REQUIEM FOR HENRY BENEDICT, CARDINAL DUKE OF YORK

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!

REQUIEM FOR HENRY BENEDICT, CARDINAL DUKE OF YORK

Frequent are the occasions upon which Requiem Masses, both funerals and memorials, are celebrated in the Church, for patients of the Hospital and Hospice, and members of the Order of Malta and their families.

Rarely however are such grand occasions seen as that celebrated on 22nd September 2007, the 200th Anniversary Requiem of Henry Benedict Stuart, Cardinal Duke of York.

His Excellency Bishop Bernard Longley celebrated Pontifical Mass of Requiem for the repose of the soul of the man who might have been King of England.

Requiescat in Pace.

PRAYER OF THE ORDER OF MALTA

Lord Jesus, Thou hast seen fit to enlist me for Thy service among the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. I humbly entreat Thee through the intercession of the most holy Virgin of Philermo, of St John the Baptist, Blessed Gerard and all the Saints, to keep me faithful to the traditions of our Order. Be it mine to practise and defend the Catholic, the Apostolic, the Roman faith against the enemies of religion: be it mine to practise charity towards my neighbours, especially the poor and the sick; Give me the strength I need to carry out this my resolve, forgetful of myself, learning ever from Thy holy Gospel a spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion, striving ever to promote God’s glory, the world’s peace, and all that may benefit the Order of St John of Jerusalem. AMEN