Tor Vergata...

...in Rome, where young people gathered for World Youth Day in 2000 was hosting another gathering this evening, as a new generation honoured Blessed John Paul on the first anniversary of his Beatification.

A solemn...

...feel to things as I led a Catholic History Walk this evening. A mild April day, rain having given way to gentle sunshine, and a beautiful sunset as we stood on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral. Our city. "Domine dirige nos" is its motto. We had begun the walk at St Mary Moorfields (my own Guild Church - it's the home base of the Catholic Writers' Guild), and the Walk took us to various City churches, and the Guildhall, and Bl. John Henry Newman's birthplace, and more. And as we finished at St Paul's, we had the steps of that magnificent monument to ourselves,and the sunset glowed over Ludgate Hill and the sweep down to Fleet Street and an overview of one of the most famous cities in the world... and we pondered those who had stood there before us - thinking about things like Churchill's funeral in that vanished Britain of the 1960s, and that impressive but ill-fated Royal Wedding of 1981, and the happy Golden Jubilee ten years ago which we will echo again this summer at the Diamond Jubilee...and then, as with all our History Walks, we ended with prayers. These were for our poor country, now stuck in a miserable doomed groove from which only Christian vigour can remove it: there's something so dead-end and bleak about foisting same-sex "marriage" on a people who have been heirs to a great civilisation and must now be part of its decline. Latest news, incidentally, is that, if this new law goes through, Catholic schools may be told that they cannot teach about Christian marriage. Will they be allowed to stock and use books such as the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states Christian doctrine on marriage and sexual integrity with particular clarity? I walked down Fleet Street and along the Strand and crossed the river to catch the train home from Waterloo. I remember my mother once describing how, when they had just got engaged and were talking and planning about their future, she and my father stood on that bridge and looked at London and he said "It's ours - they didn't get it", meaning the War and the city being saved from enemy invasion.They felt that Britain's freedom was secure. Bought a cup of coffee at Waterloo. Felt a bit bleak.

Came across...

this poignant comment-piece while trawling the Net this evening...

What was I reading...

...while at Walsingham? Two or three good things, but specifically this which, while not a deep or profound study of its subject, is well-informed, quietly inspiring and lifts the heart. Also, of course, my ever-faithful Magnificat, which gets taken everywhere and was especially good to have to hand on a pilgrimage. And I also took along - simply because I had been at a meeting on Friday where they were handed over to me - a big batch of entries for the Assn of Catholic Women's Schools RE Project for some initial reading. This year, the children were invited to write about certain of Christ's miracles. Some splendid spelling: "Ten leppers with horrabul woonds" and a "Roman offerser" who wanted his servant "heeled" were among my favourites...

Walsingham...

...in driving rain and wind. A pilgrimage with supporters of Aid to the Church in Need. We were small in numbers this year - just one coachload from London, and a few joining us from elsewhere. But, as always, it was beautiful to pray in the ancient shrine chapel, and to be at Mass in the big barn church. Walked with friends down the Holy Mile that links the Catholic shrine to the village...the planned procession was abandoned because of the high winds, and people went by coach , but we elected to enjoy the gusty challenge, and it was rather glorious. The surging and buffeting of the wind, the great beauty of the Norfolk landscape, and the reality of Walsingham with all its profound messages, drew us to talk of big things, and it was so good to do this with old and valued friends... Later, after a beautiful Benediction in the church in the village, I had a good meeting with Sister Camilla of the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham. They run a House of Prayer in the Brentwood diocese, but their aim has always been to be linked to Walsdingham. If you'd like to find out more, and help out, you can do so here... On a whim - and because J. was busy with various commitments over the weekend and there was no need for me to hurry home - I decided to stay overnight in Walsingham. The Pilgrim Bureau (Elmham House) is very comfortable.The village, on a wet and windy April night, was bleak, but that made being with other pilgrims in a cosy house all the more agreeable. There is a night-time Benediction for pilgrims in the church - which is right next to the pilgrim house - and this is usually followed by a candlelit procession into the garden and prayers by the statue of the Mary. It wasn't feasible to pray outside so we lit our candles and held them aloft as we turned towards the statue in the church instead. They are special candle-lanterns with little Walsingham scenes and the words of the "Ave, Ave, Ave Maria" hymn on them, so you gaze at your lantern and sing - it was all rather delightful. Later, a mug of tea with some Irish pilgrims who told me all about "Mass-pats" and answered my question about holy wells, with many stories of saints and miracles...and a long comfortable read in bed before a good restful sleep.

Blessed John Paul...

...was beatified a year ago...this link gives more on the subject...

More on that Ordinariate celebration...

...can be read here...

Been browsing...

...Fr Robert Letellier's book for Sunday and feast-days. A good read. I have so much enjoyed his excellent lectures at Maryvale. Enjoy the book: more about it here...

Priestesses and the TV version...

... and, as I predicted, a muddle. Some while back, I was invited to take part in a TV discussion about whether or not there were priestesses in the early Church. It was all quite pleasant and friendly - I was flown to Rome, and the filming was done in a church there. I explained the Church's position, gave information on the history, was asked "But surely there were women priests in the early Church?" so explained again, gave more informationm on the history, was asked again, explained again...and so on... The TV presenter was a pleasant young lady, but not at all well informed even about the basics of Christian doctrine, let alone the history of the Church. She seemed to know little or nothing about the Church of the first few centuries, and to be rather muddled about the centuries after that. In place of knowledge, she had a fixed opinion about the need for the Church to have priestesses, based on a rather 19th and 20th century view of the Church. It was tiresome explaining things as she didn't really grasp some of the central points...but she was friendly and pleasant and enthusiastic about working in TV, and on the whole I enjoyed doing the interviews even though I knew that the resulting programme would not be of particular value to anyone with a serious intterest in the subject of the priesthood. The programe was aired last week, and a number of people have been commenting on it. I didn't watch it, but many of the comments made echo my own thoughts at the time of the filming. This one , for example, seems to me relevant...

Lots to ponder...

...following recent visit to Poland...and I'm doing so partly through a series of talks for Premier Radio. Listen in to them daily, in the week beginning May 7th...

Glorious...

...really glorious. A beautiful church, magnificent music, strong voices united in the timeless words of the Liturgy, an atmosphere of great reverence and prayer with a packed-to-capacity congregation...that was St Patrick's, Soho Square, today as history was made with two new priests being ordained into the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. It is always moving and impressive to see a young man prostrate before the altar, pledging his life in service to God. And there is a sense of awe as the Bishop lays hands on the ordinand's head, a profound reminder of a unity in faith that goes all the way back to the Apostles... Mgr Keith Newton preached, long lines of communicant approached the altar rails with reverence, there was magnificent singing - I don't think I've ever heard the Pater Noster sound so superb - and the day sent out a message of youth and hope. Afterwards, the two new young priests dispensed blessings galore, and there was food and wine and talk and a happy time...

At the Shrine of Divine Mercy...

...there is silence and prayer, crowds and faith and peace. The candle glow and intimacy of the original chapel where you pray and where Sister Faustina lies at rest contrasts with the hugeness of the vast new church with its message of "Do not be afraid!", a statue of John Paul standing as if at the prow of a great barque putting out to sea...the whole combines to send a message of hope and certainty and strength.

Our trip to the shrine came at the centre point of a week's stay in Krakow, and this seemed just right somehow.

John Paul the Great gave many magnificent things to the Church, but opening up the message of Christ's limitless mercy was one of the most important. Britain has need of this message...

Krakow...

...is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and from the moment you fly in to John Paul II Airport, you know you are somewhere special.

Wawel cathedral and castle, St Mary's church where the haunting bugle-call still marks each hour, delicious pierogi with onions and butter, a bus ride to Wadowice and John Paul's boyhood home being turned into a pilgrim shrine... Krakow's streets and trams, the Jewish quarter, the river,the Divine Mercy shrine...and more...and more...

It's coming up to...

...the First Communion season. A couple of people have asked me about my book on Blessed John Paul II - ideal First Communion gift. You can order it here. DO get a copy: children enjoy it, and the illustrations, by Kati Teague, are absolutely enchanting.

STAND UP FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM....

...and support those who are really suffering for their Faith.

Come to the Vigil at Westminster Cathedral piazza on May 17th.Bring a crowd!

Get information here - and spread it around. Tell your parish. Tell your friends and family. BE THERE!!!

Off to see Father Jim...

...who is a family friend, and celebrated the Nuptial Mass at Jamie's and my wedding over 30 years ago...

A delicious lunch, and lots of chat, and then...

FR JIM HAS STARTED A BLOG!!!

and you can access it here and find out about all the books that Fr Jim has written...especially of interest to fans of Blessed John Henry Newman...and for parishes and groups preparing to celebrate the Year of Faith and the Catechism...

St Andrews...

... is possibly the most beautiful setting for any university. On the train from London I was busy with books and letters for most of the time, but after Edinburgh the only wise thing to do is just relish the glorious ride along the Scottish coast.

I was speaking to the Cathsoc at Canmore. Topic was celebrating the Church's feasts and seasons - we'd titled the talk "How to evangelise using the calendar" and this turned out to be good because people were rather intrigued (one told me that he'd wondered if it was going to be some sort of weird advice like 'Never evangelise on a Thursday"!). Delightful young people. A beautiful Mass in the chapel of the big old house - which I first visited to give a talk over 30 years ago, before today's undergraduates were even born...

After the meeting, everyone crowded into the chapel again for Compline. Candlelight, and young voices, and outside the sea and the sky...

Planning...

...for the next weeks and months.

I am off to Poland next week, a sort of Bl.John Paul pilgrimage...will be writing up some of the adventures on this blog.

BTW - for younger readers: if you want to take up Bl. JP's call for a fresh evangelisation of our country, contact here and ask about the John Paul II Walking Pilgrimage to Walsingham this summer.

There are better things...

...to do on Holy Thursday and Good Friday than write blogs, so I have been doing those better things.

It is now lateish on Good Friday night. On Holy Saturday Auntie packs lots of chocolate eggs and other goodies and departs joyfully via Paddington Station for a big family gathering.

Went to the Maundy Mass at Precious Blood church near London Bridge - it's in a fascinating corner of London where every little side-street is crammed with history. The George tavern still flourishes - Chaucer describes his Canterbury pilgrims starting their journey there, and I enjoyed lunches there with my father over the years. There are other pubs with good old names - the King's Head and the Blue-eyed Maid and St Christopher's and the Rose and Crown. There is a poignant War Memorial - a WWI soldier running gallantly forward, a great list of names nearby. There are proper local shops.

During the Maundy Mass, Tube trains rumbled away beneath our feet. The main overground railway station is of course a major feature here too - and there is busy London Bridge teeming with traffic, and the old river. We knelt in silence before the Altar of Repose, and the priest led us gently in thought to the Upper Room, two millenia ago, in another city...

This morning, a Walk of Witness in the busy, pleasant suburb where we live. A much bigger crowd than usual. We gathered outside the United Reformed Church where there is a garden, and walked down the High Street, led by men carrying three big crosses. Outside the Methodist Church we held a short service. Somehow, it feels reassurring that in modern Britain you can still get a good-sized crowd to hold up the traffic in the suburbs and gather to sing "When I survey the wondrous Cross" on Good Friday. The local Anglican church provided a very good choir. There was a sermon with a thoughtful message. People prayed. It was the right way to start Good Friday.

I was in London later in the day so went to the Commemoration of the Passion at St Patrick's, Soho Square. Timeless, powerful. The Passion account from St John's Gospel was beautifully sung. Long lines of people moved slowly up the aisle to venerate the Cross. Then the stark silence as things finish and there is just the bare chancel and the thought of Calvary.

Now at home after Hot Cross Buns I'm about to start sorting and packing things for the joy that comes on Sunday. This will be a special Easter as it includes a Divine Mercy trip to Poland, about which you'll be reading in due course.

Periodically, I met readers of this blog and so I don't feel you are all anonymous. It's a very genuine message when I wish you all a very happy Easter.

...and today...

...the Westminster diocese had its Chrism Mass, in an absolutely overflowing Cathedral - we packed into every corner, most of us kneeling on the floor, crowding into side-chapels and around the back, stewards trying to make a route for the procession of clergy to reach the sanctuary. It is rather intriguing - the Chrism Mass isn't widely advertised, people aren't urged to come, there are no leaflets about it...but people just seem to hear about it and they pour into the Cathedral in vast, vast numbers. The Mass took two hours. Hearing the beautiful prayers over the oils - references to the dove bringing back an olive branch to Noakh and so on - in hushed cathedral with with tht vast crowd is,to use a sometimes overworked word, awesome.

We had our Thank You to priests organised as they arrived - see here.

A Chrism of history...

...as the Papal Nuncio concelebrated the first Chrism Mass for the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Over 60 former Anglican clergy, and five former Anglican bishops, all now in full Communion with the universal Church, were joined by a packed congregation at St James', Spanish Place...it was a great priviledge to be there and something that I will never forget.

Glorious music, a beautiful and reverent liturgy, the roar of strong voices affirming promises of commitment to the sacred priesthood, a fine sermon by Mgr Keith Newton. As has become a little tradition at Chrism Masses, members of the Association of Catholic Women handed out small holy cards to all the clergy as they arrived, with a message of thanks for the service they give to the Church.

The Sacred Oils were brought up to the altar in procession with the hosts and wine before the Offertory - the Sisters of the Ordinariate in their blue religious habits and veils,were in the procession bearing the gifts.

The Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Deo Gratias.

Do read...

this. Scroll down to the section headlined "Religious Freedom and Protecting Healthcare for Women".

Starting on...

Wednesday April 18th,6.30pm, and continuing every Wednesday for 8 weeks, at St Patrick's, Soho Square, is the brilliant CATHOLICISM series. DON'T MISS THIS! Open to all young people in their 20s and 30s. There's a light supper and then the presentation: God's Revelation through Jesus Christ and His CHurch. It's a great visiual multi-media presentation and tackles questions such as:
- Who is Jesus? Is he really the Son of God?
- Why does God allow suffering in the world?
- Do you worship Mary?
- What's the point of praying to saints?

and a lot more.

Register at stpatcatholicism@gmail.com or telephone 0207 434 9965.

Hurry!

During the week...

...I often go to Mass at this parish. This week, the numbers attending were even larger than usual. I mention this because I get tired of being told that everythingintheChurchisterrible when it just isn't so. Here is one suburban parish where often the numbers on a weekday would not disgrace a Sunday.The other day I took part in a Confirmation preparation class. There are some 40 young people being confirmed this year. They get a systematic preparation with classes on the Church's doctrine and teachings...I was there to give a talk about saints, with the idea of helping them to choose Confirmation names. A delightful group of young people, excellent catechist, two young men from the seminary were there helping out, and a nice chap from the local Baptist church along as an observer, as part of a friendly ecumenical interchange. As the evening ended, and all turned towards the Cross as the parish priest led prayers, I felt a sudden lump in my throat. This is the Church, the place where we all belong, where we are all at home.

Today, partly because of returning some books kindly lent by Ordinariate Deacon James Bradley, I went to the Palm Sunday Mass here. A very large crowd, and things began in the school yard where the palms were blessed and a procession started which went slowly into the church, with glorious singing. Mgr Keith Newton, of the Ordinariate, was the celebrant and preached.A memorable Palm Sunday.

Hot weather. Posters around London with the stark word "DROUGHT" and urging us to use less water. The posters look grim and show dark dusty earth. If the hot weather lasts and lasts, this looks set to be a horrid summer.

Somehow the drought reflects the spiritual state of much of our country at present: but to heal that there are deep wells of glorious fresh water here, and it only needs willing hands to help pump it out...