All is calm, all is bright - 'it don't matter what they say!'

All was calm, all was bright for Christmas in Orkney this year.

The sea was still, and mirrored the sky above.

The storms of the previous weeks,

one of which had reached 80 mph,

had run their course.

Nature was holding its breath in holy expectation.

Angels and Archangels

may have gathered there

Cheribum and Seraphim

Thronged the air.

The Holy Gospel of Midnight Mass is sung.

Christ is Born in Bethlehem.

The Stronsay Christmas crib
High Mass of the Day
Et Verbum caro factum est.
Venite, adoremus,
Venite, adoremus,
Venite, adoremus Dominum.
God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo! He abhors not the Virgin's womb.
Very God,
Begotten, not created.
Flos de radice Jesse
Hath blossomed forth today;
Rejoice ye Christian people
In song and tuneful lay;
Sweet Mary is the stem,
And Jesus is the Rose-bud,
The Babe of Bethlehem.

The Holy Mass was especially offered for

our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI

our Parents, Brothers and Sisters and relations

Our faithful friends and

those who during the year have stopped walking with us;

for our critics and enemies too....

May the sweet Babe of Bethlehem

give to each and to all

His grace and friendship in this world

and eternal happiness in the next.

New Year's Eve
all still calm, all still bright:
Happy New Year!

F.SS.R. Students at Rorate Mass

Early on Saturday morning, 13 December 2008, the seminarians of the Priestly Society of St. Peter, along with our five Student confreres and two Carmelite Monks, all of whom are studying at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, Denton, Nebraska, sang a Rorate Mass.

The Rorate Mass is sung in candlelight only.
The church looks splendid for the offering of the holy Sacrifice.

The name, Rorate Mass is taken from the first word of

the Introit:

Rorate caeli desuper, et nubes pluant Justum -

Drop down Dew, ye heavens from above,

and let the clouds rain down the Just One...

aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem -

let the earth be opened and bud forth a Saviour.

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"The whole of the Mass for this day

is one deep sigh of the most heartfelt desire

for the Messiah who is to come.

Isaias is the great prophet of Advent,

hence the Church reads at this season

the finest passages from his writings,

so that the faithful, too,

may hasten by their prayers

the coming of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

"The Introit

is from Isaias XLV:8,

in which the meek and peaceful character

of this first coming of the Word of God

(our Lord and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ)

upon earth

is wonderfully expressed

in two brilliant figures of speech

- namely,

the heavens distilling refreshing dew upon Gideon's fleece,

and

the earth producing the little flower of the fields

upon the mystic stem of Jesse."

(The Liber Sacramentorum, Blessed Ildefonso Schuster, I, 331)

For the first time our blog offers you an audio link to hear one of the beautiful hymns sung during this Mass in which we also recognise the voices of our Students.

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Click HERE to receive the audio link.

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The words of the Latin hymn the Brothers are singing:

Flos de Radíce Jesse

Est natus hódie;

Quem nobis jam adésse,

Laetámur únice.

Flos ille Jesus est,

María virgo radix,

De qua flos ortus est.

Hunc Isaías florem

Praeságus cécinit;

Ad ejus nos amórem,

Nascéntes állicit.

Flos virgam súperat,

Caéli terraéque cives,

Flos Ille récreat.

Hic suo flos odóre

Fidélis áttrahit;

Divíno mox amóre,

Attráctos ímbuit.

O flos, O grátia!

Ad te, ad te suspíro:

De te me sátia.
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An adapted English version:

Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming

From tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jese's lineage coming,

As men of old have sung.

It came a flow'ret bright,

Amid the cold of winter,

When half spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,

The Rose I have in mind,

With Mary we behold it,

The Virgin mother kind.

To show God's love aright,

She bore to men a Savior,

When half spent was the night.

This Flow'r, whose fragrance tender

With sweetness fills the air,

Dispels with glorious splendor

The darkness ev'rywhere.

True man yet very God;

From sin and death He saves us,

And lightens ev'ry load.

The Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. Van Vliet.

Reply to Fr. Morgan

In the December Letter from the District Superior of the SSPX in Great Britain, Fr Paul Morgan, (opposite) criticises the community of Papa Stronsay. I make a reply.

1. Father speaks against our 'practical agreement' with the Holy See.

He insists on “a solution to the doctrinal issues before there can be any practical agreement with the Roman authorities.” He says: “The Superior General alludes to the unacceptable situation of those communities who have sought a practical agreement prior to the major issues being addressed. In this regard we cannot but think of the community of Papa Stronsay here in Britain.”

Rather than make his own submission to the Holy See, what Fr. Morgan advocates is to play a waiting game with the Pope, the Church and ultimately with God. This is a dangerous idea full of dangerous possibilities for his own soul and for the souls of those he is leading.

The ambiguities of the Second Vatican Council remain to be clarified, this is certain. But far from denying the bi-millennial tradition of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI is acutely aware of the need to reconcile the Second Vatican Council with tradition. How exactly to do so remains the poignant question of our day. It is a question that will not be solved easily nor soon – this we can gather from the manner in which the Church has dealt with problematic declarations of councils in the past.

We are thinking specifically of the Council of Constance (1414 - 1417) and some of the texts of this council that Pope Martin V could not confirm. Nor did he feel the authority to condemn them. Specifically, these were declarations that a General Council is superior to the Pope, that periodically a General Council should assemble and check on the Pope, etc. The three Popes who followed the Council of Constance had quite a lot just to try to undo this mischief, and the full effect was only felt at the next General Council of Basel / Ferrara / Florence... Only part of the theological problem was addressed at the Council of Florence (25 years later), but the issue was really completely solved only at the First Vatican Council in 1870 - more than 400 years later!

Imagine for a moment that you were a traditional Catholic living in 1418; you disagreed with the teachings of the Council of Constance; and Pope Martin and his successors were not resolving matters...

Taking the SSPX approach you would have to wait 400 years before joining the structures of the Church.

Is that God's will? Does that sound like the Catholic approach?

This idea is a soft introduction to schism.

2. Fr Morgan also reports that I openly claim “that the SSPX and its supporters are outside the Catholic Church and in danger of losing their souls.” This is false.

a. I believe that the SSPX as a group of priests are outside the structures of the Church. This is clear. SSPX priests are not submitted to the Holy See, nor to Local Ordinaries or Ordinaries. Objectively this is dangerous to salvation. Subjectively it is another matter.

b. I do not hold any opinion about SSPX supporters (as a group or as individuals) being inside or outside the Church. I have no set opinion about their salvation.

c. I hold that a person may attend Mass in a SSPX chapel in good conscience if he does it without adhering to any schismatic mentality.

Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R.

Submission to Peter is the right way to go.

Since our reconciliation with the Holy See on 18 June 2008 statements have been made on the internet indicating that we had a ‘slow thorny’ road ahead of us and that we had been wrong to trust the Church. It was quickly pointed out that we had no faculties.
We had to bear these remarks patiently; it is good for the soul. In truth though, the only thorn to be borne in these statements was that they came from those we love, some fellow traditional Catholics, seemingly intent on making the worst out of our decisions.
In fact the road has not been ‘thorny’ nor has it been slow. Consider the facts. We were received by the Church as a community wanting to remain as such; but according to Canon Law we were not incardinated anywhere in the Church structures either individually as priests or collectively as a community. Normally speaking since we were not incardinated anywhere we would be without faculties until everything was perfectly regularised; this would take time.
But the Church being a true mother, aware of the needs of the community and the faithful in Stronsay who have recourse to us, has granted us interim faculties to see us over.
Surely since the Motu proprio of 7 July 2007 there should be forgiveness and a return to trust in the Church. This is what we have done. We trust the Church. We trust the Holy Father. We are not being abused by the Church or the Holy See; as some have said. We are not being forced to say the New Mass; as many say. We are not being trapped to be destroyed. Dear friends we are being supported and accommodated without anybody asking us to compromise anything. The bishops of Aberdeen and Christchurch have gone the extra mile beyond the limits of the canonical requirements. This is well worth noting. My experience of the Holy See and regularisation has been excellent. It has not been a bad experience.
We invite any priest who wants to consider being reconciled to the Holy See, to stay on Papa Stronsay for as long as he wants, anonymously and with no strings attached. Submission to Peter is the right way to go.

Jurisdiction for Confessions

Notice

On 31 October, 2008, the Right Reverend Peter Moran, Bishop of Aberdeen, granted faculties to Fr. Michael Mary and to Fr. Anthony Mary. These faculties include jurisdiction for the sacrament of Penance in both Papa Stronsay as well as the monastery chapel on Stronsay.

Grimoaldo and Bowen

Dear Friends,
Yesterday, 18 November Bowen passed into eternity. Between Sunday morning and Tuesday evening everything was accomplished as God had willed it. On behalf of his family and friends I sincerely thank you for the prayers that you have offered for him.
Casting about in grief one seeks to find some meaning and make some sense of tragic events. Signs of God’s will help us submit to God’s Providence that governs all things.
Last night we received an email from a young monk of the great Passionist Order living in Spain. His message was a little sign of God’s will for Bowen. The young monk wrote to tell us that Bowen died on the feast of Blessed Grimoaldo. What was amazing, and a sign of God’s Providence, was that Grimoaldo died on the same day as Bowen; that he was exactly the same age, 19 years old; and that he died from exactly the same cause, acute Meningitis.
A coincidence? Yes, of course it is, but more than a coincidence for those who have faith and believe that God’s will governs all things.
The young Passionist monk was also struck by the coincidence of events and faith allows us to see something of the mystery of God’s Will in this tragedy. Blessed Grimoaldo is the only 19 year old saint, who died from acute Meningitis. That both he and Bowen were 19 and died of acute Meningitis on the 18th November gives some tiny glimpse into the mysteries of God’s Holy Will. There are reasons, unknown to us, for everything. We are always in the care of our most loving God and the angels and saints. If no sparrow falls to the ground without our Father in heaven knowing it and willing it, then even more so it was with Bowen. And a saint called Blessed Grimoaldo had answered the same call from God on the same day and at the same age. God is so good!

Blessed Grimoaldo pray for Bowen; as you would say, your "companion in death."

With renewed thanks for your prayers,

Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R.

Blessed Grimoaldo (In short)
Blessed of the Purification (Fernando Santamaria) was born May 4, 1883 in Pontecorvo, Frosinone, the oldest of five children. He professed his Passionist vows at the age of 17 on March 6, 1900 and began his studies for the priesthood at the Ceccano retreat. Two years later he contracted acute meningitis and died on November 18, 1902. His rapid ascent to the heights of perfection are attributed to his exceptional devotion to Mary Immaculate, to whom he had been consecrated as a child. Pope John Paul II declared him Blessed on January 29, 1995.

Blessed Grimoaldo (A longer account from Wikipedia)
Born to Peter Paul and Cecilia Santamaria on May 4 1883 and baptised Ferdinando the following day, his parents ran a small rope-making business. They were a devoutly Christian couple and in an extra-ordinary occasion Grimoaldo received the sacrament of Confirmation at the unusually young age of five months. An altar server from a young age, Ferdinando was also a member of the church choir and the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception. A neighbour testified that on one occasion he saw Ferdinando lifted from the floor whilst in prayer. In 1850 members of the Passionist Congregation took possession of a monastery in the locality and Ferdinando soon became familiar with them, copying their lives of penance. His father encouraged him to continue working in the family business, but Ferdinando had become convinced that he wanted to join the Passionists. He was not yet 16 and his age prevented him from entering the monastery, whilst waiting until he was the required age Ferdinando took up lessons in Latin. He entered the novitiate of the Passionists on March 5 1899 at the monastery of St. Mary of Pugliano taking the religious name Grimoaldo of the Purification.
The Rule of the Passionists was severe and designed to test the novices with penances such as sleeping on straw, poverty in clothing and the wearing of a rough black tunic. Grimoaldo was especially keen to model his life on Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, a Passionist student. He made his vows as a Passionist religious on March 6 1900. Grimoaldo began his studies for the priesthood at Ceccano where he found difficulty in adopting a scholastic discipline; a difficulty soon overcome. Amongst the Passionists he was known for his great holiness and charity. In November 1902 he was diagnosed with acute meningitis and after many trials and temptations he died on November 18 1902. On his deathbed he prophesied the date of his own death and that of a Cardinal; Grimoaldo said:
"His Divine Majesty is here, he has come for me today, and I, together with him, must go to Rome for Cardinal Aloisi-Masella. I must be his companion in death." The Cardinal died four days later.

Bowen Holgate, R.I.P.

18 November 2008
Feast of the Dedications of

the Basilicas of SS Peter and Paul

Dear Friends

When suffering in this Vale of Tears, we look to heaven for succour and for consolation in grief, only to acknowledge that there is no solace that can compare with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, where, in an unbloody way, the death of Our Lord is made present on our altars. Every new day's Mass has a special Lesson and Gospel assigned to it. In the Mass for 18 November, which is that of the Dedication of a Church, the Holy Scripture speaks directly to the hearts of all who mourn the death of our young Bowen. It says: "et absterget... And God shall wipe away all the tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more. Nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more..." (Apoc. 21:4) As sinners, we feel the weight of our lowliness and we hope that Our Lord will notice us, not disown us, and even have a merciful word in our regard. Of course, today in our sorrows, ever providing for us, Our Lord has just such a kindly word that we may rightly apply to Bowen. In today's Holy Gospel, Our Saviour notices Zacchaeus who had perched himself up into a tree in order to catch sight of Him. He looks up to Zacchaeus, speaks kindly to him and personally associates Himself with Him. Even more than this, He defends Zacchaeus publicly saying to the crowd: "eo quod et ipse filius sit Abrahae ... he also is a son of Abraham." (Lk. 19:9). This day that brought sorrow, grief and mourning to us who are Bowen's family and friends, also, in the Mass brings us hope and spiritual consolation. This earthly life that the Church so rightly calls a Valley of Tears, is, nevertheless greatly brightened with the light that comes from the gift of Faith. That light penetrates human darkness and allows us to see beyond this life. As a child of God, a son of Abraham, a baptised Catholic, Bowen entered into eternity fortified by the Sacraments and the rites of our holy Mother the Church. He died clothed in the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, to which is affixed the promise,'Whosoever dies clothed in this Scapular shall never suffer eternal fire.' Our Bowen went to God supported by our prayers and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Now he has entered eternity. We cannot leave him there, as it were, by himself; no, we accompany him by our prayers, rosaries and especially by having the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered for the repose of his soul so that, should he be in purgatory, he may quickly be entirely cleansed and enter into the joys of heaven. The Holy Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul on several altars; our love for him continues beyond the grave because he still exists, he is an immortal soul; once born in time he will always exist in eternity. Therefore, although we mourn his passing, we do not mourn like those who have no hope; but with love and confidence we pray for Bowen's soul: Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Bowen Holgate, R. I. P.

19 years of age

"...eo quod et ipse filius sit Abrahae ...

he also is a son of Abraham. (Lk. 19:9)

Bowen Holgate, best described as having a 'gentle and quiet' character, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Timaru hospital on Sunday 16 November at 7.00 a.m. He received Extreme Unction at 10.00 a.m.

By 2.00 a.m. Monday his condition began to deteriorate.

Clothed in the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, beside the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and with the holy Rosary in his hand, Bowen Holgate passed into eternity at 10.30 a.m. NZT on Tuesday 18 November, the feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of St Peter and St Paul in Rome. Requiem Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Timaru, at 11.00 a.m. on Friday, 21 November, Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple.

We gratefully thank you, our friends, who, in your charity, kindly offered prayers for Bowen when you heard of his plight. Now that he has passed into eternity we ask you to still remember to offer a little prayer for his soul and another for the consolation of his dear parents and sisters. May God reward your compassion.

We unite our sorrows with the Sorrow of our Blessed Mother who lost Her Divine Son and held his dead Body in Her arms at the foot of the Cross. In Her lament She cried out:

"O vos omnes.. O all ye that pass by the way, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow...." (Lamentations 1:12).
May our Blessed Mother who knows the sorrow of mothers
comfort the mother and father of this boy.

Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R.

Prayers for Bowen, please!

Dear Friends
I ask you urgently, to please pray to Our Mother of Perpetual Succour for my nephew, Bowen Holgate, a young, Catholic, New Zealander, 19 years of age.

Bowen had just returned home for the University holidays, when on Saturday, without any warning, he collapsed.

Admitted to the Intensive Care unit of the Timaru hospital, Bowen was diagnosed with Cerebral Meningitis and is now on a life support machine.

I ask your prayers for him to obtain all the graces he can as yet receive.

Please pray also for Bowen's anguished mother and father, Angela and Ross, and his sisters Grace and Claudia.

We are very grateful to you for your kind prayers in this painful time.

Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R.

Prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Succour

O Mother of Perpetual Succour
Grant that I may always invoke Thy Most Powerful Name
For Thy Name is help in life, salvation in death.
O Mary, most pure, Mary most sweet,
let Thy name henceforth be the breath of my life.
Tarry not O Lady to come to my succour
whenever I call upon Thee,
For in all the want which befall me
I will never cease to call upon Thee,
and to repeat again and again:
Mary! Mary!
What comfort, what sweetness, what tenderness,
what confidence does my soul feel,
in the very mention of Thy name,
in the very thought of Thee.
I thank the Lord for having given me for my good
this Name so sweet sweet, so amiable, so powerful.
But merely to pronounce Thy Name is not enough for me.
I wish to do so out of love.
I wish that love may remind me to call Thee always,
Mother of Perpetual Succour. Amen.

Then, please, add the 9 Hail Marys of the Novena

Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with Thee.

Blessed art Thou among women

and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (x9)

concluded by the this invocation three times:
Mother of Perpetual Succour, pray for him !

Don't miss this Issue

The latest issue of our newspaper Catholic is being wrapped and is on its way out to our subscribers.

In this present edition's editorial Fr Michael Mary speaks about our reconciliation with the Holy See and makes some important reflections.

There are a host of richly illustrated accompanying articles in which we learn about the Pope whose 50th Anniversary we commemorated yesterday, Pius XII, and his prodigious workload; we study some of the background of the apparitions, 150 years ago, at Lourdes with a beautiful narrative from a 19th century Jesuit; and we join an English amateur archaeologist in his quest for buried holy treasure in County Durham. We also have a chance meeting and attend a magnificent funeral in Pistoia and set out for the Arctic Circle to find out what people yearn for in religion. Msgr Vernon Johnson tells us about how best to approach long-term physical suffering, while Msgr Gaume takes us through the world of plants, trees and fruit in his Catechism of Perseverance. We hear of the exodus of Oriental Catholics from Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq and join a Spanish Mother who discovers she is building little cathedrals at home. All this and more, with the accompanying columns, news, competitions and regular features such as the Papa Stronsay Telegraph, goes to make a feast of uplifting reading. We try to make our publications a haven where the reader will find nothing dangerous in writing or image and where he or she can relax and take pleasure learning about the True Faith. We feel that there are endless forums today where Catholics may argue but few in which they can grow.

Then there is this edition's book. We always take particular care with our books, trying to make excellent old works come alive for the modern reader. Everything is newly typeset and richly illustrated. The text is divided into small sections to facilitate reading by everybody.

The latest offering is Trench Priest, an exciting and very moving story of an Irish Jesuit, Fr William Doyle, his lifelong war on himself and finally his magnificent triumph in the trenches of Flanders where he laid down his life for Our Lord and his Irish Battalion in the First World War. Anybody who comes to the final chapters will not fail to be moved by the descriptions of the gallant and courageous soldiers and their child-like love for their priest who went out with them into the firing lines to anoint and console them as they fell. The book is full of pictures of Fr Doyle's life and of the places and battles he describes. There are also numerous maps so that you can follow him through the maze of trenches.

But, when all is said and done, the best way to form an opinion about our publications is by reading them yourself. So why not take the opportunity and subscribe now? We are still wrapping and your name can easily be added into our new plastic wrapping machine.

For those who have not yet subscribed, or for those others who are no longer able to purchase their copy at church, we have five agents around the world where you may mail your subscriptions.

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To Russ and others -reply about our Masses

Russ Chesebro said...
Are you still offering up prayers for those of us enrolled in the purgatorial society?

Dear Russ

You are not the first to write to us about this question. We have received many comments, emails and letters asking your question: Are we continuing to offer the daily Holy Mass for all the members of our Purgatorian Archconfraternity in Honour of the Most Holy Redeemer on Golgotha? And is it the Tridentine Mass, the Old Mass, the 1962 Missal?

The unambiguous answer to both of these questions is: Yes!

• Yes. Every day, as agreed, we offer the Holy Mass for the member of our Purgatorian Archconfraternity in Honour of the Most Holy Redeemer on Golgotha.
• Yes. We daily offer that Holy Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962, commonly called the Tridentine Mass.

The reason we are asked this question so often must be because many people seem to think that because we have been reconciled with the Holy See, it means that we are no longer permitted to offer the Old Mass. This is not true at all.

We became reconciled with the Holy See as a response to the Motu proprio Summorum Pontificum of 7 July 2007 where, among other important statements, the Pope made the following solemn judgments that affect us:

"Art. 1. It is, therefore, permissible to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass following the typical edition of the Roman Missal promulgated by Bl. John XXIII in 1962 and never abrogated, as an extraordinary form of the Liturgy of the Church.

Art. 3. Communities of Institutes of consecrated life..., wishing to celebrate Mass in accordance with the edition of the Roman Missal promulgated in 1962, for conventual or "community" celebration in their oratories, may do so. If ... an entire Institute or Society wishes to undertake such celebrations ...permanently, the decision must be taken by the Superiors Major, in accordance with the law and following their own specific decrees and statues."

These two articles are the Pope's judgment that the Old Mass has never been abrogated and that entire religious communities may decide to offer the Mass according to the 1962 Missal permanently. By the judgment of Pope Benedict XVI we are always permitted to offer Holy Mass according to the 1962 Missal. Thank you Holy Father!

In conclusion therefore:

1. We continue, with the Pope's blessing, daily to offer the Holy Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962.
2. Daily, we offer the Holy Mass, according to that Roman Missal, for the members of our Purgatorian Archconfraternity in Honour of the Most Holy Redeemer on Golgotha.

COMMUNICADO - With an Unofficial Translation

From the site of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei

Reference: http://www.ecclesiadei-pontcommissio.org/ then under: INFORMAZIONE document: 04/09/2008

Riconciliazione del gruppo Transalpine Redemptorists
(Redentoristi Transalpini)

Il Padre Gregory Wilson Rae Sim è tornato con la sua comunità alla piena comunione con la Chiesa Cattolica il 18 giugno 2008. Quest’atto di regolarizzazione è stato accettato da Sua Eminenza il Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, Presidente della Pontificia Commissione “Ecclesia Dei”. Padre Gregory aveva fondato un gruppo che si chiamava Transalpine Redemptorists (Redentoristi Transalpini) il 2 agosto 1988 sotto la guida di Sua Eccellenza Mons. Marcel Lefebvre e in quell’occasione ha preso il nome di Padre Michael Mary.

Adesso questa comunità è riconciliata con la Chiesa ed i tre sacerdoti membri sono stati regolarizzati. Come segno di questa piena comunione con la Chiesa Cattolica, hanno cambiato il nome in Figli del Santissimo Redentore e sono in cammino per l’approvazione del loro Istituto. La comunità conta 18 membri, tra i quali i tre sacerdoti, appena regolarizzati. Per le facoltà si procede “ad normam juris”. Da nove anni la comunità risiede nell’isola di Papa Stronsay nella diocesi di Aberdeen in Scozia.

(Translation from the Italian)

On 18 June 2008 Father Gregory Wilson Rae Sim returned with his community to full communion with the Catholic Church. This act of regularization was accepted by His Eminence Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei”. Father Gregory had founded a group called the Transalpine Redemptorists on 2 August 1988 under the guidance of His Excellency Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and on that occasion took the name of Father Michael Mary.
Now this community is reconciled to the Church and the three priests members have been regularized. As a sign of this full communion with the Catholic Church, they have changed their name to Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer and are on the way to the approval of their Institute. The community has 18 members, among whom are the three priests who have just been regularized. For faculties they will proceed “ad norman juris”. For nine years the community has had its seat on the island of Papa Stronsay in the Diocese of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Clothing Ceremony

On 22 August, 2008, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we clothed a new novice. The statue of St. Gerard Maria Majella was placed in a position of prominence for the ceremony. The cross that the statue holds contains a First Class relic of the saint. Another relic of the saint was placed on the altar of sacrifice, as was one of St Therese of the Child Jesus. The postulant answers the ritual question 'what do you ask for?':

"Divinae gratiae luminibus illustratus.... Enlightened by the light of Divine grace, I have knowledge and understanding that all the things which the world holds to be great, and which it glorifies, are empty and nothing if not vanity. ....

... My soul, firm and decided, has inspired me to cast myself before the infinite mercy of God, renouncing all things which are of this world, so that with a much greater liberty I may serve my most lovable Redeemer....
... Unde intima mihi venit persuasio.....Whence, an intimate persuasion has come to me, that the divinity has called me to consume all the days of my life which will follow, in this venerable congregation of The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer;..."
"Indue, Fili, Dominum Jesum Christum, semper mortificationem ejus in corpore tuo circumferens. ... Son, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, always surrounding thy body with His mortification. "

The newly clothed novice, Brother Gerardo Maria Majella, stands with his mother at the shrine of St Michael the Archangel.

Email Accident

Dear Friends,
Recently we had an e-mail accident. As a result of this we have lost a number of emails from the Inbox, a number of dedicated folders and there are problems with the Address Book.
If you are expecting to hear from us and have not heard, please resend your email. We are sorry for this disruption in communications. With best wishes,
Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R.

Make hay while the sun shines

A little late — although not too late! — the hay was baled for the winter months. It was the first time that we have done it ourselves, having in previous years had help from a farmer on Stronsay, and so there were few hic-ups, but all was completed successfully in the end. Below, are some pictures of the work:

Br. Louis Mary, F.SS.R. turns the hay in order to dry it out competely.


He then formed it into rows for the baler to pick up.


Fr. Anthony Mary, F.SS.R. makes the bales.






A completed bale is ejected from the baler.


Job done!

The end of a beautiful day.

Triduum third day — Assumpta est Maria in Caelum!

The Church remembers today, that by the power of Almighty God, Our Blessed Mother rose from the dead, and was assumed body and soul into Heaven. Tradition tells us, that on this day She obtained from her Son that Purgatory should be emptied, and Saint Alphonsus tells us in his book The Glories of Mary, that every year on this feast of Her Assumption, She obtains the release of numberless souls from Purgatory's cleansing fires.


High Mass was celebrated by Fr. Anthony Mary, F.SS.R. in honour of the Assumption of our Immaculate Queen into Heaven. The intentions of the Mass and all the communions of our community were offered for Fr. John. The following captions are antiphons from today's Office.


Assumpta est Maria in caelum ...Mary has been taken up into Heaven! The Angels are rejoicing; praising they bless the Lord.


Maria Virgo assumpta est ...The Virgin Mary has been taken up into the Heavenly bridal chamber, where the King of kings is sitting on a starry throne.

In odorem unguentorum ...to the fragrence of Thy ointments we will run; the maidens love Thee deeply.


Benedicta filia tu a Domino ...O daughter Thou hast been blessed by the Lord, since through Thee we have partaken of the fruit of life.


Venite adoremus Regem regum ...come let us adore the King of kings, for today his Virgin Mother has been taken up into the highest Heaven.

Vigil of the Assumption, second day of the Triduum

This morning Holy Mass for the Vigil of the Assumption was celebrated, and was followed, according to an old custom of St Alphonsus, by Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament. Today was kept in honour of the second day that Our Lady spent in the tomb.


Ah, how did all the lovely virtues that she had practiced during life surround her blessed bed at the hour of her holy death! — St. Alphonsus: The Glories of Mary.


Thou art all fair, O my love, and there is not a spot in thee — Cant. iv. 7

"Magnificat anima mea Dominum; et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo"
"My Soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior"

Luke. i. 1-2

By the merits of Thy happy death obtain us holy perseverance in the divine friendship, that we may finally quit this life in God's grace. — St. Alphonsus: The Glories of Mary.




Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!

During the day, work was continued on our small chapel of the Holy Sepulchre.

Paul Williams from Stronsay starts the plastering with his son, Josh as labourer.


Br. Wolf Maria, F.SS.R. throws the necessary pieces of wood to Br. Ivan Maria, F.SS.R. ...


... Josh Williams passes him the nail gun ...


... and he puts them in place.