IMPORTANT NOTICE OF CHANGES TO MASSES IN LENT

MASSES DURING LENT, AND STATIONS OF THE CROSS

During the current delayed building works in the Hospice, which as the Chairman of the Hospital has explained prohibit the use of the Conventual Church in the evenings, the following revised arrangements will prevail. Additional information will be posted as necessary on this website.

ASH WEDNESDAY

On Ash Wednesday the 6.30pm evening Mass in the Conventual Church will be cancelled, but a Mass will be celebrated, with imposition of ashes, in the Church by the Hospital Chaplain at 5.30pm.

As this time is rather early for many members of the Order, members and Companions are invited to attend the 6pm Mass at St James’s Church, Spanish Place, George Street W1U 3QY, which the professed will attend in choir.

THURSDAY EVENING MASSES

Until further notice the Order’s weekly Conventual Mass will take place in the Lady Chapel of St James’s Church, Spanish Place, at 6.45 pm on Thursday evenings. The Masses will be followed by the customary short drinks reception. The Masses will normally be celebrated by our chaplain Father David Irwin, or other Order chaplains.

As this coincides with the beginning of Lent, this is a good opportunity to avail ourselves of these Masses in this beautiful church, and it is hoped than many members and Companions will attend, so that we may continue to carry out some of our Lenten exercises as a community.

The Feasts of the Order as detailed in the Calendar of Masses 2011 will be celebrated at these Masses as normal.

The 11am Mass on Tuesday will continue to be celebrated as usual in the Conventual Church.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

The Friday evening Stations of the Cross in the Conventual Church will also be cancelled, and members of the Order are encouraged to join in the Stations at St James’s Church Spanish Place on Fridays on Lent at 6.30pm, following the 6 o’clock Mass.

We are very grateful to the Reverend Father Christopher Colven, Rector of St James’s, for his kindness and hospitality over these coming weeks, and to our chaplain, Father David Irwin.

Your continued prayers are asked for our chaplain Canon John McDonald, Chaplain Emeritus of the Hospital, whose health is gradually improving.

The Grand Prior takes this opportunity to wish you all a very holy and fruitful Lent.