As Cardinal Mercier said : "When prudence is everywhere, courage is nowhere."                                                                                  From Cardinal Sarah : "In order to avoid hearing God's music, we have chosen to use all the devices of this world. But heaven's instruments will not stop playing just because some people are deaf."                                                                                              Saint John-Paul II wrote: "The fact that one can die for the faith shows that other demands of the faith can also be met."                                                 Cardinal Müller says, “For the real danger to today’s humanity is the greenhouse gases of sin and the global warming of unbelief and the decay of morality when no one knows and teaches the difference between good and evil.”                                                  St Catherine of Siena said, “We've had enough exhortations to be silent. Cry out with a thousand tongues - I see the world is rotten because of silence.”                                                  Chesterton said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”                                                Brethren, Wake up!

VISITORS FROM AUSTRIA - SAINT JOHN'S WOOD

Last night, the final evening of their visit to London, our guests from Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria came to Saint John's Wood to see the Hospital and Conventual Church. The Grand Prior was present to welcome them to the home of the Order in England, as were the Chancellors of both the Grand Priory and the British Association.  The heavy rain prohibited us from beginning our visit in the courtyard to look at Brampton House and the facade of the church, but failed entirely to dampen the spirits of our guests!

Following a talk in the afternoon given by the Commissioner on the founding of the Hospital and the history of the Conventual Church (again splendidly translated by Tina Andracher!), Holy Mass was celebrated by Father Peter Newby in Latin and German, ending with the singing of the German hymn "Segne du Maria." We were joined by several of the Sunday faithful and Companions, including some very useful German speakers! Mass was served by both English Companions and volunteers from Malteser Austria.  Our photographer was serving, hence the lack of photographs of this part of the afternoon.

Following Mass, everyone repaired to Fortescue House for a splendid buffet supper and a visit of some of the Order's artefacts led by the Grand Prior.

Our guests return home to Graz tomorrow, we wish them a safe journey, and offer them our thanks for all the fun we have had together over the past week. Click photos to enlarge.
Talk on the history of the Church and Hospital
Malades and Helpers at the Reception

Friends and helpers
The Grand Prior with some of the Malteser volunteers and the Sword!