Young Catholic Adults Latest News

Bristol area the TNT (Twenties and Thirties) Catholic Group

2011-11-30T11:30:00.000-08:00

For those in the Bristol area the TNT (Twenties and Thirtiesish) group may be of interest. We meet at the Channings pub on Pembroke Road, very near Clifton Cathedral from 7 on Sunday evenings and for other Spiritual and social events like the cinema, meals and Prayer groups.

We have a forum at the link below but please contact me if you'd like more information:

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/TNTClifton/

Faith Movement's winter conference: "This Holy and Living sacrifice": The Mass: the Heart of the Church at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire between Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th December

2011-11-30T11:28:00.000-08:00

We just thought that the Faith Movement's winter conference: "This Holy and Living sacrifice": The Mass: the Heart of the Church at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire between Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th December may interest the Young Catholic Adults group. Further information and a booking form are at the link below but please don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like further details:

http://www.faith.org.uk/Events/WinterBook.htm

Young Catholic Adults Weekend at Douai Abbey 2011

2011-10-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

Christian Art

2011-08-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

Steen Heidemann writes about Christian art:-

Making reference to art of the former centuries, Pope Benedict XVI stated (18.11.2009), that sculpture and painting were destined to incite strong impressions on the soul, sentiments that could lead to terminate an existence of depravity, evil and invite the spectator to a life of virtue and a quest for the good. From these demands on the artist there have for centuries been born wonderful pieces of art. It should be noted that one here is not talking about a sterile beauty, but a door which opens to a path leading to Heaven. Works that accompany the faithful in a time frame and a space, different to the ordinary life.

One may ask whether most of Christian art today satisfies these aims and whether to use a phrase of the Holy Father, there is a ‘continuity’ with the past. The paintings presented here aim at beginning to answer the question and to find alternative ways forward better suited to express the message of Christ than what is today termed ‘Contemporary art’ or ‘Financial art’, which often at best accept Christ’s crucifixion, but not His resurrection. This issue – which is largely a semantic distinction - is especially vital to solve in an age where the image has become the king of communication.

This collection is not proscriptive, there is a large diversity of expression; what they have in common is the artist’s courage to brake with the ‘status quo’, to create art with a reference to beauty, truth and goodness and where Christ’s message is clearly, pastorally and attractively presented.. Painters that explore new ways in continuity with the past without copying it, each within his own culture.

It is the hope that this initiative will positively re-lit the torch of Christian art.

For all contacts related to the collection :

(www.faces-of-christ-collection.com)

· suggestions for other artists

· proposals for exhibitions

Events at Douai Abbey 9th-11th Sept 2011

2011-08-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

Events open to the public - all ages/Parishes/groups are welcome
On Saturday 10th September 11’ at 11am there will be a Sung Mass in the main Abbey Church followed by a Marian Procession around the extensive grounds of the Abbey (starting from the main Abbey Church) at c. 12pm. The Sung Mass will to be Victoria’s Quam Pulchri Sunt (1572), in recognition of the 400th anniversary of his death, and the motet O Sacrum Convivium, sung by Ensemble 1685, please see :-
http://www.ensemble1685.org.uk/events/gig_20110910_douai.shtml

The Weekend Events (18-35 yrs)
During the weekend of the 9-11 September 2011. Young Catholic Adults will be running a retreat at Douai Abbey, it will be led by Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr de Malleray . The weekend will be full-board.

* YCA will have half of the retreat centre to itself
* There will be a Marian Procession, Rosaries, Sung Mass, Low Mass, Confession and socials
* Fr. de Malleray FSSP head of Juventutem will preach the retreat, Masses will be in the Extraordinary form

Prices range from £5 to £51 per person per night . For more details please see:- http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/

Traditional Masses Cancelled in Cheltenham

2011-07-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

There will be no Traditional Masses offered at St. Gregory's in Cheltenham after Thursday 28th July. It would appear that it will not be possible to organise any Traditional Masses at this location for the foreseeable future.

A Requiem Mass organised for the 11th August for the repose of Ashley Hicks (the first anniversary of this death) has also been cancelled.

Chelt Young Catholic Adults Social

2011-06-27T12:33:00.000-07:00

We will be meeting at St. Greg's at 8:15pm and then go for a walk + drink afterwards - everyone is warmly welcome.>

Cheltenham (Young) Catholic Adults

2011-05-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

Cheltenham (Young) Catholic Adults will be meeting on Tuesday at 8:15pm outside St. Gregory's Church. We'll then be off to the Jolly Brewmaster in Leckhampton, all are warmly welcome.

Traditional Mass at St. Peter's - Rome

2011-05-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

RELEASED: Instruction “Universae Ecclesiae” – the text and my initial observations

2011-05-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

Released on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima and the 30th anniversary of the attempted assassination of Blessed John Paul II.

PONTIFICAL COMMISSION ECCLESIA DEI

INSTRUCTION

on the application of the Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum of

HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI given Motu Proprio

I.

Introduction

1. The Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum of the Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XVI given Motu Proprio on 7 July 2007, which came into effect on 14 September 2007, has made the richness of the Roman Liturgy more accessible to the Universal Church.

2. With this Motu Proprio, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI promulgated a universal law for the Church, intended to establish new regulations for the use of the Roman Liturgy in effect in 1962.

3. The Holy Father, having recalled the concern of the Sovereign Pontiffs in caring for the Sacred Liturgy and in their recognition of liturgical books, reaffirms the traditional principle, recognised from time immemorial and necessary to be maintained into the future, that “each particular Church must be in accord with the universal Church not only regarding the doctrine of the faith and sacramental signs, but also as to the usages universally handed down by apostolic and unbroken tradition. These are to be maintained not only so that errors may be avoided, but also so that the faith may be passed on in its integrity, since the Church's rule of prayer (lex orandi) corresponds to her rule of belief (lex credendi).”

4. The Holy Father recalls also those Roman Pontiffs who, in a particular way, were notable in this task, specifically Saint Gregory the Great and Saint Pius V. The Holy Father stresses moreover that, among the sacred liturgical books, the Missale Romanum has enjoyed a particular prominence in history, and was kept up to date throughout the centuries until the time of Blessed Pope John XXIII. Subsequently in 1970, following the liturgical reform after the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI approved for the Church of the Latin rite a new Missal, which was then translated into various languages. In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II promulgated the third edition of this Missal.

5. Many of the faithful, formed in the spirit of the liturgical forms prior to the Second Vatican Council, expressed a lively desire to maintain the ancient tradition. For this reason, Pope John Paul II with a special Indult Quattuor abhinc annos issued in 1984 by the Congregation for Divine Worship, granted the faculty under certain conditions to restore the use of the Missal promulgated by Blessed Pope John XXIII. Subsequently, Pope John Paul II, with the Motu Proprio Ecclesia Dei of 1988, exhorted the Bishops to be generous in granting such a faculty for all the faithful who requested it. Pope Benedict continues this policy with the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum regarding certain essential criteria for the Usus Antiquior of the Roman Rite, which are recalled here.

6. The Roman Missal promulgated by Pope Paul VI and the last edition prepared under Pope John XXIII, are two forms of the Roman Liturgy, defined respectively as ordinaria and extraordinaria: they are two usages of the one Roman Rite, one alongside the other. Both are the expression of the same lex orandi of the Church. On account of its venerable and ancient use, the forma extraordinaria is to be maintained with appropriate honor.

7. The Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum was accompanied by a letter from the Holy Father to Bishops, with the same date as the Motu Proprio (7 July 2007). This letter gave further explanations regarding the appropriateness and the need for the Motu Proprio; it was a matter of overcoming a lacuna by providing new norms for the use of the Roman Liturgy of 1962. Such norms were needed particularly on account of the fact that, when the new Missal had been introduced under Pope Paul VI, it had not seemed necessary to issue guidelines regulating the use of the 1962 Liturgy. By reason of the increase in the number of those asking to be able to use the forma extraordinaria, it has become necessary to provide certain norms in this area.

Among the statements of the Holy Father was the following: “There is no contradiction between the two editions of the Roman Missal. In the history of the Liturgy growth and progress are found, but not a rupture. What was sacred for prior generations, remains sacred and great for us as well, and cannot be suddenly prohibited altogether or even judged harmful.”

8. The Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum constitutes an important expression of the Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff and of his munus of regulating and ordering the Church’s Sacred Liturgy. The Motu Proprio manifests his solicitude as Vicar of Christ and Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church, and has the aim of:

a. offering to all the faithful the Roman Liturgy in the Usus Antiquior, considered as a precious treasure to be preserved;

b. effectively guaranteeing and ensuring the use of the forma extraordinaria for all who ask for it, given that the use of the 1962 Roman Liturgy is a faculty generously granted for the good of the faithful and therefore is to be interpreted in a sense favourable to the faithful who are its principal addressees;

c. promoting reconciliation at the heart of the Church.

II.

The Responsibilities

of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei

9. The Sovereign Pontiff has conferred upon the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei ordinary vicarious power for the matters within its competence, in a particular way for monitoring the observance and application of the provisions of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum (cf. art. 12).

10. § 1. The Pontifical Commission exercises this power, beyond the faculties previously granted by Pope John Paul II and confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI (cf. Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, artt. 11-12), also by means of the power to decide upon recourses legitimately sent to it, as hierarchical Superior, against any possible singular administrative provision of an Ordinary which appears to be contrary to the Motu Proprio.

§ 2. The decrees by which the Pontifical Commission decides recourses may be challenged ad normam iuris before the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

11. After having received the approval from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei will have the task of looking after future editions of liturgical texts pertaining to the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite.

III.

Specific Norms

12. Following upon the inquiry made among the Bishops of the world, and with the desire to guarantee the proper interpretation and the correct application of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, this Pontifical Commission, by virtue of the authority granted to it and the faculties which it enjoys, issues this Instruction according to can. 34 of the Code of Canon Law.

The Competence of Diocesan Bishops

13. Diocesan Bishops, according to Canon Law, are to monitor liturgical matters in order to guarantee the common good and to ensure that everything is proceeding in peace and serenity in their Dioceses , always in agreement with the mens of the Holy Father clearly expressed by the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum. In cases of controversy or well-founded doubt about the celebration in the forma extraordinaria, the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei will adjudicate.

14. It is the task of the Diocesan Bishop to undertake all necessary measures to ensure respect for the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite, according to the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.

The coetus fidelium (cf. Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, art. 5 § 1)

15. A coetus fidelium (“group of the faithful”) can be said to be stabiliter existens (“existing in a stable manner”), according to the sense of art. 5 § 1 of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, when it is constituted by some people of an individual parish who, even after the publication of the Motu Proprio, come together by reason of their veneration for the Liturgy in the Usus Antiquior, and who ask that it might be celebrated in the parish church or in an oratory or chapel; such a coetus (“group”) can also be composed of persons coming from different parishes or dioceses, who gather together in a specific parish church or in an oratory or chapel for this purpose.

16. In the case of a priest who presents himself occasionally in a parish church or an oratory with some faithful, and wishes to celebrate in the forma extraordinaria, as foreseen by articles 2 and 4 of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, the pastor or rector of the church, or the priest responsible, is to permit such a celebration, while respecting the schedule of liturgical celebrations in that same church.

17. § 1. In deciding individual cases, the pastor or the rector, or the priest responsible for a church, is to be guided by his own prudence, motivated by pastoral zeal and a spirit of generous welcome.

§ 2. In cases of groups which are quite small, they may approach the Ordinary of the place to identify a church in which these faithful may be able to come together for such celebrations, in order to ensure easier participation and a more worthy celebration of the Holy Mass.

18. Even in sanctuaries and places of pilgrimage the possibility to celebrate in the forma extraordinaria is to be offered to groups of pilgrims who request it (cf. Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, art. 5 § 3), if there is a qualified priest.

19. The faithful who ask for the celebration of the forma extraordinaria must not in any way support or belong to groups which show themselves to be against the validity or legitimacy of the Holy Mass or the Sacraments celebrated in the forma ordinaria or against the Roman Pontiff as Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church.

Sacerdos idoneus (“Qualified Priest”) (cf. Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, art 5 § 4)

20. With respect to the question of the necessary requirements for a priest to be held idoneus (“qualified”) to celebrate in the forma extraordinaria, the following is hereby stated:

a. Every Catholic priest who is not impeded by Canon Law is to be considered idoneus (“qualified”) for the celebration of the Holy Mass in the forma extraordinaria.

b. Regarding the use of the Latin language, a basic knowledge is necessary, allowing the priest to pronounce the words correctly and understand their meaning.

c. Regarding knowledge of the execution of the Rite, priests are presumed to be qualified who present themselves spontaneously to celebrate the forma extraordinaria, and have celebrated it previously.

21. Ordinaries are asked to offer their clergy the possibility of acquiring adequate preparation for celebrations in the forma extraordinaria. This applies also to Seminaries, where future priests should be given proper formation, including study of Latin and, where pastoral needs suggest it, the opportunity to learn the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite.

22. In Dioceses without qualified priests, Diocesan Bishops can request assistance from priests of the Institutes erected by the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, either to the celebrate the forma extraordinaria or to teach others how to celebrate it.

23. The faculty to celebrate sine populo (or with the participation of only one minister) in the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite is given by the Motu Proprio to all priests, whether secular or religious (cf. Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, art. 2). For such celebrations therefore, priests, by provision of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, do not require any special permission from their Ordinaries or superiors.

Liturgical and Ecclesiastical Discipline

24. The liturgical books of the forma extraordinaria are to be used as they are. All those who wish to celebrate according to the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite must know the pertinent rubrics and are obliged to follow them correctly.

25. New saints and certain of the new prefaces can and ought to be inserted into the 1962 Missal , according to provisions which will be indicated subsequently.

26. As foreseen by article 6 of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, the readings of the Holy Mass of the Missal of 1962 can be proclaimed either solely in the Latin language, or in Latin followed by the vernacular or, in Low Masses, solely in the vernacular.

27. With regard to the disciplinary norms connected to celebration, the ecclesiastical discipline contained in the Code of Canon Law of 1983 applies.

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.

Confirmation and Holy Orders

29. Permission to use the older formula for the rite of Confirmation was confirmed by the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum (cf. art. 9 § 2). Therefore, in the forma extraordinaria, it is not necessary to use the newer formula of Pope Paul VI as found in the Ordo Confirmationis.

30. As regards tonsure, minor orders and the subdiaconate, the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum does not introduce any change in the discipline of the Code of Canon Law of 1983; consequently, in Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life which are under the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, one who has made solemn profession or who has been definitively incorporated into a clerical institute of apostolic life, becomes incardinated as a cleric in the institute or society upon ordination to the diaconate, in accordance with canon 266 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

31. Only in Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life which are under the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, and in those which use the liturgical books of the forma extraordinaria, is the use of the Pontificale Romanum of 1962 for the conferral of minor and major orders permitted.

Breviarium Romanum

32. Art. 9 § 3 of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum gives clerics the faculty to use the Breviarium Romanum in effect in 1962, which is to be prayed entirely and in the Latin language.

The Sacred Triduum

33. If there is a qualified priest, a coetus fidelium (“group of faithful”), which follows the older liturgical tradition, can also celebrate the Sacred Triduum in the forma extraordinaria. When there is no church or oratory designated exclusively for such celebrations, the parish priest or Ordinary, in agreement with the qualified priest, should find some arrangement favourable to the good of souls, not excluding the possibility of a repetition of the celebration of the Sacred Triduum in the same church.

The Rites of Religious Orders

34. The use of the liturgical books proper to the Religious Orders which were in effect in 1962 is permitted.

Pontificale Romanum and the Rituale Romanum

35. The use of the Pontificale Romanum, the Rituale Romanum, as well as the Caeremoniale Episcoporum in effect in 1962, is permitted, in keeping with n. 28 of this Instruction, and always respecting n. 31 of the same Instruction.

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, in an audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei on 8 April 2011, approved this present Instruction and ordered its publication.

Given at Rome, at the Offices of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, 30 April, 2011, on the memorial of Pope Saint Pius V.

William Cardinal LEVADA

President

Mons. Guido Pozzo

Secretary

Cheltenham (Young) Catholic Adults

2011-05-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

Cheltenham (Young) Catholic Adults is a Catholic group aimed at those aged 18 to 35. It was formed in Cheltenham as a Prayer Group in October 2001 and has rapidly evolved. It was formerly named Works of Faith. It is aimed at the area of Cheltenham and Gloucester.

Our programme is about obtaining a balance between catechesis and socialising.

We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays' of the month:-

2nd Tuesday - catechesis

4th Tuesday - socialising such as bowling, walks, meals and barbecues.

Further Info - DVD Course

On the catechetical night, Cheltenham Catholic Adults are currently running a DVD course about the Theology of the Body

Everyone is warmly welcome.

Please text 07908 105787 to be added onto the latest news list - people on this list will get a text message with updates on the latest activities of the group.

Young Catholic Adults at Douai Abbey

2011-05-02T03:25:00.001-07:00

Young Catholic Adults at Douai Abbey, a set on Flickr.

Some memories of previous YCA weekends at Douai Abbey!

The Beatification of Pope John Paul II

2011-05-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

Pope John Paul II was a living saint - and it is a day of great joy that he has been beatified today.

Aid to the Church in Need UK – Annual Walsingham Pilgrimage of Hope – Saturday, 30th April 2010

2011-04-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

Please join us as Aid to the Church in Need remembers suffering Christians around the world with our 2011 Pilgrimage to the Roman Catholic National Shrine in Walsingham.

ACN is organising coaches from London Victoria, Bressenden Place, departing at 08:00. Should parishioners wish to join us at Walsingham, travelling independently or, perhaps, organising coaches from their locality they are very welcome to do so.

For those who would like to join us on this Pilgrimage and would like more information a brochure and booking form is downloadable from the ACN website at the following link www.acnuk.org/walsingham. You could also contact us on 020 8642 8668

Young Catholic Adults National Weekend 2011

2011-03-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Photo Copyright David Aron

During the weekend of the 9-11 September 2011. Young Catholic Adults will be running a retreat at Douai Abbey, it will be led by Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr de Malleray . The weekend will be full-board.

* YCA will have half of the retreat centre to itself

* There will be a Marian Procession, Rosaries, Sung Mass, Low Mass, Confession and socials

* Fr. de Malleray FSSP head of Juventutem will preach the retreat, Masses will be in the Extraordinary form

Prices range from £5 to £51 per person per night . There are 3 options

THE MAIN GUEST HOUSE

Friday , registration from 4pm, to Sunday 11th September (full board)* or

Arrive Saturday morning till Sunday or day only

51 pounds full-board PER PERSON PER NIGHT

25 pounds for students/low waged/unwaged (or whatever you can afford) PER PERSON PER NIGHT

THE COTTAGES

£35 PER PERSON PER NIGHT (full board). Self catering £25 per person per night (reductions for students:- or whatever you can afford) .

SELF CATERING CAMPING

£5 PER PERSON PER NIGHT (or whatever you can afford - please bring your own tent and food ).

If you would like lunch on Sunday 11th then it will be an extra £7 each.

How to book - limited places so please reserve your place early

To reserve your place FOR THE WEEKEND (no deposit needed if you are coming for the day on Saturday), please contact the Guestmaster direct and send a 20 pound deposit (NON RETURNABLE) to Brother Christopher Greener OSB, Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Reading, Berks. RG7 5TQ (please make any cheques payable to Douai Abbey). Please mention how long you wish to stay and any special diet.

For general enquiries about the weekend:- or any queries about the accommodation/location/lifts required please ring Damian Barker on 07908105787 or 01452 539503.

Chartres Pilgrimage 2011

2011-02-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

The Chartres Pilgrimage is a Pentecost pilgrimage which starts from the Cathedral of Our Lady in Paris and finishes at the Cathedral of Our Lady in Chartres, to the south west of Paris. It involves two and a half days of walking, mostly through lovely French countryside.

This year's dates are Saturday 11 June to Monday 13 June, (there is a day of travelling either side of those dates, if coming from the UK).

The pilgrimage is organised into chapters which walk under the patronage of a saint. The three British chapters are: Our Lady of Walsingham, led by Jamie Bogle and Francis Carey, St Edward (Youth/Juventutem) led by Michael Heinser and St Alban (Youth/Juventutem) led by Grace Readings(with help!).

More information can be found in the attached newsletter and there is now a new blog:

http://www.chartresuk.blogspot.com/.

To God Who Giveth Joy to my Youth - From You Tube (EWTN)

2011-02-21T14:01:00.000-08:00

H/t to Youtube (EWTN)

Wonderful Juventutem London event

2011-02-16T11:23:00.000-08:00

H/t to Joseph Shaw:-

Yesterday the regular Low Mass for the Good Counsel Network in Corpus Christi Maiden Lane (arranged through the Latin Mass Society) became a Solemn Mass through the involvement of the flourishing Juventutem London group. Fr Armand de Malleray, the Juventutem Chaplain, was celebrant, Fr Bede Rowe deacon and Fr Alexander Redman subdeacon. It was the feast of the Apparition of Our Lady at Lourdes (and the anniversary of the first apparation).

I drove a contingent from Oxford to the Mass (another group travelled by train), and joined the schola at Mass. Others came from as far as Portsmouth, though most of the young people there were based in London.

After the very splendid Mass, which was extremely well attended, about 50 young people enjoyed a meal together round the corner in a Mexican restaurant.

Don't miss out on the next one! Join the Facebook Group, sign up for the next Mass (March 11th) on the FB event page, and see the Juventutem London blog.

Juventutem London is part of Young Catholic Adults, and affiliated to the International Juventutem Movement. They are going to World Youth Day in Madrid with sponsorship from the Latin Mass Society: see here.

More photos.

How to Register for World Youth Day

2011-02-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

How to register your country for WYD

This document describes the main stages to create a national group within Juventutem.

1. Communication

The Juventutem website is available in English and a national version is envisaged for every country enabling to find national and local contacts. English posters are also available and we can help you to make flyers or leaflets.

The second point is the local network:

For instance: in the UK-Ireland zone:

UK: London, Edinburgh, Oxford, St Andrews, Reading, …

Ireland : Dublin, Limerick, Cork, …

If someone is available to help to promote this and to give their contact number, that would be ideal.

Every country needs a national coordinator.

2. Registration and management of the group.

To register groups, you need to go on the website www.madrid11.com, in the section dedicated to registrations.

It is necessary to create one group in each country. The national coordinator, who will also be the team leader during the WYD, is responsible for this group.

These groups will be linked to the Juventutem France group, which is head of all the Juventutem groups.

Action: Create your national group. For payment, Juventutem France will centralize all the registration fees and will validate them.

3. Individual registration.

Registration can be done by credit transfer or bank card.

The website registrations.juventutem.com enables you to register and then to complete your enrolment details. Your enrolment will be confirmed by email.

Juventutem offers two possible registration options : Bilbao + Madrid: August 10th-21st (either 16-23 years old or 24-30 years old), or just Madrid: August 16th-21st.

We do not yet know the precise location points. We will meet you:

• In Bilbao, during a long but precise period, for the first option (or maybe in Santander if there are many people). It is possible to organize a bus from International Madrid Airport for the pilgrims who come from a long distance.

• In Madrid, directly in Juventutem centre. The organization group in Madrid will give us this location in the spring at the latest.

The price of the Bilbao schedule includes the transport from Bilbao to Madrid on August 15th.

4. Spiritual preparation.

We advise you to make contact with priests, especially from Ecclesia Dei communities, to develop the theme of these WYD.

During the WYD, you will have lectures and/or testimonies in your language from priests, seminarians or laity.

5. International choir

We recommend all pilgrims who would like to do so, to join the choir, either as singers or as instrument players.

LATIN MASS AT UK’S OPERATIONS HEADQUARTERS

2011-01-27T12:21:00.000-08:00

From http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/

"I received this encouraging information today from Cdr McNally:

On Tuesday 1 February, Feast of St Ignatius of Antioch, a Latin Mass (EF) will be celebrated in the church of St Christopher at the Headquarters of the UK’s Chief of Joint Operations and the Commander in Chief Fleet, based at Northwood, to the north of London. The church is not accessible to members of the public, however, the information will be of particular interest to military and civilian staff who are based at, or are visiting the Headquarters. The Mass will be at 1230 and there will be Confessions beforehand at 1200.

The church at the Base is of modern design and newly built within the last two years to replace an older building. It is shared with other Christian faith groups. Mass is celebrated in the church twice per month and this will be the first Latin Mass in the living memory of those in the Headquarters. The Northwood Headquarters is where all the UK’s world-wide operations are directed."

There's More Epiphany Masses! Hot off the Press

2010-12-31T14:31:00.000-08:00

There's more Epiphany Masses!!!!! Please fell free to post any other Mass Times in the Combox!!

English Martyrs, Alexandra Rd South, Manchester at 7.00p.m. Salford Diocese.

There will be Low Mass at 6pm on Thursday 6th January at English Martyrs Church, Dalton Terrace, York.

Low Mass 7pm at S M Magdalen Brighton.

Traditional Masses for the Epiphany (6th Jan)

2010-12-31T14:22:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Tony at the Muniment Room (see above) for his Campaign For The Real Epiphany - post, please see the details for Masses on the traditional date for the Epiphany, of course, in England and Wales the Ordinary Form Epiphany Masses have been moved to this Sunday.

Westminster

8.00am Low Mass The Oratory Brompton Road London SW7 2RP

11.00am Low Mass St James Spanish Place George St London W1U 3QY

6.30pm Sung Mass Corpus Christi Maiden Lane London WC2E 7NB

7.30pm Low Mass St Bonaventure 81 Parkway Welwyn Garden City AL8 6JF

Arundel and Brighton

7.00pm Low Mass St Mary Magdalene Brighton

Birmingham

7.30am Low Mass St Joseph Hall St Burslem Stoke on Trent ST6 4BB

9.00am Low Mass St Anthony of Padua 115 Headley Way Oxford OX3 7NS

12.15pm Low Mass The Oratory Woodstock Rd Oxford OX2 6HA

7.30pm High Mass The Oratory Hagley Rd Birmingham B16 8UE

Brentwood

10.30am Low Mass Our Lady Immaculate New London Rd Chelmsford CM2 0AR

Cardiff

7.00pm High Mass Our Lady & St Michael Pen-y-Pound Abergavenny NP7 5UD

Clifton

7.30am Low Mass St George Boreham Rd Warminster Wilts BA12 9JP

8.00am Low Mass St Dominic Jubilee Rd Dursley Glos GL11 4ES

8.15am Low Mass Prinknash Abbey Cranham Glos GL4 8EX

9.30am Low Mass Our Lady of Lourdes 28 Baytree Rd Weston s. Mare BS22 8HQ

12.15pm Low Mass Our Lady Magdalene Street Glastonbury BA6 9EJ

6.00pm Low Mass SS Joseph & Theresa 16 Chamberlain St Wells BA5 2PF

6.00pm Low Mass St Gregory 10 St James Square Cheltenham GL50 3PR

Hexham & Newcastle

12.00hrs Low Mass SS Joseph Patrick & Cuthbert Coxhoe Co. Durham DH6 4DA

7.30pm Sung Mass St Mary’s Forest Hall Newcastle NE12 7AB

Lancaster

6.30pm Low Mass St Peter’s Cathedral Balmoral Rd Lancaster LA1 3BT

Leeds

6.45am Low Mass St Mary of the Angels Cross Bank Batley WF17 8PQ

Liverpool

12.00hrs Low Mass St Anthony Scotland Rd Liverpool L5 5BD

7.00pm Low Mass Our Lady Star of the Sea Crescent Rd Seaforth Liverpool L21 4LJ

7.00pm Low Mass St Catherine Laboure Stanifield Lane Preston PR25 4QG

Middlesbrough

6.00pm Low Mass English Martys Dalton Terrace York

Nottingham

6.00pm Sung Mass Holy Cross Priory 45 Wellington Street Leicester LE12 6QD

6.00pm Low Mass Rosmini Centre Ratcliffe on the Wreake Leics LE7 4SJ

Tba High Mass Holy Souls Frodingham Rd Scunthorpe DN15 7TA

Plymouth

7.30am Sung Mass Lanherne Monastery St Mawgan Nr Newquay Cornwall TR8 4ER

Portsmouth

11.00am Low Mass St William of York Upper Redlands Rd Reading RG1 5JT

TBC Low Mass St Mary High St Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2RG

Salford

7.00pm Low Mass English Martyrs Alexandra Rd South Manchester

Southwark

7.00am Low Mass St Bede Thornton Rd London SW12 0LF

and also

12.30pm Sung Mass & Blessing of Epiphany Water

8.00pm Sung Mass Our Lady of the Rosary Burnt Oak Lane Blackfen DA15 8LW

H/t to http://ttonys-blog.blogspot.com/

New Traditional Mass Every Sunday in Gloucestershire

2010-12-21T12:24:00.000-08:00

There will be Mass in the Extraordinary Form every Sunday at 5.30pm at St. Dominic's Church, Jubilee Road, Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 4ES. Mass will be celebrated by the parish priest Fr Alexander Redman. Traditional Mass is also celebrated at St Dominic's every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8am.

Sunday Mass in Bath 16th Jan 2011

2010-12-21T12:19:00.000-08:00

Please see the following news from the LMS in Clifton:-

Thank to the persistent efforts of Justin Shaw we have now been able to secure a regular mass in Bath.

Due to uncertainty of attendance numbers we are starting with a "one-off" to ensure the viability of this mass. However, as I have been approached by many members over the past 18 months enquiring when we will be having a Bath mass I trust that attendance will be good.

Please tell as many people as possible about this mass as my e-mail list is far from complete. I will be publishing this in Mass of Ages but doubt whether the next edition will be out in time.

Details are:

Low Mass
Our Lady &St Alphege
Oldfield Lane
Bath.

Sunday 16th January at 12 noon.

Celebrant: Dom Boniface Hill OSB

http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk Updated

2010-11-30T14:25:00.000-08:00

The YCA Latest News blog headlines have just been incorporated onto the main YCA site! See http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/ for more info

New London Group

2010-11-07T12:09:00.000-08:00

Meet for the "Traditional Latin Mass"/Extraordinary Form (organised by Good Counsel Network) at Corpus Christi Church, then afterwards go for a meal at Paradiso Inferno, a nearby Italian restaurant. For folk 18-35.

Goto http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=146481465398074 for more info.

Friday, 19th November at 5pm, the annual Mass for departed benefactors of Aid to the Church in Need is being offered at Brompton Oratory

2010-11-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

On Friday, 19th November at 5pm, the annual Mass for departed benefactors of Aid to the Church in Need is being offered at Brompton Oratory by ACN’s Ecclesiastical Assistant, Father Martin Edwards. Mass will be in the Extraordinary Form (1962 Missal).

Prayer Procession “500 Crosses for Life”

2010-11-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

Prayer Procession “500 Crosses for Life” London, Saturday, 13 November 2010

Every day more than 500 unborn children die by abortion in England, Scotland and Wales .

13:30 Start at Westminster Cathedral Peaceful Prayer Procession with a Mourning Ceremony at Westminster Bridge End at Westminster Abbey at about 16:00

Join the united prayer forces of European and British prolife groups for our unborn brothers and sisters, their parents, doctors and all other children of God, who are involved in abortion. Email:- europrolifeuk@gmail.com

Good Counsel Network – Doctors Who Respect Human Life

Association of Priest for the Gospel of Life – Maranatha

European Voice of the Unborn Children: "Protect Our Life”!

EuroProLife represents meanwhile 20 European nations

The situation:
Within the framework of the second Worldwide Prayer Conference for Life in Cracow/Poland on 13th/14th October 2007, the representatives of 12 European Nations agreed upon the establishment of a Christian, interdenominational network, in order to give voice to the unborn children in Europe .

As the only continent, Europe has a birth rate of only 1.5 which greatly differs from the least rate of 2.1 indispensable to maintain a nation’s population.

Our objectives:

1. We concentrate our energies in order to organize and support

public prayer events for Life in Europe .

2. We want to stop the flood of destruction by peaceful means:

We intend to give testimony to the public by devout prayer.

3. We express our pain regarding the innocent killed children

and their wounded parents by our prayer during

sour processions and mourning ceremonies.

4. We pray in the same loving attitude as did Mother Mary and the apostle

John under the cross.

5. We do not pray against somebody or something.

We pray for love, light and life.

6. We pray for all the persons involved in the abortion process (doctors,

politicians etc.) in order to flash the light of love in their hearts for

the innocent defenceless babies.

7. Euro Pro Life is a Christian interdenominational network,

which unites the different pro life organisations of

European countries in common prayer for life.

Young adults spend prayerful weekend at Douai (Catholic Herald)

2010-10-31T12:27:00.001-07:00

Young Catholic Adults host the International Juventutem Conference at Douai Abbey

By Staff Reporter on Wednesday, 20 October 2010

Mass was celebrated at Douai Abbey for the International Juventutem Conference in September

For the first time, Young Catholic Adults (YCA) hosted the International Juventutem Conference, during the weekend of September 10 to 12, at Douai Abbey in Berkshire.

The weekend was more successful than ever with more than 70 people present for High Mass in the Extraordinary Form and a Marian procession on Saturday September 11.

There were four members of the clergy present, Fr Armand de Malleray, head of Juventutem, Fr Leyworthy, Fr Alexander Redman from the Diocese of Clifton and Rev Juan Thomas, a deacon of the FSSP, which is the Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri, or Priestly Society of St Peter.

To find out more about Young Catholic Adults please visit youngcatholicadults.co.uk. The organisation is always looking to create more local groups and events, if you would like to volunteer or be put on to the mailing list please email Damian Barker at juventutemcatholicam@yahoo.co.uk.

YCA aims to encourage charity and spirituality in the young, as practised by St John Vianney and St Francis de Sales and the English martyrs. It also promotes beauty and reverence in the sacred liturgy.

See http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/catholiclife/2010/10/20/young-adults-spend-prayerful-weekend-at-douai/

The Miracle of the Sun in Fatima October 13th 1917

2010-10-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

"On October 13, 1917 a crowd believed to be approximately 70,000 in number, gathered at the Cova da Iria fields near Fátima, Portugal. According to many witness statements, after a downfall of rain, the dark clouds broke and the sun appeared as an opaque, spinning disk in the sky. Many skeptics believe that the event was natural and meteorological in nature. But, how does one explain that the event occurred at the exact time predicted by three young children ?"
H/t to MaspethFilm.

More Juventutem Conference Photos - (Hosted by Young Catholic Adults)

2010-10-07T12:09:00.000-07:00

Rosary Crusade of Reparation Saturday, 16th October 2010.

2010-10-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend of Our Lady,

A reminder that the Rosary Crusade of Reparation, in its Jubilee Year, takes place this year on Saturday, 16th October 2010.

The Abbot of Farnborough, the Rt Rev Dom Cuthbert Brogan OSB, will lead this year's event.

The Procession starts at 1:45 PM on Saturday, 16 October 2010 outside Westminster Cathedral in Central London (nearest underground station is Victoria). The procession makes its way through Westminster and Knightsbridge to South Kensington, ending at the the Brompton Oratory (nearest Underground Station: South Kensington).

At the Oratory, following prayers and hymns, there will be Solemn Pontifical Benediction and an opportunity to enroll in the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Do support this wonderful event in honour of Our Lady!

If you would like to help, we can also use some Stewards, Servers (please bring own Cassock & Cotta) and Flower Girls! Please let us know. Please also pass the word, through emails, word of mouth etc. Let's get a good crowd for Our Lady!

Juventutem Conference Hosted by YCA Photos

2010-09-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

News of the World calls Benedict "People's Pope"

2010-09-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

From http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/

The other day, I mentioned the Sun's positive coverage of the papal visit. In England, the largest circulation Sunday paper is the News of the World ("Whose life can we ruin today?") As with the Sun, it is far more widely read than the broadsheets and has a significant impact on public opinion. In today's edition, the subs came up with the headline "Bene's from heaven" and the strapline "People's Pope leaves Britain with a smile on its face".

In the run-up to the visit, there were many occasions when I had to respond quietly and patiently to clergy who solemnly told me that Pope Benedict did not have much appeal to ordinary people. So it is hugely gratifying to see the News of the World characterise him as the "People's Pope". By Fr. Tim Finnigan.

Pope to British politicians: "Religion is not a problem, but a vital contribution to national life"

2010-09-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

This was the most delicate political event of Benedict XVI's trip to the United Kingdom. The Pope went to Westminster Hall to meet with 1800 British politicians, business leaders and intellectuals. Courtesy of www.romereports.com

Papal Images for the Papal Visit

2010-09-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE – SEPTEMBER 8th 2010.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference have taken the inspired decision to officially appoint Papal Images as a supplier to the forthcoming visit to the UK by Pope Benedict XVI.

Papal Images has been launched to specifically offer an opportunity for photographs of the Pope prior and during the event to be down loaded direct to mobile. This is the FIRST TIME this has been offered at a live event in the UK and it reflects the way that the clergy are now embracing modern technology.

The company run by Darren Snape was formed when he observed how many times crowds of people try without success to take photos on their mobile at a live event and then are disappointed with the result.

Taken live during the four day events the papal images are immediately down loaded to purchase and available as the event closes each day as well as being shown in full at the web store. These photographs can be bought to use as a wall paper but are also a photographic record of the historic event distinct from traditional merchandize! These can then be carried around at all times on the users mobile phone picture album! Those that did not secure access to the events are also able to feel part of the occasion by securing the same images chosen from www.papal-images.com. The site has images of the Pope taken at his summer palace just a few weeks ago available now. The official papal visit web site also provides a direct link.

The Catholic Church launched a daily text service over seven years ago now widely used. Indeed Pope Benedict XVI called for priests to discover new digital possibilities in order to proclaim the Word of God and carry out their ministry. This was part of his address on World Communication Day in May of this year.

He specifically stated that " the development of new technologies and the larger digital world represents a great resource for humanity as a whole and for every individual and it can act as a stimulus to encounter and dialogue" His address encouraged priests to use this technology to encourage new pastoral possibilities. Down loading photographs of the Pope falls neatly into this category.

The number of people in the UK alone using mobile phones now approaches 16 million of which 4 million are Catholics and with 1.5 million sending photographs last year. Accordingly the take up of this offer should be high and the revenue will undoubtedly help pay for the cost of the trip whilst at the same time providing a fresh means of the clergy connecting to their congregation.

Gerry Kehoe Director of Operations for the Papal Visit at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
states " the technology being embraced by papal-images will allow Pilgrims to obtain a high
quality photographic record of these historic events. This is an exciting opportunity and we are delighted to incorporate this into the Holy Father’s visit ”

www.papal-images.com

Contact ; Darren Snape – 07971 967771.

Aid to the Church in Need Annual Mass and ‘Hope Without Fear’ Event, taking place at Westminster Cathedral and Hall, Ambrosden Avenue London , SW1P 1Q

2010-09-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

Aid to the Church in Need Annual Mass and ‘Hope Without Fear’ Event, taking place at Westminster Cathedral and Hall, Ambrosden Avenue London , SW1P 1QW

on – Saturday, 16th October Mass of Our Lady (Feast of Margaret Mary Alacoque).

The day begins with Sung Latin Mass in Westminster Cathedral at 10:30am. Mass will be followed by an afternoon of talks in the cathedral hall. We are delighted to welcome some very special guests from the suffering Church in Sudan and Siberia .

Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio, south Sudan is leading his people in south Sudan through a time of great uncertainty. Despite the country’s fragile peace agreement, he has seen his people fall victim to atrocious attacks, including crucifixion. Benefactors are helping to provide hope, funding Christian education at the Save the Saveable schools, training seminarians, Sisters and catechists, and helping priests reach Christian communities with new vehicles.

Father Michael Shields from Magadan, Siberia is a long-time friend of Aid to the Church in Need. An American from Alaska , he chose to serve in a former communist gulag camp in Magadan, Siberia . Millions died here. Father works for those who survive, ensuring their stories are told and their suffering acknowledged by the authorities. He is the author of the Aid to the Church in Need publication Martyrs of Magadan – a book that tells the stories of 15 survivors of the gulags. Earlier this year, Aid to the Church in Need paid tribute to Father Michael’s work by including him in the book Heroic Priests.

Neville Kyrke-Smith, UK Director, Aid to the Church in Need has travelled extensively in Eastern Europe and, this year, he will give an update on the help benefactors are giving to Christians in Ukraine , where he recently visited.

John Pontifex , UK Head of Press and Information, Aid to the Church in Need
will speak about suffering, faith and hope in Pakistan and how benefactors are helping to nurture this hope.

For more information please visit our Website http://www.acnuk.org/events.php/223/aid-to-the-church-in-need-annual-mass-and-hope-without-fear-event-westminster

Schedule of Juventutem international gathering hosted by Young Catholic Adults (part of the Juventutem Federation)

2010-08-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

Juventutem international gathering
A week-end hosted by Young Catholic Adults, Douai Abbey, Berkshire, England
10-12 September 2010

Friday 10 September 2010 (St Nicolas of Tolentino)
1-6pm: onwards arrival
5pm-5.50pm: Confessions – simultaneously: optional workshop on : The sacred vessels and liturgical items, by Mr Juan Tomas, FSSP.
6.00pm – 7.00pm Holy Mass in the Parish Church
7.00-7.30pm - Supper
8pm-8.45pm: 1st conference: How God is present in the Holy Eucharist, by Fr de Malleray, FSSP
9pm: Social

Saturday 11th September 2010 (Our Lady’s Saturday)
7.30am: Morning prayer (parish church)
8.00-8.30am: Breakfast
8.45am-9.30am: 2nd Conference: Explanation of the prayers of the Mass: Part 1 : From the Preparatory Prayers until the Creed, by Fr de Malleray, FSSP
11am: Sung Holy Mass, main Abbey Church
12am: Marian Procession around the extensive grounds of the Abbey at 11am (if bad weather, procession within the building).
1.00-2.00pm: Lunch in the Refectory
2.00-3.00pm: 3rd Conference: Explanation of the prayers of the Mass: Part 2 : The Offertory, by Fr de Malleray, FSSP
3.00pm-4.30pm: Optional workshop on: How to serve Low Mass, by Mr Juan Tomas, FSSP – or Free time
4.30pm-5pm: Rosary led by Mr Juan Tomas, FSSP
5.00-6.00pm: 4th Conference: Explanation of the prayers of the Mass: Part 3 : The ‘Canon’ of the Mass, by Fr de Malleray, FSSP
6.00-6.30pm: Vespers
7.00-7.30pm: Supper
7.30-9.30pm Adoration and Confession
9.30pm: Social

Sunday 18th September 2010 (16th after Pentecost)
7.30am: Morning prayer (parish church)
8am: Breakfast
9am: 5th Conference: Explanation of the prayers of the Mass: Part 4 : The Communion and Dismissal, by Fr de Malleray, FSSP
10.30am: Holy Mass
12noon: Rosary, led by Mr Juan Tomas, FSSP
1.00pm: Lunch in nearby pub

Just a Few Places left for the Juventutem Weekend Hosted by YCA

2010-08-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

There are just a few places left for the Juventutem weekend, hosted by Young Catholic Adults the English member of the international Juventutem Federation, the meeting is just under two weeks away. Prices start at £25 per person per night (including food); there is also the option of camping available (£5 for the weekend). Please see below for details

Juventutem Conference for 18-35 Year Olds

If you are in the 18-35ish age range, there will be a Juventutem Conference led by Fr. De Malleray FSSP (head of the international Juventutem Federation) at Douai Abbey 10-12th September 2010.’ There will be a Sung Mass, a Marian Procession, Rosaries, Talks and socials.

How to Book for the retreat

From as little as 25 pounds for students (or 51 pounds for non students)per person per night. For more details, please see http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/news.htm or email juventutemcatholicam@yahoo.co.uk, or ring 07908105787.

Events Open to the Public

Saturday 11th September 2010’ at 11am –Mass (the choir will be the Ensemble 1685) in the main Abbey Church followed by a Marian Procession around the extensive grounds of the Abbey at 11am (starting from the main Abbey Church).

All ages/Parishes/Church groups are warmly welcome to attend Masses and the procession. All events are organised by Young Catholic Adults (YCA).

ORDER of MALTA VOLUNTEERS

2010-08-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

ORDER of MALTA VOLUNTEERS
A CHARITY MUSIC CONCERT

Thursday 26th August 2010
ST. WILFRID’S HALL next to BROMPTON ORATORY
Doors open at 7.00pm to start at 7.30pm

Starring
Jesús León
(Sings regularly at the Royal Albert Hall)
Special Guests
Steven Maughan - Piano
Saffa Trio - Violins/Cello
Natalie Coyle - Soprano
Michał Ćwiżewicz - Violin
Matthew Conor Davies - Classical Guitar
Harriet Sasada - Soprano
Georgina Wahed - Presenter
Tickets: £25 includes refreshments
OMVmusic@hotmail.co.uk
07554 014845

Juventutem Conference at Douai Abbey 10th-12th September 2010 organised by Young Catholic Adults will be dedicated to Pope Benedict

2010-07-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

People going to the Juventutem Conference Organised by Young Catholic Adults at Douai Abbey 10-12th September, will be encouraged to offer up their prayers for the Pope, in light of his forthcoming trip to the United Kingdom (the week after). It looks as though Pope Benedict will be in for a hard time in Britain, with threats of arrest and protest looming over the visit. The event has been full of difficulty, with pilgrims being asked to pay to see the Pope; moreover, there have been many criticisms of the way it has been organised. The British Government has had to take over much of the organisation, to save the visit from faltering badly.There are still a few places left in for people aged 18-35ish, if they would like to attend for the whole weekend.

Alternatively, there is a Sung Mass (Extraordinary Form) at 11am on Saturday 11th September in the main Abbey Church and a subsequent Marian Procession c. 12pm (again on Saturday 11th September), which are open to the general public (all ages). There will also be talks, Confession, Rosaries and Socials throughout the weekend. For more information, please see http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/news.htm for more details.

Protect the Pope.com

2010-07-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

Protect the Pope.com is a new website which counters attacks on Pope Benedict’s reputation and integrity, and provides information and resources for Catholics to respond to incidents that constitute incitement to religious hatred.

At the launch of Protect the Pope.com Rev Nick Donnelly, a permanent deacon of Lancaster Diocese who set up the site, said:

‘Its been said that anti-Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice, and in a way we Catholics have colluded in this by ignoring it, hoping it will go away. But the personal attacks on Pope Benedict in the run up to the Papal visit show us its not going away.

Since 2006 we’ve had the legal right to protect ourselves from religious hatred. Of course people in this country have freedom of expression, but this does not mean they have the right to create a climate of hostility and fear. It’s a question of protecting our human rights to freedom of belief and freedom of worship.’

The website gives information on the law regarding hate crime and provides Catholics with the means to report to the police incitement to religious hatred or acts of religious hatred which take place during the Holy Father’s visit. The website also has an anti-Catholicism log tied into its news feed to help raise awareness of anti-Catholic prejudice.

H/t to Fr. Tim Finnigan at http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/

SSPX Bp. Fellay claims Pope Benedict says the TLM privately

2010-07-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

The English is rough and ready in the following but the meaning is crystal clear!

Pope Says Mass Privately Says Bishop Fellay

Bishop Fellay says, " the Holy Father celebrates the old Mass privately" and that an Italian Bishop has said he will leave the Church if he celebrates it publicly. Bishop Fellay said this in a speech at the 2010 priestly ordinations.

(Kreuz.net) Pope Benedict XVI. And his secretary George Gaenswein celebrate the old Mass. This is according to the General Superior of the Society of Pius X, Bishop Bernard Fellay, in a speech in the 8th of July in the Brazilian city of Bahia. [I wonder if the Holy Father also serves at his secretary’s Mass. That would not surprise me in the least. He is the sort of humble fellow who would do such a thing.]

You can listen to the speech on the page ‘4shared.com’ under user ‘fbmvm’.

This celebration will not be done because of inner-Church resistance against the old Mass.Msgr Fellay also mentioned in his talk an example of the battle against the Roman Rite.At a priest conference in Italy reported a priest, that his bishop had threatened to leave the church if the Pope ever publicly said the old Mass. [Arrivederci, Eccellenza Reverendissima!]

Msgr Fellay: "The Bishop leads a war against the old Mass."

Simultaneously, he sees a line of good Bishops and priests, At least the heart is in the right place said Bishop Fellay about Benedict XVI., that he has a Catholic heart and loves tradition, but suffers from a progressivist understanding.

Benedict XVI. is trying to save the Vatican Council at any price.

The Bishop also said that part of the Roman Curia and the neoconsevative led State-Secretariat have torpedoed traditional initiatives of the Pope. As an example the Bishop described the traditionally restored Trappist Abbey of Mariawald in the German Alps. The Pope had already permitted them to return to the old discipline and liturgy. Actually the secretary of State has intentionally set the Decree aside. [I believe that.]

Indeed the Bishop sees also that there are a great number of Prelates in the Curia who are well-disposed to the Society Pius X. In the Cathedral of St. Peter’s there are 20 old Masses celebrated daily. [Maybe not 20 every day, but there are quite a few.]

Three Examples for the Decline

Finally, Msgr Fellay illustrated the decline of the Church since the Vatican Council with a few examples. He cited a chancellor of the Diocese of Trier. He has made known that 80% of the priests in the diocese deny the real presence of Christ in the Host. [I doubt that.] In the Diocese Langres in north-east France every priest is entrusted with 60 parishes. [60? Prove it.]

In the United States the number of religious men and women have shrunken to 10% of their original numbers. [That can’t be right.]
Kreuz.net has the details.

And remember: Benedict XVI is the Pope of Christian Unity!
(H/t to Fr Z from WDTPRS - Fr. Z's comments are in red).

English Catholic Establishment in Rebellion

2010-07-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

H/t to Fr. Ray Blake, who speaks for a very large proportion of the Church in the UK, who are exasperated by the Catholic Establishment in this country. He states:-

"Professor Tina Beatie, Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Roehampton University, is part of our English Catholic establishment; she is a Tablet board member! She also wrote that pro-abortion piece a few weeks ago that appeared in the establishments house paper.

Today she sends an open letter to the Pope expressing indignation at the recent clarification by the CDF on the ordination of women. She writes:

Today, I am ashamed to be Roman Catholic. It has become a Church blighted by ignorance, arrogance and the decadence of a dying regime mired in its own obsessive clinging to power.

Strong stuff eh?

There was recent interview somewhere by a senior cleric bewailing the Catholic Church being ...err Catholic. It is a bit strange that the "establishment" is in rebellion, forming a Church within a Church. The basis of Catholicism isn't proposiotional or clausal it is actually based on believing and professing "... all that the holy Catholic Church teaches, believes and proclaims to be revealed by God".
You see, what some just don't get is that Catholic just isn't Anglican. The Catholic Church just doesn't have the authority to suddenly decide to change its teaching. The Professor might well be right that many Catholic women have actually left the Church and become Anglicans, the truth is they have really stopped believing that the revelation of God is at the Church's very heart. The problem she has, and many in the establishment have, is really one of authority: ultimately, did Jesus lie when he promised to be with the Church until the end of time?"

The 13th Day - Fatima Film

2010-07-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

A year ago a new film about Fatima came out called The 13th Day. The film opened in the USA in October, and it is now available to order in the UK via Amazon!! Any film promoting Fatima seems like a good idea to me, so why not go out and buy it today!!

Indcatholicnews.com Promotes Juventutem Retreat for Young Catholic Adults at Douai Abbey 2010

2010-06-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

Independent Catholic News have put up a piece about the Juventutem Conference organised by Yooung Catholic Adults! To see more about Independent Catholic news goto http://www.indcatholicnews.com

Book : The Catholic Priest, Image of Christ

2010-05-31T12:56:00.000-07:00

This most important book on the priest to come out during this year of the priesthood places the beauty, charity and the sacra mentality of the priesthood in the forefront. With its 560 illustrations from all periods of art and parts of the world the author has taken an interest in all aspects of the life of the priest, obviously most particular the celebration of the Eucharist which is the heart of his very being. Covered are even the priest as a monk and the charity of the priest seen on its highest level in the giving of himself in martyrdom.

The first and principle part with texts by the Holy Father, Cardinal Medina Estivez amongst others, describes not only what the priest does, but moreover who he is. This is followed by several chapters on the holiness and charity of the priest and after two inspiring texts on the Mass several examples are given such as St Bernard, Saint Jean-Marie Vianney, not to forget outstanding priests like St Maximillian Kolbe and Bl. Ivan Ziatyk, one who died at the hands of Nazism and the other during the insane years of Stalin in Ukraine. Before the conclusion the question is asked what is a vocation.

As an added interesting element, the author desired to keep Jesus contemporary and has asked himself how the Church should present Christ’s message in art today, a clear refusal of ‘Financial art’ which often is just a mockery of Christ and at the very best only shows His Crucifixion, but not His Resurrection. The author has found inspiring and prayerful alternatives from around the world of paintings done by living artists, who work as the Holy Father requests "in a continuity with the past, but not copying it." These new canvases find themselves in good company with painters such as Fra Angelico or Zurbaran. The Irish and British Saints and Martyrs have indeed not been forgotten and can be briefly seen on the clip on You Tube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-KaU632_4M Like the Church, a truly universal book.

With its stunning and beautiful layout, this book in six languages is a masterpiece in itself. With its challenging texts and profound iconography, it emphasises the mystic, sacramental and divine aspects of the priesthood, as well as the vital importance of the priest as a man of charity. A truly positive and encouraging gift to existing priests and seminarians during these tough times to be a priest. A tribute to the many existing holy priests, who by their being and their ministry embodies 'Other Christs', but who today are unsung heroes. It also forms an excellent gift to young people to deepen their Faith or to families, as it can be read as a kind of catechism.

The author is of Danish origin, with degrees in architecture and art (Oxford Polytechnic) and holds a master of science degree in management. He is a convert and was received into the Church at Westminster Cathedral in London. He now lives with his French wife and children in Normandy, as an organiser of international art exhibitions.

The book can be purchased directly from GRACEWING : www.gracewing.co.uk
Alternatively, by sending a cheque of 40 pounds in the name of Gracewing (P&P free in Britain, please add £5 per copy for overseas postage) : GRACEWING, 2 Southern Avenue, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 OQF, England.
For all inquiries : Tel : 01568 616835 E-mail : gracewingx@aol.com

Why Does the Church Use Latin?

2010-05-28T12:07:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been asked why Traditional Catholics like to have Mass celebrated in a language which no one can understand? I have had it asked of me and heard it asked of others. This is a great answer to why we prefer to have Mass celebrated in the Latin language. The video is taken from the consecration of the church of Saints Peter and Paul at the Fraternity of St. Peter seminary in Lincoln, Nebraska. The full footage of the ceremony can be found here: http://papastronsay.blogspot.com

H/t to an anonymous Priest from the FSSR on Papa Stronsay for writing the above.

Juventutem News - Juventutem International Gathering 10-12 September 2010, England

2010-05-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

Vigil of Pentecost, 22 May 2010

‘Ad Deum qui laetificat + juventutem meam’

Dear Juventutem Friends,

Cordial greetings to all of you worldwide!

4th Anniversary:

In two days, on May 24th, I invite you to pray for our Federation International Juventutem which will be… four years old. It is normally the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians. But this year the Monday after Pentecost will take precedence. For that reason, I have offered yesterday a Votive Mass of Our Lady Help of Christians at all your and our intentions as members or supporters of Juventutem.

Pilgrimage:

Just I write to you and all along this week-end of Pentecost, some Juventutem members from France, Italy and other countries are walking from Paris to Chartres in France as part of the famous Pilgrimage of Christendom – the largest Extraordinary Form event in the world every year with 8,000 persons walking 70 miles in 2 ½ days. Let us pray for them, and we can be sure they pray for us also.

Deceased supporters:

I am sorry to announce to you the death in Bern, Switzerland, of two benefactors of our Federation.

Mrs Marie Vogel tragically died on 3 January 2010 after a fire in her building. Also in Bern, Mr Heinz Müller died of cancer in hospital on 19 April 2010. Those who attended our International Gathering in Bern last year and in 2008 will have met him then. Please remember them in your prayers. Requiescant in pace.

New contacts:

Request for founding groups in Canada and the U.S.A. were sent to us. It is good to see interest various places in North America. We are sorry for the delays in dealing with the request. We hope to have more regular contacts in the future.

Annual international meeting: 10-12 September 2010, England

Our annual meeting 2010 will not take place in Bern, Switzerland but in Douai Abbey, England. Like in 2009 and 2008, we hope that as many representatives as possible will be able to come. Douai Abbey is located 30mn from Reading, the base of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in England. It is also 1h south of Oxford and two hours west from London. A good location to visit places of interest in England, starting with places associated with our Catholic faith, such as the martyrs of Oxford, the place of the gallows Tyburn in London or the monument to Saint Thomas More. Also, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI will be in England a couple of days after our week-end (16-19 September 2010). If you come from a distance, why not plan to stay longer and attend at least the Prayer Vigil in Hyde Park, London on Saturday 18th September 2010? Accommodation could possibly be worked out for you.

Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr de Malleray, FSSP, Juventutem Treasurer Cosimo Marti and other representatives have already said they would be present. Our English Juventutem group (i.e. Young Catholic Adults) have kindly agreed to coordinate the event. The weekend will be full-board. Places are limited so please book early.
* We will have half of the retreat centre to ourselves
* There will be a Marian Procession, Rosaries, Sung Mass, Low Mass, Confession and socials
* Fr. de Malleray FSSP Chaplain of Juventutem will give the conferences; Masses will be in the Extraordinary form
Prices range from £5 (approx 6 Euros) to £51 (approx 60 Euros) per person per night .
See http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/events.htm for more info. How to book - limited places so please reserve your place early

To reserve your place FOR THE WEEKEND (no deposit needed if you are coming for the day on Saturday 5th July), please send a 20 pound deposit (NON REFUNDABLE) to Damian Barker, Flat 5, 12 Saint Catherine Street, Kingsholm, Gloucester, Glos. GL2 9DU (please make any cheques payable to ‘Damian Barker’). For enquiries ring him on +44(0)7908105787 or email Damian on ps99ddb@yahoo.co.uk.

World Youth Day 2011 in Spain:

The preparation for World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Spain, is going well. Representatives had a meeting at the monastery of Le Barroux, France last month.

Practical:

We remind all members to send their yearly contribution to our Treasurer Cosimo Marti.

All Group leaders are also requested to email back an update with : the current valid email address of the group, the current number of members in their group, with their name, age and contact details.

We thank all those who have sent us news and update. This is vital for us to keep in touch, since distance make it difficult to meet often.

Our spiritual commitments:

Let us check that we are faithful to our commitments, and if we aren’t, let us make a resolution to improve and ask Our Lady to help us:

1. recite daily for the sanctification of youths the extract from Psalm 42 «Judica Me », (“Judge me O Lord” - full text under Spirituality on www.juventutem.org) or say a prayer of your choosing (Hail Mary or Our Father for instance);

2. enter into a church or oratory once a week to adore Our Lord really present in the tabernacle;

3. once a year or more: attend Holy Mass in the 1962 Roman rite; go to Confession; on behalf of Juventutem, partake in some faith activity (Holy Hour, doctrinal talk, pro-life initiative, charitable action, excursion, etc).

May Our Lady Help of Christian protect and guide you towards her divine Son.

Cordially,

On behalf of the Bureau,

Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP - Chaplain of the Juventutem Federation

Pope: An indelible sign of the love of Mary is at Fatima

2010-05-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

vatican — 14 May 2010 — On Thursday morning, Benedict XVI arrived in silent prayer before the tombs of the young shepherds at Fatima, witnesses of the Marian apparitions between May 13 and October 13, 1917 . Inside the Basilica of the Shrine of Fatima, in fact, lie the sister and brother, Jacinta and Francisco Marto, who were beatified by Pope John Paul II ten years ago, and Lucia de Jesus, who later became Sister Maria Lucia of the Immaculate Heart, and whose cause for beatification was launched February 13, 2008, on the third anniversary of her death. The Virgin revealed to them the horizon of hope which never disappoints, and of a love that can comfort even those in danger of succumbing to the "quicksand of sickness". ...

Young Catholic Adults Host International Juventutem Conference for the First Time!

2010-05-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

The annual YCA weekend at Douai Abbey has always been aimed at the UK (or more precisely England and Wales). For the first time it has gone international! The annual Juventutem Conference is usually held in Switzerland; however, for 2010 it has moved to Berkshire in England.

During the weekend of the 10-12 September 2010. Young Catholic Adults will be running a Traditional Retreat at Douai Abbey, the retreat will be led by Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr de Malleray .

The weekend will be full-board

Places are limited so please book early

* YCA will have half of the retreat centre to itself
* There will be a Marian Procession, Rosaries, Sung Mass, Low Mass, Confession and socials
* Fr. de Malleray FSSP head of Juventutem will preach the retreat, Masses will be in the Extraordinary form

Prices range from £5 (approx 6 Euros) to £51 (approx 60 Euros) per person per night .

See http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/events.htm for more info:-

How to book - limited places so please reserve your place early
To reserve your place FOR THE WEEKEND (no deposit needed if you are coming for the day on Saturday 5th July), please a 20 pound deposit (NON RETURNABLE) to Damian Barker, Flat 5, 12 St. Catherine Street, Kingsholm, Gloucester, Glos. GL2 9DU (please make any cheques payable to Damian Barker). For enquiries ring 07908105787.

THE SAINTS SPEAK: St. Alphonsus de Liguori (Holy Repentance)

2010-05-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

ArcadiaFilmsLTD — 06 April 2010 — From heaven, in his own words, St. Alphonsus shares the process of reviewing ones conscience before holy repentance.

EWTIN is Now on Youtube!

2010-05-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a sample of what's on YouTube from Fr. Corapi.

Urgent Plea For Help...! The Good Counsel Network

2010-05-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

The Good Counsel Network is a group which works tirelessly to help women in crisis pregnancies. Fr. John Boyle highlighted the dire financial straits the group is in:

Today Good Counsel has £50 in the bank, we needed £445 to buy this week's food vouchers. We are supporting fourteen mothers and their children at the moment, whose only support is this small weekly voucher. Please pray the following prayer for the next nine days and if you can help, donate online (click on the sidebar link) or transfer money into our bank account (phone + 44 (0) 20 7723 1740 or email for details). As times are hard, our income has gone down and our expenses have gone up.

Please forward this message to anyone who you think may help. For more information about Good Counsel see our blog.

NOVENA TO ST. RITA
Helper of the hopeless

Holy Patroness of those in need, St. Rita, you were humble, pure and patient. Your pleadings with your divine Spouse are irresistible, so please obtain for me from our risen Jesus the request I make of you, that Good Counsel will raise the funds they need and my own request (mention it.)
Be kind to me for the greater glory of God, and I shall honour you and sing your praises forever.
Glorious St. Rita, you miraculously participated in the sorrowful passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Obtain for me now the grace to suffer with resignation the troubles of this life, and protect me in all my needs. Amen.

Our Father, Hail, Mary, Glory be to the Father...

They haven't yet set up a PayPal button, though, hopefully, they will do so very soon. I doubt that they'll mind too much which method of payment you make, but the faster the better!

Please help financially if you can, and by prayer either way!

H/t to http://mulier-fortis.blogspot.com/

Benedict in Fatima Watch it Here

2010-05-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

H/t to the Vatican Channel from YouTube

Pope Pins Abuse Scandal on Church Sin

2010-05-12T12:13:00.001-07:00

Pope Benedict XVI says the clerical child abuse scandal shows that the greatest threat to Catholicism comes from "sin within" the Church.

He made his comments in response to a question while en route to Portugal. Critics have previously accused the Vatican of attempting to blame the media and the Church's opponents for the escalation of the scandal. But the Pope made clear its origin came from within the Church itself, and said forgiveness "does not replace justice".

'Need for penance'

"Today we see in a truly terrifying way that the greatest persecution of the Church does not come from outside enemies, but is born of sin within the Church," the pontiff told reporters on a plane bound for Portugal. His comments were his most direct response to media questions, and some of his strongest words yet on the abuse scandal, says BBC Vatican correspondent David Willey, who is travelling with the Pope. Benedict said the Church has "a very deep need" to acknowledge that it must do penance for its sins and "accept purification". However, he added that forgiveness should not be a substitute for justice.

There has been a wave of allegations in the past few months that Church authorities in Europe and North and South America failed to deal properly with priests accused of child sex abuse, sometimes just moving them to new parishes where more children were put at risk. The Pope himself has been accused of being part of a culture of secrecy, and of not taking strong enough steps against paedophiles when he had that responsibility as a cardinal in Rome.

However, his supporters say he has been the most pro-active pope yet in confronting abuse.

'Spiritual crisis'

The Pope later on Tuesday landed at Lisbon, the capital, despite fears that the volcanic ash cloud affecting flights in the region would disrupt his plans.
Portugal is the site of one of Europe's most popular shrines, at Fatima
He celebrated an open-air Mass before a crowd of about 80,000 people in the city. Benedict told the crowd that nothing could destroy the Catholic Church. "The resurrection of Christ assures us that no adverse power will ever be able to destroy the Church," the Pope said during his address the banks of the Tagus river.

During his four-day trip the pontiff was also due to celebrate Mass at the Catholic shrine of Fatima, and in Oporto. Church officials say he will address Europe's spiritual and economic crisis. Although nearly 90% of people in Portugal are reported to be Catholics, only about 20% attend Mass regularly, the BBC's Vatican correspondent, David Willey, reports from Lisbon.

Pope Benedict intended to tell the Portuguese to seek solace in their faith to relieve the gloom of financial hardship, he says. Carlos Azevedo, the auxiliary bishop of Lisbon and the co-ordinator of the papal visit, said on Monday that the pontiff will speak about "the joy of faith and hope". "The moral values guiding the economy and politics show that there is a spiritual crisis," he said.

Portugal has been one of the countries worst affected by the economic problems troubling many European states. The highlight of the trip is a visit to Fatima on Wednesday and Thursday, where a giant outdoor Mass has been planned for as many as 500,000 people. Fatima is one of the main sites of Christian pilgrimage in Europe.

The Pope will be marking the anniversary of the day in 1917 when three Portuguese shepherd children reported having visions of the Virgin Mary in Fatima.

H/t to BBC News, this was an unusually balanced piece from the BBC!!!!!!!!!!!

Young Catholic Adults Host International Juventutem Weekend at Douai Abbey

2010-05-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

During the weekend of the 10-12 September . Young Catholic Adults will be running the 2010 Juventutem Conference at Douai Abbey, the retreat will be led by Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr de Malleray . The weekend will be full-board
Places are limited so please book early
* YCA will have half of the retreat centre to itself
* There will be socials
* Fr. de Malleray FSSP head of Juventutem will preach the retreat, Masses will be in the Extraordinary form.

THE MAIN GUEST HOUSE
Saturday 11th – Sunday 12th September (full board)*
51 pounds full-board (except Sunday lunch) PER PERSON PER NIGHT
25 pounds for students/low waged/unwaged (or whatever you can afford)

THE COTTAGES
£35 per person per night (full board). Self catering £25 per person per night (reductions for students:- or whatever you can afford) .

SELF CATERING CAMPING
£5 per person per night (or whatever you can afford - please bring your own tent and food ).

How to book - limited places so please reserve your place early
To reserve your place FOR THE WEEKEND (no deposit needed if you are coming for the day on Saturday 5th July), please a 20 pound deposit (NON RETURNABLE) to Damian Barker, Flat 5, 12 St. Catherine Street, Kingsholm, Gloucester, Glos. GL2 9DU (please make any cheques payable to Damian Barker). For enquiries ring 07908105787.

Young Catholic Adults: Newsletter

2010-05-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

St Catherine’s Trust have very kindly helped produce the new YCA Newsletter. To download it go here

Http://www.tiny.cc/g3cc8

St Catherine's Trust, is a charitable trust set up in 2004 to promote Catholic education in accordance with the traditional teachings, liturgy and devotions of the Roman Catholic Church. It’s main activity at present is the organisation of annual week-long Summer Schools for young Catholics aged 11 to 18, and annual weekend Family Retreats for Catholic families, usually around Easter. To goto their website goto http://www.stcatherinestrust.org/

Birmingham Oratory Event

2010-05-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

The Light of the World

Sunday, 27th June at 2:00pm, followed by Mass at 5:30pm

The Oratory, Hagley Road ,
Birmingham B16 8UE

An opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of the challenges
facing Christians around the world – and how you are helping.
Talks begin at 2:00pm, followed by Mass at 5:30pm.
We hope that Father Samir Khalil Samir SJ will be our guest of
honour, speaking on Christianity and Islam in the Middle East .
Father Samir is an Islamic scholar, semitologist, orientalist and
Catholic theologian based in Lebanon .

There will be a talk, based on first-hand material, on how your generous support has
helped victims of the earthquake which struck Haiti in January.
Fresh from project trips, UK Director Neville Kyrke-Smith will
speak about the Faith in Ukraine , while Head of Press and
Information John Pontifex will report on Christianity in Pakistan .

This event is free, but please reserve your place at
www.acnuk.org/birmingham or by calling 020 8642 8668

All Comments Will Now be Moderated

2010-03-30T12:58:00.001-07:00

All comments will now be moderated due to spam being posted in the comments section!

A Shameful Attempt to Strike, at any Cost, Pope Benedict

2010-03-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

I have just watched shameful denunciations on the BBC, of Pope Benedict, from such people as Michael Walsh (from Heythrop College in London and a leading theological dissident), it would appear that there is an orchestrated campaign to discredit Benedict; and that dissident Catholics and the liberal media pundits (like the BBC) are leading the calls for him to resign. The civil authorities and the American Bishops took no action for approx 40 years, and this is where the real blame lies. There is no link to Benedict, only Cardinal Bertone.

The real problem is that an "anything goes " attitude has gone on in the Church for years, indeed the "spirit of Vatican II," has infiltrated the Church almost entirely. In essence the Church has gone off the rails by being infected by the spirit of the world and it will continue to struggle until it returns to a more spiritual path.

All our prayers should be with the victims of these most terrible of crimes, they have had to put up with such wickedness - it is almost beyond bearing. May God help them in their trials.

H/t to Fr Z who I think puts things very well:-

"I have been struggling through the day with this post. I haven’t known precisely what to do about my anger.

The online edition of Hell’s Bible, in its relentless hectoring of the Catholic Church (ignoring the prosecuted sins of other groups) has a story about a priest who abused many children decades ago and about the way he was dealt with by the hierarchy. This recent round deals with a monstrously sick priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee (where one of the great liberals of the USA was in command, Archbp. Weakland) but who resided in the Diocese of Superior (where another great liberal, Bp. Fliss was in charge). The priest has since gone to his eternal, I repeat eternal, reward.

Vatican Declined to Defrock U.S. Priest Who Abused Boys

Top Vatican officials — including the future Pope Benedict XVI — did not defrock a priest who molested as many as 200 deaf boys, even though several American bishops repeatedly warned them that failure to act on the matter could embarrass the church, according to church files newly unearthed as part of a lawsuit.

The internal correspondence from bishops in Wisconsin directly to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future pope, shows that while church officials tussled over whether the priest should be dismissed, their highest priority was protecting the church from scandal.

The documents emerge as Pope Benedict is facing other accusations that he and direct subordinates often did not alert civilian authorities or discipline priests involved in sexual abuse when he served as an archbishop in Germany and as the Vatican’s chief doctrinal enforcer.

[...]

But Cardinal Bertone [then just Archbishop and the Secretary of the CDF] halted the process after Father Murphy personally wrote to Cardinal Ratzinger protesting that he should not be put on trial because he had already repented and was in poor health and that the case was beyond the church’s own statute of limitations.

“I simply want to live out the time that I have left in the dignity of my priesthood,” Father Murphy wrote near the end of his life to Cardinal Ratzinger. “I ask your kind assistance in this matter.” The files contain no response from Cardinal Ratzinger.

The New York Times obtained the documents, which the church fought to keep secret, from Jeff Anderson and Mike Finnegan, the lawyers for five men who have brought four lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The documents include letters between bishops and the Vatican, victims’ affidavits, the handwritten notes of an expert on sexual disorders who interviewed Father Murphy and minutes of a final meeting on the case at the Vatican.

Father Murphy not only was never tried or disciplined by the church’s own justice system, but also got a pass from the police and prosecutors who ignored reports from his victims, according to the documents and interviews with victims. Three successive archbishops in Wisconsin were told that Father Murphy was sexually abusing children, the documents show, but never reported it to criminal or civil authorities.
[...]
I will not post the lurid details, which surely indicate a profound pathology. I am too disgusted by both the details and the Times for posting them.

And I am filled with anger right now at the harm that was done by those sick and surely wicked people. I just want to …

Thanks a lot you wicked b********s. Enjoy your eternal reward.

Have a nice Year of the Priest.

And God help me for these thoughts.

But I have to make a few more observations.

The NYT article makes the point that civil authorities also gave this abuser "a pass".

It is reprehensible that the bishops in that time, informed of what was going on, especially due to the extent of what the abuser was doing, did not act to put it to an end. It is hard to understand this. I cannot explain it in any terms that satisfy my anger… our anger.

Insofar as the CDF was involved, I must press the fact that the official who put an end to the administrative dimension in Rome was then Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, who is now the Cardinal Secretary of State. People will accuse the Holy Father Pope Benedict, who was then Prefect, of personally trying to cover up what that deeply sick priest was doing. But Card. Ratzinger, Pope Benedict, is the ultimate delegator, the diametrical opposite of a micro-manager. And he hasn’t also been the best at selecting his delegates. His strengths don’t lie in the administrative realm, but rather the theological and spiritual. Someone is to blame here, don’t get me wrong. But while there is plenty of blame to go around, the responsibility lies mostly on the US side of the pond, with bishops who blew the case back in the day.

I wonder if Pope Benedict implemented this Year of the Priest because he knew what was coming around the bend.

Another aspect of my anger comes from the tension between my loathing of priests who harm children and the conviction that there is no sin that any infinite human being can commit which is so bad that an infinite and loving, merciful God cannot and will not forgive. Provided, of course, that we sincerely beg for mercy.

The sins this man and others like him deserve eternal hell. Bishops who mishandled cases this severe probably deserve the same. The fallen part of my humanity cries out for something worse than the rack for these men. I have to remind myself constantly that God is the final judge, and He can neither deceive nor be deceived. I even get mad at myself, .. how diabolical this all is… when I catch myself hoping they didn’t somehow obtain God’s mercy.

But Hell really is too terrible to wish on someone. We should never do that.

The Times article might talk about the "priest predator who got away". He didn’t get away from God. He might have escaped our earthly bloodlust, but He didn’t escape God. And I shudder for him. Imagine the what someone, some damned soul, experiences in his first few seconds of Hell.

We are going to see another wave of reports of these cases, with more attacks, justified and unjustified, on the Church.

I don’t know how many of the Church’s attackers are really interested in helping victims obtain anything like peace or even justice in respect to those who harmed them. I suspect many attackers have motives apart from the good of the victims. Others? They maybe were personally harmed and maybe they are sincere advocates for victims. Either way the whole thing is just ugly and sad.

I am also torn because I hate seeing the Church so hectored, so singled out, as if these crimes are only committed by Catholics. That’s just plain wrong.

I know that Holy Catholic Church in its human dimension has to undergo this purification. It simply has to happen. The Church will always be attacked from without and within, as part of a constant purification. And I would be inconsistent indeed were I not to apply what I constantly mention to those going through a harsh purification. St. Augustine said about Christ, Physician of the soul, who corrects us sometimes with nearly unbearable means:

"The doctor doesn’t stop cutting just because the patient is screaming for him to stop."

We are going to have another long and lurid round of exposure of sins and failures. It will be worse this time, because more regions of the world will start producing evidence of the same. The Enemy of the soul, the devil and the fallen angels, will use earthly agents to wreak havoc in the spiritual realm. As always.

So, God help us all. We must pray for solace for the victims of this crisis, and for lots of forgiveness, even as we pray for Holy Mother Church.

To a certain extent we are going to have to lie here and be kicked by anyone who walks by… until they decide that kicking someone else gets them what they want… that and must continue to revitalize our worship of Almighty God, who alone can see us through to the other side."

YCA-Juventutem Event at ST. WILLIAM OF YORK CATHOLIC CHURCH in Reading on Sunday 28th March 2010.

2010-03-07T13:02:00.001-08:00

We will be meeting up at the 11am Traditional Mass at ST. WILLIAM OF YORK CATHOLIC CHURCH in Reading on Palm Sunday (28th March) and then heading off for a meal afterwards (place to be specified). Everyone is warmly welcome.

Where is St. William of York?

It is situated at , Upper Redlands Road, Reading, Berks. RG1 5JT. Located next to St Joseph Convent School. Large free parish car park next to St William Church. Sung Mass preceded and followed with Confessions. For more details see:- http://www.fssp.org.uk/england/pages/mass-times.php

Young Catholic Adults in the Universe Newspaper for the First Time

2009-11-14T11:11:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago YCA managed to get into the Universe for the first time (18th October)!

For a snapshot of the article, please see below:-

Young Catholic Adults Weekend Retreat at Douai Abbey 18-20 September 2009

During the weekend of the 18-20 September, Young Catholic Adults (YCA) held its annual weekend retreat at Douai Abbey in Berkshire in the south of England. It was by far the biggest YCA event so far, with three Masses in the Extraordinary Form, three talks and a Marian procession over the long weekend.

The retreat was led by the head of the Juventutem Federation, Fr Armand de Malleray FSSP. Some participants stayed for the whole weekend, while others came for the day to the Marian Procession and Sung Mass of St Januarius and Companions, which was sung by the Douai Abbey Singers. Both these events were open to the public and attracted approximately seventy people; moreover, the Mass of St Januarius was the first public Traditional Mass to be celebrated in the main Douai Abbey church since the liturgical changes of 1969.

One of the retreatants wrote: “well, it‘s been over a week since the retreat and I just thought I’d like to express my gratitude to .... Fr De Malleray and all those involved. I really appreciated the retreat itself, and the effort everyone put in. The retreat was exactly what I was looking for, a peaceful, laid- back and social setting, deep and thought-provoking talks, and the absolute beauty of the Extraordinary Form of Mass. I really believe this is what young Catholics need, something deeply enriching. It certainly helped me to be a bit more serious about my Faith! I feel really great as a result of the retreat; and having met all the other great people there was fantastic, it gave me the real sense of being part of something huge, the Church.”

YCA is always looking to create more local groups/events. If you would like to volunteer or be put on the mailing list, please email Damian Barker at juventuterncatholicam@yahoo.co.uk

Aid to the Church in Need Annual Memorial Mass for Departed Benefactors and Friends

2009-11-06T10:42:00.000-08:00

Please join Aid to the Church in Need for the Annual Memorial Mass for our Departed Benefactors and Friends with a sung Latin Mass (1962 Missal) at 7pm on Thursday, 26^th November, Celebrant, Father Martin Edwards, at the Little Oratory, Brompton Road, SW7 2RP

Fraternity of Saint Peter Day of Recollection in Bristol

2009-10-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

The FSSP is having a Day of Recollection in Bristol, I’m sure that it will be a great day – do go along!

Sunday 11 October 2009 at

St Antony’s Catholic Church, Satchfield Crescent, Henbury, Bristol BS10 7BE

Day of recollection by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP

(Superior of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter in England & Wales : www.fssp.co.uk

and Ecclesiastical Assistant of Youth Movement Juventutem: www.juventutem.org)

EF Holy Mass at 11.30am, refreshments, talk at 2pm followed

with Eucharistic Adoration, confessions and Benediction.

Contact telephone number: 0117 9466 270.

Young Catholic Adults Douai Weekend 18-20 September 2009 Photos

2009-09-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

Approximately 70 people came the the Young Catholic Adults weekend at Douai Abbey during September 18-20th 2009. Here are some photos of this extraordinary event.

Just A Few Places Left For The Young Catholic Adults (Part Of The Juventutem Federation) Weekend at Douai Abbey in Berkshire 18-20 September 2009

2009-09-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

Douai Abbey have very kindly given Young Catholic Adults MORE accommodation and facilities for the Douai Abbey Retreat (18-20 Septmber 2009). There are a few places left in student/youth style shared rooms in “The Cottages.” The remaining spaces are just £35 per person per night (full board) or £25 for Students.

Events Open to the Public

Saturday 19th September 09’ at 10am –Mass (the choir will be the Douai Singers ) in the main Abbey Church followed by a Marian Procession around the extensive grounds of the Abbey at 11am (starting from the main Abbey Church).

All ages/Parishes/Church groups are warmly welcome to attend Masses and the procession. All events are organised by Young Catholic Adults (YCA).

How to book for the Retreat- limited places!

To reserve your place FOR THE WEEKEND (no deposit needed if you are coming for the day), please send a 20 pound deposit (NON RETURNABLE) to Damian Barker, Flat 5, 12 St. Catherine Street, Kingsholm, Gloucester, Glos. GL2 9DU (please make any cheques payable to Damian Barker). It is helpful for the Abbey if you include a contact address, telephone number and email address (as they can book you in straight away). For further enquiries please ring 07908105787.

Detailed SCHEDULE:

(Extraordinary Form liturgy and talks by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP, Ecclesiastical Assistant of Juventutem www.juventutem.org)

Friday 18 September(S Joseph of Cupertino)

1-6pm onwards arrival
6.00pm – 7.00pm Holy Mass in the Parish Church

7.00-7.30pm - Supper
8.30- Social

Saturday 19 September(SS Januarius B & Comps MM)

8.00-9.00am Breakfast
9.00-9.30am Rosary
10am Sung Holy Mass, main Abbey Church

11am Marian Procession around the extensive grounds of the Abbey at 11am (if bad weather, procession within the building).
1.00-2.00pm Lunch in the Refectory
2.00-3.00pm Talk: How to bear witness to Christ in today’s world?
3.00-5pm Free time
5.00-6.00pm Talk: Why and how to pray?
6.00-6.30pm Vespers
7.00-7.30pm Supper
7.30-9.30pm Adoration and Confession
9.30pm Social

Sunday 20 September (16th after Pentecost)

7am Holy Mass in Parish Church

8am Breakfast

9am Talk: ‘Thy will be done’ – God’s will, our fulfilment.

10am Free time

12noon Rosary

1.00pm Lunch in nearby pub

Access to Douai Abbey:

Address: Upper Woolhampton, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 5TQ, England.

Abbey website: http://www.douaiabbey.org.uk

Rail: Midgham railway station, 3mn drive from the Abbey.

Nearest main station: Reading (25mn drive from the Abbey), or Newbury.

Large free car park at the Abbey

Young Catholic Adults Get More Accomodation at Douai Abbey Retreat (18-20 Septmber 2009)

2009-08-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

Douai Abbey have very kindly given Young Catholic Adults MORE accommodation and facilities for the Douai Abbey Retreat (18-20 Septmber 2009). Please note that at the Douai Retreat there is the possibility of having all your meals in the main dining area.

For Student and Youth Group Retreats

The Cottages accommodate groups of up to 10 young persons in simple 'hostel' type rooms.
Plus facilities include a kitchen, dining room and scullery.

Two other rooms provide a lounge and chapel, and the whole building is centrally heated.
The facilities available include the Abbey Church which provides a peaceful, prayerful space for worship. Guests are free to join in all the community services and to enjoy the spacious Abbey grounds.
Lying deep in the Berkshire countryside overlooking the beautiful Kennet valley to the distant Hampshire downs, the Cottages provide an ideal place for a group retreat for all who seek the refreshment of peace and quiet.

Words of Wisdom from the Gospel of Matthew

2009-08-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it’s just me; however, there seems to be a lot of bad news around at the moment. Christians in general and Traditional Catholics, in particular, appear to be getting a rough ride. They appear to be either increasingly marginalised, or in the case of Traditional Catholics as marginalised as ever. Perhaps now is the time to remember what Saint Matthew recorded about the marginalised - that they are blessed people:-

Gospel According to Saint Matthew, Chapter 5.
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him. 2 And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. 5 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: 12 Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you Douay-Rheims Bible.

Feastday of St. John Vianney

2009-08-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

St. John Vianney

“Love for your neighbour consists of three things: To desire the greater good of everyone; to do what good we can when we can; to bear, excuse and hide others' faults'” (St. John Vianney)
The Curé of Ars.

The feastday of St. John Vianney in the Traditional Calendar is August 8th, so here is some info about the patron saint of Parish Priests.

John Mary Vianney was born on May 8, 1786, in a tiny village, Dardily, 3 miles north of Lyons. His parents were small farmers. He was the third of six children. The family was known to be kind to beggars. In fact, sixteen years before his birth, St Benedict Joseph Labre, known as beggar saint, had visited the family and left them his blessing.

To be a priest, to win many souls, were the thoughts shaping in John Mary's mind as he turned seventeen. His mother was overjoyed, but it took another two years for his father to be brought around.

In spite of his poor marks, John Mary was finally accepted because of his holiness. He would rise from bed at around one in the morning, then make his way with a lighted candle to the church where people would already be waiting for him. He would kneel at the foot of the altar and pray, then enter the confessional and hear confessions without a break until the hour for Mass. After Mass, he would again sit in the confessional until eleven. Then he would give his catechism lesson for about forty-five minutes. In order to recite his breviary, he would frequently tell his penitent to remain quietly at the confessional while he said the office, this being the only way to find time for it.

A young priest wrote to him: "Monsieur le Cure, a man with as little theology as yourself ought never to enter a confessional." The Cure of Ars replied: "My very dear and respected colleague, how right I am to love you. You alone really know me. As you are good and charitable enough to deign to take interest in my poor soul, help me to obtain the favour for which I have been asking for so long, so that I may be moved from a post I am unworthy to fill because of my ignorance and retire into obscurity to atone for my wretched life."

Visitors began appearing at Ars in large numbers, some out of curiosity, but most of them in order to make their confession and received Holy Communion from his hands.

Worn out by his labours and austerities, he grew weaker. He kept fainting in the confessional. His voice in the pulpit became very feeble. At one o'clock in the morning on July 30, 1859, he called for the Cure of Jassons and humbly made his confession. He received Holy Viaticum at three in the afternoon. He wept. "It is sad to receive the Lord for the last time," he said. "How good God is! When we cannot go and see him, he comes to us."

He was beatified on January 8, 1905, by Pius X and canonized on May 31, 1925, by Pius XI. In 1929, Pius XI declared him patron Saint of parish Priests all over the world. His incorrupt body now reposes in the new basilica at Ars in a glass coffin.

The Feast of St. Dominic

2009-08-04T11:29:00.000-07:00

Today is the feast day of St. Dominic (in the Traditional Calendar), he was one of the great saints of the middle ages. The sanctity of this holy friar soon spread throughout Christendom. “The life of St. Dominic was one of tireless effort in the, service of god. While he journeyed from place to place he prayed and preached almost uninterruptedly. His penance’s were of such a nature as to cause the brethren, who accidentally discovered them, to fear the effect upon his life. While his charity was boundless he never permitted it to interfere with the stern sense of duty that guided every action of his life…. He was canonised on 13 July, 1234, (whereupon) Gregory IX declared that he no more doubted the saintliness of Saint Dominic than he did that of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.” (The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913).

Here are the Epistle and Gospel for the Mass of St. Dominic (1962 – Traditional Missal).

Tuesday, 04 August 2009
St Dominic, confessor

Epistle
2 Tim 4,1-8.

I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming and his kingdom:Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers having itching ears:And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables.But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober.For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand.I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 12,35-40.

Let your loins be girt and lamps burning in your hands. And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you that he will gird himself and make them sit down to meat and passing will minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch or come in the third watch and find them so, blessed are those servants. But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not the Son of man will come.

Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible

New Assistant LMS Rep for Gloucestershire

2009-07-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

This is just a short post to say that the new assistant LMS Rep for Gloucestershire is yours truly the author of this blog! You can contact me on juventutemcatholicam@yahoo.co.uk. My name is Damian Barker and I will be working to try and increase the number of Masses in this part of the world. There is still much hostility against Summorum Pontificum in Gloucesterhire, hopefully this will be overcome – with time.

New LMS Blog for Gloucestershire

2009-07-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

There is a new LMS blog for Gloucestershire, it is a bit sparse at the moment, but it gives an overview of what Mass locations are available in Gloucestershire.

http://latinmasssocietyingloucestershire.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately there is only one Sunday Mass once a month for the whole of the County, which covers a population of half a million people. Hopefully this will change in the near future.

Pilgrimage to Caldey Island

2009-07-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

At the start of July an historic Pilgrimage took place on Caldey island, which is just off the coast of South Wales. The island is one of the oldest monastic islands in Britain and is currently owned by the Cistercian.

It was the first time that the Traditional Mass was celebrated on Caldey Island in c.40 years.

The Feast was the Most Precious Blood.The celebrant was Fr Jason Jones of Our Lady of the Taper, Cardigan.

Is God calling ME?

2009-06-18T12:10:00.000-07:00

Come and discern:

Vocation Retreat (2 nights)

4-6 August 2009

Preached by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP, Ecclesiastical Assistant Juventutem

Starts: Tuesday 4th August 2009 at 1pm –Ends: Thursday 6th August at 3pm

Theme: ”Ask the master of the harvest to send out labourers for his harvest.” (Mt 9,38)

Retreat for celibate lay men, age 16-40 (English-speakers living in or outside the UK)

Vocations video: http://www.fssp.org/objet/flashpretreEN.htm

Cost: no set price : (donations welcome).

Schedule: Silent retreat (inside the premises); meals with table reading on the theme of the retreat or music; includes a one-hour conference in the morning and in the afternoon; coffee-break; walks around the house in beautiful countryside of Devon; possibility of private meeting with the Retreat Master and of confession. Eucharistic Adoration.

Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite each of the three days :

· Tues. 3pm : St Dominic, Founder of the Order of Preachers;

· Wed. 11am: Dedication of St Mary of the Snows;

· Thurs. 11am : Transfiguration of OLJC.

Location: in Axminster, Devon (between Exeter and Yeovil).

By car: near A35, south of M5.

By rail: Axminster station: trains from London Paddington, London Waterloo, etc. A lift from and to the railway station can be arranged, also from the London area.

Booking and contact: Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP, 179 Elgar Rd, Reading RG2 0DH, Berks – Tel.: 0118 987 5819 – E-mail: fij_malleray@fssp.org

Website: http://www.fssp.org.uk/

To make a donation to help others – especially students – attend the retreat: please use contact above (£ cheques made payable to ”FSSP England” – please mention ”Retreat Sponsoring”. Thank you very much). FSSP England is a registered charity

LETTER TO CLERGY FOR THE YEAR FOR PRIESTS

2009-06-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

VATICAN CITY, 18 JUN 2009 (VIS) - The Pope has sent a Letter to the priests of the world for the occasion of the Year for Priests, which has been called to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney.

Dear Brother Priests,

On the forthcoming Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday 19 June 2009 - a day traditionally devoted to prayer for the sanctification of the clergy - I have decided to inaugurate a "Year for Priests" in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the "dies natalis" of John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests worldwide.

I still treasure the memory of the first parish priest at whose side I exercised my ministry as a young priest: he left me an example of unreserved devotion to his pastoral duties, even to meeting death in the act of bringing viaticum to a gravely ill person. I also recall the countless confreres whom I have met and continue to meet, not least in my pastoral visits to different countries: men generously dedicated to the daily exercise of their priestly ministry. Yet the expression of St. John Mary also makes us think of Christ's pierced Heart and the crown of thorns which surrounds it. I am also led to think, therefore, of the countless situations of suffering endured by many priests, either because they themselves share in the manifold human experience of pain or because they encounter misunderstanding from the very persons to whom they minister. How can we not also think of all those priests who are offended in their dignity, obstructed in their mission and persecuted, even at times to offering the supreme testimony of their own blood?

St. John Mary Vianney taught his parishioners primarily by the witness of his life. It was from his example that they learned to pray, halting frequently before the tabernacle for a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. "One need not say much to pray well" - the Cure explained to them - "We know that Jesus is there in the tabernacle: let us open our hearts to Him, let us rejoice in His sacred presence. That is the best prayer". And he would urge them: "Come to communion, my brothers and sisters, come to Jesus. Come to live from Him in order to live with Him. ... "Of course you are not worthy of him, but you need him!". This way of educating the faithful to the Eucharistic presence and to communion proved most effective when they saw him celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Those present said that "it was not possible to find a finer example of worship. ... He gazed upon the Host with immense love". "All good works, taken together, do not equal the sacrifice of the Mass" - he would say - "since they are human works, while the Holy Mass is the work of God". He was convinced that the fervour of a priest's life depended entirely upon the Mass: "The reason why a priest is lax is that he does not pay attention to the Mass! My God, how we ought to pity a priest who celebrates as if he were engaged in something routine!". He was accustomed, when celebrating, also to offer his own life in sacrifice: "What a good thing it is for a priest each morning to offer himself to God in sacrifice!"

To the Most Holy Virgin I entrust this Year for Priests. I ask her to awaken in the heart of every priest a generous and renewed commitment to the ideal of complete self-oblation to Christ and the Church which inspired the thoughts and actions of the saintly Cure of Ars. It was his fervent prayer life and his impassioned love of Christ Crucified that enabled John Mary Vianney to grow daily in his total self-oblation to God and the Church. May his example lead all priests to offer that witness of unity with their bishop, with one another and with the lay faithful, which today, as ever, is so necessary. Despite all the evil present in our world, the words which Christ spoke to His Apostles in the Upper Room continue to inspire us: "In the world you have tribulation; but take courage, I have overcome the world". Our faith in the Divine Master gives us the strength to look to the future with confidence. Dear priests, Christ is counting on you. In the footsteps of the Cure of Ars, let yourselves be enthralled by Him. In this way you too will be, for the world in our time, heralds of hope, reconciliation and peace!

Benedict XVI.

BXVI-LETTER/YEAR FOR PRIESTS/... VIS 090618 (4360)

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.
Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Novena for Juventutem

2009-05-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

WWW.JUVENTUTEM.ORG

Ad Deum Qui laetificat + Juventutem meam

Dear Juventutem Friends,

Greetings in the Lord.

In 10 days (Sunday after the Ascension, 24^th May) on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians we will celebrate the third anniversary of the foundation of the International Juventutem Federation. We invite you to pray each of the next 9 days one decade of the Holy Rosary for all Juventutem members worldwide and for the clergy supporting Juventutem.

With my prayer,

Fr de Malleray, Ecclesiastical Assistant Juventutem

_______________________________________________________________________

Upcoming events:

1)Traditional international ‘Pilgrimage of Christendom’ from Paris to Chartres, France, May 30^th – June 1^st, 2009 (cf http://www.nd-chretiente.com/index-eng.php). Join the Juventutem chapter and walk from Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris to Notre-Dame cathedral in Chartres, together with 8,000 other young pilgrims! All Masses in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite. Meet with dozens of clergy and religious from the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter and other ‘Ecclesia Dei’ communities.

Contact: Madeleine Readings : madeleinereadings@googlemail.com.

2)Juventutem retreat in England, Douai Abbey, Berks, September 18-20, 2009: all young adults welcome.

Preacher: Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP.

Contact: Damian Barker: juventutemcatholicam@yahoo.co.uk; for more details, please see http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/news.htm.
Cost: from as little as 25 GBP for students (or 48-88 GBP for non students).

Some Good News! Young Catholic Adults Douai Abbey Retreat Gets Bigger and Better

2009-05-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

During the weekend of the 18-20 September 2009. Young Catholic Adults (YCA are part of the international Juventutem Federation) will be running a Traditional Retreat at Douai Abbey in the south of England, the weekend will be led by Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr de Malleray. Summorum Pontificum must be working - at least in a "brick by brick" fashion, just look at the following:-

-For the first time Young Catholic Adults will be using the main Abbey Church for Mass

-For the first time YCA will be organising a Missa Cantata, sung by the Douai Singers; this will be followed by a Marian Procession

- YCA has booked out the whole of the retreat complex this year, on the advice of Douai Abbey itself, as the monks were so pleased with the YCA retreat last year

Places are limited so please book early

-YCA will have the retreat centre to itself
-There will be a social in the evening
- Fr. de Malleray FSSP head of Juventutem will preach the retreat, all Masses will be in the Extraordinary form
- There will be a Sung Mass (Missa Canta) on Saturday 19th September 09’ at 10am. The choir will be the Douai Singers, in the main Abbey Church, followed by a Marian Procession at 11am (starting from the main Abbey Church) around the extensive grounds of the Abbey (weather permitting, if the weather is poor there will be Marian devotions in the main Abbey Church )
-The weekend will be full-board (except for the Sunday lunch)

How to book

The cost of the weekend will be from as little as 25 pounds for students (or 48-88 pounds for non students) for more details, please see http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/news.htm or email juventutemcatholicam@yahoo.co.uk.

Events Open to the Public

The Sung Mass (Missa Canta) on Saturday 19th September 09’ at 10am followed by a Marian Procession around the extensive grounds of the Abbey at 11am (starting from the main Abbey Church) are open to the public.

There are also a few rooms allocated for all age groups (not just YCA) so please book soon.

There are limited places so please reserve your place early!

Cardinal Zen

2009-04-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

Again the blog Rorate Coeli reports that….”The hype of the official religious press would lead us to believe that only a few activists and some old senile folks are disposed to traditional forms of the Roman Rite ... Each day brings evidence to the contrary. Today that evidence comes from China. We’ve learned that His Excellency Joseph Cardinal Zen Zekiun, bishop of Hong Kong, wished to celebrate his final Pontifical Mass on April 15, 2009 - less than eight days ago - in the extraordinary form of the Roman rite. This is how the Cardinal wanted to demonstrate his commitment to the liturgical form in China which has nourished numerous martyrs of the Faith.

The Cardinal, who is known for his frankness, also told the many journalists who attended the ceremony that he now wanted to devote part of his retirement life to the faithful who are attached to the traditional liturgy of the Church.” (H/t to http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com).

The new SSPX Rosary Crusade

2009-04-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

From Rorate Coeli (h/t to http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com). Rorate states. “In his latest Letter to Friends and Benefactors (in French, dated April 15, 2009), the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX / SSPX), Bishop Bernard Fellay, after some strong words about those enemies of the Church (inside and outside Church institutions) who have been trying to undermine the Pope's efforts of reconciliation, proposes another Rosary Crusade, much larger than the other two previous Crusades.”

Bishop Fellay writes:-

"It seems to us that the moment is come to launch a substantial offensive, deeply anchored in the message of Our Lady at Fatima, in which she herself promised the happy ending, for she announces that, in the end, her Immaculate Heart will triumph. It is this triumph that we ask her, by the means that she herself requests, the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart by the Supreme Shepherd and all the bishops of the Catholic world, and the propagation of the devotion to her Dolorous and Immaculate Heart. It is for this that we wish to offer her, with this purpose, from now to March 25, 2010, a bouquet of 12 million Rosaries, as a crown of as many stars around her, accompanied by an equivalent sum of daily sacrifices that we may be able to fulfill most of all in the faithful accomplishment of the duties of our state of life, and with the promise to propagate the devotion to her Immaculate Heart."

Juventutem Event in Puy- en- Velay in France

2009-04-26T09:18:00.001-07:00

Poster. Puy en Velay, originally uploaded by ps99ddb.

A flyer for the for next summer Juventutem gathering in France has just been sent to me. It will take place on August 18-23, 2009. Plan ahead and make sure you will be with us during this wonderful week in one among the most ancient Marian shrines in the world. Come and venerate the famous "Black Madonna", come and attend beautiful liturgies, meet young adults from various countries motivated by the Roman traditions of the Church, improve your Catholic knowledge through sound lectures and explore the breathtaking volcanos landscape of the "Massif Central". Contact: http://www.juventutem.org/.

The Feast of Easter as Described by the The Catholic Encyclopedia (1917).

2009-04-11T12:36:00.000-07:00

Easter is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year. Leo I (Sermo xlvii in Exodum) calls it the greatest feast (festum festorum), and says that Christmas is celebrated only in preparation for Easter. It is the centre of the greater part of the ecclesiastical year. The order of Sundays from Septuagesima to the last Sunday after Pentecost, the feast of the Ascension, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, and all other movable feasts, from that of the Prayer of Jesus in the Garden (Tuesday after Septuagesima) to the feast of the Sacred Heart (Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi), depend upon the Easter date.... The connection between the Jewish Passover and the Christian feast of Easter is real and ideal. Real, since Christ died on the first Jewish Easter Day; ideal, like the relation between type and reality, because Christ's death and Resurrection had its figures and types in the Old Law, particularly in the paschal lamb, which was eaten towards evening of the 14th of Nisan….The connection between the Jewish and the Christian Pasch explains the movable character of this feast. Easter has no fixed date, like Christmas, because the 15th of Nisan of the Semitic calendar was shifting from date to date on the Julian calendar.

The First Council of Nicaea (325) decreed that the Roman practice should be observed throughout the Church. But even at Rome the Easter term was changed repeatedly. Those who continued to keep Easter with the Jews were called Quartodecimans (14 Nisan) and were excluded from the Church. The computus paschalis, the method of determining the date of Easter and the dependent feasts, was of old considered so important that Durandus (Rit. div. off., 8, c.i.) declares a priest unworthy of the name who does not know the computus paschalis. The movable character of Easter (22 March to 25 April) gives rise to inconveniences, especially in modern times. For decades scientists and other people have worked in vain for a simplification of the computus, assigning Easter to the first Sunday in April or to the Sunday nearest the 7th of April. Some even wish to put every Sunday to a certain date of the month, e.g. beginning with New Year's always on a Sunday, etc. [See L. Günther, "Zeitschrift Weltall" (1903); Sandhage and P. Dueren in "Pastor bonus" (Trier, 1906); C. Tondini, "L'Italia e la questione del Calendario" (Florence, 1905).]

From “The Catholic Encyclopedia (1917).

Pope Benedict the Great?

2009-03-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

(H/t to http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity।blogspot।com for the photo)

Pope Benedict the XVI has come in for much criticism lately, especially since the problems with Bishop Williamson. However, what we have actually witnessed is a few dissenting voices, who I suspect were never enamored with Cardinal Ratzinger and his theology, trying to put the boot in when they perceived the Pope to be at his most vulnerable.

How has Benedict reacted? He has been extraordinary! The open Letter to the Bishops of the World is a masterly explanation of why he lifted the excommunication of the Society of Pius X (SSPX) Bishops. Regarding the doctrinal issue, the Pope makes the following important points:

“The Church’s teaching authority cannot be frozen in the year 1962 – this must be quite clear to the Society. But some of those who put themselves forward as great defenders of the Council also need to be reminded that Vatican II embraces the entire doctrinal history of the Church. Anyone who wishes to be obedient to the Council has to accept the faith professed over the centuries, and cannot sever the roots from which the tree draws its life.” (Letter to the Bishops)

The Holy Father generously refers to the numbers of priests and religious involved with the SSPX and the work that they do, and asks. "Can we simply exclude them, as representatives of a radical fringe, from our pursuit of reconciliation and unity?" Furthermore Benedict states:-

“But should not the great Church also allow herself to be generous in the knowledge of her great breadth, in the knowledge of the promise made to her? Should not we, as good educators, also be capable of overlooking various faults and making every effort to open up broader vistas? And should we not admit that some unpleasant things have also emerged in Church circles? At times one gets the impression that our society needs to have at least one group to which no tolerance may be shown; which one can easily attack and hate. And should someone dare to approach them – in this case the Pope – he too loses any right to tolerance; he too can be treated hatefully, without misgiving or restraint” (Letter to the Bishops)

Again there has been vociferous carping against the Pope relating to his comments that the promotion of condoms promotes AIDS. Again even some in the Church have added their dissident voices. Yet this is the teaching of the Church! The Church cannot change its position on these issues, like a political party, the Pope was simply stating Catholic teaching. It’s a pity that we hardly ever hear Catholic teaching about the immorality of artificial contraception being preached in our Parishes, it’s a pity the Pope has to preach this doctrine almost single –handily. But he does so and he does it fearlessly and he is a hero for doing so. Let us all pray for Benedict that he continues to do such a good job.

A dyslexic Moment – Apologies

2009-03-06T12:19:00.000-08:00

Sorry if anyone received the first version of the post below by automated email giving the wrong time and place for the YCA retreat, it is definitely the 18-20th September 2009! The mistakes at

http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/news.htm

Also at:-

http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/events.htm

Have been corrected.

Young Catholic Adults (part of the Juventutem Federation) Douai Abbey

2009-03-06T12:06:00.001-08:00

The Marian Procession July 5th, originally uploaded by ps99ddb.

During the weekend of the 18-20 September 2009. Young Catholic Adults will be running a Traditional Retreat at Douai Abbey, the retreat will be led by Juventutem Ecclesiastical Leader Fr de Malleray .

Places are limited so please book early

* YCA will have half of the whole retreat centre to itself
* There will be a social in the evening
* Fr. de Malleray FSSP head of Juventutem will preach the retreat,

Mass will be in the Extraordinary form.

The cost of the weekend will be:-

Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th September (full board)*

48 pounds full-board (except Sunday lunch)
25 pounds for students/low waged/unwaged

Or to come for 3 days:- Friday 18th - Sunday 20th September

88 pounds; 45 pounds for students/low waged/unwaged)
*All costs are full board - apart from Sunday lunch

Come for the day

Or come for the day on Saturday 19th September
Suggested donation 5 pounds (extra for meals)

How to book - limited places so please reserve your place early

To reserve your place FOR THE WEEKEND (no deposit needed if you are coming for the day on Saturday 5th July), please a 20 pound deposit (NON RETURNABLE) to Damian Barker, Flat 5, 12 St. Catherine Street, Kingsholm, Gloucester, Glos. GL2 9DU (please make any cheques payable to YCA).

See http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/news.htm for more details

"Catholic with Attitude" blog

2009-03-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

Fr. Tim Finigan writes on http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/, "Shaun Bailham, a young student of Theology and Religious Studies at St Mary's, University College, Twickenham has recently started a blog called Catholic with Attitude." Fr Finigan continues…. “I am always interested to hear about St Mary's....it was a teacher training college. In recent years, it has developed greatly and was recently given the power to award its own taught degrees and is looking forward to gaining full university status.”

I have had a look myself and I would certainly recommend this blog! You can find it at:- http://catholicwithattitude.blogspot.com/

MESSAGE FOR WORLD YOUTH DAY FROM POPE BENEDICT

2009-03-04T11:17:00.000-08:00

MESSAGE FOR WORLD YOUTH DAY

VATICAN CITY, 4 MAR 2009 (VIS) - "We have set our hope on the living God" is the theme of the Holy Father's Message to young people for the Twenty-fourth World Youth Day, which is due to be celebrated on 5 April, Palm Sunday. The text was published today in four languages: Italian, Spanish, English and French. Extracts from the English-language version are given below:

"1. Youth, a time of hope"

"We are all aware of the need for hope, not just any kind of hope, but a firm and reliable hope. ... Youth is a special time of hope because it looks to the future with a whole range of expectations. When we are young we cherish ideals, dreams and plans. Youth is the time when decisive choices concerning the rest of our lives come to fruition. Perhaps this is why it is the time of life when fundamental questions assert themselves strongly. ... These are questions that become insistent when we are faced with obstacles that sometimes seem insurmountable. ... We then ask ourselves: where can I obtain and how can I keep alive the flame of hope burning in my heart?

" 2. In search of the great hope

"Experience shows that personal qualities and material goods are not enough to guarantee the hope which the human spirit is constantly seeking. ... Politics, science, technology, economics and all other material resources are not of themselves sufficient to provide the great hope to which we all aspire. This hope 'can only be God, Who encompasses the whole of reality and Who can bestow upon us what we, by ourselves, cannot attain'. This is why one of the main consequences of ignoring God is the evident loss of direction that marks our societies, resulting in loneliness and violence, discontent and loss of confidence that can often lead to despair".

"The crisis of hope is more likely to affect the younger generations. In socio-cultural environments with few certainties, values or firm points of reference, they find themselves facing difficulties that seem beyond their strength. ... For some (unfortunately a significant number) the almost unavoidable way out involves an alienating escape into dangerous and violent behaviour, dependence on drugs and alcohol, and many other such traps for the unwary. ... But how can we speak of this hope to those young people? ... The main task for us all is that of a new evangelisation aimed at helping younger generations to rediscover the true face of God, Who is Love. To you young people, who are in search of a firm hope, I address the very words that St. Paul wrote to the persecuted Christians in Rome at that time: 'May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit'".

" 3. St . Paul, witness of hope

"When Paul found himself immersed in difficulties and trials of various kinds, he wrote to his faithful disciple Timothy: 'We have set our hope on the living God'. How did this hope take root in him? In order to answer that question we must go back to his encounter with the Risen Jesus on the road to Damascus . At that time, Saul was a young person like you in his early twenties, a follower of the Law of Moses and determined to fight, ... and even to kill those he regarded as God's enemies. ... After that encounter, Paul's life changed radically, ... he was inwardly transformed by the Divine Love he had met in the person of Jesus Christ. ... From being a persecutor, he became a witness and a missionary. He founded Christian communities in Asia Minor and Greece , and travelled thousands of miles amid all kinds of perils, culminating in his martyrdom in Rome . All this for love of Christ.

"4. The great hope is in Christ

"For Paul, hope is not simply an ideal or sentiment, but a living person: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. ... If we are not alone, if He is with us, even more, if He is our present and our future, why be afraid?"

"5. The way towards the great hope

"Just as He once encountered the young Paul, Jesus also wants to encounter each one of you, my dear young people. ... But perhaps some of you might ask me: How can I meet Him today? Or rather, in what way does He approach me? The Church teaches us that the desire to encounter the Lord is already a fruit of His grace".

"Persevering prayer opens the heart to receive Him. ... Make space for prayer in your lives! To pray alone is good, although it is even more beautiful and fruitful to pray together, because the Lord assured us He would be present wherever two or three are gathered in His name".

"Take part in your parish liturgies and be abundantly nourished by the word of God and your active participation in the Sacraments. As you know, the summit and centre of the life and mission of every believer and every Christian community is the Eucharist".

"6. Acting in accordance with Christian hope

"If you find your sustenance in Christ, my dear young people, and if you live profoundly in Him as did the Apostle Paul, you will not be able to resist speaking about Him and making Him known and loved by many of your friends and contemporaries".

"The Church depends on you for this demanding mission. Do not be discouraged by the difficulties and trials you encounter. Be patient and persevering so as to overcome the natural youthful tendency to rush ahead and to want everything immediately".

"If Jesus has become your hope, communicate this to others with your joy and your spiritual, apostolic and social engagement. ... Make choices that demonstrate your faith. Show that you understand the risks of idolising money, material goods, career and success, and do not allow yourselves to be attracted by these false illusions. Do not yield to the rationale of selfish interests. Cultivate love of neighbour and try to put yourselves and your human talents and professional abilities at the service of the common good and of truth, always prepared to 'make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you'. True Christians are never sad, even if they have to face trials of various kinds, because the presence of Jesus is the secret of their joy and peace.

"7. Mary, Mother of hope"

"The Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope ... who incarnated the hope of Israel , who gave the world its Saviour, and who remained at the foot of the Cross with steadfast hope, is our model and our support. Most of all, Mary intercedes for us and leads us through the darkness of our trials to the radiant dawn of an encounter with the Risen Christ".

"Mary, Star of the Sea, we ask you to guide the young people of the whole world to an encounter with your Divine Son Jesus. Be the celestial guardian of their fidelity to the Gospel and of their hope".

MESS/WORLD YOUTH DAY/... VIS 090304 (1210)

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.
Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Juventutem in Bern, Switzerland, February 21-22, 2009

2009-03-02T11:34:00.001-08:00

Young Catholic Adults, originally uploaded by ps99ddb.

(The full report can be found at:-http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/news.htm)

For the second time, representatives from Juventutem groups in various countries have met in Bern, Switzerland, on February 21st and 22nd, 2009.

The schedule was similar to the one last year. Over twenty Juventutem members had travelled to Switzerland for the occasion. They came from France, England, Ireland, Slovakia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Spain, of course Switzerland, and even Russia. Like last year, the aim was not to have many people, but rather to ensure diversity of representation.

The gathering officially started with Holy Mass at 3pm at the Villa Maria. Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr Armand de Malleray offered a votive Mass of Saint John Bosco, Patron of Catholic Youth. In English and in French Fr de Malleray drew a parallel between St John Bosco’s time and ours, reminding us that the great apostle of Turin had had to overcome all sorts of suspicion and of opposition as the government accused him of working for the Vatican against the new regime set up by the Piedmont-Savoy sacrilegious monarch. King Victor-Emmanuel of Piedmont-Savoy had indeed invaded the Pontifical States, putting all Catholic clergy loyal to the Sovereign Pontiff in a very delicate situation. Despite the most obvious value of St John Bosco’s apostolates for the education of the youth and of the clergy, shaping young men into good and trustworthy subjects when so many others were falling into illegality and vices, these worthy initiatives were often hindered by civil authorities. This did not prevent the saint from working wonders at the service of God. Fr de Malleray said that current anti Catholic prejudice could sometimes discourage us in the XXIst century. However he added, we should be certain that God’s almighty grace could help us bare abundant fruit and achieve great things for his Reign - if only union with God was our essential and constant goal. Thomas Balsis from Lithuania served the Low Mass, which was concluded by the singing of the Marian antiphon “Ave Regina Coelorum”.

After thanksgiving, we met in the refectory for coffee. The Juventutem Federation’s flag was hanging on the wall. Like last year, the Sisters had prepared everything for us on the tables and really made us all feel at home. There was an informal time for greeting each other. It was good to see again many members who had come last year. For instance, newlywed Damian Barker from Juventutem England (YCA) had come with his wife. Some of us had seen each other in between, either at the traditional pilgrimage to Chartres, or at WYD in Australia. Vassili came from Moscow, where he leads the Gregorian schola for the Old Rite Mass.

Juventutem Federation President Gregory Flash then opened the official session. Each member introduced himself or herself and shared update on his or her group’s activities. Gregory said it was important to keep the Federation informed of what we were doing as Juventutem groups. He asked whether we had seen any improvement in our situations as the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum was making the Roman traditions of the Church better valued and accessible. It seemed that the multiplication of Mass centers in the Extraordinary Form could make it easier for more youths to hear about these traditions and benefit from them, but on the other hand, it also meant that each Mass center had fewer people attending, thus making the traditional setting sometimes less attractive for youths. Young people like it better when they see a sufficient number of other youths interested in the same things.

Cosimo also asked for the addresses to be updated, as a fair number of the 450 Juventutem Christmas cards he had sent two months ago had been returned to him due to incorrect address.

Gregory Flash then announced his intention to have a successor elected. He added that he had talked already with Raphaël Waldis about that possibility. We then proceeded with the vote, with Raphaël being elected at the first ballot. Several groups who did not have a representative physically present had sent a proxy. Raphaël thanked the members and said he was happy to be of help. The fact he lives in Switzerland will help for collaboration with Treasurer Cosimo Marti.

We then went back into the chapel for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and adoration, served by Damian Barker, from England. It was a wonderful moment, all of us gathered before the Lord, fulfilling a very essential dimension of Juventutem’s spirituality centered on Eucharistic devotion, both through the Mass and through adoration, as depicted in our logo. After having exposed the Blessed Sacrament, Fr de Malleray recessed in the sacristy to hear confessions while we adored. He then came back and led us in praying a decade of the Rosary asking for strength and protection for the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. He reminded us of the fact a novena was currently being prayed all over the world for the Holy Father, ending the day after, on the Feast of the Chair of St Peter. We also presented to God the intentions of all Juventutem groups and supporters all over the world.

After adoration we cleaned the refectory and tidied up the chapel and sacristy, before making our way to Il Grissino, the restaurant where we were to have dinner. It was a very merry evening in a casual and convivial atmosphere. We were glad to have among us Mr Heinz Müller, an ebenist supporting Juventutem (although not a Catholic). The night was beautiful, with snow in the streets, then quieter than last year when it was carnival.

Dinner at the restaurant was a great opportunity for all to talk casually with each other and exchange news. French and English were the most commonly spoken languages.

On Sunday morning 22 February we all met again at Holy Trinity Church for Holy Mass. Like last year the Secretary to the Papal Nunciature attended Mass in choir. Mgr Ruiz Mainardi had been assigned at the Papal Nunciature in Cuba, but his successor was equally pleased to pray with us. Unlike last year though, for want of available clerics, we had a Sung Mass and not a Solemn High Mass. It was served by male members of Juventutem from various countries, while others – boys and girls alike – joined in the schola to sing the Gregorian kyriale and proper of the Quinquagesima Sunday. Fr de Malleray offered the Mass and preached on Juventutem. He quoted Pope Benedict’s homily at Randwick on the last WYD in Sydney, and also Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos’ letter of support to the International Juventutem Federation last year.

After thanksgiving we met for breakfast at the Hôtel National where Dr and Mrs Gerd Weisensee joined us. Dr Weisensee has supported Juventutem from the beginning and had given a talk on pro-life legal issues related with health insurance at the first Juventutem gathering in Bavaria, August 2005. Breakfast was followed with a projection of pictures and films (www.juventutem.org) on Juventutem activities over the past year, mainly on the Eucharistic Congress in Québec, Canada, and at WYD in Melbourne and Sydney. We then had a time for sharing our experiences and our expectations as Juventutem members. Tomas Balsis, from Juventutem Lithuania, was presented with an ancient map of his country. It was quite unique to hear such a diversity of testimonies among a rather small group of people representing very diverse cultures and languages (with members from Spain, France, England, Ireland, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Lithuania, Slovakia, Italy and Russia).

We then met for lunch at Il Grissino where the waiters now know our group fairly well. The Nunciature’s Secretary came for lunch as well and was able to speak with Kieran, from Juventutem Ireland, his fellow citizen. Fr Arnaud Evrat, FSSP, the chaplain to Juventutem Switzerland, attended lunch as well. Some of us started departing in order to catch their trains back home, while others stayed longer. Some were shown around Bern by Cosimo Marti. That week-end has been a blessed time of fraternal gathering and it is a pleasure to see that the Federation is getting stronger through mutual friendship and prayer. We all gave thanks to God “Who giveth joy to our youth" - ad Deum qui laetificat Juventutem nostram. Taken from (http://www.juventutem.org)

The Pope Appoints Fr. Tim Finigan as the New Archbishop of Westminster

2009-02-27T13:19:00.000-08:00

Ooops I'm daydreaming again! H/t to Fr Z at http://wdtprs.com

Support Fr. Tim Finigan Against the Bitter Taste of the Tablet

2009-02-20T12:31:00.000-08:00

(Editorial Note) I've just read one of the nastiest articles for a long time। Click here for the full story.It seems to me that the only reason it (the Tablet) ran the article was that Fr. Tim Finigan, celebrates one extraordinary form Mass on a Sunday morning - goodness me what a terrible thing to do!(plus 3 other English Novus Ordo Masses over the weekend). But surely this is exactly what Pope Benedict wants in his reform of the liturgy। Fr. Tim Finigan is just being a faithful Catholic Priest - nothing more and nothing less.

Have the Tablet finally lost it I ask, well I think they have. It manages to find 9 people who don't like Father Finigan - is that all they could get!! In one Parish in the South West of England (which will remain nameless) the whole Church appeared to dislike a new incoming Priest (for no apparent reason - he seemed very pleasant to me).

I have only met Fr. Finigan a couple of times and had email contact a couple of times; however, it struck me (and this is confirmed from everyone else I come into contact with) that he is one of the best, hard working and most decent of Parish Priests that I have ever come across. The Tablet should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. If anyone reads this entry and subscribes to this periodical (unlikely I know) PLEASE CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION NOW.

As Fr. Z says,

"The progressivists are terrified.They are afraid that Fr. Finigan might succeed. They are attacking him in order to discourage other priests from doing what Fr. Finigan is accomplishing.They hate what he stands for and they earnestly will work for his failure. And not just failure. They want him to fail and suffer in his failure.They will do anything and to anyone to prevent the older form of Mass from resurging."

Please keep up the great work that you are doing Fr. Tim Finigan, we're all behind you.

Fr Ray Blake - Some Good Points

2009-02-18T10:11:00.000-08:00

I came across this today and thought it worth copying in full:-

The battle, or maybe it is a war, is ultimately about whether we can know God and trust what he has revealed. Most of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council was issued in the form of a Decree, solemn teaching meant to inform the Church and individuals. Four documents were issued as were issued as "Dogmatic Constitutions", these were intended not just to teach but to form Catholic theology, to identify what was de fide, of the faith.

It is widely known that the young Father Joseph Ratzinger was one of the major authors behind the Dogmatic Constitution on the Word of God, Dei Verbum. In it modern biblical science is examined such as text and form criticism, the examination whether a document is meant to be a story, a myth or an historic truth, it examines the authorship of scripture by God and man, and the relationship between Scripture and Tradition. It sought to answer Modernism and Literalist Fundamentalism.

Modernism: basically said that scripture was a purely human invention, which means it is powerless, and God does not touch humanity.

Literalist Fundamentalist: would have scripture dictated by God directly into the ear of its human author, which is simply nonsensical, it denies a Catholic understanding of Grace and human co-operation with it.

Practically every word the Pope has uttered or written since his election as Pope has been on God's revelation to Man. His emphasis on the Hermeneutic of Continuity says that God has been present in his Church for two thousand years and can be indeed be trusted, we have not been left orphans. His book Jesus of Nazareth is continually stressing that the Gospels can be trusted, which is so important when most theologians and most scripture scholars follow the Protestant line of the unreliability of scripture. His Wednesday catechesis on the Fathers and St Paul stress the continuity of the Church from Christ to the present day, and God's continued guidance. The Synod on the Word of God, which was a bit lack-lustre, but more importantly the eventual release of his response to it, is crucial to this Papacy and I am sure will emphasise God speaking to his people.

I really do believe that we are entering a period in the history of the Church which touches on issues as important as the Christological controversies of the first millenium. It is about the very nature of God himself. The Pope alone, and those who gather with him, stands for the continuation of the Catholic faith: God speaking directly through Tradition and Scripture, God touching directly the lives of the faithful through the sacraments, Man being saved by coming into contact with God in his Church.

The Pope's almost manic ecumenical work with the Orthodox, his inter-religious dialogue, his reconciliation of Traditionalist groups, of talks with groups of "Catholic" Anglicans are all about strengthening the position of those who believe God is "knowable". H/t to Fr. Ray Blake.

Benedict on Bede

2009-02-18T10:03:00.000-08:00

Pope Benedict today on the venerable Bede:-

VENERABLE BEDE: SAINT AND SCHOLAR

VATICAN CITY, 18 FEB 2009 (VIS) - In the general audience, held this morning in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 15,000 people, Benedict XVI dedicated his catechesis to St. Bede the Venerable.

Bede was born around the year 672 in the English region of Northumbria . When he was seven years old his family entrusted his education to the abbot of a nearby Benedictine monastery and he became, the Holy Father explained, "one of the most outstanding scholars of the early Middle Ages. ... His teaching and the fame of his writings brought him many friends among the principal personages of his day, who encouraged him to continue his work, which brought benefits to so many people".

"Sacred Scripture was the constant source of Bede's theological reflections". He considered "the events of the Old and New Testaments jointly" as "a way towards Christ", a testament to the same faith, "though expressed using different signs and institutions".

As an example of this, Benedict XVI mentioned Bede's interpretation of the construction of the Temple of Jerusalem: "Just as pagans also helped to build the ancient Temple by supplying materials and the technical experience of their master builders, so the edification of the Church involved apostles and masters who came not just from the ancient Hebrew, Greek or Latin peoples, but also from the new peoples, among whom Bede mentions the Irish Celts and the Anglo-Saxons".

The Pope then dwelt upon some of the saint's written works, such as the "'Chronica Maiora' in which he establishes a chronology which would become the basis of the universal calendar 'ab incarnatione Domini', ... and his 'Ecclesiastical History of the English People', for which he is known as the father of English historiography.

"The characteristic traits of the Church which Bede sought to underline are: catholicity, seen as faithfulness to tradition while remaining open to historical developments, and as the search for 'unity in diversity', ... and apostolicity and 'Romanitas'. In this context Bede considered it vitally important to convince the Churches of the Celts and the Picts to celebrate Easter together, in accordance with the Roman calendar".

"Bede was also a great master of liturgical theology, ... educating the faithful to celebrate the mysteries of the faith with joy, and to reflect those mysteries coherently in their lives while awaiting their full manifestation in the return of Christ".

"Thanks to his approach to theology - which involved a combination of the Bible, liturgy and history - Bede has a modern message for the various 'states' of Christian life", said the Pope. "He reminds scholars of two essential tasks: scrutinising the marvels of the Word of God so as to present them in a manner attractive to the faithful, and explaining dogmatic truths while avoiding heretical complications and keeping to 'Catholic simplicity', with the attitude of the meek and humble to whom it pleases God to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom".

For their part, pastors "must give priority to preaching, not only through sermons and hagiographies, but also by using icons, processions and pilgrimages". To consecrated people, "Bede recommends focus on the apostolate, both by collaborating with bishops in various kinds of pastoral activities in support of young Christian communities, and by offering themselves for evangelising missions".

The scholar saint also affirmed that Christ "wants an industrious Church, ... one intent on cultivating other fields and vineyards, .... in other words on introducing the Gospel into the social fabric and cultural institutions". He also "exhorted the lay faithful to be assiduous in their religious education, ... He taught them how to pray continuously, ... offering all their actions as a spiritual sacrifice in union with Christ".

The Venerable Bede died in May of the year 735. "It is a fact", Pope Benedict concluded, "that with his works he made an effective contribution to the construction of a Christian Europe".

AG/VENERABLE BEDE/... VIS 090218 (660)

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.
Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Saturday 28th February 2009, 3pm-4pm: “Art for Souls” Tour guided by Fr Armand de Malleray

2009-02-18T09:58:00.000-08:00

Saturday 28th February 2009, 3pm-4pm:

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London:

“Art for Souls” Tour guided by Fr Armand de Malleray: a meditation on several Catholic paintings illustrating the theme

“Christ’s saving Passion”.

Meet inside the entrance hall of the Sainsbury Wing from 2.40pm until 2.55pm.

Informal coffee at the Gallery’s cafeteria after the tour.

Free entrance, all invited.

Fraternity of St. Peter - News from England

2009-02-14T11:24:00.000-08:00

Lent 2009 with the Priestly Fraternity of Saint 2009

Wednesday 25 th February, 11:20am and 7pm: Ash Wednesday: St William of York’s, Upper Redlands RoadRG1 5JT, Reading: Holy Mass with imposition of Ashes, Confessions will be heard.

Saturday 28 th February, 3pm-4pm: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London: “Art for Souls” Tour guided by Fr Armand de Malleray: a meditation on several Catholic paintings illustrating the theme “Christ’s saving Passion”. Meet inside the entrance hall of the Sainsbury Wing from 2.40pm until 2.55pm. Informal coffee at the Gallery’s cafeteria after the tour. Free entrance, all invited.

March 2 nd -6 th : Lenten Retreat, Douai Abbey Upper Woolhampton RG7 5TQ, Berkshire, United Kingdom (about1 hour west from London; nearest railway station: Midgham): Starts Monday 2009 March 2009 at 2pm – ends Friday ६th March 2009 at 11am. Cost: £169 - to cover: £155 for accommodation (discount granted on request by the Abbey) + £14 for Retreat Master’s expenses. Theme: "By his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Daily Mass. Possibility of individual meeting with Fr de Malleray for confession and spiritual advice.

Monday 9 th March, 7.30pm: Newman House, Gower Street, London: conference for students on: “Evil, phenomenon or a person?”

Saturday 14 th March, 11am: Day of recollection, Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, Edinburgh Road,Portsmouth, PO1 3HG: Talks, Mass (at 12.15pm), Stations of the Cross, time for confessions and benediction .Ends at ४.15pm. Confessions will be heard.

Saturday 21 st March: Lenten day of recollection at Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory parish Warwick Street in London: 10:45am: faithfuls arrival; 11am: Morning conference (in the church); 12 noon: Holy Mass; 1:30pm: bring and share picnic (in the basement room); 2:30pm: Afternoon conference (in the church);3:30pm: Benediction; 4pm. Confessions will be heard during the conferences.

Saturday 28 th March, 3pm : Our Lady of the Assumption and St Edward the Confessor, 14 Empress Road, Lyndhurst, Hants, SO43 7AE: Holy Mass followed with refreshments and Lenten conference, ending with Benediction. Confessions will be heard.

Sunday 5 th April, 11am: Palm Sunday: blessing of palms and procession followed with Holy Mass: St William of York’s, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT, Reading; confessions. And also at 5pm: Blessing, procession and

Holy Mass: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pope Close, Flitwick MK45 1JP. Confessions.
April 9 th - 12 th : Sacred Easter Triduum in Reading (St William of York’s, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT):

April 9 th - 12 th : Sacred Easter Triduum in Reading (St William of York’s, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT):

Also, Sunday 12 th April, 5pm: Also Easter Sunday Mass at Flitwick (cf address above)

Contact : www.fssp.co.uk - Tel: 0118 987 5819 - E-mail: malleray@fssp.org
Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP, 179 Elgar Rd, Reading, RG2 0DH, Berkshire, England

Calling all Priests and Laymen/Women - New Traditional Catholic Groups for Young Adults Wanted

2009-02-06T14:01:00.000-08:00

Young Catholic Adults was founded in February 2004 at Oxford in the UK। YCA are loyal to the Magisterium and faithful to Pope Benedict XVI's teaching with regard to Summorum Pontificum (2007). It is now part of the International Juventutem Federation.YCA-Juventutem organise a selection of national, international events, why not get involved and become part of this exciting new movement?

We are looking to start more local YCA-Juventutem groups. They could be rosary groups, social activities, talks, meeting together after Mass, basically anything involving the Extraordinary form of Mass or traditional Catholic devotions/practices.

It's possible to affiliate your existing group to YCA-Juventutem (we already have a successful joint group running in a large Parish), - simply email Damian Barker at juventutemcatholicam@yahoo.co.uk.

With:-

-Your name
-Contact e-mail address and telephone number
-The Groups name

See http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/news.htm for more details.

2009-02-06T09:42:00.000-08:00

Programme of the 2nd Fœderatio Internationalis „Juventutem“ Gathering in Bern, Switzerland, on February 21st and 22nd 2009.

(Like last year, the Secretary to the Nunciature in Bern will attend our Mass)।

Saturday 21 February 2009:
· 3pm-4pm: Low Mass in chapel Pension Villa Maria, Kapellenstrasse 9, CH-3011, Bern; Tel. 031 381 33 42
· 4pm-6.30pm: Formal Juventutem meeting, with coffee (same address)
· 6.30pm-7.30pm: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the intentions of Juventutem (same address)
· 8pm: supper for Juventutem delegates (and guests) at restaurant « il Grissino »: Waisenhausplatz 28, CH-3011 Bern, Tel. 031 311 00 59

Sunday 22 February 2009:
8:00am: Preparation for Holy Mass in Holy Trinity Church Crypt, « Dreifaltigkeit Kirche », Taubenstrasse 6, CH-3011, Bern.
8.15am: Holy Mass
9.30am Thanksgiving and walk to Hôtel National (4 minute walk from church), Hirschengraben 24, CH-3011 Bern ; Tel. 031 381 19 88.
10am-11am: coffee followed with an official presentation of Juventutem to the faithful, other youths and benefactors.
11am-12noon: guided tour around historical center Bern
12:00noon (punctual please): lunch at “Il Grissino” (cf address below)
2pm about: end of official Juventutem gathering। Those who wish can of course stay longer.

Accommodation:
1) Jugenherberge (Youth hotel) in downtown Bern, 10 minutes walk from Holy Trinity Church:
http://www.youthhostel.ch/hosteldetails.html?&L=1&user_hostels_pi1%5blocation%5d=all&user_hostels_pi1%5bbez%5d=BRN&cHash=68e272af21
2) National Hotel Bern (5 minutes walk from Holy Trinity Church)
http://www.nationalbern.ch/hotel/inhalte/preise.html
3) Kreuz Hotel Bern (5 minutes walk from Holy Trinity Church)
http://www.hotelkreuz-bern.ch/E/html/rates.html

Transportation:
· Holy Trinity Church (and suggested hotels) is located in downtown Bern, 5 minutes walk from the main Bern train station.
· Directs trains run from both Geneva airport (about 90 minutes) and from Zurich airport (about 90 minutes), as well as from Basel Euroairport (50 minutes).
· Low cost airlines (e. g. Easyjet) fly to both Geneva and Zurich airports.
· Direct Flybee flights from Southampton and Birmingham (UK) to Bern airport.
· Ryanair flies to Basel Euroairport.
· Direct trains from Paris, Milan and other cities to Bern.
We are very much looking forward to meeting you here!
Please forward this message to any Juventutem supporters and kindly translate it whenever needed. You may also post it on your websites.

IMPORTANT: each group leader, please email now your proxy to the Juventutem Bureau at this address (http://us.mc265.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=federation@juventutem.org), stating the name of your proxy: Gregory Flash or David Oostveen or Cosimo Marti.
Also, please send you annual contribution of 10 Euros per person.

Infos - Adresse MARTI Cosimo Damiano Kirchbergerstrasse 42 CH-3008, Bern, Suisse
Tel/Fax +41 (0) 31 371 29 20 Courriel: http://us.mc265.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=codama@bluewin.ch

SSPX Excommunications Lifted - it's Official

2009-01-25T01:58:00.000-08:00

DECREE OF THE CONGREGATION OF BISHOPS

By way of a letter of December 15, 2008 addressed to His Eminence Cardinal Dario Castrillón Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, Mons. Bernard Fellay, also in the name of the other three Bishops consecrated on June 30, 1988, requested anew the removal of the latae sententiae excommunication formally declared with the Decree of the Prefect of this Congregation on July 1, 1988. In the aforementioned letter, Mons. Fellay affirms, among other things: "We are always firmly determined in our will to remain Catholic and to place all our efforts at the service of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the Roman Catholic Church. We accept its teachings with filial disposition. We believe firmly in the Primacy of Peter and in its prerogatives, and for this the current situation makes us suffer so much."

His Holiness Benedict XVI - paternally sensitive to the spiritual unease manifested by the interested party due to the sanction of excommunication and trusting in the effort expressed by them in the aforementioned letter of not sparing any effort to deepen the necessary discussions with the Authority of the Holy See in the still open matters, so as to achieve shortly a full and satisfactory solution of the problem posed in the origin - decided to reconsider the canonical situation of Bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson, and Alfonso de Galarreta, arisen with their episcopal consecration.

With this act, it is desired to consolidate the reciprocal relations of confidence and to intensify and grant stability to the relationship of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X with this Apostolic See. This gift of peace, at the end of the Christmas celebrations, is also intended to be a sign to promote unity in the charity of the universal Church and to try to vanquish the scandal of division.

It is hoped that this step be followed by the prompt accomplishment of full communion with the Church of the entire Fraternity of Saint Pius X, thus testifying true fidelity and true recognition of the Magisterium and of the authority of the Pope with the proof of visible unity.

Based on the faculties expressly granted to me by the Holy Father Benedict XVI, in virtue of the present Decree, I remit from Bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson, and Alfonso de Galarreta the censure of latae sententiae excommunication declared by this Congregation on July 1, 1988, while I declare deprived of any juridical effect, from the present date, the Decree emanated at that time.

Rome, from the Congregation for Bishops, January 21, 2009.

Card. Giovanni Battista Re
Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops

Breaking News - SSPX Excommunications to be Lifted by Pope Benedict?

2009-01-23T14:29:00.000-08:00

H/t to Rorate Caeli:- UPDATE (2010 GMT): French religious news agency I.Media reports the following (by way of news agency ASCA):

Citta' del Vaticano, Jan 23 - L'Osservatore Romano will publish tomorrow an "explanatory note" on the decision of Pope Benedict XVI to revoke the excommunication of the four schismatic Bishops ordained by Traditionalist Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1988. ...

The act of Pope Ratzinger will be presented in the daily paper of the Holy See as "an act of mercy by the Pope".

Meanwhile, The Remnant discloses a January 21 letter in which the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, Bishop Bernard Fellay, distances the FSSPX/SSPX from any specific privately held opinion (namely from Bishop Williamson of the SSPX ).

Young Catholic Adults Traditional Reteat at Douai 2009

2009-01-04T03:43:00.000-08:00

YCA-Juventutem retreat in England: 18-20 September 2009: At Douai Abbey, Berkshire, come (whether you live in the UK or not) and pray with other young Catholic adults. Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr de Malleray will preach the retreat. Contact: D. Barker on 07908 105787 or ps99ddb@yahoo.co.uk, more details will follow at:-

http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk.

Plus more datails will follow at http://youngcatholicadults-latestnews.blogspot.com/. To reserve your place FOR THE WEEKEND (no deposit needed if you are coming for the day on Saturday 5th July), please send a 20 pound cheque as a deposit (NON RETURNABLE) to Damian Barker, Flat 5, 12 St. Catherine Street, Kingsholm, Gloucester, Glos. GL2 9DU. The overall prices for the weekend will be similar to last year, but will be confirmed shortly.

International Youth Gathering organised in Marian Shrine of Le Puy-en-Velay, France: August 18-23, 2009

2009-01-04T03:41:00.000-08:00

International Youth Gathering organised in Marian Shrine of Le Puy-en-Velay, France: August 18-23, 2009. Plan ahead and make sure you will be with us during this wonderful week in one among the most ancient Marian shrines in the world. Come and venerate the famous "Black Madonna", come and attend beautiful liturgies, meet young adults from various countries motivated by the Roman traditions of the Church, improve your Catholic knowledge through sound lectures and explore the breathtaking volcanos landscape of the "Massif Central". Contact: www.juventutem.org http://www.juventutem.org/.