Novena to Blessed John Henry Newman: Day 4

Thangsgiving prayer to the Most Holy Trinity as on previous days of the Novena

Reading:
From the Holy Father's homily at the Mass and Beatification of Cardinal Newman
Blessed John Henry "is worthy to take his place in a long line of saints and scholars from these islands, Saint Bede, Saint Hilda, Saint Aelred. Blessed Duns Scotus, to name but a few. In Blessed John Henry, that tradition of gentle scholarship, deep human wisdom and profound love for the Lord has borne rich fruit, as a sign of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit deep within the heart of God's people, bringing forth abundant gifts of holiness...................................................
The definite service to which Blessed John Henry was called involved applying his keen intellect and prolific pen to many of the most pressing 'subjects of the day'. His insights into.......the need for a broadly-based and wide-ranging approach to education,.were not only of profound importance for Victorian England, but continue today to inspire and enlighten many all over the world."

Petition for Catholic Schools, Colleges and Educators

Blessed John Henry, following the example of our Holy Father, we pay grateful tribute to your 'vision for education which has done so much to shape the ethos that is the driving force behind Catholic schools and colleges today.' May that force continue to be 'firmly opposed to any reductive or utilitarian approach', may we follow you in seeking to 'achieve an educational environment in which intellectual training, moral discipline and religious commitment (may) come together. We thank God for your series of discourses "'The Idea of a University" from which all those engaged in academic formation will continue to learn
We implore your intercession that our Catholic schools and colleges may be places where the Catholic ethos ......... may extend 'far beyond the self-evident requirement that the content of the teaching should always be in conformity with Church doctrine' and that the life of may be 'the driving force behind every activity in the school, so that the Church's mission may be served effectively, and the young people may discover the joy of entering into Christ's "being for others" (Spes Salvi 28).
We beg your prayers that over and above providing a rounded eduction for the whole person our schools and colleges may help all their students 'to become saints'.
(Quotes in the above petition from the Holy Father's beatification homily and his speeches at Twickenham.)

Please make your personal petition about education here.

1 Our Father; 1 Hail Mary; 1 Glory be to the Father

Saint Francis pray for us
Saint Bede, Saint Hilda, Saint Aelred and all scholar saints of the British Isles pray for us
Saint Faustina pray for us

Blessed Duns Scotus pray for us

Blessed John Henry Newman pray for us. Amen

Novena to Blessed John Henry Newman: Day 3

Prayer of thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity as on Day 1



Readings:

1. From the Holy Father's homily at Westminster Cathedral

"Faithful to Christ's command to 'do this in memory of me', the Church in everytime and place celebrates the Eucharist until the Lord returns in glory, rejoicing in His sacramental presence and drawing upon the power of His saving sacrifice for the redemption of the world. The reality of the Eucharistic sacricice has always been at the heart of Catholic faith; .................The Eucharistic sacrifice of the Body and blood of Christ embraces in turn the mystery of our Lord's continuing passion in the members of his Mystical Body, the Church in every age."



2. From the Holy Father's address at the Hyde Park Vigil.

"Newman reminds us that, as men and women made in the image and likeness of God, we were created to know the truth, to find in that truth our ultimate freedom and the fulfilment of our deepest human aspirations. In a word , we are meant to know Christ, who is Himself 'the way, the truth, and the life'................

............and now dear friends, let us continue..........by preparing to encounter Christ, present among us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Together in the silence of our common adoration, let us open our minds and heart to His presence, His love, and the convincing power of His truth. In a special way, let us thank Him for the enduring witness to that truth offered by Cardinal John Henry Newman. Trusting in his prayers, let us ask the Lord to illumine our path ..............wuth the kindly light of His truth, His love and His peace. Amen"



Today is set aside for your own personal petition to Blessee John Henry Newman.
Today's Novena then concludes:

1 Our Father 1 Hail Mary 1 Glory be to the Father

Blessed Columba Marmion, pray for us

Blessed John Nenry Newman, pray for us, Amen



Focus for remaining days of this Novena

Day 4 For Catholic Education

Day 5 For Ecumenical efforts

Day 6 For the Laity

Day 7 For Priests

Day 8 For Bishops

Day 9 For Pope Benedict XVI

Novena to Blessed John Henry Newman Day 2

Prayer of thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity - as Day 1


Either 'Lead Kindly Light' or 'Firmly I believe and Truly' may be sung or recited here.


Readings :

1. From Pope Benedict's homily during Mass with Beatification of Cardinal Newman at Cofton Park.

"Cardinal Newman's motto, Cor ad cor loquitur,......gives us an insight into his understanding of the Christian life as a call to holiness, experienced as the profound desire of the human heart to enter into intimate communion with the Heart of God. He reminds us that faithfulness to prayer gradually transforms us into the divine likeness. As he wrote in one of his many fine sermons, 'a habit of prayer, the practice of turning to God and the unseen world in every season, in every place, in every emergency - prayer, I say, has what may be called a natural effect in spiritualising and elevating the soul. A man is no longer what he was before; gradually ...he has imbibed a new set of ideas, and become imbued with fresh principles' (Parochial and Plain Sermons, iv, 230-231) Today's Gospel tells us that no one can be the servant of two masters (Luke 16:13), and that Blessed John Henry's teaching on prayer explains how the faithful Christian is definitively taken into the service of the one true Master, who alone has a claim to our unconditional devotion (Matt 23:10). "

2. From Pope Benedict's address to young people outside Westminster Cathedral

"I ask you to look into your heart each day to find the source of all true love. Jesus is always there, quietly waiting for us to be still with Him and to hear His voice. Deep within your heart, He is calling you to spend time with Him in prayer. But this kind of prayer, real prayer, requires discipline; it requires making time for moments of silence every day. Often it means waiting for the Lord to speak. Even amid the busy-ness and the stress of our daily lives, we need to make space for silemce, because it is in the silence that we find God, and in silence we discover our true self. And in discovering our true self, we discover the particular vocation which God has given us for the building up of His Church and the redemption of our world."


PETITION For the Church in our countries
2.For growth and deepening of the prayer life of all her members

Blessed John Henry Newman, we thank God that our Holy Father took the opportunity to lead us to your own teaching on prayer and to show how it is essential in the discernment of our individual vocation within the Church. Your own apostolic action whilst on earth was grounded in it and was its fruit. We beg your intercession that we may learn from your example, just as our Holy Father has exhorted us. Pray for us all in our search for the Heart of God, and that through prayer we will discover the 'defintite service' which our Lord commits uniquely to every single one of us, so that we will be able to say with you: "I have my mission, I am a link in a chain, a bond of connexion between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do His work; I shall be and angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place....if I do but keep his commandments and serve him in my calling" (Meditations and Devotions, 301-2)

Add here a private petition as related to your own spiritual life and prayer.

1 Our Father; 1 Hail Mary; 1 Glory be to the Father

Holy Guardian Angels, pray for us.
Blessed John Henry Newman, pray for us. Amen

Lead Kindly Light : Wells Cathedral Choir

SOLEMN NOVENA TO BLESSED JOHN HENRY NEWMAN DAY I

Thanksgiving to the most Holy Trinity

We give joyful thanksgiving to the Holy and undivided Trinity for the day that saw you, Blessed John Henry Newman, formally raised to the altars and declared Blessed. We give glory and praise to God for your heroic virtue. We affirm our Faith in the words of your own hymn:

Firmly I believe and truly God is Three and God is One; and I next acknowledge duly man-hood taken by the Son.

And I trust and hope most fully in that manhood crucified; and each thought and deed unruly do to death, as he has died.

Simply in His grace and wholly light and life and strength belong; and I love supremely, solely, Him the holy, Him the strong.

And I hold in veneration, for the love of Him alone, Holy Church, as His creation, and her teachings, as His own.

Adoration aye be given, with and through the angelic host, to the God of earth and heaven, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

(Optional Reading - Pope Benedict's Speech in Westminster Hall.)

PETITION For the Church in our countries -1 For the Church within Society at large.

Blessed John Henry, we remember with gratitude everything our Holy Father did and said during his recent visit to the UK, to help us stand firm in faith as a 'creative minority' in our secularised sociery. We beg your intercession that his recent powerful appeal to reason in Westminster Hall will have won the hearts and minds of our lawmakers, for whom we also ask your prayers; that following your example, and led by Christ's chief shepherd on earth, we may go forward with courage and determination in witnessing to our Faith and that our countries will be places where lawa are not made that conflict with Christian conscience. Help us to pray for those who do not know Christ and who would deny our right and duty to follow Him.

.(Make your own private petition here)

1 Our Father; 1 Hail Mary 1 Glory be to the Father

Saint Therese of Lisieux, pray for us

Blessed John Henry Newman, pray for us.

Amen

Blessed John Henry Newman Novena to begin with a hymn

See next post for 'Lead Kindly Light' and Day 1 of the Novena

Novena to Blessed John Henry Newman begins here tomorrow

Yesterday, wanting to offer a Novena to our new Blessed, I searched the Internet and couldn't find one. Providentially the required nine days are available to us between tomorrow and the first celebration of Blessed John Henry Newman's day on October 9th. And what better day to begin such a Novena than the Feast of St. Therese, whose relics, also providentially in my humble view, preceded our Holy Father's visit and the beatification of Cardinal Newman.



I am composing a Novena and will post it day by day, starting with Day 1 tomorrow. I intend to include in it, points for meditation via quotes from both Blessed John Henry Newma and from Pope Benedict's recent UK homilies and speeches. I can't publish the Novena all at once because of the thought, study and prayer this will involve in order to proceed. I began the work yesterday and with God's help, and yours through prayer, am confident of being able to post each each evening 1st-9th October.

ITM have a happy and holy feast of St. Therese everyone.

For my friends Msgr. Calkins; Mark Miles; and Mac at Mulier Fortis: 'To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven...'

Most of my readers will know at least one of these three friends very well indeed, and I'm sure will join me in sending them good wishes and the assurance of prayers as they embark on a new phase in their pilgrimage.

Monsignore Calkins has been in the service of the Holy see in Rome for 22 years. His last day at 'Ecclesia Dei' is at the end of this month. He is then going back to the United States and will take up his new ministry as chaplain to nuns who run a retirement home in Saint Louis, MO.

Ad multos annos Monsignore, and with prayers always.

Also at the end of this month, Mark begins a very special venture. By St Teresa's day he will, God willing, have entered his Seminary of choice in Germany. I offer him undying gratitude for all the help he has tirelessly and unceasingly given me with my blogs. God speeed Mark. With my love and daily prayers.

Mac's friends all know that she recently lost her beloved Sylvester. Cat lovers amongst us who have experienced separation from a beloved feline companion know what she is going through. God bless and comfort you Mac, with loving and prayerful condolences.

LE MONT-SAINT-MICHEL Normandy, France

Eve of the Feast of Archangels SS Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

Have a holy Feast day everyone. The video in my next post just dropped into my 'junk' box. Every shot reminds me of a pilgrimage I made to the Mount in September 1993. After that we went to Lisieux. Hope to post a few memories of that in a couple of days.

My latest letter from the Vatican about the Litany of Loreto

BACKGROUND FOR THOSE UNAWARE OF MY LETTER TO THE HOLY FATHER, and its history so far.

In early April this year I wrote to the Holy Father humbly asking him to consider the addition to the Litany of an invocation of Our Lady Queen and Mother of Priests. On April 30 I posted here about my intense disappointment in the 'standard' letter of response I had received from the assessor at the Secretariat of State. (See blog archive 'Reply received to my letter to the Holy Father')

Acting on the advice of Fr Mark Kirby OSB, on May 5, enclosing copies of the relevant correspondence, I wrote to Archbishop Piacenza at the Congregation for Clergy, and to Msgr Calkins at Ecclesia Dei (CDF). About a fortnight later Msgr Calkins replied to me by email explaining how the Secretariat of State operates with regard to correspondence addressed to the Holy Father, and how it sifts is. (see the June 1st post on my Spiritual Mothers of Priests blog 'email from my contact in Rome'. Link to that blog and its archive in the sidebar here, 6th item down from the Pope's picture at the top.)

Once July ended I didn't expect to hear from Archbishop Piacenza until after the Roman summer recess, but continued to pray daily about the Litany, along with my usual devotions, including daily Novena and Rosary for the Holy Father and his visit to UK. The Archbishop's gracious, kind and informative letter arrived on the morning of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, a devotion which has been special to me for 50 years. I gave special thanks to her this year. Here is the text of the letter:

"Vatican City, 9 September 2010

Dear Mrs Fulthorpe,

Thank you for your kind letter of 5 May last, expressing your desire for a new title in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary to be inserted into the litany.

The Dicastery wishes to inform you that your correspondence has been transferred to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the discipline of the Sacraments, since it is of their competence. Please be assured that your letter was read with appreciation, particularly with regard to your devotion and prayer directed to the spiritual motherhood of priests.

With an assurance of prayers and best wishes, I remain,

Yours sincerely in Christ

(signature in black pen)

+Mauro Piacenza

Titular Archbishop of Vittoriana

Secretary "



.................................................................



Profound gratitude to Archbishop Piacenza, Monsignor Calkins and Fr. Mark, and to all of you who have prayed about this matter.

Now we know where my letter is. let's pray for a reply from the appropriate dicastery, shall we say, in time for the Presentation of Our Lady on November 21.

Blessed John Henry Newman, pray for our intentions regarding the Litany of Loreto.

Our heartfelt thanks: My reply to the 'Special Report'

I wanted 'C' to have my reply at the earliest opportuniy and sent it early on Monday afternoon. As you will see, I asked for permission to publish her original mail on the 'Oasis', which she willingly granted later in the day. The point of telling you this, is to show that when the two emails were written, they were totally spontaneous expressions of our shared joy, and not written with a view to an 'audience'. I didn't offer them to CP & S until Tuesday, and did so for reasons given at the beginning of yesterday's post.

****************************************************

Sent Monday 20/09/10 13.38

" OUR HEARTFELT THANKS

My dear 'C',

It's difficult to find words that satisfactorily express the depth and strength of our thanks to you for taking the time to email me about the experience of Cofton Park. You must be exhausted, and have school today. I expect though, that the peace, serenity and joy that you drank in yesterday, are still alive in their freshness, and will always remain with the four of you. The very atmosphere that you describe transmitted itself to us via the official Papal Visit live webcast.

We too saw the papal helicopter appear in the skies; and I thought of you amongst the crowds waiting below. My heart was bursting with joy. I'm so glad you saw it on the giant screens, and then the landing and transfer, first to a car and then to the Popemobile. Even at this distance it was so exciting, and difficult to sit still, that is until the Mass began. Your presence there with 'P' increased my own sense of 'being there'.

Yes, I'm sure the Holy Spirit was present, and countless Guardian Angels too. Yours and 'P''s must have been working in tandem. As for the rain stopping when it did, when I saw that it was raining befort the Holy Father's arrival my heart sank but somehow I knew that it wouldn't continus. We weren't aware of exactly when it stopped, and only realised it whn we noticed that the plastic ponchos a lot of people had been wearing seemed mostly to have disappeared. But now you have told me exactly when it stopped, I like to think that from Heaven it was Blessed John Henry Newman welcoming his friend Pope Benedict to Cofton Park.

I would love to share what you have told me with my blog readers. Have you any objection? As you know I would keep names a secret as I have done in the past. With your permission I will do a post about it tonight.

Colin and I are still not 'down to earth', but I really must do some housework. The webcast coverage over the four days was so extensive and more of less continuous that one didn't dare leave the screen for fear of missing something!

The hostile aspect of much media build-up to the visit had really got to us. As it was, and the Visit unfolded, the fear and anxiety in our hearts gradually melted, and by the time our Holy Father went down the Vatican flag and Union Jack bedecked Mall, we could see and hear that those there to cheer him on were in a definite and vociferous majority. We were amazed that so many people had turned out to see him. I think it was at that point that we began to experience our Pope's visit with a joy unalloyed by earlier anxiety and dread. We could see it turning into a tour de force before our very eyes.

After his welcome into Hyde Park, the atmosphere changed yet again, this time to one of prayer and contemplation, leading up to Adoration and Benediction. And we witnessed again what happened at the Eucharistic Adoration during his visist to Lourdes two years ago. That stillness and silence of a vast crowd being led to adore Jesus by His chief shepherd, and theirs. But on this occasion, by the time of Exposition, it was dark and the monstrance containing the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord, was set, seemingly in the night sky, lit by the stars which He created. It was literally breathtaking.

Now, I'm looking forward to what the Holy Father will say about the trip at this Wednesday's General Audience...................My dear 'C', I must leave you now, but thank you once again for keeping me close yesterday. The knowledge that you and 'P' were there and doing so, made the Beatification Mass of our dear Blessed John Henry Newman, the most personally special liturgical event of the Visit. I will always treasure that memory, and also the written record of the occasion as you experienced it.

With lots of love and prayers

In lumine vultus Iesu

Jane"

Special Report on Cofton Park from a dear spiritual 'sister' who was there.

This post was first published on my own blog on Monday evening. Before you read it, I want to express my gratitude to 'Catholicism Pure and Simple ' for electing to publish it also.

Underneath the surface of the Catholic blogosphere, it is an example of how we express our Catholic faith; of how we privately encourage and support one another via the Internet. I am sure that there is a lot of it going on beneath that surface. I thank God for the grace and privilege of being able to show you one tiny aspect of what it was like at Cofton Park, in the presence of our truly Holy Father, and how its beauty and truth was communicated and confirmed to me.

***********************************************************************

Monday September 20 2010

My dear 'sister' took the trouble to email her report to me before going to work this morning. It was a beautiful and totally unexpected gift, as you will see, and for which i will be eternally grateful. I knew beforehand that she and another of my spiritual 'sisters' would be at the Mass, both from different Parishes close to Cofton. A fourth 'sister', who is the blood sister of the second one mentioned above, would stay at home for health reasons. As you all know, I had to be in physical exile in France for this Papal visit. Nevertheless, the four of us had agreed beforehand that we would be spititually united at this Mass. This way of witnessing to our spiritual bond is not new to us. For example I may one day tell you about what happened when the relics of St. Therese were in Birmingham. But for now let me and my 'sisters' share with you what happened yesterday. All you need to know before reading the email is that the first sister is referred to as 'P', the 'sister correspondent is C. and her husband is J. Here is the email:

"Dearest Jane,

The Holy Spirit indeed accompamied us on our pilgrimage to Cofton Park. P. and I were travelling to the Park via City Council buses, but from different points in Birmingham. When we arrived at the coach and bus park, there were already hundreds of vehicles - some had arrived at midnight. Amazingly as J. and I, and my (blood) sister were walking with the crowds out of the bus/coach park, we met P. who had become detached from the other pilgrims on her bus and was a little distressed. It was wonderful that we met each other. So we walked together up the long hill and into the top of the Park, and then began to search for a spot where we could 'set up camp' and wait for Mass to begin. By that time the Park was already very, very full......... and so we looked for a space at the top of the hill

The first space we found seemed okay, but as the rain became heavier, more and more umbrellas appeared (even though I thought they had been banned!) and our view of the altar was completely obliterated. Then J. (God bless him) went on a walkabout and soon returned, suggesting that we move camp...to a space a little to the left, where we would be able to see both the altar and the two huge choir areas which were situated on either side of the altar.So we moved, and yes it was much better. and with the aid of the several large screens dotted around the Park, we were able to view everything. As the rain became heavier, P. gave my sister a fleece blanket to help her keep warm and we trid to keep our 'Magnigicats' dry,

9.40am - everyone began waving their flags as the papal helicopter flew overhead. From the big screens we could see that it landed on the fields belonging to the Birmingham City footbsall training ground which is five minutes walk from where I live. Then we were able to track the progress of the Papal car from the training grond to Cofton Park. The Holy Father then travelled in the Popemobile, and although we were too far away to see him, we waved our flags and joined in the welcome of cheers and applause.

Something wonderful happened then.; the rain ceased and the sun appeared and the whole Park was bathed in warmth.

The Mass was simply wonderful - a combination of traditional and modern, both in terms of language and music and there seemed to be at all times a most prayerful and serene quiet which permeated the Park................I thought of how.........people flocked to see Jesus. as we had flocked to the Park this morning. How they had hungered for His words and how He had fed them.. Yesterday we were fed and nourished by the words of Jesus in the Gospel, fed by the Holy Father's words and fed by the Eucharist.

When Mass ended, P. decided to walk home rather than walk all the way back to the bus park. We decided to do likewise. So we parted company,. J. offering to take P's chair so that she could travel light. It was a slow and quite strenuous walk home, weighed down as we were with all the equipment we had needed for our Pilgrimage, but it was good to walk and a fitting way to end our Pilgrimage journey.

Jane, P. and I remembered you and Colin as we partiipated in the wonderful Mass and we spoke of your being with us in spirit, both in your prayers and through the medium of television.

Thanks be to God.

Love and God bless,
C. "

More tomorrow, but I must mention that I had another 'sister' at Cofton Park, as yet unknown to the others. She was pilgrimage leader of a group from Somerset. The Lord knows what time they arrived and what they endured on the way. I'm sure she will let me know tomorrow, but I am certain that whatever they went through, that warm sun will have shone on them too. God bless you Mary. Be in touch soon.

God bless our Holy Father. As Archbishop Smith said to him on Saturday night in Hyde Park, 'Your visit has done us so much good. Thank you Holy Father.'

Te Deum [Alternatim] - Pierre Cochereau / Maîtrise de Notre-Dame

IF YOU ARE FEELING RATHER FRAGILE AFTER THE AMAZING VISIT OF OUR DEAR HOLY FATHER, DON'T LISTEN TO THIS UNTIL YOU'RE STRONGER. IT'S A BIT OVER THE TOP, TO SAY THE LEAST OF IT BUT I JUST CAN'T RESIST IT.

GOD BLESS ALL MY READERS.

GOD BLESS OUR POPE

DEO GRATIAS[

Tallis - Spem In Alium

At almost 7pm GMT, our beloved Holy Father took to the skies over Birmingham en route for Rome. I dearly wish he could have heard this motet whilst he was with us. As it was,Tallis only had a brief look-in at Westminster Abbey when they sang 'If you love me'. Actually I suggested that months ago on this blog. We Catholics tend to sing this Tallis tune to the words of 'Bone Pastor'. When I know for certain that Christ's chief shepherd on earth is safely home, I will post a Te Deum.

In the meantime thanks to you Holy Father for coming among us with great courage and joy, but thanks most of all to Our Lord Jesus Christ, and His blessed Mother, for keeping you safe whilst in our hands.

Elgar - The Dream of Gerontius, part 2 (excerpt)

Elgar said that 'The Dream of Gerontius' was the best of him.. It should come as no surprise, since he was inspired by the words of John Henry Newman whom the Pope will beatify today.

Deo gratias.

The Beatfication of Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman

Salve Regina: Hail Holy Queen

Mozart - Veni Sancte Spiritus, KV. 47

All in the April Evening

(Glasgow Orpheus Choir)

Sincere thanks to Scotland for the first day of Pope Benedict's visit to the UK.

I know it's September, but after all April is his month.

Duke of Edingurgh to greet Pope at airport

This news according to Zenit this morning.

Tu es Petrus - William Byrd [1540 - 1623]

Beautiful Are the Feet by the All-American Boys Chorus

The next four days

As far as this blog is concerned, during the build-up to the Holy Father's visit, I have managed to resist the temptation to make critical comments about any of the 'organisers' of the said visit. Rather like Annie at the LMS Arundel and Brighton blog, I just couldn't trust myself. And so have only posted bits of positive news and music.

I intend to continue this policy over the next four days, unless anything truly dire should happen. Therefore you will find here, during the visit, music mostly written before the dawn of the 20th cntury, some of which I dearly and truly wish our beloved Pope would be going to hear whilst on British soil. So between Papal events come here. You may find salve to your soul.

Now Handel was a Protestant, but not as Protestant as some modern Catholics! He wrote a Carmelite Vespers after all. But he was originally German as well, and I'd like to welcome Benedict XVI to Britain with 'How Beauriful are the feet' from 'Messiah'. (See next post)

Benedict preaches the Gospel of peace; he brings glad tidings.

If only one British person listens to him and changes his/her attitudes and ways, there will be great rejoicing in Heaven. I believe that it will be many more than just one.

For now, I pray the dear and holy man a good night's refreshing and energising sleep.

British premier David Cameron: "Pope's visit is a great honour for our c...

Canto Gregoriano,Stabat Mater

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

Crux fidelis

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Pope asks for prayers for his trip to the United Kingdom

Most Holy Father,

Please be assured that our prayers for you , and this forthcoming trip, have been, and will be, unceasing.

Yesterday's Angelus at Castel Gandolfo:

Jerusalem - Last Night of the Proms 06

Coming next: Jerusalem: The Last Night of the Proms 2006

There's rather a large and beautiful yellow and white flag just behind the conductor. Hope it's there again this year! Enjoy!

British ambassador says criticism of the pope's visit is not widespread

British ambassador says criticism of the pope's visit is not widespread

Something positive about THE VISIT coming up next

Pope: “Sincere spirit of penance to combat clerical abuses”

Pope: “Sincere spirit of penance to combat clerical abuses”

What is the Vatican playing at? When exactly is the Pope due in Britain?

According to the official VISnews email, which I have just received, the Papal visit will take place between September 12th and September 15th.

Either the wrong dates have been put in the Pope's diary, or someone at VIS has been shockingly careless and shouldn't be in the job.

One expects that the latter is the case, but either way one prays that confusion will be avoided and that VIS will publish a correction as soon as possible.

Benedict XVI to publish book in which he is interviewed by German journa...

During Summer 2010 Benedict XVI has given a third series of interviews to Peter Seewald

Excellent news. See video coming up nest.

(Computer going in for service tomorrow. Back on Friday. Hope to be with you again on Saturday.)

Saint Augustine's Day

Have a holy and happy day everyone.

Barring emergencies no more posts here until the computer has been treated.

Father Mark at Vultus Christi has a wonderful post for today entitled "I went astray and still I remembered Thee"

Pope Benedict XVI Visit to France day 3

Pope Benedict's Travels 2b

Here's another of Lourdes. Sorry the last one breaks down half way through,

Pope Benedict XVI - Visit to Lourdes

Where the Pope has already been and how they welcomed him.

2. Lourdes September 2008

This one's especially for my dear friend Pelerin who was there in the thick of it. She did some crowd control of her own although sadly the camera didn't catch it! Perhaps she'll tell you all about it in a comment here.

(btw No computer man yet, even though he promised to come today at the latest. Offereing up worry and frustration)

The Pope and his former students reflect on the interpretation of the Se...

Lovely to hear THAT bit of the 2005 speech again, but why couldn't Rome Reports, name any of the other attendees apart from Cardinal Schonborn?

btw, does anyone know whether our Nuncio has returned to Wimbledon after his post-stroke convalescence? If not, who will be there to air the beds and welcome the Holy Father when he arrives?

Thousands Attend Papal Mass in Paris

Where the Pope has already been and how they welcomed him.

1: Paris - September 2008

Blessed Dominic Barberi pray for him and for England. St. Ninian pray for him and for Scotland.

The Pope's book will be published on March 13

Feast of Saint Bartholomew

R. When you are brought before governors and kings, do not consider anxiously what you are to say or how you will say it: "words will be given you when the time comes.

V. The words you speak will not be yours; they will come from the Spirit of your Father speaking in you: words will be given you when the time comes."
(From the Common of Apostles)

A happy and holy Feast day to everyone.

(Computer update: Will be without my computer all day tomorrow OR Friday. Not yet clear which. Hope to be back to normal by Saturday.

In Christo pro Papa

Regensburger Domspatzen: Denn er hat seinen Engeln

"He hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone." Matt. 4 6 (Douay version)

Pope Benedict listens to Mendelssohn's setting of the text.

If you haven't seen this clip before, don't miss the end. He becomes aware that the camera is on him and looks resigned. Then almost immediately cannot prevent his profound appreciation of the music from showing in his expression.

May Our Lord comfort, guide, strengthen and protect our beloved Holy Father during his imminent trip to Britain. Our Lady Queen and Mother, pray for him.

Have a happy and holy Feast day everyone.

Defend Pope Benedict & Fifth Marian Dogma pt2- Dr. Miravalle

Begins with a repeat of end of last video. Stay with it!

Fr. Lombardi's interesting statement...(entr'acte between Dr. Miravalle videos)

Yesterday the Catholic Herald carried a report on Fr. Lombardi's recent interview with Vatican Radio, the main purpose of which seems to have been to make clear that the Vatican is not responsible for the charges being made to pilgrims during the Pope's visit. These are being made by the 'local Church' and have nothing to do with the Pope. Further, the ticketing system had to be introduced to satisfy the security demands of the British civil authorities. I've said repeatedly on this blog that I think security has been the driving force behind all the plans. And thank God for that.

But the interesting statement of Fr Lombardi, according to the Herald is as follows:
"He also stressed that restrictions on the media and on journalists were more demanding than they had been on other trips, but these did NOT DEPEND ON THE VATICAN OR ON THE LOCAL CHURCH. " (my caps.) Therefore one has to assume that these extra restrictions are being imposed by 'civil authorities'/Government. Of course they may just be to ensure the safety of the press corps.............One only prays that as a result, their hostility will be reduced rather than increased.

Some good news.
'Our Sunday Visitor' has just published a book that outlines the long battle of Benedict XVI against sexual abuse. Rome Reports (see link at very top of sidebar here) has a video and interview with its editor.

And Zenit has at least one heartening story today:
EWTN will televise the UK Papal visit, so you'll be relatively safe with them if you're worried about the BBC's possible lack of balance/ignorance in commentary. http://www.zenit.org/ Of course they may be fair and sensible and take the Vatican commentary. At least that way our National network will not be responsible for any infuriating gaffes.

Finally and most importantly the calender invites us to storm heaven with the help of Our Lady and many saints............
August
20 Saint Bernard Abbot and Doctor
21 Saint Pius X Pope
22 OUR LADY QUEEN AND MOTHER
23 Saint Rose of Lima Virgin
24 Saint Bartholomew Apostle
26 Saint Joseph of Calasanz Priest
27 Saint Monica
28 Saint Augustine of Hippo Bishop and Doctor
29 Saint John the Baptist Martyr
September
3 Saint Gregory the Great Pope and Doctor
8 THE BIRTHDAY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
13 Saint John Chrysostom Bishop and Doctor
15 OUR LADY OF SORROWS
16 SS Cornelius Pope and Martyr and Cyprian Bishop and Martyr
17 Saint Robert Bellarmine Bishop and Doctor
19 Saint Januarius Bishop and Martyr

And supremely on
14 THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

Defend Pope Benedict & Fifth Marian Dogma pt1 - Dr. Miravall

Apologies for abrupt ending. To be continued, tomorrow D.V.

In Christo pro Papa

One month for the beatification of Cardinal Newman

'The Pope made an exception.'

So far as I know, no-one has thanked him, so I will.

Thank you Holy Father for this great gift, which God willing, and thanks to your decision, will take place on September 19 on English soil. May God comfort, strengthen and protect you.

Pope Celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin at Castel Gand...

Well, I'll just try one more!

Yesterday's bomb scare in Lourdes; further posts here a rarity until next Monday evening

Our local paper the 'Charente Libre' reports a bomb scare in Lourdes yesterday on the afternoon of the Assumption and in the middle of the French annual national pilgrimgage. Authorities received a warning via a call-box that bombs would go off in the Sanctuaires at 3pm. 30,000 people were evacuated, whilst a search was conducted. Nothing was found, no bombs went off and no-one was hurt, Deo gratias.

Many of you will know that Philip Johnson has been in Lourdes for the last three weeks and may already have left when the scare took place. I know that my regular commenter Pelerin is in Lourdes at the moment and have no doubt she will tell me more about it on her return.

Blogging and emailing are becoming very difficult because of problems with my computer. It will not be dealt with until next Monday. Until then, posting here will be a rarity.

God bless all here.
In Christo pro Papa

Solemnity of the Assumption: Roses for Our Lady

The last couple of days have wonderully concentrated the mind and spirit. Yesterday in the early afternoon I was able to gather from the garden, a whole basket of repeat-flowering roses for our Blessed Mother, and make two displays from them. In our church across the road, these are now on either side at the foot of the altar in the chapel of the Blessed Virgin, where, as some of you already know, Our Lord is present in the tabernacle.

I'm sorry not to be able to post photographs, but the colours of the roses with their names are as follows:
The Pilgrim - Pale yellow
Compassion - Coral- to pink when fully open
Metanoia - A deep and vibrant coral
New Dawn - Palest pink blush, almost white
Iceberg - White

From this list you will not be surprised to learn that I never plant anything, rose or not, without a spiritual significance. Even Iceberg was planted for the remembrance of the victims of the Titanic disaster.

Sadly there was no lift to Mass this morning but when I went across the road for the Divine Office, on approaching the altar I was enveloped in the 'incense' of these roses, symbolic of prayer rising to heaven in the sheer joy of this great Solemnity. For me it is always an occasion of intense joy and thanksgiving, beause it was on the feast of the Assumption that I first heard Mass, (fifty one years ago today). The Mass took place in the large chapel of a convent of the Daughters of Charity. Indelible in my memory ever since then, have been its tabernacle and the huge and beautiful mural of the Assumption on the wall behind it...

"Great Mother of God, so wondrously united with Jesus Christ, from all eternity, by the same decree of providence: in her conception immaculate, in her divine motherhood a virgin most pure, the noble associate of our Redeemer in his victory over sin and its conseqences - what reward awaited her at last? For the crown of all her graces, she was exempted from the sentence of decay; shared her Son's victory over death, and was carried up to heaven, soul and body, there to reign as queen at his right hand, who is the King of Ages, the immortal."

(Closing words of today's second Office reading taken from the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Pius XII on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

I pray that you are all enjoying a happy and blessed Feast day.

Splintered Sunrise and the Apostolate of the Laity; plus an unacceptable comment yesterday

I don't want to spend long on this but feel it's necessary to report results of my investigation since yesterday. Those of you who are following this subject will know that my own experience of the two sites led me to feel uncomfortable about both of them, but for very different reasons. I had left Splintered Sunrise on my bloglist because Aposolate of the Laity's comment on the latter had been removed from Fr Blake's combox. Thanks to epsilon, I was encouraged to look again at the matter. A. of the L. had posted a link on Fr Blake's blog and epsilon transferred it to my com box. This link leads to other posts by SS which are definitely pornographic. According to another private correspondent these SS posts are now nowhere to be found at SS, and she thinks he has removed them. So far today, SS has not posted. Nevertheless I removed SS from my list last night. Pornography aside, it has always worried me that SS speaks with great confidence as an informed 'insider' but never, if memory serves correctly, does he give any links, sources or other proof of his statements.

Further investigation of A. of L today, shows a series of posts about St. Maximilian Kolbe. Checking back it is quite clear that the author follows the Catholic calender and posts accordingly. However on checking the profile one finds that he has placed the site under the patronage of Our Lady Co-redemptrix. I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but strictly speaking do we not need a fifth Marian Dogma to be proclaimed before using the title?
I have been unable to find the identity of A. of L. All it says on his profile is that he is male and is based in London. I fully realise there may be very good reasons for his not revealing who he is, and will read him occasionally. At the moment I don't plan to add him to my bloglist.

Yesterday I received an unpleasant comment which I have not published because its language is vulgar. This person tells me that the Holy Father's visit is nothing to do with me because I live in France. I should therefore find something else to worry about, like girl alatar servers and lack of lace cottas. Obviously this person has me down as some kind of rabid ultramontanist. Clearly
(s)he hasn't been paying enough attention before making such a judgment. On the subject of my right to be concerned and to comment about the Pope's visit and English Catholicism:

Firstly the Church is universal. I have the joy, albeit the unmerited privilege and grace, of being in full communion with her. Where I live has no relevance whatsover.
Secondly, I am English and spent a career of 44 years teaching in England. I live in France because I have to, not that I don't love France. Of course I do, but for all its faults and troubles I love England more.
Thirdly, I pay British taxes and have the vote.

I will not be silenced or disenfranchised from blogging by the unpleasantness of that commenter, who incidentally also concealed his/her identity.

Now, let's get back to praying for the Holy Father and the British flock who want to give him a wholehearted and loving welcome.

St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.
Our Lady help of Christians, pray for us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

In Christo pro Papa

Being loyally Catholic, reasonable and realistic....

In my view anyone who claims these three things should follow the Protect the Pope site (see sidebar here) authored by Nick Donnelly, who is a permanent Deacon of the Lancaster Diocese. Often Rev. Donnelly's reports do not make comfortable reading, but they are indeed loyally Catholic, reasonalble and realistic. There is a total absence of sensationalism. Facts are reported and the Protect the Pope comments are eminently sensible. The site is an excellent way of keeping up with the activities and statements of the opponents of the Pope's visit. It is surely our duty to be informed of what these are. Doing so is not to retreat into the ghetto. Quite the reverse, it is to be aware of elements in our society who would like to see Roman Catholicism, silenced and forced back into a ghetto, with the eventual intention of exterminating it altogether. These elements may not represent great numbers of the British population, but they are extremely vocal and widely reported by media also largely hostile to Catholics and their Pope. One might say that together they have embarked on a propaganda war. There is a much reduced chance of their victory if Catholics keep themselves informed of enemy tactics. And there is much greater chance of security for us and for the Pope if we know what we are up against and are properly and quietly on our guard.

Thank you to Deacon Donnelly for his valuable contribution at this time.

We love you

In her comment on my last post Mary referred to a formu which has been 'debating' whether or not the Pope should be touched. She clearly disapproves of the tone of that 'debate' and sent me a link asking for my comments. Ii have to say I agree with Mary, but was also exasperated by those who criticise Monsignors Ganswein and Marini for 'unnecessary' fussing over the Holy Father. The clip in this post proves that it can never be known in advance when their ministrations may be necessary! And I think it shows what a perfect team they make. In any case I'm sure the two Monsignors do nothing which the Pope himself regards as unnecessary. They wouldn't do it if he did. He is 83 and would love to bound about like a man of 43. Since nearly falling over a plant pot at L'Aquila last year I think he's decided to accept with grace and gratitude the security of Msgr Marini's supporting hand under his elbow.

In any case my own attitude to whether the Pope should be touched is demonstrated in the last post. It entirely depends on the occasion and the disposition of those involved.

In times past we used to hug our church buildings. Most of us will not get within 'hugging' distance of our Holy Father, but God knows we 'hug' him in and by our prayer. And the stronger that prayer is, the more Pope Benedict feels it too.

Hope you enjoy this clip. If you don't understand French or Spanish, just watch and listen to the crowd and pray that the English can respond to our Holy Father so spontaneously in a few week's time. He is not concerned about himself. His happiness is shown when people show their commitment to Christ.

Les amies clarisses de Benoît

On the feast of St. Clare, fifty secondsworth of mutual spiritual love being demonstrated. A happy and holy St. Clare's day everyone.

Saint Clare intercede for us, and especially for all your Franciscan daughters and for Pope Benedict.

Papal Visit to UK: B-Day -37

After last evening's good news about the Telegraph Group, I went to bed and had a reasonably peaceful night. But at the back of my mind there remained a sense of affront about the way attendance at the Papal events has been 'organised'. Ever since we were told that ordinary Catholics would be charged to exercise their right to be with the Holy Father, but that so-called VIPs would not, I have been battling to control my feelings. Nevertheless I thought I would be able to continue today with my series of positive posts in the lead-up to Pope Benedict's arrival. Well, what actually happened?

At the Office of Readings in church this moning, I found myself struggling NOT to give a current interpretation to the first reading from Micah 3: 1-12, The second reading from Theodore of Cyr was equally challenging but I will not labour its point here. After the Office I came home to find James Preece's post about the further shrinkage of numbers at the Beaticication Mass. from 80.000 to 65,ooo. On the whole James' commenters seem unable to decide whether the Catholic Church authorities in England and Wales have deliberately set out to make it seem that British Catholics are insufficiently interested to make the Papal visit a resounding success. So now they preside over a situation in which, whilst publicising the reduced number, tickets are now being handed out more freely. The other obvious interpretation is that they couldn't run a drinks party in a place where real ale is brewed.

I think there is probably an elemtnt of truth in both readings, but I still maintain that the security issue has played into the hands of people who do not much like our Holy Father and what he continually attempts to teach the flock. Whatever the truth, I pray it will be made manifest to him.

It is the idea of hypocrisy that really sickens me. That people who are against him will be presented to him, have smiling photographs taken with him, will receive Holy Communion from him, kneeling and on the tongue, without having seen the inside of a confessional for longer than dare be mentioned. In the meantime orthodox catholics will largely be kept from these privileges.

But in spite of all the above, and in spite of Dawkins' C4 rant against Faith schools, the following news managed to pierce the gloom: the Kentucky law suit against the Vatican has been dismissed as unsound; and at home Mulier Fortis informs us about the new blog of the Southwark Papal Visit team.

We live to fight another day. Prayer IS the only answer. As Pope Benedict himself recently said, the proper reaction to attacks on the Church is to draw closer to Christ. And let it be said, that is the exact effect of this situation, and of Benedict's Petrine ministry.

(News permitting will return to Positive Post series tomorrow.)

On the whole, I'd say: Benedict 16 - Media channel 4

In Christo pro Papa.

At last! The Telegraph seems to have come out on the side of truth and fair play

Huge hat-tip to Protect the Pope.

Pontifical March - The anthem of the Holy See

The Pontifical March was composed by Charles Gounod in 1869. In 1949 it became the official anthem of the Holy See, replacing the Marcia Trionfale of Austrian composer/bandmaster Viktorin Hallmayer. I've been unable to find a video of the old anthem, but from all accounts the Gounod is a great improvement. What I like about it, is that depending on interpretation, tempo, instrumentation etc. it is adaptable to the mood and atmosphere required at different occasions, be they solemn or joyous. Even so, it can sound banal and clunky if played without any flare or imagination. It will be interesting to see which band is chosen to play it when the Holy Father arrives in Scotland. (I preseume it WILL be played.and I also wonder whether it will be followed by the Scots' National Anthem, or that of the United Kingdom.)

More details of the history of the Pontifical marches/antems are to be found here, together with words in Latin, Italian and English translations thereof.

On Feast of Transfiguaration: Pope's private visit to Abruzzo

See Vatican Radio report here

Pope Benedict on the UK visit: " I shall be able to see for myself."

The Pope made this remark during the Ad limina visit of the English and Welsh bishops' to Rome early this year. Whatever happens, he will indeed see for himself.

Vatican Radio, as a preliminary to a series of interviews with several of our Bishops , has posted extracts from his Ad limina address to them. In the light of present circumstances they are worth reading again. See here.

As the next 40 days unfold, I expect it will be impossible to avoid occasioanal mention of actual events, but as already indicated ,this 'Oasis' will feature a series of positive posts in the run-up to the papal visit. Tomorrow DV, I hope to consider the relative merits of two well known hyms in honour of the Successor of Peter.

In the meantime, God bless all here.

In Christo pro Papa

Papal Visit Promotional

A librarian eh?

But man (and cardinal) proposes; God disposes. Thanks be to Him that it was 'Habemus Papam' instead.

And...sorry for the repeat video. Just couldn't resist it.

Further appropriate and positive videos and music to follow regularly over the next 44 days.

God bless, preserve, comfort, guide and strengthen our Holy Father Pope Benedict, and grant him many more years as our chief shepherd.

In Christo pro Papa

Benedict XVI wanted to be a librarian

Pope Benedict wanted to be a librarian? Well not just any old librarian....

Rome Repots video following.

Papal tickets

A few days ago in a Holy Smoke post, Damian Thompson raised the issue of what would happen to the tickets for the Beatification Mass which have already been allocated, but which people, for resaons of frailty and/or age, have begun to turn in. These are loyal Catholics who want to support the H0ly Father and be with him as he celebrates the Mass. These people are beginning to turn in their tickets out of fear they will not be able to manage; they are unclear about how far they will have to walk from the coach dropping off point and what facilities will be in place at the site if they eventually reach if. And that after a journey during the night by arguably the most uncomfortable method of modern travel. So far no individual seems to be complaining about the £25-£30 charge to travel on diocesan/regional coaches, although the imposition of this levy is questionable at the very least. But what is confusing people and putting them off, is the difficulty of getting clear information from anywhere. Damian's concern was that as a result of this there will be many empty places at the eventual Mass. He challenged Chris Patten to sort it out. Personally I don't think it's part of Patten's responsibility to sort it out. The responsibility lies firmly in each Diocesan office. And judging from the Anonymous commenter's report in the combox of an earlier post here, there is at least one diocese that is content to sit back and do nothing. THEY WILL ONLY DO SOMETHING IF INDIVIDUALS PRESS THE ISSUE for themselves.

I am still waiting for news that giant screens will be put up for those who are unable to gain admittance.

Readers will know from my previous posts that I've long hoped for the red hat for Archbishop Nichols. Unfortunately we seem to have two Archbishops of Westminster, the one emeritus and the other actual. Until there is only one, the actual Archbishop cannot be his own man, let alone the Pope's man, whatever he said months ago in his first interview after appointment, about his determination to follow the Holy Father, rather than the British political establishment.. Over recent months he has said and done nothing to convince me of the position he avowed on that occasion. It is perhaps still not too late for the Pope to raise him to the College of Cardinals at the next consistory. But the days grow short as we approach September.

I have always believed that the Pope knows what is going on and cares about it. If a cerain Msgr, as is rumoured, will be made a bishop after this fiasco of the 'organisation' of the Papal visit to UK , even I will think, at the very least, that the Holy Father has been manipulated. Nevertheless I trust him as I trust no other living earthly creature. God help him and God help us all.

In Christo pro Papa

Saint Mary Major

Sorry to be late. Hope you are all having a happy and holy Feast day.
Intend to have another post (or two) up before bedtime.

In Christo pro Papa

We had a little supper party tonight.........

It went on for longer than I expected. Hence no post until tomorrow. My apologies.

In Christo pro Papa

Thanks to Leutgeb of the 'Bara Brith' blog

Profound thanks to Leutgeb at Bara Brith for linking to the video in the previous post.

Papal Visit Promotional

Rencontre avec les séminaristes

44 days to go and still wanting to stand up and be counted!

But even were I at home that would be difficult, if not impossible. (Dominic Mary makes the points well tonight at Libara Me.) But I really feel we have to ask why things have come to this very un-pretty pass. I really think it's a question of security and money.

I suspect that British security has told the Catholic leadership that it will only be possible to guarantee the safety of the Holy Father and the Catholics who have the nerve to attend the venues on the proposed itinerary, if numbers are contained, and the restrictive, if not draconian methods of limitation are put in place. Some time ago, I hinted that although this may not have been the intention of the Conference, it may perhaps suit their agenda. All they need to do is keep stum and let the wagons roll. I fervently wish to be wrong about this.

Furthermore, I think there has been an argument as far as the costs are concerened and the Catholic leadership has lost it. I leave it to you to decide how hard they fought. But:

Catholic leadership: 'Your guy Brown, invited him. You should pay.'

Government: 'No.'

C.L: OK well, we won't either, because we can't afford it anyway.'

As it is, we are being told that there will be no facilities at the Beatification site: no seating and a walk of a mile from the coach dropping off point (for many people) after a journey through the night to get within that distance. Not only that, but the people will be penned in for hours on either side of the Mass.

So far there has been no mention of giant screens being put up, as they normally are in places where the Holy Father goes that cannot accommodate the large numbers wishing to be present.

Never mind, it will all be all right, so we are told by Chris Patten, and I am informed, by Archbishop Nichols, although I have been unable to find the latter's most recent interview on Vatican Radio.

Hey-hoh! Tomorrow is another day.

I have a very precious video of our Holy Father laughing. Listening to that sweet sound will help me sleep tonight and I will post it here at the next oppportunity.

In the meantime, the Holy Rosary.......

God bless all here.

In Christo pro Papa

Why the feeling, particularly at this time, of wanting to come home?

Firstly, I think the reaction is instinctive.. It's to do with how I regard myself as a human being. I am a Catholic Englishwoman. I embraced this state when I was sixteen years old, independent of upbringing, just before Vatican II began, and have never regretted the decision, which was very definitely intellectual as well as spiritual. The transition from the low Church of England to Catholicism was essential when I realised that all the history books I had been fed up to the point of my 'conversion' had been written as if the Faith began with the Reformation! I very soon realised that pre-reformation Faith had effectively been blotted out. I have spent the rest of my life trying to reconnect the links. No Catholic Priest or nun ever thought they needed to put this to me. I think they must have known that I would work it out for myself. Anyway the result is that not only am I a pre-Vatican II catholic, I am a pre-Reformation Dowry of Mary Catholic!. This does not mean to say that I am a rabid Tridentinist or that I ignore or dispute Vatican II, properly interpreted, (and for that interpretation I look to the Holy Father). It does mean to say that as much as I know that the faith did not begin when Protestantism took grip of my country in the reign of Elizabeth I, so too it did not begin in the mid-19 sixties when Protestantism began to take hold within Holy Mother Church.

I hope this goes some way to explaining the emotional reasons for my wanting to be at home at the present time. Even if I could fulfil the wish, it would make not the slightest bit of diference to the present situation. But I hope you will not be surprised, nor condemn me for the desire.

My second reason for wanting to be there, is that although I read everything that is said on the Internet, it is almost impossible to know what to trust. If you were to believe Vatican Radio you would think that everything was hunky-dorey. One is left with the uncomfortable concern that they are going along with an anti-propaganda 'campaign'. Most importantly, by no means is one convinced that the Holy Father knows what is going on. The idea that he may not, fills me with dread. Deep inside me, I know that I could only really trust the impressions gained from actually being in the streets and 'tube' of London, and from going to Mass in various churches. That way I could get the feel of what is going on..

It is not to be. And so I pray the Rosary and a Novena every day before the Blessed Sacrament in the church of St. Romain for the intentions and safety of Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to England during September this year.

God bless all here,
In Christo pro Papa

The EMG Presents: Noel Coward - There are Bad times just around the Corner

"Bad Times Just around the Corner" Noel Coward

Ironically truthful, truthfully ironic it always was. It still is. But in August 2010, much of it would seem a fairly accurate description of the feeling of many English Catholics, if posts in the blogosphere and my inbox is anything to go by! Some of you may wish 'the rats' WERE ACTUALLY preparing to leave the BBC'! From all accounts I have to sympathise with you. Also I'm of the opinion that England has quiet enough 'manure' to be going on with.

(Coward video following.)

Why on earth then, do I want to come home? I will attempt an explanation this evening.

Cardinal Newman Society delivers spiritual bouquet to pope

I have never wanted to 'come home' so much as I do now

Explanation following in next two posts.

In Christo pro Papa

The pope is writing a book about the infancy of Jesus

Pope's new book: rich spirituality about the Passion and Resurrection

Fr. Blake's Initiative: Open letter of English/Welsh priests in support of Pope Benedict's visit to UK

For more details and links to this important development please see Spiritual Mothers of Priests.

Video del Botafumeiro de la catedral de Santiago

Coming soon before bedtime, the giant censer (botafumeiro) of Santiago Cathedral in live action

I've known about it for years, but this is the first time I've ever seen it live, courtesy of kto at the end of this morning's Mass from Santiago. (Please God I will see it again when our Holy Father visits in November.) The thing weighs about 175 pounds and is about 5 feet tall. It takes eight men at the end of ropes in the sanctuary to control it. The present version was cast in 1851 and is suspended from a pulley, put there in 1604, in the dome of the Cathedral

The video I will post was made on the feast of St. James three years ago. The colour is poor but the tremendous excitement is conveyed, as is the faith of Spain... and also the power of the thing as it comes low enough towards the end of its flight for one of the 8 to grab hold of it and stop its motion. Its power twirls him round three times. The same effects were palpable and visible this morning.

Here, we usuall have fireworks to celebrate July 25. Who needs them, when you can have the botafumeiro!

God bless Spain, and of course , all here.

On the feast of St. James: recent news about the old Pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostella and other relevant musings

A happy and holy feast of St. James to everyone.

Last week Zenit reported that 7 Spanish and 7 French bishops met for the second time to further plans for a joint effort in preserving the old Pilgrim routes and to develop their potential as a 'privileged place for evangelisation'. The bishops are to be thanked and encouraged for this response to one of the major emphases of Pope Benedict's pontificate. Not only are the bishops making their initiative during the Jubilee Year of St James in Santiago itself and which the Holy Father will himself visit in November, but it is a POSITIVE response to his recent announcement of a new dicastery for the re-evangelisation of Europe, and shows up the critical statements from other English episcopal quarters as negatively unhelpful.

(Instead of rubbishing the Pope's lead, it would be much more constructive to take a leaf from the Spanish and French bishops' book and start looking at our own pilgrim routes in England and Wales, to Canterbury for instance, particularly since the Feast of St Thomas of Canterbury has recently been properly restored to our national calendar. The English and Welsh conference asked for this. Why is it that they do not all seem able to 'join op the dots' here? Don't they remember that until Henry VIII despoiled Canterbury and had all references to St. Thomas a Becket removed from the liturgical books, there were four major centres of Pilgrimage in Christendom: Jerusalem and Rome of course, and Santiago and Canterbury, the latter remaining fixed, at least in our literary patrimony, by Geoffrey Chaucer. But I digress.)

THE FRENCH BISHOPS AND THE SANTIAGO PILGRIM ROUTES.
Only one the French bishops is mentioned by name in the Zenit report and that is Cardinal Archbishop Ricard of Bordeaux. The other diocese involved is that of Toulouse. As yet I've been unable to find out who the other five prelates are and will ask Pere Marchand about it the next time I see him. St. Romain is only 2km away from a pilgrim route which runs through Aubeterre and that is the resaon why its parish church is dedicated to St. Jacques. (It has a 14th century facade. The rest of the church was destroyed during the Wars of Religion but was rebuilt during the 17th century.) I once saw a map of three major routes that traverse France, and I have to admit to disappointment that only seven bishops were at these meetings. I should imagine that at least double that number occupy relevant sees. One hopes that the seven will evangelise and encourageme their brothers! So far no word has reached me of anthing being planned in this diocese of Angouleme.
The full Zenit report is here.

In Christo pro Papa









)

Benedict XVI enjoys his vacation at Castel Gandolfo

Special prayers and get well wishes Mac

See Mulier Fortis for details of the horrid first day of Mac's summer holiday.

Tagged for Mac's Prayer Meme by 'Stella Maris'

Before I wade into the tagging and linking, a note about why Meme's can be productive, particularly at this time when orthodox catholics need to get together, and nail their colours to the mast of the Barque of Peter as publicly and as definitely as they can. So special thanks to Mac for starting this one.

To start with, the Meme is a way that better known and more widely read bloggers can give 'a leg up' to lesser known blogs. Sometimes one's attention is drawn to like-minded blogs about which one had not previously known. This has just happened in my own case. I've been tagged by Fr Abberton who writes the 'Stella Maris' blog, and I was delighted, more because I now have him on my bloglist than because of the meme itself. (Not only that, but it turns out that Father was born in Sheffield, as was I, and that he is still in Yorkshire. A real find. )

Before giving my three favourite prayers and the taglist I must say a thank you to Father for including in his post, a clear set of instructions for exercising the meme

Of course Mac must know what a difficult task she has set us. To begin with, what does 'favourite' mean. Does it mean those prayers we love to offer because we find them consoling, or does it mean those which we love to say with great frequency as part of our daily routine? If one lists the Rosary as one of one's favourites a difficulty arises because whilst the Rosary IS a prayer of a most special kind it is actually made up of several prayers, including the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Salve Regina at the end. It is indeed a favourite of mine; so is the Angelus, so is the Litany of Loreto. These three are part of my daily routine, so perhaps that could be my list of three, The Rosary, the Angelus, the Litany. However, I think I'll try to interpret Mac's 'favourite' as meaning single, discrete prayers, and even then it's a difficult choice to make. In the end I decided to solve the problem by making my list of three prayers which I first committed to memory more than fifty years ago and which I have consistently prayed ever since. Of course I imbibed the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory be before thatYou'll just have to take it that they are the bedrock and excuse me if you think I've chaeated.

So here are the three, not in any order of preference.

1. The Memorare
I love this because it always fills me with peace, confidence and security in Our blessed Mother's concern for us and protection of us. It makes me feel connected with that moment at the foot of the Cross when our Lord spoke to the disciple he loved and to His mother.

2. Prayer to the Holy Spirt. 'Come O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of thy love. etc.I love this because otherwise I might forget the powerful fire of creativity of the Spirit. And it reminds me that the Holy Spirit is Wisdom and Consolation.

3. The Commendation
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.

When I was young, I prayed this with some trepidation. Now I pray it with great urgency. It is very precious to me.


Here are the people I have tagged: Richard Marsden of 'Bashing Secularism';

Annie of the LMS Arundel and Brighton blog;

Fr S. of 'Clerical Reform';

Fr. Sean of Valle Adurni

and Brian of 'Whitesmoke Ahoy'.

If any of them have already been tagged,please let me know and I'll find other candidates!

Protect the Pope through Prayer, Truth and the Law.
God bless all here
In Christo pro Papa
J

The Priests and Faithful of the UK: Prayer request

Please see my Spiritual Mothers of Priests blog.

St. Mary Magdalene

"Addressed by her own name, Mary recognises her maker and straightaway calls Him 'Rabboni', that is, 'Teacher'. Outwardly it was he who was the object of her search, but inwardly it was he who was teaching her to search for him." (Pope St. Gregory the Great, Homily 25)

Have a happy and holy feast day everyone.

(And protect the Holy Father through prayer, truth, and the Law.)

In Christo pro Papa.

Return to Blogging; a Rosary from Knock

Quick update on health: Vast relief and thanks be to God, tests showed blood to be absolutely normal. Cause of vertigo still undiagnosed - dosage of medication increased; may have to see a specialist if no real improvement before next Tuesday when I'm to see the doctor again.

In the meantime during enforced 'stand-off' there have been two things which have impressed me and in very different ways. Firstly, there has been a news item warning of danger to the Pope and his Catholic flock, as the result of possible extremist action on behalf of certain groups during the Holy Father's visit to the UK in September. Two days ago, a dear friend in Philadelphia sent me a link to the National Catholic Register I read the article, worried, watched and waited and then Fr. Tim Finigan posted a most helpul link to a new site, Protect the Pope (see top of sidebar here and also in alphabetical bloglist.) Thank you Father. I pray that everyone reading this will make sure they follow that site.

From the very beginning, I have worried that something like this may be round the corner. And I have suspected that it may be one of the reasons why the whole Papal visit is being so tightly controlled and scaled down. I'd say the Brit Security system is finding 'the stiff upper lip' difficult to maintain at the moment. From this standpoint the opinions of our English and Welsh bishops are almost totally irrelevant. (That's a complex matter, and impossible to treat here, although I will do so if anyone challenges me.)

The second thing that has been so precious to me over the past few days of not knowing what's wrong with me, is the most marvellous torrent of love and prayer I have had in your private messages. There is no way in which I can properly express my thanks.

And this morning the postman brought me the Knock Rosary. It is so beautiful and reminiscent to me of the one our Holy Father used in Fatima two months ago..............

God bless all here. I hope to be back tomorrow.

No more blogging until have bloodtest results

Further explanations here

In the meantime, have a happy and holy feast of St. Benedict.

God bless all here.

In Christo pro Papa
J

Papal visit to UK: Holy Father will not fly home via BA

This according to Catholic Herald today.

It is the first of the Holy Father's voyages from which he will not return by courtesy of the hosting country's airline. It may seem a small matter but I think it is indicative of the prevalent attitudes in our country. Chris Patten, also in today's Catholic Herald, says that Britain's international reputation rests of the way it handles this historic visit. (Too true, as I hinted on this blog some weeks ago.)

Also some weeks ago, Archbishop Nichols spoke on Vatican Radio, evincing confidence that Britain would extend every politeness and hospitality to the Holy Father. This little news item about the homeward flight indicates that he maybe disappointed. In any case, I pray that Scotland will distinguish itself, and that England may not disgrace itself. Wales of course has been left out of the loop. Another bad mistake in my view. I have some Welsh blood, and I admit it boiled in the face of Archbishop Smith's Vatican Radio interview after the imposition of his Pallium for Southwark.

And is today really the right day for Bishop Conry to tell the world that he thinks the New Evangelisation Dicastery is an ill-conceived idea? (Again reported in the Catholic Herald.) This is the man who some months ago said that we shouldn't have too much concentration on Confession, a view in diract opposition to that of the Holy Father, who is aware that the Sacrament of Confession has all but disappeared in many places.. Bishop Conry is the same man who said that it's impossible to speak to young people about Salvation. Pope Benedict does exactly that, and brilliantly, every time he has the opportunity, the most recent example being at Sulmona.

(Personal health note: Have low blood pressure. Full diagnosis cannot be made until results of blood tests come through. Blood taken today so maybe not long to wait. In meantime vertigo continues.)

Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.

In Christo pro Papa

Bishop Koch (Cardinal Kasper's successor) makes a wholesome beginning.

Well his article 'What moves me? More honesty please!' is undated at Catholic Culture, so it may not be his first statement since the beginning of his new tenure, but rather, an influential factor is his appointment. We will see, but for a long time, I have not seen anything so refreshingly straightforward and unequivocal on the subjects he treats, e.g. attitudes (within the Church) to the present Pope, interpretations of Vatican II etc.. An excellent and encouraging read. Highly recommended.

In Christo pro Papa

Doctor's appointment 10.15am Thursday

I am going in to his surgery, so hopefully he won't be able to avoid seeing me! Another doctor btw; and I'll be driven there by a friend. Next post asap.

God bless all here.

In Christo pro Papa

After meeting with Sulmona youth Pope Benedict goes 'home'.

I haven't seen any official translations yet but here follows a little of my understanding of what he said to them in farewell.

"Now I must go home and I am most sorry to have to leave you............ But I go home as a serene father, knowing that his children are growing up well."

At that point, whilst Benedict smiled more broadly and naturally than I've seen him do for months, I burst into tears. Tears of happiness that this beautiful exchange had taken place, but also, tears of anxiety that he will not leave England in September with the same serenity. Prayers, prayers, prayers, that for the Lord, he may.

Papal Mass at Sulmona: Times

Today (Sunday): France 10am; UK 9am; EWTN (ET) 3.30am

The Pope is NOT considering abdication: So says Dr. Moynihan (ITV editor) and I wholeheartedly agree with him..

However, tomorrow for the second time in 15 months Benedict XVI will venerate the relics of Pope Celestine V, the only one of his predecessors to have resigned the papacy, in the face of ungovernable corruption and a bunch of cardinals who 'were no better than they should have been', which is to put it mildly.

You can read the story here at Zenit, and Dr. Moynihan's full text here at the Canterbury Tales blog, courtesy of Taylor Marshall..

Pope Benedict's visit to Sulmona will be broadcast live by EWTN and kto tv tomorrow - 9.30am French time, 8.30 British, and 3.30 Tulsa time (with the usual encore later on in the day)

The last time he was there, our Holy Father left HIS OWN PALLIUM on the tomb of his predecessor Saint Celestine. Doctor M. invites us to consider the message he was sending us through this action.

More tomorrow, DV.

God bless our Pope.

Non-appearance of Doctor; report on Mass

We spent a most frustrating day yesterday, waiting for Doctor Derouet, who never arrived. We know he is under great pressure because his partner-in-practice has just retired. He is therefore trying to do the work of two men. He hasn't contacted us so we don't know whether to expect him today or not.

There were only ten of us at the Mass. This was disappointing but not unexpected. For one thing it was the hottest day of the year so far (33 in the shade); for another, many of those who attended in February are of 'a certain age' and are away staying with their younger family members. I had all of you with me in my heart and the thought was comforting that in this way you filled the church to overflowing. It was a quiet and very recollected Mass, lit by the evening sun and accompanied by the most melodious bird-song streaming in through the open west doors. The birds seemed to be concentrated round the church building and only fell completely silent at the Consecration.

Yesterday we were celebrating the feast of St. Cybard who is patron of our diocese and Protector of Angouleme. He was a sixth century Benedictine monk, thought to have been from the Perigord region. After profession at the Abbey in Angouleme that now bears his name, he spent 44 years as a hemit in a grotto beneath the ramparts of the city. One can still visit his grotto and the bishop offers Mass there every year on July 1st.

St. Cybard Abbey, close to the Grotto. is among the oldest in southwest France. One of the reasons why I love living here is that one has a really strong sense of connection with Christian antiquity. Of course the known history of the area goes back to before the first Christian evangelisation. Nevertheless it is through the many ancient abbeys and churches that St. Cybard and many other local saints come alive to us. They are not merely stone ciphers from a dead past. They are not cut off from us by the passage of centuries. They are like roots which reach deep deep down into the soil and soul of France and I love them both for themselves and for their achievements. It is because of this personal experience that I understand Pope Benedict in a very special way when he talks of need not to lose touch with 'the Christian roots of Europe'. To me it is not only a question of academic fact, but of the very air I breathe. To me those roots are spiritually tangible.

Of course, yesterday evening I could not forget that on July 1st the old calender celebrates 'The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ'. In my old St. Andrew Missal the feast is introduced as follows:
"The feast............was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX and raised to the rank of a double of the first class by Pius XI on the occasion of the nineteenth centenary of our Saviour's death.
By reminding us of the scene of Calvary and of the blow from the lance which pierced our Saviour's side, the liturgy of this feast is at pains to emphasize the meaning and tremendous significance of this fact in relation with our salvation......our Redemption, effected by the Blood and the love of our Saviour."

I had assumed that Abbe Marchand would bring consecrated Hosts with him for the Communion at Mass. I didn't realise that he had reposed sufficient Hosts in the tabernacle of Our Lady's chapel. When he approached it and reappeared with the Ciborium my heart lurched and I almost didn't want our Lord to be taken from the safety and purity of the tabernacle. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion but in those moments I realised that He could and must be taken because He allows it............because of the indescribably, incomprehensibly great love He has for us. Then came a further inexpressible shock and joy.................... I was to receive a Host before Whom I had adored and prayed every day since Palm Sunday. Totally incapable of saying more I conclude here with the final prayer from the Litany of the Precious Blood, a Litany which I will pray every Friday from now on.

"Almighty and everlasting God, You have appointed Your only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and have willed to be appeased by His Blood; grant us, we pray, so to venerate the price of our redemption and to be defended by its power against the evils of this life, that we may enjoy its fruits for ever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen."