THURSDAY 5th AUGUST - OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS. PRAYERS FOR THE POPE'S VISIT TO BRITAIN

The icon wearing the crown placed there 

by the hand of the Venerable Pius XII in 1952

The Feast of Our Lady of the Snows, the Feast of the Dedication of the Roman Patriarchal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, which is said to have been built upon the site of a miraculous fall of snow outlining the plan of the building in the night of 4th to 5th August 352 AD. 

Since at least the 8th century, the miraculous icon of Our Lady, Salus Populi Romani, reputedly painted by Saint Luke upon a table made in the workshops of Saint Joseph, has been housed in the Basilica, originally above the main door. In  In 1240 She was formally declared "Regina Caeli" in a document of Pope Gregory IX. Since 1613 She has been displayed in the tabernacle in the Pauline chapel built for Her, where She remains to this day, much loved of all the Roman people.

She was crowned by Pope the Venerable Pius XII in the Marian Year 1952 on the establishment of the feast of the Queenship of Mary, and declared Mother of the Church by Pope Paul VI in the closing session of the II Vatican Oecumenical Council.

It is thus fitting that this Feast be set aside for especial prayers for the present Holy Father and the success of His visit to this realm. Accordingly, after the 6.30 evening Mass on this day, prayers will be said before the icon of Our Lady of Philermo for the Pope's intentions and for the well being of our country.

Those unable to join us in the Conventual Church are warmly enjoined to unite themselves to this intention in the recitation of a Pater, Ave and Gloria and the Regina Caeli.

CARAVAGGIO - 400 YEARS

This month sees the 400th anniversary of the death of the great painter and a fellow knight of Malta, Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio.

The blog Rorate Caeli has a most interesting article, and a 50-minute documentary film on his life in Milan and Rome.  It is fascinating, and it would be shame to miss it.  Click here.

Part of the film analyses the painting The Taking of Christ, pictured below, which now hangs in the National Gallery of Ireland.

TUESDAY 27th JULY - FEAST OF SAINT PANTALEON

THANKSGIVING FOR THE VICTORY OF THE LIFTING OF THE SEIGE OF RHODES.

The end of the Siege, with the Ottoman camp on the distance, and 

the Grand Master's army having recaptured the Tower of Italy.

On this day in the year 1480, the Turks were defeated by Grand Master Pierre d'Aubusson at the lifting of the Siege of Rhodes.

D'Aubusson, who was 57 at the time of the siege, was one of the most accomplished Grand Masters ever to lead the Order. A man of fine presence, a polished diplomat, a Cardinal, and as the siege was to show, a courageous leader in war.

The besieging Ottoman army was made up of 170 ships and 100,000 men, under the command of Gedik Ahmed Pasha.  Grand Master d'Aubusson's small garrison was reinforced by 500 knights from France, and 2,000 soldiers under the command of the Grand Master's brother Antoine.

On this last decisive day of the battle, on which the Turks managed to capture the tower of the Langue of Italy, the battle rose to a frenzy during which 4,000 Turks were slain. The Hospitallers finally reached the tent of the Grand Vizier and captured the holy standard of Islam.

Defeated, the Ottoman fleet finally left on 27th August. Safety for Christian sea traffic in the Mediterranean was thus assured, until the fall of Rhodes in 1522.

Arms of Grand Master d'Aubusson with the Cardinal's hat, 

from a wall facing the port in Rhodes.

The Victory is commemorated within the Order this day in a Mass contained in a Missal of 1659 of the Domus SS Joannis et Cordulae in Cologne.

Feast of the 1st Class

ORATIO 

Deus in te sperântium fortitudo, adesto precibus nostris : quas tibi cum gratiarum offerimus actione : pro Victoria Magistro nostro, ac ejus exercitui, contra hostes Fidei Christianæ Turcos, per te mirabiliter Rhodi concessa : suppliciter deprecantes: ut solitâ tuæ pietatis clementiâ muniti, dextrâque tuæ potentiæ defensi : ab hostium infidiis, omníque adversitate protegâmur.  Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.

SECRETA

Hostias tibi Domine placationis et laudis offerimus, suppliciter exorantes : ut qui nos de Fidei tuæhostibus triumphare fecisti : clementer ab inimicorum infidiis, et omni periculo salves et munias.  Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum. Qui vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.

POSTCOMMUNIO

Sumptis redemptionis nostræ muneribus, quæsumus Omnipotens Deus : eorum celebratione tuæ protectionis auxilium : et famulum tuum N. Hospitalis Hierosolomitani Magistrum, cum suo Exercitu, gratias de Triumphis Turcarum hostium fidei, nomini tuo sancto referentem : ab omni inimicorum incursu, cunctisque adversitatibus liberes semper et protegas.  Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.

PRAYER FOR THE POPE

As we prepare for the Papal visit to our land, it is incumbent upon us to pray for the Holy Father, for his intentions, for the success of the visit, and for the broader good of the Church.

It is not too strong to say that we have witnessed growing attacks upon both the person of Pope Benedict and upon the Church in recent months in papers and media which we have been brought up to respect, and of which we might have expected better.

For those of us in the Order of Malta, and for those collaborating with the work of the Order through the Companions and other groups, we are reminded that our charism of Tuitio Fidei requires of us the defense of the Church and of the person and teaching of the Pope against secular attacks.  These attacks are as grave as the physical attacks by the Turk in our formative centuries.

To prepare ourselves we need to be informed. It is not good enough to say we do not wish to read the scurrilous and intemperate things, often wholly untrue, which are written about the Pope, unpleasant as they are to ingest.

A deacon of the Diocese of Lancaster, Rev Mr Nick Donnelly, an author for the Catholic Truth Society, who holds a BA Divinity in Theology, and who is on the editorial team of The Catholic Voice of Lancaster, the newspaper of the Diocese of Lancaster, has started a new Blog, Protect the Pope, to catalogue such negative statements, with a view to informing ordinary Catholics.  We are grateful to him for this most worthy apostolate.  We are grateful too to Fr Finigan for bringing this to our attention.

We commend it to you as an aid to directing your prayers, and to allow our readers to fight for Truth from an informed standpoint.

You may find his blog here: http://protectthepope.com

As Mr Donnelly writes:

Another thing they don’t get is many Catholics love the Pope, I mean really love him. When Pope John Paul the Great died, 5 million people queued for hours to pay their respects. Some will have done so out of curiosity and wanting to be part of history, but many Catholics will have done so because they loved the Pope.

We don’t love the Pope because we’ve been brainwashed like cult members love their guru, we love him for all kinds of reasons to do with the personal qualities of the Pope and also because of our love for the office he holds.

Oremus pro Pontifice Nostro Benedicto.

SAINT JOHN’S CONCERT SERIES 2010/2011

        !!!                               Next Concert - 23rd MARCH - Hexachord                            !!!       

We are pleased to present the first annual series of Saint John’s Concerts, to be held in this beautiful classical church.

The programmes will include a fascinating glimpse of  choral music across the ages, concentrating particularly on English Tudor music, including works from the Eton Choirbook and Taverner, as well as more widely known pieces by Palestrina and other renaissance music, and on music written for the Order of Saint John though various periods.

We are grateful to the choirs Musica Contexta and Hexachord, whose long association with Saint John’s Wood parish is well known, singing polyphony of the most sublime quality, as well as our neighbours, Arnold House School, whose recently formed polyphonic choir will be making its debut in our church, in a concert of renaissance and classical music which will also allow the new organ to be heard to full advantage.

Schola Baptista will perform some extremely rare works written in Malta and elsewhere for the churches of the Knights of Saint John. Several of these pieces were performed in front of Fra' Matthew Festing, the Grand Master of the Order in Merton College Oxford last year.

The concerts are being organised in collaboration between the Hospital of Saint John and Saint Elizabeth and the Order of Malta, whose long association with the work of the Hospital dates back to its foundation by Sir George Bowyer, a 19^th century knight of Malta who built the Hospital and Church greatly at his own expense, and who was instrumental in restoring the charitable activity of the Order in England. His heart is buried in front of the altar in the Church.


The concerts are in aid of SAINT JOHN'S HOSPICE, the only only independent hospice in central London. It delivers a unique model of care to one of the most vibrant and diverse communities in the world. Working in partnership with seven local Primary Care Trusts, its services cover a large geographical area from Hammersmith in the west, to the City in the east, from the Thames in the south to the M25 to the north.  Visit the website for more details.

Entry to the Concerts is by Programme available on the night, for which a donation of £15 is requested on the door. Wine and soft drinks are available in the interval.

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PROGRAMME

Wednesday 29 September 2010 at 19:30

Concert: Hexachord

O Michael - Across the ages, the extraordinary attributes and powers of St. Michael, Archangel have provided great inspiration to composers.  Monumental Renaissance masterpieces, such as John Taverner's six-part, festal mass "O Michael" and Heinrich Isaac's "Angeli, archangeli", can be heard alongside works by Palestrina, Willaert, and others.

Wednesday 27 October 2010 at 19:30

Concert: Musica Contexta

Inviolata - Marian music from the Sistine Archive.  From the musical melting-pot of Renaissance Rome, music in honour of the Virgin Mary by northern Europeans – Josquin and Arcadelt; Spaniards – De Silva and Morales; – and Italians – Festa and Palestrina. The programme will include music from Musica Contexta’s forthcoming ‘Roma Sancta’ CD for Chandos.

Wednesday 24 November 2010 at 19:30

Concert: Arnold House School Chapel Choir

A programme of polyphony and organ, including Richard Dering, George Dyson, Vaughan Williams and Faure. Interspersed in the programme will be two organ solos of works by J. S Bach, played by Paul Swinden, Choirmaster, and Colin Stuart.

Wednesday 15th December 2010 at 18:30

Christmas Carols: Cantores Missae - The popular annual Order of Malta Carol Service, with the plainsong Greater 'O' Antiphons, polyphonic motets, congregational carols and traditional readings in the candle-lit church.

Wednesday 26 January 2011 at 19:30

Concert: Musica Contexta

Glories of the Eton Choirbook - The Eton Choirbook is the most spectacular source of English Renaissance polyphony. Hidden away in the library of Eton College, the manuscript survived the Reformation, and so ensured that composers such as Kellyck, Fayrfax, Cornysh and Browne – otherwise barely known – have masterpieces to be remembered by. The programme will include probably the greatest work of the early Tudor period – John Browne’s ‘Stabat Mater’.

Saturday 26 February 2011 at 19:30

Concert: Schola Baptista

Music for Saint John - A programme of music composed for the liturgies of the Order of Saint John, from early chant from Rhodes to the heights of polyphony from Valetta.

Wednesday 23rd March 2011 at 19.30

Concert: Hexachord
Plorans, plorabit - Sometimes, especially during Lent and Holy Week, it might seem as if Thomas Tallis, arguably England's most illustrious Renaissance composer, was the only composer to set parts of the Lamentations of Jeremiah.  In fact, this text has inspired composers across the ages, from Festa in the early Renaissance, through Zelenka and Charpentier in the Baroque, to Stravinsky, Krenek and  ernstein in the 20th century. Through music by Carpentras, White, Morales, and others from the Renaissance period, this concert focuses on some of the lesser-known settings, and juxtaposes these with penitential choral works from the same period.

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Choir Biographies:

HEXACHORD - An early music ensemble, Hexachord was formed during the twilight of the 20th century with a primary aim of exploring a vast, virtually untapped repertoire of sacred Renaissance choral music.  Much of this music resides, largely and solely in manuscripts, choirbooks and part-books from the period, and has been specially transcribed and edited by the ensemble's director, Simon Lillystone, for liturgical, as well as concert use.

The ensemble has since given many concerts both inside and outside London, and has brought to light an array of stunning works by unjustly neglected composers, particularly those of Verdelot, Phinot, Porta, and de Monte.

MUSICA CONTEXTA  translates literally as 'music interwoven', reflecting the group's primary aim of  resenting Renaissance music in the context of its original conception and function. The group first performed in Ely Cathedral in August 1992, making its London debut at St. John’s Smith Square the following year. Since then Musica Contexta has performed throughout Britain and Europe. Sell-out Festival appearances in Britain have included the York Early Music Festival, the Three Choirs Festival in Worcester Cathedral, and the Stour Music Festival in Kent.  http://www.musicacontexta.com/ 

Musica Contexta’s Wigmore Hall debut was one of a number of BBC broadcasts the group has made. In 1995 the choir made its first CD recording, of music by John Sheppard. This was followed by a highly acclaimed series of recordings for Chandos, featuring Palestrina’s Music for Holy Week: the final recording in this series was shortlisted for the prestigious Gramophone Early Music Award.

SCHOLA BAPTISTA is an ad-hoc group of professional and amateur voices under the direction of Eoghain Murphy, a Knight of Malta, specialising in English and continental polyphony of the Golden Age, and with an additional interest in performing the largely-unpublished music written for, or associated with, the Order of Saint John whilst in Rhodes and Malta.  

They have performed before the Grand Master of the Order on several occasions, most recently in Merton College Oxford earlier this year.

CANTORES MISSAE is a vocal ensemble drawn from leading choral and consort singers in London. A variable group numbering from 4 to 12 singers (or more  f required), the members are drawn from such institutions as Westminster Cathedral and St. Paul's Cathedral. The group is now becoming established in Catholic circles for its performances of the finest works of the golden age of polyphony, in particular Victoria's Tenebrae Responsories, in such places as Portsmouth Cathedral, Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane, London, the Chapel of the Knights of Malta, London and St.Thomas Aquinas in Ham, but their repertoire extends through to the 20th Century. The highest calibre of excellence is the hallmark of Cantores Missae, which always lends an extra dimension to any occasion, whether a wedding, funeral or a special service.

ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL CHAPEL CHOIR - Arnold House a reknowned boys' preparatory school in St John's Wood, has recently developed a high standard of music under their enthusiastic young Director of Music, Paul Swinden. The Chapel Choir sings a mainly liturgical repertoire and leads the school's worship through music during the academic year. The school is happy to renew its association with the Hospital, and is glad to be able to encourage its young musicians. http://www.arnoldhouse.co.uk/

This post will be updated from time to time. The Series Programme leaflet is now published, copies will be available in the Church and Hospital Reception. A printable online version may be downloaded here, or in the 'download' menu in the sidebar.

MONDAY 12th JULY - BLESSED DAVID GUNSTON M. ON.

The Order in England is blessed with many English saints, who act both as intercessors and examples to people living and working in our own troubled age. Blessed David is one of them.

Sir David Gunston was a member of an English naval family who was received into the Order at the Auberge of England in Valetta on 20 October 1533.

He served on the ships of the Order in the Mediterranean until 1540 when he returned to England, by which time Henry VIII had suppressed the Order in his kingdom by an Act of Parliament of 10 May 1540. David Gunston was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1540 and was condemned to death by an Act of Parliament in 1541 for denying the authority of the King in spiritual matters.

He was hanged, drawn and quartered at St. Thomas' Waterings, Southwark on 12 July 1541. Pius XI declared him Blessed on 15 December 1929.

Collect of the Mass.

O God, who made of blessed David a notable champion of the Catholic faith whose martyrdom shed glory on our Order, grant that he may stimulate us to defend the unity of your holy Church. 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.

Blessed David Gunston, Pray for us and for England.

THURSDAY 8th JULY - BL. ADRIAN FORTESCUE, PATRON OF THE GRAND PRIORY OF ENGLAND

Blessed Adrian Fortescue, from the painting in the Collegio in Malta, 

of which a copy hangs in the Sacristy of our Conventual Church.

On Thursday 8^th July at 6.30pm there will be a plainsong High Mass in the Conventual Church of St John of Jerusalem on the feast of Blessed Adrian Fortescue, Martyr, Beatus of the Order and Patron of the Grand Priory of England.


The Mass will be celebrated in the presence of the Grand Prior, who is in London much recovered from his recent illness, by Monsignor Antony Conlon, Conventual Chaplain “ad honorem” and Chaplain to the Grand Priory of England. Members of the Order, Companions, and other friends are warmly encouraged to attend to join in the patronal festival.

The Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Gilberte Dumont, who died last week in the Hospice aged 104. Her family and friends will be present. You are encouraged to pray for this intention. Requiescat in Pace. 

There will be a Reception in Fortescue House after Mass, to which all are welcome.

THURSDAY 1st JULY - FEAST OF SAINT NICASIUS, MARTYR ON

Painting of the Saint in the Collegio in Malta

Nicasius was the grandson of one of the last emirs of Sicily, who had been converted by Roger of Normandy (or perhaps converted through his influence).  Nicasius was born about 1135 in Sicily, possibly in Palermo, into the Kameti family, later know as 'de Burgo'.

He joined the Order of Saint John as a knight, as did his brother Ferrandino. They answered the call of Roger des Moulins and travelled to the Holy Land where Nicasius was martyred in 1187. He fought in the great siege of Acre (1187-1191). According to one tradition he was captured there and beheaded with many others, including his brother.

According to another tradition, he was captured during the disastrous battle of The Horns of Hattin and was decapitated in the presence of Saladin after refusing to convert to Islam.

Saint Nicasius, as a Knight of Saint John,

you gave your life in the Holy Land in defense of Christendom.

Pray for the Order of Saint John and for peace in the Holy Land.

From the Collect

O God, every year you give us joy

In the commemoration of your martyr, blessed Nicasius:

Grant that through his prayers and example

the companions of our Order may grow in faith

and always follow you with all their hearts. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

REPORT - SAINT JOHN'S DAY

After the festivities of the whole Order at the Oratory in the morning, it was the turn of the Conventual Church, the Hospital and the local community to celebrate our Patronal Festival in the evening, with a High Mass celebrated by the Chaplain of the Grand Priory, Monsignor Antony Conlon.  The music was all chant, provided by a schola under the direction of Paul Tobin, Prefect of Music in the Church, and again we had the joysome benefit of Colin Mawby on the organ. The Mass was followed by a  reception in Fortescue House, at which the Order's own prosecco from Magione was served.

Sancte Joanne Baptistae, ora pro nobis.

REPORT - SAINT JOHN'S EVE

Solemn Vespers were sung on Wednesday evening, presided over by Monsignor Antony Conlon, chaplain of the Grand Priory, assisted by our chaplains Father Creighton-Jobe of the London Oratory and Father David Irwin.  The choir was again Cantores Missae under the direction of Charles Finch, and Colin Mawby, former organist of Westminster Cathedral, was on the organ.  At the end of Vespers there was veneration of the Relic of Saint John the Baptist.

The evening ended with a buffet dinner in Fortescue House, attended by 30 members of the Order, Companions and friends.

We are grateful to a member of the Order for stepping in to take photographs at the very last minute on his iphone, the light in church is not ideal.

A report on the evening Mass of Saint John's Day will follow when the photographs are available.

Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.

MONSIGNOR ANDREW WADSWORTH

It is with great joy that we learn than today, the Feast of Saints Thomas More and John Fisher, one of our Chaplains of BASMOM, Monsignor Andrew Raymond Wadsworth, who is currently Secretary General of ICEL, has been made a Chaplain to His Holiness and Member of the Papal Household. 

Monsignor Wadsworth has been a great friend of the Conventual Church over the years, supporting the Easter Triduum since the first year in 2003, and has sung the main Mass of Easter Sunday on several occasions, as well as on many feasts of the Order.

We know many of those who attend the Conventual Church regularly will wish to join in congratulating Monsignor Wadsworth on this joyful news, and to wish him well in his continuing work in Washington.

TUESDAY 29 JUNE - FEAST OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL

Carravaggio, The Conversion on the Road to Damascus

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Princes of the Apostles, a Holyday of Obligation, falls this year on a Tuesday. There will be Holy Mass at 11 am and a simple sung latin Mass at 6.30 pm in the Conventual Church.

At 9.30 pm there will be a sung solemn Salve in Church followed by Palestrina's 'Tu es Petrus' for 6 voices, with the Order's choir Schola Baptista.

All are most welcome to celebrate this great Feast of the Church with us.

Carravaggio, The Martyrdom of St Peter

SATURDAY 12TH JUNE - SAINT FLEUR OF BEAULIEU, V ON

Fleur, or Flora, was born about 1300 at Maurs in the diocese of Saint-Flour (France) and took the veil as a girl of thirteen in the monastery of the Sisters of St. John of Jerusalem at Beaulieu, in the diocese of Cahors (France), where she devoted herself to tending the poor and the sick in the hospital attached to the monastery. Attractions and temptations she sublimated in the love of God and even in mystical experiences. She had a special devotion to Christ Crucified, Our Lady of the Annunciation and St. John the Baptist. She died in 1347 and her relics are still in the church at Issendolus, in the diocese of Cahors.

Collect of the Mass.

Almighty and merciful God, who wished blessed Fleur to love and live as a virgin in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, grant that, following her example, we also may love you more and more. 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.

More information here.

Sancta Flora de Beaulieu, ora pro nobis.

FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART

ACT OF REPARATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

MOST sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Thee, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which Thy loving Heart is everywhere subject.

Mindful, alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Thy pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation, not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow Thee, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the promises of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Thy law.

We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against Thee; we are now determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behaviour, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holydays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against Thee and Thy Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Thy Vicar on earth and Thy priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which Thou hast founded.

Would that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Thy divine honour, the satisfaction Thou once made to Thy Eternal Father on the cross and which Thou continuest to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Thy Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Thy grace, for all neglect of Thy great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth, we will live a life of unswerving faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending Thee and to bring as many as possible to follow Thee.

O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to Thee, so that we may all one day come to that happy home, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit Thou livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

This prayer was prescribed to be recited on this feast by Pope Pius XI .

23 & 24 JUNE - SAINT JOHN'S DAY AND EVE

On Wednesday 23rd June, Vigil of the Solemnity of St John the Baptist, there will be Solemn First Vespers, and Veneration of the Relic of St John the Baptist, Patron of the Order.  This will be at 6.30pm in the Conventual Church.


The next evening, that is, Thursday 24th June, the Feast of St John the Baptist, there will be High Mass at 6.30pm in the Conventual Church, for which we shall be joined by staff and patients of the Hospital, for whom it is also the Patronal Festival.  There will be a drinks Reception in Fortescue House afterwards to which all are welcome.


The celebrant on both days will be Monsignor Antony Conlon, Conventual Chaplain ad honorem, Chaplain to the Grand Priory.

At 7.30pm on 23rd June there is a Bowling Evening to raise money for the Pilgrimage to Walsingham in September.  It will be possible for those who attend Vespers to arrive at All Star Bowling, Whiteleys, Porchester Gardens W2, by 7.45pm if they would like to support this very worthwhile event.

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.