The substantial nature of the Ambo, the carvings, it’s positioning in the sanctuary should serve to tell us that this is a significant piece of sanctuary furniture, it is important and it has meaning.
"...as granny might have said to you, ‘offer it up’."
‘Sacramentals derive from the baptismal priesthood: every baptized person is called to be a "blessing," and to bless. Hence lay people may preside at certain blessings...'
"...the O Antiphons or the Great O Antiphons, that have been in use in the Church, certainly since the seventh/eight century, and possibly as early as the fifth century."
St Padre Pio said of the first of these two, that it should shake the roof of the building, as opposed to being mumbled, if said at all.
The Immaculate Conception is a Catholic dogma...In Irish this feast day is called, Féile Mhuire gan Smál – Feast of Mary without stain.
Did you know that the European Flag, 12 gold stars on a blue background, was designed by a Catholic who worked for the Council of Europe...The crown of 12 stars is deeply significant and represents many things.
The Overture sets the stage. The Main Event brings the curtain down, but the Encore… well that’s for another day.
The overture is designed to introduce the work and to give the audience a flavour of the music and the themes of work. In Mass we have an overture, we call it the Preface.
Although, in His incredible Mercy, GOD has forgiven our sins, and our entry to Heaven is assured, we remain ‘unclean’ so to speak, and have to be made perfect before we can come into the presence of GOD.
