On Holy Thursday, 13 April 2017 we took possession of our New Zealand Wilderness.
The property is called Mount Saint Joseph's Kakahu.
Procession to take possession
of the Wilderness of Mt St Joseph's Kakahu
The altar being prepared in the wilderness.
On the feast of St Joseph, May 1st 2017 the 300 acre property was first blessed and Holy Mass was celebrated at the foot of the wilderness hills which rise another 1300 feet from here to the summit.
Views from the summit of Mt St Joseph's Kakahu
looking across the Four Peaks Range
and looking to the cities on the plain.
- 29 September -
Michaelmas 2017
Holy Mass was offered in the open for the faithful
who came to Mt St Joseph's Kakahu
for the first Wild Sheep Muster.
In this place...
The altar was in the open
the Faithful gathered to assist from
beneath the verandah.
Now in this place let us make a beginning.
November 2017
Laying the logs.
The logs for the Wilderness Oratory
were all taken from the neighbouring forest.
The Wilderness Oratory of St Joseph looking down the verandah.
The Wilderness Oratory takes shape
view from the West
View from the South
The roof.
The stained glass window
-the gift of Mr and Mrs J N Richards -
which is greatly appreciated.
Making the altar rails
The altar, gradines and throne.
The temporary altar and footpace
The gradines are solid Douglas Fir from the neighbouring forest,
so too, is the throne.
Blessing of the
Wilderness Oratory of St Joseph
Last Sunday of the Year
26 November, 2017.
The Wilderness Oratory of St Joseph
was officially blessed by
Rt. Reverend Dom Hugh Gilbert, O.S.B.
Bishop of Aberdeen, Scotland
DOMINE DEUS, qui licet... O LORD GOD, Whom the heavens and earth cannot contain, but Who dost condescend to have a dwelling on earth where thy name can be continually invoked, we beseech thee, through the merits and intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, of Blessed Joseph and of all the saints, visit this edifice with thy kindly countenance, and purge it of all evil by the infusion of thy grace. And as thou didst cause the vow of thy beloved David to be fulfilled in the work of Solomon, his son, grant us in this work the realisation of our desires, and banish hence all wicked spirits. Through our Lord.
Ut hanc ecclesiam, et altare hoc, ad honorem tuum,
et nomen Sancti tui Josephi, purgare, et bene+dicere digneris.
Te rogamus audi nos.
That Thou wouldst purify and bless + this church and this altar
to thy honour and the name of Saint Joseph.
We beseech thee, hear us.
Psalmus 120
LEVAVI oculos meos in montes ...
I lift up mine eyes to the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth ...
Psalmus 121
LAETATUS sum in his, quae dicta sunt mihi: In domum Domini ibimus...
I rejoiced when it was said to me: 'Let us go to the house of the Lord...'
First Mass in the Wilderness Oratory
offered by Father Anthony Mary
served by Brother Paul Mary
...in montem sanctum tuum et in tabernacula tua...
unto thy holy hill, and into thy tabernacles...
DEUS, qui loca nomini tuo dicanda sanctificas...
GOD, Who dost sanctify the places dedicated to thy name, pour forth thy grace upon this house of prayer, so tht all who here invoke thee, may experience thy assistance. Amen.
