Summer Fun

I love this time of year! We have had luscious sunshine all spring, and although a bit cooler now I'm sure there's still summer to come!

Recent News: Friday the Thirteenth

http://www.ifuv.org/

I haven't blogged in a while, whilst everyone else seemed to jam blogger on May 13th, and bring it down with attempts at discussing the new Vatican document Universae Ecclesiae! On the same day news from the Bishop' Conference of E&W announced we would be going back to meatless Fridays (whenever did that change? Does this mean I get extra points for fulfilling an obligation I've been doing for the past 22 years?)

http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/

Well, regards the clarifying document on Summorum Pontificum, it has apparently "restored a Bishop's role in the oversight of the liturgy in the diocese" (according to Archbishop Vincent Nichols), and that pastorally the seminary program is too full to accommodate the Holy Father's wishes. However, the Latin Mass Society beg him to read it in the original and binding Latin language to catch the nuance that His Grace's seminarys should really pull their finger out and teach the rest of the Roman Mass to their clerics.

lms.org.uk

However, the Bishop is right in that there are lots of already ordained Priests willing to learn and say the Latin Mass, at least if the stigma and scorn are taken away from the process. But up till now the LMS has been funding Priest's Training on an organised scale, so perhaps it is time to start working more closely with the LMS rather than being suspicious and cynical about it.

Strangely, Cardinal Kurt Koch addressed the first major conference on Summorum Pontificum in Rome, presuming to declare that the Holy Father really wants to blend both Rites into One "Common" Roman Rite. I don't see how the Pope would follow such an incorrect interpretation of Tradition. Even Pope St Pius V in 1570 declared that the Tridentine Missal would not supercede any remaining Holy and Venerable Rites lasting for at least a couple of centuries.

It is easy to agree with the Cardinal very much on the fact that slow "growth and purification" are essential in the Rite, the Liturgy is definitely organic. That is, changing with the seasons of centuries to best edify the Christian Faithful. The Pope, in releasing the older (some would say frozen) Latin Missal in use until 1962-5, he is allowing Traditional Catholics to live and breathe this older and more rigorously traditional brand of Catholicism. Yes, this will mean the Older Rite develops; but the sensus fidelium attached to it will not allow flagrant abuses, such as communion in the hand and altar girls, both of which have been really pushed on these shores in recent years. It doesn't work.

28. Furthermore, by virtue of its character of special law, within its own area, the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum derogates from those provisions of law, connected with the sacred Rites, promulgated from 1962 onwards and incompatible with the rubrics of the liturgical books in effect in 1962. (Universae Ecclesiae)

lifeteen.com

The Novus Ordo, however (now an official term in the Church documents), lives and breathes within a generation of Catholics who have become strangely fixed in their contemporary era, and push for the same sort of old reforms which are becoming badly out of fashion in younger Catholics. Either the New Rite will feature more 'Yoof' and Rock style liturgy, or it will lean towards the Old Rite for an example of splendour and dignity. The latter wouldn't be a bad thing, but ultimately I can't see Traditionalists bending in a similar way; it goes against the whole point in being devoted to Catholic Tradition.

This isn't a swift and bloody battle between Liberals and Conservatives, or whatever; it is a gentle move in the Church for what is sober, prayerful worship of God. This sort of humble persuasion will be inspired by the Holy Spirit, if it is effective in bringing the modern Church into line with Christ's will. And that takes generations, not years.

In connection with this last point, something tells me the Holy Father is making a real stand-off. Recent reactions from the Bishops Conference of England & Wales make me think he really shook them into action along a certain direction. The aforementioned link to the meatless Friday document has something even more interesting embedded: It will take effect in thanksgiving for the Holy Father's visit, which featured an exhortation to take a more active role and witness in civic life. The conference is looking to consolidate Catholic Social Action under one umbrella. This could be an excellent thing, especially if it absorbs CaFOD and its errant ways (But somehow I doubt this). Also there is to be a restructuring of the actual Conference itself, led by secretary Fr Marcus Stock, who is urging the Bishops to look more closely at the Conference's "purposes and priorities" as defined in Vatican documents. This 3-5 year plan really does look like a deep change, and the kind that needs reviewing, as Summorum Pontificum has shown in a positive way. (as well as the effect of a similar period of exclaustration!)

In summary I think there a wonderful opportunities for the Church in this country at the moment. These recent developments (or rather regressions!) into the Catholic identity and way of life, are very much interconnected in the mind of the Holy Father. I will certainly be praying for everyone to respond to the Pope's call to holiness last September, as well as seeing its significance in my own life.

LMS Oxford Greyfriars-Littlemore Bl JH Newman Pilgrimage

Saturday May 7th 2011





For the first time the Latin Mass Society of England & Wales are having a Pilgrimage to Littlemore with the Traditional Mass, in honour of Bl John Henry Newman.

It starts with Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Greyfriars at 2.30pm, sung with polyphony provided by the Schola Abelis, and celebrated by Fr Anthony Conlon.

Read more on my LMS Blog

Congratulations

...to the Royal couple HRH Prince William Windsor, and Kate Middleton: Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.

And here's hoping that the Lady will be dressed as stunning and chaste as her late mother-in-Law!




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The "Liturgical Creed"

I believe that the Traditional Rites of East and West contain within themselves so many elements of Apostolic origin that it is impossible to separate these from the elements added by post-Apostolic ecclesiastical tradition.

I believe no man here on earth (Pastor Aeternus, IV, 6) can rightfully determine the complete abrogation, full substitution, or substantial derogation of any received Traditional Rite, of East and West, which contains inextricable Apostolic elements.

I believe Ecclesiastical History continuously proves that the rights of the liturgical rites "established by long and immemorial prescription" have always been respected by the Holy Roman Church, even in ages of great liturgical crises and heresies (Quo Primum; Quod a Nobis).

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Famous FSSP on NLM!

check it out over at New Liturgical Movement, who deigned to check out my Blog and publish one of my photos and linked to me, in accordance with my Creative Commons License. So why not pop over there and boost their stats!

It was fabulous Good Friday Liturgy. Some of us in the congregation were very old-fashioned in our postures with pre-'55 rubrics!

God bless the FSSP in their Reading Apostolate. But what a shame we can't have something like that in Birmingham for the Triduum.

1950 St Michael Miracle

True story of a Soldier and the Intervention of St. Michael

What follows is a letter written by a young Marine to his mother while he was hospitalized after being wounded on a Korean battlefield in 1950. It came into the hands of a Navy Chaplain who read the letter before 5,000 Marines at a San Diego Naval Base in 1951.

The Navy Chaplain had talked to the young man, to his mother, and to the Sergeant in charge of the patrol. This Navy Chaplain, Father Walter Muldy, assured anyone who asked, that this was a true story. This letter was read once a year in the 1960's over a mid-western radio station at Christmas time. We present the letter and let it stand on its own merits.

-

Dear Mom,

I wouldn't dare write this letter to anyone but you because no one else would believe it. Maybe even you will find it hard, but I have to tell somebody.

First off, I am in a hospital. Now don't worry, you hear me, don't worry. I was wounded but I'm okay. The doctor says that I will be up and around in a month. But that is not what I want to tell you.

Remember when I joined the Marines last year; remember when I left, how you told me to say a prayer to St. Michael every day. You really didn't have to tell me that. Ever since I can remember you always told me to pray to St. Michael the Archangel. You even named me after him. Well I have always prayed to St. Michael. When I got to Korea, I prayed even harder. Remember the prayer that you taught me? "Michael, Michael of the morning, fresh corps of Heaven adorning…" You know the rest of it. Well, I said it every day, sometimes when I was marching or sometimes resting, but always before I went to sleep. I even got some of the other fellas to say it.

Well, one day I was with an advance detail way up over the front lines. We were scouting for the commies. I was plodding along in the bitter cold; my breath was like cigar smoke. I thought I knew every guy in the patrol, when along side of me comes another Marine I never met before. He was bigger than any other Marine I'd ever seen. He must have been over 6 feet 4 inches and built in proportion. It gave me a feeling of security to have such a body near me.

Anyway, there we were trudging along. The rest of the patrol spread out. Just to start a conversation I said, "Cold ain't it." And then I laughed. Here I was with a good chance of getting killed any minute and I am talking about the weather!

My companion seemed to understand. I heard him laugh softly.

I looked at him, "I've never seen you before. I thought I knew every man in the outfit."

"I just joined at the last minute," he replied, "the name is Michael."

"Is that so," I said surprised, "that's my name too."

"I know," he said, and then went on saying the prayer, "Michael, Michael of the morning..."

I was too amazed to say anything for a minute. How did he know my name, and a prayer that you had taught me? Then I smiled to myself, every guy in the outfit knew about me. Hadn't I taught the prayer to anybody who would listen? Why now and then, they even referred to me as St. Michael.

Neither of us spoke for a time, and then he broke the silence.

"We're going to have some trouble up ahead." He must have been in fine physical shape for he was breathing so lightly I couldn't see his breath. Mine poured out in great clouds. There was no smile on his face now. Trouble ahead, I thought to myself; well with the commies all around us, that's no great revelation.

Snow began to fall in thick great globs. In a brief moment the whole countryside was blotted out, and I was marching in a white fog of wet sticky particles. My companion disappeared.

"Michael!" I shouted in sudden alarm. I felt his hand on my arm, his voice was rich and strong, "This will stop shortly."

His prophecy proved to be correct. In a few minutes the snow stopped as abruptly as it had begun. The sun was a hard shining disc. I looked back for the rest of the patrol. There was no one in sight. We lost them in the heavy fall of snow. I looked ahead as we came over a little rise. Mom, my heart stopped. There were seven of them, seven commies in their padded pants and jackets and their funny hats. Only there wasn’t anything funny about them now. Seven rifles were aimed at us.

"Down Michael!" I screamed, and hit the frozen earth. I heard those rifles fire almost as one. I heard the bullets. There was Michael still standing.

Mom, those guys couldn't have missed, not at that range. I expected to see him literally blown to bits, but there he stood, making no effort to fire himself. He was paralyzed with fear. It happens sometimes, Mom, even to the bravest. He was like a bird fascinated by a snake. At least that's what I thought then. I jumped up to pull him down and that was when I got mine. I felt a sudden flame in my chest. I often wondered what it felt like to be hit. Now I know.

I remember feeling strong arms about me, arms that laid me ever so gently on a pillow of snow. I opened my eyes, for one last look. I thought I was dying. Maybe I was even dead. I remember thinking, “Well, this is not so bad.”

Maybe I was looking into the sun. Maybe I was in shock, but it seemed I saw Michael standing erect again, only this time his face was shining with a terrible splendor.

As I say, maybe it was the sun in my eyes, but he seemed to change as I watched him. He grew bigger, his arms stretched out wide, maybe it was the snow falling again but there was a brightness around him like the wings of an angel. In his hand was a sword. A sword that flashed with a million lights.

Well, that's the last thing I remember until the rest of the fellas came up and found me; I don't know how much time had passed. Now and then I had but a moment's rest from the pain and fever. I remember telling them of the enemy just ahead.

"Where's Michael?" I asked. I saw them look at one another. "Where's who?" asked one.

"Michael, that big Marine I was walking with just before the snow squall hit us."

"Kid," said the sergeant, "you weren't walking with anyone. I had my eyes on you the whole time. You were getting too far out. I was just going to call you in, when you disappeared in the snow."

He looked at me, curiously. "How did you do it, kid?"

"How did I do what?" I asked half angry, despite my wound. "This Marine named Michael and I were just..." "Son," said the sergeant kindly, "I picked this outfit myself and there just ain't another Michael in it. You are the only Mike in it."

He paused for a minute. "Just how did you do it, kid? We heard shots, yet there hasn't been a shot fired from your rifle, and there isn't a bit of lead in them seven bodies over the hill there."

I didn't say anything; what could I say? I could only look open-mouthed with amazement.

It was then, the sergeant spoke again. "Kid," he said gently, "every one of those seven commies was killed by a sword stroke."

That is all I can tell you, Mom. As I say, it may have been the sun in my eyes, it may have been the cold or the pain, but that is what happened.

Love, Michael




Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle;
be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

................................................................

Sancte Michael Archangele,
defende nos in proelio;
contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.
Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur:
tuque, Princeps militiae Caelestis, satanam aliosque spiritus malignos,qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo,divina virtute in infernum detrude. Amen

Happy Easter!

Good Friday

My photos of todays Solemn High Liturgy at Reading by the FSSP

Maundy Thursday

I have been on leave, and maundate, have been serving my little ones in their playing court football, climbing trees in Saltwell Nature Reserve, and getting generally dirty!




Spy Wednesday we had a Latin Low Mass with the long readings from Isaiah and St Luke's Passion. I think I'm glad it was not sung, especially with the kids, who will be going to a couple of High Liturgies this Triduum these next 2 days.

We are also watching the Passion of the Christ which is our annual custom, with the kids firmly in bed!


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