk-lore of the Finn,
Where'er to holy Christmas hearths
The Christ-child enters in!
Before life's sweetest mystery still
The heart in reverence kneels;
The wonder of the primal birth
The latest mother feels.
We need love's tender lessons taught
As only weakness can;
God hath His small interpreters;
The child must teach the man.
We wander wide through evil years,
Our eyes of faith grow dim;
But he is freshest from His hands
And nearest unto Him!
And haply, pleading long with Him
For sin-sick hearts and cold,
The angels of our childhood still
The Father's face behold.
Of such the kingdom!--Teach Thou us,
O-Master most divine,
To feel the deep significance
Of these wise words of Thine!
The haughty eye shall seek in vain
What innocence beholds;
No cunning finds the key of heaven,
No strength its gate unfolds.
Alone to guilelessness and love
That gate shall open fall;
The mind of pride is nothingness,
The childlike heart is all!
poem by John Greenleaf Whittier
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An Only Begotten Son
Joseph and Mary
your son Isaiah 9: 6-7
is only first born Matthew 1: 16
without original sin
human stain
of Adam and Eve Genesis 3: 1-18
only child
born without
original sin Matthew 20: 28
an immaculate Matthew 1: 18
conception Matthew 1: 23
awaited virgin birth Matthew 1: 25
third perfect
human being
second Adam Hebrews 7: 28
only perfect soul
tempted by sin
that did not fall Mark 1: 13
God incarnate
in flesh
our long promised John 1: 14
Messiah born John 1: 41-42
into the world
in Bethlehem Matthew 2: 1
Adam made by
God’s own hands
shaped in red clay
God breathed breath
of life into Adam
spark of life living soul Genesis 2: 7
Eve rib taken
from Adam in sleep
flesh of his flesh
soul of his soul
God created first man
God created first woman Genesis 2: 20-23
in the beginning
was the Word
the Word was with God John 1: 1
the Word was a God
all things came into
existence through him
apart from him
not even one thing
came into existence John 1: 1-3
Lord Jesus Christ John 20; 28
Our Lord and Saviour Acts 13: 23
The Blood of the Lamb John 1: 29
For God
loved the world
so much
that he sent
his only
begotten son John 3: 16
as a ransom
sacrifice for our sin 1Timothy 2: 6
to save the world John 3: 17
so that all people
exercising faith in him
would not be judged John 3: 18
but be saved
given eternal life
for there is one God
and one mediator
between God and men
a man Christ Jesus 1Timothy 2: 5
who said
I am the way
the truth
and the life
and no one
comes to God
except through me John 14: 6
poem by Terence George Craddock
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In Lent …
Read the word of God and act;
Bear your cross and follow Christ;
Reflect upon your sins of past;
Renew your fellowship with Christ.
Through Virgin Mary, reach Jesus;
Develop your bond of love with Christ;
Pray that this year passes on well;
Win the war against satan.
Copyright y Dr John Celes 3-13-2009
poem by John Celes
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Gone
Another hand is beckoning us,
Another call is given;
And glows once more with Angel-steps
The path which reaches Heaven.
Our young and gentle friend, whose smile
Made brighter summer hours,
Amid the frosts of autumn time
Has left us with the flowers.
No paling of the cheek of bloom
Forewarned us of decay;
No shadow from the Silent Land
Fell round our sister's way.
The light of her young life went down,
As sinks behind the hill
The glory of a setting star,
Clear, suddenly, and still.
As pure and sweet, her fair brow seemed
Eternal as the sky;
And like the brook's low song, her voice,--
A sound which could not die.
And half we deemed she needed not
The changing of her sphere,
To give to Heaven a Shining One,
Who walked an Angel here.
The blessing of her quiet life
Fell on us like the dew;
And good thoughts where her footsteps pressed
Like fairy blossoms grew.
Sweet promptings unto kindest deeds
Were in her very look;
We read her face, as one who reads
A true and holy book,
The measure of a blessed hymn,
To which our hearts could move;
The breathing of an inward psalm,
A canticle of love.
We miss her in the place of prayer,
And by the hearth-fire's light;
We pause beside her door to hear
Once more her sweet 'Good-night!'
There seems a shadow on the day,
Her smile no longer cheers;
A dimness on the stars of night,
Like eyes that look through tears.
Alone unto our Father's will
One thought hath reconciled;
That He whose love exceedeth ours
Hath taken home His child.
Fold her, O Father! in Thine arms,
And let her henceforth be
A messenger of love between
Our human hearts and Thee.
Still let her mild rebuking stand
Between us and the wrong,
And her dear memory serve to make
Our faith in Goodness strong.
And grant that she who, trembling, here
Distrusted all her powers,
May welcome to her holier home
The well-beloved of ours.
poem by John Greenleaf Whittier
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John Daniel
(Dolly Parton)
John Daniel came to town one summer afternoon
Wearin' dirty work clothes so everyone presumed
He was just another logger from the loggin' camp nearby
And he was, but there was somethin' different in John Daniel's eyes
John Daniel was a young man, not more than twenty-four
And there was an air about him that one could not ignore
And in spite of callused hands & dirty clothes, his face was kind
And I wanted so to know what was in John Daniel's mind
John Daniel, tell me where did you come from; tell me where is it you've been
John Daniel, tell me why are you different from all of these other men
John Daniel, there's somethin' about you that I don't quite understand
John Daniel, do you hold the answer to a higher plan?
I rented him a room; he went upstairs like all the rest
It was Saturday and he'd be goin' in to town, I guessed
But he left in a robe and sandals, with a Bible in his hand;
And I thought to myself, John Daniel, I don't understand
Now I'd planned to meet some friends of mine when I got off at three,
In the park we often gather to talk of love and peace
When I got there I found that a crowd had gathered 'round;
And there I saw John Daniel a sittin' on the ground
John Daniel, tell me where did you come from; tell me where is it you've been
John Daniel, tell me why are you different from all of these other men
John Daniel, there's somethin' about you that I don't quite understand
John Daniel, do you hold the answer to a higher plan?
So, "You want to be free," he said, "Well, this is how you can."
As he read from the Bible he held in his hand
We were searchin' for the truth not knowin' where to look,
Not knowin' that the answers all were in John Daniel's book
John Daniel told us all how we could be free
John Daniel taught us all a better way for you and me
He came to us in our own way so we'd be sure to see
He had the light and essence of the man from Galilee
John Daniel, tell me where did you come from; tell me where is it you've been
John Daniel, tell me why are you different from all of these other men
John Daniel, there's something about you that I don't quite understand
John Daniel, do you hold the answer to a higher plan?
John Daniel, John Daniel, John Daniel
John Daniel do you hold the answer to a higher plan?
John Daniel came to town one summer afternoon
Wearin' dirty work clothes so everyone presumed
He was just another logger from the loggin' camp nearby
And he was, but there was somethin' different in John Daniel's eyes
Ooh, John Daniel, tell me where did you come from
Tell me where is it you've been
John Daniel, tell me why are you different from all of these other men
John Daniel, there's something about you that I don't quite understand
John Daniel, do you hold the answer to a higher plan?
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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John Anderson My Jo
John Anderson my jo, John,
When we were first acquent,
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonny brow was brent;
But now your brow is bled, John,
Your locks are like the straw,
But blessings on your frosty pow,
John Anderson my jo!
John Anderson my jo, John,
We clamb the hill thegither
And monie a cantie day, John,
We've had wi' ane anither;
Now we maun totter down, John,
And hand in hand we'll go,
And sleep thegither at the foot,
John Anderson my jo!
poem by Robert Burns
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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John Anderson
John Anderson, my jo John,
When we were first acquent
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonnie brow was brent;
But now your brow is bald, John,
Your locks are like the snow;
But blessings on your frosty pow,
John Anderson my jo!
John Anderson, my jo John,
We clamb the hill thegither,
And mony a canty day, John,
We've had wi' ane anither:
Now we maun totter down, John,
But hand in hand we'll go,
And sleep thegither at the foot,
John Anderson my jo.
poem by Robert Burns
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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John Anderson, My Jo
John Anderson, my jo John,
When we were first acquent
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonnie brow was brent;
But now your brow is bald, John,
Your locks are like the snow;
But blessings on your frosty pow,
John Anderson my jo!
John Anderson, my jo John,
We clamb the hill thegither,
And mony a canty day, John,
We've had wi' ane anither:
Now we maun totter down, John,
But hand in hand we'll go,
And sleep thegither at the foot,
John Anderson my jo.
poem by Robert Burns
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Life of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (in verse)
A baby boy was born
To peasants, one fine morn;
And christened Francesco,
A day after birth, Oh!
Much pious was the lad,
In world so very bad;
He prayed a lot in life,
And didn’t mind any strife!
He loved to be a priest,
And work for Jesus Christ;
And loved the cassock brown
Of Capuchins in town!
He talked with Christ each day,
And guardian angel Fay;
And Mother Mary too –
His duty well, to do!
He joined the Friary,
As per his wish-diary;
And took his priestly vows,
In Capuchin’s main House!
He lived a humble life,
Despite his sickness rife;
And saw Christ in his dreams:
All crucified, it seems!
He chose the suff’ring way;
And so, in illness lay;
He took the prayer-key,
Opening Eternity!
God gave him unique gifts,
And spiritual uplifts;
He wrought miracles great,
And kept soul like clean slate.
He was a good preacher;
He was a good teacher;
And said the Holy Mass;
Heard confessions, Alas!
He loved the Holy Cross;
Christ Jesus was his boss;
He prayed the Rosary
Fervently to Mary.
He lived to ripe old age,
And turned to be a sage;
They saw him in places
Afar, with love’s gazes.
He used to tell others:
Pray, Hope – sisters, brothers;
And don’t worry at all:
God lifts you if you fall.
‘Confess your sins’, he said;
‘Fill soul with grace instead;
Avoid Almighty’s rod,
And take more souls to God.’
Christ’s stigmata, he had:
The wounds painfully bled;
But just before his death,
They healed with his last breath!
Christ’s stigmata, He bore,
For fifty years or more;
The crucifix, he held
All life, as God’s love welled!
Close to his heart, the Cross –
Yes, Jesus was his boss!
His love of God was great;
For sins, he had a hate.
A poor friar, he was,
And toiled for divine cause;
Despite a not good health,
But virtues – his one wealth!
God made him ‘Blessed’ soon,
And canonized him – boon
To Capuchin’s order,
That spread his good odor!
Even the earth, may be,
Without the sun surely;
But Holy Mass is one
Sacrifice of God’s Son!
Lovingly dedicated to St. Padre Pio
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-20-2008
poem by John Celes
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It's Not Me, It's You
Mary was on time, as usual.
As per usual, John was late.
“He’d be late for his own funeral! ”
Mary fumed and cursed her fate.
They’d first hooked up in freshman year
at a frat house mixer bar
John got sick from too much beer
and hurled in Mary’s car.
They were pursuing the same major
and they lived in the same dorm.
He was always in her classes,
and they both worked at the Mall.
It was natural that they bonded.
It‘s said opposites attract.
His folks were alcoholics
from the wrong side of the tracks.
Mary came from Celtic stock
Hence her saintly name
She always called upon the Lord
when, infrequently, she came.
They both loved the Smashing Pumpkins
and were devoted to the band.
But it’s not enough to make her want
to wear John’s wedding band.
When at last John made his appearance
her well rehearsed words went askew.
She said, when giving back his ring;
“It’s not me, it’s you.”
poem by John F. McCullagh
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Song in Honor of BVM on Her Birthday (Sept.8th)
Baby Mary born today,
Of Joachim and of Anne;
Chosen by God long ago
To Mother Jesus Christ Lord.
Blessed Virgin Mary dear,
Who found favor in God’s heart;
Mediatrix for mankind;
Pray for us to earn God’s grace!
Holy Mary, God’s Mother;
Queen of heaven forever;
Pure of heart, immaculate
Conception who bore Jesus.
Hail O Mary, clad in grace;
Crushed the Serpent’s head and face!
Help me pray more rosaries
For the souls in purgatory.
Give us health of body, mind;
Help us keep soul in pure state;
Guide us lead a holy life;
And avoid sin and all strife!
Speak O Mary to Jesus;
Help us win against Satan;
Save us from the fire of hell;
Show the way to God’s abode.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 9-8-2009
poem by John Celes
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The Seven Virgins
ALL under the leaves and the leaves of life
I met with virgins seven,
And one of them was Mary mild,
Our Lord's mother of Heaven.
'O what are you seeking, you seven fair maids,
All under the leaves of life?
Come tell, come tell, what seek you
All under the leaves of life?'
'We're seeking for no leaves, Thomas,
But for a friend of thine;
We're seeking for sweet Jesus Christ,
To be our guide and thine.'
'Go down, go down, to yonder town,
And sit in the gallery,
And there you'll see sweet Jesus Christ
Nail'd to a big yew-tree.'
So down they went to yonder town
As fast as foot could fall,
And many a grievous bitter tear
From the virgins' eyes did fall.
'O peace, Mother, O peace, Mother,
Your weeping doth me grieve:
I must suffer this,' He said,
'For Adam and for Eve.
'O Mother, take you John Evangelist
All for to be your son,
And he will comfort you sometimes,
Mother, as I have done.'
'O come, thou John Evangelist,
Thou'rt welcome unto me;
But more welcome my own dear Son,
Whom I nursed on my knee.'
Then He laid His head on His right shoulder,
Seeing death it struck Him nigh--
'The Holy Ghost be with your soul,
I die, Mother dear, I die.'
O the rose, the gentle rose,
And the fennel that grows so green!
God give us grace in every place
To pray for our king and queen.
Furthermore for our enemies all
Our prayers they should be strong:
Amen, good Lord; your charity
Is the ending of my song.
Sonnet: Prayer to Mother Mary
The Virgin Mother wearing stars for crown,
As angels sing a choir around her head,
And with Her feet, crushing the ‘serpent’ down!
‘Hail Mary, full of grace! ’ the angels said.
‘The lord’s with Thee; Thou art bless’d ’mongst women!
And bless’d is Jesus Christ, fruit of thy womb, ’
The mother of God and Queen of Heaven,
Our intercessor with God, beyond our tomb!
O Lady born without Original Sin,
Who brought forth Jesus on that Christmas night;
Our fight against temptations- helps us win;
O Mother chaste assumed by Heaven’s light.
Mother of sorrows- when Christ died on cross,
Please pray for us for our Heavenly cause.
30-8-2001
poem by John Celes
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