Corpus Christi with the Traditional Redemptoristines

The Traditional Redemptoristines in Brazil had lovely Corpus Christi fesivities, celebrated by Father Everaldo Bon Robert.

There are more photos on the Redemptoristine blog HERE

On his consecration as a Bishop: The worst day in his life.

Today is the 250th Anniversary of the Episcopal Consecration

of 

St Alphonsus Maria De' Liguori

which on his own words was

the worst day in his life.

The church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome.

"The consecration took place on 20 June 1762 in the Church of the Minerva at the hands of the Dominican Cardinal, Ferdinand de Rossi, assisted by Mgr. Innocent Gorgoni, Archbishop of Emesa, and Mgr. Domiinic Giordani, Archbishop of Nicomedia and Vice-Gerent of Rome.

Cardinal Ferdinando Maria de Rossi

(1696-1775)

The bishop subsequently avowed to his confessor that it was the most sorrowful day in his life.

'... I had to struggle with myself, 

to accept in spite of my repugnance a charge, 

the responsibility of which made me tremble.'"

(Life of St. Alphonsus, Berthe, Vol. 2, IV, I)

A true bishop.

At a later date he also wrote:

"My hand trembles as I write this,

for I remember that I too am a bishop,

and that many bishops have proved false to their trust,

have lost their souls and their God,

who as private individuals
might have worked out their salvation

with greater ease.

Without entering here into the question
as to whether an ambitious priest

who intrigues for a bishopric
is in a state of mortal sin or not,

I cannot understand, I must confess,

how any Christian with regard for his salvation

can desire the episcopate,

and thus voluntarily cast himself
into the midst of the thousand dangers

to which a bishop is exposed."

(Ibid.)

Note: In his Will, Cardinal Ferdinando Maria de Rossi
had arranged for seven thousand Masses 
to be offered for the repose of his soul!
He too understood the dangers of his office. 

Focus for Reality

"Reality" made a comment about yesterday's post saying:

But in the meantime, even the SSPX itself is closer to regularisation than Papa Stronsay. God has a sense of humour! You've received nothing from Rome or your Diocese, besides three priests having their 'suspension' lifted. Your vows don't count as anything, canonically. True, yes? Is the fruit as sweet as the photos portray it? Or is Papa Stronsay rather an island of lemons?

Cherries or lemons which is the "reality"?

To which I answer:

Dear "Reality"!

Your message reminds me of the kind of messages Bp. Fellay will be receiving in these days!

The problem is that you see only with the eyes of your flesh; you have no idea of all that we have received and for which we are profoundly grateful to God. The "reality" is supernatural. The natural view is simply too limited and needs a whole new focus.

No, no! I know! 

They were round and red, 

sweet and juicy, they were cherries

not  lemons!

God has a sense of humour? If it pleases the Most High to be amused with us we would willingly make ourselves His play things, and as such we would be richly rewarded.

So much in life depends upon one's perspective.

Limited "reality" sees and exalts in its own perceptions, bringing forth lemons from the bitterness of its own heart.  You should grasp the true reality.

This true reality, focused from a supernatural perspective, finds flowers, fragrance and sweet fruit; finds peace of soul and good dispositions to pray for the Church, Bishop Fellay and the reconciliation; finds cherries and sweet fruit from the tree of the Holy Cross. Should we not glory but in this? Must we not glory in this, in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ?

In short, this is my song which I invite you to sing:

Misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo 

in generationem et generationem adnuntiabo veritatem tuam in ore meo ~
 The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. 

I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth to generation and generation. 

~(Ps. 88:2) ~

With every good wish,
Fr. Michael Mary

Of Flowers, fruit and holy happiness - on reconciliation day.

 

The flowers in

Our Lady's Garden

are reaching to the roof

and beyond the stretch

of Br. Jean Marie seen here pollinating

the kiwifruit with a brush.

 

 

 We have abundant cherries also in

Our Lady's Garden

at 59.1500° North,

the same latitude as Alaska.

 

Sweet Papa Stronsay cherries!

Today, 18 June 2012, we remember the good fruit

of our reconciliation with the Holy See

on 18 June 2008, 

four years ago today.

 

For some, our reconciliation would never be fruitful;

but these good souls were wrong;

perhaps they were looking with the eyes of flesh, 

and not of faith.

Fratres in unum ~ Where brethren dwell as one.

Our reconciliation was lifegiving and is bearing fruit

through perseverance. 

Thanks be to God for all that He has done and is doing for us!

Papa Stronsay in the peaceful possession of 

Communion with the Chair of Peter and the

Holy Diocese of Aberdeen.

 Amen, amen I say to you, 

unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, 

Itself remaineth alone. 

But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 

He that loveth his life shall lose it; 

and he that hateth his life in this world, 

keepeth it unto life eternal. 

[John 12:25]  

 

"A humbling experience"

Diamond Jubilee Message.

The Queen described the diamond jubilee celebrations as 

a "humbling experience" 

in a televised address to the nation.

Confirmation

Emitte in eam 

septiformem Spiritum tuum Sanctum Paraclitum de caelis.

This morning  before High Mass,

with the faculty received from the Bishop of Aberdeen,

the Sacrament of Confirmation

was celebrated by Fr. Anthony Mary

for

Mrs. Valerie Lucas of Stronsay.

 

Signo te signo Cru+cis...

... et confirmo te Chrismate salutis.

 In nomine Pat+ris, et Fi+lii, et Spiritus + Sancti. Amen.

Pax tecum.

During Mass she received her first Holy Communion.

Te Deum laudamus...

The Priesting of Father Hunwicke.

The Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.

 

The joyous occasion of 

the Deaconing 

of 

Father Hunwicke.

 

His Ordination to the Priesthood,

the 'Priesting' as it is also called,

 will take place on

27 June, 2012,

Feast of our Mother of Perpetual Succour,

in the Oxford Oratory church.

(source)

Samoa,tula! Marking the Golden Jubilee Celebrations

Today we celebrate
the Golden Anniversary of

Samoan Independence

from New Zealand.

Congratulations to our Brothers:

Br. Xavier Maria and Br. Magdala Maria

Sons of  the Most Holy Redeemer

and

Sons of Samoa.

The National Anthem of Samoa.

Samoa,tula'i ma sisi ia lau fu'a lou pale lea

Samoa,tula'i ma sisi ia lau fu'a lou pale lea

Vaai i na fetu o lo'ua agiagia ai

Le faailoga lea o Iesu na maliu ai

Oi! Samoa e,uu mau lau pule ia faavavau

'Aua e te fefe;o le Atua lo ta fa'a vae o lota Sa'o lotoga,

Samoa,tu'ta'i,ia agiagia lua Fu'a lou pale lea

Its English translation

Samoa arise and raise your banner,your crown

Look at those stars that are waving on it

This is the sign of Jesus,who died on it for Samoa

Oh!Samoa hold fast your power forever

Do not be afraid; God is our foundation,our freedom

Samoa arise; your banner is waving,your crown!

An unexpected "Thank you!"

Shamiel, our friend in Lahore, Pakistan,

received his May Catholic, today.

What a kind "Thank You!"

We remember in our prayers

all the brave Catholics in Pakistan.

We offer our full solidarity and communion with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

"This is precisely the moment in which to demonstrate esteem and appreciation for the Holy Father and the service he carries out; to show full solidarity with him and thus, to demonstrate communion, unity, and coherence with how this situation is dealt with".

Fr. Lombardi, S.J.

Press Officer of the Holy See.

referring to the Vatican Leaks.

+

Oremus. ~ Let us pray.

For God's Holy Church

Ecclesiae tuae, quaesumus, Domine,

preces placatus admitte:

ut, destructis adversitatibus et erroribus universis,

secura tibi serviat libertate. 

Per Christum Dominum nostrum.

Amen.

+

Graciously hear, O Lord, the prayers

of Thy Church that,

having overcome all adversity and every error,

she may serve Thee in security and freedom. 

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

+

Oremus. ~ Let us pray.

Pro Papa. ~ For the Pope.
Deus omnium fidelium pastor et rector,
famulum tuum Benedictum quem pastorem
Ecclesiae tuae praeesse voluisti
propitius respice; da ei quaesumus verbo et exemplo,
quibus praeest, proficere;
ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi credito,
perveniat sempiternim.

Per Christum Dominum nostrum.

Amen.

+
O God the shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
look with favour upon Thy servant Benedict
whom Thou hast been pleased to appoint pastor over Thy Church:
grant him, we beseech Thee,
that by word and example he may be of profit
to those over whom he has been placed,
and together with the flock committed to his care,
attain unto life everlasting.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Across the fields and throughout the centuries they keep coming.

Father Anthony Mary with some of the pilgrim priests
before they leave

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris.

Pilgrim priests

 and 

throngs of pilgrims.

Pilgrims of all ages

and especially

the young here kneeling.

Mass and Holy Communion

before they leave.

Pilgrims kneeling

before setting off.

The Standard of the Cross 

and Our Lady 

leading the thousands ever onwards.

Yes, we know these as they set out.

Procession to Mass in the fields.

A long procession.

Franciscans of the Immaculate beside our Brothers.

Tom Esteban, Br. Seelos, Br Clemens...

Holy Mass.

and Communion

O Esca Viatorum ~ O Food of men wayfaring...

Through the fields

they pilgrimage onwards

an image of the Church pressing on through the ages

these fields saw pilgrims last century

and two hundred years ago pilgrims passed here...

...five hundred years ago it was the same Church, doing the same thing...

doing what their ancestors in the faith did 100 years before them

in 1400 A.D.... and 1300 A.D.

  ... in 1200 AD it was the same story of pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres;

the days of prayer and 75 miles on foot as penance for sins;

prayer and penance in action, 

a proclamation of the Kingship of Christ.

The Cathedral is packed with pilgrims.

Many are still quite young.

See how the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres is overflowing with them...

...and after this our exile

show uto us the blessed fruit of Thy Womb,

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Source and link for more photos.