UK Bishops prepare for the 'new' Mass

Zenit has this report
(The link took rather a long time when I tested it just now but it did work.)

You will note the absence of the honest and accurate phrase 'more correct', to describe the new translation of the Mass. It has to be eschewed at all costs, because its use would be to admit that for four decades the bishops have condoned and encouraged the inaccurate version. Difficult to admit that the Flock has been misled. The content of the first handout in 'Praying the Mass' for Priests and others in leadership roles' (link on the Zenit report), certainly shows that the Archbishop realises they need to be put back on track, but I could find no advice about how to deal with laity, and I'm afraid some priests, who object to having this 'new' version 'foisted' upon them. I hope people like this will not create too much difficulty, but surely one needs to be ready for them. People will want to know WHY this or that phrase has changed. Many may still need to be convinced that the changes are necessary. Yes, it is an opportunity for catechesis if people know the reasoning behind the changes. To explain this simply and clearly, there needs to be a three-fold table in the following parallel columns 1. The original Latin 2. A straightforward English translation 3. The outgoing English 'translation'. That's all that's needed to START proper catechesis. Of course when people see how inaccurate the 'old' version is, they could be forgiven for asking why it was ever allowed, let alone for so long. Another difficult one for the Conference to answer. But their Excellencies shouldn't worry too much. After all, people are so loving and obedient to them as their shepherds and are so tolerant and forgiving these days, aren't they?

The festivity of Saint Blaise, the patron of Dubrovnik

This film, I think made for distribution by UNESCO, is interesting, but its commentary falls short for me because it concentrates on the cultural, historical, and doesn't sufficiently address the spiritual. It twice refers to the 'worship' of saints. Tut, Tut!

I think I last had my throat blessed on St. Blaise's day in the late sixties, probably at Holy Apostles, Pimlico in London, or it may have been in Sheffield at St. Vincent's Solly Street.... It is a dim, distant but treasured memory. Do please let me know if you are aware of a church in England and Wales where the Blessing of Throats still takes place on this day..

Anyway, have a holy and happy feast of Saint Blaise.

Nunc Dimittis - County Upper School

Burgon's Nunc Dimittis sung at an Evensong in Wells Cathedral by the choir of County Upper School, Bury St. Edmunds. At our London RC church we had the Latin version, as well as this more generally heard English one. We used to alternate the two settings year by year. A rare example of English being as beautiful as Latin in liturgical music, well almost!! Obviously I admit that the English is appropriate for Wells, and particularly in these early days of the Ordinariate.

If you are nostalgic for the BBC credits of 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' click the next up title after the Wells version has finished.

Have a holy and happy Candlemas.

Message for 'Epsilon'

After all this time I have at last managed to link to your blog. It hasn't worked for months. Hope you look here occasionally and will see that I've done so.

God bless,

Jane

William Byrd: Alleluia Senex portabat puerum

On the Eve of the Presentation of the Lord - a musical treat from the English patrimony - William Byrd sung by the choir of Hereford Anglican Cathedral : 'The old man held the child but the child was his king..." Magnificat Antiphon for First Vespers.

More music tomorrow on the Feast itself.

Dream at Nine (Don Bosco)

A Holy and happy Feast of Saint John Bosco.

Before I found this video I had indulged myself, or so I thought, and ordered from Amazon a copy of 'Forty Dreams of Don Bosco'. Several hours of research later, I no longer think it was an indulgence. I thought I knew quite a lot about Don Bosco. I knew he had several dreams, which Mother Angelica calls visions, but not as many as forty. I thank God for a most fruitful day, particularly after the low point, as demonstrated in my post of yesterday.

Saint John Bosco pray for us.

The Pope and the Doves of Peace

For video clip and comment see Spiritual Mothers of Priests blog. Link in sidebar here after the bloglist, fourth link down from Search this Blog.

Pope proposes a 'Christian Style' of using internet

Click for video Report on this story Pope proposes a 'Christian Style' of using internet

News from Pelerin via the Lourdes webcam

Pelerin alerted me to a slight change at the Grotto. She writes:
'The statue has been covered in netting and the altar protected with a tarpaulin so they are still working above. Have just watched a man talking and laughing on his mobile, facing the camera and he has just been told off and sent on his way by one of the workmen.'

The webcam is 24/7 and can be easily found at the Home page of the official Lourdes website -
Lourdes-france.org

Thanks Pelerin! Have just been watching and seen a sizeable group troop by behind the altar like all pilgrims (French soldiers I think). They were standing quietly and respectfully listening to a talk when I left just now. Not a mobile in sight!

Benedict XVI blesses two lambs for the feast of St. Agnes

Click here to see Benedict XVI blesses two lambs for the feast of St. Agnes

The year has turned again. But this year I think that's Cardinal Burke in the video. Happy, holy Feast day everyone!

Pope Benedict to celebrate his Diamond Jubilee of Ordination (29. 06.51) June 29, 2011

Is that not right? That is, almost two months after the joy of the beatification of Venerable John Paul II, and the expected 2,000,000 pilgrims have departed from Rome.

Characteristically our Holy Father will probably want to celebrate the personal milestone quietly with his brother Georg, ordained on the same day. But none of us will forget.

In Christo pro Papa

Ushaw for the Ordinariate?

Brilliant idea from the Rorate blog tonight (see sidebar link). But can it work?



Our Lady of Walsingham pray for us.

Blessed John Henry Newman pray of us.

Te Deum [Alternatim] - Pierre Cochereau / Maîtrise de Notre-Dame

I posted this some months ago. It seems suitable again on this great day.
From France, a warm welcome to the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, to its first three priests ordained today in Westminster Cathedral, and also to their families. Special congratulations to Father Keith Newton, the newly appointed Ordinary.

Thank you Holy Father for your loving concern for the Church in England and Wales and for all the help and inspiration you have given her.
Deo gratias.

Announcement of Pope John Paul II's beatification imminent?

According to my latest Rome Reports video newletter (Link in sidebar), the announcement will be made 'in the coming hours'. Careful choice of words!

Eucharistic Novena starts today.

For link, see 'Vultus Christi' in the sidebar bloglist here. Yet again, thanks to Father Mark Kirby.

A holy and happy Solemnity everyone.

Interesting info. re. Lourdes from Pelerin

............in the com box of previous post. Thanks Pelerin!

Lourdes update

As I type, kto is showing its live daily broadcst of the Rosary. The statue is still in position and the priest is standing directly below it asusual. There seems to be no evidence of limited access to the site. Perhaps access is limited EXCEPT when the Rosary is in progress. Sorry about the false alarm.

Lourdes Grotto closed until beginning of February

According to our local paper (Charente Libre) the Grotto is closed for safety work to the cliff face above Our Lady's statue. The statue has been removed. Irritatingly, and I'm afraid typically, the paper fails to inform those of us who are really interested in this news item, where the statue has gone, and where the daily Rosary will be held whilst the Grotto is closed. I will update if/whenI find out more.

Alma redemptoris mater - Peter Philips (1561 - 1628) from Cantiones Sacr...

No prizes for substituting 's' for the things that look like 'f' in the English version above, or for wondering about the spelling of 'receive' and the lower case 'm' for Mater ..... Otherwise....

Enjoy!

New Year Prayers and good wishes .......

......to all readers, friends and followers.

In Christo pro Papa