MAY 28th - SAINT UBALDESCA

Saint Ubaldesca

Virgin of Our Order

Memorial

She was born in 1136 at Calcinia, near Pisa. At the age of fifteen, she joined the Order of Saint John of  Jerusalem, and worked for fifty-five years in the infirmary attached to the monastery at Pisa, caring for her neighbour out of love for God. She died on 28 May 1206. Her body was taken back to Calcinia where it is now enshrined. Not only honoured among the saints and blessed of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, she is celebrated also as a patroness of the City of Pisa.

The Collect of the Mass

O God, pride of the humble and lover of virginity,

you called Saint Ubaldesca to the religious life

in the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem :

Grant that through her prayers and example

we may rejoice in being humble

and follow you with pure minds.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

PENTECOST SUNDAY - FEAST OF BL. VILMOS APOR

Today is the Feast of Pentecost.  On this day also falls the memorial of a Blessed of our Order.

Blessed Vilmos Apor

Chaplain of the Order of Malta, Bishop, Martyr

Memorial

Vilmos (William) Apor, born 1892, was an Hungarian bishop who earned a special reputation for his service to the poor, especially during the months of hardship that came at the end of World War II. Named Bishop of Gÿor in 1941, he chose as his motto: “The Cross strengthens the weak and makes the strong gentle.” During the many air raids he opened his home to those whose houses had been destroyed. When Russian troops entered the city in 1945, many women including religious took refuge in his episcopal residence. 

On Good Friday 1945 three Russian soldiers came to the residence and demanded that the women be taken to their barracks. Monsignor Apor refused and placed himself in front of the women. One of the Russians shot and wounded him. Out of fear they then fled, leaving the women unmolested. Bishop Apor lived in great agony for three days and died on 2 April, Easter Monday.

  

The Collect of the Mass

Almighty and Eternal God,

through your grace, Bishop William,

by courageously shedding his blood for his flock,

earned a martyr’s crown.

Grant that we, despite the difficulties of our daily lives,

may do your will and offer our good works

for the salvation of our brothers and sisters.

We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.
Our Lady of Philermo, pray for us.

Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.

Blessed Vilmos Apor, pray for us.

6th JUNE - CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION AND PICNIC

Corpus Christi falls this year on Sunday 6th June. As is customary we will be having the usual Sunday Mass followed by a Corpus Christi Procession in and around the Hospital grounds. 

Traditionally Corpus Christi is regarded as a time for the faithful of all ages to partake in the liturgy and procession and to this end all members of the Order, Companions and their friends are invited to participate. This will be an opportunity members of the regular Sunday congregation for them to come together with members of the Order, Companions and others. It is hoped that the day will attract a wide variety of ages.

There will be a Sung High Mass at 11.00am followed by the Procession, and Benediction.

After the Procession there will be an informal reception in the Chancellery and garden, weather permitting, for which a collection will be taken up on the day. 

As it will also be a (hopefully) warm summer day we are suggesting that participants bring picnics for lunch afterwards in the garden. Families are as ever warmly encouraged to attend.

Members of the Grand Priory will sing Vespers in the Conventual Church at 4.00pm to which all are
very welcome.

REPORT - ANNUAL MASS OF THE SOCIETY OF ST CATHERINE OF SIENA

As in earlier years, the Society of St Catherine of Siena held its annual Mass for the Feast of St Catherine last Thursday.  A report may be found courtesy of the celebrant of the Mass, Fr Tim Finigan, here on his blog the Hermeneutic of Continuity.  We extend our good wishes to Fr Finigan as he takes up the role of Chaplain to the Society.

One of our chaplains, Fr Andrew Wadsworth, who is also Secretary-General of ICEL, was present in choir. (photo courtesy of Mac McLernon)

FRIDAYS OF MAY - DAYS OF PRAYER IN REPARATION AND ATONEMENT

Reparation and Atonement for Sex Abuse in the Church

On every Friday morning in May there will be an additional Mass in the Conventual Church at 11 am, celebrated by the Hospital Chaplain, followed by a period of Exposition of the most Blessed Sacrament, concluding with Benediction at 4 pm.

This is in response to the Bishops of England and Wales urgent encouragement for Catholics to keep the Fridays of May as times for Special Prayer in reparation and atonement for the crimes of sex abuse in the Catholic Church. 

“We invite Catholics in England and Wales to make the four Fridays in May 2010 special days of prayer. Even when we are lost for words, we can place ourselves in silent prayer. 
We invite Catholics on these days to come before the Blessed Sacrament in our parishes to pray to God for healing, forgiveness and a renewed dedication. 
We pray for all who have suffered abuse; for those who mishandled these matters and added to the suffering of those affected. From this prayer we do not exclude those who have committed these sins of abuse. They have a journey of repentance and atonement to make. 
We pray also for Pope Benedict, whose wise and courageous leadership is so important for the Church at this time.”

Anyone able to be present is most keenly encouraged to join in this important work on prayer on behalf of the whole Church.