When trying to describe where Blackfen is, I have usually resorted to approximations such as "the border between South-East London and Kent" and "just inside the M25 near the Dartford Tunnel" or occasionally "quite near Greenwich."However, I think that I will have to change all that - from now on it will be "Westminster Cathedral? Oh, it's quite near Blackfen..."
Blackfen is quite the up-and-coming travel destination, it seems... at least, it is if you are a Brazilian seminarian at the Institut du Bon Pasteur, France, and you want to attend the Traditional Latin Mass on a Sunday! One of the seminarians is an avid blog-reader, and has been following His Hermeneuticalness from well before he entered seminary.
Six seminarians came to visit on Quinquagesima Sunday. Three of them joined the choir and sang the propers and a couple of other pieces at the Offertory and at Communion. The other three served on the Sanctuary. They were lovely chaps, and told us that their seminary is at a bit of a crisis point, as they have 33 seminarians and five priests, but have only got 28 rooms in two houses. Prayers would be very much appreciated.
I'm afraid that my vanity was given full rein: "Ahhh! So you're Mulier Fortis...!"
There are a few more photos on Flickr.
Thanks for this. In these strange times one is given hope.
ReplyDeleteAsking for prayers through the Intercession of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini who wanted to evangelize the East but instead got sent to the East Coast of the US. I can't find the story but have been told that she had in mind a particular piece of property on which to build a convent and a benefactor took her out driving around and showed her the land she wanted to donate. It was the property she preferred.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you with a growing seminary, both in space to stash seminarians and priests and in men wanting to join.
Trust in God's providence; He will provide you with what you need.