Attributed to Cosimo Cardinal Corsi Even in our own days, the calamities DECORUM: Our Savior, at all times forbearing and that befall cities and nations—must we not Please remember that at Holy Mass and humble, severely rebuked the money interpret them as the warning of Jeremias? in the Blessed Sacrament, “It is the vengeance of the Lord, changers in the Temple. What changed Jesus Christ is truly present on our altar, the merciful benefactor of men into a vengeance because of the profanation of severe judge? It was the desecration of the Temple.” and ought to be shown the greatest the House of God! Dear Brethren, take these warnings to respect: What a terrible threat to those who are heart. Come to church with due reverence, in the habit of offending God in His own and be not forgetful of the honor due to the sanctuary. The Lord will drive them out Lord of the Universe. Remember the with the scourge! Indeed, it is a great words of the Apostle: “For if anyone offense to offend Him in His own dwelling violate the Temple of God, him shall God —great ingratitude to dishonor Him in the destroy.” very place where He distributes His graces in abundance. What a disgrace to appear in immodest, A Vision of the Last Supper vain attire, wishing only to attract attention. Venerable Mary of Agreda What indecorum to walk into church gazing The Mystical City of God and waving at everyone, talking and joking, Though all the children of the Church even distracting those who are praying, not largely incur this fault, yet more to be sparing even the priests of the altar, blamed are the unworthy and wicked conversing there about worldly affairs. priests; for by the irreverence with which 1. Arrive on time, at least a few Where is there an earthly ruler who would they treat the blessed Sacrament the other minutes before Mass is to begin. Better tolerate such irreverence? Should the King Catholics have been drawn to undervalue yet, come in time to pray the Rosary with of Kings, upon whose power the whole it. If the people see that their priests your fellow parishioners. Fill up the front universe depends, have to endure approach the divine mysteries with holy seats, leaving the rear seats free for those fear and trembling, they learn to treat and contempt in His own abode? Is this not the arriving later, and for those with children grossest offense, the greatest indignity? receive their God in like manner. Let them remember that God will avenge who might be disruptive. Genuflect as the insult, that He will pour out the phials of Imprimatur: + John Joseph Humphreys you enter your pew before Mass and as His wrath upon such abominable Archbishop of Cær Glow you leave it after Mass. Genuflect if you ingratitude. “I will lay thy ways upon thee, must pass through the sanctuary. O ungrateful nation,” He says through the Traditional Catholic Mass, Doctrine, and 2. Dress properly. While we live in prophet Ezechiel, “and I will pour out My Moral Teaching—do not do without them the tropics, we hope that when you visit wrath upon thee, and I will accomplish My —do not accept one without all three. our Lord you will dress at least as well as anger in thee.” Woe to those who profane the house of the Lord! The sudden death you would to meet any important human of Oza, the fire which consumed the sons dignitary; say, the Governor of the State of Aaron, the destruction of the or the President. Shorts are out of order. Bethsamites, the defeat of the Philistines, Modesty is imperative. Veils or other the chastisement of Antiochus, the fall of head coverings are appropriate for ladies. Jerusalem—these are all examples of the 3. Observe silence in the church or divine wrath at the profanation of His sanctuary other place where Mass is offered, both before and after Mass. Have regard for the peace and quiet of those who remain please ask Father's permission to take or Based on St. Terésa of Ávila, to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. copy it. The Way of Perfection, Loud talking in the foyer is our of place Chapter 34: if there are people still praying in the Psalm 95 If you grieve at not seeing Him with 2. Sing ye to the Lord and bless his body of the church. your bodily eyes, remember that if we name: show forth his salvation from day to 4. You are invited to receive viewed His glorified body we would die of day. Communion if you are a practicing love. So weak is our nature that nobody 3. Declare his glory among the could endure the sight—there would be no Catholic, fasting, and in the state of Gentiles: his wonders among all people. one left on earth, because no one would grace. Serious sins must be confessed 4. For the Lord is great, and wish to remain on earth any longer. But sacramentally before receiving exceedingly to be praised: he is to be beneath those accidents of bread we can feared above all gods. Communion. If you have a question approach Him because we cannot see Him 5. For all the gods of the Gentiles are about how the laws of fasting apply to with our eyes. He reveals Himself to those devils: but the Lord made the heavens. you, please discuss it with Father. who believe and show their love! Getting 6. Praise and beauty are before him: 5. Confession monthly or more often up after Mass just after receiving Him and holiness and majesty in his sanctuary. talking to people as you go down the aisle is strongly urged. Confessions are heard 7. Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of is a great sacrilege! before any of the Sunday and Feast day the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and Where is your faith? Instead Masses, or by appointment. honor: delight to remain with Him. Do not lose 8. Bring to the Lord glory unto his 6. Kneel to receive Holy Communion such an excellent time for talking with Him. name. Bring up sacrifices, and come into if you are able; otherwise stand. We are This time is a very profitable time for the his courts: willing to accommodate any reasonable soul—therefore do not lose it. If you take 9. Adore ye the Lord in his holy court. your thoughts elsewhere and pay no more physical need -- if you have one, discuss Let all the earth be moved at his presence. attention to Him than if He were not there it with Father before Mass. As the Host is 10. Say ye among the Gentiles, the how can He make Himself known to you? truly the Body and Blood of Christ, we Lord hath reigned. For he hath corrected How can He pour into your soul His do not give Communion in the hand. the world, which shall not be moved: he will sanctifying grace (which gives you part of judge the people with justice. 7. Above all, your time in church His Divinity)? How can He teach you? 11. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the should be a time of prayer. Join the How can you hear Him and what He has to earth be glad, let the sea be moved, and congregation in singing or reciting the say if you don't care to listen? How can the fullness thereof: you shut your bodily eyes and open the prayers proper to them—the Mass is the 12. The fields and all things that are in eyes of your soul when you are walking out public worship of the Church. After them shall be joyful. Then shall all the trees of the Church talking to people as though Mass, spend a moment in giving thanks of the woods rejoice He had gone back to heaven and were no 13. before the face of the Lord, because to our Lord for offering the Holy longer there? Poor, poor Jesus!! What can he cometh: because he cometh to judge Sacrifice, and for Holy Communion if He do? Would you like Him to drag you by the earth. He shall judge the world with you have received It. force to look at Him, love Him and be with justice, and the people with his truth. 8. Have respect for the church's Him just because He desires it. property and furnishings. Raise and ———— He will not reveal Himself openly lower the kneelers carefully. Don't fold We reverence and respect our flag, our and communicate His glories and bestow rulers, our religious, clergy, bishops, and the sheet music; don't fold the Mass His treasures except on those who greatly the Pope—how much more ought we desire it! From the look of it, many booklets inside out. If you would like to revere our Lord in the Holy Sacrifice and Catholics go to Church to offend Him have something for your personal use, Sacrament of the Altar! rather than worship Him!