First Mass

Yesterday we were really privileged to have a visit from a newly ordained priest, Fr. Agnellus FI. He was ordained at the end of March, and at the end of Mass we were able to receive his blessing. As there is a plenary indulgence attached (as I seem to recall) to the "first" blessings of a newly-ordained priest, this was an opportunity not to be missed!

The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate are a new order in this country: there are now three of the community based in Brockley. They are more well-established in the Phillipines and in Italy. Fr. Agnellus told me about one of the founders, Fr Stefano Maria Manelli, and how he was an altar server for St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Wow!

Together with the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, the Friars seem to be the driving force behind the fantastic "Day With Mary" initiative. I posted about this when they came to Blackfen: it is such an uplifting experience.

You can read more about the work of the Franciscans of the Immaculate HERE and HERE. There is also a video site, Air Maria (and no, that wasn't a typo!!) which is well worth exploring...