Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Legion of Mary is a wonderful lay apostolate founded by Frank Duff, to put into practice the True Devotion to Mary, which is the spirituality of St. Louis Marie de Montford. At one time both Wendy and myself were provisional members, but for one reason or another were unable to continue with their good work. We are still well known to the local Praesidium, who offered us the statue of Our Lady of Fatima which circulates around parishioners for a constant chain of prayer. We expressed our preference to have the statue over the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What a wonderful feast to be celebrating in our initial advent preparations! From all eternity God had chosen Mary to be the mother of the Word incarnate. He therefore prepared her in holiness, as the ark of the covenant was lined with gold, preserving her from all stain of original sin which so taints humanity. This made her a truly worthy dwelling place and mother to nurture our divine saviour. She was, in this way, the first fruits of salvation - a beacon of that salvific power which God has bestowed on humanity through his only Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

For this occasion I endeavoured to say First Vespers for this feast. Since the legionaries were coming round to give us the statue I prepared a booklet so we could pray together worthily for this special occasion. Rather than copying out the standard evening prayer of the Church, I went to my old missal and prepared an abbreviated, translated version of the Vigil's Vespers from the Old Rite. This was merely because the antiphons are so wonderful, and powerful. Since I do not say evening prayer out of obligation, I thought it fitting for me to share some of the church's old prayers in a way we could all readily engage with. I attach the result here, and hope you enjoy the rich prayer of the Church for this magnificent feast. Deo Gratias!

V./ O God come to our aid
R./ O Lord make haste to help us

V./Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
R./ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Ant: Thou art all fair, O Mary, and stain of original sin is not found in thee.

(PSALM 109: DIXIT DOMINUS)

The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit Thou at my right hand
Until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.
The Lord shall send the rod of Thy strength out of Sion: rule Thou in the midst of Thine enemies.
Thine shall be the dominion in the day of Thou power, amid the brightness of the saints: from the womb, before the daystar have I begotten Thee.
The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of melchisedech.
The Lord at Thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of His wrath
He shall judge among the heathen, He shall fill the places with dead bodies: he shall wound the heads over many countries.
He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up his head.
Glory be.....
As it was in the beginning....

Ant: Thou art all fair, O Mary, and stain of original sin is not found in thee.

Ant 2: Thy vesture is as white as snow; and thy face is as the sun

(PSALM 112: LAUDATE PUERI)

Praise the Lord, O ye His servants, praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth, and for ever more!
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, and beholdeth what is lowly in heaven and in the earth?
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dung-hill:
That He may set him with princes of His people.
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children.
Glory be....
As it was in the beginning...

Ant 2: Thy vesture is as white as snow; and thy face is as the sun

Ant 3: Thou art the glory of Jerusalem; thou art the joy of Israel; thou art the honour of our people

(PSALM 121: LAETATUS SUM)

I was glad when they said unto me: Let us go into the house of the Lord
Our feet have been wont to stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones for judgement, the thrones for the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say: Peace be within thee.
Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good.
Glory be...
As it was in the beginning...

Ant 3: Thou art the glory of Jerusalem; thou art the joy of Israel; thou art the honour of our people

CHAPTER (Proverbs 8:22-24)

THE Lord possessed me in the beginning of His ways, before He made anything, from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived.

RESPONSORY

Today is the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Who with her virginal foot crushed the head of the serpent.

MAGNIFICAT

Antiphon: All generations shall call me blessed; because He who is powerful hath done great things to me, alleluia.

My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness, henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me, Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength and scatters the proud hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones, and raises the lowly
He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel his servant, remembering his mercy
The mercy promised promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his sons for ever.
Glory be...
As it was in the beginning...

Antiphon: All generations shall call me blessed; because He who is powerful hath done great things to me, alleluia.

O Mary conceived without sin
Pray for us who have recourse to thee.

COLLECT

Let us pray
O God, who didst wonderously preserve the Mother of Thine only begotten Son from the taint of original sin in her conception: grant, we beseech thee, that strengthened by her prayers, we may take part with pure hearts in her holy festival. Through the same Christ out Lord.
Amen.

SALVE REGINA

May the divine assistance remain always with us
And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

For the last 3 years, we have been buying our Christmas Tree from a wonderful farm grower in Solihull. Not only do they stock a wonderful selection of breeds, sizes and shapes - but the prices are outstanding. So yesterday we made the annual trip, with slightly less ambitious plans. In the past we have made sure our tree is floor to ceiling, which has usually cost us over £20 (still a bargain) but this year we only spent £12. We found a perfect little beauty, amongst the nativity scene itself. I can't tell exactly what breed it is - perhaps a Scotch Pine or Douglas Fir. It is a lovely shape in a classic triangular appearance. Hopefully it will be a good needle retainer too.

I was curious what the history of Christmas trees is. The nicest story I found is this:

The fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time.

However, there are less attractive theories found on the same site, from all sorts of Pagan cultures and beliefs. Like many things, Christianity takes an existing custom and transforms it into something holy and representative of our salvation. Perhaps the date of Christmas itself has this origin, being near the Pagan celebration of the winter solstice.

For me I like the comparison of the Christmas Tree with the Root of Jesse referred to in scriptures, of which we are reminded through the liturgy this Advent. Ember Friday, just before Christmas this year, has the following from Isaiah 11:1-5

Thus saith the Lord God: There shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him: the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of countenance and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and of godliness, and He shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears: but He shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. And justice shall be the girdle of His loins: and faith the girdle of His reins.

How wonderful! Jesse was the father of several sons chosen to be the next king of Israel, but the prophet who chose the king took the smallest and youngest farming boy from Jesse's sons: David. He arose to be the greatest king of Israel. Jesus himself is often referred to as "Son of David" because of this lineage. But to look at Jesus as a new shoot, springing from the root of Jesse, reminds us that he isn't purely of human lineage. He is anointed by God, but to do a different task from David. He ushers in the very Kingdom of God, which no longer depends on the blood of man or Jewish ancestry: but rather the Blood of the 'Lamb of God' shed for all men, and opening the gates of Paradise to anyone who is willing to be Baptised. This new kingdom is The Church founded on St. Peter, and guarded by his successors. That Church today is the Catholic Church, in union with Pope Benedict XVI. Deo Gratias!

Pope-on-a-Soap-on-a-Rope!

This is a funny little item adorning our bathroom. We bought it from a recent production of Romeo and Juliet by Heartbreak Productions. There was a three-way stage in the outdoor setting of the ruined nave of Much Wenlock priory in Shropshire, with an emphasis on 3 themes: Love, Religion, and Football (It was a modernisation, and used the visual aid of rival football shirts for the rival houses)! Hasten to say we don't actually use the soap: and its not usually in that position. The thought of rubbing the Pope's face over my... well, you know... is a little bit much I'm sure you'll agree. Perhaps it would be a good flagellation aid.

So, on sale from the Religion stall was the above item, as well as a mug with the same picture (obviously of the then-Cardinal Ratzinger) and the quote "The god of my idolatry" from one of Romeo's lines. Which we bought as well. I find it funny, but some may not share my sense of humour (as the last post's comment shows).

To wrap it off nice and civil, here is a beautiful picture of Much Wenlock Priory.

Ecu-menace

I like the word 'ecu-mania' but this Colbert guy is funny, and can sure say the Creed fast (I'd like to hear him try the Latin Credo which I am having trouble with!!)

Hat-tip to Unam Sanctam.

Pregnancy Update - Week 33

Today we went to our first ante-natal class (or "parental education class") at the Birmingham Women's Hospital. It was great to see so many young couples our age, with everyone in a similar boat. I haven't done any obstetrics yet (my Obs & Gynae placement begins just after Maddy is due!) so I was pleased to learn a great deal. The first session was an introduction, and mainly talked through the physical process of labour and what to expect. We feel much more confident that we will know when to go into the hospital now; although it has made us slightly anxious with the realisation that such a life-changing event is just around the corner. I looked very silly at one point during an interactive session, when faced with scenarios and what to do (call 999, go to hospital, stay at home etc). For the scenario "Your wife wakes you up in the middle of the night saying 'I feel like I want to push' what would you do?" I was the only one standing by the station 'Labour could begin at any time' rather than 'call 999' which most men were correctly at! So I'm a little bit too relaxed, and should trust my wife's instincts more!!

We have now set up a clothes rail in our bedroom, where Maddy will stay when she's born, and put up all the beautiful little clothes we have bought or been given for her. As you can see, there are a lot of cute pink things and frilly dresses, so we certainly hope the ultrasonographers were correct in predicting a girl! Well, when I saw the scan my initial thought was that it was a girl too. You get to see whole cross sections of the pelvis, which is amazing, and not what you'd expect to see judging from people's printouts.

Wendy is well, experiencing a bit of breathlessness and pelvic pain, but very excited about giving up work in less that 2 weeks time, and becoming a full-time mum! What the world of physiotherapy has lost, the world at large will gain!!

Jeffrey's Rant

"Frankly I'm furious. You young wipper-snappers don't know how to show your elders some respect. This includes that rascal of a cat who has posted here previously, under the title "It's a Cat's Life". Now I'm not one to get involved in technological clap-trap like this here blog, but one has to defend his dignity! Speaking of which, I am partial to a proper bath once in a while, unlike cats who seem to make do with covering themselves in their own saliva. Still think they're civilised?

"I've been around for a hell of a long time, don't you know! Why, in Hamster terms I've outlived the most distinguished of Syrian desert rats. There has not been a grey whisker on my head without toil and hard graft. Yet that devilish creature, known as Luke might I add, thinks he can waltz on here and attract a loyal following of supporters to his cause. Well, perhaps I will elaborate on what his cause is, eh?

"Ever since my house opened its doors on the feline species, I have been fighting for my life. Merely to survive, eh? Is it too much to ask, but a little peace in one's own home? An Englishman's home is his castle, they say - well since day one I have had to defend mine by whichever means possible. Sawdust barricades, nut catapults, you name it. Those cats are constantly preoccupied with trying to eat me! Can you believe it! I have been living with humans before they were even a twinkle in their mother's eye!! The picture on the right shows proof. During the day, I like to stay in my cabin and have a bit of shut-eye. So those savage beasts would spent the whole time lying in wait till I emerged, even if it was to spend a penny. Then there would be relentless attacks: pounce, barrage, deafening me and not good for my asthma let me tell you. Well, ultimately I was moved into seclusion in the bathroom, where the door is always shut.

"Have you ever heard a hamster's battle cry? Of course not, you probably weren't even aware we were vocal creatures. I like to think we're peaceful until provoked. Or woken up. Well, Rotastak clearly state their hamster homes are NOT cat-proof. As far as I was concerned one morning, my tubing was simply accidentally detached, usually leading into my lavatory (yes, Hamsters use them too, you know). I popped out to investigate, only to be pounced on by that black and white ball of fur! All I could do was resort to primeval instincts, rise up on my hind legs and SQUEEL like a cornered boar! That taught him a lesson. But it doesn't stop him from trying.

"But you readers probably find all this very funny. You may say 'ah, its all nature'. But actually lets have a look at what you have said, shall we? That the barbaric cat is 'a true Catholic' just because he falls asleep next to a breviary. Or that 'cat lovers go to heaven' rather than the reality of being led astray into submission to an Egyptian demi-god. You want devotion? Well, take a look at the picture on the right (I'm humble, and didn't know it was being taken). I'll leave you with this thought: You may think you're holy because you're big enough to go to church and receive the sacraments. But I haven't even got an eternal soul - yet you won't catch me slacking on my prayers. You have the hope of heaven, I'm caught with the prospect of rotting into nothing yet still thank God for my store of monkey nuts. Which reminds me - I'm off for a nibble. Young wipper-snappers."

St. Blogs parish Frappr map

Friends with Christ - New Blog!

I am pleased to announce that my good friend Fr. Richard Aladics has started a new blog. I'm so excited! Click on the link above. He has drawn my attention to the strange fact that the post editor toolbar has disappeared in blogger making it impossible to add photos or edit text format. So... hopefully this problem will rectify itself soon because I have a few posts in the pipeline (ie. that I've been thinking about doing) which have to now be on hold. Let me know if you know the solution to this problem.

MTAS Job Application Nightmare!!

I have to submit my application for my first junior doctor job (beginning August 2007) by Tuesday. There are no CVs or interviews - Just a centralised national on-line application form. The toughest bit is completing a personal statement in the form of 'Key Statements', which are marked and graded by clinicians, and combined by an academic score to rank all medical students in such a way that the highest ranking ones get the jobs they want. Here are the questions I have to answer, each with a maximum of 150 words:

1. Give an example of a non-academic achievement explaining both the significance to you and the relevance to foundation training. (6 points)

2. List your academic achievements (4 points)

3. Describe an example (not necessarily clinical) of a time when you had to deal with pressure OR overcome a setback/challenge. What did you do and what was the outcome? (6 points)

4. Describe an example from your clinical experience where your behaviour enhanced the experience of the patient as the central focus of care. What did you do and what was the outcome? (6 points)

5. Describe an example from your own experience (either clinical or non clinical) that has increased your understanding of the importance of team working. What was your role and contribution to the team? (6 points)

6. Describe an example of a situation where you had to demonstrate your professionalism and/or integrity. What did you do and what was the outcome? (6 points)

7. Describe an example of how your organisation and planning skills have contributed to a significant personal achievement in the last five years. What did you learn from this which is relevant to foundation training? (6 points)

My DVD Collection

Please note the new addition on the left sidebar: A list of all the DVDs which I own. I love collecting some of my favourite films, and often cannot resist buying DVDs on sale which I've never seen (hence the odd title which I hasten to say doesn't appeal to me having now watched)!

The picture here is of probably my favourite DVD in the collection, because it is the most eagerly anticipated. Although I was a bit disappointed by the lack of special features and absence of cinematic release version on this edition. The best produced DVD is probably Terminator 2, and I still haven't got through all the special features on it. Enjoy!