SERMON ON SAINT JOHN'S DAY

Preached in the Church of the London Oratory on the Order's Celebration of the Feast of St John the Baptist, by Father Ronald Creighton-Jobe Conventual Chaplain, ad honorem

At the very heart of the Christian faith is an astounding paradox, that the eternal word of God chooses to empty Himself of his glory and takes human flesh in order to live for us, die for us and rise for us, so that we might share His life with the Father in Heaven. 

It may not have escaped many of you that the Order of Malta also has many paradoxes. 

It is Sovereign, without any real territory, and that Sovereign status exists only so that it may carry out its work of service. 

It is Military, without having gone to war for many centuries, yet, it is called on to do battle to protect and safeguard the Catholic faith. 

It is a Religious Order yet those who take vows continue to live in the world, bearing witness to their determination to observe the Beatitudes in a special way. 

Its head is a Prince and Grand Master, with the rank of a Cardinal, but he is called Fra' Matthew because he is our brother as well as our superior. 

How do we resolve these many paradoxes? The answer is this: that perhaps they are insoluble and that Almighty God calls us to live our lives as members of the Order of Malta accepting these conundrums and learning to grow through them by living with them.

Nevertheless, there is a solution on the supernatural level and that is to put into practice the two great virtues that marked the life of our heavenly patron: humility and charity, “I must decrease; He must increase.”

Humility is a very elusive virtue and has nothing to do with being abject. It means accepting one’s own frailties and limitations and those of others without despair or anger and asking for the grace to grow through this knowledge. That is what wisdom teaches us.

Real charity is sometimes uncomfortable. St John the Baptist, as the last of the prophets, exercised the role of being the conscience of God’s people and he was martyred for his efforts. Here is another paradox: he is a martyr, before the Christian church was founded but, nevertheless, he was truly a martyr.

Living in humility and charity, which is essential for all members of the Order, does not just depend upon ourselves but requires a daily rededication to the ideals of the Order which it has tried to maintain for nearly a thousand years.

Soon the new members entering the Order will be reminded that to be a part of the Order of Malta is an honour and indeed it is. However, honour in the Christian sense demands responsibility and gift of self to God and to others. It also includes a sense of obedience, for what does it mean to be a military order if no one obeys?

At this Mass today, we should rededicate ourselves to the high ideals of the Order of St John. We should also remind ourselves that we belong to a worldwide family and try to live that dimension with greater fidelity and determination. We cannot serve our Lords the Poor and the Sick unless we see in them a reflection of the presence of Christ, who died for each and every one of us. We must also try harder to see their presence in one another, otherwise our lives as members of the Order cannot be fruitful: “Love one another as I have loved you.” said Our Blessed Lord.

The Feast of St John the Baptist should be a source of joy, strength and hope. We ask for his intercession and that of Our Lady of Philermo to help us in this high and noble endeavour.

A BLESSED FEAST OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

So that these your servants can, with all their voice,
sing of your wonderful feats, clean the blemish of our spotted lips.
O Saint John! An angel came from the heavens to announce to your father
the greatness of your birth, dictating your name and destination.
He (Zacarias) doubted these divine promises and was deprived of the use of the speech;
but when you were born recovered the voice that had been lost.
Still locked in your mother's breast, you felt the King's presence housed in the vestal womb.
And prophet, before being born, you revealed this mystery to your parents.
Glory be to the Father and to the engendered Son;
glory similar to the Holy Spirit that is knot of both, for every century. Amen

Saint John the Baptist, Patron of our Order, pray for us and for Our Lords the Sick and Poor.

REPORT - SAINT JOHN'S DAY

Lt Col Brian Forsyth, retiring Director of Ceremonies,
receiving the award of Officer of Merit with Swords
in the Order Pro Merito Melitense

The Annual Order Mass was celebrated at the Brompton Oratory yesterday morning, a pontifical votive High Mass of Saint John the Baptist, the celebrant was Archbishop Mario Conti, assisted by our chaplains, Father David Irwin and Paul Chavasse of the Birmingham Oratory, in the presence of the Grand Prior, Fra' Ian Scott of Ardross, who was attended by the Chaplain of the Grand Priory, Monsignor Antony Conlon.  The homily was preached by Father Ronald Creighton-Jobe of the London Oratory (a copy of the text will be posted when it becomes available). 

The church was well attended by members of the Order, their relatives and friends, who welcomed and seven new members, and the recipients of the Order "pro Merito Melitense".  Please pray for our new knights and dames. 

At the start of the day, His Excellency the Grand Prior received the renewal of vows of Fraters Julian Chadwick and Paul Sutherland. Your earnest prayers are asked also for them. Photographs will be available early next week, and a selection will be posted here.

Photographs may be ordered by applying to the Chancellery, basmom@btconnect.com

Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.

7 JULY - DORCHESTER DAY OF RECOLLECTION

Following last month's very successful recollection, which took the shape of a pilgrimage to the newly-erected shrine at Pugin's abbey church of Saint Augustine at Ramsgate, on their patronal feast, the next day of Recollection will take place at Dorchester-on-Thames, courtesy of our friend and chaplain Fr John Osman.

The date will be Saturday 7th July.  The Patronal Feast of the Grand Priory, Blessed Adrian Fortescue, which normally falls on the following day, being a Sunday, will be anticipated.

The recollections will be given by the Chaplain to the Grand Priory, Monsignor Antony Conlon. Those wishing to attend should inform basmom@btconnect.com as usual. As always this is open to all members of the Order in Britain, Companions and guests. For those driving down by car, the postcode for the Church and Presbytery is OX10 7JR.

HORARIUM

SATURDAY,7^th JULY 2012

10.00am           Arrival and coffee

10.30am           Lauds

11.00 am          First Recollection

12 noon            Anticipated Mass of Blessed Adrian Fortescue M, Patron of the Grand Priory

2.30pm             Second Recollection

300pm              Vespers, Holy Hour and Benediction

4.15pm             Tea


An opportunity to visit the remains of the mediaeval Abbey will be available after the formal programme of the day.

NEW VATICAN WIDGET

Should you scroll down the sidebar, you would find the new "Vatican Widget", of which there is a picture above, a means of linking to the latest news from the Holy See.

This has been distributed to websites and blogs by the Servizio Internet Vaticano of the Directorate of Telecommunications, as a means of furthering the Holy Father's apostolate of spreading the Papal Magisterium by modern means of communication.

Through it you will find links to regular features on the Vatican.va website, such as the Angelus addresses, papal messages and encyclicals, as well as video links to the Papal ceremonies and other significants events.  It seems quite well thought through, and promises to be useful.

Its working is self-explanatory once you start clicking the links it contains. It also has rather cool YouTube and Twitter links at the bottom, giving real-time information. These people are serious.

For those who think this is all a bit eccentrically intense or esoteric, one would point out that the Holy See has invested considerable effort and many millions of euros into internet and television technology, and much care is put into the presentation of the various events, so it may safely be presumed that this is a legitimate wish of Pope Benedict. The Church cannot stand still, as he teaches us regularly.

W shall leave the 'combox' open and should be grateful for comments on this: as to its benefits; how it fits into this blog; or how it might be improved. Constructive suggestions will be forwarded to the Servizio Internet Vaticano.

Saint Isidore of Seville, Patron of the internet, pray for us.

THE MONTH OF MAY

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother look down in mercy upon England, thy dowry, and upon us who greatly hope and trust in thee.

By thee it was that Jesus, our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more. 

Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the cross, O Sorrowful Mother, Intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold, they may be united to the Chief Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son. 

Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith, fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee in our heavenly home.  AMEN.

MASS FOR SIR JOHN KEEGAN OBE

photo © Jeff Gilbert/Daily Telegraph

On Saturday 28th April 2012 Dom Aidan Bellenger OSB, Abbot of Downside and Conventual Chaplain ‘Ad Honorem’ of the Order, celebrated a most moving Mass at the foot of the bed of our confrère Sir John Keegan, the eminent military historian, now largely confined to bed through ill health. Gathered round Sir John’s bed for Mass were fourteen others, including his wife, three of his children, his son-in-law, one of his grandsons, and six other members of the Order in choir dress at Sir John’s request, among them the Vice-President of BASMOM. 

Sir John was in very good spirits and after Mass enjoyed talking individually to those present, who remained in his room for drinks. Lady Keegan then hosted a most enjoyable informal lunch. Sir John and Lady Keegan’s lovely house, on the edge of the village and next to the medieval parish church, provided the perfect setting, and many commented on the beauty of the gardens as seen from Sir John’s bedroom window. 

All are asked to remember Sir John Keegan and his family in their prayers.

MONASTIC SILENCE - A HISTORY

Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch delivers the second Gifford lecture, THE TRIUMPH OF MONASTIC SILENCE, to the University of Edinburgh on 24th April 2012 in Saint Cecilia's Hall Edinburgh.

It embraces the emergence of new positive theologies of silence in the mainstream Church from the third century, and their possible sources: the coming of eremetical life in Christianity and the place of silence in the development of monasticism. 

The transformation in its use and function after the Carolingian expansion of Benedictine monastic life, and the remarkable further development through the great years of Cluny. Counter-currents on silence in the medieval West, and the significance of hesychasm in the Byzantine world.

Neither Edinburgh University, nor Professor MacCulluch, are usually regarded as exponents of Catholic teaching, but this series contains many points which will assist us to discern and deepen our Faith.

This lecture is part of series on Christian Silence, details HERE, the others, including Silence up to and including the Reformation period.  They may be found on YouTube HERE.

REPORT - MASS ON FEAST OF SAINT MARK

The Monthly Mass on the Feast of Saint Mark was celebrated in the Extraordinary Form with fitting splendour by our chaplain Father David Irwin. Fra' Ian Scott, the Grand Prior, and Chancellor Fra' Duncan Gallie were in choir with several members of the Grand Priory and British Association,  and the Mass was ably served by young Companions under the direction of our new confrere Peter Allingham, whose election to the Order was confirmed by Sovereign Council last Saturday. Many congratulations to him. This opportunity for younger members and potential candidates to join in the religious life of the Order is a very welcome development, and those, like these young men, who are involved in the hospitaller work of the Order elsewhere are strongly encouraged to attend these Masses, and complete the double charism of the Order, Obsequium Pauperem et Tuitio Fidei.

The liturgical high-point was nonetheless the truly splendid schola, Saint James's parish Gregorian Schola, who have been planning to sing for these Mass for some months, but this was the first convenient time for everyone. This skilled group, formed about 18 months ago, has undergone some quite intensive training with the monks of Solesmes, which has truly paid off.  This evening the ladies' voices sung alone, quite an unusual and delightful experience, which demonstrated not only the beauty of God's gift of the voice to these singers, but the fruits of much practice. It shows what can be achieved by a relatively small number of people conformed to the mind of the Church, and is an example and challenge to parishes around the world. We look forward to hearing them again.

The Mass was followed by a reception in the Rectory dining room, courtesy of the Rector.

The Ladies' Voices of the Gregorian Schola

MONTHLY MASS - FEAST OF SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST

St Mark's Tower, Qrejten Point, Malta, built as one of thirteen
defense towers by Grad Master Martin de Redin, 1657 to 1660

Wednesday 25th, the Feast of St Mark, is the Monthly Mass of the Grand Priory and British Association.  The Mass, at St James's Spanish Place, will be celebrated in the extraordinary form by our chaplain Father David Irwin. The parish Gregorian schola will sing the Mass.

All members, Companions and friends are encouraged to attend the Mass, which will begin at 7 o'clock. It will be followed by a brief reception.

FEAST OF SAINT GEORGE OUR PATRON - DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE

On this day of national rejoicing, we are reminded, by email from the Coalition for Marriage, of the importance of continuing our witness in this national issue. In the 10 weeks since the coalition was formed, it has gathered 450,000 signatures.  There is now a drive to reach half-a-million by the end of next week.

If you have not signed up yet, for any reason, please do so NOW. Paper copies may be downloaded HERE.  Or visit the website HERE.  There is an excellent 'briefing' resource of what we would call 'apologetics' HERE, explaining the arguments, for use in the workplace or dinner-parties.

Remember also the importance of having Masses said for this intention.

Whatever you do, please just don't do nothing.

MEDICAL ETHICS - A STORY WITH A HAPPY ENDING

The BBC has today published the story of a young man involved in a car-crash, whose family had to resist medical pressure to switch-off life support systems whole he was in a coma. The video demonstrates the dangers of hasty decisions, and of not losing sight both of the power of modern medicine, and of the power of prayer and human courage. All these can act together to bring about what some might justly see as miraculous results. Read the report here. (The viewer below seems not to be working, the video may be watched in the link previously given.)

HOLY FATHER'S BIRTHDAY MASS

The Holy Father celebrated Mass on the occasion of his birthday in the Capella Paolina, with his brother Don Georg Ratzinger, the Papal household, the college of Cardinals and members of the Curia and their families.

The news service of Osservatore Romano has graciously provided photographs.  It might be worthy of note that the altar in this chapel is so arranged that Mass may also be celebrated facing towards the people.

As ever, His Holiness offers us a wonderful example of Tuitio Fidei in his Homily, linking the certainty of our future life to the history of the Church, through consideration of the recent Easter mysteries; we give an extract here below.

The day on which I was baptized, as I said, was Holy Saturday. At that time [1927], the practice was still that of anticipating Easter Vigil on the morning, after which the gloom of Holy Saturday continued, without the Alleluia. It seems to me that this peculiar paradox, this peculiar anticipation of the light in a dark day, could be almost an image of history in our time. On one hand, there is still the silence of God and of his absence, but, in the Resurrection of Christ, there is already the anticipation of God's "yes", and, we live based on this anticipation, and, through the silence of God, we feel his words, and, through the darkness of his absence, we foresee his light. The anticipation of the Resurrection amidst a history that goes on is the strength that shows us the path and helps us move forward. 

We thank the good God because he has given us this light and we ask him that it may remain with us always. And on this day I have reason to thank Him and all those who once again have made me realize the presence of the Lord, who have stayed with me so that I would not lose the light.  Benedictus PP XVI

(H/T Rorate Caeli)

85th BIRTHDAY AND 7th ANNIVERSARY OF ELECTION OF POPE BENEDICT

Happy Anniversary, Holy Father!

AD MULTOS ANNOS!

MUSICAL MEDITATIONS FOR HOLY WEEK

We give below videos of two modern musicial compositions inspired by the events of the Passion - the Pieta, the deposition of our Blessed Lord from the Cross; and the Entombment of Christ.  These are written and performed by a young composer in Norway, Rolando Gonzalez. They may be beneficial as meditations to prayer for Holy Week, perhaps in conjunction with sacred Silence during private meditation on the Stations of the Cross.

The composer has added the visual image of painting, the second video being the Entombment of Christ by our fellow knight of Malta Carravaggio, whose work is such a powerful aid to devotion.

A very Blessed Holy Week to all our readers.

HOLY WEEK AT WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL

Holy Week and Easter

at Westminster Cathedral

2012

Sunday 1st April – Palm Sunday
Mass (Sat 6pm), 8, 9am, 12.15, 5.30, 7pm
Blessing of Palms, Procession, Solemn Mass* 10am
Vespers and Benediction* 3.30pm
Confessions 11am-1pm; 4.30-7pm 

Monday 2nd April
Mass 7, 8, 10.30am (Latin), 12.30, 1.05, 5.30pm (Solemn*)
Morning Prayer 7.40am; Vespers* 5pm
Confessions 10.30am-6pm 

Tuesday 3rd April
Mass 7, 8am, 5.30pm

Chrism Mass* 12pm
Morning Prayer 7.40am; Evening Prayer 5pm
Confessions 10.30-11.30am, 1.30-6pm 

Wednesday 4th April
Mass 7, 8, 10.30am (Latin), 12.30, 1.05, 5.30pm (Solemn*)
Morning Prayer 7.40am; Vespers* 5pm
Confessions 10.30am-6pm 

Thursday 5th April – Maundy Thursday
Morning Prayer 10am
Confessions 10.30am-5.30pm

Mass of the Lord’s Supper* 6pm
Watching at the Altar of Repose from after Mass until 12am
Compline 11.45pm
The Cathedral is open 7.50am-midnight 

Friday 6th April – Good Friday
Office of Readings* 10am
Walk of Witness from Methodist Central Hall at 12pm

Solemn Liturgy of the Passion* 3pm
Stations of the Cross 6.30pm
Confessions 10.30am-2pm, 5pm-6pm
The Cathedral is open 7.50am-8pm 

Saturday 7th April – Holy Saturday
Office of Readings* 10am
Blessing of Easter Food 3pm
Confessions 10.30am-5pm

The Easter Vigil* 8.30pm
The Cathedral is open 8.30am-5.30pm, 7.30pm-10.30pm 

Sunday 8th April – Easter Sunday
Mass 8, 9am, 12.15, 5.30, 7pm

Morning Prayer, followed by Solemn Mass* 10am
Vespers and Benediction* 3.30pm
Confessions 11am-1pm 

Monday 9th – Friday 13th April
Mass 10.30am, 12.30pm, 5pm
Morning Prayer 10am
Confessions 11am-1pm
The Cathedral is open 9am-5.40pm 

The Cathedral Choir sings at services marked with an asterisk*
The Archbishop of Westminster is main celebrant at services printed in red

ARCHBISHOP'S HOLY WEEK MEDITATION THROUGH ART

Once again the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, visits the National Gallery to give a mediation upon the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Blessed Lord through the glorious gift of  Christian art.  A PDF file of the text may be downloaded HERE for private study.

       

LOYAL ADDRESS FROM ALL CATHOLIC SUBJECTS ON THE OCCASION OF THE DIAMOND JUBILEE OF HM QUEEN ELIZABETH

To mark the Diamond Jubilee, His Grace the Archbishop of Westminster, on behalf of all the Catholics of England and Wales, delivered an Address to Her Majesty the Queen at an audience at Buckingham Palace this week, attended by prominent Catholics from around the realm.  The full text is given below.

LOYAL ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

ON BEHALF OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ENGLAND AND WALES

ON THE OCCASION OF THE DIAMOND JUBILEE OF HER ACCESSION

YOUR MAJESTY, it is an honour and a pleasure to express the great loyalty and gratitude felt by the Catholic community of England and Wales for the outstanding and unstinting service you give to our nation and to people throughout the world.

We express these sentiments with particular warmth and admiration as you celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of your reign as our Queen.

Along with Catholics across the world, and especially in the Commonwealth, we join our prayers of thanksgiving to those of other Christians for the many blessings of your reign.

At this moment, we would like to thank you, in particular, for the gracious and generous welcome that you gave to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in his recent Visit to the United Kingdom. We recall with pride the words you spoke on that occasion, affirming our common Christian heritage and our ‘contribution to the encouragement of world peace, and to the economic and social development of the less prosperous countries of the world.’

You also spoke graciously of the special contribution of the Catholic community to the wellbeing of our society, especially in our work with the poor, the homeless and in education. We thank you for those words and assure you today of our determination to continue to make our contribution to the common good of all, committed always to a shared search for truth in the practice of daily living, for charity in daily dealings and for compassion and justice in relation to those in need.

We would also like to make our own the words addressed to you by the Holy Father: ‘The Christian message has been an integral part of the language, thought and culture of the peoples of these islands for more than a thousand years. Your forefathers’ respect for truth and justice, for mercy and charity come to you from a faith that remains a mighty force for good in your kingdom, to the great benefit of Christians and non-Christians alike.’

Your Majesty, we thank you for your steadfast insistence on the great importance of our Christian faith, given in both word and example, alongside your appreciation of the contribution made by other religions in our rich and diverse society today. Our hope is that our society, enriched by the presence of many beliefs and cultures, will always maintain respect for our Christian heritage and the sure foundations it gives for a flourishing of true human fulfilment. The Gospel of Jesus, which we seek to serve, is a challenge to our society to think more deeply about the sanctity of life, the constant need for forgiveness and reconciliation, the faithfulness required in love and the self-sacrifice which brings true satisfaction.

Your Majesty, it is my pleasure to assure you of our prayers for you, now and in the future and, most especially, on the day of your Diamond Jubilee when special prayers will be offered for you and your family in every Catholic Church in England and Wales. May Almighty God bless Your Majesty, preserve you in health of mind and body and grant you every grace and blessing now and for the years to come.

REMINDER - MONTHLY MASS THIS WEDNESDAY

The monthly Mass of the Grand Priory will be a sung Mass at St James's Spanish Place at 7 pm this coming Wednesday, 28th March, the Mass of a Feria of Lent. The celebrant will be Father David Irwin.

GOOD WISHES TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE INSTITUTE OF CHRIST-THE-KING - Updated

The Lady altar at the shrine church.

Monsignor Gilles Wach, Superior General and founder of the Institute of Christ-the-King Sovereign Priest, and a good friend to the Order of Malta, who has on several occasion celebrated Mass in the Conventual Church, notably in two previous years on Ash Wednesday, will be in England this weekend for the establishment of the shrine church of Saints Peter, Paul and Philomena at New Brighton in the Wirral.

This church, known to sailors as the Dome of Home, as it is visible far out to sea from ships coming into Liverpool, will become the first in Britain to be entrusted to the Institute of Christ-the-King Sovereign Priest, a society of Apostolic life of Pontifical Right. The shrine church will be a special place of prayer and devotion open every day for adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

The ceremony will be presided by His Excellency Bishop Mark Davies, bishop of Shrewsbury, by whose generous invitation the Institute have come to these shores. The Bishop will preach the homily, and the Superior General will be celebrant at the High Mass. Various members of the Order, long-term friends of the Institute, will be present.

We wish the Bishop and the Institute well in this new Apostolate in Britain, and pray that it may bear many fruits, both in the Wirral and in the wider Church in this country.

As reported here on the Diocese of Shrewsbury website, in recognition of the importance of the work of the Institute in the renewal of the Church, the Sovereign Pontiff has granted a plenary indulgence to all who attend the opening of the shrine at the Mass on Saturday morning.  We share His Lordship's evident joy in the wonderful development in his Diocese.

Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, pray for us.

Prayers at the foot of the altar

UPDATE:

This was a truly glorious occasion, attended by members of the Grand Priory, including the Chancellor, His Excellency Fra' Duncan Gallie, amongst 1,000 Faithful.  The Church looked magnificent, and the ceremonies were conducted with dignity and majesty.  Bishop Davies preached an inspiring homily which may be read on the Diocesan website HERE, and their site also carries a full report HERE.  Additional pictures are available HERE, and Canon Meney's own pictures from the shrine HERE.

"GAY MARRIAGE" - ACTION NEEDED

Raphael. Marriage of the Virgin, Milan

The Government's consultation on this subject begins today, the siren trumpets sounding loud and hollow in the moral vacuum which this country has become, as the Equalities Minister, Lynne Featherstone, says that the state should "facilitate, encourage and rejoice" in people's desire to marry. It would be funny if it were not so iniquitous.

Earlier this week Tony Blair, the former Labour prime minister, publicly criticised the Church's teaching on Marriage, underlining his dissent from the statement made last week by the Holy Father (see post below) and reemphasised his enthusiasm for a policy which he has supported continuously since before his conversion to the Catholic Church, as reported in the Independent, here.  It is most illuminating that this man should support the Coalition Government on this one issue, and we can hope that it will do their cause no good.

Please SIGN the Petition at COALITION FOR MARRIAGE, here, as our Bishops have asked us.

Please also WRITE to your MP, and to 10 Downing Street.  It has been observed that paper letters, which received replies, are more effective.  Click above for the respective addressees.

Tuitio Fidei - this is why we are here in the Order.  Now is the time for action in this onslaught against humanity.

Our Lady of Philermo, pray for us

Queen of the Family, pray for us

St Joseph, pray for us

St John the Baptist, pray for us

Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us

ARCHBISHOPS' LETTER ON MARRIAGE

As the Government launches its controversial consultation on changing the nature of legal marriage in this country, their graces the Archbishops of Westminster and Southwark issue the following letter, which, with the agreement of the diocesan bishops of the country, is being read in all oratories and parish churches throughout England and Wales at all Masses today, the third Sunday of Lent.

A Letter on Marriage from the President and Vice-President of the

Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,

This week the Coalition Government is expected to present its consultation paper on the proposed change in the legal definition of marriage so as to open the institution of marriage to same-sex partnerships.

Today we want to put before you the Catholic vision of marriage and the light it casts on the importance of marriage for our society.

The roots of the institution of marriage lie in our nature. Male and female we have been created, and written into our nature is this pattern of complementarity and fertility. This pattern is, of course, affirmed by many other religious traditions. Christian teaching fills out this pattern and reveals its deepest meaning, but neither the Church nor the State has the power to change this fundamental understanding of marriage itself. Nor is this simply a matter of public opinion. Understood as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman, and for the creation and upbringing of children, marriage is an expression of our fundamental humanity. Its status in law is the prudent fruit of experience, for the good of the spouses and the good of the family. In this way society esteems the married couple as the source and guardians of the next generation. As an institution marriage is at the foundation of our society.

There are many reasons why people get married. For most couples, there is an instinctive understanding that the stability of a marriage provides the best context for the flourishing of their relationship and for bringing up their children. Society recognises marriage as an important institution for these same reasons: to enhance stability in society and to respect and support parents in the crucial task of having children and bringing them up as well as possible.

The Church starts from this appreciation that marriage is a natural institution, and indeed the Church recognises civil marriage. The Catholic understanding of marriage, however, raises this to a new level. As the Catechism says: ‘The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, by its nature is ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptised persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.’ (para.1601)

These rather abstract words are reflected however imperfectly in the experience of married couples. We know that at the heart of a good marriage is a relationship of astonishing power and richness, for the couple, their children, their wider circle of friends and relations and society. As a Sacrament, this is a place where divine grace flows. Indeed, marriage is a sharing in the mystery of God’s own life: the unending and perfect flow of love between Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We know, too, that just as God’s love is creative, so too the love of husband and wife is creative of new life. It is open, in its essence, to welcoming new life, ready to love and nurture that life to its fullness, not only here on earth but also into eternity.

This is a high and noble vision, for marriage is a high and noble vocation. It is not easily followed. But we are sure that Christ is at the heart of marriage, for his presence is a sure gift of the God who is Love, who wants nothing more than for the love of husband and wife to find its fulfilment. So the daily effort that marriage requires, the many ways in which family living breaks and reshapes us, is a sharing in the mission of Christ, that of making visible in the world the creative and forgiving love of God.

In these ways we understand marriage to be a call to holiness for a husband and wife, with children recognised and loved as the gift of God, with fidelity and permanence as the boundaries which create its sacred space. Marriage is also a crucial witness in our society, contributing to its stability, its capacity for compassion and forgiveness and its future, in a way that no other institution can.

In putting before you these thoughts about why marriage is so important, we also want to recognise the experience of those who have suffered the pain of bereavement or relationship breakdown and their contribution to the Church and society. Many provide a remarkable example of courage and fidelity. Many strive to make the best out of difficult and complex situations. We hope that they are always welcomed and helped to feel valued members of our parish communities.

The reasons given by our government for wanting to change the definition of marriage are those of equality and discrimination. But our present law does not discriminate unjustly when it requires both a man and a woman for marriage. It simply recognises and protects the distinctive nature of marriage.

Changing the legal definition of marriage would be a profoundly radical step. Its consequences should be taken seriously now. The law helps to shape and form social and cultural values. A change in the law would gradually and inevitably transform society’s understanding of the purpose of marriage. It would reduce it just to the commitment of the two people involved. There would be no recognition of the complementarity of male and female or that marriage is intended for the procreation and education of children.

We have a duty to married people today, and to those who come after us, to do all we can to ensure that the true meaning of marriage is not lost for future generations.

With every blessing,

Most Reverend Vincent Nichols 

Most Reverend Peter Smith

11th March 2012

The pdf of the text may be downloaded here.

POPE BENEDICT ON MARRIAGE

Photo: Stefano Spaziani

The Holy Father has today, to the Bishops of the United States, offered this teaching upon Marriage.

In our previous meetings I acknowledged our concern about threats to freedom of conscience, religion and worship which need to be addressed urgently, so that all men and women of faith, and the institutions they inspire, can act in accordance with their deepest moral convictions. In this talk I would like to discuss another serious issue which you raised with me during my Pastoral Visit to America, namely, the contemporary crisis of marriage and the family, and, more generally, of the Christian vision of human sexuality. It is in fact increasingly evident that a weakened appreciation of the indissolubility of the marriage covenant, and the widespread rejection of a responsible, mature sexual ethic grounded in the practice of chastity, have led to grave societal problems bearing an immense human and economic cost.

...

In this regard, particular mention must be made of the powerful political and cultural currents seeking to alter the legal definition of marriage. The Church’s conscientious effort to resist this pressure calls for a reasoned defense of marriage as a natural institution consisting of a specific communion of persons, essentially rooted in the complementarity of the sexes and oriented to procreation. Sexual differences cannot be dismissed as irrelevant to the definition of marriage. Defending the institution of marriage as a social reality is ultimately a question of justice, since it entails safeguarding the good of the entire human community and the rights of parents and children alike.

In our conversations, some of you have pointed with concern to the growing difficulties encountered in communicating the Church’s teaching on marriage and the family in its integrity, and to a decrease in the number of young people who approach the sacrament of matrimony. Certainly we must acknowledge deficiencies in the catechesis of recent decades, which failed at times to communicate the rich heritage of Catholic teaching on marriage as a natural institution elevated by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament, the vocation of Christian spouses in society and in the Church, and the practice of marital chastity. This teaching, stated with increasing clarity by the post-conciliar magisterium and comprehensively presented in both the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, needs to be restored to its proper place in preaching and catechetical instruction.

...

In this great pastoral effort there is an urgent need for the entire Christian community to recover an appreciation of the virtue of chastity. The integrating and liberating function of this virtue (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2338-2343) should be emphasized by a formation of the heart, which presents the Christian understanding of sexuality as a source of genuine freedom, happiness and the fulfilment of our fundamental and innate human vocation to love. It is not merely a question of presenting arguments, but of appealing to an integrated, consistent and uplifting vision of human sexuality. The richness of this vision is more sound and appealing than the permissive ideologies exalted in some quarters; these in fact constitute a powerful and destructive form of counter-catechesis for the young.

Young people need to encounter the Church’s teaching in its integrity, challenging and countercultural as that teaching may be; more importantly, they need to see it embodied by faithful married couples who bear convincing witness to its truth. They also need to be supported as they struggle to make wise choices at a difficult and confusing time in their lives. Chastity, as the Catechism reminds us, involves an ongoing "apprenticeship in self-mastery which is a training in human freedom" (2339). In a society which increasingly tends to misunderstand and even ridicule this essential dimension of Christian teaching, young people need to be reassured that "if we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, absolutely nothing, of what makes life free, beautiful and great" (Homily, Inaugural Mass of the Pontificate, 24 April 2005).

Let me conclude by recalling that all our efforts in this area are ultimately concerned with the good of children, who have a fundamental right to grow up with a healthy understanding of sexuality and its proper place in human relationships. Children are the greatest treasure and the future of every society: truly caring for them means recognizing our responsibility to teach, defend and live the moral virtues which are the key to human fulfillment. It is my hope that the Church in the United States, however chastened by the events of the past decade, will persevere in its historic mission of educating the young and thus contribute to the consolidation of that sound family life which is the surest guarantee of intergenerational solidarity and the health of society as a whole.

Benedict XVI

Address to Bishops of the United States (Regions VII-IX) (click for full text)

LENT TALK - ST JOHN'S HOSPICE

The Day-Centre at St John's Hopsice

This evening, the Wednesday Lent course at St James's Spanish Place continues with a talk by Andrew Gallini, the Director of Clinical Services at St John’s Hospice which is part of the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth. The treatment of the terminally ill – and their proper palliative care – is a crucial area of modern medicine and social provision: this should be a fascinating and instructive evening. 

Refreshments are offered after the 6pm Mass in the social centre at St James's Church, where the talk will be given at 7pm – followed by questions and discussion, finishing at 8pm (Compline is sung at 6.40pm in church that same evening).

More information on the Hospice, and how to donate, may be found HERE.

THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE - PETITION

The Marriage of the Virgin, by Philippe de Champaigne, 1644

There is no need to rehearse here the much publicised attacks upon Marriage, an institution formed by God as part of His plan of Creation (which is why it has existed in most peoples and religions from time immemorial) which are being proposed by this Government, currently undertaking 'consultation' on introducing 'marriage' for people of the same sex.

Members of the Order of Malta, with its charge of Tuitio Fidei, are obliged to engage in this controversy, and to take up suitable arms in the defense of God's created order, and of the Church's indissoluble teaching.

There are many ways in which we can do this, at local, parish and other levels; with our children and their school-friends, and among our own friends.

We should also write to our Member of Parliament, and it is useful to sign petitions when they come up, to make our voices heard in the public square. We should also encourage our Bishops to take a strong stand.

The Coalition for Marriage, a charity set up to fight this battle, has a petition HERE. Please sign it; it only takes a moment. They also have a paper version for distribution to non-computer friends. This campaign is supported by the Catholic Bishop's Conference, as explained by Archbishop Peter Smith HERE.

The Daily Telegraph has a poll, which the 'same-sex-marriage' lobby is currently winning 76-24%. Shame on the supposedly conservative readership of that organ, please visit it HERE to help redress the balance. The question is posed as a choice between being nice to everyone and giving them the 'right' to get married, as opposed to maintaining tradition and God's teaching, which is, by thinly veiled implication, unkind. This modern relativist obsession with being seen to be nice is a spectacular success of the Devil. It seems a very poor bargain to sell one's soul just to be liked by a few random people. It is, nevertheless, endemic.

We must not lose sight of the fact that at last year's Conservative Party conference, in his main speech the Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: ''I don't support gay marriage in spite of being a Conservative. I support gay marriage because I am a Conservative.''  We are not called upon to understand this statement, but we must as Christians heed it.

The government, hand in hand with the secular cognoscenti, is trying to marginalise religious views as bigoted and out-of-touch: a tasteful silence will only play into the hands of those who use arguments of relativity to attack the values for which we stand and which we know to be right.

The gauntlet has been thrown down, it is our job to take it up.

 

Our Lady of Philermo, pray for us.

Saint John the Baptist, pray for us
Holy Martyrs of England and Wales, pray for us

REPORT ON OXFORD RECOLLECTION

Vespers in St Benet's Hall chapel

Ten members of the Order, of whom five are professed knights, together with 10 Companions and friends met in Oxford for the latest Recollection on Saturday last, 25th February. Lauds and Vespers of the Little Office of Our Lady were both sung in the Chapel of St Benet's Hall by kind permission of the Master, Fr Felix Stephens OSB. Mass for the Feast of St Matthias was celebrated in the Sacred Heart Chapel of the Oxford Oratory with music sung by a schola of Knights. It was a pleasure as ever to welcome visitors from other Associations of the Order.

Father Joseph Welch of The Oxford Oratory gave two most inspiring and informative recollections on Psalm 118. This Psalm is a description of a soul's resistance to temptation and the importance of constantly seeking God's grace. Many members of the Order will be familiar with the Psalm through the recitation of the Breviary. The day included Benediction and Holy Hour at the Oratory, served by two Companions whom it is hoped will soon be joining the Order. A suitably Lenten lunch was preceded by a reading from the Rule of Blessed Raymond du Puy and a commentary on it, taken form the studies on the Rule which have recently been undertaken by members of the Grand Priory and chaplains in Oxford.

The day finished with Sung Vespers in the Chapel of St Benet’s Hall, followed by tea.

Our confrere Fra' John Eidinow, who is a Fellow of St Benet's Hall, as cantor at Vespers.

NOTICE - FEBRUARY DAY OF RECOLLECTION - OXFORD

The Sacred Heart chapel at the Oratory

The next Day of Recollection will take place on Saturday 25th February 2012 in Oxford, through the kindness of the Fathers of the Oratory and the Master of St Benet’s Hall. The Conferences will be given by Fr Joseph Welch of the Oxford Oratory. A levy of £10 per head will be taken to cover the costs of the day apart from lunch, which will be charged separately.

As ever, everyone is welcome: ALL members of BASMOM, other members of the Order in Britain, Companions and guests.

The Oratory is at 25 Woodstock Road Oxford OX2 6HA, and St Benet’s Hall is a few doors away at 38 St Giles’. Parking in central Oxford is extremely limited. It is recommended to use ‘Park and Ride’ –the route between Redbridge and Pear Tree car parks passes by the Oratory. The Westgate Multi-storey is about 15 minutes away. There are frequent trains up from London and the station is about 15 minutes’ walk. The Oxford tube coach service stops at Gloucester Green which is about 10 minutes away.

HORARIUM
10.00am Arrive at Oxford Oratory, Porter's Lodge
10.30am Lauds at St Benet’s Hall
11.00am First Conference at The Oratory-followed by opportunity for Confession/recitation of the Rosary
12.00 noon Mass - Saturday in Lent - at The Oratory
Lunch: Details to be announced
2.30pm Second Conference at The Oratory
3.15pm Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at The Oratory
4.00pm Vespers at St Benet’s Hall followed by tea

NEW BISHOP OF TARBES AND LOURDES

Monseigneur Nicolas Brouwet

On Saturday last the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Holy See announced the appointment of Monseigneur Nicolas Brouwet, formerly Auxiliary bishop of Nanterre, as the new Bishop of Tarbes et Lourdes. His Excellency will be 50 years old in August this year, and will also this year celebrate the 20th anniversary of his priestly ordination. He was educated at the Sorbonne and the French College in Rome, during which time he taught for two years at the seminary in Jerusalem. 

We offer our congratulations, both to Monseigneur Brouwet, and to this important pilgrim diocese.

Monseigneur Brouwet is known already to the pages of this blog, as he celebrated the closing Pontifical Mass at Chartres last year, a pilgrimage which has for a long time been part of the activity of members of the French Association of the Order, and dear to the heart of our beloved Grand Master. See report here. 

It is a great blessing for the Order to have such a learned and pious man, deeply imbued with the sense of Christian pilgrimage, to preside over this see so close to the heart of the Order of Malta. There can be no doubt that His Excellency will fruitfully animate the Order's annual pilgrimage.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for him.

REPORT - BIRMINGHAM LOURDES REUNION 2012

The Lourdes Reunion at the Birmingham Oratory on Saturday was a great success, some 40 Malades attended the Mass and received the graces of the Sacrament of Annointing of the Sick. Many had travelled long distances in the snow and ice.  It was lovely that this year the Saturday fell on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the World Day of the Sick, so we joined millions around the world in our devotions.

The cold did not deter faithful members of the Order either, some 30 dames and knights attended in choir.

Mass was celebrated by Father Anthony Talbot, who has recently returned to England, a cousin of Lord and Lady Talbot of Malahide, our beloved Vice-President, both of whom were present. Father Talbot preached a very moving "spiritual pilgrimage" to Lourdes, taking his pilgrims gently around the shrine and through the many means of grace which it affords.

We were also joined by the Companions, who shared our celebration of Our Lady's feast as 'Companions' Day' this year. As the Saturday morning every week is the Newman Shrine pilgrims' Mass, there were also many visitors and parishioners present in a pretty full church, many of whom were also able to come up for the Sacrament of Anointing.

Our Lords the Sick watching hopefully as Lady Talbot presides over the tombola

Following Mass the Malades and members of the Order had the most splendid buffet lunch, provided by a large team of volunteers, in the Bl John Henry Newman Museum at the Oratory. Lunch was followed by a talk given by Lady Talbot on the Apparitions at Lourdes, and as ever by a charity auction and tombola. Many happy faces left with wonderful prizes.

Next year's Reunion is planned to be a week or so later, to avoid half-term, allowing more people to  attend, and hopefully have some warmer weather.

Our gratitude goes to all the many helpers who made this such a wonderful day, but specially this year we must thank Major Arbuthnot, for his excellent organisation in his first year in this role, and for his magnificent baked ham!

Fra' Duncan Gallie, Chancellor of the Grand Priory, who has organised this day for the past ten years, was much missed by everyone, as he is away in Rome.

We are extremely grateful to the Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory for their truly gracious welcome. 

Our main thanks must, as ever, go to our Lords the Sick.