He is of course the bishop of Rome. For the rest, we are not allowed to criticise in public. Although anyone who prays the Office daily, knows what a bishop should be to his flock I can't see how Bishop Lang and ++Nichols (see Protect the Pope) are doing that.
I'm going to bed to pray about it, and for them, until I fall asleep.
God bless all here,
J
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Locus iste - Bruckner -Sung at Frascati today
This performance, which looks as though it's being conducted by Msgr Marini, before he lost so much hair (!), catches the close intimacy that the piece yearns to express, the sheer beauty and otherness of being in God's presence. At Frascati, the choir, which was not even near the sanctuary, but separated in the cathedral behind., was at a tremendous disadvantage.There were too many voices, or at least those voices were not able to blend. It was a brave, but in the circumstances a musically unwise choice. 'Quand meme' all criticism aside, they did their best and it was good to hear this motet sung in the presence of the Holy Father.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Father Z wants to downsize and agonises over his books
See his blog for details. (What does the prayer really say)
With 5,000+ volumes to make decisions about, I can understand a little of how he feels. It's no easy matter. Going along the shelves one has to pick up each volume and remember what it meant to you at the time it came into your possession, and how much it has meant since.. Well, one doesn't have to, but one will find oneself doing that.anyway. You see, the books in one's library tell the story of one's own life. Not just by what those books are about, but on how they came into your possession. For instance I have a copy of the full works of Lewis Carroll brought back to me from Bangalore in the early 1950s - a tenth birthday present from my father's brother. For years it smelled of josticks.and opened my imagination to what my uncle's experience must have been like. Before that, the original' 'House at Pooh Corner' given as a Christmas present by a cousin when I was five. Later I remember my first copies of 'Northanger Abbey and 'Pride and Prejudice'. As a young girl I responded to the romance of these Austen novels. As an adult I still reflect on what dear Jane observed. about the way in which men and women do, or indeed do not, relate to one another.
Then of course there was Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress', again given to me as a pre-adolescent gift. From a religious point of view this book was formative.. I didn't read it straight away but when I did, it changed my perception of human life. Fortunately, at the time I was a blank page and knew nothing of the argument between Protestant and Catholic. I was therefore able to not even notice Bunyan's polemic against the Papacy. I'm glad of that.
Well of course the above mentioned books were formative, even dear Pooh,, and I haven't even mentioned Shakespeare yet!. Love of his works began to develop when I was about thirteen, and has not ceased to grow since. Teaching his works has been one of the greatest privileges and pleasures of my life. As far as the current debate about his Catholicism is concerned, yes I think he was a Catholic. I was convinced of it by Patrick Stewart's performance as Prospero
'And my ending is despair
Unless I be reliev'd by prayer, which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardon'd be,
Let your indulgence set me free.'
50 years separated me from first reading of the Tempest and the more recent understanding that Shakespeare knew the meaning of the Communion of the Saints and the mercy of God. He may not have believed it of course, but he understood what it meant, true or not.
Well this has taken me through my library until I was still a very young woman. I can go no further tonight.
All the same a library is the most personal thing. Plucking it apart is going to be most painful. .
With 5,000+ volumes to make decisions about, I can understand a little of how he feels. It's no easy matter. Going along the shelves one has to pick up each volume and remember what it meant to you at the time it came into your possession, and how much it has meant since.. Well, one doesn't have to, but one will find oneself doing that.anyway. You see, the books in one's library tell the story of one's own life. Not just by what those books are about, but on how they came into your possession. For instance I have a copy of the full works of Lewis Carroll brought back to me from Bangalore in the early 1950s - a tenth birthday present from my father's brother. For years it smelled of josticks.and opened my imagination to what my uncle's experience must have been like. Before that, the original' 'House at Pooh Corner' given as a Christmas present by a cousin when I was five. Later I remember my first copies of 'Northanger Abbey and 'Pride and Prejudice'. As a young girl I responded to the romance of these Austen novels. As an adult I still reflect on what dear Jane observed. about the way in which men and women do, or indeed do not, relate to one another.
Then of course there was Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress', again given to me as a pre-adolescent gift. From a religious point of view this book was formative.. I didn't read it straight away but when I did, it changed my perception of human life. Fortunately, at the time I was a blank page and knew nothing of the argument between Protestant and Catholic. I was therefore able to not even notice Bunyan's polemic against the Papacy. I'm glad of that.
Well of course the above mentioned books were formative, even dear Pooh,, and I haven't even mentioned Shakespeare yet!. Love of his works began to develop when I was about thirteen, and has not ceased to grow since. Teaching his works has been one of the greatest privileges and pleasures of my life. As far as the current debate about his Catholicism is concerned, yes I think he was a Catholic. I was convinced of it by Patrick Stewart's performance as Prospero
'And my ending is despair
Unless I be reliev'd by prayer, which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardon'd be,
Let your indulgence set me free.'
50 years separated me from first reading of the Tempest and the more recent understanding that Shakespeare knew the meaning of the Communion of the Saints and the mercy of God. He may not have believed it of course, but he understood what it meant, true or not.
Well this has taken me through my library until I was still a very young woman. I can go no further tonight.
All the same a library is the most personal thing. Plucking it apart is going to be most painful. .
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The blue touch paper
Archbishop Mennini has found that little spark that remains in English Catholicism. Amazingly it is still there and he has lit it with this recent appointment to Portsmouth. Thank God. May he continue to see that we get the bishops we need. Long may he NOT retire from the blue touch paper..
Prayers for the Pope, for his Nuncio, and for the newly appointed bishop. It won't be easy, but at least now we know there is a chance. We should have always known it of course, but we have been so dispirited and depressed over several decades that our recent attitude is no surprise.
This is truly a turning point I think.
In Christo pro Papa
God bless all here.
Prayers for the Pope, for his Nuncio, and for the newly appointed bishop. It won't be easy, but at least now we know there is a chance. We should have always known it of course, but we have been so dispirited and depressed over several decades that our recent attitude is no surprise.
This is truly a turning point I think.
In Christo pro Papa
God bless all here.
Portsmouth!
Deo gratias!
Heartfelt thanks to His Holiness and to Archbishop Mennini. And warm congratulations to Bishop-elect Philip Egan of Portsmouth.
England arise!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Circumcision: Merkl must quash the Cologne ruling
Quite aside from the fact that the court's reasoning is faulty, above all in a country that allows abortion, who on earth brought this case to law? None orfthe reports that I've read explains this.
One is highly suspicious of their identity and motives. Angela Merkl must act swiftly and decisively, or Germany, which has only climbed out of its horrendous wartime reputation over recent decades, will again descend into the pit of opprobrium..And again be seen as the wilful exterminator of Judaism.
One is highly suspicious of their identity and motives. Angela Merkl must act swiftly and decisively, or Germany, which has only climbed out of its horrendous wartime reputation over recent decades, will again descend into the pit of opprobrium..And again be seen as the wilful exterminator of Judaism.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
A little light relief: Fred & Ginger - "I Won't Dance", (well certainly not liturgically)
Think I must be coming round from recent disastrous disappointment!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
For my dear 'Pastor in Valle'
God bless you my dear Father. I have tried to leave a comment on your blog but simply cannot read those letters one has to copy in order to get the comment accepted.
Please be assured of my poor prayers and remember that the heart of St Jean Vianney is being implored for the restoration of your health.
In filial affection,
Jane
Please be assured of my poor prayers and remember that the heart of St Jean Vianney is being implored for the restoration of your health.
In filial affection,
Jane
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
House Sale News
To cut a long story short, this has been an unexpectedly bad day. The agent came this morning and it was arranged that they would drive us to Verteillac tomorrow afternoon where it had been arranged that we would, together with the buyers, sign the papers confirming the sale of the house, in the presence of the Notaire. Later we viewed a small house which is for rent in the village It would have suited us perfectly, but in the late afternoon, the Estate Agent phoned me, in a furious and desperately apologetic state, to inform me that at this eleventh hour the buyers had withdrawn from negotiations. I wasn't surprised. The last time they were here I sensed there was an emotional problem connected with family responsibilities. While I prayed that matters would still go ahead, I had in a way steeled myself for this news because I had discerned this hidden factor and knew it could influence things in the other direction. And so it has proved. As much as I am able to rationalise the situation, I still feel as if I've been kicked in the head by a dray horse!And so it is time I went upstairs to say my prayers and then get to bed. I know the Agent will bring more viewers as soon as possible, but I'm praying for a day's break from the emotional onslaught. Thank you for your prayers.
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