Post #5992

To represent the Trinity, the triangle was taken from geometry, which with its figure indicates the divine unity in which the three corners are inscribed, image of the three persons in God. The clover also served to designate the mystery of the Trinity, as well as three circles linked with the motto Unity written in the space left free in the center of the intersection of the circles; it was also represented as a head with three distinct faces on a single head, but in 1628 Pope Urban VIII forbade the reproduction of the three Persons in such a monstrous way. - A miniature from this era represents the very similar Father and Son. The same halo, the same tiara, the same hair, a single cloak: moreover they are united by the Book of divine Wisdom which they hold together and by the Holy Spirit who unites them with the tips of the outstretched wings. But the Father is older than the Son; the beard of the first is flowing, of the second it is short; the Father wears a garment without a belt and the terrestrial globe; the Son has an alb with a belt and stole since He is a priest. The solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity owes its origin to the fact that the ordinations of the Saturday of the Four Tempora were celebrated in the evening and continued until the following day, Sunday, which had no liturgy of its own. - Like this day, so the whole year is consecrated to the Most Holy Trinity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost the votive Mass composed in the seventh century in honor of this mystery is celebrated. And since it occupies a fixed place in the liturgical calendar, this Mass was considered constituting a special feast in honor of the Most Holy Trinity. The Bishop of Liege, Stephan, born around 850, composed the office which was retouched by the Franciscans. But this festival had its real beginning in the X century and was extended to the whole Church by Pope John XXII in 1334. So that we may ever be protected from all harm. (Prayer), on this day with the liturgy we make a solemn profession of faith in the holy and eternal Trinity and in its indivisible unity (Secreta); moreover, we devoutly thank our God who mercifully created and redeemed us and made us his with Baptism. To the Introit. God reveals his intimate life to us, showing us that his one divine nature is common to three distinct Persons. The Son possesses it because the Father gives it to him with an act of knowledge that proceeds from divine intelligence, and the Holy Spirit possesses it because the Father and the Son communicate it to him through love that proceeds from their will. And divine mercy is manifested in this that we are called to participate in this good which belongs to God, knowing him as he knows himself and loving him as he loves himself. To the Epistle. In the Psalms and Hymns, the same praise is addressed to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; blessings, ritual ceremonies, Sacraments are accompanied or followed by a prayer to the Most Holy Trinity.