LMS Pilgrimage To Aylesford

Last Saturday saw the annual Latin Mass Society pilgrimage to Aylesford. Joseph Shaw, the LMS Chairman, was there with his snazzy camera - the camera which was so snazzy it meant that he had to buy a new computer to cope with it - and he has written a brief report of the events, and included some rather snazzy photos.

Unfortunately, I think his snazzy camera is too snazzy for my computer. I've tried to load his blog four times, and my computer crashed each time - it seemed to get stuck trying to load the pictures. As a result, I can't put in a direct link. You'll find his blog on the sidebar blogroll, under British Bloggers. If you're wondering how I was able to tell that Joe had written a report including snazzy photos given that I can't access his blog, well, actually I use Google Reader to check my favourite blogs. I only visit real blogs when I want to comment, read comments or link to posts on my blog.

Dylan, the Reluctant Sinner, made a very brief report on the day as well. His blog doesn't cause my computer to crash, so I can happily direct you to the relevant post. Unfortunately he doesn't have snazzy pictures, but perhaps, in view of the age of my computer, that is just as well!

Fr. Tim Finigan was the celebrant and preacher at the Missa Cantata, and he also gave the talk during the afternoon. He has a much fuller report of the day, which was excellent. His blog also doesn't pose any problems for my computer...

I took some more photos which you can see on the Flickr set page.

Light Entertainment...

The caption reads "What house cats lust after."

My two hooligans don't seem to read, unfortunately...

Rosary Sunday...

Yes, I know it was over a week ago. No, I haven't blogged for a whole week. Yes, I know I said that I'd try harder to blog more regularly...

Would you lot believe me if I told you that the Monsignori are to blame? They're chasing each other round in circles, squabbling like teenagers, and I want to stay out of their way. This morning, I actually caught Furretti kicking all the dry catfood out of Miaowrini's bowl. Just because I'd stopped to stroke Miaowrini first. Boy, can that cat throw a strop.

At the moment, the two cats are chasing each other around my computer chair, each taking it in turns to hide beneath my skirts before launching an attack on the other. I'm not sure if they're playing, or if this is the next stage in the dominance stakes...

Anyway, for those of you who are interested, the photos I took last week for Rosary Sunday, (the Patronal Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Blackfen) are finally up on Flickr. Most of them were up halfway through the week, to be honest, but I then discovered that, due to a glitch with a wifi connection, I'd only loaded half of them, so I didn't bother alerting anyone!

Fr. James Bradley of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham was the celebrant and preacher for the Solemn High Mass...

There are lots of photos in the set - and I haven't actually labelled them yet - so do go over to have a look.

Right. It's gone awfully quiet. I think that means trouble. I'll be back again soon...

A Little Snippet...

I managed to record a snippet from First Vespers of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, held at Blackfen on Saturday.

I didn't record any of the music from Sunday's High Mass because that was sung by professional singers and recording rights would have come into play. The singers on Saturday, on the other hand, were enthusiastic, talented volunteers. They did get given a rather good lunch...

With such heavenly music as this available, one wonders who in their right minds would opt for such guff as "Alleluia ch-ch" or the clap-clap Gloria...

Photos will be forthcoming... but not tonight.  I need a bit more beauty sleep.

That Difficult Language Again...

We have had a wonderful weekend at Blackfen. It was the first Saturday of the month, so we had our regular Missa Cantata, and, to see in the Patronal Feast Day, we also celebrated First Vespers. Then, on  Sunday, we had a High Mass, with Fr. James Bradley of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham as celebrant.

More about Sunday's activities later... well, ok, probably tomorrow. I need my beauty sleep. The children at school have already commented on how they think I look like Darth Vadar...

After Vespers on Saturday, we sang the Marian Anthem... to the solemn tone. Fr. Tim thought that the children, in their enthusiasm, might not realise this, and might continue with the regular Salve Regina...

Nope.

These little ones are not only happy to sing in Latin, they can sing the same words to different chant tones (or whatever they're called... Leutgeb will probably tell me off for using the wrong term, which is slightly disconcerting because she makes Darth Vadar look like a pushover when she gets going. Scary? Even Fr. Tim won't mess with her!!)

The video picture is ghastly because the light from the windows messed up the phone camera - but you can just about see the children... and hear them singing...

Time Limits...

There is much excitement at the moment about a few politicians who are calling for the time limit for abortion to be limited to 20 weeks instead of the current 24 weeks.

At first sight, it might appear that to campaign for a reduction is a good thing - some lives might be saved, and softly, softly catchee monkey, winning hearts and minds... maybe a total ban can be worked towards, eventually...

SPUC has explained why this is wishful thinking - any pro-life amendment would be voted down in the current parliamentary climate, and the opportunity to add anti-life amendments would be given, and those would probably get through.

To those who think that we need to work slowly towards getting rid of abortion, I just want to point out the blindingly obvious:

Either abortion is wrong because it is the killing of a human being, or it is not. Life begins at conception. There is no "acceptable" time at which to kill a baby. To call for a reduction in the time limit ignores this basic point.

There is currently a poll on the Telegraph's website which asks when people think the limit should be - and just for once, "total ban" is actually an option...

BTW, the photo at the top of the post is what the politicians are saying can be aborted - a baby at 20 weeks' gestation.

Open Season...

I had high hopes that the Monsignori were getting tired of me rescuing their prey and throwing it out of the bedroom window (before you protest, I'm on the ground floor and there is a large patch of grass outside the window, and the kitties can't get to it very quickly from inside the flat!) There hadn't been any presents for ages.

The cats just about tolerate each other. When it gets very cold, they cease hostilities and both curl up on the duvet. The rest of the time they put up with each other - sulking if I appear to give the other a bit more attention.

However, it seems as though they are happy to cooperate when there is fun to be had...

Miaowrini came in with a mouse. I realised she had a mouse because Furretti immediately woke from her position at the end of the bed (where she had been deaf to all my blandishments, apparently fast asleep) and shot into the hall to see what was up. The two cats proceeded to play... well, cat-and-mouse !

Yesterday I came home to find a large pigeon by my armchair. Thankfully it was dead. I didn't clear it up immediately, as I had to go and powder my nose. When I did go back, I found that the bird had been dragged to a more prominent position... and both cats were waiting for my response...

Stuff...

I realise that no sooner did I get my blogging mojo back up and running than it ran out on me again.

Hopefully, internet connection problems allowing, I should be blogging regularly again soon. Or possibly not. I've decided to avoid making promises, especially if, like Nick Clegg, keeping them is not going to be within my control.

I was pretty miffed to miss out on the Guild of Blessed Titus Brandsma blognic, and so was rather pleased that the indomitable Fr. Z turned up at Maiden Lane a few days later for an impromptu blognic down in the Coal Hole. He also visited Blackfen for Sunday Mass - and gave a storming sermon on the reality of the devil and his malice. Good stuff.

And then I got to go for lunch...

We have some more good stuff happening in Blackfen this week as well. Today we had an extra Missa Cantata for the Feast of the Dedication of St. Michael. On Tuesday evening at 8pm there will be a Missa Cantata for the anniversary of the dedication of the church. Next Saturday we have our regular Missa Cantata for the first Saturday of the month, and we also are celebrating First Vespers of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary - our patronal Feast Day.

And then, on the Feast Day itself, we are having a Solemn High Mass. Fr. James Bradley of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham will be preaching...

I will try and get pictures and stuff.

No promises...

Time For A Reality Check...?

After Professor Tina Beattie signed a letter in The Times which was at variance with Catholic teaching, her invitation to speak at Clifton Cathedral was withdrawn. Given that Prof. Beattie has never made any secret of her opinions, one might wonder why she was asked to speak in the first place.

Be that as it may, it was encouraging that Clifton diocese had seen how untenable it would be to have such a speaker scheduled. Prof. Beattie explained to the Catholic Herald that she was saddened by the cancellation, but that, after discussion, she understood it and accepted the reasons for it.

The Pill editorial has allowed itself an interesting slip in its haste to rush to Prof. Beattie's defense.

After noting that the letter to The Times distorted the words of Cardinal Hume in order to make it appear that SSM was not incompatible with Catholic teaching, and suggesting that the Bishop of Clifton might have thought this indicated a lack of good faith, the editor goes on to state that, "...apart from that consideration... the cancellation of the lecture was indefensible."

Sorry? Run that by me again...

A letter, signed by Prof. Beattie, deliberately uses a selective quote from Cardinal Hume to bolster the idea that it is possible to accept same-sex marriage as not being contrary to Catholic teaching, (because it's all about love, really...) and Professor Beattie says that she stands by the contents of the letter... and then The Pill tries to suggest that the Bishop's decision is indefensible???

I don't think so. As Leutgeb has pointed out, no other organisation would accept this level of dissent from an employee or member.

What is indefensible is the fact that The Pill can write this tripe and still claim to be Catholic.

Exaltation Of The Holy Cross...

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was marked in fitting style at Blackfen. The Sodality of the Five Holy Wounds had arranged to have a Missa Cantata, and there was a bit of a social event afterwards...

It's hard to believe that five years have passed since Summorum Pontificum. In one respect, it feels as if no time at all has elapsed. As the incomparable Fr. Z keeps reminding us, there is much still to do, particularly with regard to the training of priests and seminarians in the Extraordinary Form. But, brick by brick, progress is being made.

In another way, the five years seems so long - it is hard to remember what it was like before Summorum Pontificum... though, on reflection, that might not be the case for anyone battling to get the Extraordinary Form introduced into their parish. But don't stop battling... it really is worth it.

Anyway, to celebrate the anniversary in the approved manner, we had a little champagne...

A few of us couldn't resist teasing Tom, whose youngest baby is being baptised tomorrow. Fr. Tim asked if he'd sorted out who would do the first reading, and whether someone had written the bidding prayers...

...Tom was rendered totally speechless at the thought, and I had to take a photo! (The baptism will be in the Extraordinary Form, and so there aren't any readings or bidding prayers!)

Sodality Mass

The Sodality of the Five Holy Wounds is having a Missa Cantata at Our Lady of the Rosary church, Blackfen for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, followed by a shared supper. Everyone is welcome. In case you need a further excuse to celebrate, it's five years since Summorum Pontificum...

I was planning on bringing sausage rolls until I realised that it was Friday, so that had me stumped for a moment. Not being a good cook, I'm not really up to doing anything clever with fish. I might try to get some smoked salmon and cream cheese, but please don't tell the Monsignori, or I'll not be able to leave the house...

The dates for the Sodality meetings and Masses for the next year are now published on the Sodality blog's sidebar, so do check it out.

A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words...

So, 'nuff said!  Twitch of the mantilla to the wonderful Sisters of the Gospel of Life.

Happy Birthday To Our Blessed Mother...!

Yesterday was the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. To celebrate, one of our parishioners and her sister made a new cape for the statue of Our Lady...

"Jog On, Kitties..."

Having observed Monsignor Miaowrini successfully manoeuvre a large, live pigeon from my kitchen to my sitting room without the benefit of opposable thumbs, I rather dread to think what she and Monsignor Furretti would be like if they did have them...

A Spiritual Work Of Mercy...

I was rather scandalised by reports that the Archdiocese of Liverpool has commissioned Lay Funeral Ministers. It seems a little hard to believe that the people of Liverpool are dropping dead in such numbers as to make it impossible to find Catholic priests and deacons to carry out the funeral rites.

In my humble opinion, the idea of lay-led funeral services makes it even more imperative that practicing Catholics pray for the dead and arrange to have Masses said for the repose of their souls. In Blackfen we are blessed to be able to have sung Requiem Masses, with absolutions at the catafalque, on the anniversaries of previous parish priests, and there is something very consoling in praying for the deceased in this way. St. Bernadette was concerned that her family and friends, being convinced she was already in heaven, would not offer Masses for the repose of her soul. With the modern emphasis at many funerals being a celebration of the life of the deceased rather than praying for the forgiveness of any sins committed through human frailty, those of us who have not lived such saintly lives as St. Bernadette should be even more concerned by the thought that we might be left languishing in Purgatory.

Even if it isn't possible to have an actual Requiem Mass, we can still arrange to have Masses said. Every Mass celebrated has a specific intention offered by the priest - one Mass on Sundays (and possibly Holy Days of Obligation) is offered for the people of the parish, and no stipend can be accepted for that Mass, but that leaves plenty of other Masses. We don't limit praying for the dead to the month of November!

To pray for the dead is one of the spiritual works of mercy, and Mass is the supreme prayer. We need to encourage Mass intentions for the repose of the souls of those who have died - especially if, due to having been assigned a Lay Funeral Minister, they're being denied the opportunity of a proper funeral Mass.

Time To Put Our House In Order...

Before the Catholic blogosphere took off, the only sources of information for ordinary Catholics were papers such as The Pill. Unfortunately, The Pill has, for quite some time, been giving rather a lot of publishing space to individuals who are actually opposed to Church teaching. One such individual is Prof. Tina Beattie, who, as director of the Digby Stuart Research Centre for Catholic Studies at the University of Roehampton, certainly should not be writing against the Church's position on subjects such as abortion and same-sex "marriage."

If The Pill wishes to campaign against the teachings of the Church, then it should not be sold as a Catholic publication, and definitely not be made available for sale in Catholic parishes and cathedrals.

Twitch of the mantilla to Deacon Nick Donnelly at Protect the Pope.

Bored...!

I don't know when the USA hold their presidential elections. Not soon enough... I'm bored with it already. (Actually I got bored with it some time ago...)

The Fruits Of Ecumenism...?

Lunch, after today's first Saturday Missa Cantata, was a very jolly affair.

Leutgeb, presented His Hermeneuticalness with a home-grown tomato, so that he could slice it through the transverse plane and enjoy a truly Christian fruit in his sandwiches, rather than slicing it through the sagittal or coronal planes to reveal a crescent. Zephyrinus asked if crescent-shaped fruits were to be declared anathema...

Absolutely not, I countered. Any fruit or vegetable which revealed a crescent shape would merely have to have a statue of Our Lady plonked on top of it for it to become totally acceptable...

The "Gay Marriage" Thing...

Let's be absolutely clear about one thing. It's nothing to do with equal rights for homosexuals. There is already full equality in law through civil partnerships.

Michelle Therese, who lives up in the Orkneys, has written two really clear and excellent posts on the topic. The first post was written as she prepared to attend an open discussion forum with the Scottish Cabinet. The second post was written once she got back home. Both posts (and the blog itself) are well worth reading.

A Favourite Feast Day!

Today was the feast of one of my patron saints - St. Anne Line. I wrote a chapter about her which was published in English Catholic Heroines - my only claim to fame as a "proper" author... though I have written a couple of small pieces for the Catholic Herald (they must have been short on copy!)

I chose St. Anne as a patron saint because I liked her acerbic tone, first at her trial and also at her execution by hanging at Tyburn. On being asked whether she repented of her "crime" of harbouring a Catholic priest, she retorted that, "...so far am I from repenting that I would I could have sheltered a thousand!"

That feisty attitude in defence of the Catholic Faith, her clear understanding that, without priests, there would be no sacraments and therefore no Church, plus the fact that she taught children and showed hospitality to priests, really struck a chord within me. St. Margaret Clitherow and St. Margaret Ward, who share St. Anne's feast day, never captured my heart in the same way, although they, too, lived and died heroically.

About 8 or 9 years ago I went with Joanna Bogle on a mini-pilgrimage to find out more about St. Anne - at the time there were only three articles on the web about her life, and details were extremely sketchy. You can read more about my pilgrimage there.