Catholics & the Liverpool Care Pathway

Thanks to Paul Priest for sending me a link to this video. I saw that Archbishop Peter SMITH had drawn a blank from the Government when he recently appealed to them for an investigation into the LCP.
WHAT NOW PAUL? WHAT NEXT?  YOUR ADVICE PLEASE.

Serious problems with printer and computer

As a result I am going to have to shut down until the problems are solved. Added to all this I have been struggling with a deep and particularly personal torment. I beg your patience and your prayers for things to be better. The personal problem is in no way related to my usual blogging preoccupations and has nothing to do with the subjects of recent posts. The techno problems are considerably galling because the blog has been doing so well of late. Thank you for your readership I will do my best to return the Oasis to you, as fit for mission as it has been in the past.

God bless all here and please pray for the Oasis and its steward.

J

Spiritual Mothers CR News 24: Update on last post on this subject

ZENIT - Three Assumptionist Priests Kidnapped in Congo

No fandango for the fanon

At least not at Father Blake's blog. Basically Father opines that excitement over Sunday's reappearance of that papal vestment, among supporters of Pope Benedict' 'reform of the reform' , is quite unjustified and irrelevant, . and he backs this with sound evidence with which it is difficult to argue. Mostly he refers to the shilly shallying of  many priests, laity and bishops,  when it comes to application of  'Sunmmorum Pontificum'.  It has to be acknowledged that although it has had an effect, it is not really going to make sufficient difference to the Church at large, unless the Holy Father stops trying to teach by example and begins to make a real difference by exercising papal legislation as regards his own document. Father's post shows up the fault line in the 'Reform of the Reform camp. On the other hand Fr Z stands by his beloved 'marshall plan' and congratulates the Pope for his series of propositional gestures of varying strength and importance over the years of his papacy. Fr Blake is more impatient and says honesty that Pope Benedict probably doesn't have time left to him for the luxury of teaching by example. He predicts that if Benedict doesn't get tough very soon, with his death the 'reform of the reform' will fade quickly into the legend of the early third millennium and with it the Pontificate of a  rather quaint, if holy old pope. If he wants to leave a lasing impression on the Church, he must LEGISLATE NOW.

What intrigues me is WHY Pope Benedict appears to be so timid. He is known to be determined, even stubborn, if the bee in his bonnet is buzzing loudly enough. Is it fear of liberal curial cardinals? Or is it that he'd had enough of the rottweiler, panzer cardinal caricatures which he has just about beaten. But even now, every time he can be seen to have acted with any kind of force, the media throws them in his face again Is it because he is tired and has simply had enough and prays each night for God to take him home. Is it that he is really a liberal after all and only promulgated SP for the sake of the SSPX. He simply won't upset the apple cart, and has decided to leave the whole thing for his successor to solve. Someone who,. as Fr Blake warns, might lock the sacristy and get rid of Mons. Guido Marini replacing him with a reinstated Piero or worse. Does he just like the Liturgy and the way he has it because of a selfish need to satisfy his own aestheticism. Or is it just that by nature and experience, he is a gifted teacher by example rather than by precept as well. And his methodology has always served him well in the past BEFORE HE WAS POPE. Has he really faced the fact that he is the Pope NOW?

There are several possible answers to the conundrum of Pope Benedict's behaviour and complex personality. . I have to ask the questions but none of the answers seems to solve the matter. They are all intolerable and abhorrent to me

I would like Fr Z to be right, but I'm afraid that Fr Blake's hard realism is probably a very timely warning both for our dear Holy Father and for all of us.

Now more than ever we must pray for our Holy Father. May God give him TIME and the courage of his convictions.. I do believe with Fr Z that their  complexion is genuinely for the restoration of the sacred Liturgy and solid catechesis, this last having been widely admitted even by its perpetrators as woefully inadequate. Every Audience and Homily shows that Pope Benedict knows what the problems are and why they are so entrenched and damaging. Dear Holy Father we know and we DO understand. Please do what you can to correct these matters, using your Papal infallibility if necessary. No Head teacher could run a successful school with the level of disobedience and dissent that you have suffered and tolerated among  your 'Staff' (clerics/theologians)) and 'students'.(laity). The school would fall victim to anarchy. We have continued to bear this situation for half a century and looking round me, I think that Anarchy is  what we have in the Church today. Wasn't that one of the reasons why you left one German University for another after the troubles of 1968.

.

Next Consistory 24th November

6 New Cardinals to be made including Archbishop Harvey. the others being from Lebanon, India Nigeria, Colombia and Philippines. Still no joy for Westminster, not that I think anyone will be surprised.

Spiritual Mothers CR News : 23 URGENT

Mothers, please pray for the three priests kidnapped in the Congo.. Neither they nor their kidnappers have  been identified. Mary, mother of all priests of your Son, pray for them.

For the Year of Faith: Chants we should know and love: 3 :Ubi Caritas (Sung today at the Canonisation Mass)Holy Thursday, Antiphon)

Stormy Weather

The immediate short term forecast indicates a slight improvement, but more heavy rain is predicted for Lourdes next week..

Amazing day. No time for promised 'Don Guido' post

What with the Lourdes flood and the astonishing character of the Canonisation rite, the day has simply run away with me. But Don Guido seems increasingly to be the' left hand man' of the moment. Back tomorrrow.

In the meantime, God bless all here.

J.

This morning's Canonisations

Pope Benedict wore the 'Fanon', last used by Blessed John Paul II in 1980

The post before this one gives photos and a little explanation of the history. Look no further than today's post at NLM link in sidebar here. I might have guessed that Mons. Maini was somehow involved in this resoration, and why..

Thanks to my friend 'Gertrude'  for alerting me..

The Papal Fanon

Lourdes seriously flooded

Thanks to my dear friend Pelerin for alerting me to the fact that the Grotto is closed and under a metre of water. Nothing in our local paper, except about flooding in northern Spain. We expect something in the Sunday paper tomorrow. Will update you if so.

Our weather has been awful. It has rained incessantly for 36 hours and the roof is leaking!.

Next post in preparation for Sunday: Why I posted the 'Don Guido' video'

It is taking time because I have to be careful not to upset anyone. There are however several important reasons that I would like to explain.

In the meantime, congratulations to Paula Luckhurst, the creator of this excellent montage of Don Guido at the work he so obviously loves to the exclusion of all else. Primarily it is not really about Don Guido himself, but about the source and summit of our faith, the Holy Mass. This  is the secret of its beauty, and the beauty of its secret..

Don Guido

Reuter's recent article 'The Struggle for Poland's Soul'

I accessed the article via my regular email, usually every day, which lists 'Catholic World News headlines and links to further details of each one. This one from Reuter's News Agency reports that even in Poland, the Church is losing her influence. Since 2005 weekly Mass attendance has dropped from 58% to 52%. The reasons given are mounting secularism, political debate over homosexuality, in vitro fertilisation and tax-payer financed healthcare and pensions for priests. Among many others, I have often wondered why Mons Konrad Krajewski frequently looks so unhappy. Most of us do not know many other Polish priests apart from this one, who does sterling and devoted work for the Holy Father and his Liturgy, as probably the most frequently serving member of Mons. Marini's team of Liturgical Masters of Ceremony. He seems to be the 'Head boy', second only to the Maestro. He goes home to Poland whenever he can and frequently joins pilgrimages there. I wonder if the increasingly secular and threatening atmosphere in Poland is a constant worry for him, and preoccupies his heart and soul, without of course, in any way adversely affecting his efficiency and devotion at the Papal altar.

There is an appreciation page for Mons Konrad on Facebook.

Please pray for him and for Poland, its Clergy and Laity. For that dear and faithful country to be sliding from its conquest of Communism into the clutches of poisonous secularism within a generation, is simply tragic.

Pope Benedict XVI Gives Exclusive Interview for Documentary

ZENIT - Pope Benedict XVI Gives Exclusive Interview for Documentary

Lord Carey on redefining marriage

Slight earthquake 15 km from Lourdes yesterday morning

The quake registered 3.9 on the Richter scale and affected two local settlements near Lourdes, - Arge-les-Gazost and Arthez d'Asson. No serious damage was done and there were no casualties. A Resident was quoted as saying that such mild quakes are quite frequent in the area. One woman said she had been woken by her house trembling and her bed moving. (From this morning's Sud Ouest newspaper.)

For the Year of Faith: Chants we should know and love:2

The 'Eldest Daughter' to rise on Sunday January 20TH WITH A GREAT MARCH FOR LIFE AND FOR THE FAMILY

First notice of this French initiative has just come through the 'Salon Beige' site and I am heartily glad of it. I will keep details posted as they develop.

Spiritual Mothers of Priests CR NEWS 22 - Gabriele's Confessor Says He Stands By "Family of Friends"

ZENIT - Gabriele's Confessor Says He Stands By "Family of Friends"

An unhelpful, and I hope a wongly founded rumour concerning the Liturgical Office of Papal Liturgy

This rumour began this morning when VIS sent out an email stating that the Holy Father had appointed a new Master of Ceremonies. Note that little word 'a'. There are usually 12 MCs. One more is only one more. I think that VIS should have made plain and beyond confusion, that the office of Maestro, which is held by Mons. Marini, is quite a separate and very special thing. Anyway  I thought they had given up these emails. If they cannot be expressed beyond confusion, I think it better that they stop. Of course they cannot be blamed for people's ignorance, but the thing could have been spelled out more carefully.Same old Vatican problem I hear you say.

God bless Monsignor Guido Marini and long may he remain in post, looking after our Holy Father with such loving concern..

An Arabic speaking representative at the Papal GA tomorrow

This is publicised in today's VIS news and will be a permanent feature of General Audiences from now on. It is a sign that our Holy Father wishes to mark his visit to Lebanon in earnest, and in a practical way.to show his concern for the Christian minority in the Middle East.  It is bound to increase our prayers for this intention. Deo Gratias.

Profound thanks to our Holy Father Pope Benedict, for making possible the celebratory spirit of the last two posts, on the occasion of his pronouncing St.Hildegarde a Doctor of the Church

HILDEGARD von BINGEN - JAINKOARI KANTARI - GOTHIC VOICES&KIRKBY.wmv

Hildegard of Bingen, Spiritus Sanctus

A Huge and Heartfelt thank you to the commenters on my Guardian Angel post of last night

The post was unlike me in that it was very personal, a cry from the heart. I hardly knew what I wrote, except that I desperately needed my Guardian Angel to hear it. I am now convinced that he did. Thank you for the four comments, three from known and valued very dear friends, and the fourth from someone who has just discovered the Oasis, and is now its 62nd Follower. Welcome Sarah and thank you so much for your prayers. Brian, Dorothy and Sandy, there is nothing on this earth so valuable as friendship like yours. The words 'thank you' are a poor recompense in all four cases, but I offer them still, with the assurance of my reciprocal Prayers for your own intentions..

God bless you, and as I often say, God bless all here. And now, onward, upward and forward to the Year of Faith..

Sacra Liturgia 2013

Something to look forward to at the end of June next year and an exciting new addition to the sidebar at sacraliturgia2013.com The list of speakers is amazing and the conference will take four days (June 25-28) The programme will include Masses according to both the EF and the NO.

Thanks to Rorate Caeli for yesterday's headsup.

Prayer to my Guardian Angel: Please take me home to Portsmouth

Thanks to a link on Fr Ray Blake's blog I  have just listened to Bishop Egan's interview on Vatican Radio. I spent my student years in the Diocese of Portsmouth, and the last crushing years in the Diocese of Angouleme. I love my fellow French Catholics, and France 'I love thee still with all thy faults' , but oh I long for home. I beg my Guardian Angel tonight to smooth out all the obstacles and enable me to go there, to the Water Meadows at Winchester and other beloved places in Hampshire. Whatever remains in my strength to do, I want to offer to help this new bishop of that particular English Diocese.. There isn't a great deal I am likely to be able to do here.  I don't want to spend my last years being of no use. But the longer I stay, the more likely it is that this will happen . My dear Guardian Angel knows what must be done. I am only touching 70. Surely God has work for me to do in the imminent Year of Faith. Please, my Angel dear...................

Saint Therese of Lisieux

A very holy and happy feast day to all my readers.
Sainte Therese priez pour nous.

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.

45% of American Catholics do not believe in Transubstantiation.

See 'Standing on my Head', top of sidebar. Does anyone know what the UK figures are? How long is it since the bishops dared ask? Judging from their behaviour I'm worried about the French too. What has happened to our Faith? More importantly, how has it happened? Unchallenged Protestantism is the answe as far as I can see. We'd better wake up and do something pdq. Pray God we are not too late.

Missa L'hora passa - Lodovico da Viadana.wmv

Since I have been 'thinking' Viadana for the last couple of days I thought I'd better share this with you or be driven mad by the memory. There's quite a long silence between the Gloria and Sanctus so don't turn off. The Agnus Dei for another day.
God bless all here.

Exultate justi in Domino

This motet by Viadana was sung at the end of Mass at Castel Gandolfo on the feast of the Assumption this year. It went on whilst the recessional party was waiting for the Holy Father to be ready to join them. I recognised it with some surprise. I never found it easy to sing although the Castel Gandolfo choir performed it without mishap.Ir's a dense little piece with several multi-syllabic Latin words which have to be sung at a speed in excess of comfort, at least to one of English background..Not only that but there are some tricky movements and patterns in the music itself. There are several versions on You Tube but I think this is perhaps one of the better ones. It it is crisply precise and there are no 'holes in the polyphonic tapestry'. I am grateful that increasingly one recognizes motets such as this in papal liturgies and I wonder how much that is due to the suggestion, persuasion or encouragement of Monsignor Marini.

'Laughter and the Love of friends'

Post title is from one of my favourite pieces of Belloc. As he has it, there is nothing else 'worth the wear of winning' in this earthly life but these two things that is 'laughter and the love of friends.' I have just spent three days realising the truth of it yet again. Three days free of the stress and worry of economic difficulty and its pressing problems. We were students together and so our memories go back more than fifty years. What a precious gift this is. And how it helps us both now with today's struggles and incomprehensions. My friend is apparently and unchangeably Protestant, which is a terrible shame. I'm sure she would be happier if she could swim the Tiber. I've never really tried to persuade her do that. Maybe I will try next time she comes, next summen I hope.

But even in 'The Year of Faith' I can intend nothing that will upset our trust in each other, nor the sound basis of our long friendship which is Christian charity. I shall have to be very careful indeed. In St.Romain Church on Friday afternoon I tried to explain to her why I despair of the Church in France, not t mention in England and Wales. I explained why it was so wrong that it has been made impossible to kneel during Mass, or to receive Communion in that way, and how how the 'versus populum' habit has meant that the community is always concentrating on itself rather than on God..She seemed to agree with me so perhaps I will have a chance to further the argument next time.

All this does not stop me from being grateful to God for giving me such a precious friend. May He give me the strength and the right words next year.

God bless all here
In Christo pro Papa
J

ZENIT - The Truth About Pope Pius XII

The Truth About Pope Pius XII

More evidence that will clear the name of our former Holy Father.

Palestrina: Assumpta est Maria, motet for 6 voices

For the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 2012

Have a happy and holy feast everyone.

ZENIT - Former Papal Assistant Charged With Aggravated Theft

ZENIT - Former Papal Assistant Charged With Aggravated Theft

'Les boucs emissaires'. Now there seem to be two according to my Google alerts

The second fellow, one Claudio Sciarpellecetti, a lay computer expert in the Secretariat of State has been indicted to stand trial with the Pope's butler over the recent Vatileaks scandal. According to Fr Lombardi (see Rome Reports) this man is an aquaintance of the butler, but his involvenent does not seem to hold criminal water .Basically the Vatican continues to expect us to believe that Gabriele is the sole culprit.

Sorry, Je ne crois pas'.

I seriously thought that the last post would be my valedictory

Well perhaps it may not be far off.  But I now  see , irreligious feminism as an utterly destructive force. Its deadly influence is all the more dangerous because it claims to follow the Gospel and to be religious., and so fools countless women. What idiots they are.

Yes, I've been following the LCWR meeting and it fills me with horror and disgust.
Horror, because at no point did any of the women 'sisters' mention Jesus or His mother.
Disgust because they sought to justify their actions in terms of power in the Church, as being unjustifiably divided between men and women..

Well, at the moment I'd give the argument to the men. Their theology and ecclesiology is streets ahead. of those of these frankly silly American women.You could of course say that women have been prevented from learning, but that does not stop women from responding sensibly when they are given the chance.

I'm afraid that sense is not a commodity that makes itself apparent in the attitude of the LCWR..Except that they know that the liberal media is on their side and they are playing that for all it is worth, Big bad Vatican; poor dear nuns.

God bless the CDF

Pink Floyd - The Post War Dream

Grim stuff. And it's getting worse. God please help us/

Tallis Bone Pastor THE WARSAW SINGERS

And now the Latin version as I originally learned it. I cannot tell you how much I love it. Quite aside from the fact that the altos go higher than the sops on the last page!

God bless Thomas Tallis. He makes me proud to be English, and an alto!

If ye love Me, keep My commandments (Tallis)

I just needed a renewal of His peace and confidence and I'm glad to share them with you all.
(Recorded in Warsaw)

Urgent Correction to post about petition

It seems that the petition has nothing to do with Una Voce or with the organisation of pilgrimage to Rome in November. My apologies for the mistaken impression given in my last post..

(Corrected Post) Have you signed that petition yet?

What petition? See the 'heads-up' and link at 'Linen on the Hedgerow'. Many thanks Richard. This is definitely a chance we should go for. If we don't let the Holy Father know how much we want and need him to celebrate Mass according to the 1962 Missal, we won't have a leg to stand on. Truly we must move mountains to see that such a papal Mass takes place as part of the Year of Faith.Over to you folks! Please be aware that the petition is totally independent of Una Voce and the SP pilgriamage to Rome November. Neither party has anything to do with the petition. You can find out who started it at the petition site (link at Richard's post as mentioned above.)

One fact; one rumour

The Vatican announced today that the Holy Father has completed ht third part of his trilogy 'Jesus of Nazareth'. Well that answers a few Christmas present question marks.

And the rumour? Christopher Gillibrand reports at 'Catholic Church Conservation' that it is thought by many in Rome that at the end of the summer His Holiness will appoint his secretary Mons. Georg Ganswein as the Bishop of Regensburg to replace Bishop Muller.

The Land of the Living

Well, I'm back! What a truly dreadful time. Ten days unavoidably off line

Not going to bore you with details, but I now have a new  ''live box' and everything seems all right  Will try to post again tomorrow.

God bless all here and thanks to Him for the wonders of modern science, so long as we do not become too dependent on them ..................

There's only one bishop who has done nothing to shake my faith in the episcopacy. And that for seven years

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

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.

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. .

News of the 'new' Stanbrook Abbey

The celebrated actress who loves tea, cake and debate with nuns | CatholicHerald.co.uk

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.

Portsmouth!

Deo gratias!

Heartfelt thanks to His Holiness and to Archbishop Mennini. And warm congratulations to Bishop-elect Philip Egan of Portsmouth.

England arise!

10 Great Tips To Help You PRAY (not just SAY) The Rosary!

10 Great Tips To Help You PRAY (not just SAY) The Rosary!

Especially for 'Genty': Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers - "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes / I Won't Dance ...

Spiritual Mothers CR News 19

ZENIT - Oscott Seminary Hosts Vocation Weekend in UK

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.

A little light relief: Fred & Ginger - "I Won't Dance", (well certainly not liturgically)

Think I must be coming round from recent disastrous disappointment!

Spiritual Mothers of Priests CR News 18: Annual Congress of European Vocations Held in Maynooth

ZENIT - Annual Congress of European Vocations Held in Maynooth

Spiritual Mothers of Priests CR News 17 - Cardinal Piacenza: Educational Crisis is Among the Priorities of Our Time

ZENIT - Cardinal Piacenza: Educational Crisis is Among the Priorities of Our Time

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

Spiritual Mothers of Priests CR News 16: Bishop Davies hails priesthood at Mass welcoming saint’s heart | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Bishop Davies hails priesthood at Mass welcoming saint’s heart | CatholicHerald.co.uk

The American Catholic

The American Catholic

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.

Palestrina, Tu es Petrus, Gloria

In celebration of today's Feast.

Saints Peter and Paul; pray for us.
God bless our Pope.

Tomorrow the novena begins to the Holy Spirit for a satisfactory conclusion to the talks with the SSPX.

The Sale of 'Bethany'

All problems were solved this morning and it looks as if the sale will go through. Fortunately  I had just begun to watch the Pallium Mass from Rome when the Agent rang me, and so the shock did not hit me immediately. Of course one has to be ready for 'many a slip 'twixt cup and lip'. But now we have to find somewhere smaller to rent in Saint Romain. We will consult with the Mairie on Monday.

Everyone involved is utterly amazed at the speed with which this the events of this week have unfolded. During the day I have been unable to dismiss the thought that Saints Peter and Paul may have had a hand in all this. Not to mention Saint Joseph to whom I've been praying since the decision to sell last year. The Lord knows how painful this separation is going to be, but I have already offered Him any benefit it may bring down upon us, or others.

On an equally positive note, it means that I'll probably be able to come over to England before next winter, and see some of you again, or for the first time, and even maybe accompany my friend Mary to Rome next Epiphany..............Whether I go or not isn't important. But the fact that I may now consider it is blessedly healthy.

I hope you've all had a joyful Solemnity.

Silverstream renovation 4 Holy Week

Another shattering day: the future of 'Bethany'

I am in a state of shock. the people who visited yesterday asked the Estate agency if they could arrange for another visit today. When they got here they asked permission for the Agency's consultant builder to also be allowed to visit before lunch time to examine the house for the work that will need to be done, (and which we can't afford, which is one of the reasons why we are being forced to sell.)

I think that our dear 'Bethany' has captivated them; they have sustained a 'coup de foudre'. And I know from several exchanges with them throughout the two days that they should have it. They made an offer this afternoon but there are still things to be sorted our tomorrow. Now it has come to it and the pain of separation looks as if it's in the offing, I can hardly write about it here. I know you will all pray that God's will be done in this matter. In the meantime, we have to find somewhere else to live.

We know of several houses in this area that have stayed on the market for years., but it pleases me tremendously that my dear 'Bethany' is proving to be a different case.

This afternoon I had a brief siesta and then went next door to have my hair done. May our Lord and His Blessed Mother give me strength to face what may be coming in the next few months.

God bless all here

In Christo pro Papa
J

Silverstream renovation series: number 3 of four

It's almost Castel Gandolfo time again.........

Just the Pallium Mass on Friday, and then privacy, peace and rest from labour awaits our dear Holy Father at Castel Gandolfo, well at least for the month of July.

Its been a long gruelling day here. Up at seven to do some housework before breakfast; time to read overnight emails before the General Audience; and then for the first time, some people came to view the house. Astonishingly they turned out to be newly retired teachers  from a village in Devon quite near to where I once lived, close to Newton Abbot..(The wife was also called Jane.) I don't think they'll make an offer and I doubt that all future viewers will be as pleasant as they were. Letting go of the house and its memories is going to be unconscionably difficult but it will have to be faced eventually. (Your prayers please.) Returning to the computer I realised with a shock that this morning's General Audience was the last one before the Castel Gandolfo recess.. Throughoust the day I also conducted an email conversation with an old friend about the recent appointments of Bishop Roche and the new bishop-elect of Wrexham. However  I spent the later afternoon pottering in the garden and did the watering when the sun was 'over the yard arm'. Then it was time to cook supper.

It all sounds idyllic I know, but there is no security now, and I'll have to get used to it.
I forgot to mention that this morning the postman delivered a bottle of Crosse and Blackwell's gravy browning, courtesy of Amazon, and an expected letter from my beloved Monsignor in Rome..

The two best things about today, are first that when I was showing the Devonian visitors the garden, I pointed out the 'Compassion'' Rose which is in a riot of bloom at the end of my 'Via Crucis' pergola. I don't know what came over me but I said. that I thought the rose was well named because it is so generous in its blooming and also has a divine scent. This touched some nerve in my namesake and she picked a bloom and offered it to me.

The second thing is that after all the recent brouhaha about the SSPX, our Holy Father has done everything he can and very shortly will have  more time to pray.

We are so blessed in him.

Silverstream renovation 2

Silverstream renovation 1

The first of four videos sent this morning by Fr Mark to all Oblates and friends of the new Monastery.
The choice of music is a stroke of brilliance. Prepare to be moved.

When was that 'Pell' meeting?

I said last night that it happened a week ago, citing 'Whispers in the Loggia' as my source. VIS email tells me this afternoon that it happened this last Saturday, that is a week later than claimed. on 'Whispers'. Who knows, and one might say who cares? Let's pray that the first thing Greg Burke will do is make sure there are no more confusing reports like this. Perhaps there were two meetings and the Holy Father got in a quickie when we were all otherwise occupied. If so, clever Benny, as my husband would say. In any case, I return now to my prayers for him.

Spiritual Mothers CR (Good) News: 16

ZENIT - Vocations on the Rise in England and Wales

Cardinal Pell: update

It seems that Cardiinal Pell  and three other Cardinals (Ouillet, Tauran and Tomko) met with the Pope A WEEK AGO SATURDAY ), that is on June 16 ( according to 'Whispers in the Loggia). This meeting has been confused with his meetings with Dicastery Cardinals since that date, to 'seek their advice'. (June 23) Then on June 24 the Vatican announced the appointment of Greg Burke as the new Communications ADVISOR for the Secretariat of State.(not as DIRECTOR. I know it's only a word but think there is a difference between an Advisor and a Director, even in the Vatican!  I should imagine that this appointment has more to do with the first above-mentioned meeting than with the second, considering the given dates.

Make no mistake, I think our Holy Father is far from feeble and floundering, in spite of the interpretation of events that the MSN seems determined to promote. .  

Cardinal Pell in Rome for meeting with Pope on how to deal with 'Vatileaks'

Well that's a comforting thought at the end of today.

Semper Fidelis International: Sign a Pledge of loyalty to the Pope

Link at 'Stella Maris' in side bar here. Many, many thanks to Fr Abberton.

Fr Alexander Lucie Smith saves me some work and at just the right time

People are walking away from Catholicism because they do not understand it | CatholicHerald.co.uk

The IEC in Dublin: Fr Mark is disappointed.

See 'Vultus Christi' and the link to 'Collar and Tie'. If the Pope had been there it would have been very different, in spite or the sterling effort of his Legate. I can't help feeling that he, that is the Pope, was deliberately discouraged from going there by the Irish hierarchy and I wish he had ignored them.

My mother in law told me that the Archbishop of Dublin had given Rome to understand that the feeling against the Church in Ireland was so strong that the Pope's safety could not be guaranteed..How convenient. I'm sorry but I do not trust this. Father Mark does not usually post in negative terms, in fact he rarely comments on events. The fact that he has done so this time makes me aware of the dangers we face.

Poor Pope Benedict. They managed to keep him out of this. Poor Irish Church that was deprived of his presence. Only that would have woken people up and shown them the truth.. I agree with Father Mark. It was a lost opportunity for change.

How long, O Lord how long?..

Kes: clip from the 1969 award winning film

Before 'free expression' began to erode the false discipline that had previously held sway.
Unfortunately it was replaced with no discipline at all.

In this middle incident of this clip, with the unintentional help of a 'mouthy' class member, Colin Welland makes a breakthrough and the boy and his kestrel speak out..

John F. Kennedy Missile Crisis

One year into my training, it seemed that JFK called a fearfully dangerous Soviet bluff.
Thanks to this we could all relax and go on with our lives. At that time there were two Catholic poliical leaders in Europe - Adenauer in Germany and De Gaulle in France. I thought we were safe.........
Of course one couldn't see this video at the time. We just had to sweat it out.