Friday, September 16, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
London in bright Autumnal sunshine...
...somehow has a sense of history that it lacks in other seasons. It is an Autumn/Winter city, not at its best in summer's searing heat. Today, a visit to an art exhibition in Kensington, then a chatty family lunch. Then a meeting with Patti Fordyce, a colleague from the Assn of Catholic Women.
The ACW has its Pilgrimage to Minster next week: SEptember 21st. Join us! Meet 7.45am at Westminster Cathedral. Bring a packed lunch.I've been working on the hymn-sheets and programme for the day (we'll be singing Faith of Our Fathers, and Praise to the Holiest....)
And do come to the ACW meeting on Sat Oct 24th, starts 2pm St James church centre, George St WI.We are celebrating the beatification of JP11. Speaker: Dr Philip Howard on "Blessed John Paul - a personal perspective on his influence on contemporary medical ethics and practices", followed by a film on the life of Bl JP11. All welcome. ACW meetings are friendly and welcoming and you will be meeting women who are active in the Church and enthusiastic about their faith...
The ACW has its Pilgrimage to Minster next week: SEptember 21st. Join us! Meet 7.45am at Westminster Cathedral. Bring a packed lunch.I've been working on the hymn-sheets and programme for the day (we'll be singing Faith of Our Fathers, and Praise to the Holiest....)
And do come to the ACW meeting on Sat Oct 24th, starts 2pm St James church centre, George St WI.We are celebrating the beatification of JP11. Speaker: Dr Philip Howard on "Blessed John Paul - a personal perspective on his influence on contemporary medical ethics and practices", followed by a film on the life of Bl JP11. All welcome. ACW meetings are friendly and welcoming and you will be meeting women who are active in the Church and enthusiastic about their faith...
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Will they submit?
The Church has made a generous and loving call to the Lefebvrists today. We might expect that as a result several of them will decide submit to Rome. They will find that all the things they have been saying over the years about how crucial it was for them to break away and be the one lone real voice, etc etc etc, will dwindle away, and they'll discover that it is really rather good to be faithful Catholics. There will probably be an intransigent rump that won't submit, and this in turn may splinter into two or more different groups.
Meanwhile the Church's understanding of religious freedom will continue to flourish and the invitation to "the examination and theological explanation of individual expressions and formulations" of Vatican II's words on the subject (I'm quoting from the Vatican's statement today on the discussions with the Lefebvrists) may lead them to see its richness. There is a tired, cul-de-sac feel to the SSPX line on the subject, and a sort of recognition that there is a main road that might be worth seeking out and joining...
I went today to a Catholic bookshop to buy prizes for a schools' project,and enjoyed browsing...realised how swiftly things become part of Catholic life, Catholic tradition, and the liiving reality of the Church. A book Miracles of John Paul II took me back, somehow, to some of the things I remember from my childhood telling of the miracles at Lourdes, or of my young adult years when I first heard about the miracles associated with Padre Pio. It is poignant to think of people in years to come praying to John Paul and adding to the next generation of books about him...and for them things like World Youth Day that he initiated will just seem part of Church life - rather as we see Lourdes pilgrimages, or Padre Pio prayer-groups...
Meanwhile the Church's understanding of religious freedom will continue to flourish and the invitation to "the examination and theological explanation of individual expressions and formulations" of Vatican II's words on the subject (I'm quoting from the Vatican's statement today on the discussions with the Lefebvrists) may lead them to see its richness. There is a tired, cul-de-sac feel to the SSPX line on the subject, and a sort of recognition that there is a main road that might be worth seeking out and joining...
I went today to a Catholic bookshop to buy prizes for a schools' project,and enjoyed browsing...realised how swiftly things become part of Catholic life, Catholic tradition, and the liiving reality of the Church. A book Miracles of John Paul II took me back, somehow, to some of the things I remember from my childhood telling of the miracles at Lourdes, or of my young adult years when I first heard about the miracles associated with Padre Pio. It is poignant to think of people in years to come praying to John Paul and adding to the next generation of books about him...and for them things like World Youth Day that he initiated will just seem part of Church life - rather as we see Lourdes pilgrimages, or Padre Pio prayer-groups...
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
I am making...
...a Novena invoking the intercession of Blessed John Paul II.
There is a beautiful prayer in this booklet...
The specific request I was making in the Novena has already been granted - quite swiftly and even dramatically, after just one day. Theological question: do I now complete the Novena in thanksgiving and gratitude, or continue with some other requests, or what?
There is a beautiful prayer in this booklet...
The specific request I was making in the Novena has already been granted - quite swiftly and even dramatically, after just one day. Theological question: do I now complete the Novena in thanksgiving and gratitude, or continue with some other requests, or what?
to Sussex....
...to plan with the team organising the Catholic History Walks and linked activities in the coming weeks and throughout 2012...
Next events coming up:
Next Wednesday, Sept 21st - pilgrimage to Minster-in-Thanet. Meet 7.45am at Westminster Cathedral. Bring a packed lunch.
Wed Oct 5th - History walk in the City of London. Meet on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral, 6.30pm.
Wed Oct 19th - tour of St George's Cathedral, Southwark. Starts 2.30pm, meet at the main door of the Cathedral. (Nearest tube: WATERLOO or LAMBETH NORTH)
Friday November 4th, talk on Blessed John Henry Newman at the Hinsley Room, next to Westminster Cathedral, 6.30pm (following the 5.30pm Mass)
We are also supporting the BLESSED SACRAMENT PROCESSION on SATURDAY October 1st, starts 1.15pm at Westminster Cathedral.
Next events coming up:
Next Wednesday, Sept 21st - pilgrimage to Minster-in-Thanet. Meet 7.45am at Westminster Cathedral. Bring a packed lunch.
Wed Oct 5th - History walk in the City of London. Meet on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral, 6.30pm.
Wed Oct 19th - tour of St George's Cathedral, Southwark. Starts 2.30pm, meet at the main door of the Cathedral. (Nearest tube: WATERLOO or LAMBETH NORTH)
Friday November 4th, talk on Blessed John Henry Newman at the Hinsley Room, next to Westminster Cathedral, 6.30pm (following the 5.30pm Mass)
We are also supporting the BLESSED SACRAMENT PROCESSION on SATURDAY October 1st, starts 1.15pm at Westminster Cathedral.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
If you want to see...
... pic of the great group of young pilgrims with whom Auntie spent some time at WYD, click on here...
BTW, there is a feature by Auntie about WYD in today's (sept 11th 2011) issue of the Catholc Times...
BTW, there is a feature by Auntie about WYD in today's (sept 11th 2011) issue of the Catholc Times...
Sunday morning...
...with headlines noting the anniversary of the ghastly terrorist attacks against the USA in September 2001. Mass, and a sense of parish life getting busy again after the summer break, with announcements about First Communion clsses and youth groups and so on. Autumn sunshine. The horse-chestnut trees all across England are turning brown - but not with healthy Autumnal glow, instead there is some horrid disease which is affecting them with rust and slowly killing them. Sad echoes of the disease that struck our lovely elm trees back in the 1970s. To lose the horse-chesnut trees with their gleaming conkers and their thick, reassurring spreading branches, is to lose something precious. Ruper Brooke wrote in his poem about Grantchester "Say, do the elm-clumps greatly stand, still guardians of that holy land?" and alas, they don't. Now it seems that the glorious chestnut trees won't either...
A celebration...
...at Maryvale for the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the present Brigettine Order. The Brigettine sisters at Maryvale are a wonderful team - they run the whole of the student accomodation and hospitality there, meals, cleaning, organising of the rooms etc - and, more importantly, are the spiritual heart of the whole place as the days begin with their prayers and the whole house is made pleasant by their kindness.
There was a beautiful Mass in the chapel by Bishop William Kenney, auxiliary in Birmingham, who was for some years a Bishop in Sweden - where of course the Brigettine Order has its roots and where he was frequently at their retreat house at Djursholm. The whole story of the Brigettines is of special interest to me as I am currently working on a biography of two of them, Mother Riccarda Hambrough and Mother Katherine Flanagan. The former was something of a heroine in Rome in World War II as she helped to hide Jewish refugees in the convent...and I have just over the past couple of days had the delight of making contact with some of her relations, who did not know about all this and are extremely interested...
It is always a joy to go to Maryvale: as a student there I feel so much at home as soon as I walk through the big gates and up the drive, past the statue of Our Lady and on to the pillared porch. The Brigettine celebration included a delicious buffet lunch laid out on a table laid with crisp white cloths caught up with scarlet ribbons, all in the lecture hall which usually features rows of desks and busy students. I stayed on in the library for a little while to tackle some emails - and will be back at Maryvale again in a short while for the start of a new term.
There was a beautiful Mass in the chapel by Bishop William Kenney, auxiliary in Birmingham, who was for some years a Bishop in Sweden - where of course the Brigettine Order has its roots and where he was frequently at their retreat house at Djursholm. The whole story of the Brigettines is of special interest to me as I am currently working on a biography of two of them, Mother Riccarda Hambrough and Mother Katherine Flanagan. The former was something of a heroine in Rome in World War II as she helped to hide Jewish refugees in the convent...and I have just over the past couple of days had the delight of making contact with some of her relations, who did not know about all this and are extremely interested...
It is always a joy to go to Maryvale: as a student there I feel so much at home as soon as I walk through the big gates and up the drive, past the statue of Our Lady and on to the pillared porch. The Brigettine celebration included a delicious buffet lunch laid out on a table laid with crisp white cloths caught up with scarlet ribbons, all in the lecture hall which usually features rows of desks and busy students. I stayed on in the library for a little while to tackle some emails - and will be back at Maryvale again in a short while for the start of a new term.
Friday, September 09, 2011
A happy day....
...on Wednesday, which was Auntie's birthday. First appointment with St Paul's bookshop, next to Westminster Cathedral, to look at the illustrations for my book on Blessed John Paul, due out in October, with illustrator Kati Teague, who brought celebration cakes! I was really touched and we all settled down to enjoy them along with the illustrations - which are charming, especially one of BlJP11 with children...
In the evening, supper with friends. A lovely welcome, gin-and-tonic, birthday gift (a book by Elizabeth vom Arnim), laughter and catching up on news... The daughter of the house had been at World Youth Day so we regaled the party with tales of scorching heat, queues for the loos, singing on trains, and ants in one's underwear...and going to confession in the park, the unforgettable prayer vigil with the Holy Father, the huge goodwill and joy everywhere, and the sense that, yes, the whole experience was quietly but significantly life-changing...
A delicious meal, with Summer Pudding (my favourite) and J. arrived with flowers and chocs and champagne...
In the evening, supper with friends. A lovely welcome, gin-and-tonic, birthday gift (a book by Elizabeth vom Arnim), laughter and catching up on news... The daughter of the house had been at World Youth Day so we regaled the party with tales of scorching heat, queues for the loos, singing on trains, and ants in one's underwear...and going to confession in the park, the unforgettable prayer vigil with the Holy Father, the huge goodwill and joy everywhere, and the sense that, yes, the whole experience was quietly but significantly life-changing...
A delicious meal, with Summer Pudding (my favourite) and J. arrived with flowers and chocs and champagne...
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
It's time to check out...
...information on this year's TOWARDS ADVENT FESTIVAL - you'll find it here...
In cool rainy London...
...the heat of Madrid seems another world, but the glow of World Youth Day lingers....reflections here...
VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD....
...are important. You may find this blog of interest. I was with some of these young people in Madrid.
Monday, September 05, 2011
Religious freedom is crucial....
"The Second Vatican Council, recognizing and making its own an essential principle of the modern State with the Decree on Religious Freedom, has recovered the deepest patrimony of the Church. By so doing she can be conscious of being in full harmony with the teaching of Jesus himself (cf. Mt 22: 21), as well as with the Church of the martyrs of all time.
"The ancient Church naturally prayed for the emperors and political leaders out of duty (cf. I Tm 2: 2); but while she prayed for the emperors, she refused to worship them and thereby clearly rejected the religion of the State.The martyrs of the early Church died for their faith in that God who was revealed in Jesus Christ, and for this very reason they also died for freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess one's own faith - a profession that no State can impose but which, instead, can only be claimed with God's grace in freedom of conscience."
Pope Benedict XVI
"The ancient Church naturally prayed for the emperors and political leaders out of duty (cf. I Tm 2: 2); but while she prayed for the emperors, she refused to worship them and thereby clearly rejected the religion of the State.The martyrs of the early Church died for their faith in that God who was revealed in Jesus Christ, and for this very reason they also died for freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess one's own faith - a profession that no State can impose but which, instead, can only be claimed with God's grace in freedom of conscience."
Pope Benedict XVI
COME AND HELP MAKE HISTORY....
...a BLESSED SACRAMENT PROCESSION
from WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
to
ST GEORGE'S CATHEDRAL SOUTHWARK
on Saturday October 1st
starts 1.15pm Westminster Cathedral.
Procession leaves 1.30pm, via Ambrosden Avenue, FRancis Street, Vincent Street, Horseferry Road and Lambeth Bridge to St George's Cathedral, Southwark.
2.30pm (approx) Benediction, St George's Cathedral.
This Procession is to celebrate the first anniversary of the Beatification of Bl. John Henry Newman, and the 2010 visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Britain. Come and join in!
from WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
to
ST GEORGE'S CATHEDRAL SOUTHWARK
on Saturday October 1st
starts 1.15pm Westminster Cathedral.
Procession leaves 1.30pm, via Ambrosden Avenue, FRancis Street, Vincent Street, Horseferry Road and Lambeth Bridge to St George's Cathedral, Southwark.
2.30pm (approx) Benediction, St George's Cathedral.
This Procession is to celebrate the first anniversary of the Beatification of Bl. John Henry Newman, and the 2010 visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Britain. Come and join in!
To get a flavour...
...of what the British pilgrims at World Youth Day experienced, go here and click on to the links given. Listen to the testimonies of the young people, enjoy the songs and the dear voice of the Holy Father joyfully greeting everyone and sharing in the youthful joy...
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Meanwhile in Ireland...
...instead of recognising the bad results of the close interlocking of Church and State as revealed in the shocking child-abuse cases, the Government has decided to waste time and energy by announcing grandiose nonsense that will achieve nothing whatever: trying to intervene in the sacramental life of the Church. This is pointless: we are dealing here with spiritual realities where Government legislation has no role at all. It is no use whatever announcing that Catholic priests must reveal to the police some sins mentioned to them in the sacrament of confession: they can't and they won't. Announcing prison terms for priests will make no difference to this.
Debate on BBC Radio 5 about this topic this evening:I was invited to take part but got very little chance to speak as much time was spent by the interviewer endlessly berating a Catholic priest and urging him to betray sacramental secrets.
The Irish government's announcement is just ludicrous: a classic example of attempts to deflect from the real issues at stake.
Debate on BBC Radio 5 about this topic this evening:I was invited to take part but got very little chance to speak as much time was spent by the interviewer endlessly berating a Catholic priest and urging him to betray sacramental secrets.
The Irish government's announcement is just ludicrous: a classic example of attempts to deflect from the real issues at stake.
Saturday, September 03, 2011
The summer gently ending...
...with days of sudden great heat. An afternoon spent with young relatives, the children splashing gleefuly with great squeaks of joy and delight in a big paddling pool in a local park.Picking blackberries on the way home and eating them for supper. Gathering apples and making apple-jelly - it's setting nicely in the kitchen as I write this. A big jar of apple sauce to be taken to some friends tomorrow. A garden-party with an elderly relative in a nearby residential home, the Bishop joining us for tea. An English summer drawing to its close with some reassuring notes in an often worrying world.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
COME ON PILGRIMAGE...
...with members of the Association of Catholic Women and the Catholic History Walkers! On Wednesday September 21st we are going on pilgrimage to MINSTER, to visit the sisters at St Mildred's Abbey.
We meet at Westminster Cathedral at 7.45am. Bring a packed lunch. We'll be travelling by train. On arrival at Minster, there'll be coffee and a chance to enjoy the lovely grounds and gardens, and then we'll join the Sisters for the Office of Sext in the Abbey's chapel. This will be followed by Mass - we are bringing our own chaplain. Then a picnic lunch - or, if you like, you can explore the village and enjoy a pub lunch there. Then there will be a talk about the Abbey's history, with a DVD, and a sister will tell us about the Benedictine life...and then we will have tea and make our way home.
During the day we'll be saying the Rosary and we'll learn something of the history of this part of Kent, with its links to St Augustine etc. We plan to be back in London by 6pm.
Minster Abbey is a beautiful place with lovely grounds and a warm welcome - and good accomodation for pilgrims if the weather is rainy too.
No need to book - just turn up. But you will find it useful to BUY YOUR RAILWAY TICKET BEFOREHAND. We plan to catch the 08.33 train from CHARING CROSS.
I went to Minster today with the Chairman of the Assn of Catholic Women to make arrangements for this pilgrimage and it was a most lovely day...glorious Kent countryside, warm September sun, the peace of the convent chapel, the beauty of the abbey gardens with their flowers in great profusion...
We meet at Westminster Cathedral at 7.45am. Bring a packed lunch. We'll be travelling by train. On arrival at Minster, there'll be coffee and a chance to enjoy the lovely grounds and gardens, and then we'll join the Sisters for the Office of Sext in the Abbey's chapel. This will be followed by Mass - we are bringing our own chaplain. Then a picnic lunch - or, if you like, you can explore the village and enjoy a pub lunch there. Then there will be a talk about the Abbey's history, with a DVD, and a sister will tell us about the Benedictine life...and then we will have tea and make our way home.
During the day we'll be saying the Rosary and we'll learn something of the history of this part of Kent, with its links to St Augustine etc. We plan to be back in London by 6pm.
Minster Abbey is a beautiful place with lovely grounds and a warm welcome - and good accomodation for pilgrims if the weather is rainy too.
No need to book - just turn up. But you will find it useful to BUY YOUR RAILWAY TICKET BEFOREHAND. We plan to catch the 08.33 train from CHARING CROSS.
I went to Minster today with the Chairman of the Assn of Catholic Women to make arrangements for this pilgrimage and it was a most lovely day...glorious Kent countryside, warm September sun, the peace of the convent chapel, the beauty of the abbey gardens with their flowers in great profusion...
A meeting...
...of those involved with St Clare Media, which is the British group associated with EWTN. It's so encouraging to see how EWTN has grown and how it is now a mainstream part of Catholic life and appreciated by so many families. And EWTN is now associated with this good Catholic newspaper too...
Tomorrow I am off to Minster-in-Thanet where there is a beautiful convent which dates back to Saxon times. There's a gently Autumnal feel to the air as Septermber arrives...read more about Auntie and LOndon and so on here...
Tomorrow I am off to Minster-in-Thanet where there is a beautiful convent which dates back to Saxon times. There's a gently Autumnal feel to the air as Septermber arrives...read more about Auntie and LOndon and so on here...
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