Heartfelt thanks for your appreciative and kind comments with a couple of points in clarification

1. Truly I've been amazed at the favourable response. You certainly made the old girl feel of some use when the chips were down! And some of you weren't even known to me until this, what shall we call it, erm, 'The Schonborn Hiccup"? Furthermore the statcounter tells me that it has generated the highest readership since Mark installed the 'gadget'. Anyway thanks to you all for keeping an eye on me.
   
   A couple of points though:
   First an answer to Epsilon's question about why I didn't post on Fr Blake's combox, drawing attention to my own blog. When I found Fr Blake's post it had already slipped into his archive. He posts so successively fast that even if you look twice a day, you are likely to miss something, which I did on the day in question. I don't think people go back to earlier posts much unless it's a matter of especial interest to them and Father only has one post per page. It was difficult late at night to know what to do, so I decided to post 'at home'. And I'm very glad I did.
   Second: Many of you seem to think that the lack of comments was my main concern. If you gained that impression, that's my fault and I'm sorry. No, I'm used to that and it doesn't bother me in itself, particularly now I have the statcounter. No, the main point of frustration was caused just by the way things are. It doesn't matter how well you post. If you are not well-known much of your hard work and dedication will be lost. Father posted briefly on a subject on which I'd spent a great deal of thought and time, and got a whole load of uninformed comments. I felt it would have helped to dispel ignorance if some of them could have read the Oasis. Never mind.
   
   The most important lesson I've learned from this is to continue the blog for those of you whom I know DO read it, and not to worry too much about the others. It's for the Lord and for you, not for me. btw, I referred to 'legs up' from the 'big boys' in my earlier post. I should have mentioned a very important girl, named Mac of Mulier Fortis who has always been a wonderful support to me, both technologically and spiritually. Thanks Mac!
   
   Anyway with the blessing of Fr Mark and Fr Michael, I simply can't give up, can I! To have their priestly support, answered my prayers as to whether I've been doing the right thing with the blog.
   
   I will now proceed with due caution.
   
   God bless you all. The sand-storm in this little part of the desert has died down thanks to you.
   
   Perhaps a post later about the Holy Father's visit to the Rome synagogue........but maybe I'll take Umblepie's advice and post less frequently. It's difficult because there's so much going on........ Also one of my correspondents has first hand news of what's going on in Haiti. That is the matter of first concern. They had a minute's silence in the Rome synagogue before all the speeches began...........
   .

Cardinal Schonborn: Jane says she may close this Oasis blog.

As you know, I posted twice about Cardinal Schonborn on January 14, and once again on January 15. All these posts were considered, balanced and informative. I had 1 comment. Fr Blake also posted on Schonborn on Jan 15, but only to report that the Cardinal had private Audience with the Pope that morning, (which I had already advertised before it took place). Father's post invited comment as to why this meeting had happened, a question I had already asked. He had 16 or 17 comments, most of which displayed ignorance of the rules of ecclesial courtesy, which Fr Blake has corrected in his own combox. DO NOT GET ME WRONG. I'M ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT FATHER BLAKE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT MY POSTS WHICH PREDATED HIS. He knows me personally and my blog is on his sidebar list. However I know he is just too busy to read me.

Father Blake is a 'big blogger', respected and popular. Absolutely right that he should be. I read him at least once a day myself and he is brilliant.. However, this instance proves that for a small blog like mine, it is very difficult to be noticed. One needs the occasional 'leg up' from the 'big boys' if one's efforts are to be worthwhile the expense of care and time one puts into the composition of posts, not to mention the careful research that I always do. On this occasion, and I believe on this important subject, I think my postings would have been more useful to the commenters on Father's own post. But only one of them knows about me, and she obviously hasn't read me on the subject of Cardinal Schonborn.

It is dispiriting and at the moment I'm wondering whether I should close this Oasis, but CERTAINLY NOT THE SPIRITUAL MOTHERS OF PRIESTS BLOG, and spend more time in the garden. The other thing is that people who do not run blogs themselves do not realise, as 'Fr Mildew' has twice said in recent months, that comments are the lifeblood of blogs, even if they are only to say that you agree with what the blog author has written. The statcounter tells me that my readership is fair and increasing, but that is certainly not reflected in the com box, except by a very few 'faithfuls' to whom I extend my heartfelt gratitude. You andd I know who you are!

I'm now going to 'sleep on it' and continue worrying AND PRAYING about the things which would have been in my next post, namely a) the Holy Father's visit to the Rome Synagogue tomorrow b) the upcoming ad limina visits to Rome of the English, Welsh and Scottish bishops c) the Pope's visit to England and Scotland in the autumn of the current year.

As always, God bless all here.

P.S. I have to say that this is not the first time such a thing has happened, although the previous occasions involved other blogs.

Haiti Papal Nuncio: Further detailed report

Please read at Fides Service-Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples

As you know nervous about these links but thought it worth the shot.

Cardinal Schonborn's recent 'private' pilgrimage to Medjugorge

How can a pilgrimage be private when you are a high profile Cardinal and choose to celebrate Mass in public and to speak to the faithful in a homily which could be interpreted as favourable to the alleged apparitions at Medjugorge? And yet Cardinal Schonborn said it was private.

I find it hard to believe that his Eminence could have been so naive as to allow himself to be manipulated by the pro-faction in the place. The fact that there are two opposing views surrounding the site is worrying enough in itself. With the Church in the process of trying to settle the matter, it seems distinctly unhelpful for a Cardinal to go there at this moment unless specifically and officially sent by the Holy See to investigate matters. But no, his Eminence said it was private.

Perhaps he is not yet web-savvy enough to know that the days when such actions could be private, are well and truly over. That said, were the Cardinal's actions merely ill-judged, deliberately provocative, or a blind for the schemes of other 'heads' in the Vatican, not, I hasten to add, THE Head, who received said Cardinal in audience today? I trust Mgr Ganswein was at the ready with his trusty 'flit-gun'* contra all the would-be flies on the wall!

Also to be noted is the circumspect, but nevertheless intrinsically critical reaction of Cardinal Saraiva Martins to his 'brother's' actions, see here . Cardinal Martins is sceptical about Medjugorge, but is clearly upset at his 'brother's' lack of courtesy to the local Ordinary, (who has also complained) in arriving in another bishop's diocese completely unannounced. It's difficult to know how a Cardinal could behave in this way, particularly one who is 'nobly born'. Cardinal Schonborn is the son of a Count of Bohemia (now the Czech Republic, where he was born.) He is an aristocrat. In England we used to say, that nobility is demonstrated not by your blood, but in your behaviour, particularly towards those whom the world perceives as your subordinates.

I've been puzzled about Cardinal Schonborn for some time. His attitudes seem equivocal. See his CV at Wikipedia, which isn't holy writ, but at least is usually a good factual guide. I also checked Cardinal Martins' there, and have to say which Eminence I would vote for if it were a question of unequivocal loyalty to the occupant of the Chair of Peter. Cardinal Schonborn was also at Ars a few months ago, presiding over an International Priestly retreat. The positive reaction of the priest retreatants, as demonstrated in the kto video which I chose as one of my Epiphany joys, warmed my heart toward him. But then with this Medjugorge news I became worried again about him.

The other thing is that Cardinal Schonborn is travelling rather a lot when you consider the recent news about Austrian Catholics deserting the Church in droves. See http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=5163
This link, if it works (!) will lead to a more complete report on the Austrian situation.

IMHO it seems that Cardinal Schonborn would do better to stay at home and start being unequivocal in his support of our Holy Father, unequivocal in the Catholic faith. I'm told that when Pope Benedict (or perhaps God) chooses, he fixes people with a look that penetrates to their very souls, if their souls are receptive. I pray that Cardinal Schonborn may have been the privileged recipient of that look a few hours ago. We shouldn't forget either, that his Eminence was a pupil of Fr. Ratzinger many years ago.

Of course, the fact in this Medjugorge story, that Cardinal is seen to be opposed to Cardinal, is a fulfilment of the prophecy of Our Lady of Akita (Japan}, accepted by the Church relatively quickly as these things go, and whose Archbishop said at the time of acceptance, that Our Blessed Mother's message there was the same as at Fatima.

More on these matters as news dictates and/or time allows.

*Oh, and the flit gun? This was the precursor of the aerosol and will be remembered by anyone over the age of 50? Not sure they had them in Bavaria but I do like the idea of Mgr. G. brandishining one that began its useful life in Marktl am Inn, and is still in good working order.

Cardinal Schonborn continued....

Apologies for delay. Post will follow this evening French time.
VIS has just reported that Cardinal Schonborn was received in private audience by the Holy father today. Mmmm? Probably just coincidence?

Haiti: Apostolic Nuncio offers first hand account.

I'm rather tired of links not working. Nevertheless, I pray that this one does, and that you all may read it.
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=25793&lan=eng

Breaking the cardinal rules of ecclesial courtesy: His Eminence Christoph Schonborn visits Medjugorge without informing the local bishop

This is the subject of my next post which will follow later this evening or tomorrow morning. It has little to do with his, my or your attitude to the Medjugorge phenonenon and everything to do with simple good manners, which for some reason Cardinal Schonborn decided he needn't observe. Why? Surely not because the Pope asked him to go and have a private 'look'. Even if he had, I doubt he would have wanted statements made during a homily given at Mass, which would exacerbate the present sensitive situation. In any case I read somewhere that Cardinal Ruini had been put in charge of 'looking into' the matter. Even the Holy Father himself does not, and would not, go anywhere without first being invited or expressing a desire to go, and this is as much the result of the innate courtesy of Pope Benedict, as it is of his observance of an unwritten ecclesial code of conduct.

More later as promised.

Haiti January 2010

We are all praying for Haiti , her dead and her living. Lord have mercy on them.

Tissot video

Please note that this 7 minute video of Tissot's paintings appears UNDER the post about the papal baptisms in the Sistine Chapel, that is as the post before last.

Infants Baptized by Pope: Parents Reflect on the occasion

This moving testimony to faith, Christian marriage, parenthood, and Pope Benedict's affection and closeness can be read here. The reference to the babies' crying and babbling during the two hour ceremony, doesn't at all capture the effect of the sounds, which were more like a calling out. In the potentially daunting environment of the Sistine Chapel, they added to the dignified and loving family atmosphere which Pope Benedict's very presence and sacramental mien did so much to create.

Clearly he made a great impression on the mother of newly-baptized Gabriel Grilone. "I like the way..... he expresses himself with little gestures...........Those who do not see him personally do not notice these little details." (Oh yes, we do!!!) "Even though he didn't know us he expressed much affection with his look. I will always carry this in my heart, my whole life." Actually, you can see this happening on the video. It is hard to watch the tenderness with which the Pope baptizes the children and welcome their parents, without coming close to tears. It is no surprise that little Gabriel's mother felt as she did.

Tissot Video. Enjoy!

I'm trying to find out where Tissot is buried. It looks as if I'll have to write to the mayor of Chenancey. A graceful mantilla twitch to Pelerin in thanks for finding this video. Most of it is not of his Bible art, although there is a central section that shows some of his 'Life of Christ' work. The woman in red is St. Mary Magdalen; will identity the other Biblical subjects when I've time.)
The slow movement of Brahms Violin concerto is a very suitable accompaniament I feel.

Next Tissot painting should be up here on the Feast of the Conversion of Paul.

Holy Father visits Cardinal Etchegaray

Zenit has the full report here

Wonderful news which I've been looking out for since the Cardinal's operation! Most touching that his Eminence was strong enough to walk Pope Benedict to the door at the end of the visit and a great blessing that he is likely to be discharged from hospital during this coming week.

On the trail of Tissot; taking down the decorations; and an afternoon with the 'Holy Face' of Manoppello

My researches into the life and death of James Tissot continued yesterday. I found that his parents were in the 'fashion business' in Nantes which perhaps in part explains his skill in protraying the texture of fabrics and their arrangement on the female form; whilst in London he did a series of caracatures for 'Vanity Fair' magazine under the pseudonym 'Coide' (final 'e' acute); that he did indeed die in Chenancey-Bouillon as Pelerin said but have not yet managed to establish than he is buried there. Thanks also to Patricius for his contribution in the combox. Also discovered that there are still Tissots living in the area: Dominique and Alain Tissot run a gite there. Also discovered that the area is a clock-making region. Is this connected to the famous Tissot watchmakers. I always thought they were Swiss. If I can't find more on the web, having found the address of the Mayor of Chenancey I may well write to him and ask whether Tissot is buried in the commune cemetery.

The decorations?
Fr Blake asked about this recently on his blog. Here in St. Romain, up until very recently, the custom was to leave things up until Candlemas. The street lights, yes we have them in St. Romain, were not taken down until Feb 2. I knew about the custom which dates back to the time when Christmastide lasted until then and I rather appoved of observing it. In recent years they have been taken down sooner, although they are still there as I write. The custom here is to have decoration outside as well as inside the house, usually in the form of decorated greenery from the forest. This too is of antiquity. So our custom now is as follows: when the commune takes down the village lights, we take down our external decorations; when the Vatican takes down the Crib and tree in St. Peter's Square, we take down the internal decorations.

I spent this afternoon researching the Sanctuary of the Holy Face at Manoppello. Further explanation and details at my 'Spiritual Mothers of Priests' blog.

Baptism of Our Lord

(image: Baptism of Our Lord (Baptême de Jésu) from Tissot's "Life of Christ" series, Brooklyn Museum/Wikipedia Commons)

We are posting the painting today in order to accommodate both forms of the Roman Rite and their different calendars. Whether you celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord today or this coming Wednesday may it be a happy and holy time for all.

The 'Vision' of James Tissot

In this post I will concentrate on those aspects of Tissot's life and work which are of spiritual interest, not to mention sympathy and compassion. Here are links to some sites that give biographies of various detail and/or reproduce many of his paintings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jame_Tissot
New York Times article
Mezzo-Mondo - Biograpy
http://www.jamestissot.org/biography.html
artmagic image gallery
Brooklyn Museum Exhibition and Life of Christ Exhibition
New York Times Art Criticism

Born in Nantes France, Tissot met Kathleen Newton during his eleven year period as a highly successful society painter in London. He fell in love with her and it seems that he remained in that state for the rest of his life. They were both from Catholic backgrounds but she was a divorcee and so they never married. They lived together in blissful domesticity at his house in St. Johns Wood and she is believed to have borne him a child. This was her second child, the first having been the result of a shipboard liaison during her voyage to India where she was to be married. This marriage had been 'arranged' by her father. After the wedding Kathleen confessed to her husband about her affair at sea and he immediately divorced her. Tissot's brief period of earthly happiness ended when Kathleen, having contracted tuberculosis, ended her own life at the age of 28. Her suicide at that time meant that she could not be buried in consecrated ground.

After his bereavement a distraught Tissot returned to his native France. Some time later he had what some sites call a 'vision' in which he saw Our Lord comforting people in a large temple-like building. (His painting of the vision is called 'Christ the Comforter'. I have not yet been able to find it on the Net but continue my search.) At this point Tissot seems to have re-embraced his childhood faith and from then on his art was to be dominated by paintings of people and events in both the Old and New Testaments. There are 350 watercolours in his 'Life of Christ' series and the present exhibition in Brooklyn is showing about a third of them.

At one point Tissot became interested in Spiritualism and claimed to have 'contacted' Kathleen. I pray that he found solace in the orthodox faith before he died. I have so far been unable to find out where or how he died, or where he is buried. My researches continue, as does my hope that the Lord in his mercy grants heavenly peace and joy to Kathleen Newton and James Tissot.

In tribute to Tissot's work, watercolours from his Bible series will appear on my blogs throughout the coming year.






















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Latest Epiphany post; belated mantilla twitch to Mulier Fortis; Fr Tim takes some Roman time;Tissot tomorrow D.V.

The latest Epiphany post describing my second four joys of the Solemnity is now up on the SMP blog.


In my haste to post about Fr Tim Finigan's doings in Rome, I omitted to thank Mac for having posted about it on Mulier Fortis. Mea maxima culpa and a belated mantilla twitch to you Mac and thanks as always for your blog. (As for your post about the complexities of the old 'Pie', I'm sure others will enlighten you. But if they don't I'll comment as soon as time allows.)

On his blog, 'The Hermeneutic of Continuity', Fr Tim has published a most moving and illuminating post about his reactions to the experience of assisting as sub-deacon at Cardinal Llovera's Mass. These were such that instead of going on the organised conference pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Bonaventure, he decided on a private day in Rome. Judging from the itinerary he chose for himself, it will have been most necessary and fruitful, and an opportunity that comes too rarely to any parish priest, least of all to Father Tim with his multifarious commitments. May God bless and strengthen him and may Our Lady protect him always.


I hope to post about Tissot tomorrow.

Fr Tim Finigan sub-deacon at Cardinal's Mass in the Lateran

A quick comment:

Congratulations to Father Tim. What a great honour for him and wondeful news for us all at home. Father is also giving one of the talks at the current conference of English-speaking priests in Rome.

However, now that Father is personally known to Cardinal Llovera, how long before his name reaches the ears of our Holy Father? The Archdiocese in which Father is a priest is vacant and................. ?

Unlikely I know, but many other important posts also need filling. If I were a Blackfen parishioner I'd be very nervous of losing my parish priest ! As for Father himself it's definitely a case of, "Be sure your virtues will find you out! "

A Wondrous Epiphany..........3: The first four joys; and the Tissot Exhibition in Brooklyn

The joys of Epiphany post is now up on the Spiritual Mothers of Priests blog.

The Tissot Exhibition of water colours from his series of 350 on 'The Life of Christ' is on at the Brooklyn Art Gallery until January 17, so if you are fortunate enough to live in NY you'd better get your skates on. I suspect that at this time of year skates, if not skis, might be the best form of transport!

Over the past days I've become fascinated by Tissot's biography. Earlier today, which I had already decided on the advice of friends to 'take things easy', I enjoyed doing some Tissot research and will report on it as soon as possible.

We hope to have his 'Baptism of Jesus' up on both blogs in time for this coming Sunday.

Epiphany joy unabated: It's all right. Everything's back to normal!

For the time being anyway! Please see explanatory post on Spiritual Mother's for Priests blog.

God bless you and thanks for your patience.

Machina Diaboli

There is a saying here in Scotland, "the best laid plans o' mice and men, gang aft agley" (are oft to go astray).

Sadly, Jane's computer has taken a diabolical whim of its own and seems out of action for the near future. Jane is the main contributor to this blog, so you will all have to bear with us for a while.

Though it be a material concern, please storm the Gates of Heaven, for a swift recovery to the machine!