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.

FILM - NO GREATER LOVE

This week sees the release in London of a new film of the life of the Carmelite Monastery in Notting Hill, a short journey from the Conventual Church, and probably well known to many of us.  The title is "No Greater Love".  

The film is a spiritual meditation, in much the same way as the 2005 film "Into Great Silence", which received such wide and unexpected audiences.

Bishop George Stack has written a excellent review of this haunting film of the silent life of the Carmel on the Diocesan website, which you may read here.  Further details may be found here, and on the official website,  www.nogreaterlove.co.uk

You are warmly encouraged to go to see this film, which has limited releases this month, check details on the website: www.nogreaterlove.co.uk

OXFORD MEETING OF THE PROFESSED

Professed members of the Order of Malta (those who have taken religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience) met for an international conference last weekend, Low Sunday, at Merton College Oxford, in the presence of His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and Grand Master.  The Prelate of the Order, Archbishop Acerbi, and members of Sovereign Council were also present.

The liturgy and music were provided by the resources of our Conventual Church, and celebrated by the Prelate and Chaplains of the Order from various countries.

On the final day, Sunday Mass was celebrated by Bishop Kenney, auxiliary of Birmingham.

The new icon of Our Lady of Philermo (photographed above on the College's 14th Century lectern), a full-size copy of the original icon, the work of a icon-painter in Bulgaria, and an anonymous gift to the Grand Priory for the Conventual Church in London, was blessed before Mass on Friday by Monsignor Acerbi.

Photographs of the weekend may be found at the links below, courtesy of James Bradley and Serge de Radzitzky, to whom we are extremely grateful.

1) Friday's Pontifical Mass in the Ordinary Form.
2) Saturday's High Mass in the presence of the Greater Prelates.
3) General photographs of the College, the participants and activities.

Please continue to pray for Fra' Fredrik Crichton-Stuart, Grand Prior, who had arranged this event, and whose health prevented his attending.

TRIDUUM REPORT - EASTER VIGIL

The last day of our Easter retreat, the glorious culmination of the solemn celebration of the Passion, as we celebrate our Salvation in the dark of the night with Our Blessed Lord's Resurrection in the first hours of Easter Day.

We are very grateful to the several people who took the photographs which form the reports of the past four posts upon the Triduum ceremonies.  Remember also to scroll down to the short video clip of the Vigil, or click here; we are told there are some others, and they will be added to that post in due course.

The church awaits

"Exultet iam Angelica turba Caelorum..."

During the Responsories

Litanies

Renewal of Baptismal Promises

The Gospel

The Offertory

Elevation of the Chalice

Censing the altars during the Benedictus of Lauds

-----::-----

Surrexit Dominus vere, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

TRIDUUM REPORT - SOLEMN LITURGY OF GOOD FRIDAY

Procession to the Church

Entry of the Sacred Ministers

Prostration

First Reading

Knights on Choir

Chanting of the Passion

The Solemn Prayers

"Ecce Lignum Crucis"

Holy Communion procession from the Altar of Repose

"Ecce Agnus Dei"

Final prayers

TRIDUUM REPORT - TENEBRAE OF GOOD FRIDAY

The office of Matins and Lauds, which is by ancient tradition conjoined on these three sacred days into the office known as 'Tenebrae', or 'shadows', a word rich in symbolism, reflecting both the nocturnal hour at which it was customarily chanted, the gradual extinguishing of the lights, and the sadness and desolation of Creation during these days of Our Lord's Passion, was sung in choir on the three days.  Images of the Office of Good Friday are below.

The candles of the hearse, one for each of 14 psalms, are extinguished during the repeat of each antiphon.  During the Benedictus on Thursday and Saturday (on Friday the altar is bare) the altar candles are gradually put out. The term 'hearse' survives in the modern church to describe this sloping candlestick, and refers to the similar shaped stands which were customarily used for the many candles placed around the coffin at funerals until the 19th century.

The Office begins with the first Antiphon

Psalms in choir

Extinguishing a candle on the hearse

The Schola

Lamentation

HOLY EASTER TRIDUUM REPORT - MAUNDY THURSDAY

The Sacred Triduum was celebrated in the Conventual Church in the Extraordinary Form.  Below are photographs of the Mass of the Lord's Supper.  The celebrant is the Principal Chaplain to the Grand Priory, Msgr Antony Conlon, with Dr Lawrence Hemming, deacon, and Fr Gareth Jones, Subdeacon.

The Church prepared

Introit: Prayers at the foot of the Altar

"Gloria in Excelsis Deo"

At the Offertory

Elevation of the Chalice

Procession of the Blessed Sacrament

"Pange, lingua, gloriosi Corporis mysterium"

At the Altar of Repose

PRAYERS FOR POLAND

AN INTERNATIONAL ASPECT TO SUNDAY MASS AT THE CONVENTUAL CHURCH

It is a well-known fact that ours is an international Order with 46 National Associations, 5 Grand Priories and 6 Sub Priories across the world.

This was brought home to us in a special way at the Sunday Mass yesterday when we were joined by two Polish confreres who sat in choir.  They had come to the Conventual Church as members of the Order to pray for the souls of those of their countrymen including their country’s President who had been killed the day before in the Katin air crash.  Not only that, they said, but also to support their British confreres in their Conventual Church and to pray for the patients in the Hospital and Hospice.  

We were delighted to have them with us even in such sad circumstances and their witness to Tuitio Fidei was inspirational.  We especially remember the people of Poland at this time and those whose lives were lost and assure them of our prayers.  

Requiescant in pace.

Our Lady of Częstochowa, pray for them.
Our Lady of Philermo, pray for them.

SURREXIT DOMINUS VERE, ALLELUIA!

Sincere and holy good wishes of Easter to all.

Images of the Scared Liturgies of the Triduum will be posted in due course.

In the meantime, here is a short video clip from the Offertory of the Easter Vigil in the Conventual Church, with the Principal Chaplain, Mgr Antony Conlon, as celebrant. The music is Taverner's 'Dum Transisset Sabbatum'.

WORLDWIDE CHAPLET OF PRAYER FOR GOOD FRIDAY

The Prince and Grand Master attending the Holy Rosary 

at the church of Sta Trinita dei Pellegrini in Rome, last year.

We have received the notice below from a member of the Order in the United States, and would thoroughly recommend to everyone, particularly members of the Order and Companions, this most excellent initiative of prayer for the Church and the intention of the Holy Father.

You are encouraged, as it says, to pass this on by email to your Catholic friends.

We take this opportunity, on behalf of the Grand Prior, who thanks you all most warmly for your prayers for his continued recovery, of wishing all our readers a most holy and joyful Triduum and Eastertide.

Are you aware there is an initiative to unite all Catholics in prayer on Good Friday between Noon and 3pm. 

Everyone is aware of the downward moral spiral we are all caught up in which seems to be touching every aspect of our lives. Please consider praying with us to bring peace to the world and protection to those who are most in need of our protection, like the homeless, the elderly, children and young people, and the unborn. 

There is a great deal to gain and absolutely nothing to lose!

Imagine what might happen if every Catholic in the world would pray a Rosary on the same day! We have an example in October of 1573, when Europe was saved from the invasion of the mighty Turkish fleet, by the praying of the Rosary by all Christians.

So, on Good Friday, let us all pray a Rosary for peace in the world and the return of moral values into our communities. If possible, please pray your Rosary between Noon and 3:00pm 

Also, please e-mail this message to every Catholic on your address list, and ask them to pass it along to every Catholic on their lists. Let's unite in praying one of the most powerful prayers in existence, for these intentions, on one of the holiest days in our Church year.

NOVENA OF PRAYER FOR THE HOLY FATHER

In the light of the recent and growing scurrilous attacks upon the Holy Father in the mass media, which Archbishop Nichols has written about in today's Times, where he says "What of the role of Pope Benedict? ... He is not an idle observer. His actions speak as well as his words", we are encouraged especially at this time, as indeed every day, to pray for the Pope and his ministry. (Read full article).

In particular we are invited now (see here) to join in a Novena of prayer to St Jean-Marie Vianney, the holy Cure d'Ars, patron of parish priests, and patron of this Year for Priests, for the intention of the Holy Father, beginning at First Vespers this Palm Sunday, and extending through the Sacred Triduum to Easter.

Please encourage others to join in this prayer.

V. Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Benedicto.

R. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius. [Ps 40:3]

Pater Noster, Ave Maria.

Oremus. Deus, omnium fidelium pastor et rector, famulum tuum Benedictum, quem pastorem Ecclesiae tuae praeesse voluisti, propitius respice: da ei, quaesumus, verbo et exemplo, quibus praeest, proficere: ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi credito, perveniat sempiternam. Per Christum, Dominum nostrum. Amen.

---::---

V. Let us pray for Benedict, our Pope.

R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. [Ps 40:3]

Our Father, Hail Mary.

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, he may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

---::---

We might include in our prayers all those good priests who are damaged by these grievous scandals and allegations within the Church, and for the victims of abuse.

You may also wish to send an email message of support to the Holy Father.  This may seem an empty gesture, and clearly he will not see them all himself, but he will be told of the numbers of messages received, and the assurance of public prayer and support is greatly valued. Remember, he is praying for you every day. The address is: benedictxvi@vatican.va

Tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam.

Thursday 25th March - ANNUNCIATION OF THE BVM

In Her wisdom and charity the Church grants us this Solemnity to rejoice in the first step in the story of our Salvation, as the Angel Gabriel makes known to Our Blessed Lady her part in God's Divine mission, and gives us a last break from our Lenten fast.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered at 6.30pm this evening for the repose of the souls of Kevin Cunnane, Regent of the Irish Sub-Priory of Saint Oliver Plunkett; and of Sor Purificación, Commandress of St John of the Convent of St John of Acre, Salinas de Añana, in Spain, both of whom died this week. Requiescant in Pace.

The memento of the living will also be offered for the continued recovery of Fra' Fredrik Crichton-Stuart, Grand Prior of England, who remains gravely unwell.

Your assistance in these pious intentions is requested, with the assurance of the prayers of the members of the Grand Priory and British Association for all those who collaborate in the spiritual and charitable work of the Order.

Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us.
Our Lady of Philermo, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us,
Blessed Gerard, pray for us.

THURSDAY 1st TO SUNDAY 4th APRIL - EASTER TRIDUUM

The Order will be celebrating the full Latin liturgy of the Sacred Triduum, as in previous years, in the context of a Spiritual Retreat.

Everyone, especially Companions and those who in any way associate themselves with the work of the Order, by assisting in the Hospital or Hospice or by regular attendance at Masses in the Conventual Church, is warmly encouraged to attend both at the Solemn Liturgies (indicated in BOLD in the timetable below), which should form an important part of the liturgical life of all Catholics, and also at the Spiritual Conferences, which will help us to deepen our understanding of our Faith. They will be given by one of the Order Chaplains.

The Office of Matins and Lauds, historically known as Tenebrae, will be sung in chant each morning in choir by the Knights, to which all are most welcome. This provides an opportunity for those committed elsewhere for the main Liturgies to participate in the Triduum in the Conventual Church.

Good Friday is a day of Fasting and Abstinence, upon which all Catholics between 14 and 60 must refrain from eating meat products, and may only eat one simple main meal and two small snacks, or collations. Water may be taken at any time.

Lent ends on Spy Wednesday, and Maundy Thursday, despite the solemn anticipation of Our Lord's Passion, is also a day of rejoicing for the institution of Holy Communion at the Last Supper, at which Christ gave His risen Body to His Church for our salvation.  For this reason the Mass is celebrated in white with Gloria. It is fitting that we also celebrate this at our tables with more festal food, and those who have abstained from meat for the whole of Lent should end their fast on this day.

Booklets for the principal liturgies and for the Divine Office will be available.

A printable leaflet with all the details below may be downloaded here.

Maundy Thursday (1st April)

Matins and Lauds (‘Tenebrae’) 10.00am

Sext 12.45pm

None 2.30pm

(Vespers are omitted by those assisting in choir at the Evening Mass)

Spiritual Conference on the Liturgy 7.15pm

Solemn Mass ‘in Cena Domini’ 8.00pm

followed by Procession to Altar of Repose and Stripping of the Altars

Compline (at the Altar of Repose) After the Stripping of the Altars

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Altar of Repose will continue until Midnight.

 Good Friday (2nd April)

Matins and Lauds (‘Tenebrae’) 10.00am

Sext 12.45pm

None 2.00pm

(Vespers are omitted by those assisting in choir at the Liturgy of the Passion)

Spiritual Conference on the Liturgy 2.15pm

Solemn Liturgy of the Passion 3.00pm  

Compline, with Veneration of the relic of the True Cross 6.00pm

HOLY SATURDAY (3rd April)

Matins and Lauds (‘Tenebrae’) 10.00am

Sext 12.45pm

None 2.30pm

Vespers 5.00pm

(Compline and Matins are omitted by those assisting in choir at the Solemn Easter Vigil.)

Spiritual Conference on the Liturgy 9.15pm

Solemn Easter Vigil 10.00pm 

EASTER SUNDAY  (4th April)

Solemn Conventual Mass (Latin) 9.15am  

Sung Mass (English)  11.00am

Sung Vespers and Benediction  4.00pm