Mass in honour of Our Blessed Lady this Saturday

This Saturday 13th July at 10.15am the Order of St Lazarus is celebrating High Mass at St Patrick's Church, Soho Square in London, followed by the Investiture of new members.  If you are able, why not come along and say hello.

Our particular thanks to Parish Priest Fr Alexander Sherbrooke and the staff at St Patrick's for making this beautifully restored church available to us.  We are fortunate as well to have the music provided by  Cantus Magnus, who will sing "Messe de Nostre Dame" by Machaut (the first known complete Mass setting by a single composer - first written for Rheims Cathedral around 1350) and "O Sacrum Convivium" by Messiaen.  The French Mass setting in recognition of our guests of honour, HRH Prince Charles-Philippe d'Orléans, Duc d’Anjou, and his wife HRH Princess Diana d’Orléans, Duchesse d’Anjou, Duchesse de Cadaval.

Thanks also to members and friends of Juventutem for providing the servers.

No Mass this Sunday

A parish announcement.

My apologies. Due to circumstances beyond my control, there will be no 11.30am Mass here at St Catherine's this Sunday 14th July.  Normal service will be resumed next week.

Good News for the Ordinariate

Damian Thompson has a report on the Holy Father's support for the Ordinariate.  

This is contrary to what some commentators have implied.  I do wonder if quite a few words and opinions have not been put into the Pope's mouth by those who hoped for a change of direction after Pope Benedict.  A change in style there surely is (which might be missing out on some of the spiritual   riches of the Church that flow from Her liturgy and both sustain and evangelise) - but not in Faith.

St Winefrid's Well

Each year the LMS organise a pilgrimage to Holywell in North Wales.  Two years ago I was celebrant, this year Fr Ian O'Shea, a fellow Liverpool Priest, offered the Mass while I was Subdeacon. Canon Amaury Montjean from the Institute's Shrine of Ss Peter, Paul & Philomena was the Deacon (although he had to return home to the Dome immediately after the Mass for Vespers, so he was summarily replaced for the procession to the shrine that you can see in the photographs!  St Winefride always seems to bless us with exceptionally warm weather and it was certainly warm under those vestments!  We were treated to some fine music and as usual, a warm welcome from the pilgrims and Kevin Jones the LMS Representative for Wrexham. Thanks to the Priests and Brothers of the Society of Divine Vocations, who run the Shrine.  Apologies to anyone I didn't get to say hello to.

(Thanks to Mike Barnstall for the photographs.)

Baptism

Congratulations to Vincent James, born to Catherine and  Sean on 21st June, who was baptised today.  

We used the EF version, which I often do anyway, as it's words and symbols are so much more powerful than the new rite setting:

Question: Do you renounce Satan?
Answer: I do renounce him!

The exorcisms make it quite clear what is going on - in the new rite, the casting out of Original Sin and  its satanic master are hardly given a mention and can be missed if you blink.  In the old rite it's unequivocal.

The language of the prayers really does bring out the change brought about by the sacrament, the radical choice that makes the person a child of God, destined for Heaven.

Then there's the strengthened biblical references such as the breathing on the child's face, recalling the breath of the Holy Spirit and the same act when the Chrism is consecrated.

All in all, much more fulfilling, rounded, Biblical and plain speaking.

Channel Four's newly found religious fervour

Meanwhile, in an alternate universe, far, far away:

Mr Ralph Lee, the Head of Channel Four's Factual Programming explains the decision to broadcast the Catholic Church's call to prayer during Lent:

"A mass act of personal sacrifice and worship, it's carried out every year by numbers of committed Catholics - yet the vast majority of people in Britain won't even be aware of its existence. Not surprising when you consider its near invisibility on mainstream TV," said Lee.

"It's easy for non-Catholics to see Catholicism through a superficial prism of what is forbidden, and Lent through the physical hardship of fasting and control.

"For Catholics, however, Lent provides great physical and spiritual gains.

"It's a time of reformation and reflection, whether that's developing a greater awareness of the suffering of others, feeling a stronger affinity with their Catholic brothers and sisters around the world, or resolving to change the way they live their lives for the greater good."

Lee said that after the bad publicity from various scandals in the Church and the subsequent suspicion and hostility towards British Catholics, there had "never been a more pressing need to give a voice to the moderate mainstream majority".

He said the live broadcast would "act as a nationwide Tannoy system" and a provocation to viewers "in the very real sense of the word".

He admitted the decision to broadcast the event may result in some criticism of Channel Four, but said "that's what we're here to do - provide space for the alternative and a voice to the under-represented.

"Nearly five per cent of the country will actively engage in Lent - can we say the same of other national events that have received blanket coverage on television such as the Queen's coronation anniversary?" he asked.

Channel Four will also broadcast the traditional chanted Introit to the Mass of each day, online. It will be automatically played at the same time it is sung at the London Oratory.

Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said: "It seems reasonable that there should be some acknowledgement on TV of the needs of the Catholic population in Britain, although one can't help wondering whether this is just another of Channel Four's publicity-seeking stunts.

"Given that the BBC devotes hundreds of hours a year to militant secularism and relativism, with two or three anti-church mentions every day on its morning news programmes, and hardly any mention of minority religion, a few minutes devoted to Catholicism doesn't seem unreasonable," he said.

----------------

Surprised that a TV channel in the UK should be doing this?  

You should be!  The real story is here - with only the reference point being changed above.

Champagne Baptism

The ideal setting for a baptism?

John Bingham wrote in the Telegraph yesterday about the Church of England's plans for "Champagne Baptisms".  Among initiatives to cater for those who want a "Christening" but don't come to church is the idea, apparently already taking place in some churches, of the entire church had being laid out like a wedding reception with the baptism performed in the centre of the room in front the guests at tables.

Afterwards they are served champagne and a meal while the family cut a christening cake and receive presents.  Rev Dr Sandra Millar who runs the Church’s ongoing “Christenings Project” says some unmarried couples appear to view a christening almost as their answer to having a wedding, an opportunity to invite family and friends for a public ceremony followed by a party.  The idea is one of the early results of a major “market research” project, backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and York, examining how the Church could redesign its christening services for the 21st Century.

Now what the Church of England does is not really any of my business but the attitude behind such initiatives is rife within the Catholic Church as well.  Baptism is the recognition of a desire for Faith.  It is the gateway to the other sacraments.  It is not an excuse for a party.  It is not a replacement wedding service for those those who don't see the importance of getting married.    In the New Testament Baptism is for those who already want to follow Jesus, not a tool for luring them in without any commitment.  The idea of carrying out "market research" to give people only what they want seems to me very strange in the context of the Gospel.  A focus group to tell the Church what Faith is to consist of.  Surely we can still make people feel welcome without giving away God's Sacraments for a mess of pottage?

This model of church reduces the Church to nothing more than an events organiser.  A lucrative business, I'm told, but hardly one that speaks of the eternal verities.  I've certainly nothing against champagne (Churchill's preferred brand is a personal favourite) but let's save it for the reception afterwards!

Fortunately for me, for my next Baptism on Saturday the couple have requested the Traditional Form.