Latest Issue of Catholic

The new issue of Catholic is out now and has been shipped to all subscribers. As always it's packed full of good, wholesome Catholic reading. If you're not on the mailing list, you can subscribe right now by clicking the Subscribe to the Catholic Newspaper button on the sidebar.



With the Catholic is a copy of the latest work we have printed: Gerado. It is the life of St Gerard Majella, C.SS.R. Additional copies are also available from us.


St. Gerard, Pray for us!

Monsignor MacDonald's Mass

Msgr. McDonald after celebrating Holy Mass on Papa Stronsay according to the 1962 Missal.

Feast of the Assumption and Special Visitors

Yesterday, Saturday the 15th August we celebrated the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin in a very special way. We had a Solemn High Mass and a special visitor, Msgr. McDonald from the diocese of Aberdeen who arrived on Papa Stronsay on Friday and will leave us on Monday.


Br. Jean Marie, F.SS.R. was Sub Deacon for the Mass.


My Lord and my God!


Pax tecum.


Msgr. McDonald after Mass.


We also had our annual bonfire and barbecue, this year in honour of our Lady's Assumption. Monsignor was asked to do the honours.


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




When everything had come to an end, everyone made their way back to the waiting Saint Alphonsus...



...and sailed home. We hope everyone had a happy and blessed feast day.

Works

Here are some photos of some of the works we did a few days ago.

Br. Yousef Marie, F.SS.R. painting the statue of Saint Joseph.


We decided to put up another statue in the shrine on our pier. Fr. Anthony Mary, F.SS.R. brings the statue to the pier.


Br. Nicodemus Mary, F.SS.R. and Br. Martin Mary, F.SS.R. crack open the crate.


The statue is very heavy and difficult to move into place...




Fr. Anthony at the controls of the JCB.




With great care the strap is romoved and the statue pulled back into place.


May Christ the King ever reign on Papa Stronsay!

The Year for Priests

On this feast of St. Jean Marie Vianney, we think of the year for priests which was proclaimed By His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. In case there are any who have not already read it, we publish below the full text of the Decree from the Apostolic Penitentiary regarding the generous granted during this year.


The shrine to Saint Jean Marie Vianney on Papa Stronsay

Shortly the day will come on which will be commemorated the 150th anniversary of the pious departure to Heaven of St John Mary Vianney, the Curé d'Ars. This Saint was a wonderful model here on earth of a true Pastor at the service of Christ's flock.

Since his example is used to encourage the faithful, and especially priests, to imitate his virtues, the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI has established that for this occasion a special Year for Priests will be celebrated, from 19 June 2009 to 19 June 2010, in which all priests may be increasingly strengthened in fidelity to Christ with devout meditation, spiritual exercises and other appropriate actions.

This holy period will begin with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a day of priestly sanctification on which the Supreme Pontiff will celebrate Vespers in the presence of the holy relics of St John Mary Vianney, brought to Rome by the Bishop of Belley-Ars, France.

The Most Holy Father will likewise preside at the conclusion of the Year for Priests in St Peter's Square, in the presence of priests from across the world who will renew their fidelity to Christ and the bond of brotherhood.

May priests commit themselves, with prayer and good works, to obtaining from Christ the Eternal High Priest, the grace to shine with Faith, Hope, Charity and the other virtues, and show by their way of life, but also with their external conduct, that they are dedicated without reserve to the spiritual good of the people something that the Church has always had at heart.

The gift of Sacred Indulgences which the Apostolic Penitentiary, with this Decree issued in conformity with the wishes of the August Pontiff, graciously grants during the Year for Priests will be of great help in achieving the desired purpose in the best possible way.

A. Truly repentant priests who, on any day, devoutly recite at least morning Lauds or Vespers before the Blessed Sacrament, exposed for public adoration or replaced in the tabernacle, and who, after the example of St John Mary Vianney, offer themselves with a ready and generous heart for the celebration of the sacraments, especially Confession, are mercifully granted in God the Plenary Indulgence which they may also apply to their deceased brethren in suffrage, if, in conformity with the current norms, they receive sacramental confession and the Eucharistic banquet and pray for the Supreme Pontiff's intentions.

Furthermore the Partial Indulgence is granted to priests who may apply it to their deceased confreres every time that they devoutly recite the prayers duly approved to lead a holy life and to carry out in a holy manner the offices entrusted to them.

B. The Plenary Indulgence is granted to all the faithful who are truly repentant who, in church or in chapel, devoutly attend the divine Sacrifice of Mass and offer prayers to Jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest, for the priests of the Church, and any other good work which they have done on that day, so that he may sanctify them and form them in accordance with His Heart, as long as they have made expiation for their sins through sacramental confession and prayed in accordance with the Supreme Pontiff's intentions: on the days in which the Year for Priests begins and ends, on the day of the 150th anniversary of the pious passing of St John Mary Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month or on any other day established by the local Ordinaries for the benefit of the faithful.

It will be most appropriate, in cathedral and parish churches, for the same priests who are in charge of pastoral care to publicly direct these exercises of devotion, to celebrate Holy Mass and to hear the confession of the faithful.

The Plenary Indulgence will likewise be granted to the elderly, the sick and all those who for any legitimate reason are confined to their homes who, with a mind detached from any sin and with the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions, at home or wherever their impediment detains them, provided that on the above-mentioned days they recite prayers for the sanctification of priests and confidently offer the illnesses and hardships of their lives to God through Mary Queen of Apostles.

Lastly, the Partial Indulgence is granted to all the faithful every time they devoutly recite five Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glorias, or another expressly approved prayer, in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to obtain that priests be preserved in purity and holiness of life.

This Decree is valid for the entire duration of the Year for Priests. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding.

Given in Rome, at the Offices of the Apostolic Penitentiary on 25 April, the Feast of St Mark the Evangelist, in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 2009.

Cardinal James Francis Stafford
Major Penitentiary

+ Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv.
Titular Bishop of Meta, Regent

A Special Prayer Request

We would like to request prayers from all of our readers for the sister of one of our Brothers. Br. Gerardo Maria's sister is a nun with The Disciples of the Cenacle situated just outside Rome. She has a brain tumor and her condition is rapidly going down hill. We beg your prayers for her, for Br. Gerardo and all her family that God's Most Holy Will my be fulfilled in her and that if it be in conformity with this same Divine Will, she may regain her health and give many more years to His service.


Sister on the day of her profession

Our Lady, Health of the sick, pray for her. Amen.

Solemn High Mass on Stronsay

Yesterday, for the feast of Saint Alphonsus and our 21st anniversary of foundation, we were able to have a solemn high Mass. Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R. was celebrant, Fr. Anthony Mary, F.SS.R. was Deacon and Br. Yousef Marie, F.SS.R. was Sub Deacon. It was a fine morning and a very joyous occasion for us.


The procession to the chapel.


We hope that it will not be too long now before our two most senior brothers will be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood and can return permanently to Papa Stronsay.




Fr. Anthony Mary, F.SS.R. sings the Holy Gospel.







We thank you for all your prayers and support, especialy over the last year. Please continue to remember us in your prayers and sacrifices. May God bless you all!

With Grateful Thanks

What a joy it has been to celebrate the great feast of our Holy Father Saint Alphonsus! Today is also the 21st anniversary of our foundation. We are truly grateful to our dear Father for all the protection he has given us from his place in heaven, and for all the prayers he has offered and the favours he has obtained for us. We thank him from the bottom of our hearts, and ask also that you, our readers, thank him for us and beg him to continue smiling upon us.



Our Holy Father Saint Alphonsus, Pray For Us!