FEAST OF BLESSED DAVID GUNSON, MARTYR IN SOUTHWARK

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!

FEAST OF BLESSED DAVID GUNSON, MARTYR IN SOUTHWARK

Today is the Feast of our third Martyr in the scourge of Henry VIII. Blessed David Gunson (Gonson, or Gunston) was this day dragged from the Kings Bench Gaol in the Borough, along the start of the Pilgrim Way to Canterbury, to be hanged, drawn and quartered at Saint Thomas Waterings, for his defence of the Pope's supremacy. Two years earlier his friends Adrian Fortescue and Thomas Dingley has suffered likewise at Tower Hill. May they pray for us, and for all who persecute the Church in our own day. May their example enlighten those engaged in the reforms of our beloved Order.

Holy Mass will be celebrated for the Order at the Church of Our Lady of La Salette, Bermondsey, (14 Melior Street, SE1 3QP), at 6pm this evening (Tuesday 12th July), followed by a silent walk to the site of the Martyrdom. The preacher and celebrant will be Fr Gary Dench of Brentwood Cathedral.

Blessed David Gunson, pray for us.

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