From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were
not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone
during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning
plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each
element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.
-The Partridge in a Pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke &
John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of
the
Old Testament.
-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy
Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution,
Leader****p, and
Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy,
Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in
the
Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and
I
found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song
became a Christmas Carol...
Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone
<<>><<>><<>>
December 23rd - John of Kanti
(also known as Cantius)
1390-1473
Born June 23, 1390, at Kanti (Kenty near Oswiecim), Silesia, Poland; died
December 24, 1473, in Cracow, Poland; declared the patron saint of Poland
and
Lithuania by Pope Clement XII in 1737; canonized by Pope Clement XIII in
1767;
feast day formerly October 20.
Even as a rural boy, John showed a tendency to be a bookworm, so his
parents
sent him to the University of Cracow to study. He graduated, was ordained,
and
then was appointed lecturer in Sacred Scripture at the university.
He became famed for his teaching but was forced from his position by
jealous
associates and became a parish priest at Olkusz. John was not happy as a
parochial vicar; nor were his pari****oners entirely happy with him. He was
fearful of the responsibility of the care of souls, and missed his beloved
academic life. Nevertheless, his fear led him to work harder than he might
have
otherwise to compensate for his imagined inadequacies. When he was
recalled to
the university as a professor eight years later, his pari****oners wept to
see
him go.
With relish he returned to Cracow as professor of Scripture, a position he
held
until his death. He was noted for his scholar****p, learning, and
austerities, as
well as for instilling in his students the need for moderation and good
manners
in controversy. So great was his fame that long after his death candidates
for
higher degree at Cracow University were dressed in his old gown.
What also astonished his contem****aries was his complete devotion to
poverty and
charity. He led a life so strict and austere that acquaintances warned him
to be
careful of his health. He shared all his earnings with the poor. He gave
away
virtually everything he possessed. He needed little. He never ate meat. He
used
the floor for a bed. He walked everywhere-even as far as Rome for his four
pilgrimages to that city-and carried his own luggage.
John lived for God and others. As he lay dying, he comforted the grieving.
When
he died at age 74, John was already greatly venerated. His cultus is still
active in Poland today. He was so respected that his doctoral gown was
used for
many years to vest each candidate when a degree was conferred. Miracles
were
attributed to him before and after his death (Attwater, Benedictines,
Bentley,
Delaney, Encyclopedia, White).
St. John is pictured in a doctor's gown, his arm around the shoulder of a
young
student, whose gaze he directs towards heaven (Roeder); or he may be
****trayed
giving his garments to the poor (White).
This Version taken from:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/ss-index.htm
Saint Quote:
Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love.
Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause.
-Saint John of Kanty
Bible Quote:
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch
unto
prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for
charity
shall cover the multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:7-8)
<><><><>
"Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the
hand of
the Lord hath touched me" Job. 19-21.
De Profundis
Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,
O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the
voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand it?
For with Thee there is merciful
forgiveness: and by reason of Thy
law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word;
my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until
night; let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy;
And with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from
all its iniquities.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light ****ne upon them:
May they rest in peace. Amen.
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