Sunday, April 26, 2009

Benedict in danger: Israel warns Holy See

I had this Google alert early today. The Israeli Security Services have warned the Holy See that the Popemobile will afford insufficient protection to the Holy Father during his imminent trip to the Holy Land, particularly in Nazareth where some Islamist groups have threatened demonstrations and possible attacks on his person.

The Holy See is reported as considering the situation but as yet it seems, noone has suggested a safer alternative to the Popemobile.

The same report admits that Israel is badly prepared to receive the Holy Father. Government funds which were promised for the sites he will visit have not been released.

I'm somewhat astonished that the 'big bloggers' haven't picked up on this, at least not up to ten minutes ago. This is not just a silly rumour as far as I can see.

So what does a poor girl do in these circumstances?
Recommends a double Novena for the safety of Pope Benedict, which she will start tomorrow, and end DV May 15, when he is due to return to the Apostolic Palace.

In Christo pro Papa
J

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Do something doubly constructive for the Pro-Life Movement! Donate to the Good Counsel Network!

Your donations can be as little as £2. Please do read the details at 'Mulier Fortis' or on 'The Hermeneutic of Continuity'. This is a marvellous opportunity for those of us who can't get to the big demonstrations. Go on! Go on! Go on! Mrs (Doyle) Fulthorpe!

God bless all here.
Jane

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Fr. Lombardi 'brazens up'!

No embarrassing delays now. Within the space of a few days, Fr. Lombardi has rapped the knuckles of the 'Thunderer' (now re-named in this household as the 'Blunderer') over the supposed imminent gift of the Pope to Prince Charles, but more importantly he has immediately condemned the remarks of the Iranian president at Durban II, which occasioned a walk-out by several delegations.

There was a rumour after the condom uproar that Fr. Lombardi would resign from his post after the forthcoming Papal trip to Jordan and the Holy Land. Maybe not.....

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Website for the Holy Father's Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

This site, authored by the Israel Ministry of Tourism, is now up and running. (Thanks again to Chris Gillibrand of Catholic Church Conservation for the heads up.) See Link at top of sidebar here. It will remain there until, please God, Pope Benedict arrives safely home at the Apostolic Palace on May 15th.

The site looks really good and there is a link on a yellow sidebar to the Pope's itinerary. There's a Press Room and a Gallery, so look forward to lots of stupendous photographs)and you can bring up pictures of the places our Holy Father will see.

The site is titled "HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE A Bridge for Peace"

The Israeli Government really want this to work don't they!

This has cheered me up enormously.

God bless our beloved Holy Father, and keep him safe.

The Media Persecution of Pope Benedict and the current agenda behind it

There cannot be a single orthodox Catholic who is unaware that our Faith and our Holy Father are the object of media persecution. For latest proof see Catholic Church Conservation (Chris Gillibrand) - "Pope found Guilty on TV Show Trial",(Dutch TV), and The Hermeneutic of Continuity "James Preece on the Telly". (Heartfelt congratulations to James.) Fr Tim makes his customary astute comments. My Heart was Restless has a clip from the BBC programme concerned. (Thanks Jane Teresa.)Pope Benedict has also been attacked for 'hailing' the UN Durban II conference when it is seen as likely to become an anti-Zionist hate-fest. The Pope is sending a delegation to the Conference because he will take every opportunity to pursue the stated aim of that conference namely, an end to racism and intolerance. Surely, if you boycott it, you are not going to prevent it from becoming the thing of which you disapprove.

The Media is the 'soi-disant' mouthpiece for our 'live and let live' society. Why then does it let just about everything live, whilst it hounds the Catholic Faith and its leader? Why does it reserve its most vicious attacks for the Holy Father? The answers are simple and we had better get used to them for Pope Benedict will not be silenced and with the help of our prayers he will not 'flee for fear of the wolves'. He and his flock are in head-on collision with the 'religion' of our age, that is belief in the 'right' of every individual to instant and continual gratification in every possible aspect of existence, but most importantly it appears, in the area of sexual expression and satisfaction. This 'right' must be upheld and noone must worry about inherent responsibility.

The greatest tragedy for me and my colleagues is that for years before Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope, the heterodox element within the Church had been undermining the authority of the Papacy and the magisterium. It is this element that has consistently divided the Church, not Pope Benedict, as they now claim; it is this element that feeds the Media what it wants to hear. Unfortunately that element is peopled and led by many bishops whose interpretation of collegiality is very different from that of the Pope himself. The Holy Father would wish the bishops to be in collegiality WITH him and shows them great respect. Too many of them, on the other hand are in collegiality AGAINST him, and show him scant respect, either covertly by silence, or overtly by speaking against him to the Media and distorting and editing what he says, either to them or to anyone else.

Joseph Ratzinger came to the Papacy with a ready-made derogatory and false image. It is largely that same so-called liberal element in the Church which gave this image to the Media, and it is in the interests of both groups to perpetuate the image and encourage his 'unpopulrity'. But in spite of all their efforts it isn't going quite as they plan and hope. Increasingly, whereever Pope Benedict goes, whenever he speaks without mischievous editing, the people hang on his every word, their faces show spiritual absorption, and moreover they show how much they love and respect him and how much they pray for his good health in which he may reign many years yet.

And the agenda of my title? This has to do with the current situation.

The Media and the heterodox element in the Church, for various reasons, want to derail this Papacy. Specifically at this moment, having so far failed to prevent its happening at all, they want to destroy any chance of Benedict's imminent trip to the Holy Land being a success on any level whatsoever. The British Media is grinding another axe. It wants to create sn atmosphere of hatred of the Pope and to stir up anti-Catholicism, so that the Pope will not visit the UK, and if he does, he will be met with ugly protests and huge demonstrations against him. That's the tactic. If you can't prevent it try to ruin it.

Unless UK Catholics continue to pray hard and constantly for the Holy Father, unless at every opportunity, we speak up vociferously for him and for the Faith, we will not deserve him to come to us. And oh how badly we need a visit from him! In the meantime, even before his installation at Westminster, Archbishop Nichols has twice beaten down the Media in defendce of Pope Benedict and orthodox Catholic ethics. This promises robust and unequivocal leadership of the Church in England and Wales. Deo gratias. Pray too for the Archbishop elect. He has taken a huge burden on his shoulders.

In Christo pro Papa

Monday, April 20, 2009

Fr. Tim Finigan rallies the Catholic blogging troops: Response from the French Oasis

The dissenting, heterodox wing of the Roman Catholic Church does not need or want blogs. It's been in control for forty years and The Tablet has been its chief mouthpiece for the same length of time. In England and Wales this movement managed to silence the voice of orthodoxy almost completely. The blog has re-enfranchised that voice. This is why the 'non-Benedictine' camp (to put it kindly) is running scared and thrashing around in a pathetic effort to discredit and even to censor blogs whose authorship and following are quite clearly in approval of Pope Benedict's attempts to reform the reform. It must be said however, that their rage is not only to do with Liturgy. When the supporters of the Tridentine rite could be dismissed as a tiny group of mad relatives in the attic who were only concerned with rubrical exactitude, it was easy to continue their marginalisation. The blog has made it clear that this image is an outdated caracature. Orthodox Catholics show themselves through their blogs as being highly educated and well read, not only liturgically, but in every other aspect of Church teaching, practice and evangelisation. Not to mention that the best ones of these have a sense of humour and realism.

There is another reason why the Tablet is behaving as it is. It can be expressed in one word - CIRCULATION. I cannot put my hand on the most recent figures I saw published, but the TABLET has begun to trail the Catholic Herald. It will be very worried about that. It has shown weakness, and partisanship, first in its dealing with 'Blackfengate', the backlash of which came as a most unpleasant surprise, and now with this mean-spirited, intolerant and rather ignorant editorial. Clearly it is rattled. The power of 'the print' is passing to another medium.

I trust that if the Tablet wants to encourage the Bishops to speak out against Catholic blogs, or even to attempt a muzzling of priest bloggers, that the Conference will realise how foolhardy this would be, and indeed how damaging to their own image as supposed upholders of freedom of speech and of the Catholic Faith.

Several of my blogging colleagues have posted about the informative, educative, and mutually encouraging nature of the Catholic blogosphere, and also of its powerful support for Pope Benedict, an area in which there would otherwise have been a deafening silence. But there is more ... Daily, on orthodox Catholic blogs, is to be found spiritual and aesthetic nourishment, (often direct from our Holy Father's own words and actions), and international, trans-continental support of our brothers and sisters in extremis. I will reserve these aspects for another post tomorrow and will close now with the thought that the Catholic blogosphere is a 'personal parish' in cyberspace to which everyone with a computer has access, and through which they can and do, distribute information to those who are without one.

In Christo pro Papa
God bless all here,
J

P.S. Special thanks to you Father Tim. Yours was the first blog I ever read. I still read it at least once a day!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Pope Benedict's visit to L'Aquila earthquake zone: date correction

According to Associated Press, the Vatican announced Saturda;y that the Holy Father's visit will take place on the morning of April 28th, and NOT May 1st as previously stated by the London Times.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Pope Benedict to visit earthquake zone on May 1st

The London Times has carried this story, citing Rescue officials as its source. Apparently the Vatican has not yet confirmed the report. Clearly, from his public statements in the wake of the tragedy, the Holy Father wanted to go there sooner than May 1st, but within hours of the disaster said he was conscious of not wanting his presence to impede the rescus operation. Also, since the after-shocks have continued into this week, an earlier visit has not been a sensible option.

If he does go on May 1st, he and his entourage, together with all the aid agencies, will be among the minority working that day in Italy. It is the Feast of the Pope's patron, Saint Joseph The Worker, a national holiday in Italy.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

You Tube links now restored

These have mended themselves without my doing anything.

Blogging celebration concert in preparation, to be posted Sunday, the fourth anniversary of our Holy Father's election to the Papacy.

Happy Birthday to our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, gloriously reigning!

Beloved and most Holy Father,

Many happy returns of the day, and also of the imminent anniversary of your election.

During these last difficult months, in faith, hope and love, we have prayed constantly that our Lord will continue to fill you with His Presence, so that you may show Him forth to us; that the Holy Spirit will continue to shower you with the abundant graces necessary to the carrying out of your ministry as successor of Peter; mindful of the dangers and difficulties inherent in your voyages this year, we beg the Most Holy Trinity to keep you safe from all harm and uphold your health and strength; and we ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saints Joseph, Peter, Benedict, Augustine, your Guardian Angel and all the Angels and Saints to support our prayers for you.

Yesterday in St. Peter's Square 30,000 of us, were able to demonstrate their solidarity with you, and their gratitude to God and to you personally, for your teaching and preaching, which you give us by unequivocal precept and holy example. On the eve of this special day they were also able to show you how much they love you. We pray you know that the spontaneous outburst of those present, is in fact a tiny representation of the gratitude and love offered silently to you by all your loyal flock throughout the world.

We unite with you in the joy and hope of Eastertide. And we trust you will have chance to play and listen to some Mozart today.

Bon voyage to the Holy Land and a safe return to the Apostolic Palace. Long may it be your earthly home.

Ad multos Annos!

Jane (and all who are in fellowship with me on this blog.)

Monday, April 13, 2009

Apologies: My You tube links temporarily broken

Will do my best to get the problem fixed tomorrow!

"This Joyful Eastertide": Words

This joyful Eastertide,
Away with sin and sorrow!
My Love, the Crucified,
Hath sprung to life this morrow.

Refrain:
Had Christ, that once was slain,
Ne'er burst his three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain:
But now is Christ arisen,
Arisen, arisen, arisen!

Death's flood hath lost its chill,
Since Jesus crossed the river:
Lover of souls, from ill
My passing soul deliver.

Refrain
Had Christ that once was slain....

My flesh in hope shall rest,
And for a season slumber,
Till trump from east to west
Sall wake the dead in number.

Refrain:
Had Christ that once was slain.....

Words: George R. Woodward (1848-1934)
Music: Vruechten (This Joyful Eastertide) (Dutch melody from 'David's Psalmen, Amsterdam,1685, arranged Charles Wood, 1866-1926)

"This Joyful Eastertide, away with sin and sorrow!" Please listen to this!

This old Easter carol has long been my favourite in English. Share it by clicking top link on sidebar (with an encore bonus). The Choir is 'The international Staff Songsters' (of the Salvation Army) in Sweden, at their best. Their enunciation is so good I probably don't need to type out the words, but will do so tomorrow just because I love them.

We always used to sing this on Easter morning at St. Mary's Cadogan St. Chelsea London (otherwise a Latin Missa Cantata according to the New Rite). I can never forget the thrill each year, of repeatedly hitting the top note on the fourth 'Arisen' in the refrain. In a way an even more precious memory is of singing it solo circa 1973, in a small chapel of ease at Bishopsteignton in Devon.

Hope you all enjoy it.
With my love and prayers this joyful Eastertide 2009
God bless all here
ICPP
J

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Holy Saturday 2009: "Principis , porta tollite; et introibit Rex Gloriae!"

Something I wrote in 1998: Proper names of places and people have been omitted for reasons of personal privacy.

From Part I - Easter Triduum 1965
Extract from Chapter I - First Call

'..........."Benedicite," the soft yet urgently penetrating voice was calling by each cell, waiting for the required "Deo Gratias" before moving on. No other words were said for, the Great Silence would not be broken until after Prime. It was five o'clock in the morning and still dark but soon would begin the daylight hours of Holy Saturday, "Harrow-Hell day", the longest, starkest and emptiest of the year.

'........Every year, in the light of early afternoon they would listen to a meditation on the descent of Christ into Hell. Today, it would be based on a relevant extract from Langland's poem, 'The Vision of Piers Plowman'.*

"And so," it would conclude, "we naturally feel the devastating bleakness of this day because Heaven and earth are beredt of Him. He has gone to complete the work of redemption, to plunder, to harrow Hell and release all those holy souls who passed from mortal life before Him. Therefore, as as evening approaches, we share their joy, the joy that inspires the poet here. Christ is speaking to Lucifer:

"Dukes of this dim place, at once undo
That Christ may come in, Son of the King of heaven!"
And with that breath, hell brake, and the bars of Belial,
For all the watch and the ward, wide went the gates.
Patriarchs and prophets, 'people that walked in darkness',
Sang the song of Saint John, 'Behold the Lamb of God'.
Lucifer dared not look, being by Light blinded,
And those that Our Lord loved, He lifted into light."

*William Langland c.1330-c.1400

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Italian Earthquake: Prayer for Victims

PRAYERS IN TIME OF EARTHQUAKE:

'Rorate Caeli' has these prayers from the Roman Missal in both Latin and English with an interesting commentary.

Nobody will be surprised that the Holy Father is to visit the afflicted region as soon as possible after Easter Sunday. Whatever words we use let us be with him in spirit and pray with him for the victims, survivors and their families. There are still several people missing who may be suffering torment under the rubble. I'm praying for their rescue alive and that there be an end to the after-shocks which have been hindering the rescue operation.

Birmingham LMS rep. also has blog

Thanks to Anonymous for letting me know about this. Link under LMS on sidebar as usual.

I've just checked the February Mass of Ages. Several of the reps. have email addresses but it appears that Arundel&Brighton and Birminham are 'firsts' in the LMS blogosphere.

If anyone knows differently, please inform me so that I can publicise here.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Latin Mass Society: Arundel & Brighton Rep. launches new blog

The LNS rep. for A & B has a new blog for the Society in her diocese. See Arundel and Brighton in my bloglist.

Wonderful work and may God bless the blog.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Fr. Seamus (Canon Hester): Prayer Request

From Our Lady of Ransom, Eastbourne (Diocese of Arundel and Brighton)

Fr Seamus' parishioners were shocked by the sudden announcement in their weekly bulletin, that he has cancer and is to undergo surgery on Holy Thursday. An amazing day, or all days for a priest to have this happen.

Please pray for him.

Pray too, for his parishioners and for the young Polish priest who is doing curate duty at OLR at the moment. I gather, he is not yet experienced enough in the English form of Mass to handle the Sacred Triduum alone. Prayers please that Bishop Conry will find a solution. Not easy. This is in fact a group of three parishes. St Agnes usually has its own Triduum but at the moment there are doubts than even one can take place.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

For Palm Sunday: A favourite bit of Chesterton

The Donkey

When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed-things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked wil:
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.

G.K.Chesterton

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Vatican tongue twisters: latest

"The Linz 'preestz' dismisseth us."

Link to Catholic Church Conservation on sidebar here.

God spare us and save us. God help Pope Benedict. St. Michael defend us in the day of battle.