OK. So it was a concluding address and not a homily.

 But it seems to have made a greater impression than ++ Nichols' preaching on 'Unity' in the actual homily. No surprise there, I don't suppose. Bishop Egan has made a good start at being the 'courageous and orthodox' shepherd he prays and plans to be.  No surprise there either, God bless and strengthen him.

Bishop Egan of Portsmouth: 'There is a way. and it's the truth

There is an analysis and full text of the new Bishop's first sermon at 'Whispers in the Loggia' Link at Luke Coppen's Catholic Herald 'Must reads' in sidebar. Sorry for the unavoidably long stand off from the Oasis. Great to come back for this cracker of a homily. Things are looking up! Thanks be to God. Thanks and praise also for the Pope's successful Lebanon trip and his safe return therefrom..

Seven Dolors of Our Lady

Pray the Rosary everyday................ particularly on this Memoria of the Seven sorrows

The Seven Sorrows Rosary

Benedict XVI Unflinching as He Faces Tricky Lebanon Trip

ZENIT - Benedict XVI Unflinching as He Faces Tricky Lebanon Trip

João IV de Portugal - Crux fidelis

 The King's Singers

Please stop now and offer a fervent prayer for our Holy Father Pope Benedict

on the eve of his departure for Lebanon, and for all those courageous and determined Monsignori who will be accompanying him.. Saint Michael Archangel, defend them in the day of battle.............

Nothing else here until Sunday night. Well maybe 'Crux Fidelis' for tomorrow, 'The Exaltation of the Holy Cross'.

Spiritual Mothers of Priests CR News 21: Clergy Congregation Prefect on the Year of Faith

ZENIT - Cardinal Piacenza on the Year of Faith

Actually, it's more about past interpretation of the Council, than what should be done about it during the Year of Faith. Prepare to swallow the Cardinal's prescribed dose of humility, as yet again, you take up the Conciliar documents.

Ten cultural events, ten cities, ten Commandments

Ten cultural events, ten cities, ten Commandments

Do I spot the Mayor of Rome herein?

I wouldn't trust his judgment after that dreadful 'statue' of Bl. John Paul 11.

Sub Tuum Praesidium (Feasts of BVM, Antiphon)

In celebration of Our Lady's Birthday

Introducing an occasional series of Chants we should all know and love to sing:
1. Sub tuum praesidium: the oldest extant hymn to Our Blessed Mother.

Oh my goodness! What a mistake: Pirates of the Citta del Vaticano!

Reference recent post featuring Msgr Marini: I knew the music on the video was strikingly familiar, but couldn't place it. Imagine my horror when I checked and found it was from 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.

There is driving and insistent determination  about it, which is particularly apt when the Holy Father is anointing that altar under the close observance of his Master of Ceremonies. This is somehow not entirely inapproriate, but I wouldn't want anyone to think that I see Monsignor Marini dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow or Monsignor Krajewski as Will Turner, brandishing his cutlass. Of course the two Monsignori are beyond doubt eminently effective and brave in the banishment of ugly, irreverent Liturgy. But that's no excuse. Please forgive my carelessness.

Tomorrow's priests

Spiritual Mothers of Priests: CR News 20..

Wonderful men. Please God, protect and nurture their vocations. What about the English College? Please someone, make a video about the new intake there.

W. A. Mozart - Jubilate Deo

A bit too much vibrato for my taste, but the best to be found at such short notice!

A new 'Motu Proprio'

h/t to 'Rorate Caeli'

The new Motu Proprio will create a Pontifical Academy of the Latin Language. Brilliant news. 'Jubilate Deo omnis terra!'

'Pastor in Valle' speaks out for the 'Lionheart'

And very movingly too, at 'Valle Adurni' tonight. Somehow just as effective, if not more so, than Father Z's explanataion which put forward the situation as one would have expected..(Liberals screaming with delight that their opponent has already shot himelf in the foot.)  Possibly this effectiveness is because Pastor in Valle (Fr Sean) is based in England. I don't know, but I do know that I found his post VERY encouraging for an assessment of the 'Lionheart's possible future in San Fran.. Thank you Father for defending your brother priest.As we say here, 'On va voir'.

Mons. Guido Marini - The Master of the Liturgy

This makes me feel positive and strong I think we all need those things at the moment.
Thank you, dear Monsignor Guido!

Optional Memoria (in France today) St. FIACRE

The song has nothing to do with Fiacre the patron saint of gardeners, except that. the parisian horse-drawn cab was named 'un fiacre' because the cab rank was close to the Hotel Saint Fiacre where these vehicles were first hired out.. I doubt Saint Fiacre would have approved of the words of the song. apart from anything else, from all accounts he was extremely wary of women..Tant pis! A happy feast day to all gardeners.

Increase in 'Bethany' cat population!

Last week I heard suspicious mewings from the mezzanine above one of our outhouses.Two days later, 'Bright Eyes' (the mother) emerged from the other outhouse with a little black kitten;  the next day a grey one emerged with its dutiful parent and sibling. And today a third was in evidence, black and white,like its mother.I hope that's the total.But Bright Eyes isn't telling! Needless to say the grey kitten is already addressed as 'Eminence'. News as it develops, and photos when I can get round to it (with Mac's help!). Whose else of course?
.

Bravo to 'Yorkshire Shepherd' for recent post 'Real Catholics believe in the Real Presence'.

The post is at 'Stella Maris'.  Link in sidebar here. Thank you Fr Abberton.