REPORT - GRAND PRIORY DAY OF RECOLLECTION AT BLESSED JOHN HENRY NEWMAN'S SHRINE IN BIRMINGHAM

The shrine altar in the Little Oratory

The Feast of our virgin Saint Ubaldeseca saw members of the Grand Priory, joined by other members of the Order and Companions from the Midlands, together in Birmingham for this month's Day of Recollection at the shrine of Blessed John Henry Newman.

After Lauds in the Newman shrine chapel, members of the Order sat in choir in the stunningly beautiful Oratory church for the weekly Pilgrim Mass celebrated by the Provost, Father Richard Duffield, and then joined the other pilgrims and the local community at the Shine for the prayers of thanksgiving for favours granted, for intercessions, and veneration of the relic. The work of the Order worldwide, and the members of the Grand Priory of England and British Association were prayed for, as was Saint John's Hospice.

Father Paul Chavasse preached the conferences, on Newman's journey of Faith, and his attraction to the tradition of the life of the Oratory and to Philippine spirituality, and its applicability to the spiritual life of the religious in the Order of Malta. In the afternoon we were privileged to be led by the Provost in pilgrimage to Blessed John Henry's library and room, where we could venerate the private altar, dedicated to Saint Francis de Sales, where the Beatus said Mass daily as a Cardinal. Both the library and room are exactly as they were in the Cardinal's lifetime and may thus truly be venerated as secondary relics, as they were by the Holy Father last September in the afternoon after the Mass of Beatification.

The day concluded with Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at the shrine altar.

Blessed John Henry, Pray for us,

Saint Philip Neri, Pray for us,
Saint Francis de Sales, pray for us.

PASTORAL LETTER ON THE NEW MISSAL TRANSLATION

In preparation for the new corrected translation of the New Rite of Mass, the Bishops of England and Wales have ordered the following Pastoral Letter to be read at all Masses in the churches and chapels of England and Wales this Sunday, 29th May 2011.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES

NATIONAL PASTORAL LETTER

ON THE

NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL

TO BE READ ON THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, 29 MAY 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

At the beginning of Advent this year, when we gather for Mass, we shall be using the new translation of the Roman Missal. This will be the case not only in England and Wales but throughout the English‐speaking world. The Mass will remain the same but parts of it will sound different.

Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church has produced three Latin editions of the Roman Missal. At present, we are still using a translation of the first edition which was published in 1973. Although the texts we have been using have served us well, since that time there has been much development in the liturgical texts themselves and in our understanding of them.

We all become very accustomed to the words we hear; and the fact that we have been praying in a certain way for so long has imprinted that style of language and words upon our consciousness and made them very special. The changes in the language now to be introduced, however, do not represent change for change’s sake, but are being made in order to ensure greater fidelity to the liturgical tradition of the Church. In the earlier translation not all the meaning of the original Latin text was fully expressed and a number of the terms that were used to convey the teachings of the faith were lost. This was readily acknowledged by the bishops of the Church, even back in the 1970s, and has become an increasing cause of concern since then.

There is an old adage in Latin which states that the way we pray forms the way we believe. So words and language are important for the teaching and the handing‐on of the faith.

So what does this new translation offer us? First of all, there is a fuller expression of the content of the original texts. Then, there is a closer connection with the Sacred Scriptures which inspire so much of our liturgy. Also, there is a recovery of a vocabulary that enriches our understanding of the mystery we celebrate. All of this requires a unique style of language and expression, one that takes us out of ourselves and draws us into the sacred, the transcendent and the divine.

The publication of the new translation of the Missal is a special moment of grace in the English‐speaking world. It offers an opportunity to deepen our knowledge and understanding of the mystery we celebrate each week. This itself will help us to move towards that fuller and more conscious and active participation in the liturgy to which the Church invites us. It will help us also to examine the dignity with which we celebrate the ‘source and summit’ of the Church’s life.

At the end of his visit last year, Pope Benedict asked us to use this moment for genuine renewal. He said: “I encourage you now to seize the opportunity that the new translation offers for in‐depth catechesis on the Eucharist, and renewed devotion in the manner of its celebration. ‘The more lively the Eucharistic faith of the people of God, the deeper is its sharing in ecclesial life in steadfast commitment to the mission entrusted by Christ to his disciples’” (Sacramentum Caritatis, 6).

In order to achieve this, the bishops have produced resources for all our parishes and, as from September, we will gradually begin to use the new liturgical texts at Mass and hear why certain changes have been made. Each diocese is already preparing its priests and deacons, catechists and liturgical ministers. Programmes for schools are being developed and new musical settings are being composed. From September until Advent everyone will have the opportunity to study the new texts and familiarise themselves with the prayers and chants. In addition, this period of preparation will allow us to pray these new texts.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is a gift, something we receive from God through the Church. Saint Paul spoke of it as coming from the Lord Jesus himself. Writing to the Church in Corinth, he said, “for I received from the Lord what I in turn also handed on to you” (1 Corinthians 11:23). So Eucharist is not something of our making but a gift received. Like Saint Paul, therefore, let us receive it with reverence and care, knowing that we are being faithful to what the Lord himself passed on to the Apostles, which has been handed on since, in faithfulness, by their successors to every generation of the Church.

Let us welcome the new translation of the Roman Missal as a sign of our unity and a powerful instrument of God’s grace in our lives.

Published by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales
Thursday 12 May 2011
To be read on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, 29 May 2011

photographs copyright CTS, publishers of the Missal

28th MAY - SAINT UBALDESCA V. ON.

image courtesy of St John's Gate, London

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.

Today is the Grand Priory monthly day of Recollection at the shrine of Blessed John Henry Newman at the Birmingham Oratory, a report will follow shortly.

23rd MAY - FEAST OF BL VILMOS APOR, M. ON

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.

On 9 April 1947, Cardinal Mindszenty wrote to Father Csavossy, the postulator for the cause: 'I can assure you that now is the appropriate time to introduce the canonization procedures. I wish it and officially approve of it, and want the necessary steps to be taken to do the same for all priests who lost their lives when protecting women.' He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 9th November 1997.

Much historical information is given here.

The tomb of Blessed Vilmos in Gyor Cathedral, designed by the Hungarian artist Boldogfai Farkas Sándor

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.

DIRECTIVE FROM THE ENGLISH BISHOPS ON THE FRIDAY PENANCE AND ABSTAINING FROM MEAT

Restoration of mandatory meatless Fridays in England and Wales

Since 1985, in England and Wales abstinence from meat has been mandatory only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; on all other Fridays of the year, including Lenten Fridays, the faithful are allowed to choose between abstaining from meat or doing some other penance. The bishops have now chosen to restore the requirement of meatless Fridays for all Catholics of qualifying age (between the 15th and 60th birthdays).  This will come into effect on 16th September.

It should be noted that this applies to all Catholics, not just those who practice regularly Sunday by Sunday, but also those who are in some way lapsed, but still call and consider themselves Catholics. For those many people, therefore, in families where some members do not practice their Faith regularly, the obligation to abstain from meat on Friday applies to all members of the household. In the same way, it is laudable to encourage the young who have not yet reached the age of obligation to perform this duty willingly.

All those responsible for catering for food for other groups which include Catholics, namely schools, hospitals, youth groups etc, should remember they have a duty to observe this obligation and to provide meals which do not contain meat.

Birthdays, and other days of public or private celebration, are not a reason for overlooking this Catholic duty, which is given to us for our sanctification.

Vegetarians and others who for whatever reason do not eat meat normally are to abstain from a chosen food they eat regularly. It would seem very good advice that this decision be taken in conjunction with one's spiritual director.

We are grateful to our bishops for this act of witness to our Faith, please remember to keep them always in your prayers.

Here is the text of the Bishop's document, which makes clear the prescriptions and explains the reasoning behind them.

Catholic Witness - Friday Penance

By the practice of penance every Catholic identifies with Christ in his death on the cross. We do so in prayer, through uniting the sufferings and sacrifices in our lives with those of Christ’s passion; in fasting, by dying to self in order to be close to Christ; in almsgiving, by demonstrating our solidarity with the sufferings of Christ in those in need. All three forms of penance form a vital part of Christian living. When this is visible in the public arena, then it is also an important act of witness.  

Every Friday is set aside by the Church as a special day of penance, for it is the day of the death of our Lord. The law of the Church requires Catholics to abstain from meat on Fridays, or some other form of food, or to observe some other form of penance laid down by the Bishops’ Conference. 

The Bishops wish to re-establish the practice of Friday penance in the lives of the faithful as a clear and distinctive mark of their own Catholic identity. They recognise that the best habits are those which are acquired as part of a common resolve and common witness. It is important that all the faithful be united in a common celebration of Friday penance. 

Respectful of this, and in accordance with the mind of the whole Church, the Bishops’ Conference wishes to remind all Catholics in England and Wales of the obligation of Friday Penance. The Bishops have decided to re-establish the practice that this should be fulfilled by abstaining from meat.

Those who cannot or choose not to eat meat as part of their normal diet should abstain from some other food of which they regularly partake. This is to come into effect from Friday 16 September 2011 when we will mark the anniversary of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom.

Many may wish to go beyond this simple act of common witness and mark each Friday with a time of prayer and further self-sacrifice. In all these ways we unite our sacrifices to the sacrifice of Christ, who gave up his very life for our salvation.

13th MAY OUR LADY OF FATIMA - PUBLICATION OF “UNIVERSAE ECCLESIAE”

This morning, the 30th anniversary of the assassination attempt on Blessed John Paul II in St Peter's Square, the long-awaited clarification on the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum was issued by the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, as an Instruction entitled Universae Ecclesiae.

The text may be downloaded here in English or here in Latin, thanks to Fr Z of WDTPRS, who has an excellent commentary here.   And Fr Tim Finigan here.

"...Among the statements of the Holy Father was the following: “There is no contradiction between the two editions of the Roman Missal. In the history of the Liturgy growth and progress are found, but not a rupture. What was sacred for prior generations, remains sacred and great for us as well, and cannot be suddenly prohibited altogether or even judged harmful.”

"8. The Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum constitutes an important expression of the Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff and of his munus of regulating and ordering the Church’s Sacred Liturgy. The Motu Proprio manifests his solicitude as Vicar of Christ and Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church, and has the aim of... promoting reconciliation at the heart of the Church." Universae Ecclesiae § 7 and 8.

The whole Latin Rite world is very grateful to the Holy Father for his solicitous care of the Liturgy, and for the love with which he passes on sacred Tradition to the next generation. Ad Multos Annos.

HENRY LORIMER RIP

______________________________________________________________________________

It is with great sadness that we report the death on Thursday 5th May of Henry Lorimer, Delegate of Scotland and the Northern Marches, following a road accident a few weeks ago. He died fortified by the rites of Holy Mother Church.

Before joining the Order in 2006, Henry was for many years convener of the Companions of the Order in Scotland.

Mass was offered for the repose of his soul that evening by the Reverend Christopher Colven, Rector of St James's Spanish Place, at the weekly Order Mass in the Lady Chapel of that church.

Please pray most especially at this time for his family.

Requiescat in pace.

______________________________________________________________________________

NOTICE - LADY JAFFRAY'S MUSICAL SOIREE IN AID OF ST JOHN'S HOSPICE - TUESDAY 24th MAY 2011

Lady Jaffray with His Excellency the President of BASMOM

With the support of the British Association of the Order of Malta, Anne Lady Jaffray is holding the fourth of her annual Soirees on 24th May to raise much needed funds for St John's Hospice at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth. The Grand Master of the Order, HMEH Fra' Matthew Festing, has graciously accepted an invitation to be present.

The last event raised enough to buy an electrically operated bed, which was blessed by the Archbishop of Westminster, The Most Revd Vincent Nichols. Dr Chris Farnham, the Medical Director at the Hospice, said the bed had met with the approval of both patients and nursing staff. Lady Jaffray hopes to raise at least as much this year, as further beds are urgently needed in the refurbished Hospice, which was officially re-opened on 31st March by the Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Andrew Lansley, CBE, MP. The Archbishop is to say Mass in the Order’s Conventual Church, adjacent to the Hospice, on 25th May 2011 at 11 am, in celebration of the improvements.

The Soiree is to be held, as previously, in the elegant surroundings of Imperial College at 170 Queens Gate, South Kensington. Tickets are £75 each and may be ordered from Naomi Glancy at the Hospice Fundraising office (Tel: 020 7806 4012, E-mail: naomi.glancy@hje.org.uk). After the initial reception at 7pm there is to be a 45-minute concert of choral music, followed by wine and supper. Dress is Black Tie.

This year's music, sung (without remuneration) by Schola Baptista, the choir of the Conventual Church under the direction of Eoghain Murphy, will include the three great Naval Motets of the Order, praying for the lifting of the Great Siege of Malta and celebrating the formation of the Holy League's and the famous victory at Lepanto.

Please support this worthy cause and at the same time have a very enjoyable, relaxed evening.

PASCHAL CANDLE IN THE CONVENTUAL CHURCH

Traditionally the decoration of the candle is rich in ancient Christological symbolism.

Here the cross with which the Candle is solemnly signed at the beginning of the Vigil ceremony is in the form of the Maltese cross of the Order, surrounded by the chaplet, or rosary, of religious profession of the Priory.  The cross symbolises our Lord's glorified and risen body which we honour and celebrate this night, in the promise of our own Resurrection and Salvation. The eight points of the Maltese cross also remind us of the eight Beatitudes, which form a code of life for all Christians, and especially for the knights of the Order, and upon which we have meditated during Lent.

The cross is surrounded by the greek letters Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the alphabet, also symbols of Christ, who is from before the beginning of creation, and will return to earth in judgment on the last day, and numerals of the year, 2011, to emphasise that while our destiny is eternal, we live our life of Faith in real time in this world.  As the priest incises these symbols into the wax with a stylus, he says the following words: Christus heri et hodie, Principium et Finis, Alpha et Omega. Ipsius sunt tempora et saecula. Ipsi gloria et imperium per universa aeternitatis saecula. Amen. (Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega. His are the times and ages. To him be glory and dominion through all the ages of eternity. Amen.)

At the centre and the four points of the cross are inserted grains of incense, set either in wax or metal containers, which symbolise the five holy wounds with which the Lord's glorified body will remain marked for all eternity. As he thrusts the pins into the soft wax, as the nails were hammered into Christ suffering body, the priest says: Per sua sancta vulnera gloriosa custodiat et conservet nos Christus Dominus. Amen. (Through his holy and glorious wounds may Christ the Lord guard and preserve us. Amen.)

A detail which cannot be seen in this photograph, the upper band bears the word Surrexit, He is risen! and at the bottom in Greek the ancient Easter greeting Χριστός ἀνέστη, CRISTOS ANESTI - Christ is risen, to which the reply is Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη, ALITOS ANESTI - He is risen indeed.  (Sorry, we cannot make the browser type Greek capitals. Ed.)

Above the sacred ritual symbols is the shield of the ancient Langue of England, which subsists today in the Grand Priory of England, and which arms are used on the banner of the Grand Priory.  These arms, the ancient royal arms of England, were adopted by the English Langue during the crusades. Today the Order is the oldest body using these arms by ancient right.  Below the cross are the arms of the present Grand Prior, Fra' Fredrik Crichton-Stuart, who is the Superior of the Order in this country, and thus of the religious life of the Conventual Church, which is the seat of his 'convent'.  The custom of putting the arms of the diocesan bishop or religious superior is very ancient, and reminds us that we derive our Salvation not by our own merits or piety, but though the Catholic Church, her structures and Sacraments, founded by Christ at the Passover supper, and sealed by his own Precious Blood on Good Friday.

The candle will burn in the church at Masses throughout Eastertide, and be used for baptisms and funerals in the Hospital through the year.

Lumen Christi, Deo Gratias
Lumen Christi, Deo Gratias
Lumen Christi, Deo Gratias

REPORT - EASTER VIGIL

The Easter Vigil completed the celebration of the Sacred Triduum in the Conventual Church.  We are very grateful to al those who have made the ceremonies so solemn and beautiful.  The choir sang the chant responses at the Vigil, and Schubert's Mass in G.

The Sacred Ministers during the Vigil.

Gloria is Excelsis.

The choir exercising their opus Dei.

The Sacred Ministers with the sanctuary party and some members of the Order 
on the steps of the Conventual Church in the early hours of this holy morning.

Dic nobis, Maria,  quid vidísti in via?

Sépulcrum Christi vivénti :

et glóriam vidi resurgéntis

Angélicos testes, sudárium, et véstes

Surréxit Christus spes mea :

 et præcédet vos in Galilæam.

Tell us Mary : say what thou didst see upon the way

The tomb the Living did enclose;

I saw Christ’s glory as he rose!

The angels there attesting;

Shroud with grave-clothes resting

Christ, my hope, has risen : 

he goes before you into Galilee.

The Grand Prior extends to you all his best wishes for all the blessing of the Risen Lord at this Easter time.

REPORT - MAUNDY THURSDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY

Thanks to a member of the choir, we have some good photographs of the Sacred Liturgies of these two days in the Conventual Church.

Monsignor Wadsworth delivering the Homily

The Offertory

Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday

The music at Maundy Thursday was Missa Sexti Toni by Croce, with chant Kyrie IV and a more elaborate Victoria Gloria, motets by Bruckner, Duruflé and Tallis, and a setting of one of the Mandatum antiphons by the 17th century composer Nunes Garcia.

In the morning some members of the Grand Priory were greatly privileged to watch the Queen arriving at Westminster Abbey for the Royal Maundy service; this picture was taken by one of them.  Her Majesty has fulfilled this duty at the Abbey every ten years since the start of her reign.  In intervening years the Royal Maundy is distributed at cathedrals around the realm.

On Good Friday the Improperia sung during the veneration of the Cross was sung to the ancient chant.

Agios o Theos!

Sanctus Deus.

Agios Ischyros!

Sanctus Fortis.

Agios Athanatos, eleison imas.

Sanctus Immortalis, miserere nobis.

During the Lesson

The Passion

Ecce Lignum Crucis

"HOLY WEEK THROUGH ART" Archbishop's meditation.

The Archbishop of Westminster, The Right Reverend Vincent Nichols, meditates upon the story of the Passion though works in the National Gallery.

"Welcome to The National Gallery here in Trafalgar Square. We’re here to look at some paintings; paintings that will help us to prepare for our Holy Week ceremonies and the feast of Easter. 

"We will look at the scene of Our Lord’s death on the cross; we will look at a scene of his entombment; of the first glimpse of the Risen Christ and finally; a painting of the glory of heaven, the promise of eternal life that is held before us all. 

"As we enter into Holy Week we prepare to celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s death and Resurrection and one thing that is important to remember is that in the Liturgy, the power of those events are open to us now. Through Liturgy we become participants, not spectators, and the same is true for these paintings..."

Click here for transcript of the talk.

HOLY WEEK SPIRITUAL READING - DOUAI RETREAT

We post here two papers which were given by the Chaplain of the Grand Priory, Msgr Antony Conlon, at the Annual Order retreat for men, held last week at Douai Abbey, Berkshire.  These papers are offered to our readers as spiritual reading for Holy Week, as indeed they merit much further consideration by those who were privileged to hear them when first delivered.

They are accompanied by good wishes and prayers for a holy and blessed Triduum and Easter from the Grand Priory. The intentions of all the readers of this blog will be prayed for during the Masses of the Holy Triduum in the Conventual Church.

Click on the READ MORE link below for the texts of the two talks.

CONFERENCE 1

I have never been to the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Among its many treasures
is a painting by Rembrandt of the Return of the Prodigal Son. The artist painted it in old
age and it is believed by some to reveal traces of his own spiritual journey, with figures
on the canvas reflecting himself at different stages in his life. The central figure is not so
much the shaven-headed and ragged youth being embraced but the father who embraces
him. The young man’s face is scarcely visible as it leans towards the forgiving parent. The
father is shown mysteriously as a blind man and with two different shaped hands; one
definitely female.

THURSDAY 21st TO SUNDAY 24th 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 the ages of 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.

MAUNDY THURSDAY (21st 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 (22nd April)

Matins and Lauds (‘Tenebrae’) 10.00am

Sext 12.45pmNone 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  

HOLY SATURDAY (23rd April)

Matins and Lauds (‘Tenebrae’) 10.00am

Sext 12.45pmNone 2.30pmVespers 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 9.00pm 

EASTER SUNDAY  (24th April)

Sung Mass (English)  11.00am

LENTEN REFLECTION - "THE GOOD THIEF"

We are very grateful to Father Nicholas Schofield, M.A. (Oxon.), S.T.B., parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Michael, Uxbridge, and Archivist of the Archdiocese of Westminster, for his most moving meditation for the Grand Priory Lenten Evening of Recollection, which he delivered during an Holy Hour following Mass in the Lady Chapel of Saint James's Spanish Place. 

The full meditiation is given below, click the 'READ MORE' link at the end of the visible passage for the complete text.

We hope this will be fruitful reading as we enter Holy Week.

T H E   G O O D   T H I E F

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingly power.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”.

It is a shame we know so little about the Good Thief, often known as St Dismas. And it surprising that his feast is not widely celebrated, even though his image is present in most churches (the same could be said, incidentally, of Simon of Cyrene, the great patron of those carrying crosses). The life of the Good Thief, as you might expect, has become the subject of legend. One tradition relates how many years earlier the Holy Family fell into the hands of robbers as they fled into Egypt. They owed their deliverance to the young St Dismas, the son of the robber chief, who saw the Divine Infant in His mother’s arms and believed at once that He was more than man. He exclaimed ‘O most Blessed of children, if ever a time should come when I should crave Thy mercy, remember me and forget not what has passed this day.’

But the Gospel passage we have just heard contains much food for meditation. One could say, after all, that it contains an account of the first canonization ceremony, as Our Lord Himself tells the dying thief ‘today you will be with me in paradise’. Pius XII even spoke of it being ‘almost the first plenary indulgence’ and one which continues to be granted by the Church to the faithful at the hour of death.

The Church Fathers thought highly of the Good Thief. St Athanasius, for example, wrote:

O Good Thief, much shrewder than the first Adam! Poorly advised, he reached out for the fruit of the forbidden tree and infused in himself and in all of us the venom of death. Better advised, by reaching out to the sacred Tree of the cross you recovered Heaven and earned Life! O blessed thief, who found the means of carrying off the most wonderful treasure! O blessed thief who imitated Judas’ betrayal, but the one betrayed was the devil!

St John Chrysostom saw him as a great sign of hope for ‘no one, henceforth, will be able to despair his salvation when he sees a man guilty of thousands of sins cross the gates of the Kingdom. With a simple word, a single act of faith, he bounds ahead of the apostles into paradise.’ Indeed,

1st APRIL - SAINT NONIUS ALVARES PEREIRA Rel, Prior ON

Today we honour of our new saint, canonised by the Holy Father in 2009.  His feast is a Memorial in the New Rite of Mass, and kept as a commemoration in the Extraordinary Form, as it always falls in Lent.

He was born Nuno de Santa Maria Alvares Pereira on 24 July 1360 at Santares, Portugal and he died Easter Sunday, 1 April 1431.  He was a cousin of the founder of the Braganza family, the royal house of Portugal. 

He entered the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and of Rhodes at the age of 23.  At the age of 25, while serving King John I as Constable he defeated a much larger invading Castilian army, thereby assuring Portugal’s independence. Renowned as one of the most famous knights of his age in all of Europe, he was Constable of the Kingdom of Portugal and also Prior of our Order in Portugal.

He was outstandingly generous and charitable towards the poor, and in later life became a lay-brother in the Carmelite Order where he was remarkable for his devotion to Our Lady and humbly undertook the meanest of duties.

Blessed Nonius, you protected a kingdom but also served the lowest.  Pray for Our Grand Master and for our Order, for all our members and benefactors and for those whom we strive to serve.

Collect from the Missal of the Order

O God, who called Saint Nuno to lay down the weapons of this world

and follow Christ under the protection of the Blessed Virgin,

Grant through the intercession of this former member of our Order

that we too may deny ourselves and cling to you with all our hearts.

Through the same Jesus Christ your Son,

who lives and reigns with you an the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

THURSDAY 31st MARCH - LENTEN EVENING OF RECOLLECTION

The Mid-Lenten Evening of Recollection will this year be held in the Lady Chapel of St James’s Spanish Place, London W1 on Thursday 31st March 2011.

The Evening will be led by the Reverend Nicholas Schofield, Parish Priest of Uxbridge and Archivist of the Archdiocese of Westminster. 

Mass will be at 6.45pm (note the changed time) followed by a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament exposed, which will include a short conference, concluding with Benediction. We are grateful to the Rector of Spanish Place, the Reverend Christopher Colven for allowing us the use of the Lady Chapel.

There will be drinks afterwards, for which a modest contribution will be requested, and further refreshment locally for those who wish. Members of the Order and Companions are extremely welcome to bring guests, especially those who are, or might be, aspirants to the Order.

THE ANNUNCIATION, LADY DAY

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lady, a day so deeply engrained in the historical life of this county, that Lady Day still determines the calendars of many state institutions and modern secular organizations.

Today is a day of feasting, not fasting, where by immortal custom of the Church, and by canonical precept, the fast of Lent is suspended.  Every few years it falls on a Friday, and Canon 1251 enjoins us to set aside the abstinence from meat on this day.  It is our duty to honour the Church and Our Lady by availing ourselves of this great privilege.

Holy Mass will be celebrated at 6pm at St James's Church Spanish Place.

Dos tua, Virgo pia, haec est.

TUITIO FIDEI - PUBLIC DISPLAY OF CRUCIFIXES - EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS JUDGEMENT

In a landmark ruling, occasioned by the scandal a few years ago of the proposed removal of crucifixes in Italian state schoolrooms, the European Court of Human Rights has determined, in a final judgement in the case Lautsi and Others v. Italy (application no. 30814/06), that the display of crucifixes in schools presents no violation under the European Convention of Human Rights.

This very welcome ruling will be of relevance not only to those in Education in Britain, but also in Healthcare, and gives support to the display of crucifixes and religious symbols in Catholic hospitals, clinics and care-homes, even those which receive State funding.  It is to be hoped that those responsible for the administration of such institutions will take this opportunity for the practice of Tuitio Fidei, and provide such symbols for the spiritual inspiration and comfort of the patients they serve.

As the text of the ruling quotes (para 15(11.9)) "...in the present-day social reality the crucifix should be regarded not only as a symbol of a historical and cultural development, and therefore of the identity of our people, but also as a symbol of a value system: liberty, equality, human dignity and religious toleration..."

The PRESS RELEASE many be read here, and the text of the FULL JUDGEMENT here.   It merits careful study, not least of all for the underscoring of the influence of the values of Christianity in the foundation of modern society, something the modern political world, and some influential Catholics in the public sphere, sometimes forget.

To members of the Order of Malta, and those who assist in its work, this judgment will be of great help.

"The cross, as the symbol of Christianity, can therefore not exclude anyone without denying itself; it even constitutes in a sense the universal sign of the acceptance of and respect for every human being as such, irrespective of any belief, religious or other, which he or she may hold. ...  "  (para 15 (13.4))

Pope Benedict in procession in the Order's San Giovanni Baptista Hospital in Rome
before saying Mass for the patients and staff in the presence of Grand Master Bertie.

NEXT CONCERT - WEDNESDAY 23 MARCH - Hexachord

Plorans, ploravit

Penitential and Lenten a cappella sacred music from 16th century England, including

WHITE Lamentations à5; Exaudiat te, Domine
TALLIS Miserere nostri; Sancte Deus
TYE Peccavimus
SHEPPARD Media vita
MUNDY Adolescentulus sum ego

performed by HEXACHORD directed by Simon Lillystone
at 7:30pm in the CONVENTUAL CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN OF JERUSALEM

This concert is the last in the St John’s Concert Series for 2010/2011 arranged through the collaboration of St John’s Hospice and the Order of Malta.

The series aims to raise funds and awareness for the only independent Catholic hospice in Central London.

Entry is by free programme available at the door, for which a suggested donation of £15 per audience member is requested, or other donation as generously as you feel able.

Refreshments will be available in the interval, and the church is very easy to reach by bus and tube (St John’s Wood Station).

ARCHBISHOP'S PASTORAL LETTER

Below is the text of the Pastoral letter instructing our Lenten observances, issued by His Grace the Archbishop of Westminster last Sunday.

  

Ninth Sunday of the Year

Our Lenten Journey

My brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,

The season of Lent begins this Wednesday. It is important that we prepare for it now. 

Lent, of course, is a season in which we are called to a renewal of faith. We go back to the foundations of our faith, ensuring that our house is built on rock and not on sand, as today’s Gospel passage reminds us.

The rock, of course, is Christ, he who ‘leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection’ (Heb 12.2). All we do during Lent is aimed at bringing us closer to him.

During Lent we are to learn again all that separates us from Christ. We repent of our sins. We celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession is a major task for Lent. By taking on a regular act of self-denial during Lent we train ourselves to turn again to Christ. We also come closer to the Lord by an increased practice of prayer, and by an additional generosity towards the poor. So, repentance, self-denial, almsgiving and prayer are the recipe for Lent. 

This pattern of Lenten living prepares us to celebrate afresh the great events of our faith: the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Lord. This we do in the great ceremonies of Holy Week. I ask you now to look at how best you can take part in them. 

In these ceremonies, Good Friday holds a special place. Every Friday during Lent holds a special place, for these Fridays link us to the Lord’s death on the Cross. So I ask you to ensure that you mark each Friday in Lent with an act of self-denial. The ancient tradition of the Church is that we do not eat meat on these Fridays. Let us take up again the practice of abstaining from meat, or another favourite part of our diet, on the Fridays of Lent. 

Prayer, too, is crucial. The Stations of the Cross are a form of prayer well suited to our Lenten journey. Please do try to follow the Stations of the Cross in your church during these coming weeks. By meditating together on the suffering and death of the Lord, undergone for our sake, we come closer to him and renew our love for him. 

So far I have spoken of our Friday abstinence and our prayer as our pathway of preparation for Easter. Now I ask you to add to it a pattern of reflection on your own personal faith. 

This you can do by joining in one of the many parish groups which follow the booklet ‘Faithful Pilgrim’ offered for this season of Lent. This year the themes of the booklet lead each group in a reflection on the message of Pope Benedict to us all during his recent Apostolic Visit. Coming together with a group of others is a marvellous way of deepening faith and encouraging each other. 

There is also a more individual approach to such reflection and prayer. Every parish has been offered the small ‘Walk with Me’ booklets which open up a journey of personal prayer for the weeks of Lent. This, too, focuses on the words of Pope Benedict, concentrating on the wonderful teaching he gave during his homily in Westminster Cathedral. You may well find this helpful and encouraging, too. 

These booklets are readily available. Do make use of them. 

So this is our journey for Lent: a journey marked by self-denial, especially on each Friday. This prepares us to admit and confess our sins. 

It is a journey marked by prayer, in the Stations of the Cross or before the Blessed Sacrament. This helps us to come to the Lord in love and appreciate more deeply his saving love for us. 

Then, do mark your journey of Lent by prayerful reflection on the faith, either in a parish group or individually. 

Please take steps today to make the most of these opportunities. 

I am fully aware of the pressure on time which we all feel as I make these requests. It is difficult to fit more into a busy routine. Yet Lent itself helps us to address this issue. 

Paradoxically, if we can slow down during these weeks of Lent, making space for things which matter very much indeed, then we will find a greater peace and poise in our lives. Creating moments and times of space for prayer and reflection gives us new vitality and focus with which to return to our routine obligations. Try it and see! 

During the Visit of Pope Benedict last September we felt again a certain pride in being Catholics. We rediscovered our identity as members of a great family. He reminded us that our Catholic way of life should have a distinctiveness about it, one that emerges from our relationship with the Lord. During these coming weeks let us renew that relationship by steadfastly observing our Lenten practices and encouraging each other to do so. 

May God bless us all during this precious season of Lent. 

Yours devotedly,

+Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster