Sunday 25 January 2009

SSPX Excommunications Lifted - it's Official




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

Friday 23 January 2009

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




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 ).

Sunday 4 January 2009

Young Catholic Adults Traditional Reteat at Douai 2009



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:-




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

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/.

Juventutem in Chartres: 30 May-1st June 2009

Juventutem in Chartres: 30 May-1st June 2009. A Juventutem Chapter is to attend again the great Traditional pilgrimage from Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris to Notre-Dame cathedral in Chartres: on Whit week-end 2009. Come and join the Juventutem young adults, one group among 8.000 young Catholic walking the 70-mile pilgrimage across the beautiful French countryside! Contact: email Gregory Flash, at: flash[at]gregory-f.com. For your information: www.nd-chretiente.com http://www.nd-chretiente.com.

Juventutem International Gathering in Bern, Switzerland: 20-22 February 2009


Meeting in Bern, Switzerland: 20-22 February 2009. Every group is cordially invited to contact the Bureau and send at least one delegate. Like last year, the purpose is the diversity of representatives rather than the actual number of members attending. Please do your best to support this event which is an important opportunity for the Juventutem International Federation to update and grow stronger. Of course we do not expect many members outside Europe to be able to travel to Bern, but please pray for us and with us during this important meeting. Contact: Juventutem, Kirchbergerstrasse 42, CH-3008, Bern, Switzerland; Tel./fax: +41 31 371 29 20. Email Cosimo Marti at : codama[at]bluewin.ch.

Juventutem News 2008



Last summer has been a busy time for Juventutem with our presence at the International Eucharistic Congress in Québec in June, followed with our intense programme at World Youth Day in Australia in July.



In July as well, Juventutem England (YCA) held a well attended retreat at Douai Abbey, Berkshire.

In August, Fr de Malleray was in Madrid (Spain) again where he visited various places of interest in the perspective of WYD 2011.
In October there was a successful Juventutem meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand with Bishop Basil Meeking and Rev Bill Define, Regional Superior of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter.

In October as well, Juventutem members from various country including Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, France and Ireland took part in the ceremonies of the twentieth anniversary of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. David Oostveen and Cosimo Marti represented the Bureau of the Federation in their capacity of Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

This very month, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Juventutem Rome (Italy) welcomed Cardinal George Pell as he came to the FSSP personal parish church Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini to offer a pontifical high Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. On the same day, Juventutem Italia attended a musical meditation on the Holy Rosary.

This month again has been announced the release of a CD with the music and chant recorded during the Juventutem liturgies at WYD 2008 in Australia.
During Advent, Christmas cards have been sent by the Bureau of the Federation to all the members (at least those who make sure they send us their updated contact details) and to our benefactors.

In the meantime, the Federation has received applications from two new prospective groups. Following this, we are glad to announce you of the foundation and affiliation of “Juventutem Londrina” in Brazil and of “Juventutem Czech-Slovakia”. Please visit them on http://www.juventutem.cz . Contacts have been made with potential members in Asia (other than Juventutem Hong Kong). A further application from Ancona in Italy has recently reached us and is currently being examined. On this matter, it should be reminded that the name “Juventutem”, as related to youth activities linked with the Extraordinay Form of the Roman liturgy, morally belongs to the International Juventutem Federation and should therefore be used only with its approval. The reason is that the founders of the Federation are the same ones who chose the name “Juventutem” and started the movement in Spring 2004.

Christmastide Message from the Chaplain to the International Juventutem Federation


Spiritual words, from the Ecclesiastical Assistant:
Dear Juventutem members and friends,

Let us do our best to focus on the great mystery of the Incarnation and let us not be distracted by material things."Et videbit omnis caro salutare Dei – Then all flesh shall see God’s salvation”: these final words in today’s Holy Gospel remind me of the famous exhibition at the National Gallery in London, UK, in the year 2000, named: “Seeing Salvation”. On display were a great number of beautiful representations of Our Lord. The exhibition explored how the figure of Christ has been represented in the Western tradition. Looking at paintings, sculptures, coins and engravings, it examined different aspects of the visual identity of Christ and the different pictorial questions that artists have confronted as they made his image. The man who was at the origin of the exhibition had had to work hard to convince the Gallery’s authorities to accept such a theme, particularly as it would clash with the opening of the Tate Modern gallery (where reverence and even good taste are not often on display). The “Seeing Salvation” curator was rewarded since the exhibition has been an utmost success, attracting the largest number of visitors of all exhibitions hold in Britain for 20 years – more than 5,000 per day during 4,5 months!

We want to rekindle in our souls the craving for seeing the Messiah, whose coming had been announced as early as right after the original sin, in the book of Genesis, when God had told to the serpent: “I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head” (Genesis 3:15). We want to listen even more attentively to St John the Baptist, the great herald of the Most High, in whose voice are gathered and summarized centuries of expectations and of prayers and of hopes from all the generations of just men and of holy women and of deserving children, since our fallen race was deprived of the sight of God’s adorable Face.

Because this is what it is all about: we were created in a state of perfection which made us fit to actually see God. But we have lost this grace through our sins and since then we are looking for the true light and are so often deceived by false ones. Every minute our magazines and TV screens and radios display the latest news about these sportsmen, politicians and actors ambiguously called “stars”, to such an extend than even good Catholics are tempted to look at these “stars” and follow in their direction. Blind leading the blind.

On the contrary, we want to know only one Star, and this is the “Star of Jacob”, the “Sol Justitiae” or “Sun of Justice” just about to rise in Bethlehem. He is the true Light, granting genuine radiance to all creatures, as much as they wish to reflect and mirror his splendor, and letting all their beauty turn into darkness whenever they turn away from Him. We know this of course, since we hear it every day at Mass in the Last Gospel:“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him: and without Him was made nothing that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:4).

Now more than ever, we want to see this true Light of God, and be delivered from this world’s flashing illusions! We want to see the face of God again and be ravished in such splendour! But our souls are still very weak and mistake true glory with pretence and true might with arrogance. This is why of all the means of salvation, God has chosen to be born of a woman as a true Child of men and Son of God. In but a few days this King will lie not even in a bed since “there was no place for Him at the inn” (Luke 2:7), but in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes, between a poor Virgin of Israel and a Carpenter, surrounded not with crowds of devout human subjects but with donkey and ox: “That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto his own, and his own received Him not” (John 1:9-11).

In order to see this Light, one has to put away the dirty spectacles of human pride and of self will, one has to be able to simply believe the Good News of the Creation and of the Redemption. One has to accept and believe that, to start with, we have not made our own selves but have been made by Another greater than us, and that this Mighty One, Whom we hade rejected, demonstrated his essential bounty in setting up a most wonderful and loving scheme in order to save us, instead of abandoning us or of destroying us.
This is why the shepherds were the first ones informed: “Do not be afraid. Behold, I bring you good news of a great event that will bring joy to all the people: there has been born for you this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, Who is the Lord Messiah” (Luke 2:8-11). Oh, with what joy and gratitude the good shepherds must have ran to the cave, with what simplicity of heart they must have knelt in front of the manger and, before this throne of humility, more precious than gold, must have paid their homage to the new born King!

But I anticipate. Today we are still with Our Blessed Lady on our way to Bethlehem. Today we share with Her and with St Joseph a mixture of worry and of joy. We worry because Our Lady is about to give birth and we know that the City of David is overcrowded with Jews, travelling to this their place of birth in order to fulfil emperor Caesar Augustus’ edict of registration. And we rightly fear that no relative, no friend of Joseph might have any spare room for this poor and inconsiderable cousin from Nazareth to stay in, let alone for his wife to give birth. We see Our Lady prepare nonetheless the swaddling clothes and the basic items She might have brought with Her for her Son to be born. We see St Joseph and Our Lady weary from travelling and anxious to know how the Lord of lords, soon to enter the City of David, is going to be welcomed.

But we also rejoice with them, since we know that God does not fail, and that His scheme of redemption will not be stopped for lack of protocol, not even for lack of blanket! Rather, with St Joseph and with Our Lady, we do what depends essentially on us, who do what nobody can do in our stead, we do what would be sadly lacking if we neglected it, I mean: we prepare a spiritual habitation for the Divine Child in our hearts. We welcome God’s saving Light: we believe, we repent, we expiate, we hope and love always deeper:
“That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto his own, and his own received Him not. But as many as received Him, He gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:9-13).

Dear Juventutem friends, let us get ready then for seeing Salvation! We know that if our eyes have been carefully designed by God to receive light and be fulfilled by it, to a much greater extent our intellect is designed to discern the truth and our will power to reach out to what is good. And this is just about to be supremely and perfectly fulfilled when, during Midnight Mass, we will unite in spirit with the shepherds before the manger (and with St John at the foot of the Cross simultaneously). Through our intelligent faith then, at the Elevation of the Host after the Consecration, in our hearts with every possible strength and conviction let us make ours the words of the Last Gospel: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Hence let us give thanks in this moment, for we will have seen God’s Salvation indeed, which is the literal meaning of the Holy Name of Our Lord really present in the Host: “Jesus”.

Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP – Ecclesiastical Assistant to the Juventutem International Federation.

Thursday 11 December 2008

Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera (Little Ratzinger), Archbishop of Toledo and Primate of Spain is New Prefect of Congregation for Divine Worship.


H/t to Fr. Z and Fr. T Finigan, Fr. Z writes:- "the nickname "little Ratzinger" was born in the Roman Curia. From 1985 to 1992 Canizares played the same role in the Spanish bishops conference that Ratzinger played in the Vatican: he took care of the "doctrine of the faith" sector for the bishops conference. It was this role, together with the special friendship he had with Ratzinger, that prompted the men of the former Holy Office good-naturely to start nicknaming him that way.

tThree pilgrimages to honour the Holy Year of Saint Paul.


We have received confirmation of three pilgrimages to honour the Holy Year of Saint Paul.

The first pilgrimage
will be to Dublin on Saturday, 24th January, 2009, where Mass will be celebrated in the Gregorian Rite at 11 a.m. in St. Paul's Church on Arran Quay on the banks of the River Liffey. Blessed Columba Marmion was baptised in this Church, which was home for many years to the Latin Mass in the Archdiocese of Dublin.The second pilgrimage will be to Kilcock, Co. Kildare, on Saturday, 21st March, 2009, where Mass will be celebrated in the Gregorian Rite in St. Coca's Church. Kilcock, on the bank of the Royal Canal, stands upon the site of the foundation of St. Coca, another ourstanding lady Saint of Kildare, of whom more in June about the time of her feastday.The third confirmed pilgrimage is to the village of Vicarstown, Co. Laois, on Saturday, 25th April, 2009, where Mass will be celebrated in the Gregorian Rite at 11 a.m. in the Church of the Assumption. Vicarstown lies on the banks of the Grand Canal, near the ancient monastic settlement of Clonenagh, home of St. Fintan, known as the Father of Irish Monks, and St. Aengus the Culdee, author of the Felire and co-author with Maelruain of the Martyrology of Tallaght.For forthcoming details, please see:- http://catholicheritage.blogspot.com/2008/11/holy-year-of-saint-paul.html

Sunday 7 December 2008

Some Good News Stories from the Fraternity of St. Peter in England


Given on Friday 5th December 2008, Reading.

Portsmouth Diocese:
Bishop Crispian Hollis of Portsmouth has kindly allowed for a second FSSP priest to come and live with Fr de Malleray in Reading. Fr Simon Leworthy, an Australian priest holding a British passport, has studied in Rome and served in Germany and in Australia. He is due to arrive in January.

Northampton Diocese:
Statement from Bishop’s House, Northampton, on Saturday 29 November 2008:
“Having in view the spiritual good of the faithful attached to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite, Bishop Peter Doyle has approved of the relocating of the Sunday Mass offered by priests from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP) from Bedford to Flitwick where better facilities are available (e.g. car park, parish hall). Bishop Doyle thanks the priests from the FSSP for their ministry in that part of the Northampton diocese over the recent years, as well as the parish priests in Bedford and Flitwick who have welcomed this worshipping community. Lastly, Bishop Doyle assures all the faithful attending the EF Mass in Flitwick (starting on the first Sunday of Advent 2008) of his pastoral solicitude and of his prayer.”

Parish website: http://www.sacredheartflitwick.co.uk/
Postal address: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pope Close, Flitwick MK45 1JP, England
Mass time: every Sunday 5pm (exceptionally 4pm on December 14th due to previous parochial commitment)

Westminster Archdiocese:
By kind permission of the Parish Priest, Rev Mr Matthew Goddard, FSSP, to be ordained a priest on May 30th, 2009, will offer his First Solemn High Mass in St James’ church Spanish Place, London, on Whit Saturday 6th June 2009 at 11am. All are welcome to attend and give thanks to God and support this newly ordained British FSSP priest.

And also:

Christmas:
Sung Traditional Midnight Mass at midnight at St William of York church, Upper Redland Road, Reading, RG1 5JT, preceded with carols from 11.15pm onwards and followed with coffee and cakes in the hall.Rev Mr Matthew Goddard, FSSP will give the homily. You are most welcome to attend and meet with our soon to be ordained future priest on this his last stay at home until he comes back for his First Mass in June 2009.

Retreats:

Advent Retreat by Fr de Malleray, FSSP at Douai Abbey, Berks, 8-11 December: all the 15 places being now booked, please possibly apply for the next two retreats:

Vocation Retreat, 7-9 January 2009, same Retreat Master, same location: some places left;

Lent Retreat, 2-6 March 2009, same Retreat Master, same location: some places left.
All details on http://www.fssp.co.uk/. Booking with Fr de Malleray.

Wishing you a happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception,
Fr de Malleray

Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP
Priestly Fraternity of St Peter in England
E-mail: malleray@fssp.org - http://www.fssp.org.uk/

Tuesday 2 December 2008

News from Juventutem


Please see the following information from Juventutem France:-


Juventutem newsletter is back. WYD 2005 and 2008 are now completed and back, but new events are planned for next few years :

For Europe :

Next August, 18-23, 2009 : a new gathering, similar to first week in Bavaria 2005, will handle in one of the most beautiful and oldest sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that is Le Puy en Velay, in France, on the path to Santiago de Compostella. To discover this magnificent place, click here. A new English website on http://www.juventutem.com/ will be set up by the end of December. Youth for 16 – 25 years old are invited to come.

Worldwide :

Of course, answering to the invitation of Pope Benedikt XVI in Sydney, we will join WYD 2011 in Madrid.

Two major projects where all are warmly invited to come and have great time, spiritually, with a great friendship for the next coming years so as to be witnesses of the extraordinary form of the mass and the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a great time of Advent
In Domino

Juventutem team
French team will organize Juventutem Youth Meeting of Le Puy en Velay, France and invite you to come.


Juventutem France is the French Society of Foederatio Internationalis Juventutem.
http://www.juventutem.com/http://www.juventutem.org/

Thursday 27 November 2008

New Traditional Catholic Online Store


I received this very interesting email from the US in my inbox, I had a look and it seems like a very good initiative:-





`I am the 17 year old owner of a Traditional Catholic internet store accessible at latinmassliturgicals.com. We began in the hopes of serving as a one stop resource for altar boys, priests, and laity interested in the Traditional Mass.

After looking at your website, and reading a little bit about your organization, I have been very impressed with your dedication to, and love of, our traditional faith.

As we are still a small, growing company, we would appreciate it if you would post a link to our company (latinmassliturgicals.com) on your website. Our prices are quite competitive, and we strive to provide prompt shipping and excellent customer service.

We would like to offer your members a 5% discount on any order placed before January 1st, 2009. To redeem this offer simply type “traditional catholic” in the coupon/promo code box located on the check out page of the website.'

Friday 21 November 2008

RE: FSSP-served Sunday Mass in Northampton diocese moving from Bedford 4pm to Flitwick 5pm as of 1st Advent Sunday 2008.


Please see the following announcement from the Fraternity of St. Peter in England and Wales:-

Dear Friends,

The FSSP-served Sunday Mass in the Northampton diocese will move from Bedford 4pm to Flitwick 5pm as of 1st Advent Sunday 2008. The new parish church is 5mn from the M1 motorway, junction 12.

Motive: Unlike our previous location in Bedford, Sacred Heart church Flitwick has a hall with kitchen and a car park, which will enable us to meet after Mass (and possibly before) for social gathering and catechism according to the needs. We are also very glad that Parish Priest Canon Denis McSweeney is supportive of the traditional Mass and will kindly provide matching vestments, vessels and liturgical items for a dignified offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Acknowledgments: I would like to express our gratitude to Rt Rev Peter Doyle, Bishop of Northampton, who has kindly approved of the FSSP’s request to relocate in Flitwick its regular ministry in his diocese, as well as to Canon Denis McSweeney and his parishioners for their friendly welcome into the parish. We will not forget in our prayer the clergy and parishioners at the Polish parish in Bedford who had kindly welcomed us in our previous location.

Your support: Please kindly forward this information to whoever might be interested. All are welcome to come and attend, and offer their services for singing, serving, setting up the parish hall etc. I am looking forward to meeting you in Flitwick for the beginning of the liturgical year on Sunday 30th November at 5pm. We will begin Advent with a Sung Mass. Please bring cakes, tea and coffee.

Flitwick Mass announcements:
· due to previously scheduled parish event, the Mass on Sunday 14th December 2008 will exceptionally start at 4pm instead of 5pm
· please email me back if you would wish to attend Mass in Flitwick on Christmas day (Thursday 25th December 2008) at 5pm, as this Mass might be added only if there is sufficient interest.

Details:
· Parish website: http://www.sacredheartflitwick.co.uk/
· Postal address: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pope Close, Flitwick MK45 1JP, England
· Location: The Sacred Heart Catholic church is located on the southern outskirts of the Bedfordshire town of Flitwick on the A5120 trunk road that leads to the M1 motorway.
· Directions from the M1 motorway: Exit the motorway at junction 12 and follow the signs to Flitwick, you will now be on the A5120 trunk road. Continue on through the village of Westoning, at the Bell public house carry on over the mini roundabout. Continue on for one mile and turn right into Vicarage Hill. Pope Close is immediately on the right. There is ample parking in the church car park.

Wishing you a good preparation for Advent,
Cordially yours in Our Lady,
Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP

P.S. 1. Reminder: a few places are still available for the Advent retreat I will preach at Douai Abbey, Berkshire, 8-11 December 2008, on “Our Lady and the Incarnation” (global price all included full board single room : £137) – contact me soon for booking.
P.S.2. December 25th in Reading: Christmas Sung Midnight Mass at MIDNIGHT, and at 11am.

Friday 14 November 2008

Fraternity of St. Peter Retreats at Douai Abbey in England

Forthcoming FSSP retreats in England


"Please support me with your prayer, and I will be happy to do the same in the recollection of the retreat, invoking divine power on each one of you, on your families and your communities."-- Pope Benedict XVI, 25 Feb. 2007

3 retreats preached at Douai Abbey (Berks., UK)
by Fr Armand de Malleray, of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter


1. Advent Retreat (3 nights) 8-11 December 2008

Starts Monday 8th December 2008 at 2pm –ends Thursday 11th December 2008 at 11amTheme: "Our Lady and the Incarnation"Retreat open to allCost: £137 - to cover Accommodation: single room with en-suite bathroom, full board. The Guest Master suggests a donation of £125 per person (individual discount granted on request

2. Vocation Retreat (2 nights) 7-9 January 2009

Starts Wednesday 7th January 2009 at 2pm –ends Friday 9th January 2009 at 11amTheme: "Ask the master of the harvest to send out labourers for his harvest." (Mt 9,38)Retreat for celibate men, age 16-40 Cost: £70 - to cover:1-Accommodation: single room with en-suite bathroom, full board.N.B. special reduction for students: £45 everything included.

3. Lenten Retreat (4 nights) 2-6 March 2009

Starts Monday 2nd March 2009 at 2pm –ends Friday 6th March 2009 at 11amTheme: "By his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5)Retreat open to allCost: £169 - to cover:1-Accommodation: single room with en-suite bathroom, full board. The Guest Master suggests a donation of £155 per person.

Further Info: 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 Abbey; possibility of private meeting with the Retreat Master and of confession; daily Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite; other devotions possible (Rosary, meditation).Possibility of attending some of the monks prayers (Douai Abbey is a community of monks of the English Benedictine Congregation).

Location: Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton RG7 5TQ, Berkshire, United Kingdom (about 1 hour west from London). Website: www.douaiabbey.org.By car: Douai Abbey is situated 1 mile north of the A4 about half way between Reading and Newbury in Berkshire. The turn off the A4 is about 6 miles from M4 Junction 12.By rail: the nearest station is called MIDGHAM, but it is actually in Woolhampton village: trains from London Paddington, Reading & Newbury. A lift from and to the railway station can be arranged directly with the Guest Master (tel.: 0118 971 5399).

The building is equipped for wheel chairs.

Booking and contact: Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP, 179 Elgar Rd, Reading RG2 0DH, Berks – Tel.: 0118 987 5819 – E-mail: malleray[at]fssp.org. Website: http://www.fssp.org.uk/

N.B. Your payment will take place at the Abbey during the retreat. Deposit has already been paid. No other payment required.To make a donation to help others – especially students to attend the retreat: please use contact above (£ cheques made payable to "FSSP England" – please mention then "Retreat Sponsoring". Thank you very much).

Are you called to be a Priest?

Vocation Retreat (2 nights) 7-9 January 2009 at Douai Abbey in Berkshire

Starts Wednesday 7th January 2009 at 2pm –ends Friday 9th January 2009 at 11amTheme: "Ask the master of the harvest to send out labourers for his harvest." (Mt 9,38)Retreat for celibate men, age 16-40 [Vocations video]

Cost: £70 - to cover:1-Accommodation: single room with en-suite bathroom, full board.

N.B. special reduction for students: £45 everything included.

New Blog - http://juventutemscotland.blogspot.com/

There is very informative new blog at http://juventutemscotland.blogspot.com/
Please see the information below:-

Juventutem Scotland is the local Chapter of the Juventutem International Federation, an international Catholic network fostering the sanctification of the youths worldwide according to the Roman traditions of the Church. We wish to contribute to the sanctification of the members of Juventutem and of any youths our contemporaries.

The common aspiration as Juventutem members is to draw our sanctification from the traditional liturgy and spirituality of Holy Mother Church. To which end we require the support of prayer, friendship and learning. This is borne out in three spiritual commitments that anchor each member's day and week:1. recite daily for the sanctification of youths the extract from Psalm 42 «Judica Me », (“Judge me O Lord” - full text under Spirituality) 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).On a practical level Juventutem members meet regularly either for informal activities, or for attending Holy Mass, group prayer (for example Rosary vigils), Gregorian Chant, pilgrimages, retreats, etc. A number of these are list in the sidebar to the right. We plan to have regular meetings including an informal meal, a talk by a local Priest, Holy Mass or Holy Hour, with the immediate aim being to organise a group to participate in the Chartres pilgrimage in May 2009 (for more information, see here).


Juventutem International Federation was founded in 2006 with Juventutem Scotland founded in 2008. An independent non-political youth structure loyal to Roman Catholic authorities, the Juventutem International Federation draws inspiration from the International Una Voce Federation, as well as from various other Catholic institutions.Joining Juventutem costs nothing; all you need to do is forward this form (PDF) to the local Chapter leader (contact details coming soon).Please note that whilst members of Juventutem are normally aged 16 to 36 years, those older than 36, married, or in consecrated life, are invited to join as associate members.

Thursday 16 October 2008

Mass Times at St. Gregory's Cheltenham




Fr. Tom Smith asked me to advertise the following information re: Masses at St. Gregory's in Cheltenham:-


Low Mass in the Extraordinary form will be celebrated on Thursday October 23rd 2008 at 6pm


On 30th October 2008 there will be no 6pm Extraordinary Mass due to a prior engagement


Low Masses (Extraordinary form) should continue to be celebrated after the 30th October until Christmas 2008.


Please tell anyone who might be interested in coming along - everyone is welcome

Aid to the Church in Need - Sung Latin Mass (1962 Missal) on the evening of Thursday 20th November.


Please note the following on:-

6:30pm Thursday, 20th November
The Little Oratory
Brompton Road
London
SW7 2RP

Aid to the Church in Need will remember all our departed benefactors with a Sung Latin Mass (1962 Missal) on the evening of Thursday 20th November.

The Mass will be celebrated by Father Martin Edwards, ACN UK ’s Ecclesiastical Assistant, at The Little Oratory on Brompton Road .


All are welcome to join us at this Memorial Mass.
For details of our forthcoming events, please visit http://www.acnuk.org/

Saturday 4 October 2008

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


The main Young Catholic Adults website is back up and running!!

Wednesday 1 October 2008

www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk Website Down


The http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/ website is currently down, hopefully it should be up and running in 48 hours or so - apologies everyone!

Saturday 27 September 2008

Some of the Forgotten Catholic Martyrs of Britain

Some more forgotten Blessed Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales between 1584 and 1679

There are English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irishmen and women here:-

-- [Religious order priests:]
----- Bl. Arthur Bell of Temple Broughton (English, Franciscan, died at age 53 in 1643)
----- Bl. Thomas Bullaker of Chichester (English, Franciscan, died at about age 40 in 1642)
----- Bl. Roger Filcock of Sandwich (English, Jesuit, died at about age 30 in 1600)
----- Bl. Henry Heath of Peterborough (English, Franciscan,died at about age 44 in 1643)
----- Bl. Charles Meehan (Irish, Franciscan shipwrecked on Welsh coast, died at about age 39 in 1679)
----- Bl. Robert Middleton of Yorkshire (English, Jesuit, died at about age 31 in 1601)
----- Bl. Robert Nutter of Burnley Lanes (English, Dominican, d.1600)
----- Bl. John Woodcock of Leyland (English, Franciscan, died at age
43 in 1646)

-- [Diocesan priests:]
----- Bl. John Adams of Martinstavn(English, died at about age 43 in 1586)
----- Bl. Thomas Atkinson of East Riding (English, d. 1616)
----- Bl. Edward Bamber of The Moor (English,died at age 46 in 1646)
----- Bl. George Beesley of Goosnarck Hill(English, died at about age 28 in 1591)
----- Bl. Edward Burden of Durham(English, died at about age 48 in 1588)
----- Bl. Roger Cadwallador of Stretton Sugwas[alias Rogers] (English, died at about age 44 in 1610)
----- Bl. Alexander Crow of South Douffield (English, died at age 36)
----- Bl. William Davies of Caernavonshire (Welsh, d. 1593)
----- Bl. Robert Dibdale of Worcestershire (English, died at about age 28 in 1586)
----- Bl. George Douglas (Scottish, d. 1587)
----- Bl. Robert Drury of Egerley (English,died at about age 39 in 1607)
----- Bl. Edmund Duke of Kent (English, d. 1590)
----- Bl. John Fingley of Barnley [also known as Finglow] (English,d. 1586)
----- Bl. Matthew Flathers of Weston (English, died at about age 48 in 1608)
----- Bl. Nicolas Garlick (English, died at about age 33 in 1588)
----- Bl. John Hambley of Oxford (English, died at about age 27 in 1587)
----- Bl. George Haydock of Cottam Hall (English, died at about age 27 in 1584)
----- Bl. Richard Hill of Yorkshire (English, d. 1590)
----- Bl. John Hogg of Ugthorphe (English, d. 1590)
----- Bl. Richard Holiday of Yorkshire (English, d. 1590)
----- Bl. Thomas Hunt of Norfolk [alias Benstead] (English, died at about age 26 in 1600)
----- Bl. Thurstan Hunt of Carlton Hall (English, died at about age 46 in 1601)
----- Bl. Francis Ingleby (English, d. 1586)
----- Bl. Joseph Lambton of Yorkshire (English,died at about age 24 in 1592)
----- Bl. John Lowe of London (English, died at about age 33 in 1586)
----- Bl. Robert Ludlam of Radborne (English, died at about age 37 in 1588)
----- Bl. George Nichols of Oxford (English, died at about age 39 in 1589)
----- Bl. Edward Osbaldeston of Lancashire(English, d. 1594)
----- Bl. Anthony Page of Harrow (English, died at about age 28 in 1593)
----- Bl. Thomas Palaser of Elerton [also known as Palasor and Pallicer] (English, died at about age 30 in 1600)
----- Bl. Thomas Pilcher of Battle [also known as Pilchard] (English, died at about age 30 in 1587) ----- Bl. Thomas Pormont (English, died at about age 22 [seminarian?]in 1592)
----- Bl. Nicolas Postgate of Kirkdale (English, died at about age 79 in 1679)
----- Bl. Christopher Robinson of Woodside (English, d.1598)
----- Bl. Stephen Rowsham of Oxfordshire (English, died at about age 35 in 1587)
----- Bl. John Sandys of Chester (English, d. 1586)
----- Bl. Montford Scott of Suffolk (English, died at about age 41 in 1591)
----- Bl. Richard Sergeant of Gloucester [alias Lee or Long] (English, d.1586)
----- Bl. Richard Simpson of Wells (English, died at about age 35 in 1588)
----- Bl. Peter Snow of Ripon (English, d. 1598)
----- Bl. William Southerne of Ketton (English, died at about age 39 in 1618)
----- Bl. William Spenser of Gisburn (English, died at about age 34 in 1589)
----- Bl. Thomas Sprott of Skelsmergh (English, died at about age 29 in 1600)
----- Bl. John Sugar of Wambourne (English, died at about age 46 in 1604)
----- Bl. Robert Sutton of Burton (English, died at about age 43 in 1588)
----- Bl. Edmund Sykes of Leeds (English, d. 1587)
----- Bl. Hugh Taylor of Durham (English, died at about age 25 in 1585)
----- Bl. William Thomson of Blackburn (English, died at about age 26 in 1586)
----- Bl. Robert Thorpe of Yorkshire (English, d. 1591)
----- Bl. John Thules of Upholland (English, died at about age 48 in 1616)
----- Bl. Edward Thwing of Hurst (English, died at about age 35 in 1600)
----- Bl. Christopher Wharton of Middleton (English, died at age 60 in 1600)
----- Bl. Nicholas Wheeler of Leominster [alias Woodfen] (English, died at about age 36 in 1586)
----- Bl. Thomas Whitaker of Burnley (English, died at about age 35 in 1646)
----- Bl. Richard Yaxley of Boston (English, died at about age 19[seminarian?] in 1589)

-- [Laymen:]----- Bl. Thomas Belson of Oxfordshire (English, died at about age 24)
----- Bl. Robert Bickerdike of Lowhale (English, d. 1586)
----- Bl. Alexander Blake (English, d.1590)
----- Bl. Marmaduke Bowes of Angram (English, d. 1585)
----- Bl. John Bretton of Bretton (English, died at about age 69 in 1598)
----- Bl. William Carter (English, d. 1584)
----- Bl. George Errington of Herst(English, died at about age 42)
----- Bl. Richard Flower of Anglesey(Welsh, d. 1588)
----- Bl. William Gibson of Ripon (English, d.1596)
----- Bl. Ralph Grimston of Yorkshire (English, d. 1598)
----- Bl. Robert Grissold of Rowington (English, d. 1604)
----- Bl. Robert Hardesty (English, d. 1589)
----- Bl. Nicolas Horner of Grantley (English, d.1590)
----- Bl. William Knight of South Douffield (English, died at about age 24 in 1596)
----- Bl. William Lampley (English, d. 1588)
----- Bl. John Norton of Yorkshire (English, d. 1600)
----- Bl. William Pike of Dorsetshire (English, d. 1591)
----- Bl. Humphrey Pritchard of Galles [also known as H. Richard] (Welsh, d. 1589)
----- Bl. John Talbot of Thornton-le-Street (English, d. 1600)
----- Bl. Thomas Watkinson of Yorkshire (English, d. 1591)
----- Bl. Henry Webley of Gloucester (English,died at about age 30 in 1588)
----- Bl. Roger Wrenno of Chorley [also known as Roger Warren] (English, died at about age 40 in 1616)

Blessed John Sugar and Blessed Robert Grissold - Forgotten Heroes


If we think that things are bad in the Church at the moment, with Priests (and even Bishops) openly disobeying the will of the Holy Father etc. then just spare a thought for our spiritual forefathers. Their problems were nigh on insurmountable, but they displayed a courage and strength of faith that would put us to shame. Two such forgotten heros are Blessed John Sugar and Blessed Robert Grissold.

Blessed Robert Grissold (or Greswold) came from a village called Rowington, which is approximately 2 miles from Baddesley Clinton, which is a small village in Warwickshire.

The Grissold’s were devout Catholics in a troubled time, because in the early 1600’s in England, it was against the law for anyone to attend Mass. Instead they were forced to attend vernacular communion services, introduced by Archbishop Cramner (a few years earlier), which were very different to the Traditional Latin Masses that Catholics were used to. For a start the service was entirely in English, the pastor faced the congregation, any references the Mass as a sacrifice had been banished and there were vernacular hymns sung throughout the ceremony to emphasise the communal sense of the service. Stained glass windows and images had either been destroyed or whitewashed over; and Communion was offered under both kinds, inline with the Hussite and Protestant belief , which maintained that Communion under both kinds was necessary for salvation.

In 1603 the authorities were searching for Priests, who because of the impossible legal situation, led double lives, often taking on alias names and hiding for hours in secret hiding places (constructed in houses) called Priest holes.

On Sunday, 8th July, Robert Grissold was found on a road near Baddesley Clinton House, a place notorious for ‘popery’, with Father John Sugar – it is quite possible that Fr. Sugar had just come back from celebrating Mass. Both Fr. Sugar and Robert Grissold were arrested and then imprisoned in Warwick Gaol for one a year.

On 13th July 1604 John Sugar was convicted of being a Catholic Priest and was condemned to be hung drawn and quartered, which was the punishment for being a Priest in England at that time. Robert Grissold was told that he would be freed if he would recant and attend the communion services of the Established Church , at one point an exasperated Justice shouted at him ‘Grissold, Grissold, go to Church or else thou shalt be hanged’. He refused to accept this and was found guilty of being in the company of and of assisting a Catholic Priest. Being a layman he was sentenced to be hung.

On 16th July 1604 both men were taken to a place called Gallows Hill - to their execution. Both prayed in Latin before courageously meeting their death in the most horrific manner . Blessed John Sugar was hung first and then Blessed John Grissold who told the multitude (who had come to watch the execution) ‘Bear witness, good people, that I die here not for theft, nor for felony, but for my conscience.’ Fr. Sugar’s head and quarters were hung on the gates of Warwick, while Blessed Robert Grissold was buried beneath the gallows.

Blessed John Sugar was 42 years old and Robert Grissold was just 29 years of age. They were beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1987.

Thursday 25 September 2008

It's a Small World - New Consultors of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff

I noticed the following headline yesterday in the Vatican Bollettino:- The Holy Father has nominated as consultors of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff: Msgr. Nicola Bux, professor at the Theological Faculty of Puglia, Italy; Fr. Mauro Gagliardi, professor at the Pontifical Athenaeum "Regina Apostolorum", Rome; Fr. Juan Jose Silvestre Valor, professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome. Fr. Uwe Michael Lang C.O., official of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and Fr. Paul C. F. Gunter O.S.B., professor at the St. Anselm Pontifical Athenaeum, Rome.

I have come across two of the above Priests before. Fr. Lang intervened and stopped me from getting into hot water with a German security guard at World Youth Day in Cologne Germany (I was a completely innocent bystander by the way); and I used to be one of Fr. Gunter’s Altar Servers at St. Gregory’s in Cheltenham – in fact I spoke to him a few months ago when I was in Rome. Fr. Gunter is, in fact, a Priest of Douai Abbey in Berkshire and has been in Rome for many years, I am very pleased for him as he has deserved it for all his hard work!

Douai Abbey have an Abbot in Rome too, Fr. Edmund Power is the Abbot of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, he’s also 33-1 to be the next Archbishop of Westminster.

Friday 5 September 2008

YCA Local Group(s)

Cheltenham (Gloucestershire)
New Joint Local YCA Meeting


YCA are sponsoring the catechetical materials of Cheltenham Catholic Adults. The meeting takes place on the 2nd Tuesday of the month on the 1st floor of the Old Priory at St. Gregory's Church Cheltenham. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 9th September 2008 at 8.15pm on the 1st floor (upstairs) of the Old Priory. Please ring 07908 105787 for more details.
A new group will start at St. Peter's Gloucester in the next few weeks.

Extraordinary Mass

As per the last blog entry a traditional Low Mass is being celebrated at St. Gregory's every 2 weeks, the next Mass being Saturday 6th September.
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