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...