One Million Views

Sometime overnight the blog received its millionth view. So if you are a midnight reader, it might have been you (or an early riser in Russia - for some mysterious reason, hits from Russia have been particularly high this last month or so).

A picture might be worth a thousand words, but a millions views are worth... well, nothing in monetary value but a great deal in the encouragement I've received, new friends made and the knowledge that its been of help and interest to some -  as well as annoying others (usually anonymous) "stop your evil blog". 

I receive occasional phone calls out of the blue. The most memorable one from a young priest in Canada who telephoned just to say thank you, as he had been struggling with opposition in his parish/diocese. I was  once surprised, when walking into a restaurant in Prague, to be greeted most warmly by someone who recognised me from the blog! 

Of course, in terms of the internet today, a million hits isn't actually very many but considering I didn't actually mean to start a blog, its been an interesting and mostly rewarding ministry (which is sort of how I think of it now). It began as a means of posting online some footage of a Mass celebrated here at St Catherine's so that others could have access to it. Things liturgical have continued to be its main focus - greatly inspired by our beautiful Holy Father emeritus, Pope Benedict.

So this is a little opportunity to say thank you to all those who read this blog; thank you for your encouragement and for the friendships that it has engendered - and keep reading!

A little oratory about the Oratory

The splendid church of the Sacred Heart in Bournemouth.

So what is going on with the Oratorians of St Philip Neri in this country? Having remained at two houses in Birmingham and London since the nineteenth century, Newman’s desire for a House in Oxford finally came to fruition in 1990. Since then, a community in formation has long been doing splendid work in Manchester and just recently another in York, where I had the joy of offering High Mass just recently. Now two more Oratorian communities in formation are to be established in Cardiff and Bournemouth as well. 

The Oratorian vocation in this country is focussed on a city centre ministry with a penchant for celebrating the liturgy style and ministering pastorally to a diverse local community that city centres draw together. Though thought of as “traditional” they seem to draw good mixed congregations with a more than usual young element. My own opinion is that they are not “traditional” in the partisan way that word has come to signify  but simply in touch with the Church’s living Tradition in liturgy and pastoral care. It’s important to emphasise that pastoral care part—I’m told (NOT by Oratorians, by the way) that even students who don’t attend Mass at the Oxford Oratory are more likely to go there to Confession if they have any serious matters to bring.

It has left me reflecting on my own experience of the Oratory, which began when I was eighteen. The first time attending Mass at the London Oratory was a revelatory experience. 

I had been exposed to the sort of “classical” music that is the repertoire there before. I had experienced Latin in the liturgy before. 

I grew up in here in the UK in two parishes: St Alban’s in Wallasey (a once lovely church mutilated by misconceived re-ordering in the 1970’s) where they still began the main Mass with sung Latin Asperges.  

St Alban's before and after.

The lower picture taken at my First Mass.

The other was Ss Peter and Paul’s in New Brighton (closed and now joyfully re-opened under the care of the Institute of Christ the King) where the tradition of dressing the Italianate statues was still going strong). 

However, going to the London Oratory for a Mass of Pentecost reduced me to tears in the pew. I think it must have been experiencing for the first time the combination of beautiful music in its proper setting, together with what was definitely some awesome ritual taking place in such a splendid setting, that moved my heart. I note that just because the ritual was taking place “up there” in the majestic sanctuary didn't prevent it having a very personal and activating effect on me “far away down in the pews.” 

Like all Religious Communities, Oratories will have their difficulties but my own experience has always been of devout men, hard-working priests and loyal sons of the Church. It seems to be a recipe that is bucking the trend and attracting priests and postulants to its ranks.

I recall the summer I worked in the English College summer residence of Palazzola outside Rome, reading an old life of St Philip Neri. I can’t recall now the name of the biography or its author. It was a rather twee life of St Philip but it still radiated his personality and joy. St Philip's way of life obviously has some mileage in it for today’s failing church communities. Some sadly still consider the Oratory in this country to be at the extremes (even though they now count a bishop among their number). We might call them extreme but only in following St Philip's maxim: 

If you wish to go to extremes,

let it be in sweetness, patience, humility and charity.

 May God who has begun these good works bring them to completion. 

O Beauty so ancient, O Beauty so new.

I have been given access to some more photographs from the York Pilgrimage, 

courtesy of John Aron. 

He must have a fabulous camera - as well as a good eye. 

Here are a few of my favourites.

You can see many more of the Mass and Pilgrimage at John's drop box.

Do go and have a look at them.

 Carried away at sermon time 

- and, yes, I know, I forgot to remove the maniple 

and my biretta didn't arrive. 

Ironically, the sermon was on the imperfections of the Church!

 Subdeacon at prayer

 Deacon at prayer

 Father needs help dressing and undressing!

 Priest at prayer.

I have said the sacred ministers are "at prayer" because even in the midst of an unfamiliar sanctuary, trying to remember all the rules for High Mass and nervous before a new congregation, the Traditional Form does lend itself to prayer. The music, the setting of the magnificent Church, the beauty of the form of the Rite - all these tell you to pray. All focus on the Other, all give time and space that tells you: "What am I meant to be doing just now? Oh yes, praying!"

If I might use some of the words of St Augustine and apply them to the Holy Mass:

O Beauty so ancient, 

O Beauty so new. 

You have called, 

you have cried, 

and you have pierced my deafness. 

You have radiated forth, 

you have shined out brightly, 

and you have dispelled my blindness. 

You have sent forth your fragrance, 

and I have breathed it in, 

and I long for you. 

I have tasted you, 

and I hunger and thirst for you. 

You have touched me, 

and I ardently desire your peace. 

Mass in York

I was celebrant at Mass for the annual LMS Pilgrimage to York and St Margaret Clitheroe on Saturday, hosted by the Oratorian Fathers at St Wilfrid's church in the heart of the city,

A splendid setting. 

The Fathers and Brothers of the growing community seem to be flourishing there

- they certainly work hard!

Some splendid music, including Schubert's Mass in G, some Palestrina and Gounod.

Fr Stephen Brown of the Oratorian Community 

and Fr William Charlton of Middlesbrough Diocese 

acted as Deacon and Subdeacon.

The atmospheric photos were taken by John Aron 

for the LMS Facebook page, 

where you can see plenty more of them.

High Mass in York this Saturday for St Margaret Clitheroe

I'm honoured to be the celebrant for High Mass this Saturday at St Wilfrid's Church in York, home of the Oratorian Community there, in the shadow of the great Minster. It is the annual Latin Mass Society pilgrimage to honour St Margaret Clitherow. Long wanted to get along there ever since the pilgrimage started but this is the first time I have managed it. Many tell me it is always a great occasion, so come along if you can. Mass is followed by a procession through the streets, which  is a wonderful witness for the Faith in these days.

 Saturday, 30th April

Solemn Mass at 1.30pm

followed by a procession through the streets of York, 

via the shrine of St Margaret Clitherow in The Shambles,

the Ouse Bridge, site of her martyrdom, 

returning to St Wilfrid's for 

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

The St Wilfrid's Rectory Garden 

will be open the same day for viewing the late spring flowering,

from 12 noon until 4pm.

Refreshments will be available.

Cardinal Pell in Cheshire

I've just spent a few days away at Thornycroft Hall in Cheshire, an elegant late 18th century house, now a retreat centre run by Opus Dei. 

One of the speakers was George Cardinal Pell, Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy of the Vatican. An excellent few days with good priests and good company. Thank you to the Fathers of Opus Dei for organising this yearly conference. They also have monthly retreat days for clergy and run retreats for laity as well - men, women and for schools and young adults.

The Chapel at Thornycroft.

Some time ago the Cardinal had a TV encounter with celebrity atheist Richard Dawkins some time ago. Mr Dawkins seems to get rather riled at some points - a sure sign of the frustrated looser. You can see a clip below, focussing where Mr Dawkins seems to be making little sense, and below that the full programme.

A robust defence of the Faith - particularly in the form of Christian Apologetics is often lacking these days, so its good to see it here. In days gone by gentlemen could disagree robustly but with honour - take the example G K Chesteron and all the intellectuals of the day that he publicly engaged, such as George Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells and Bertrand Russell. 

I understand that the Maryvale Institute does a very good MA in Apologetics.

St George's Day Mass and Chapter Meeting

 Members and friends of the Grand Priory of Great Britain 

gathered in North Yorkshire at St Mary’s Church in Crathorne 

on St George's Day for Mass and the Annual Chapter Meeting.

We celebrated Holy Mass for the feast of St George

- a suitably fitting Christian military saint for Order to invoke 

on the day of its Chapter Meeting.

More pictures at the St Lazarus site.