For years and years...

...many prayed for Russia, for the Christians there who were suffering under an atheistic regime, for those in the Gulag, for those receiving the grisly attentions of the KGB in indescribable conditions in brutal prisons...

We prayed for the coversiuon of Russia. It's happening. Today, in Westminster Cathedral Hall, we heard from a priest who is now working in Siberia, helping the survivors of the brutal labour-camps, collecting together their pitiful memories, bringing people together the and building up a Christian community...in his new church a chapel is dedicated to those who suffered and died, with a icon honouring the Christian martyrs of the 20th century. You can read about some of this in his book "Martyrs of Magadan" - info here.

It was an extraordinary experience to sit in a packed, hushed hall as Fr Michael Shields spoke. He is an American priest who after a 40-day retreat felt a special call to go to Siberia.

In this very hall, some 35 years ago, I heard speakers rallying us to the cause of what we then the "Church of Silence" in the USSR. We were told then that some day we would learn of the martyrs and heroes who had perished in the grim labour-camps of the Soviet Union. We knew that in some way, somehow, under God's providence, the Church would break through. And now the old Soviet Communist era has gone...and the Church sends new missionaries, gathers the fragments, starts to bind the wounds, looks out for the poor and disposessed and confused and muddled, tackles the new and emerging problems even as she honours the sacrifices and valour of those who suffered under the old...

And while all that happens, the CHurch must also face other problems, other issues elsewhere in the world.Today's meeting also heard from the courageous Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala from Sudan. Christians in southern Sudan have been persecuted for years and the country in its present form has never known peace. He reminded us of Britain's historic commitments in Sudan - we left in the 1950s. That jolted me. Are we Catholics in Britain doing now to help Catholics there? He begged for our prayers and for our support for the work of the Church - which is the only institution offering a hope of education, decent medical care, and basic welfare for the Christian people of the south.

And there was more. We heard about the revival of the Church in Ukraine - again, once dominated by an atheistic Communist government, with crushing penalties for infringing its cruel antiu-Church laws. Now, 50 per cent of the population attends Church at Easter...

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the Church faces the new/old problems of militant Islam...

This meeting, organised by Aid to the Church in Need, was taking place on a day when various other major Catholic events were happening in London,including a popular Rosary Rally, offering attractive alternatives for a sunny October Saturday. But the Hall was packed and more people crammed in during the afternoon, filling every available chair, standing at the back, hurrying into the gallery. Over 450 tickets were sold before the day, and more people arrived seeking entrance at the door.

Much of what we heard was solemn and challenging - but the day was inspirational and hugely uplifting. What was impressive too, was the massive support and concern for the persecuted Church around the world, at a time when we seem to have plenty to think about with regard to the Church in our own country. With this sort of commitment, there is cause for hope...

Oh, just because I like it...

Papal Visit Day 3: Hyde Park Vigil from Catholic Church (England/Wales) on Vimeo.

Plans, plans...

...tomorrow (Saturday) is the annual general meeting of the Association of Catholic Women. It's been a good year, with our highly successful Schools RE Project linked to the Visit of the Holy Father (do click on to that link and read some of their letters to the Pope...), our Study Day on Art and Music for primary-school teachers, our involvement in the great Hyde Park Prayer Vigil, and more...

We have great plans for 2011...

Tomorrow I will also be at the HOPE WITHOUT FEAR event at Westminster Cathedral organised by Aid to the Church in Need. I am especially keen to hear from the young American priest who has been working in Siberia, where once the horror of the Gulag dominated the land...

Yesterday evening, a meeting of The Keys, the Catholic Writers' Guild. Mary Kenny is currently Master of the Guild and doing an excellent job. Our meetings are hugely enjoyable, talkative, lively: yesterday's guest speaker was Ed Stourton of the BBC...

I've noticed...

...that over the past couple of weeks, when Catholics in Britain met one another, the standard greeting tended not to be "Hello - how are you?" but "Wasn't it all wonderful?", meaning the Papal Visit. We are still glowing. Any speaker at any Catholic event now starts with some joyful reference to those four days, and any and every Catholic event seems touched by them. Truly, Peter did "confirm the brethren", and we now could do so much...

Still lots to read...

...concerning the Pope's visit. There is a feast of good reading in this commentary on the whole four days, written by Jean Mercier, a French journalist with whom I spent some time in London - we shared a memorable midnight soup-and-snacks with a London family after the HYde Park Vigil and before hurrying to catch a 1.20am parish bus to Birmingham...

For some reason, reading about English things in a French journal always seems hilarious, as in Jean's description of some children studying at "l'école catholique de Walthamstow, une banlieue du nord de Londres". Never thought of Walthamstow as a banlieue...

This week...

...has been a busy one, and a highlight was a visit to Lewes in Sussex. Object was to talk to the parish priest of St Pancras church, with a view to doing some TV filming re Catholic history etc...Lewes is a beautiful town, and I was made most welcome - Fr Richard Biggerstaff gave generously of his time, and it was a delight to visit his lovely church, which recently won an award for its new, beautifully designed, entrance hall...

To Epsom...

...to St Joseph's church, to speak to a gathering of the Co-workers of Mother Teresa. I wasn't sure of what to expect, but it turned out to be a good-sized gathering preceded by a well-attended Mass in this large modern church. There was Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass. The church has some beautiful Stations of the Cross. It's a busy and thriving parish, which I have had the pleasure of visiting before - memorably in 2005 when I dropped in on my sponsored Cycle Ride in aid of World Youth Day, and was given a welcome and a donation and a rest and cold drinks, and people were v.kind...

Today, a very happy gathering: the Co-workers are a lovely bunch of women and it was a very happy morning in a most wonderful and friendly atmosphere. We began by praying together the lovely prayer by John Henry Newman "Let me spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go..." which M. Teresa helped to popularise.

The mood at Catholic gatherings at present is notably upbeat and joyful, following the Holy Father's visit. Several women mentioned parish activities planned as follow-up events inspired by the wonderful days with Papa B...

A talk...

...yesterday at a gathering of local Catholics, by Mgr Stark, who worked for many years on the cause of the beatification of Cardinal Newman...at one point there were 74 boxes of Newman's letters and published writing, and officials in Rome were insisting that these all be translated into Latin or Italian before the cause could proceed...fortunately this ruling was changed in the late 1970s, and things began to go ahead...

A new DVD...

...about the Papacy, Keys of the Kingdom - Understanding the Papacy, just out from St Anthony Communications. I think this would be useful for school RE classes and also for Confirmation groups in parishes. It's a good time now to tackle this subject, in the wake of the Papal Visit. Incidentally, there's an American take on the Visit here...

A happy, golden day...

...in Sussex. A Catholic History Walk around Arundel. We met at Westminster Cathedral in bright early-morning sunshine, with knapsacks and picnics... the 8am Mass there is well-attended, and a kind London friend had put me up for the night so that I was able to be at the Cathedral on time.

Arundel was glorious in golden Autumn sunshine, and our route took us across a glorious sweep of hillside, and down to a lake and then along the Arun...the Castle and Cathedral are magnificent on the skyline as you see the town from the river...

It was a wonderful day, which ended with a Cream Tea at a proper teashop...

Jamie went to the birthday party of a small relative, and I was sorry to be missing it. "Never mind, he'll bring you back a big slice of pink cake" said one of my fellow-walkers...and when I got home, sure enough, he greeted me with a hug, and there was a lovely big wedge of pink cake, waiting to be enjoyed as we swapped stories of our happy day...

Lamplight in the Mall...

...where I walked after catching the Tube from Brixton (see below). Buckingham Palace looks splendid in the glow of an Autumn evening: it was flying the Union Flag not the R. Standard, so HM obviously still in Scotland. As I walked down the Mall with golden and russet leaves falling, I was thinking of the triumphant Papal ride along this route just a couple of weeks before...our own Union Flag intertwined with the golden and white Papal one, and a kindly white-haired grandfatherly figure bestowing blessings left and right, and scooping up babies to kiss, and responding to the cheers and joyful geetings, and the happiness of it all...

Dinner at Brooks's with an old friend, much talk until a late hour. Settled with brandies and those comfortable leather armnchairs, the men started to tackle the whole question of Al Gore's nonsense about climate change, and also the ghastliness of the European bureaucracy, and more...I left them to it, and enjoyed the excellent library, was soon deep in books. They have a superb range on modern and 19th century history. I found myself absorbed by Gen. de Gaulle's WWII memoirs, which for various reasons I have been wanting to read for some while...

Home very late, catching a last Tube trundling out of London to the suburbs...

The chapel at HM Prison, Brixton...

...is a fine building, Victorian gothic, great carved beams, hugh arched windows. A number of us were brought there - via massive security, much unlocking of doors and guiding through courtyards along walls crowned with rolls of barbed wire - for a presentation by PACT, which is seeking volunteers to help with its (excellent) scheme for assisting and befriending prisoners on completion of their sentence. There was a generous buffet lunch,and then we gathered for hymns and prayers and a talk from Archbishop Vincent Nichols. I often despair of my country, but it is something to live in a land where the governor of a prison can pray and sing "Praise to the Holiest..." and "Amazing grace" with a group of his prisoners, an Archbishop, sundry clergy from all denominations, and a wide range of people from all sorts of charitable and volunteer organisations. A team of young prisoners led prayers, and we chatted to them afterwards over tea and a good range of excellent cakes.

The chapel has been carefully adapted so that it can now be used by all denominations. From the Catholic point of view, it is really good - a great Crucifix over the main sanctuary, with Stations of the Cross on the wall behind it, and a statue of Our Lady All these could be covered with a curtain if required, but are clearly generally on view. The main part of the church is now carpeted and has soft-seated chairs and the walls are painted white, and a side wing is devoted to a music-area for choirs and bands, with a table full of Christian literature. It's all very obviously in regular use, and the prisoners to whom I chatted were part of a team of men involved in a range of Chapel-based activities. Another side wing is sectioned off with panelling and does not form part of the chapel - it is set aside for Moslem worship.

I met members of the ACW who are already active with support for prisoners and ex-prisoners and I think we should seek to expand this. A valuable and thought-provoking afternoon.

In warm October sunshine...

...to the Thames Valley, to address a Wives Fellowship group. Topic was "Celebrating traditional feasts and seasons".Very friendly and charming women - delicious tea. General agreemnent re. the worrying trend of families no longer eating together, crucial need to revive and renew traditions, celebrations of the calendar etc. People love discovering origins of pub signs, nursery rhymes, songs etc, and enjoy swapping info on local customs and recipe idea...

The river was sparkling in the sunshine, and although the day had started wet I soon discarded - and wished I hadn't brought - my too-warm padded jacket. Gardens cool and green, late Autumn flowers blooming.

With half an hour to spare before I was due at the meeting, I nipped into a bank to make enquiries about something that has been bothering me - and bothering lots of others - re. abolition of cheques. Yes, this has indeed been threatened by all the major banks, who confidently announced the eventual demise of the cheque-book in three or four years' time. But they haven't thought it out, and there is still time for them to change their minds.

Look. When I go to local group to give a talk, people want to buy my books, and they do so by using cash or writing a cheque. They can also order books from me by post. And they pay for other things in the same way - eg money is collected for a forthcoming outing or event, with everyone making a modest contribution.

"How will this work if cheques are abolished?" I askd. The man was v. nice and trying to be helpful - I had been ushered into a formal office, given every courtesy. "Well, they could go home and make a payment transfer to your bank account by email." That sounds possible: I could write down my bank account details, and they could then also give me a note of theirs, and also of their name and address just in case the payment never reached me...um...wouldn't it be easier if the pieces of paper we exchanged could just be used on their own, without the need to go home and do things all over again via a computer? We could even give the bits of paper a name...er..."cheques" might be suitable.

Another alternative is for me to give my bank details to all and sundry, urging people to publicise them far and wide so that people could then send me money via computer without the need for me to give the information to each person individually. Maybe I should put my account details on a big website and urge people to pay me that way? That would be a great idea, wouldn't it - as I'd have to make sure the details of my account were full and accurate, name, code-number, accout number, everything...

"Well, there is still time for the big banks to have some fresh thinking and change their minds" he said. Quite. Get writing, everyone. Google for the name and address of the HQ of your bank, and write TODAY.

A wonderful party...

...at an hotel with a stunning view over the Thames, to raise funds for the Amar Jyoti trust to help care for and educate blind and visually-impaired children in India. This is all the brainchild of a lovely family, whose daughter has been to India to live and work with these children....There are some fine young people in Britain, and it was a joy to meet some of them at this party. People had been urged to "dress Bollywood" and there were young girls looking absolutely lovely in beautiful saris - some fabulous materials and the girls, wearing these beautiful gowns, were obviously enjoying the unusual feel,and carried themselves with a grace that would never be achieved in micro-minis or jeans...

The latest issue of ....

...the Catholic Times has a feature about the Beans on Toast girl. You don't know who she is? You do, actually, if you've been following the Papal Visit. Remember that wonderful placard which said cheerily "We love U, Papa, more than beans on toast!" and the other one that said "Give it some welly for the Pope in the Park"? The media loved it...so did we. And various newspapers and TV tracked down the young lady and her chums who produced these particular placards, and found they were delightful - pick up a copy of the Cath. Times in your local RC church and read more (but hurry - new edition of the paper comes out on Friday and this is in the current one). The young people would like, they said, to go to Rome and explain to the H. Father about beans-on-toast (and, presumably wellies - he could have done with some at Cofton where it was so damp)...

There's definitely a feeling...

...of a "Benedict bounce" among Catholics in London. Lots going on, and a new mood of hope and faith. Already, there are a number of plans for follow-up events, all very much rooted in prayer...

At the weekend...

...we had a lovely walk, in gentle rain, at Hampton Court. The river is very high at the moment. The conkers are spectacularly good this year, but the horse-chestnut trees seem to have a problem - their leaves have turned rusty and odd, and started doing so in the summer,well before there was any question of these being Autumn colours. Oh dear...
Tea at Hampton Court, in the Tiltyard. Jamie buying me some lovely lavender-scented presents at the gift shop. The riverside, rain plopping on to the water, lots of swans preening themselves.Then dusk falling and the Palace glorious in the twilight.

Auntie likes the idea...

...of NOT ASHAMED Day, on December 1st, when Christians are urged to wear a Cross and witness to their commitment to their Faith.

The latest issue...

...of the Westminster Cathedral magazine OREMUS is a glorious celebration of Papa Benedict's visit...and also has a number of other articles, including Auntie's regular feature, which now includes a monthly recipe. You can get the magazine by dropping into the Cathedral and buying it from the display rack there...

...and on October 16th, the Cathedral hosts the HOPE WITHOUT FEAR event organised by Aid to the Church in Need. Come and be inspired!

I'm reading...

the new book The End and the Beginning by George Weigel. It's a good read. The first part is a fine analysis is the events leading up to the overturning of Communist rule in Eastern and central Europe in 1989.

This book was a birthday present from Jamie, and I am hugely enjoying it, carrying it around to read on the train, in supermarket queues, etc. Recommended.

I've been sent...

this link, from the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with some good insights into the recent visit of the Holy Father...

Read, digest, and note for action...

The fundamental questions at stake in Thomas More’s trial continue to present themselves in ever-changing terms as new social conditions emerge. Each generation, as it seeks to advance the common good, must ask anew: what are the requirements that governments may reasonably impose upon citizens, and how far do they extend? By appeal to what authority can moral dilemmas be resolved? These questions take us directly to the ethical foundations of civil discourse. If the moral principles underpinning the democratic process are themselves determined by nothing more solid than social consensus, then the fragility of the process becomes all too evident - herein lies the real challenge for democracy.

words of Pope Benedict XVI in Westminster Hall, 2010.

London in gentle rain...

...for a meeting of the Association of Catholic Women, at St James' Church,Spanish Place. MUCH to discuss. Our Schools Project this year was the bigggest ever - unsurprisingly, as it was all connected with the visit of the Holy Father. We now plan a booklet with snippets from the children's essays and messages to the Pope (sample:"Thank you, Pope Benedict, for having such lovely manners"). We will be working on the 2011 Project over the next weeks. Also on the Towards Advent Festival, at which we organise the Refreshments (come and buy some of our excellent cakes - and indeed some of Auntie's jam and Apple Jelly)...and we plan another Day of Art and Music for teachers, and then there are the events for 2011 including our annual Day of Recollection...

Auntie is busy...

...working on a new TV series for EWTN, due to be filmed in January. It involved quite a lot of research, many emails back and forth about subjects as diverse as ground oatmeal and the purchase of a haggis, and filming in a country town in Sussex, a meadow near Wimbledon, and - we hope - a house with priest-holes and an ancient Dole tradition.

And if you don't know what a Dole tradition is, you'll have to watch the series to find out, won't you?

Meantime, do read the chatty and descriptive blog from EWTN's Joan Lewis, who brilliantly caught the mood of Papa B's visit to Britain, and is also able to interpret various things for an American audience.(She's able to convey just why that reference to "beans on toast" was one of the biggest compliments that could be paid to a much-loved Papa...)

Do read...

Auntie's account, written for the Association of Catholic Women, of the great Vigil of Prayer in Hyde Park with the Holy Father...

The committee of the ACW meets tomorrow (Friday) to plan follow-up activities from the H. Father's visit...

Meanwhile, over in America...

...they seem to have heard very little about the extraordinary success and significance of the H.Father's visit to Britain...read here for an anaylsis of this.

Want to know more about Cardinal Newman?

Come along to St Joseph's Church, New Malden, on Sunday October 17th, at 6.30pm (ie after the evening Mass) to hear an illustrated talk by Newman scholar Dr Andrew Nash. Come and discover about the life and work of Newman: his childhood, his days at Oxford, the dramatic events of 1845, the foundation of the Oratory in Birmingham...

Everyone is welcome. This is a follow-up to the Papal Visit and Newman's Beatification. Come and join in the celebrations! There will be coffee and marmalade cake (among John Henry Newman's correspondence is a letter thanking some kind ladies for a gift of jars of marmalade for his small community - so we felt that this would be a suitable way to celebrate his beatification!). Donations invited for Maryvale.

St Joseph's church is easily reached by rail (New Malden station is 20 minutes from London Waterloo) and by road (follow the A3 and look for the New Malden exit). Bus 131 from Wimbledon stops outside St Joseph's church on Kingston Road.

To Oxford...

...for a wonderful celebration at Blackfriars marking the Silver Jubilee of two priests, Fr Richard Conrad, OP, and Fr Robert Letellier. Both are lecturers at Maryvale. There was a glorious concelebrated Mass, lots of Latin chant, large congregation in the Blackfriars chapel. Then a delicious buffet lunch in the Refectory, much talk and generous quantities of food and wine. Joyful atmosphere, old friends meeting and much lively talk. Most Catholic conversations over these past days have tended to open with "Wasn't it all marvellous?" as people swap stories about the Papal Visit... everyone has an anecdote, a special memory, something moving or enjoyable or hilarious or just awe-inspiring that they want to share and enjoy with others...

Yesterday, a family trip with friends to Arundel. We were planning the next Catholic History Walk, which takes place on Oct 10th - come and join us! Arundel was enchanting in Autumn sunshine - and even better, somehow, in soft misty rain as we walked by the river before a delicious Cream Tea...

What are YOU doing...

...to follow up the Papal visit and the opportunities it has opened up for bringing the Good News of Christ to Britain?

Any and every Catholic event ought to benefit. This year's TOWARDS ADVENT Festival has includes a reprise of the Visit, with Mgr Vincent Brady from the Nunciature telling us all about it and giving us an opportunity to swap joyful reflections and memories.

And come to the big event organised by Aid to the Church in Need "HOPE WITHOUT FEAR" at Westminster Cathedral on October 16th. Details here...

You might like to obtain the official souvenir of the Papal Visit, with text of all the speeches etc: available here.

And enjoy various commentaries on the visit such as this one and lengthier reflections such as those to be found here...

It is not given to everyone...

...to cycle through the London suburbs with an apple crumble wrapped in a Papal Visit commemorative knapsack in the bicycle-basket.

The apples have been so good this year, and I thought the E. Family would enjoy the crumble...and they did, which was jolly.

Life is gradually coming back to normal after the Papal Visit, but it's a slow and enjoyable process.

Much work at home on the computer: book making slow progress. Lunch at the Inner Temple, v. agreeable. The Chambers in which Jamie was in pupillage have since become famous as the chambers of Rumpole, and carries the fictional names of all conerned.

And relish this...with glorious singing from the Westminster Cathedral choir:

And this,..

And you might enjoy...

this analysis of Papa B's visit, too....

Just to enjoy again...

There are lots and lots...

...of websites with lovely pictures showing aspects of the Holy Father's visit that you may have missed.

Look at this one, for example, with a lovely pic. of the Holy Father and the Chief Rabbi, just before the start of Yom Kippur. Pope Benedict gave special greetings to the Jewish community for this holy celebration, and his words about mutual support and help and co-operation are worth repeating...

NEXT CATHOLIC HISTORY WALK....

...is on Sunday October 10th, and is at ARUNDEL in Sussex. A lovely country walk in this most beautiful part of England. Castle, Cathedral, river, Autumn, good companionship...what more could anyone want? Only some nice teashops and pubs, and you'll find those in Arundel, too...

Meet at 9.45 am on the steps of Westminster Cathedral,

OR

be on the 10.17am train from Victoria Station to Arundel

OR

join us at Arundel Cathedral at approx 12.30pm.

BRING A PACKED LUNCH!

No need to book - just turn up! Wear comfortable shoes and suitable clothing - we'll be walking whatever the weather.

Note: the Walk does not specifically include Mass, so it's best to go to Mass beforehand. There is an 8 am Mass at Westminster Cathedral.

MOre information about the Catholic History Walks: click here.

Getting back to work...

...and, specifically, for my next series on EWTN, due to be filmed in January. I'm research the historical background to various Autumnal/Christmas/Epiphany/Candlemas/etc etc etc traditions, and also working in recipes. It is fun and there is a lot to do...

Some lovely books for children, about saints, have just been produced by St Paul's. There's a delightful one on Blessed (!) John Henry Newman and there are also lovely books on St Therese of Lisieux and St John Vianney. The books are charmingly illustrated, hardback, lovely to use and handle, and are just £5.95p each. Warmly recommended.

Latest issue of VOICES, magazine of Women for Faith and Family in the USA, arrives. Auntie has a feature in it...

Latest FAITH magazine...

arrives. Auntie has a book review in it, of Amy Wellborn's delightful children's book Friendship with Jesus.

want still more...

...from Auntie about the Papal visit? Read my EWTN blog here...

And to get a flavour of how the tabloids are now viewing Papa B., read here...

Cofton Park, near Birmingham ...

..and a damp hillside in the darkness, and groups hurrying forward to claim places for the great Mass that was a few hours ahead. People made encampments and unpacked flasks of coffee and packets of sandwiches. It was all very British - people had brought rainwear and for those who hadn't, there were plastic macs in our Pilgrim Packs, and the latter could also double as waterproof mats on which to sit. As the dawn came up, the hillsides and valley were filled with people, and the altar at the heart of this natural amphitheatre was being made ready for Mass.

Few present had slept. Like many others, I'd travelled from London with a parish group. After the Vigil of Prayer (see below) I went to the house of friends and we swapped stories over hot soup and a lot of wine, and there was a lot of laughter and chatter and it was all hugely agreeable, and no one wanted to waste time sleeping. Straight on to the parish bus that was to drive through the night to Birmingham. People talked a bit at first but gradually succumbed to slumber - I recall a muddled dream about Cardinal Newman going ice-skating, and then woke as the rhythm of the bus changed after we left the motorway and trundled down side roads towards Cofton.

The Mass was glorious. Music surged,and Papa Benedict's voice - which had seemed hoarse at some earlier events but was now strong and confident, though still with that gentle tone - led us in the prayers. When he preached, he began with a touching reference to the Battle of Britain, and paid tribute to the heroes who had defended the country from the Nazis...and then in this most English of settings, in the heart of England, he pronounced a great Englishman on his way to sainthood...

At Holy Communion, priests stood with ciboria beneath large umbrellas in papal colours, held aloft, and people came forward reverently and silently, stepping over sleeping children or stacked backpacks...

We sang Newman's hymns, and Keble's "Love Divine, all loves excelling...and at the very end, standing with friends, filling the whole hillside with music as we poured our hearts into "For all the saints...", I felt that surely Heaven might be something a bit like this.

Extraordinary...

...glorious and moving Vigil of Prayer in Hyde Park. It was great fun to be in the parade of Catholic groups and organisations - along with Patti Fordyce, I was representing the Association of Catholic Women, and we carried our brand-new banner, specially made for the occasion, with great pride. As we made our way through the crowd, there were excited shouts of "Auntie Joanna!" and young relatives hurried through for a joyful greeting. Then off we went, up on to the stage, where we were greeted by all the Bishops...and then we were given seats, and had a superb view of all that followed.

Far and away the most moving and inspiring speakers were the Mizen parents, whose son Jimmy was murdered in a random act of violence and whose prayerful and courageous response to this tragedy has touched everyone. They spoke about faith, and what Christ means when you suffer sorrow, and the need to teach peace and forgiveness. "Be proud of your faith" Mrs Mizen told the young people "Be proud and glad of your Catholic faith."

Earlier, through the afternoon, there had been Irish dancing, and Polish dancing, and African singing, all shown across the Park to the crowds via giant screens. As we waited for the Holy Father, we nopw moved on to various talks and messages - some very good, some less so - and then finally to prayer.

When the Holy Father arrived, there was a terrific outburst of cheering, and an overwhelming surge of joy and enthusiasm...and magnificent music, and a wonderful sense of unity and shared faith...

...and so to the beautiful vigil of prayer, and a deep and reverent silence as the Holy Father lifted high the monstrance and blessed us with the Blessed Sacrament. Young faces glowed in the candlelight, and here in the heart of London 80,000 souls were joining together in prayer...

When things finished, we gathered again with young family members, and walked off through a gloriously quiet London - how enchanting it is when streets are sealed from traffic! Jamie telephoned to say that the BBC wanted me for a discussion with Peter Tatchell and did I want to do that? Certainly not, and there was the joyful recognition that poor Tatchell was becoming less and less relevant in the nation's mind as the joy and true signifoicance of the Papal visit intensified.

At Victoria station, young people with their golden "PIlgrim pack" backpacks were everywhere, and on the packed train to the southern suburbs other passengers caught the mood and all was cheery and talkative and joyful...

Listening...

...via the internet, to the exchange of greetings and the talks given by the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury. A good and friendly gathering, and good things said.

This is a time for rejoicing: in Westminster today, history was made.

And great goodwill...

...at Westminster Abbey. I was outside, and hearing the glorious bells ring out, and with people milling about, with goodwill and joy everywhere, it made the heart rejoice.

The BBC wanted to talk to me about women priests, and kept saying "But aren't the Anglican and Catholic churches further apart than ever?" I said NO, emphatically not. There is greater goodwill now than ever before: it is a tragedy that the C. of E. opted for women priests, but it doesn't mean that any doors are closed, and the goodwill continues. Don't know how all that will sound on TV...

I have found a good report on the service in the Abbey here. And you can read the POpe's speech here.

A gathering of history...

...in the magnificent setting of Westminster Hall,at the very heart of Parliament, with centuries of tradition echoing beneath its great hammer-beam roof and its Norman arches. Here, with the Archbishop of Canterbury by his side, a great array of Members of Parliament, several former Prime Ministers, and representatives of every aspect of public life in Britain, Pope Benedict XVI gave an address, touching on the moral realities that lie beneath the great issues of our day.

It was an unforgettable priviledge to be there. Beautiful gilt chairs had been set in rows, the Band of the Coldstream Guards played, and there was a sense of great and almost reverent expectancy. In the last moments before the Pope arrived, there was an absolute and extraordinary silence - it was as if we were in church.

The Pope spoke quietly, and has a gentle, academic style. He was vigorous in his warmth and praise for Britain's tradition of Parliamentary democracy, seeing this as a great achievement and a gift to the wider world. He emphasised that this was grounded in a culture of faith, and that faith and reason work together and complement one another. Attempts to marginalise faith, and in particular Christianity, will do grave harm to the common good, and to the liberty achieved through the great Westminster tradition.

It was a wonderful occasion - something glorious and magnificent in our history. A great sense of joy and goodwill.

I will remember this day as long as I live.

Hurrah for Papa B!

...and this is what he said as he arrived in Scotland, and was greeted by HM the Queen. I've highlighted bits that are of especial interest, and which rouse us today:


"The name of Holyroodhouse, Your Majesty’s official residence in Scotland, recalls the "Holy Cross" and points to the deep Christian roots that are still present in every layer of British life. The monarchs of England and Scotland have been Christians from very early times and include outstanding saints like Edward the Confessor and Margaret of Scotland. As you know, many of them consciously exercised their sovereign duty in the light of the Gospel, and in this way shaped the nation for good at the deepest level. As a result, the Christian message has been an integral part of the language, thought and culture of the peoples of these islands for more than a thousand years. Your forefathers’ respect for truth and justice, for mercy and charity come to you from a faith that remains a mighty force for good in your kingdom, to the great benefit of Christians and non-Christians alike.

We find many examples of this force for good throughout Britain’s long history. Even in comparatively recent times, due to figures like William Wilberforce and David Livingstone, Britain intervened directly to stop the international slave trade. Inspired by faith, women like Florence Nightingale served the poor and the sick and set new standards in healthcare that were subsequently copied everywhere. John Henry Newman, whose beatification I will celebrate shortly, was one of many British Christians of his age whose goodness, eloquence and action were a credit to their countrymen and women. These, and many people like them, were inspired by a deep faith born and nurtured in these islands.

Even in our own lifetime, we can recall how Britain and her leaders stood against a Nazi tyranny that wished to eradicate God from society and denied our common humanity to many, especially the Jews, who were thought unfit to live. I also recall the regime’s attitude to Christian pastors and religious who spoke the truth in love, opposed the Nazis and paid for that opposition with their lives. As we reflect on the sobering lessons of the atheist extremism of the twentieth century, let us never forget how the exclusion of God, religion and virtue from public life leads ultimately to a truncated vision of man and of society and thus to a "reductive vision of the person and his destiny" (Caritas in Veritate, 29)."

Last night, I joined a great throng of people from across London who came to welcome the H. Father as he arrived at Wimbledon. The crowd was much, much larger than we had expected - there were lots of families, teams of young people with banners saying "WELCOME HOLY FATHER", young men from the seminary, parish groups. Some people had brought candles and lanterns. I met several old friends, had some wonderful conversations - there was an atmosphere of great goodwill and happiness - and we cheered various policemen who came by, and various vans and cars and then ...here he came!! Flashing blue lights, lots of police outriders - then a car and a small figure, a white-clad arm waving, a great surge of cheers from the crowd, followed by persistent shouting and chanting. People suddenly went Italian and shouted "Viva il Papa!", some broke into song, others raised a hip-hip-hurrah! We went on cheering as he went inside - and then finally some windows opened and he came out and greeted us...

The crowd took a good while to disperse - we'd all been enjoying ourselves. Children were excited by being out of doors in the night on the edge of the Common, all wild and dark behind them. Friends lingered to talk. People enjoyed swapping inconsequential news "They gave him haggis for lunch!" "I hope he's able to get a good rest - he's had an amazing day" "He deserves a good whisky-and-soda". And overall "The crowds in Scotland were great - it's all right. It's going to be all right!"

HE'S HERE! And as Papa B. arrived in Scotland...

... I was rushed to the BBC this morning, in between complicated family commitments, for a discussion on the Jeremy Vine Show with an atheist profesor who said how dreadful the Pope was, how dreadful the Church was,how much harm Mother Teresa had done in Calcutta, how it was all wrong to focus on the Church's charitable work, etc etc. She had signed the letter to the Guardian protesting about the H. Father's visit, but her real quarrel seemed to be with God, His very existence,the possibility that it might all be true...

Hurried home, via local parish, where there is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament all day on Thursdays. Prayed for the H. Father's visit, and also for a private matter (a young woman who is going into hospital for a major operation today: why not add your prayers to mine on this?).

Home. Domestic matters, then letters, emails, phone calls. The poor anonymous person who has sent me a Comment with filthy things about the Holy Father and the Church need not have bothered: the Comment has been deleted.

A French magazine, La Vie, arrives in the post.It has a big feature on the Papal Visit to Britain, John Henry Newmnan, etc. Has features about, among others, Fr Alexander Sherbrook of St Patrick's, Soho Square. There is also a quote from Auntie, described as "blogeuse reputee et pleine d'humour", which is kind...

BE THERE!!!!

The map showing the H. Father's route through London on Saturday evening has been published. Best place to see him and cheer him is THE MALL - you get there by going to St James' Park or Victoria tube station. Early evening. Bring a flag: you can make a simple Papal flag by simply sticking one white sheet and one yellow sheet of paper together. Bring a friend. Bring the children. BE THERE!!!

Here's the link again:
http://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/papal_visit_10_popemobile.html

Off to Wimbledon...

...by bike tomorrow evening to greet the H. Father at the Nunciature. Today, a wonderful visit to the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham at the Abbotswick House of Prayer in Brentwood. An excellent place at which to pray and prepare for the Papal Visit. The Sisters wear lovely blue-and-white habits, with hoods...they are sort of goody-hoodies, a new Community and one full of hope and promise. Around the wide lawns and paths there are small shrines and a Way of the Cross. A glorious breezy sunny day with a hint of Autumn, the last blackberries ripening on the hedges. The community began a Novena to Our Lady of Walsingham today as the feast is in nine days' time, and of course were praying for the H. Father and the great events that start tomorrow.

Nasty media stuff, but some good material in the Daily Telegraph

Be on the streets of London to greet the Holy Father!!! DON'T MISS OUT! Click here to get the route:

http://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/papal_visit_10_popemobile.html

EXCELLENT...

...lecture given by author Brian Gail at Westminster Cathedral Hall, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Westminster in the John Paul II Theology of the Body series, run by Edmund Adamus.

The lecture was challenging, thought-provoking, inspiring. Brian Gail pointed to the grim reality of what has occurred with the destruction of our understanding of the covenant bond of marriage and the awesome sharing in God's gift of new life. He called for a fresh and invigorating look at this whole subject, a wholescale turning to God. It was gripping stuff, and it brought prolonged applause, followed by people milling about to talk, to look at his book (it's a terrific read!)and the discuss what he had said...

Edmund Adamus is doing a superb job in the diocese, and gives practical support, encouragement, information, and help to all who are working for Christian family life. This lecture series is just one of the projects he has launched, and this evening really was splendid.

And these are momentous days as we await the arrival of the successor of St Peter to Britain...

This has been an extraordinary week so far...yesterday I had the experience of walking into Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament with a couple of friends and being able to say that here, in the place where St Thomas More was condemned to death for refusing to support King Henry VIII in breaking the unity of the Church with Rome, a Pope would be addressing the British nation.

Today, I cycled up to Wimbledon to check out the roadside opposite the Apostolic Nunciature, where crowds of us will gather on Thursday night to greet Pope Benedict as he arrives. We'll have candles and lanterns and posters of welcome, and we'll be singing and praying...

It is great to be in...

...a wonderful parish!

Our parish priest at St Joseph's New Malden, responded with enthusiasm to the idea of having a showing of the excellent film about the Holy Father: it was at short notice, but announcements were made at all the Masses this weekend, and placed in the parish newsletter, and we got a full hall, and a memorable evening. The film is powerful and moving: you could have heard a pin drop during the showing.

We invited donations for the work of the Maryvale Institute: the parish is already linked to Maryvale and has catechists who were trained there, and people were generous and enthusiastic with donations.

All this at a busy weekend: many of the young people were hurrying off after evening Mass to a meeting about World Youth Day. It really is just wonderful parish!

BTW, if you want a poster to place in your window to show your support for the Holy Father, there are some at St Joseph's - just drop into the church and you will find some in the entrance area. DO COME AND GET ONE and put it up! (Bus 131 from Wimbledon stops right by the church, just ask for "St Joseph's").

A happy day...

....at St Philomena's School, where I joined lots of others for an Old Girls' Reunion. Several of our year group - we left school 40 years ago this year! - met for lunch beforehand. It was a wonderful, talkative, affectionate gathering, full of laughter and lots and lots of "do-you-remember?" and "what about that time when..."

We were happy at St Phillies. It was (and is) a good school, and we knew it when we were there. A strong message about service and putting other people's needs first, and all that sort of thing...perhaps a rather sheltered environment, but it formed a framework for life, and gave you confidence...a sense that things could be achieved, that wrongs could and should be righted.

A lot of our laughter over lunch concerned school food: easy to gloat over its nastiness when we were enjoying a delicious Italian meal, but the school lunches (provided by the local authority, not the school) really did contain some horrors: "flat meat", of indeterminate grey, revolting liver with elastic tubes in the middle, slimy tapioca pudding with sinister lumps.

Oh, I did enjoy reminiscing...there were some things I remembered quite well, like Bernie eating that daffodil bulb for a dare, and having to be rushed to hospital...but there were others I'd forgotten, like Mary D. breaking her teeth running into one of those great pots of flowers that stood in the Quad. And some things I hadn't known at all: Lizzy D. showed me where she and Monica B. had discovered how to work the laundry shaft and had glorious rides, and I'm rather sorry to have missed out on that.

Only a Philomenian will understand when I add that Spartans and Athenians united for the lunch. Oh, and that Margaret Clitheroe has gone, and there's a v. grand impressive new Hall there now, where we had tea.

Sometimes, one doesn't know whether to be angry, or to weep...

..at the ineptitude of things.

A booklet has been produced for people attending the Papal events, purporting to be for people of non-Christian faiths, so help explain various terms. It is a crass and ghastly example of an attempt to use what the authors think is street-language for sacred things.

In trying to find a suitable term for "Liturgy, Celebration, Mass, Benediction" the authors come up with "Event, show, Gig". For "spiritual, uplifting" they offer "enjoyable, fun, exciting".

AAAAARGH!!!

Do these people honestly believe that non-Christians don't understand what "spiritual" and "uplifting" mean? Do they honestly think that non-Christians don't have any understanding of spiritual things, are never uplifted?

And don't they see that to attempt to use words like "gig" and "show" in describing the Mass is just...well...indescribably gross and wrong?

And don't let's even try to explain just how horribly wrong they are in saying that a similar term for "Blessed Sacramernt" is "Bread and wine".

The booklet opens with a fairly useful section on the Mass, and has a similarly adequate section on Benediction, both written with reverence and understanding. There are helpful guidelines about suitable dress and behaviour (appropriate attire, no shorts, switch off mobile phones, noise and movement to be minimised during Mass, complete silence at the Consecration, etc).

So why the gross and daft attempt at street-speak for the glossary? It's pathetic desire to feel up-to-date and streetwise, and it's cringe-making.

A party...

...given by the Catholic Herald to celebrate the Papal Visit. Great fun, lots of talks with a great many friends, delicious drinks and trays of tasty nibbles, all in the rather impressive surroundings of The Friary in Francis St, round at the back of Westminster Cathedral. This was for many years the Catholic Central Library, but before that,it was connected not with the Church but with the British Army, and was built as a home for orphans of soldiers who served in the Crimean War...

Among the people at the party, I chatted to Canon Christopher Tuckwell of Westminster Cathedral, to Stratford and Leonie Caldecott, who are involved with the excellent Magnificat publication, to Fr Tim Finigan (this month marks 30 years since he served our Wedding Mass at St Elphege's, Wallington), to Neville Kyrke-Smith and the team from Aid to the Church in Need, to Christina of the Cathedral Friends, to Fergal Martin and the team from the CTS , and to a great many more friends. Princess Michael of Kent was among the guests, and very charming and friendly. Herald editor Luke Coppen was a cheery and welcoming host, and I had my photograph taken with him and will put it on this blog as soon as I have worked out how to do so. (Fr Tim took the pic, and has emailed it to me, and will be watching gleefully to see if I manage it...)

After the party, an interview with Jeremy de Satge of The Music Makers for the Heart gives unto Heart radio station.

At the weekend...

...I went to the annual commemoration of St Edith at her Well in Kent.

St Edith was the daughter of King Edgar, one of our last Saxon kings. She was illegitimate, and was born at Kemsing and brought up in a convent. After his wife died, Edgar sought to legitimate Edith, and in due course she was offered the crown of England, but she declined it, preferring to remain in the convent and take her vows as a nun. She ministered to the poor and sick, especially little leper children, and legend says that one day the Christ-child joined them as they gathered round her for their daily meal.

St Edith is honoured at Kemsing, and we gathered at St Edith's well - where she drew water as a child - and prayed the Rosary there, then went on to the lovely home of the Tyler family nearby, for Benediction in the garden, and a delicious tea. A great gathering of local people, Catholics and Anglicans joining together.

Kent was glorious on this September day, and there was a treasure-hunt with Bible quotes to be found in the orchard and meadow, a delicious array of sandwiches and cakes in the cool shady patio (especially welcome for those of us who had walked as pilgrims from nearby Otford), and much talk...the forthcoming Papal visit very much in people's minds, hopes and anxieties being expressed...a happy day.

I will certainly be attending...

this meeting which will feature the work of heroic priests including an American in Siberia. He is bringing new hope to a place marked by hideous suffering, a corner of the former USSR's gulag archipelago.

Join me at this event, organised by Aid to the Church in Need.

A film about the Holy Father...

...produced a hall packed to capacity when it was shown at the Sacred Heart parish, Wimbledon, this week. I hugely recommend this film, which is produced by Rome Reports. It's called A Love Affair with the Truth and you can get it by clicking on to that link.

A friend, who lives in the parish, and is a fellow-enthusiast for Maryvale, had the idea of obtaining the film and having a showing in the hall. We offered fresh coffee and Bavarian chocolate cake, suggested a £3.00 donation (proceeds to Maryvale) and advertised the event in the parish newsletter and in neighbouring parishes. We expected a reasonable turnout - the parish is a big one with good numbers for Sunday Masses. We got a magnificent crowd - extra chairs brought in, standing room only at the back, people sitting on the floor. The parish priest gave a wonderful welcome, and as people left they were given copies of the special edition of Magnificat booklet, with all the liturgies for the Papal visit. It was a simply wonderful evening.

On the Theology of the Body...

..there is good reading here, from a London voice looking forward to the visit of the Holy Father...

And I shall certainly be attending this event at Westminster on the eve of the Papal visit.

Under brilliant, glittering stars...

...we pitched our tent in a Somerset meadow, and relished a family holiday: I gathered sea-spinach and blackberries and there was cooking and jam-making, we watched barn-owls fly, wandered over ancient abbey ruins, ate pub lunches, walked across the moors and into deliciously cool woodlands, squeezed into a crowded church with a Sunday Mass congregation swollen with other holidaymakers, had long talkative family meals, and drove home late and slowly savouring the last bits of holiday by having a cheerful wayside supper while telling a detective story.

Didn't want to come home, really, but there is a great deal going on now and being plunged in to it has left small time for blogging. At Mass in the West Country we were all given copies of the special Magnificat produced for the Papal visit with the various liturgies in it. On Monday (Sept 6th) at 7.30pm in the Parish Room at the Sacred Heart Church, Edge Hill, London SW19 we're showing a new 60-minute DVD about the Pope - come and join us! Admission £3.00, proceeds to Maryvale. There'll be coffee and Bavarian chocolate cake (some of us spending much of this weekend baking, nice recipes involved melting coc. oranges, cream...)

We can expect a media onslaught on the Church, the H. Father, etc over the next days. Meanwhile, for thopse who want to use their brains intelligently, there is a fine article by George Weigel about the H. Father in Standpoint magazine, excellent feature about John Henry Newman by Conrad Black here.

Auntie has a feature in the current issue of AD2000 in Australia, and in Oremus, the magazine of Westminster Cathedral.

London...

...always looks its best in light rain. I lunched with an old friend at the Albert pub in Victoria Street, and we talked long and enjoyably over a very good steak-and-ale pie. On to Westminster Cathedral, where evening Mass was said without choir as the boys are away on holiday: there was something solid and downbeat and somehow very attractive about the simple and straightforward Mass, a rumble of London voices making the responses, lines of people coming up for Communion. I went to confession and, as so often happens, met a friend in the queue and we had one of those whispered conversations exchanging news and greetings. On to Parliament - under grey skies and scudding rain the warm sandstone looks warm and weathered and rather marvellous. Parliment Square is still a mess - the encampment of demonstrators (anti-war, anti-capitalism etc etc) has gone but there are hoardings up while the muck and rubbish they left is cleared and the grass allowed to grow again, and there is still a row of tents and banners and placards facing the Houses of Parliament. The Holy Father will be speaking in Westminster Hall in three weeks' time and an invitation to this stands on our mantlepiece, all silvered embossed crest and elegant lettering. I said a quick prayer as I stood by the railings, and dropped a miraculous medal there.

And you must come to...

...this lecture, by author Brian Gail. I interviewed him for a Catholic Herald feature a while back, and he was terrific. Come and hear him speak!

The latest issue...

...of COMMON GROUND, the magazine of the Council of Christians and Jews, has a feature by Auntie in it. Click on that link to find it, it's the Summer 2010 edition...

WHO IS JOSEPH RATZINGER??

Come and find out! A colleague has found a superb new film on the life of Benedict XVI, and we've organised a Papa Benedict Evening!!! Monday September 6th, Parish Lounge, Sacred Heart church, Wimbledon, London SW19. Donation £3.00, coffee and Bavarian chocolate cake. All welcome. Funds raised wil go to the Maryvale Institute.

When the early Christians...

...were persecuted in the Roman empire under Nero and Diocletian, one of the accusations used against them was that of cannibalism - because of the Eucharist. It's surfaced again. Campaigners in the secularist lobby - I've just been trawling some of their blogs and websites to see what they are saying in this run-up to the visit of the H.Father - are now making claims that Christianity is essentially cannibalistic, and referring to Holy Communion...oh, and that it is a religion focused on death, because of the centrality of the Crucifixion.

One commentator is quoted by another journalist as saying that the Holy Father's views are "so disgusting, so repellent, and so hugely damaging to the rest of us, that the only thing to do is to get rid of him". I am assuming that she was misquoted...

I've now learned how to embed videos...

Blackberries...

...and small girls eagerly gathering them. A friend and her daughters contacted me to inform me of a newly-discovered wonderful place, a glorious meadow with hedges simply brimming with blackberry bushes, near a beautiful church (on Sunday evenings the bells peal out for Evensong, and they dropped in to share in the service for a little while)...the essence of English rural life, and all in the heart of Greater London suburbia, not far from a railway station which could whisk you to Waterloo in half an hour...

So I joined them for a happy afternoon, and as I write this there are jars of jam all completed, and a mix of blackberry-and-apple straining through to make jelly, and a delicious blackbverry and apple crumble just enjoyed for supper.

If you want to sample the jam, you must come to the Towards Advent Festival, Nov 6th at Westminster Cathedral Hall. Mark the date in your diary now...

In the news...

...there are reports of another incident at a War Memorial, where a drunken woman used it as a lavatory, and later for a sexual encounter. Recently another War Memorial was sprayed with graffitti with militant Islamiscist slogans. One newspaper suggests that we need a new law making it a specific offence to dishonour a War Memorial in this way. We don't. But the incidents do require some sort of a response. Today I went to our local War Memorial with some flowers and a note which said "Reading media reports of recent incidents involving the desecrating of War Memorials made me want to do so something, so I have placed these flowers here. I invite others to do the same."

A useful meeting...

...with Gerry Coates, who has launched the Heart Gives Unto Heart internet radio station to cover the Papal visit. I'll be helping with some interviews etc - much to plan and discuss.

LOts of emails and messages from people who are coming to London for Papal events, including some Americans. Some are making a longer stay, and arriving some days before the Papal visit to enjoy some sightseeing etc. If you are among these, do join me on the Catholic History Walk on Sept 9th. It starts at 6.30pm (ie after the 5.30pm Mass) on the steps of Westminster Cathedral...no need to book, just turn up. Wear suitable shoes and clothing, we'll be walking whatever the weather. The route wil take in Westminster Abbey, Parliament, St James Park etc...

The Holy Father on Religious Freedom:

He is increasingly stating its importance. At a time when Christians in various places - yes, I'm talking about Britain - sense that their right to work and pray and teach and speak out from the vantage-point of a living faith is being challenged or denied, Pope Benedict XVI has made religious freedom the theme of his 2011 Peace Message. Read here for more...and understand the significance of what is being said.

Addressing the United Nations a couple of years ago the Holy Father said: "Human rights, of course, must include the right to religious freedom, understood as the expression of a dimension that is at once individual and communitarian – a vision that brings out the unity of the person while clearly distinguishing between the dimension of the citizen and that of the believer."

The Church is not asking for priviledges but just for the right of everyone to play a fair part in common life: the Pope noted that asking that some one renounces religious beliefs in order to take part in building up the social order is unjust, and fragments the human person. Of course it also denies to society the benefits brought by all that is being produced through the zeal and commitment of those who work from a position of faith: schools, hospitals, universities, all sorts of provision for the poor and marginalised and so on...

And while on the subject, Vatican II's Declaration on Religious Freedom is authoritative and extraordinarily prophetic and wise...

Having recently met...

...some of the Dominican Sisters from the New Forest, I trawled their website, and was impressed by their range of activities, which included a visit from a school, with a v. charming pic...

A Traditional Wedding...

...in Hampshire. A great gathering in church, a beautiful bride, glorious music, delightful bridesmaids in swishy scarlet dresses matching the red roses, enchanting small page-boys, solemnity as the young couple exchanged their vows...all joyful, memorable, tender. The Nuptial Mass was celebrated by the chaplain of the University where they met, concelebrating with family friends...and in addition to a magnificent Byrd Mass, sung by a choir of friends of the young couple, we had some of my favourite, favourite hymns... Later, over a delicious meal, there were excellent speeches, and laughter and talk and then dancing until a late hour...and the departure of the bride and groom in a car trailing tin cans and balloons...

Favourite hymns? Oh, since you ask...John Henry Newman's Praise to the Holiest, of course, and Soul of my Saviour, and Glorious things of thee are spoken...

And just to make things perfect, this morning as various of us returned to the same church for a packed Sunday Mass, we had Tell out my Soul: wonderful nieces singing fabulously beside me...

And you must MUST watch this...

...click here...I found this extraordinarily moving...

Hurrah for Papa Benedict...

...and you must read this blog if you are a Londoner and want to be part of the Papal visit.

The Oratory School...

...founded by John Henry Newman, stands in glorious countryside in the Thames Valley and welcomed a great crowd of young Catholics from across Britain for the third EVANGELIUM Conference this weekend. Outsanding speakers included Roy Schoeman with a gripping Jewish testimony, and Fathers Andrew Pinsent and Marcus Holden with a superb presentation of the Catholic Church's achievements in the sciences, the arts, education, care of the poor and sick, human dignity, and common life and culture...there were glorious Masses in the large school chapel where Gregorian chant and hymns were sung with enthusiasm, and a surge of young voices joined in prayers, there was Morning Prayer in the beautiful old chapel in the school grounds with the psalms going back and forth to welcome the day, there were excellent meals with a roar of talk, there was a lovely evening gathering with music and wine in a gracious drawing-room opening on to the lawns beneath brightly glittering stars. There was a great presentation by Jack Valero on Catholic Voices, and an excellent talk on the Papacy, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" by Father Nicholas Schofield. Auntie took part with a talk about women in the Church and English Catholic Heroines, and there was an evening discussion in which both Bogles, J and J, were part of a panel tackling questions on all sorts of topics - Jamie was v. good.

The Evangelium event - now clearly a part of the annual national Catholic calendar - is notable for bringing together people from a number of new groups within the Church, including the Neo-Catechumenate. It is sponsored by the Catholic Truth Society. There were people there linked to the FAITH Movement, to charismatic groups, to the Fraternity of St Peter, and to the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. I was interested to meet some young women from the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham, and plan to take them up on an invitation to visit them shortly.

Throughout the weekend, there were references to Newman, and it was wonderful to be in the school he founded, and looking ahead to the Papal visit and the beatification...a sense of things coming together.

On Sunday afternoon, things finished with a final Benediction, and then lots of goodbyes and a relay of minibus trips to Reading station...where some of us gathered for a final drink and chat, and were still there more than an hour later, still enjoying ourselves as the evening drew on - talking agreeably over a great range of things (theology, John Paul II,the Church, the nation...) not in the beautiful setting of Woodcote where we had been all weekend, but at a cheery pub with an ugly view of office blocks. We were still talking as we boarded the train for LOndon, and finally reluctantly shook hands and made our ways home at Paddington...

Joyfully...

...to the annual FAITH Movement Summer Session, held at Woldingham School in Surrey. Packed with young people, it was also an opportunity to reconnect with various friends who, like me, had come along for this Wednesday afternoon and evening - traditionally the Guest Night. An excellent talk by guest speaker James Macmillan, Catholic composer, whose latest work is a Mass which wil be sung when the Holy Father comes to Birmingham to beatify John Henry Newman. Drawing on inspiration from John Paul II's Letter to Artists,, Macmillan spoke about the beauty,structure and sense of order and meaning which music imparts, and how music has an intrisic link with faith, with religion...

Our family has a longstanding link with the FAITH Movement, and it was fun to be at this Summer Session with some young relatives...including a four-year-old who loved the beautiful gardens and grounds - a rabbit lolloped agreeably through the woods as we approached, there was a great fat fish in a pond, and the sun shone on wide lawns newly freshened with rain. A happy afternoon.

Evening prayer in the chapel, and memories of so many Summer Sessions down the years. We sang "The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended...", the voices rising up in the evening air.

An excellent and at times hilarious concert, a packed room applauding each performer with much clapping and stamping. Then a walk down the lane to the station, the stars very large and bright above us, and a train ride to Clapham Junction and so home on my bike, very late, and contented.

In sticky summer heat...

...hurrying around London...then supper at Euston Station, reading exam revision notes, then train to Birmingham, still reading, then a taxi to a comfortable inn at Sutton Coldfield, near to Maryvale. The bliss of a shower and comfy bed - and a Gideons Bible in which to look up various Bible references. Thank the Lord for the Gideons: I hope some nasty campaigmner doesn't succeed in banning them from placing Bibles in hotel rooms. I always make a point of using one, and anyway it's always so reassuring to have it there, and handy for bed-time prayers...

Maryvale pleasant and inviting, as always. Much greeting of friends as people foregathered for exams. A number of young nuns among the crowd - and it was a large crowd, as people from various different year-groups were there for this big summer exam session. The usual lecture-room was doubled in size by the drawing back of a great set of folding panels, and we each sought our alloted desk with its examination number.

No use speculating on how I did...I tried my best and will just have to await the results.

Train back to London,on to a Saturday evening Mass at Westminster Cathedral and then straight on to young relatives where I was due to stay the night preparatory to a Day at the Seaside on Sunday. A cheery fish-and-chip supper, the family group including not only Auntie but a godmother and a German au pair - lots of lively and amusing talk among the young people, much laughter and fun.

The Seaside next day was a joy - small great-nephew leaping joyously into the waves, small great-niece tucking into ice-creams, new baby snoozing and beaming, young relatives unpacking a great picnic in the sunshine...we all very much enjoyed ourselves...

And then on Monday, to Sion-Manning School, where a lively Holiday Activity Week was in progress, and Auntie was leading a workshop on journalism. A happy busy morning, with some enthusiastic youngsters in a very pleasant atmosphere. Their week will include a visit to Kensington Palace and a good look at English history, with a bus tour of London and a boat trip along the Thames...and the plan is that they will now have some journalistic skills so as to produce a lively report on it all to take home for friends and family...

Off to Birmingham...

...to Maryvale for another round of exams. It's a busy place, and full up at the moment as so many students are there for exams and lectures. Some of us will be staying instead at a nearby inn.

Not far from Maryvale there is a disused (? Methodist, from the look of it) church which is up for sale. Suitably reorgnaised inside, it could provide a number of useful rooms, and it's just off the edge of the Maryvale estate, near a row of shops and adjoining some other empty buildings. I keep thinking...

I have been sent...

...a copy of Dr Alick Dowling's "Enjoy Eating Less" which is a commonsense guide to tackling Britain's obesity problem. But the book has become detached from its accompanying letter, so I don't have details of its price, availability, etc. Alick - can you contact me? I am anxious to review the book in a couple of journals and need more details...

The bash-the-Catholic-Church brigade will soon be launching...

...its August campaign, looking ahead to the Papal visit in Sept and hoping to wreck it. THere's a useful feature on the subject here...

In harsh sunshine...

...trawling a heavy suitcase on wheels across London. It was filled with Bibles. I was taking them to the house of a kind friend in Chelsea, where next week a small team will be gathering to embark on the substantial task of sending them out to young prizewinners of the 2010 Schools Bible Project. This Project is an ecumenical venture and is open to pupuls at all secondary schools in Britain: they are invited to imagine themselves present at one of the events in the life of Christ (we give them six from which to choose, with Bible references etc) and to write about it in their own words. The result is a huge number of entries, which pour in from schools across the country...and every year a team of judges meets to choose the winners, and to award Bible prizes to the runners-up. The winners come to London to recieve their prizes, which include cheques for their schools, from one of our Trustees in a ceremony at the House of Lords.

Many - indeed most - of the essays are of a very high standard, and a good number are truly moving and thoughtful. It is always a great delight to meet the prizewinners and their families. And mailing out the Bibles is always a satisfying task...

Expressing some astonishment...

...a Catholic newspaper this weekend highlighted on its front page the news "Journalist manages a day of total silence", and reported that I had remained silent in Westminster Cathedral from the 8am Mass to the 8pm Cathedral closure in order to pray for the success of the visit of the Holy Father...

I am very grateful to the correspondents to this Blog who have promised sponsorship funds. A very large THANK YOU to you all.

And let's all keep praying for the success of this visit...

On the same page of the paper, a rather peculiar speech by the Lefebvrist Dr Fellay is reported. He announces that the Pope is, at heart "a Catholic..." which strikes an odd note, and a somewhat grudging one. It seems to fit with the general attitude of the Lefebvrists: their first reaction, on the lifting of their excommunication, included an announcement that they had never accepted it anyway. It's not quite clear that they understand their position now. If, as seems possible, some do return and regularise their position, they're going to have something of a learning curve, as they slowly discover that the Holy Father, and his predecessor, have been Catholic all along, that it was the followers of poor Archbishop Lefebvre who lost the plot, not the successors of St Peter...and that the word that is needed is "Sorry" not "Let's negotiate".

The sea and the hills...

...and picking the first of this summer's blackberries. A glorious concert in a beautiful old church on a summer's evening. Family time, and chattering nieces. A wonderful afternoon on a gusty beach, splashing in and out of the sea. Moonlight over a meadow, and cheerful friendly families camping. A packed church for Sunday Mass, the usual congregation swollen by numbers of holidaymakers, lots and lots of children.

It's easy to believe, sometimes, that everything really is all right and that behind the ghastly headlines about church scandals, and the drunken scenes in town centres on Saturday nights, and the figures for family breakup, everything is solidly in place and a future for church and nation is assurred. I am not confident. But it was a beautiful weekend in a lovely part of England, a special family time which was important and will be cherished by us all.

From silence...

...Auntie made £400 in one day towards the cost of the Papal visit.

By remaining completely silent from 8 am to 8pm last Sunday, keeping vigil in St Joseph's Chapel in Westminster Cathedral, I raised this sum in donations - and more, still coming in from various sponsors. If you want to donate, you could do so here, just mentioning that you are sending a donation in connection with Auntie Joanna's 12-hour silence.

People thought I couldn't do it. But it was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.

All of us...

...that is, the entire population of the world, could fit comfortably into the state of Texas, with everyone having a good-sized house and bit of land.

Please tell this to the ghastly and omnipresent fanatics who keep telling us there are too many people. Britain is dying. Young people are being endlessly told that they should not have children. There is a feeling of pointlessness and gloom and it's time we got real and started to tell the truth.

Get the facts here and pass then on. Quickly.I am sick and tired of living in what John Paul the Great rightly described as a "culture of death".

In sizzling heat...

...to Sussex, where cool sea breezes were a joy, and there was a wonderful welcome at the home of Bryan and Jayne Lock, who run the Continuity/Miles Jesu group organising events such as the Martyrs' Walk and the Catholic History Walks.

After lots of family time and talk, we settled down to a meeting to plan the Autumn events and the 2011 activities. Click on to the Continuity website link to get a full accvount of the recent Martyrs' Walk, and keep in touch there as the website will give details of all this Autumn's Walks as well as plans for 2011, which are now well in hand...


And here are some dates to start you off:

Thursday Sept 9th, CATHOLIC HISTORY WALK. Meet after the 5.30pm Mass on the steps of Westminster Cathedral. No need to book - just turn up! Wear suitable clothing for a walk through Westminster and Whitehall - comfortable shoes. We'll be walking whatever the weather!

Sept 17th-19th VISIT OF THE HOLY FATHER - BE THERE TO CHEER HIM IN THE STREETS!!!


Sunday October 10th - History Ramble at Arundel, Sussex. Meet after the 10.30am Mass at Westminster Cathedral, or at Arundel itself - watch for details on the Continuity website. Bring a packed lunch and be prepared for a good walk.

Thursday October 28th - Catholic History Walk. Meet on the steps of ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, 6pm

Thursday, November 28th - Catholic History Walk. Meet on the steps of Westminster Cathedral, after the 5.30pm Mass.

Now here's a chance...

...for you to do some good.

The Evangelium conference for Catholic young people takes place in three weeks' time. It's a great event,bringing together young people in an atmosphere of lively discussion, joy and faith, and it is playing an important part in the re-evangelising of our country.

If you want to attend, simply click on to that link.

If you are older, and want to do some good, please PLEASE consider helping with a donation which would enable a young person to attend. The fee is not high, but it is just a bit more than some young people can afford. Can you help? Send a Comment to this Blog WITH AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO WHICH I CAN REPLY and I will tell you how to make a donation. We are able to accept funds from the USA as well as from Britain.

If you love Britain, and want to help to renew and revive the Christian faith in this country, this is your chance to do something quietly useful and positive. Even a modest donation of £10 would make a difference...

An awesome day...

...in Westminster Cathedral, where I remained completely silent from the conclusion of the first Mass of the day at 8am to the closing of the Cathedral at 8pm. It was an unforgettable 12 hours.

There was a box for donations at the entrance to St Joseph's Chapel, and at every Mass the Sponsored Silence was announced: an act of witness in support of the visit of the Holy Father and in solidarity with him...and people were invited to join me in prayer, and/or to make donations. And they came, generously giving of their time and their funds, kneeling to pray, shaking my hand, whispering messages of encouragement...old friends, people who know me from EWTN, people of all ages and from a number of different countries, a fellow-student from Maryvale, a family with small children all eagerly dropping in their coins, a dear elderly priest who prayed for a long while...lots and lots and lots of people...

The beauty of the liturgy - Mass after Mass unrolling as I sat in the chapel, slipping out every now and then to join the congregation. Huge crowds pour into the Cathedral for every Mass. There was a lull at lunchtime, and then numbers began gathering again for a glorious sung First Vespers and Benediction. Then the round of evening Masses.

The Gospel for today was about Martha and Mary, v. appropriate, a reminder of the importance of just listening to Christ, and not always scurrying about. It was wonderful just to be, with my Maryvale books, and my Rosary, and Magnificat. A phrase echoed in my mind a lot during the day "The Mass of the ages"...being in the Cathedral all day, hearing the Mass said, chanted, sung, again and again, there was a timelessness about it that was magnificent.

The rumble of voices saying "I confess..." The singing of a Kyrie. The Sign of Peace - which can often seem artificial and forced but which went rustling swiftly like a breath through the vast congregation and was rather moving to see. The silence as the bell rings at the Elevation. The sound of a great congregation singing the Pater Noster.

As the day ended, I was almost sorry to see the kindly figure of Canon Tuckwell, the Cathedral Administrator, coming along in the dusk to announce the Cathedral's closure. I found my voice, to thank him and everyone who had helped - especially the kind lady from the Cathedral office who brought me tea and coffee and biscuits and organised things...

And while...

...I was in Yorkshire, so was the Anglican Synod, meeting at York and voting to invent lady bishops. Before RCs get all smug about the disintegration of the Anglican Communion, we should stop to recognise that it will bring much confusion in its wake, and also that there is a considerable amount of heartache going on.

And there some large decisions to be made, and the heartbeat of history is quietly beating steadily here...

There is an Anglican heritage of beauty in worship and music, culture and traditions...and the new offer from the H. Father is waiting, and ready...

Tradition seems to reign supreme...

...in Yorkshire, where I had a wonderful weekend.You can read about it here,and I will add that the Union of Catholic Mothers of the Middlesborough diocese gave me a warm welcome at their annual conference, where everything was done in traditional style with a splendid meal (including chocolate cake, to which they carefully directed my attention) and much goodwill and enthusiasm. If you are interested in the subject of my talk, you can find much of it in the "Yearbook of Seasons and Celebrations" (Gracewing Books). If you want a signed copy send a Comment to this Blog, marking it 'Not for publication',and GIVING AN EMAIL ADDRESS AT WHICH I CAN REPLY TO YOU...

Scarborough, where I was based during my stay, has the most glorious beaches and views, and it was heaven to run down for an early-morning swim. The sea was cold (North Sea), the water deliciously clear and clean ("We've won an Award for it" the lady at the coffee-shop told me). Later in the day the beaches filled up with cheerful families - yes, real families, mothers and fathers and children and grandparents and everyone mixing in together. A kind family looked after my clothes and 'phone and bag when I went in for my second dip of the day. A small grandchild was busily digging a sandcastle, turning her face up from time to time to allow her grandmother to dispense strawberries, "Open wide, Grandam's going to give you another strawberry".

On the Sunday evening I gave a talk to the Hull Faith Forum - lots of young people, several of whom were engaged in football when we arrived but came running to greet Fr William Massie...there was a great sense of welcome and it was a very happy evening.

I have been...

...in Yorkshire (of which more later) and before that in Balham, where I went to a Sunday Mass at Holy Ghost parish . Glorious music - a particularly beautiful setting of "O Sacrament most Holy...".Lots of young families - young dads holding babies, mums and/or older siblings struggling with straying toddlers.

I've also been to a committee meeting of The Keys, the Catholic Writers' Guild. If you are a teenager and want to enter for the 2010 Catholic Young Writer Award, you have exactly six days left in which to do so. This year it is jointly sponsored with the Catholic Union... which incidentally had its Summer Party the other day, at Allen Hall, a great success, good discussions, much strong feeling expressed about defending our Catholic schools and their right to teach the fullness of Catholic faith and morals. Allen Hall stands on the site of St Thomas More's garden, and the significance of his message was not lost on anyone...

From a number of different sources, I've been hearing reports of the huge success of INVOCATION, the great event for Catholic young people at Oscott. I hope the Holy Father hears about it all on his visit...there are many signs of hope in the Church in Britain. We need them, as there are going to be renewed attacks on the Church as the Papal visit draws near...

For various reasons, I left my bike at a friend's house in Balham...collected it the other evening and after a delicious and talkative supper we ended up chatting and laughing outside, with another friend, in the warm summer night, and then I cycled home through the South London streets, following the straight road that was already old when the Normans arrived, and beneath which the Northern line tube follows along the same ancient route. Late at night, when the mosques and shops, bazaars and street vendors, pubs and clubs and schools and offices are not functioning, you notice older things - the sudden appearance of the River Wandle alongside the supermarket before it goes off agreeably into a local park, the hints of ancient Merton Priory (links with St Thomas Becket, who studied there as a boy), and with Lord Nelson (who of course was given Merton after his early victories and is now honoured in local pub signs and street-names, and the old Nelson Hospital)...

Here at home, the grass is crunchy-brown on our small lawn, the apple tree grown from a tiny cutting brought from Fernyhalgh is laden with fruit, phone calls go back and forth with plans for a dear nephew's wedding later this summer, and trips to the Isle of Wight and to Somerset...and in between all this I'm reading and reading for my next set of Maryvale exams, and so the summer goes on...

OK, OK....here's how to do it...

On Sunday July 18th, I am taking a vow of silence for the whole day.

I'll be in Westminster Cathedral, where I'm doing a SPONSORED SILENCE to help raise funds for the Pope's visit.

You can come and join me, but I won't talk to you. I'll be in the chapel of St Joseph and the Holy Family. There'll be a box for donations. Be generous. Get you friends to come. Bring your Rosary, and stay for a while and pray with me.

The Sponsored Silence will be announced at all the Masses at the Cathedral on that day. I will be attending the first Mass of the day, and the last words I'll say will be the response to the dismissal:"Thanks be to God". Then it's silence until the Cathedral closes at 7pm

We will be praying for the success of the Holy Father's visit.

Come and join in! Or join in with some prayers at home.

I suspect that my friends and family can't believe that the most talkative woman in London can actually remain silent for a whole day. Let's see...

HOW TO SILENCE AUNTIE JOANNA...

...it's quite easy!!

Read this blog and get the information as it first emerges here...

A busy week...

...with a lot happening. In Oxford on Wednesday (TODAY, as you read this) a lecture by Walter Hooper, secretary and biographer of C.S.Lewis...info here.

To Lancashire...

...where I had the great delight of staying with the Hester family - Eric Hester is a distinguished former headmaster, and a current Catholic writer, and we all sat agreeably over a delicious dinner talking and talking until late...

On Monday I went to St Charles Primary School at Rishton to present prizes won in the Schools RE Project run by the Association of Catholic Women.A happy morning. The children came quietly in neat lines to morning assembly, looking very cheerful in their red-and-white uniforms, and there was a friendly chorus of "Good Morning!" when I was introduced. They all knew about the Holy Father and his forthcoming visit - great eager forest of hands when I asked his name, and that of the first Pope - and considerable excitement as I announced that children from this school had won prizes and certificates in the special nationwide project to mark his arrival. Warm applause as the prizes were preesented...a happy, heartening morning.

The countryside was glorious in summer sunwhine as the train took me back to London. At Westminster Cathedral various groups were filming in preparation for the visit of the Holy Father, One team was from Channel Four and were distinctly chilly and not friendly when we went over to chat. Another was from Sky News and rather more human.

Why not pray for all involved with Channel Four News? They have souls too and will have to meet God one day...

St Paul's Publications have produced a delightful book to mark the conclusion of the Year of Priests. It's Our Priests, (£6.95p) written by children, and would be the perfect present for your parish priest, seminarian, or ordinand. There are some gems in it, some comic, some very sweet, some surprisngly thought-provoking.

"A Priest is a person who gives his life for Jesus. At Mass it's like Jesus climbs into a Priest's Bbody and does all the work."

"A priest is some one very important in the church, they can be hardworking. I think that a job of a priest is hard, they help the poor, they help at funerals and weddings. Priests worship God and help people get close to God.They tell people to try to confess the bad things they have done, however being at church can be happy because people sing and pray."

Not all the results of a priest's work are satisfactory:
"Thanks for praying for my baby lizards but only 3 out of 10 survive"

It has long been family legend...

...that my father was among those who faced the last cavalry charge ever directed against the British Army. I remember him telling me about this when I was in my teens, and it all seemed slightly ridiculous - how could there have been men on horses, waving swords, charging across the landscape during the Second World War? To him, it was all just part of the wider wartime experiences (making fires out of camel dung, being cared for by silent nuns in an Italian hospital, making a tasty meal out of fried crushed Army biscuits and raisins - apparently v. tasty).

This week: confirmation. An obtituary in the Daily Telegraph was eye-catching as it showed a man in magnificent turbaned uniform - as a soldier in an Ethiopian cavalry unit he had taken part in the last cavalry charged directed at the British Army. They attacked a detachment of British troops, including Skinner's Horse and the Surrey and Sussex Yeomanry! So the legend was true, and my memory of Father sitting at home and telling me about it is accurate...as I read the newspaper, sitting in the train from Birmingham, I was transported to conversations of long ago...

I rushed back...

...from Maryvale briefly midweek, to take some young people on a Catholic History walk in Chelsea. It was the end of a long hot day in London and they were tired, but they rallied and we had a happy time...they are a group from L'Aquila in Italy, where the parish is twinned with St Joseph's, New Malden, in a magnificent initiative which began following the L'Aquila earthquake. All praise to the organisers of all of this, and to the families hosting the young people on this summer's London trip. The young people were evidently enjoying themselves. I don't know how much they understood about St Thomas More and Henry VIII, but they seemed interested and it was rather lovely sitting in the evening sunlight by the church where he worshipped, and letting the story unfold around us...

Maryvale was absolutely delightful...a wonderful week. When I arrived back, very late at night after my London dash, there was a sense of coming home. Once our exams were over, there was a full week of lectures, and opportunities for study, talks with the course director, etc. The library is very good, and it was bliss to sit out on the cool lawns, reading. Excellent lectures from, among others, Fr Julian Green on the Trinity, Fr Robert Letellier on the Synoptic Gospels, and Prof Edward Hulme who gave us an introduction to in basic Arabic...