Transalpine Redemptorists at home

40 Days and 40 Years

2012-02-01T11:47:00.005Z

The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple
is 40 days after Christmas
(which was according to the Law of Moses).

The number 40 has an important significance
in the workings of God’s plan of salvation.
At the Flood the rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights.
The children of Israel ate Manna for 40 years in the desert.
Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights in the mountain with God
before he received the ten conmmandments.
David slew Goliath on the 40th day.
David reigned for 40 years.
Solomon reigned for 40 years.
Elias in the strength of the food given him by the angel
walked 40 days and 40 nights
unto the mount of God, Horeb.
And most importantly Our Lord fasted for
40 days and 40 nights in the desert
and tarried 40 days amongst us before His Ascension.

This year,
on 2 February,
Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple
Fr Michael Mary celebrates the
40th anniversary
of his entry into Religion and the service of God.

Father Anthony Mary
and all the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer
join with all his family and friends
to wish Father a
Happy Anniversary,
a long life and a crown above.
We wish him many blessings
and assure him of our filial devotion and prayers.

Ordinations to the Subdiaconate

2012-01-29T20:41:00.002Z

Saturday 28th January saw the ordination of seven young men to the Subdiaconate at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary.

The future Subdeacons processing into the chapel holding a candle in their right hand, and, hanging over their left arm, the tunicle and maniple in which they will later be vested.

The candidates prostrate themselves before the altar.

Br. Martin Mary, F.SS.R. was given the great privilege of cantoring the Litany of the Saints with one of the other seminarians, which can be seen in the video below.

The camera used to film the Litany would not go beyond ten minutes per clip, so there is a small jump in the middle where a new one was started.

the tradition of the instruments to the Subdeacons, who touch the cruets...

...and the chalice.

The amice is pulled over the head.

The maniple is given them to reverence,

and finally they lay their right hand upon the Epistolarium, from which they will now chant the Epistle at a Solemn High Mass.

May God make them all good and holy priests!

Deep Silence, Mutual Listening, Continual Prayer

2012-01-25T16:44:00.006Z

Deep Silence.

Silence is an integral element of communication; in its absence, words rich in content cannot exist. In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth; we understand with greater clarity what it is we want to say and what we expect from others; and we choose how to express ourselves.

Mutual Listening.

By remaining silent we allow the other person to speak, to express him or herself; and we avoid being tied simply to our own words and ideas without them being adequately tested. In this way, space is created for mutual listening, and deeper human relationships become possible.

Thus the Pope speaks to us about the internet, blogging and social communications. We are involved in Internet communications. We hope that our sites also breathe religious silence.

Silence

The latest edition of our newspaper Catholic is in the post.
It opens the subject of continual prayer.
I invite you to subscribe to this newspaper and read quietly
- away from Internet, in deep listening silence -
about the continual prayer.

Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R.

Attention should be paid to the various types of websites, applications and social networks which can help people today to find time for reflection and authentic questioning, as well as making space for silence and occasions for prayer, meditation or sharing of the word of God.

Pope Benedict XVI.
24 January 2012.

He who prays is certain to be saved.
He who does not pray is certain to be damned.
All the elect are in heaven because they prayer.
All the damned are in hell because they did not pray.
St. Alphonsus

DOMINUS EST - It is the Lord!

2012-01-18T10:00:00.008Z

Most Rev. Athanasius Schneider, O.R.C.,
consecrated bishop on 2 June, 2006, is
Auxiliary Bishop of Maria Santissima in Astana,
Kazakhstan.

Relying on accurate history and good theology,
the author of DOMINUS EST makes a plea for a return to distributing
Holy Communion to kneeling communicants on the tongue —
the practice now restored at papal liturgies by Pope Benedict XVI.

The book written by Bishop Schneider
is available in English.

Dominus Est – It Is the Lord!
Preface by Cardinal Ranjith.

Originally published in Italian by the Vatican Press,
this book offers readers insights into the sacrality
which ought to surround the distribution
and reception of Holy Communion

The book comes with the endorsement of the then two highest officials
in the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship
and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Link
to buy the book via Internet in the USA
Link
to buy the book in the UK.

Padre Pio is on the mend.

2012-01-14T18:55:00.005Z

Padre Pio in bad shape to the south.

This is the sight that greeted us after
the Immaculate Conception Hurricane
8 December 2011.
The wind speed had been registered at 138 mph
on Mainland Orkney.

"Padre Pio" our boat and implement shed had been well secured
but the pressure of the wind, laden with humidity,
blew its doors in and out.

The north eastern door was blown over the top of the shed
and stayed there.

While the north western door blew inwards
and onto the bonnet of a vehicle.

Quite a worry.
A howling wind tunnel.

Thanks be to God and Fr. Anthony
it's back in place again,
straightened out and patched up.
Hanging!
And ready for another storm!

Deo gratias!
and
Thank you, Father!

Ukrainian Christmas with Carol and Horn.

2012-01-09T22:25:00.004Z

News from Sister Onufria in Lviv, Ukraine.

Sister leads carol singing with local children
dressed in festive costume.
This is called "Vetep",
a Ukrainian tradition.

The following clip is a Christmas carol from
Sister Onufria's region
in the Carpathian Mountains.
These people are called Huzuly.
They are dressed in their regional costume
which includes a trusty mountain axe
and a sonorious horn.

A Happy and Holy New Year

2011-12-31T22:00:00.005Z

Incline unto my aid, O God;
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Deus, in adjutorium meum intende;
Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
(Ps. 69:2)

The 2011 Christmas Day Blessing Urbi et Orbi of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

2011-12-26T11:19:00.008Z

Translation.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and throughout the world!

Christ is born for us!
Glory to God in the highest
and peace on earth to the men and women whom he loves.
May all people hear an echo of the message of Bethlehem
which the Catholic Church repeats in every continent,
beyond the confines of every nation, language and culture.
The Son of the Virgin Mary is born for everyone;
he is the Saviour of all.

This is how Christ is invoked in an ancient liturgical antiphon:
“O Emmanuel, our king and lawgiver,
hope and salvation of the peoples:
come to save us, O Lord our God”.
Veni ad salvandum nos! Come to save us!
This is the cry raised by men and women in every age,
who sense that by themselves they cannot prevail
over difficulties and dangers.
They need to put their hands in a greater and stronger hand,
a hand which reaches out to them from on high.
Dear brothers and sisters, this hand is Christ,
born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary.
He is the hand that God extends to humanity,
to draw us out of the mire of sin and to set us firmly on rock,
the secure rock of his Truth and his Love (cf. Ps 40:2).

This is the meaning of the Child’s name, the name which, by God’s will, Mary and Joseph gave him: he is named Jesus, which means “Saviour” (cf. Mt 1:21; Lk 1:31). He was sent by God the Father to save us above all from the evil deeply rooted in man and in history: the evil of separation from God, the prideful presumption of being self-sufficient, of trying to compete with God and to take his place, to decide what is good and evil, to be the master of life and death (cf. Gen 3:1-7). This is the great evil, the great sin, from which we human beings cannot save ourselves unless we rely on God’s help, unless we cry out to him: “Veni ad salvandum nos! – Come to save us!”

The very fact that we cry to heaven in this way already sets us aright; it makes us true to ourselves: we are in fact those who cried out to God and were saved (cf. Esth [LXX] 10:3ff.). God is the Saviour; we are those who are in peril. He is the physician; we are the infirm. To realize this is the first step towards salvation, towards emerging from the maze in which we have been locked by our pride. To lift our eyes to heaven, to stretch out our hands and call for help is our means of escape, provided that there is Someone who hears us and can come to our assistance.

Jesus Christ is the proof that God has heard our cry. And not only this! God’s love for us is so strong that he cannot remain aloof; he comes out of himself to enter into our midst and to share fully in our human condition (cf. Ex 3:7-12). The answer to our cry which God gave in Jesus infinitely transcends our expectations, achieving a solidarity which cannot be human alone, but divine. Only the God who is love, and the love which is God, could choose to save us in this way, which is certainly the lengthiest way, yet the way which respects the truth about him and about us: the way of reconciliation, dialogue and cooperation.

Dear brothers and sisters in Rome and throughout the world, on this Christmas 2011, let us then turn to the Child of Bethlehem, to the Son of the Virgin Mary, and say: “Come to save us!” Let us repeat these words in spiritual union with the many people who experience particularly difficult situations; let us speak out for those who have no voice.

Together let us ask God’s help for the peoples of the Horn of Africa, who suffer from hunger and food shortages, aggravated at times by a persistent state of insecurity. May the international community not fail to offer assistance to the many displaced persons coming from that region and whose dignity has been sorely tried.

May the Lord grant comfort to the peoples of South-East Asia, particularly Thailand and the Philippines, who are still enduring grave hardships as a result of the recent floods.

May the Lord come to the aid of our world torn by so many conflicts which even today stain the earth with blood. May the Prince of Peace grant peace and stability to that Land where he chose to come into the world, and encourage the resumption of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. May he bring an end to the violence in Syria, where so much blood has already been shed. May he foster full reconciliation and stability in Iraq and Afghanistan. May he grant renewed vigour to all elements of society in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East as they strive to advance the common good.

May the birth of the Saviour support the prospects of dialogue and cooperation in Myanmar, in the pursuit of shared solutions. May the Nativity of the Redeemer ensure political stability to the countries of the Great Lakes Region of Africa, and assist the people of South Sudan in their commitment to safeguarding the rights of all citizens.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, let us turn our gaze anew to the grotto of Bethlehem. The Child whom we contemplate is our salvation! He has brought to the world a universal message of reconciliation and peace. Let us open our hearts to him; let us receive him into our lives. Once more let us say to him, with joy and confidence: “Veni ad salvandum nos!”

Christmas in a Storm

2011-12-25T16:55:00.002Z

We have been graced this year with a great storm over Christmas. While the wind raged outside, we were treated to a wonderful candlelight Midnight Mass.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed

the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

After Mass was over each of us venerated the baby Jesus.

We wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas!

The Royal Christmas Broadcast of Her Majesty the Queen.

2011-12-25T16:00:00.004Z

Lord, save our Queen Elizabeth,
and graciously hear us in the day when we call upon Thee.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, we pray that Thy servant our Queen Elizabeth,
who by Thy mercy has undertaken the government of this realm,
may receive increase of all the virtues;
so fittingly adorned,
may she be enabled to avoid all foul temptations,
(overcome her enemies),
and with her prince consort and the Royal family,
may she at the last be welcomed by Thee,
who art the way, the truth, and the life.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DOMINE, SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM ELISABETH,
ET EXAUDI NOS IN DIE, QUA INVOCAVERIMUS TE.

OREMUS.
QUAESUMUS, OMNIPOTENS DEUS,
UT FAMULA TUA ELISABETH, REGINA NOSTRA,
QUI TUA MISERATIONE SUSCEPIT
REGNI GUBERNACULA,
VIRTUTUM ETIAM OMNIUM PERCIPIAT INCREMENTA;
QUIBUS DECENTE ORNATA,
ET VITIORUM MONSTRA DEVITARE,
(HOSTES SUPERARE)
ET AD TE QUI VIA, VERITAS, ET VITA ES,
CUM [PRINCIPE CONSORTE ET PROLE REGIA,
GRATIOSA VALEAT PERVENIRE.
PER CHRISTUM DOMINUM NOSTRUM.
AMEN.

Smile!

2011-12-21T02:49:00.004Z

Victoria Who Overcame the World

2011-12-14T20:59:00.013Z

Reverend Mother Maria Angela Borsa, Prioress of the Venerable Monastery of the Most Holy Annunciation and Incarnation in Genoa, Italy, before the relics of the Holy Foundress, Bl. Maria Vittoria (behind the Infant Jesus).
Below: A clearer view of the sacred incorrupt relics.

During the 1990s our Congregation made a home in the former monastery of the Celestial Annunciades in Joinville, France (below). The holy order, founded by Blessed Maria Vittoria de Fornari Strata, seemed to have more or less dwindled and we were privileged to glean, from local memories and some remaining artefacts, a little of the history of the beautiful order which had once found a home within the same walls.

Each day we devote a few moments to preparing the image of the saint for the next day for our top right sidebar. Having found that 15 December is the anniversary of Blessed Maria Vittoria’s death, and making the association with our former home, we went searching for a suitable image. What a surprise to find that the monastery where her relics repose is alive and well and very much inclined towards the traditional religious life. The photographs are simply beautiful so we decided to share them with our readers.

The Altar of Blessed Maria Vittoria during the traditional First Holy Mass offered there in 2009
by the newly ordained Rev. Fr Francesco Ramella .

The Celestial Annunciades are religious order for women founded by Bl. Maria Vittoria Fornari (1562 - 1617) at Genoa. The death of her husband, Angelo Strata, left her the care of six children, and it was only after they had entered the religious life that she was free to carry out her life work, for which she had been preparing by retirement and the practice of austere virtue. Her lack of temporal means for some time caused her director and the Archbishop of Genoa to withhold their consent, which, however, was finally obtained (1602), and a convent was erected at the expense of one of her companions. Pope Clement VIII approved them in 1604, placing the Order under the Rule of St Augustine. In the same year ten members were received, each adding the name Maria Annunziata to her baptismal or religious name, and they made their solemn vows on 7 September, 1605. The Order spread through France, Germany, and Denmark.

Above: A novice preparing embroidery for the support of the monastery.
Below: The altar of Our Lady of Protection, a devotion particular to the order.

The title of our post, Victoria Who Overcame the World, is a play on the words of Holy Scripture, often seen in pictures of the Blessed: "For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith." [1 John 5,4] It is uplifting to see her spiritual daughters continuing to overcome the spirit of the world, the flesh and the devil.

A pastoral letter unlike any I have read before.

2011-12-11T21:19:00.012Z

Today we read the Pastoral Letter of Bishop Hugh, O.S.B.
It was a delight!

I invite you to read it too!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We live in a noisy world. Our towns and cities are full of noise. There is noise in the skies and on the roads. There is noise in our homes, and even in our churches. And most of all there is noise in our minds and hearts.

The Danish philosopher Kierkegaard once wrote: ‘The present state of the world and the whole of life is diseased. If I were a doctor and I were asked for my advice, I should reply: “Create silence! Bring people to silence!” The Word of God cannot be heard in the noisy world of today. And even if it were trumpeted forth with all the panoply of noise so that it could be heard in the midst of all the other noise, then it would no longer be the Word of God. Therefore, create silence!’

‘Create silence!’ There’s a challenge here. Surely speaking is a good and healthy thing? Yes indeed. Surely there are bad kinds of silence? Yes again. But still Kierkegaard is on to something.

There is a simple truth at stake. There can be no real relationship with God, there can be no real meeting with God, without silence. Silence prepares for that meeting and silence follows it. An early Christian wrote, ‘To someone who has experienced Christ himself, silence is more precious than anything else.’ For us God has the first word, and our silence opens our hearts to hear him. Only then will our own words really be words, echoes of God’s, and not just more litter on the rubbish dump of noise.

‘How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given.’ So the carol goes. For all the noise, rush and rowdiness of contemporary Christmasses, we all know there is a link between Advent and silence, Christmas and silence. Our cribs are silent places. Who can imagine Mary as a noisy person? In the Gospels, St Joseph never says a word; he simply obeys the words brought him by angels. And when John the Baptist later comes out with words of fire, it is after years of silence in the desert. Add to this the silence of our long northern nights, and the silence that follows the snow. Isn’t all this asking us to still ourselves?

A passage from the Old Testament Book of Wisdom describes the night of Israel’s Exodus from Egypt as a night full of silence. It is used by the liturgy of the night of Jesus’ birth:
‘When a deep silence covered all things and night was in the middle of its course, your all-powerful Word, O Lord, leapt from heaven’s royal throne’ (Wis 18:14-15).
‘Holy night, silent night!’ So we sing. The outward silence of Christmas night invites us to make silence within us. Then the Word can leap into us as well, as a wise man wrote: ‘If deep silence has a hold on what is inside us, then into us too the all-powerful Word will slip quietly from the Father’s throne.’
This is the Word who proceeds from the silence of the Father. He became an infant, and ‘infant’ means literally ‘one who doesn’t speak.’ The child Jesus would have cried - for air and drink and food - but he didn’t speak. ‘Let him who has ears to hear, hear what this loving and mysterious silence of the eternal Word says to us.’ We need to listen to this quietness of Jesus, and allow it to make its home in our minds and hearts.

‘Create silence!’ How much we need this! The world needs places, oases, sanctuaries, of silence.
And here comes a difficult question: what has happened to silence in our churches? Many people ask this. When the late Canon Duncan Stone, as a young priest in the 1940s, visited a parish in the Highlands, he was struck to often find thirty or forty people kneeling there in silent prayer. Now often there is talking up to the very beginning of Mass, and it starts again immediately afterwards. But what is a church for, and why do we go there? We go to meet the Lord and the Lord comes to meet us. ‘The Lord is in his holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before him!’ said the prophet Habakkuk. Surely the silent sacramental presence of the Lord in the tabernacle should lead us to silence? We need to focus ourselves and put aside distractions before the Mass begins. We want to prepare to hear the word of the Lord in the readings and homily. Surely we need a quiet mind to connect to the great Eucharistic Prayer? And when we receive Holy Communion, surely we want to listen to what the Lord God has to say, ‘the voice that speaks of peace’? Being together in this way can make us one – the Body of Christ - quite as effectively as words.
A wise elderly priest of the diocese said recently, ‘Two people talking stop forty people praying.’
‘Create silence!’ I don’t want to be misunderstood. We all understand about babies. Nor are we meant to come and go from church as cold isolated individuals, uninterested in one another. We want our parishes to be warm and welcoming places. We want to meet and greet and speak with one another. There are arrangements to be made, items of news to be shared, messages to be passed. A good word is above the best gift, says the Bible. But it is a question of where and when. Better in the porch than at the back of the church. Better after the Mass in a hall or a room. There is a time and place for speaking and a time and place for silence. In the church itself, so far as possible, silence should prevail. It should be the norm before and after Mass, and at other times as well. When there is a real need to say something, let it be done as quietly as can be. At the very least, such silence is a courtesy towards those who want to pray. It signals our reverence for the Blessed Sacrament. It respects the longing of the Holy Spirit to prepare us to celebrate the sacred mysteries. And then the Mass, with its words and music and movement and its own moments of silence, will become more real. It will unite us at a deeper level, and those who visit our churches will sense the Holy One amongst us.

‘Create silence!’ It is an imperative. May the Word coming forth from silence find our silence waiting for him like a crib! ‘The devil’, said St Ambrose, ‘loves noise; Christ looks for silence.’

Yours sincerely in Him,

+ Hugh, O. S. B.
Bishop of Aberdeen

7 December 2011.

We'll weather the weather whatever the weather, whether we like it or not!

2011-12-11T13:36:00.006Z

The trusty Stronsay Pier Weather Vane.

Beaufort Wind Scale
Windspeed in MPH Description - Visible Condition

MPH
0 Calm smoke rises vertically.
1 - 4 Light air direction of wind shown by smoke but not by wind vanes.
4 - 7 Light breeze wind felt on face; leaves rustle; ordinary wind vane moves.
8 - 12 Gentle breeze leaves and small twigs in constant motion.
13 - 18 Moderate breeze raises dust and loose paper.
19 - 24 Fresh breeze small trees in leaf begin to sway.
25 - 31 Strong breeze large branches in motion; telephone wires whistle.
32 - 38 Moderate gale whole trees in motion; inconvenience in walking against wind.
39 - 46 Fresh gale breaks twigs off trees; generally impedes progress.
47 - 54 Strong gale slight structural damage occurs; chimney pots and slates removed.
55 - 63 Whole gale trees uprooted; considerable structural damage occurs.
64 - 72 Storm very rarely experienced; accompanied by widespread damage.
73+ Hurricane devastation occurs.

For this week we are expecting:
Monday 9.00 a.m. Whole Gale (62mph).
Tuesday 00.00 midnight Hurricane (81 mph) reducing by midday to Whole Gale (55 mph).
Wednesday 12.00 Fresh Gale (45 mph).
Thursday 18.00 Strong Gale (53 mph) 18.00 Storm (72 mph).

We'll check
the trusty Stronsay Pier weather vane
for wind direction.

Source

Of Storm and Scoulters.

2011-12-09T13:18:00.013Z

The Storm of the Immaculate Conception.

Last night winds were recorded in Orkney at 138.5 m.p.h.
Here is a brief clip taken from St. Magnus' kitchen
at the head of the Steamer Pier, Stronsay.

This morning the storm continued with lower wind speed.

Br Nicodemus Mary checked the monastery boat.

The boat "Charnetsky" was fine.

View of Scoulters.
The South End of Stronsay had been without electricity all night.
We visited Brian and Margaret who live at Scoulters ...
to "talk about the weather"
which is always of interest in Orkney!

Valery, Margaret and Brian with Hector
Margaret informed us that there is an actual weather forecast
especially for Papa Stronsay!
That is exciting news for us!
The link is here!

Scoulters.

What is Scoulters?
- for Brian

Scoulters -
Christian house, Catholic home.
Sturdy castle struck in stone.

Tabernaculum.
Exile lodgings, tent surpassed,
Shelter built to face the blast.

Caritas.
Armoured fortress, love's rampart.
Bone the body flesh the heart.

Sanctuarium.
Christ enthroned, His Dominion.
She His handmaid, He His liegeman.
Domus Dei et porta caeli.
Scoulters!

Long may He reign there!

Mr. Frederick Lardeaux, R.I.P.

2011-12-06T22:32:00.008Z

Of Your Charity
Please Pray for the Soul
of
Mr. Frederick Lardeaux, R.I.P.

Who passed away
in Medway Hospital,
Kent, England
this evening,
6th December,
Feast of the Wonderworker, St. Nicholas.

He died fortified by the Rites of our Holy Mother the Church
and two of our Brothers were with him
when he passed into his eternity.

Mr. and Mrs. Lardeaux R.I.P.
were our very great benefactors.
It was through their kind donation that we received our first home
– Warden Manor on the Isle of Sheppey.
It became the
Monastery of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary,
and was the cradle of our congregation.

He was 91 years old.

He will be buried beside Mrs. Lardeaux
in Papa Stronsay cemetery.

Réquiem ætérnam dona ei, Dómine:
et lux pérpetua lúceat ei.
Eternal rest grant unto him. O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Requiéscat in pace.
May he rest in peace.

DEUS, cui proprium est...
O GOD, whose property is
ever to have mercy and to spare,
we humbly supplicate Thee
for the soul of Thy servant Frederick,
which Thou hast this day called out of this world,
that Thou deliver it not to the hands of the enemy,
nor forget it forever,
but command for it to be received by the holy angels
and taken to Paradise, its home,
so that,
since it hath hoped and believed in Thee,
it may not bear the pains of hell,
but possess everlasting joys.
Through our Lord.

(Collect from the Mass of the Day of Burial.)

News from Sister Maria Onufria, OSBM - Vespers Street, Lviv, Ukraine.

2011-12-03T16:51:00.008Z

Blessed Nicholas Charnetsky
Bishop and Martyr

In 1957 having served eleven years
in the Soviet GULAG system
Blessed Nicholas Charnetsky,
in danger of death,
was returned to Lviv
to avoid his dying in the GULAG
and the consequent criticism
that would come from his death there.

He found a room in the home of a Greek Catholic married priest.
He ordained priests there in secret for three years
before his holy death on 2 April 1959.

We were blessed by heaven to buy that house.
It serves as a convent for
a small group of Greek Catholic nuns.

Last Summer the roof was repaired
and additional accommodation was made in the attic.

Sister Onufria, the superior of the convent
was closely involved with the work.

Sister Maria Onufria helping at the concrete mixer.

The city government approved the additional height to the building
to gain on accommodation.

For some weeks the roof was plastic.
The goal was to have tiles on before the winter.
This has been achieved.

Before the tiles the roof was tin.
During the course of the years
the old roof was full of rust and holes.

Now with tiles on the house,
we will hear no more about
Sister Onufria standing up on the steep roof
with tins of green paint and her paint brush in hand!

It is a great improvement.
Congratulations Sisters!

View across the neighbour's property to the convent.
Its address is:
7 Vechirnia,
which translates as:
7 Vespers Street.

Blessed Nicholas Charnetsky,
pray for them!

A Magnificent Storm

2011-11-30T21:23:00.002Z

Sunday 27th November the occasion of a magnificent storm, with the wind turbines on mainland Orkney reportedly recording gusts of up to 130mph!

These photos as well as the video at the bottom of the post were taken looking down the main street of Whitehall village, Stronsay, with the harbour on the right.

Note the seaweed in the road, as well as in the video below, which was taken just outside our chapel.

The Lamps thereof are Fire and Flame.

2011-11-30T12:04:00.006Z

Highlights
from the
Silver Jubilee of
Religious Profession
of
Sister Maria Auxiliadora
da Divina Providência, O.SS.R.
Redemptoristine Nuns
in the
Apostolic Administration
St. Jean Marie Vianney
Campos, Brazil.

Sister at the Choir enclosure.

She renews her religious vows before
The Apostolic Admistrator,
His Lordship Bishop Rifan.

She receives afresh the Religious Profession ring.

Put me as a seal upon thy heart..
for love is strong as death, jealousy as hard as hell,
the lamps thereof are fire and flames ...

She receives the silver jubilee crown of roses.

The lamps thereof are fire and flame...

Many waters cannot quench charity,
neither can the floods drown it:
if a man should give all the substance of his house for love,
he shall despise it as nothing.
(Canticles 6:8)

Sister received the Papal Blessing.

Ad multos annos Sister!
Pray for us.

Erecting the Stations in our Old Mass Chapel, Stronsay

2011-11-27T11:35:00.006Z

Yesterday during the storm
we erected the
Stations of the Cross
in Our Lady's Chapel
Stronsay.

Br. Nicodemus Mary
measuring the cord out for hanging each Station.

They are beautiful old Stations.
The last three, closest to the altar,
are markedly darker than the others
reflecting sorrow and the darkness that covered the earth.

Br. Magdala Maria and Br Yousef Marie
erecting the Tenth Station to its place.

Domum tuam decet sanctitudo Domine in longitudine dierum.
Holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.
Psalms 92:5

Domine dilexi decorem domus tuae et locum habitationis gloriae tuae.
I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy house;
and the place where thy glory dwelleth.
Psalms 25:8

Papa Stronsay Calendar 2012

2011-11-24T22:46:00.003Z

Our calendar for 2012 is now available from the Papa Stronsay Shop.
Please click here to order.

God defined it. It can't be redefined by any power on earth.

2011-11-23T16:54:00.009Z

There is a government proposal to "redefine" marriage.

All Catholics and all who love God
living in Scotland
have to oppose this.

If you have not done so yet
please click on the image
and fill in the form.

This is the only valid definition of Marriage:
The conjugal union of man and woman,
contracted between two qualified persons,
which obliges them to live together throughout life.

Marriage was instituted by God.

We read in Genesis that
God created them male and female,
and blessed them, saying:
"Increase and multiply";
and also:
"It is not good for man to be alone:
let us make him a help like unto himself.'

Adam said:
"This is now bone of my bones,
and flesh of my flesh:
she shall be called woman,
because she was taken out of man:
wherefore a man shall leave father and mother,
and shall cleave to his wife;
and they shall be two in one flesh."

These words, according to the authority of our Lord Himself,
as we read in St. Matthew,
prove the divine institution of Matrimony.

Not only did God institute marriage;
He also rendered it perpetual and indissoluble.'
What God hath joined together, says our Lord,
let not man separate.

(From the Catechism of the Council of Trent)

Happy Anniversary - Feliz Aniversário

2011-11-20T21:23:00.007Z

Today
Sunday, 20th November, 2011, we wish our
Sister Maria Auxiliadora da Divina Providência, O.SS.R.
Sister Maria Help of Christians of Divine Providence,
a very happy and blessed
Silver Jubilee of Religious Profession.

Hoje
Domingo, 20 de Novembro, 2011, desejamos a nossa
Irmã Maria Auxiliadora da Divina Providência, O.SS.R.
um feliz e abençoado
Jubileu de Prata da Profissão Religiosa.

Please join us in remembering our faithful
Redemptoristine Jubilarian
of the traditional Monastery of the Holy Face
and the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary
in São Fidelis, Brazil,
in your prayers,
Holy Masses and Communions.

Vivat in Aeternum, in Aeternum Vivat!

Resignation in expiation for our sins and for the Holy Souls

2011-11-07T20:48:00.007Z

Who are the dead that suffer in the expiatory flames?
Are they great criminals, public and scandalous sinners,
who have died under the anathema of the Church
and of their fellow citizens?

No;
they are souls sanctified by grace,
who have to expiate only light faults,
slight acts of unfaithfulness,
or even only the temporal punishment
of faults already forgiven.

Among them are some
who acquired on earth eminent virtue,
who consequently, are more humble,
more chaste, more obedient,
more charitable,
and especially more patient than we.

They suffer, without complaint
and even with much love,
intolerable pains which surpass all we can imagine
or endure in this life.

A fire, like that of hell,
burns them without ceasing, without mercy,
and a pain far greater still,
that of loss,
completes their torments.

And we who have so much and,
perhaps, so greviously sinned,
we complain of the slightest suffering!

Are we ignorant of the law
that obliges us to expiate our sins,
in this life or in the next?

And is it not better to pay our debts now to our Lord's mercy,
which forgives so easily,
than to fall later under the blows of His justice,
which requires full payment to the last farthing? (Mat. 5:26)

Moreover, by bearing on earth afflictions and trials,
we embellish more and more our eternal crown,
whilst in purgatory we shall have to pay,
without increase of merit, the whole of our debt to God.

Can we hesitate between those two alternatives,
either to have our purgatory in this life
by suffering patiently and meritoriously,
or
to await the torments of next life,
when we shall have to satisfy rigorously
and unprofitably for heaven,
the divine justice in full?

Prayer and Resolutions

O Lord, it is evidently more advantageous for me
to deny myself and suffer now for Thee,
than to defer it till later.

Wherefore I embrace from this day forward
all the trials it will please Thee to send me;
bitterness, disgust, annoyances, infirmities,
pains, humiliations and contradiction.

I am therefore resolved,

first,
when tempted to impatience,
to think of purgatory and the souls
so lovingly suffering therein;

and

secondly,
often to offer Thee my sufferings in union with Thine,
as an expiation for my sins,
and for the relief of the faithful departed,
who are still indebted to Thy justice.

[From this morning's Meditation book.]

The new UK SSPX: Bequest SiSi! Request NoNo!

2011-11-04T15:53:00.010Z

In August 2007 we were informed by letter
that we had been nominated to receive
half of the residue of the estate of
the late Mrs. Margaret Patricia Kingon-Rouse, R.I.P.

(Click on documents to read them)

There were legal complications involved with the property which formed the estate.
The last time we had information about the Will was last August.

In the latest issue of the SSPX Newsletter
(November, 2011),
the District Superior,
Rev. Paul Morgan wrote:

"Similarly, we are indebted to the late Mrs Patricia Kingon-Rouse of Herne Bay whose bequeathed property now allows the Fathers to have a base for their apostolate there. May she rest in peace."

I understood from this announcement that the legal complications had been overcome.
Therefore I telephoned the new London Executor and asked about the present status of the Will.

I was told that the Will
did not legally bind the SSPX
to honour Mrs. Kingon-Rouse's request
and that it was decided that
although I was named in the Will
the SSPX had decided that Papa Stronsay
would not receive the half share of the remainder of the estate
as had been requested by the deceased.

Here is the entire clause of the Will:

7. SUBJECT TO the payment of my debts funeral and testamentary expenses and the aforementioned legacies I give all the remainder of my estate not otherwise effectively disposed of by this Will or any codicil hereto to the Society of St. Pius X in Great Britain and request that one half of such residue of my estate be used for the benefit of the London Branch of the Society operating from St. George's House 125 Arthur Road London SW19 7DR who service Saints John Fisher & Thomas More Church Herne and for the remaining half share to be utilised for the benefit of Father Michael Mary and the community of Redemptorists at Golgotha Monastery Island Papa Stronsay Orkney Isles KW17 2AR. And I further request that Father Michael Mary put aside the sum of TWO THOUSAND POUNDS (£2, 000.00) for mass offerings to be used for the repose of the soul of myself and my family by birth or marriage and for the benefit of every holy soul in purgatory AND I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or other competent officer for the time being of the Society of St. Pius X in Great Britain appearing to my Executor shall be a sufficient receipt to my Executor in respect of this residuary bequest

In March 2010 we received the £2, 000 for Masses.

I thought that we, Catholics and clergy,
held last requests as sacred prescriptions.

All that is legal is not moral.

If last requests are not honoured by
traditional priests
by whom will they be honoured?

As for the bequest's request
graciously made for us by our friend
Mrs. Kingon-Rouse, R.I.P. -
we are in no position to renounce it
but we accept that it has been taken from us:
we resign ourselves to this injustice.

In all things may God's Will be done
and may it teach us the lessons necessary for salvation:

For the desire of money is the root of all evils;
which some coveting have erred from the faith,
and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.
[1 Timothy 6:10]

Through His Prince, Christ the King reigns over Liechtenstein

2011-10-30T16:49:00.017Z

Feast of Christ the King, 2011

On this Feast
we congratulate and celebrate
a Christian Prince
standing firmly beneath the banner
of Christ the King:

His Serene Highness,
Hereditary Prince Aloïs Philipp Maria
who defended and maintains the
Kingship of Christ over his
Principality of Liechtenstein.

On 18 September by a referendum,
Liechtenstien refused the legalisation of abortion.

The Hereditary Prince,
HSH Prince Aloïs had announced that
whatever the result of the referendum
he would never give his royal assent to such a law
and would use his right of veto.

The courageous Prince Aloïs

Prince Alois said,
“Until now we have been proud to support
people with disabilities in our country.
The proposal would discriminate against such people
and allow them to be eliminated in the womb.”

By Liechtenstein law, abortions are generally not allowed,
even when the abortion is performed outside the country.
Furthermore, government departments and offices
are obliged to report any abortions
of which they have knowledge.
Only when the life of the mother is endangered
and no other option remains,
is a termination of a pregnancy allowed.

(Clarification:
Abortion to protect the mother's life is wrong.
Thus the Liechtenstein law
does not reflect a perfect morality
but maintains an international standard
better by far than most,
if not all, the other countries of the world.
The prince inherited a state with its already codified laws.
His courage is shown in not permitting the laws of his state
to follow those of other countries.)

The vote was 52.3% against the proposed law
of allowing abortions within the first 12 weeks
and when any child had a disability such as Down Syndrome.

Liechtenstein is facing immense pressure
from the rest of Europe to allow abortions.

The Principality lies between Switzerland and Austria,
and has a population of 36,000.

A Christian Prince
receiving Holy Communion

Prince Aloïs, married to Princess Sophie, is 43 years of age.

The Hereditary Prince and Princess

They have four children:
Prince Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria,
born in London; (16 years)
Princess Marie-Caroline Elisabeth Immaculata; (15 years)
Prince Georg Antonius Constantin Maria (12 years)
and their youngest son,
Prince Nikolaus Sebastian Alexander Maria (11 years).

- Three Generations of Princes and Princesses -
Grandparents, Parents and two royal children together

Sharing 26,000 words of gratitude to God and spiritual joy.

2011-10-23T20:59:00.012+01:00

Photos on the occasion
of
the clerical tonsure of Br. Martin Mary, F.SS.R.
with the seminarians
of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary
Nebraska, USA.

A picture paints a thousand words.

Thus do we then present 26,000 words of
gratitude to God
and spiritual joy
upon the clerical tonsure of our confrère.

In this ceremony
Br. Martin Mary, F.SS.R. took a first step
for our whole community.

Papa Stronsay rejoices.

Special thanks to:

His Lordship Bishop Hugh Gilbert, O.S.B.
Bishop of Aberdeen.

His Lordship Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz,
Bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Very Reverend Father John Berg,
Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.

Very Reverend Father Josef Bisig,
Rector of the Seminary of Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Lincoln, Nebraska.

Procession to the Seminary Chapel.

Candidates for the Tonsure.

Celebrant His Lordship Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz,
Bishop of Lincoln,
Nebraska.

To the right of the Bishop in cope is the
Very Reverend Fr. Josef Bisig,
Rector of the Seminary.

Br. Martin Mary stands in his religious habit
the other candidates hold the cassocks they will receive.

Having put on their the cassocks the seminarians return to the chapel.

The moment of Tonsure has arrived.

The hair is cut in on the four side of the head:
the points of the Cross.

The reception of the Surplice.

The incensing of the Gospel.

The newly tonsured offers the Pontiff a lighted candle.

The Offertory of the Mass.

Prayers please for a man of prayer.

2011-10-21T18:56:00.004+01:00

The old Exarch.
Ecce sacerdos magnus...
Behold a great priest...

Bishop Michael Hrynchyshyn, CSSR
is seriously ill tonight
and in intensive care in Paris.
Please offer a Hail Mary for him.

Here is a man of the Church and of his Ukrainain Rite.
Still at his post at 83 years of age.
Humble, prayerful, learned.

Bishop Hrynchyshyn
has been the promoter of the Cause for
Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytski
for several decades.

Always a father.
This is a true bishop.
Please pray for him tonight.

He is the Apostolic Exarch of France, Benelux and Switzerland
for the Ukrainians
since his appointment on 21 October 1982.
He was consecrated bishop on 30 January 1983.

Response to an aggressive strategy

2011-10-20T11:38:00.009+01:00

On 17 October an anonymous commentor asked why

we had published on our blog an article
about the mother of Father Cohen:
"Can you explain
WHAT is your point of favouring Jews at the moment?
At least have the decency
to be true to yourselves and spit it out:
You are NOT followers of Christ,
but Anti-Christ Jews."

Now I understand that perhaps the comentator thought
that I was making a veiled reference
to Bishop Williamson's recent blog post.

No. I didn't know of the post at that time.

This is not the Gospel
but a strategy under cover of Gospel.

But now, having come to know about the article
and knowing that other traditional Catholics
expect to hear from us about it,
I make the following personal response;
my own take on the matter:

I was very sorry to read the article.
We are all further hurt or tarnished or tarred by it:
The Jewish people are hurt,
the Church in general is tarnished,
and traditional Catholics
and most of the SSPX faithful
are tarred.

The Williamson article is political.
It is an aggressive strategy.
Its objective is to sow trouble
between the SSPX and the Church, and
between the Church and the Jewish people.
It works well.

Williamson can cause great trouble
only because he is a bishop;
even though
he is an illegitimate bishop
who will not submit himself to legitimate authority.

The SSPX leadership would probably like to expel him
but fear that he would begin his own group here in the UK
and beyond.

SSPX clergy do not speak out publicly against Bishop Williamson
nor against the Menzingen Authorities
for doing nothing that will effectively stop him.

The situation is extraordinary.
The SSPX cannot control their man
who is harming the Church and their own group.

Now is the time
when the helpless SSPX Superior General
who lacks jurisdiction,
and knows he lacks the necessary jurisdiction over his equal,
should ask the Holy Father to defrock the illegitimate bishop;
in the kindest possible way.

Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R.

Text of the letter prophesied to Father Hermann Cohen by the Curé of Ars.

2011-10-15T16:27:00.018+01:00

Father Hermann Cohen's mother died
without receiving Holy Baptism.
In the eyes of the unwise
'she died as an unconverted Jewess'
in spite of the many prayers offered for her by her priestly son.

I have translated the following from his life
which will be of interest for all of us
who pray for souls that seem to live and die
without the grace of conversion.

Note that Fr. Hermann
had consecrated his mother to Our Lady
hundreds of times and offered many prayers for her salvation;
he never lost hope in his mother's cause.

Rev. Fr. Hermann Cohen, O.C.D.

The last moments for Mrs. Cohen arrived on 13 December 1855. Father Hermann was preaching Advent in Lyons at the time and he announced this sad news to his friend in these terms:

"God has struck a terrible blow to my heart. My poor mother is dead ... and I remain in incertitude! However we have so much prayed that we must hope that something has passed between her soul and God during these last moments that we cannot know about. ..."

We can easily imagine the pain of Father Hermann in learning of the death of his mother. He had so much prayed and so much had prayers said for her conversion, and she came to appear before the tribunal of God without having received holy Baptism! ...

" I also have a mother," would he write one day, "I have left her to follow Jesus Christ, she no longer calls me her 'good son'. Already her hair is silvered, already her brow is furrowed, and I am afraid to see her die. Oh! no I would not like to see her die before loving Jesus Christ, and already for many years I await for my mother that which Monica awaited for Augustine..."

God seemed to have despised all his prayers and rejected his loving and legitimate desires. His faith and his love were put through a harsh trial. Nevertheless, if his sorrow was deep, his hope in the infinite goodness of God would not allow itself to be struck down. ...

Saint Jean Marie Vianney
Curé of Ars

A short time later, he confided to the Curé of Ars his disquiet about the death of his poor mother who died without the grace of Baptism. "Hope!" replied the man of God, "hope; you will receive one day, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception a letter that will bring you great consolation."

Six years waiting.

These words were almost forgotten, when, on the 8th December 1861, six years after the death of his mother, a Father of the Company of Jesus handed to Father Hermann the following letter.

(The person who wrote this letter died in the odour of sanctity; she was well known in the religious and ascetical world by her written works on the Eucharist.)

The letter read:

On the 18th October, after Holy Communion, I found myself in one of those moments of intimate union with Our Lord, where he made me so feel his presence in the sacrament of His love that Faith seemed no longer necessary to believe him there.

After a short time, He had me hear His voice and He wanted to give me some explanations relative to a conversation that I had had the night before.

I remember that, in that conversation, one of my friends had manifested her surprise that Our Lord, who has promised to accord everything to prayer, had however remained deaf to those of Reverend Father Hermann who had so many times addressed Him to obtain the conversion of his mother; her surprise went almost as far as discontentment, and I had had difficulty in having her understand that we must adore the justice of God and not to seek to penetrate its secrets.

I dared to ask of my Jesus how it was that He, who was goodness itself, had been able to resist the prayers of Father Hermann, and not grant the conversion of his mother.

This was His (Our Lord's) response:

Why does Anna always want to sound the secrets of my justice and why does she seek to penetrate mysteries that she cannot comprehend?

Tell her that I do not owe my grace to anyone, that I give it to whom I please and that in acting in this way I do not cease to be just, and justice itself.

But that she may know that, rather than not keep the promises that I have made to prayer, I will upset heaven and earth, and that every prayer that has my glory and the salvation of souls for object is always heard when it is clothed in the necessary qualities.

He added: "And to prove to you this truth, I willingly make known that which passed at the moment of the death of the mother of Father Hermann".

My Jesus then enlightened me with a ray of His divine light and had me understand or rather to see in Him that which I want to try to relate.

At the moment where the mother of Father Hermann was on the point of rendering her last breath; at the moment that she seemed deprived of awareness, almost without life; Mary, our good Mother, presented Herself before Her Divine Son, and prostrate at His feet, She said to Him: "Pardon and mercy, o my Son! for this soul who is going to perish. Yet another instant and she will be lost, lost for eternity. I beseech you, do for the mother of my servant Hermann, that which you would like to be done for your own, if She was in her place and if you were in his. The soul of his mother is his most precious good; he has consecrated her to me a thousand times; he has consecrated her to the tenderness and solicitude of my heart. Could I suffer her to perish? No, no, this soul is mine; I will it, I claim it as an inheritance, as the price of your blood and of my sufferings at the foot of your Cross."

Hardly had the sacred suppliant ceased speaking, when a strong, powerful grace, came forth from the source of all graces, from the adorable Heart of our Jesus, and came to enlighten the soul of the poor dying Jewess; instantly triumphing over her stubbornness and resistances.

This soul immediately turned herself with loving confidence towards Him whose mercy had persued her as far as the arms of death and said to Him: "O Jesus, God of the Christians, God whom my son adores, I believe, I hope in Thee, have pity on me."

In this cry, heard by God alone and which came from the intimate depths of the heart of the dying woman, were enclosed the sincere sorrow for her obstination and for her sins, the desire of baptism, the express will to receive it and to live according to the rules and precepts of our holy religion, if she had been able to return to life.

This leap of faith and hope in Jesus was the last sentiment of that soul; it was made at the moment when she brought towards the throne of the divine mercy. Breaking away the weak bonds which held her to her mortal casing, she fell at the feet of Him who had been her Saviour (a moment) before being her Judge."

After having showed me all these things, Our Lord added:

"Make this known to Father Hermann; it is a consolation that I wish to accord to his long sorrows, so that he will bless, and have blessed everywhere, the goodness of the heart of my Mother and Her power over mine."

Totally unknown to Reverend Father Hermann, the poor invalid who has just now penned these lines is happy to think that she has perhaps spread a little consolation and balm on the still bleeding wound of the heart of this son and priest. She dares to ask the alms of his fervent prayers, and she likes to believe that he will not refuse to one, who, even though unknown to him, is united to him by the sacred bonds of the same faith and of the same hopes. ..."

What appears to add great authority to this letter, is that it had been announced six years in advance by the venerable Cure of Ars.

End of translation.

(pp. 126 - 129, Vie du R.P. Hermann, en religion Augustine-Marie du T.S. Sacrament, Carme Dechausse, par M. l'Abbe Charles Sylvain, Paris, 1883.
From the French life of Rev. Father Hermann, in religion Augustin-Marie of the Most Holy Sacrament, Discalced Carmelite, by Fr. Canon Charles Sylvain, Paris 1883.)

Publised with the approbation of and recommendation of His Grandeur Mgr. Gay, Bishop of D'Anthedon, Auxiliary of His Eminence Cardinal Pie, Bishop of Poitier, 4 Dec. 1880
and of His Grace Mgr. de la Bouillerie, the Archbishop of Perga, Coadjutor of Bordeaux, 23 July 1881
of His Lordship Mgr. Adolphe-Louis Perraud, Bishop of Autun and Member of the French Academy, 8 March, 1882
and of the Most Reverend Father Luc of St. John of the Cross, Father General of the Discalced Carmelites, 4 May, 1880)

Requiescat in Pace

2011-10-11T02:09:00.005+01:00

Yesterday, Monday 10th October my grandfather,
Desmond Wimsett, passed away.

Please pray a "Hail Mary" for his soul.

Requiescat in Pace!

— Br. Martin Mary, F.SS.R.

Second Vespers of Our Lady of the Rosary

2011-10-08T20:10:00.008+01:00

I recorded the Magnificat Antiphon and Magnificat from the Second Vespers of yesterday's feast, Our Lady of the Rosary, here at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary and I thought that the readers of our blog might like to hear it. The recorder was a little too close to the schola and so there is some distortion.

Of blocks and building, steps and mortar.

2011-10-07T21:11:00.014+01:00

The blocks of a building are bonded by mortar.
The mortar that knits together
the living building of the Church
is Charity.

But above all these things have charity,
which is the bond of perfection.
(Col 3:14)

This first part of October
has been for us a time for
monastery blocks and mortar;
and for the
Ecclesial blocks of monks and abbots
Bishops and Cardinals
knit together by charity
the bond of perfection.

Today on Papa Stronsay
the Holy Mass was offered for
His Lordship Bishop Fellay
and the Fathers gathered together
at Albano
to consider the Doctrinal Preamble
proposed by Cardinal Levada.

Papay from the sea.

With winter coming in
a step is prepared at the enclosure arch
to keep everyone clear of the mud.

Not far away on the same day,
it was mortar and blocks.

But above all these things have charity,
which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts,
wherein also you are called in one body:
and be ye thankful.
(Col 3:15)

Brother rubs down the blocks.

The step is on its way here;
but
I hear that the concrete was finally poured today!

Another photo is yet to come.

Leaving Papay in the distance.

We were invited to attend the
Blessing the the Abbot of Pluscarden Abbey.
Six of us were present there for the occasion
including Brothers Paul Mary and Xavier Maria
who this evening are on their way home
to Christchurch, New Zealand;
May the Holy Angels guide them safely to,
and protect them on,
their Shakey Isle
of
South Island.

We were welcomed at Pluscarden Abbey
by the community
and
their new Abbot, Dom Anselm, O.S.B.
who was Blessed by the former Abbot,
His Lordship Bishop Hugh, O.S.B.

But above all these things have charity,
which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts,
wherein also you are called in one body:
and be ye thankful.
(Col 3:14-15)

Rt. Reverend Hugh Gilbert, O.S.B.
Bishop of Aberdeen.

With His Eminence
Keith Patrick Cardinal O'Brien,
our Metropolitan,
at
Pluscarden Abbey.

But above all these things have charity,
which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts,
wherein also you are called in one body:
and be ye thankful.
(Col 3:14-15)

The exceeding was happily misleading

2011-10-01T07:57:00.005+01:00

The previous post has been deleted because it was misleading.
In the videoclip the Pope held out his hand,
not to be shaken
but to introduce the German President
to the gathered Cardinals and Bishops.

We extend out thanks to those who clarified what was happening in the clip.

If you saw the clip on this blog
I am sorry that you were misled;
we were too.

If it is unfortunate that
everything that glitters is not gold,
it is a blessing when
much that first appear exceeding,
is only misleading.

The misleading clip.

St Gerard Relics

2011-09-27T09:32:00.004+01:00

We receive a large number of requests for relics of St Gerard but recently some have not been able to be completed as the requester left something out of their message. Please make sure that your address is clearly given in the email, your name and the number of relics you would like to receive. Please also always be sure to send us your email address with your contact details!

The following good souls have requested relics but we are unable to send them as their details are deficient and they have left no email address for us to contact them and enquire.

M.A.A. and J.P. – no address, cannot send relics.
MCB – Sorry, your address has been bunched together as we received it, could you possibly send again as it is very difficult to decipher with certainly as in a lovely but far away place. Apologies and very good to hear from you, look forward to hearing from you again.
AMB – Contact button scrambled address but relics now on the way. Apologies.
MM – Relic on its way. God bless.
BT – Definite prayers for intention. Relic on its way.

If you are in need of a relic, details can be found here.

September, The Seventh Month

2011-09-24T15:45:00.004+01:00

Today our venerable old rite of the Mass commemorates,
in a unique "hermeneutic of continuity",
the old fasting and feasts of
Yom Kippur and Sukkoth,
the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles.

It is our old rite alone that keeps these commemorations for the entire Church;
as far as I know they are not kept in the East and
in the Latin West
only the old rite keeps the Ember Days.

We must bear in mind that those ancient feasts
kept by Our Lord, Our Lady and St. Joseph until Good Friday
were strictly celebrated by lunar calculations.
The Church commemorates these days only approximately
using the solar calendar where September
(for seven)
represents the seventh month.

Until the modifications made by Blessed Pope John XXIII
the September Ember Days,
began in the week of the 15th September
i.e. the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
following the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross,
(14th September).

Thus, before the modifications of Blessed John XXIII
(when the September Ember Days
were brought to the third week in September)
the Old Testament feast of Tabernacles
was commemorated even more closely than we did it today
since the Ember week literally opened on the 15th day of the seventh month
as did the Feast of Tabernacles.

The Second Lesson of the Mass has:
In those days the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
From the fifteenth day of the seventh month ...
you shall celebrate a feast of the Lord for seven days.
In the seventh month shall you celebrate this feast;
and you shall dwell in bowers seven days:
everyone that is of the race of Israel shall dwell in tabernacles
that your posterity may know
that I made the children of Israel dwell in tabernacles
when I brought them out of the land of Egypt.
I am the Lord your God.
(Lev. 23: 33)

The First Lesson of today's Ember Mass
commemorated the ancient fast of Yom Kippur,
the Day of Atonement,
which was held on the tenth day of the Seventh month.

The Ember Days were considered
by St. Leo the Great
to be of Apostolic origin.

Response to Mr. David O'Neill

2011-09-23T16:48:00.010+01:00

Dear Fathers

It has been reported that not all members of your community are in full communion with Rome. This saddened me and I will be grateful if you will comment.

David O'Neill

Dear David

All the members of our community are indeed in full communion with the Holy See and are subject to the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.

At the time of our reconciliation, 18 June 2008, and for some time afterwards, we lost several members who would not take the step of reconciliation with us, but these, our separated brethren, could not now be numbered amongst the members of this community of The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer.

In this we are reminded of the words of Our Lord: Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father etc. (Mt. 10:35)

It would be a great grace to have had the reconciliation of our entire community as it was at that time. That seldom happens.

Reconciliation is painful for those who make it and for those who, for whatever reason, will not make it.

In conclusion, if it were not for the obligation of being submitted to Peter, humanly speaking, nobody would make a reconciliation since the price is very, very high. But, by God's grace it has been made now; and by that reconciliation, the lines were clearly drawn; the sword of division cut in such a way that it left our community thoroughly united, one, submitted to Peter, in Full Communion with Rome and the Church.

By God's Grace and the Perseverance won for us by Our Lady, we peacefully maintain this inner and ecclesial unity.

The cost was high; the smarting is over with; we have been given new life by Our Lord and we rejoice in it. 'Behold how good and how pleasant where brethren dwell in unity' (Ps. 132).

Fr. Michael Mary
23 September, 2011

The old Fisherman is out again.

2011-09-22T15:30:00.013+01:00

The shiny shoes of the Fisherman.
Simon Peter saith to them: I go a fishing to Germany.
(cf. Jn. 21:3)

The old, gnarled face of our Helmsman at 84.

Thou art Peter.

A Helmsman's tears are concealed by the sea spray.
But he is not alone,
he shares in our time
the sorrows of the Sacred Heart.
Christ through Benedict steers the Ark of Salvation.
Pray for the Helmsman,
hold on for your life,
and thank God that
we who are with him
are in the only unsinkable ship on this wild sea.
And I say to thee: That thou art Peter;
and upon this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(Mt. 16:18)

Official Communiqué

2011-09-21T20:53:00.005+01:00

Official Communiqué
Concerning the visit to Papa Stronsay
of His Lordship Bishop Hugh, OSB
and Very Reverend Stuart Chalmers
Vicar General
20 - 21 September 2011.

We have enjoyed the visit of the Bishop of Aberdeen and the Vicar General of the diocese, and have had positive discussions which will be taken further with the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei".

Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R.
21 September, 2011.

The approach of winter darkness

2011-09-16T19:45:00.008+01:00

Our Lady of Sorrows,
Papa Stronsay.

On Wednesday we celebrated the feast of the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Like the Holy Cross and the Mother of Sorrows,
the Gospel of the Mass was also
poignant and veiled.

Ambulate dum lucem habetis...
Walk whilst you have the light...
(Jn. 12:35)

Last night I thought again of these words from the Gospel while
looking across at our little boat moored in the quiet water.
The scene was bathed in spectacular light,
the light of the setting sun;
we approach the eighth day
after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
which is the 21st September
the Equinox
and the winter darkness.
Ambulate dum lucem habetis...
Walk whilst you have the light
that the darkness overtake you not...
So many souls die every night, alone and far from God.
St. Teresa saw innumerable souls falling into hell
like snow flakes.

Whilst you have the light believe in the light,
that you may be the children of the light.
These word goad us to look at ourselves.
The light of our lives is fast fading,
perhaps death is closer than we think.
How do I stand with God?
How long since I last made a good Confession?
The Holy Gospel and all creation,
the sun and the seasons and the years
cry out to me:
O Child of God
born from the side of the Saviour
O Child of Mary
received at the foot of the Cross:
Ambulate dum lucem habetis...
Walk whilst you have the light
that the darkness overtake you not...
Remember your life is fading
... one day soon it will be too late.
Do what you have to do,
while you are still able.

On the 21st September,
the Equinox will herald the taxcollector's conversion
and the Gospel of the Mass will conclude with the words:
Non enim veni vocare iustos, sed peccatores.
For I am not come to call the just, but sinners.
(Mt. 9:13)

What joy is given to the Heart of Jesus
when a person hears His voice and returns to Him;
He came for us
He died for us
He wants us
He wants me
and
He wants you before it is too late.

Brothers on their way to Night Prayers.

The Infant Jesus
looks out in expectation
to see who's coming home.
Confession with sorrow for sins gives joy to His Heart.

May the beautiful light of the Holy Gospels
shine upon us as Winter darkness covers the earth.

Work continued on the chapel today.

We are hoping for the work to be finished
before the weather is too rough.

One side was finished before the wind got up.
The summer is not quite over...

St. Alphonsus:
The greater number of men still say to God:
Lord we will not serve Thee;
we would rather be slaves of the devil,
and condemned to Hell, than be Thy servants.
Alas! The greatest number, my Jesus
- we may say nearly all -
not only do not love Thee,
but offend Thee and despise Thee.

Ambulate dum lucem habetis...
Walk whilst you have the light
that the darkness overtake you not...

Stronsay chapel receives its four bells

2011-09-15T11:26:00.010+01:00

It is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
the week before the Equinox.
These days any grey day is a good one.
And the sea is calm now.

The monastery boat 'Charnetsky' lies quietly at its mooring
while a carefree Comorant comes in close by.

On the other side of the pier
Mr. De Burger is sailing his clinker yacht in the gentle breeze.

At the southern end of the pier can be seen
Our Lady's chapel on the left.
In the middle is our Stronsay house, named St. Magnus,
where a priest and brother stay during rough weather
to ensure daily Mass on Stronsay.
Across the road from St. Magnus,
to the right in the photograph and painted white,
is the Stronsay Hotel.

The renovation of the exterior of the chapel
is coming towards a high note...
the scafolding is being adjusted
for the addition of the chapel bells.

The bell team:
Mr. Paul Williams, Br. Xavier Maria and Br. Magdala Maria.

Of course they begins with the Asperges.
And plenty of it.
Br. Xavier preparing the mix.

The bell mix.

For an even note.
The bell is formed on the wall by creating a gentle slope
so that when the wood is removed
the remaining bell shaped cement
(called in the trade 'the bell')
will direct rainwater away from the wall
and onto the ground below.

Thanks from us all
to the bell team.

Thanks be to God and to Mary
for the fine grey day
and for the gentle, grey sea breezes.

Vatican Communiqué concerning the SSPX

2011-09-14T15:05:00.014+01:00

Updates are at the end of the post.

VATICAN CITY, 14 SEP 2011 (VIS) - At midday today the Holy See Press Office released the following communique concerning the postion of the Society of St. Pius X:

"On 14 September at the offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the congregation and president of the Pontifical Commission 'Ecclesia Dei'; Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer S.J., secretary of the congregation, and Msgr. Guido Pozzo, secretary of the pontifical commission, met with Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Society of St. Pius X, who was accompanied by Fr. Niklaus Pfluger and Fr. Alain-Marc Nely, respectively first and second assistant general to the society.

"Following the appeal of 15 December 2008, addressed by the superior general of the Society of St. Pius X to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, the Holy Father decided to remove the excommunication against the four bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre. At the same time, he approved the opening of discussions with the society in order to clarify doctrinal problems and to heal the existing rift.

"In order to put the Holy Father's instructions into effect, a joint study commission was set up, composed of experts from the Society of St. Pius X and from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith who met in Rome on eight occasions between October 2009 and April 2011. Their discussions, which aimed to identify and study the essential doctrinal difficulties in the controversial issues, had the result of clarifying the positions of the two sides and their respective motivations.

"While bearing in mind the concerns and demands presented by the Society of St. Pius X about protecting the integrity of the Catholic faith against Vatican Council II's 'hermeneutic of rupture' with Tradition (a theme addressed by Pope Benedict XVI in his address to the Roman Curia on 22 December 2005), the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith maintains that the fundamental basis for achieving full reconciliation with the Apostolic See is the acceptance of the text of the Doctrinal Preamble, which was handed over during a meeting on 14 September 2011. The Preamble defines certain doctrinal principles and criteria for the interpretation Catholic doctrine, which are necessary to ensure faithfulness to the Church Magisterium and 'sentire cum Ecclesia'. At the same time, it leaves open to legitimate discussion the examination and theological explanation of individual expressions and formulations contained in the documents of Vatican Council II and later Magisterium.

"At the same meeting, certain suggestions were made for a canonical solution to the position of the Society of St. Pius X, with a view to achieving the desired reconciliation".

___________________

CNS: Although the Vatican did not give the society a deadline, in order to move toward full reconciliation, leaders are expected to study and sign the preamble "within a few months," said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.
The cardinal and bishop also discussed possible "elements of a canonical solution" for the society after "the eventual and hoped-for reconciliation," said a statement issued by the Vatican after the meeting.

Father Lombardi said, "Today the most likely solution would be a personal prelature," which is a church jurisdiction without geographical boundaries designed to carry out particular pastoral initiatives. It is headed by a prelate, who is appointed by the pope.

++++++

William Cardinal Levada

Catholic Herald: Fr Lombardi would not respond to questions about specific Church teachings and developments listed in the preamble, but said Church tradition has always held there are varying degrees of Church teaching; some require an absolute assent while others are open to interpretation.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Fr. Zed

WDTPRS:

In sum, the CDF has leaned far toward reconciliation with the SSPX, but it has placed a condition.

The CDF is signaling that some aspects of the documents of Vatican II are open to discussion.

They are talking about canonical solutions.

Pope Benedict is the Pope of Christian Unity.

********

Bishop Fellay

SSPX:

Interview with Bishop Fellay after the meeting with Cardinal Levada.

Bishop Fellay: This document is entitled “Doctrinal Preamble”; it was handed over to us for in-depth study. Hence it is confidential, and you will understand why I say no more about it to you. However the term “preamble” does indicate that acceptance of it is a preliminary condition for any canonical recognition of the Society of St. Pius X on the part of the Holy See.

... Today, for the sake of objectivity, I must acknowledge that in the doctrinal preamble there is no clear-cut distinction between the inviolable dogmatic sphere and the pastoral sphere that is subject to discussion. The only thing that I can say, because it is part of the press release, is that this preamble contains “certain doctrinal principles and criteria for the interpretation of Catholic doctrine, which are necessary to ensure faithfulness to the Church’s Magisterium and to "sentire cum Ecclesia" [thinking with the Church]. At the same time, it leaves open to legitimate discussion the examination and theological explanation of individual expressions and formulations contained in the documents of Vatican Council II and of the later Magisterium.” There you have it; no more and no less. (For more click the SSPX link above.)

Alas! waters are murky now, the devil will be fishing

2011-09-14T10:30:00.010+01:00

It was a great disappointment to read Fr. Regis de Cacqueray's Monday statement made with the approbation of Bishop Fellay; at a time when we needed give no opportunity to the devil.

The content of the statement is not the particular issue here; the SSPX has been able to discuss this matter with the Holy See since the beginning of the year.

What is wrong is this:
Barely two days before the Holy See presents its considered judgment to the Society, Bishop Fellay, jumping in first, approves an SSPX judgment against the person of the Holy Father; without even waiting for the Holy Father to speak through His representative.

A very serious issue, Assisi, has been abused here, and used as a smoke-screen as if to distract from a fundamental fact.

The fundamental fact is, that whoever the true Pope may be, it is necessary for Catholic bishops and priests who accept him, to have hierarchical submission to that Pope of the here and now, irrespective of the other grave theological or moral issues of the time.

Fr. de Cacqueray's statement and Bishop Fellay's approval of it reads as an unworthy tactic. Why didn't the bishop say it himself: si si, no, no?

The issue of the day is fronting up to submission to Peter.

The successive resolution of all other serious Church matters until the end of time, follows after, and only after, submission to Peter, Benedict XVI, the Vicar of Christ.

Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R.

"Cristiada" to be released soon.

2011-09-12T10:52:00.009+01:00

We hope that we are alerting you
to a suitable Catholic movie
concerning the Mexican War
for
Christ the King.

Blessed Miguel Pro, S.J.
Martyr
(13 January, 1891 - 23 November, 1927)

Blessed Miguel Pro, was a Mexican Jesuit priest,
executed during the persecution of the Catholic Church
and Beatified on September 25, 1988. As Blessed Fr. Pro walked from his cell
to the courtyard and the firing squad,
he blessed the soldiers, knelt and briefly prayed quietly.

Declining a blindfold, he faced his executioners
with a crucifix in one hand and a rosary in the other
and held his arms out in imitation of the crucified Christ
and shouted out,
"May God have mercy on you! May God bless you!
Lord, Thou knowest that I am innocent!
With all my heart I forgive my enemies!"

Before the firing squad were ordered to shoot,
Blessed Father Pro raised his arms in imitation of Christ
and shouted the defiant cry of the Cristeros,
"Viva Cristo Rey!" -
"Long live Christ the King!"

When the initial shots of the firing squad failed to kill him,
a soldier shot him point blank.

Blessed Miguel shot point blank.

+
Cristiada
is a drama film and historic epic,
currently in post-production,
directed by Dean Wright and written by Michael Love.

It is based on the true story of the Cristero War (1926-29),
a rebellion which arose out of
the Mexican government's persecution of Catholics in the 1920s.

Although filmed in Mexico, it is in English.
The film is the directorial debut for Wright,
veteran visual effects supervisor on films including
The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003).
It is projected to be released in 2011.

(Source)

Our Brothers in Christ according to the flesh.

2011-09-11T13:31:00.012+01:00

In response to some of the lively comments made to our last post,
which, according to Ven, Pius XII,
would derive
"from the poisoned source of religious and moral agnosticism,"
we give here some authority for calling our Jewish brothers
"our brothers."

Venerable Pius XII
in the Encyclicals

Summi Pontificatus
and
Mystici Corporis Christi.

Among the many errors
which derive from the poisoned source
of religious and moral agnosticism,
We would draw your attention, Venerable Brethren,
to two in particular, as being those which more than others
render almost impossible or at least precarious and uncertain,
the peaceful intercourse of peoples.
(Summi Pontificatus, 34)

...Ven. Pius XII offering the redeeming sacrifice...
The first of these pernicious errors, widespread today,
is the forgetfulness of that law of human solidarity and charity
which is dictated and imposed by our common origin
and by the equality of rational nature in all men,
to whatever people they belong,
and by the redeeming Sacrifice
offered by Jesus Christ on the Altar of the Cross
to His Heavenly Father
on behalf of sinful mankind.

(Summi Pontificatus, 35)

"...all mankind..brothers..."
The Apostle of the Gentiles later on makes himself
the herald of this truth
which associates men as brothers in one great family,
when he proclaims to the Greek world
that God "hath made of one, all mankind..." (Acts 17:26)

(Summi Pontificatus, 37)

...The Jewish people ... our brothers in Christ...
True love of the Church, therefore, requires
not only that we should be mutually solicitous one for another
as members and sharing in their suffering
but likewise that we should recognize in other men,
although they are not yet joined to us in the body of the Church,
our brothers in Christ
according to the flesh, (c.f. below, Rom. 9:3)
called, together with us, to the same eternal salvation.

(Mystici Corporis Christi, 96.)

...Our Brothers in Christ according to the flesh...

For I wished myself to be an anathema from Christ,
for my brethren,
who are my kinsmen according to the flesh,
Who are Israelites,
to whom belongeth the adoption as of children,
and the glory, and the testament,
and the giving of the law,
and the service of God,
and the promises:
Whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ,
according to the flesh,
who is over all things,
God blessed for ever.
Amen.
(Rom. 9:3-5 )

About our brothers.

2011-09-09T11:33:00.007+01:00

We hope that it is clear that
the Transalpine Redemptorists
want every Jewish person
to look upon us as their brothers.

We condemn all forms of Antisemitism
including anti-semitic conspiracy theories.

We make our own these words spoken by
Pope Pius XI:

"Mark well that in the Catholic Mass,
Abraham is our Patriarch and forefather.

Antisemitism is incompatible with the lofty thought
which that fact expresses.
It is a movement with which we Christians
can have nothing to do.

No, no, I say to you
it is impossible for a Christian
to take part in Antisemitism.
It is inadmissible.
Through Christ and in Christ
we are the spiritual progeny of Abraham.
Spiritually, we [Christians] are all Semites."

(Pius XI, 6 September 1938.)

With
Pope Benedict XVI
at
Yad Vashem
we say:

The Holocaust,
the Shoah,
was a horrific tragedy of sufferings
that should never be denied, belittled or forgotten.

O Holy and Heavenly Infant Mary!

2011-09-08T12:04:00.013+01:00

“Compared with thee the greatest Saints of Heaven are little,”

wrote St Alphonsus of the Holy Infant Mary,
“Maria Bambina”.

Why did he and other saints
like St Annibale Maria di Francia,
(pictured below with the a holy Maria Bambina)
love the Child Mary whose birth we celebrate today?

Why has the Church shown such reverence for
this tiny baby throughout the centuries?

St Alphonsus explains...

“Let us, then, rejoice with our beloved infant, who was born so holy,
so dear to God, and so full of grace.
And let us rejoice, not only on her account,
but also on our own
for she came into the world full of grace,
not only for her own glory,
but also for our good.”

“It is certain that Mary’s soul was the most beautiful that God had ever created:
nay more, after the work of the Incarnation of the Eternal Word,
this was the greatest and most worthy of Himself
that an omnipotent God ever did in the world...”

“Divine grace did not come into Mary by drops as in other Saints,
‘but like rain on the fleece,’ as it was foretold by David.
The soul of Mary was like fleece, and imbibed the whole shower of grace,
without losing a drop.
How delightful a sight must the beautiful soul
of this happy child
have been to Heaven and earth...

She is the most amiable creature in the eyes of God,
because she was already loaded with grace
and merit, and could say,
‘When I was a little one I pleased the Most High.’”

“Mary... in each moment, doubled that sublime grace
which she possessed from the first instant for,
corresponding with her whole strength,
and in the most perfect manner in her every act,
she subsequently doubled her merits in every instant. .."

"So that supposing she had a thousand degrees of grace
in the first instant,
in the second she had two thousand,
in the third four thousand,
in the fourth eight thousand,
in the fifth sixteen thousand,
in the sixth thirty-two thousand.
And we are as yet only at the sixth instant...

But multiplied thus for an entire day,
multiplied for nine months,
consider what treasures of grace,
merit, and sanctity
Mary had already acquired
at the moment of her birth!

Happy Feastday of our Lady's Nativity!

Maria Bambina,
make us to love thee,
make us little and holy,
and bless us!

Out of Darkness we have Light

2011-09-04T16:01:00.009+01:00

Every year on the night of the 3rd of September,
the eve of the Feast of St Rose of Viterbo,
perhaps the biggest portable saint's shrine in the world
is carried through the ancient streets of
the Italian town of Viterbo.

Last night, as per tradition,
the great Tower of St Rose was
once again carried by the men
of her Fraternity.

It is around 30 metres tall and weighs around 5 tonnes.

The magnificent tower
is illuminated with hundreds of candles,
and now also electric light,
and crowned with the statue of St Rose.
Her Porters kneel to receive their blessing
before taking their places below the shrine.

The tower is lifted for the first time
as the band strikes up the
Porter's Confraternity hymn to St Rose.
The huge structure is very heavy
and as you can see it takes
some doing before they can set off.

Here the tower is carried through the streets
which are darkened for the occasion.
The porters group changes
and the tower has to be lifted by fresh members.

Perhaps the most wonderful thing about this procession
is the fact that this holy little girl of 17 or 18 years of age
was once refused admission
to the Poor Clare Monastery of the town
because she was too poor to gather a dowry.
She died a recluse in her poor father's house
and predicted that the monastery
would admit her after her death.

Today the nuns posses her sacred incorrupt relics.

And now she is carried through the town
with perhaps more splendour
than any other saint in the world.

How wonderful are the judgements of God,
Who brings us light
out of what may appear to be
the greatest darknesses of our lives.

"We see now through
a glass in a dark manner;
but then face to face.
Now I know in part;
but then I shall know
even as I am known."
[1 Corinthians 13, 12]

Not Alone!

2011-09-03T10:33:00.002+01:00

Child of Mary,
You are an exiled soul in this valley of tears.
You have to constantly struggle against the world, the flesh
and above all against the innumerable legions of infernal spirits who fly in the air,
with the rage of lions, seeking whom to devour.

Perhaps you sometimes believe yourself alone and abandoned.
Yet the Apostle says to you in the name of God:
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, Rejoice!" (Phil. 4:3)
No, you are not alone.
The powerful and faithful Virgin,
Mother of God and your Mother,
constantly stands at your side.

Such is the explicit doctrine of the great St. Germain,
Patriarch of Constantinople (634-729),
who teaches that
by Her assistance,
Mary remains always present
in the midst of the faithful who invoke Her.
(First Homily on the Dormition P.G. T. XCVIII, col. 346.)

Thus because of Her perpetual readiness to assist us
She is called the Mother of Perpetual Succour.

We keep Her Novena every Saturday.

If you have need of Her assistance
write Her a letter
for inclusion in the
Novena devotions.
Petitions received are prayed for during the
course of nine weeks.

There is no Mother who longs for a letter from her child
as much as the Mother of Perpetual Succour
longs to read a letter from you.

Why not write to your Mother today.

Est enim urbanissima, curialissima Regina, gloriosa Virgo Maria.

2011-08-28T10:33:00.010+01:00

Saint Bernard (1090-1153)

seeing Our Lady's statue
greeted Her with
"Salve Regina!" or "Ave Maria!"
to his surprise he heard Her reply
"Salve Bernarde!" or "Ave Bernarde!"

When a man devoutly salutes the Virgin
he is saluted by Her in return.
For amongst all Queens,
the Glorious Virgin Mary is
the most polite, the most courteous.

It is impossible to greet Her
without receiving a greeting in return.

That is why,
if throughout the day
you say devoutly "Ave Maria!" a thousand times
you will be saluted a thousand times
by the holy Virgin.

Quam homo devote salutat Virginem
resalutatur ab illa.

Est enim urbanissima,
curialissima Regina,
gloriosa Virgo Maria.

Nec postest salutari
sine resalutatione miranda.

Si mille Ave Maria dicis in die, devote,
millies a Virgine resalutaris.

(St. Bernadine of Sienna
1380-1444.)

At the hour of departure

2011-08-25T11:03:00.007+01:00

This morning in Orkney
the votive Mass for the Sick Near to Death
was offered for
Mr. Duncan Simon
of
Christchurch, New Zealand.

Mr. Duncan Simon serving the first Holy Mass
offered in the Christchurch oratory, July 2007.

Collect.
Omnipotens et misericors Deus...
Almighty and merciful God,
Who hast conferred upon mankind
both the remedies of salvation
and the gifts of life everlasting:
look mercifully upon Thy servant
who is afflicted with sickness of the body,
and refresh the soul which Thou hast created,
so that at the hour of departure,
it may be found worthy to be taken home to Thee,
its Maker,
free from all stain of sin,
by the hands of holy Angels.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ ...

Postcommunion.
Quaesumus clementiam tuam...
We beseech Thy clemency, O almighty God,
that by the virtue of this Sacrament
Thou wouldst vouchsafe
to strengthen Thy servant with Thy grace:
so that at the hour of his death
the enemy may not prevail against him,
but he may deserve to pass to life
accompanied by Thine Angels.

As Mass for the Sick Near Death,
the Litany of St Joseph
and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament closed
at
8.30 a.m. here in Scotland,
Mr. Simon entered his eternity;
it was
7.30 p.m. in Christchurch.

Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Requiescat in pace.

Eternal rest grant to him O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.

Congratulations to our new Bishop!

2011-08-16T12:42:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to our new Bishop of Aberdeen, His Lordship Bishop Hugh Gilbert, OSB, who was consecrated bishop yesterday, the feast of the Assumption. His Lordship has taken as his motto:

Omnia in Ipso constant Col: 1.17

Meaning:

By Him all things consist.

Ad Multos Annos!

A Consuming Fire

2011-08-08T11:46:00.001+01:00

Yesterday we held our annual bonfire and barbeque. The weather wasn’t too good, but we were still happy to be able to welcome many of Stronsay’s residents who didn’t mind braving the wind and rain, as well as some who came out from Kirkwall for the occasion.

This year it was Br. Seelos's father who stepped up to the mark and lit the fire.

Due to the wind which was slowly picking up, it took two attempts to get the fire going, but the flames finally took hold!

Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R. blesses the fire

Oremus
Domine Deus, Pater omnipotens, lumen indeficiens, qui es conditor omnium luminum:
novum hunc ignem sanctifica + , et praesta: ut ad te, qui es lumen indeficiens,
puris mentibus post hujus saeculi caliginem pervenire valeamus.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Let us pray.
Lord God, almighty Father, the Light that never fails and the source of all light,
sanctify + this new fire, and grant that after the darkness of this life
we may come unsullied to Thee Who art light eternal;
through Christ our Lord. Amen

The brothers prepare the barbeque. These were homemade burgers from our own beef.

Luckily we are able to use the end of this shed when the weather is not so pleasant.

With the fire having died down to a bearable size, folk can't resist going to stand about it despite the wet!

As the evening wore on, Br. Seelos set himself to entertaining everyone, and it was very well done.

Feast of St Alphonsus

2011-08-02T16:22:00.008+01:00

Today, the Feast of our Holy Father Saint Alphonsus, was a very special day for us since we also had a final profession, temporary profession and two clothings!

The four candidates present themselves before the superior.

With Our Lord enthroned within the tabernacle and the doors open, Br. Xavier Maria, F.SS.R. kneels before His Divine Majesty and pronounces his final vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience together with a vow and oath of perseverance.

Br. Xavier binds himself with his hand upon the Holy Gospel.

Br. Alfonso, also kneeling before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament pronounces his temporary vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience for three years. He received his complete religious name: Br. Alfonso Maria of the Star of the Sea, F.SS.R. Brother had spent some years as a sailor before he joined the Transalpine Redemptorists.

At the time of first profession, brother receives his pallium, or, mantle.

Our two postulants preparing to be clothed in the habit of the congregation. On the left Mr Tyler Lunsford and on the right Mr Arden Mills, both from the United States.

Exuat te Dominus veterem hominem cum actibus eius,
et induat te novum, qui secundum Deum creatus est
in justitia et sanctitate veritatis.

May the Lord strip thee of the old man with all his acts and
clothe thee in the new, who is created by God in justice
and in the holiness of truth.

The new Brothers receive their habits.

Indue, Filii Dominum Jesum Chrisum, semper
mortificationem ejus in corpore tuo circumferens.

Son, put on Our Lord Jesus Christ, always surrounding
thy body with His mortification.

Accipe, Fili, imaginem Crucifixi, Magistri et Redemptoris tui,
qui passus est pro te, et tradidit Semetipsum pro te. Pone Illum
ut signaculum super cor tuum, ut signaculum super brachium
tuum.

Receive, my Son, the image of the crucifix,
image of thy Master and Redeemer, who suffered for thee and
offered Himself for thee. Place it as a seal upon thy heart, as a
seal upon thy arm

The first step towards leaving the world! Today we have seen all three:
These young men leave the secular life and enter the novitiate.
Br. Alfonso completes his novitiate and makes his temporary vows.
Br. Xavier, after three years of temporary vows takes the final step and gives himself to religious life until his death.

Accipe, Filii, Rosarium beatæ Virginis Mariæ, quæ tibi sit semper murus ad protegendum, mater ad nutriendum, stella ad dirgendum, portus ad salvandum. Tu autem stude diligenter Mariam diligere et imitari, ac ejus saluberrimam devotionem ubique propagare. In periculis, in angustiis, in rebus dubiis, Mariam cogita, Mariam invoca. Dulce nomen illius non
recedat ab ore, non recedat a corde.

Receive, Son, the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may She always be a wall to protect thee, a mother to nourish thee, a star to guide thee and the door to thy salvation do Thou, however, learnest diligently to love and imitate Mary, and to propagate Her most salutary devotion everywhere. In dangers, in anguishes, in doubtful things, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May Her sweet name not disappear from thy lips, nor disappear from thy heart.

Accipe hunc habitum benedictum precans sanctissimam
Virginem, ut eius meritis illum perferas sine macula, et te ab
omni adversitate defendat, atque ad vitam perducat æternum.

Receive this blessed Scapular and beseech the Blessed Virgin
that through Her merits, you may wear it without stain. May
it defend you against all adversity and accompany you to
eternal life.

With the reception of the skull cap comes the new name:
Mr Tyler Lunsford is now Br Seelos after Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, C.SS.R.
Mr Arden Mills is now Br Peter after St. Peter the apostle.

Congratulations to Br Peter and Br Seelos!

And to Br Xavier Maria and Br Alfonso Maria!

Br Seelos with his mother and father and three brothers.

And Br Peter with his father.

Mr de Jarving, a friend of Br Alfonso, entered as a postulant today.

Br. Xavier Maria and Br. Magdala Maria, both from the Pacific Islands.

Homecoming

2011-07-30T16:26:00.010+01:00

It was slightly touch-and go with the weather, but yesterday evening Br. Paul Mary, F.SS.R. and Br. Xavier Maria, F.SS.R. arrived home to Papa Stronsay from Christchurch New Zealand. They are staying on Papa Stronsay for two months.

The brothers were picked-up from Glasgow airport and are seen here driving off the Stronsay ferry.

Welcome home!

A joyous homecoming after a long journey from the other side of the world!

On the way home, they collected the next issue of Catholic. Here it's being loaded onto the boat.

Br. Xavier Maria with Papa Stronsay in the background.

And Br. Paul Mary

First step back onto Papa Stronsay ground.

We flew the New Zealand flag for their return!

Coppersmith priests rev up for more disobedience - Zum zum zum!

2011-07-28T10:48:00.018+01:00

This evil iniative began last month.
We pray for the Holy Father

and
the Church in Austria.

About 300 of Austria’s 4,200 priests
(a minority of 7.1%,
no doubt they are mostly old liberals from the 1960's era)
have pledged to take part in
Aufruf zum -zum zum!- Ungehorsam
(Call to Disobedience),
an initiative launched in June.
The Call to Disobedience manifesto cites
“the Roman refusal of a long-overdue Church reform
and the inaction of bishops.”
Dissenters who support the document pledge:

- to pray for Church reform at every liturgy, since “in the presence of God there is freedom of speech”
- not to deny the Holy Eucharist to “believers of good will,” including non-Catholic Christians and those who have remarried outside the Church
- to avoid offering Mass more than once on Sundays and holy days and to avoid making use of visiting priests--instead holding a “self-designed” Liturgy of the Word
- to describe such a Liturgy of the Word with the distribution of Holy Communion as a “priestless Eucharistic celebration”; “thus we fulfill the Sunday obligation in a time of priest shortage”
- to “ignore” canonical norms that restrict the preaching of the homily to clergy
- to oppose parish mergers, insisting instead that each parish have its own individual leader, “whether man or woman”
- to “use every opportunity to speak out openly in favor of the admission of the married and of women to the priesthood” ...

All so much foolish talk endangering the salvation of souls.

Our Lord said:
I came down from heaven,
not to do my own will,
but the will of him that sent me.
(Jn. 6:38)

Time on Earth is running out.
Eternity approaches.
Soon death will come,
judgment will follow
and then
Heaven or Hell for ever.

Alexander the coppersmith
hath done me much evil:
the Lord will reward him according to his works:
(2 Timothy 4:14)

Snow to sea level in New Zealand. Flights cancelled.

2011-07-25T12:12:00.002+01:00

Snow down to sea level in Christchurch.
Br. Paul Mary, F.SS.R. and Br. Xavier Maria, F.SS.R.
were to have left Christchurch today
to return to Papa Stronsay for two months.
With flights cancelled
they will now come home a day or so later!

When they arrive back they may not be missing too much.

The great advantage of our Orkney climate
is that we can often have winter conditions even in the summer!

Today's is the worst snow since 1997.

Akaroa harbour near Christchurch.

Sheep in Lumsden, South Island.

If you can help, use a safe charity.

2011-07-20T08:35:00.016+01:00

"Cor Unum"
is the Holy Father's Charity.

Horn of Africa

Yesterday the Pontifical Council Cor Unum warned that
hundreds of thousands of people in the Horn of Africa
are at risk of dying due to a lack of basic necessities
caused by drought and violence.

This council, which oversees the Church's charity work,
noted Benedict XVI's appeal on Sunday.

"Around 10 million people are suffering, and hundreds of thousands of refugees risk dying because of a lack of basic necessities. Somalia and northern Kenya are the worst struck areas."

The drought is the worst the area has seen for 60 years.
The last official famine was in 1984-85,
when about 1 million people in Ethiopia and Sudan died.

South Somalia is controlled by Islamic fundamentalists
who until last week had banned aid agencies from the area.

The Pope appealing for the Horn of Africa last Sunday.

The Holy Father already sent a €50,000 ($70,000) donation
through Cor Unum
to the apostolic administrator of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
The Apostolic Administrator Bishop Giorgio Bertin
is directly involved in bringing assistance to the people affected.

The Holy Father speaks.

We invite you to send donations to the Holy Father's Charity -
The Pontifical Council Cor Unum:
How to do it:
The bank details below are from the Cor Unum website:

Bank transfers in Euro (€) from outside Italy:

Pontifical Council "Cor Unum"
Account Number: 603035
Bank: Banco Posta, Poste Italiane S.p.A.
Bank Address: Viale Europa, 175; I-00144 Rome, Italy
BIC-SWIFT Code for Poste Italiane S.p.A: BPPIITRRXXX

(Please provide your name and address,
as well as where you wish the funds to be sent,
so that your gift can be properly acknowledged.)

Bank transfers in other currencies from outside Italy:

(US Dollar USD, Australian Dollar AUD,
Canadian Dollar CAD, British Pound GBP,
Swiss Franc CHF, Japanese Yen JPY):

Pontifical Council "Cor Unum"
Account Number: 603035
Bank: Banco Posta, Poste Italiane S.p.A.
Bank Address: Viale Europa, 175; I-00144 Rome, Italy
BIC-SWIFT Code for Banca Popolare di Sondrio: POSOIT22XXX

(Please provide your name and address,
as well as where you wish the funds to be sent,
so that your gift can be properly acknowledged.)

Donations in any currency can also be made to:

Pontifical Council "Cor Unum"
Account Number: 101010
Bank: Banca di Roma
IBAN Code: IT93 J 03002 05008 000000 101010
SWIFT Code: BROMITR1204

(Please provide your name and address,
as well as where you wish the funds to be sent,
so that your gift can be properly acknowledged.)

In the UK
donations large and small to relieve the famine
through the Holy Father's charity "Cor Unun"
may be sent to the Apostolic Nuncio
at the following address:

Most Reverend Archbishop Antonio Mennini
Apostolic Nunciature
54 Parkside
Wimbledon
London, SW19 5NE

Solemnity of the Most Holy Redeemer

2011-07-17T15:12:00.003+01:00

Today being the third Sunday of July, we celebrated the feast of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Redeemer. Below are some of the photographs from the Sung Mass at Our Lady's chapel on Stronsay.

We were happy to have two visitors from Paris, Mr Henri Adam de Villiers and his father, who made a short visit to Papa Stronsay and joined us for Holy Mass today.

The Funeral of the Son of a Blessed

2011-07-16T12:40:00.015+01:00

Today we pray for the soul of

Franz Joseph
Otto
Robert Maria Anton Karl Max Heinrich Sixtus Xavier
Felix Renatus Ludwig Gaetan Pius Ignatius

Archduke Otto of Austria

the last Crown Prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire,

the son of

His Imperial and Apostolic Majesty

Blessed Karl I of Austria

who was laid to rest with his wife
in the tomb of the Emperors
in Vienna on Saturday, 16 July.

His heart will be buried at the
Pannonhalma Archabbey
in Hungary on Sunday, 17 July.

After the Imperial Family's exile to Madeira in 1921 and the death of Blessed Charles, Archduke Otto was brought up by his mother the Empress Zita, herself a most extraordinary woman.

In this short clip (unfortunately only in French)

Archdukes Rudolph and Otto
speak of the influence of their wonderful mother.

The Archduke's wedding in Nancy, France.

Archduke Otto died peacefully in his sleep on
4 July, 2011, in Bavaria.
His remains were first transferred to Munich
for the first Requiem,
followed by a journey to the pilgrimage shrine of Mariazell
where he was laid in state
besides the remains of his wife Regina
who died in 2010.
After being translated to Vienna and the Requiem
the funeral procession conducted the
Archduke to his final resting place.

Finally the Archduke is laid to rest in the
Crypt of the Emperors in the Vienna's Capuchin Church.

The ancient ceremony of admittance is followed as the
hearse arrives at the doors of the church (as shown below).
The deceased Imperial personage is twice announced for admittance
using all his titles of nobility
to which the Capuchin within replies - "We do not know him".
Only on the third request when the deceased is announced as:
"Otto, a mortal, sinful human being!"
are the doors be open and the hearse admitted.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Requiescat in pace.

Cardinal King Henry IX.

2011-07-13T13:40:00.025+01:00

The anniversary

of
our Cardinal King Henry IX and I.

The Arms of the Cardinal Duke of York.

On 13 July, 1807,
the soul of
Henry Benedict Mary Clement Thomas Francis Xavier Stuart
entered eternity.
He was a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church.

The Arms of the Stuart Kings.

He was King Henry IX of England, France and Ireland;
and
King Henry I of Scotland.
He is buried in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

I think that the life of this exiled
King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland,
the last of the Royal House of Stuart,
is most fitting.

The long procession of the Royal Stuarts concludes,
not in a hellish death struggle against the usurper,
but rather with the holy life long sacrifice
of the youngest member of the dynasty,
offered to God.
Henry Stuart
as Prince, heir to the thrones
and legitimate king,
lays down his life in the service of the King of kings
as the Priest-King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland,
Defender of the Faith.

The King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland,
and the Defender of the Faith,
as priest and victim
daily offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
for nearly 59 full years.
He was Prince of the Holy Roman Church for 60 years.

"...our every sacrifice was made for God,
for the Faith,
and for that unshaken loyalty we have ever displayed
towards the Primacy of Peter and the Holy See."

(Henry Cardinal called Duke of York, 4 Nov. 1792.)

A brief sketch of his life:

The Duke of York.

He was born in Rome on 6 March 1725,
the second son of exiled
King James III of England and VIII of Scotland.
On the same day he was baptised by Pope Benedict XIII,
shortly after, as the king's second son,
he was created Duke of York.

In 1745 he went to France to help his brother,
H.R.H. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales,
(better known as
Bonnie Prince Charlie),
to prepare the Jacobite campaign in Scotland.

In June 1747 Pope Benedict XIV announced his intention
to enroll Prince Henry, Duke of York,
in the Sacred College of Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church.

30 June 1747
the Duke of York was tonsured
by Pope Benedict XIV.

In the consistory of 3 July 1747,
the Duke of York was created
Cardinal-Deacon.

1 September 1748, in his 24th year of age,
he was ordained a Priest
and thereafter
daily offered the Sacred Victim
on the altar.

15 May - 6 July 1758,
aged 33 years,
he participated in the conclave to elect
Pope Clement XIII.

2 October, 1758,
the Cardinal Prince was appointed
Titular Archbishop of Corinthus
and consecrated bishop on 19 November 1758,
by Pope Clement XIII.

The following year he was appointed
Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria in Trastevere;
his Arms (above) can still be seen
in that ancient basilica's Lady chapel.

The Cardinal Duke of York.

On 13 July 1761,
46 years to the day before he would leave this world,
he was raised yet higher in the Church
when he was appointed
Archbishop (Personal Title) of Frascati.

On 1 January, 1766
his father King James III of England
and VIII of Scotland died.
The King's eldest son became
King Charles III.

The Cardinal Duke of York became the heir apparent.

15 February - 19 May 1769, aged 43,
he participated in the conclave that elected
Pope Clement XIV.

5 October 1775 - 15 February 1775 aged 49,
he participated in the conclave to elect
Pope Pius VI.

30 January, 1788 H.M. King Charles III,
Bonnie Prince Charlie,
his brother, died.

30 January, 1788,
the Cardinal-Prince, Duke of York,
succeeded to all of his British rights as
King Henry IX of England, France and Ireland;
King Henry I of Scotland;
Defender of the Faith.

(He now used the title
"Cardinal called Duke of York"
in order to indicate that this was no longer his real title.
He changed his arms from those of a second son,
with a crescent in the middle,
to the undifferenced Royal Arms.)

1 December 1799 - 14 March 1800, aged 74,
he participated in the conclave
that elected
Pope Pius VII.

26 September 1803
he was appointed Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia
and Dean of the College of Cardinals
which office he held until his death.

REQUIEM aeternam dona ei, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.

And may the souls of all the faithful departed
rest in peace. Amen.

The tomb of the exiled Stuart Kings
St. Peter's Basilica, Rome.

Vendetta

2011-07-12T12:01:00.010+01:00

In some periods of history,
the hatred of one man for another because of
some injury he had received
has been pushed to extremes.

A village of vendetta towers built in Vathia Mani, Greece.
Those with a price on their heads
could take refuge in the higher part of the tower
until the danger had passed.
Charity had obviously grown cold in this village.

Today's saint is easy to pass by.
He has a rather different sounding name
to the English speaker
and is not well known.
Yet,
he is one of the most touching examples of
forgiveness
to be found in the lives of the saints.

Born into the noble Visdomini family in 993,

John Gualbert had no more thought of following
a life of austerity and humility than
did his noble Florentine friends and companions.

Raised to be a soldier, he spent his time in worldly amusements.
Indeed, so far from intending to follow
the precepts of Our Lord,
his one over-riding ambition was
to avenge the murder of his elder brother,
Hugh.

To him this was a matter of justice and,
more importantly,
a matter of honour.
Vendetta.

It happened that one Good Friday
as he was riding through a narrow pass
on his way to Florence, John came face to face
with the man he had been seeking.

The man was alone and there was no means of escape.
John drew his sword and moved forward,
but at his approach the cornered
murderer
fell to his knees and then prostrated
himself on the ground in the form of a cross
and implored him,
for the sake of Our Lord's Holy Passion, to spare his life.

St John said to his enemy,
"I cannot refuse what you ask in Christ's name.
I grant you your life, and I give you my friendship.
Pray that God may forgive me my sin."

Grace had triumphed.

A humble and changed man,
he entered the Church of St Miniato,
which was near; and whilst he prayed,
the figure of Our Crucified Lord,
before which he was kneeling,
bowed its head toward him to ratify the pardon.

St John went to the monastery
of San Miniato del Monte
in Florence
where he asked the abbot
for permission to be admitted.
But the abbot delayed,
fearing the anger and resentment of
the noble convert's parents.
To demonstrate the seriousness of his call,
St John shaved his head himself
and put on a habit that he had borrowed.

He would become the founder of the Vallombrosian
branch of the Benedictines.

One grace offered to us by God,
can be the first link
of a long chain of graces
that will lead us to Heaven.

Whatever that grace may be, don't miss it.

A Morning with the Afternoon Club

2011-07-10T15:13:00.008+01:00

This morning we enjoyed the pleasure of the company
of two groups of friends who braved the waters
(and a little boat)
to pay us a visit on Papa Stronsay.
The members of the Sanday Afternoon Club
were on their second excursion to our Monastery Island
and were delighted to see the progress made in the monastery
and Our Lady's Gardens (where they are pictured above),
since their last visit.
They were also able to enjoy its fruits
in the form of rasberries, strawberries and loganberries.

The island of Sanday (in the distance)
over the water as seen from Papa Stronsay.
Haste ye back!

20 years!

2011-06-27T16:35:00.003+01:00

What a great achievement to reach 20 years of holy priesthood! Today, 27th June, the feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour, Fr. Anthony Mary, F.SS.R. has done just that. Congratulations Father!

Fr. Anthony gives his first blessing to his mother on the day of his ordination 20 years ago today, 27th June 1991.

Solemn first Vespers of Mother of Perpetual Succour were celebrated yesterday.

dicit matri suae mulier ecce filius tuus
deinde dicit discipulo ecce mater tua...

... He saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son.
After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother...
(Jn. 19:26)

Followed by benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

*************************

This morning Father celebrated sung Mass for the community.

And gave a short but very edifying sermon.

The same image of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour before which Father celebrated Mass today was placed in the sanctuary at Ecône for his ordination day.

Dirigatur, Domine, oratio mea sicut incensum in conspectu
tuo: elevatio manuum mearum sacrificium vespertinum.

Let my prayer, O Lord, come like incense before You; the
lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice.

Accendat in nobis Dominus ignem sui amoris,
et flammam aeterne caritatis.Amen.

May the Lord enkindle in us the fire of His love
and the flame of everlasting charity. Amen.

And the Word was made flesh!

And dwelt amongst us!

Father becomes alter Christus, another Christ, pronouncing the words of consecration:

Hic est enim calix sanguinis mei,
novi et aeterni testamenti: mysterium fidei:
qui pro vobis et pro multis
effundetur in remissionem peccatorum.

For this is the Chalice of My Blood,
of the new and eternal Testament: the mystery of faith:
which shall be shed for you and for many
unto the remission of sins.

Behold the Lamb of God!

Congratulations Father Anthony on completing the celebration of approximately your 7300th Holy Mass! May God grant you many more years in this life, and a crown of glory in the next!

He enters His Dovecote.

2011-06-24T10:38:00.009+01:00

Corpus Christi procession
at the
Redemptoristine Monastery
in Brazil.

(click on the photos to see them larger)

The Elevation
This is a typical Redemptoristine view of Mass.
The nuns have a strict grill which St. Alphonsus gave them
consisting in a plate that is pierced with holes.
The nuns may draw near the grill and peep through.
This photo is somewhat blurred at the edge of a hole in the lattice.

The nun's eye view.
Of her Beloved Lord in the Blessed Sacrament
the enclosed Redemptoristine nun can say:
"Behold he standeth behind our wall,
looking through the windows,
looking through the lattices.
Behold my beloved speaketh to me:
Arise, make haste, my love, my dove,
my beautiful one, and come."
(Canticles 2:9)

Station at Our Lady's Grotto within the enclosure.
Panem caeli dedit eis, Alleluia, alleluia.
Panem Angelorum manducavit homo. Alleluia, alleluia.
He gave them Heavenly Bread, Alleluia, alleluia.
The Bread of Angels was eaten by men. Alleluia, alleluia.
(Terce. Short Response.)

Procession within the holy border walls.
Posuit fines tuos pacem, alleluia.
Et adipe frumenti satiat te, alleluia.
He has granted peace in thy borders, alleluia.
With the best of wheat He fills thee, alleluia.
(None. Versicle.)

The procession of the Hidden Manna.
Vincenti dabo manna absconditum,
et nomen novum, alleluia.
To him who overcomes I will give the Hidden Manna,
and a new name, Alleluia.
(Laudes. Ant. V.)

Our Lord enthroned in the Choir.
Cibavit nos Dominus ex adipe frumenti:
et de petra, melle saturavit nos.
Our Lord has fed us with the best of wheat,
and with honey from the rock he has filled us.
(Matins. Ant. VIII)

The Redemptoristine nuns take a fourth vow.
It is the vow of Enclosure.
Their enclosure is such that on every day of the year,
except today,
they do not easily or clearly see Our Lord because of their
enclosing lattice;
the plate pierced with small holes.
Enclosed souls feel this deprivation keenly.
They offer this austerity as a sacrifice
to obtain the conversion of sinners
and the salvation of the most abandoned souls.

Christ enthroned from where His doves cry out.
Ex altari tuo, Domine, Christum sumimus:
in quem cor et caro nostra exsultant.
From Thy altar, Lord, we receive Christ,
for Whom our hearts and flesh cry out.

(Matins Ant. IX)
"Behold he standeth behind our wall,
looking through the windows,
looking through the lattices.
Behold my beloved speaketh to me:
Arise, make haste, my love, my dove,
my beautiful one, and come."
(Canticles 2:9)