Epiphany Blessings!

Good morning and happy Epiphany to everyone. I was blessed today in that I woke up an hour before my alarm and was able to say lauds very early while the sun was just beginning to rise. There was one star in the sky (from my vantage point) as I looked out my window and the first antiphon was made even more appropriate:

Ante luciferum genitus, et ante saecula, Dominus Salvator noster, hodie mundo apparuit.

I took the day off from work and am now getting ready for Mass. This is a rare occasion for me these days!

To Brine or Not to Brine?

I have taken to brining my turkey the past couple of years. The flavor is excellent but it is a royal pain to do. The "turkey bag" does a decent job though and it is much easier...

Should I brine or not? Anyone else have any experiences with making it easier?

I put up a poll on the right. It ends tomorrow since I have to make the call quickly.

Update:

The Turkey shall be brined! Salt, Brown Sugar, AllSpice Berries, Black Peppercorns, Candied Ginger, Vegetable and Turkey Stock are be my ingredients!

It makes the house smell awesome btw.

Locus Iste

In honor of todays Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran I provide a link to the Sacred Music Colloquium XX attendees singing "Locus Iste" by Bruckner. Locus Iste is the gradual text for today.

Locus iste a Deo factus est,

inaestimabile sacramentum;
irreprehensibilis est.

This place was made by God,
a priceless sacrament;
beyond reproach.

Sacred Music Colloquium XX - Locus Iste (all attendees)

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

Hymn from the Monstic Diurnal

Thirty years among us dwelling,
His appointed time fulfilled,
Born for this, He meets His Passion,
For that this He freely willed;
On the Cross the Lamb is lifted,
Where His life-blood shall be spilled.

He endured the nails, the spitting,
Vinegar, and spear, and reed;
From that holy Body broken
Blood and water forth proceed:
Earth, and stars, and sky, and ocean,
By that flood from stain are freed.

Faithful Cross! above all other,
One and only noble Tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thy peers may be;
Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron!
Sweetest Weight is hung on thee.

Bend thy boughs, O Tree of glory!
Thy relaxing sinews bend;
For awhile the ancient rigor;
That thy birth bestowed, suspend;
And the King of heavenly beauty
On thy bosom gently tend!

Thou alone wast counted worthy
This world's ransom to sustain;
That a shipwrecked race forever.
Might a port of refuge gain:
With the sacred Blood anointed
Of the Lamb for sinner slain.