Thursday, June 28, 2012

Fr Hunwicke's First Mass in the Old Rite

Fr Hunwicke celebrated his First Mass in the Old Rite at Brompton Oratory.  Br. Martin was highly honoured to be able to serve Father at the altar.

 Fr. Ray Blake greets Father before the First Mass.

Dealba me, Domine, et munda cor meum; ut, in sanguine Agni dealbatus, gaudiis perfruar sempiternis.

Make me white, O Lord, and cleanse my heart; that being made white in the Blood of the Lamb I may deserve an eternal reward


Hanc igitur oblationem servitutis nostrae...

 Behold the Precious Blood of Jesus, shed for the forgiveness of our sins!

 Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam. Amen.

 May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ keep your soul unto life everlasting. Amen.

Priesting of Rev. Fr John Hunwicke


It was our great privilege to be able to attend the priesting of Fr. John Hunwicke on Wednesday 27th June, Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour at the Oxford Oratory.  Father has waited long for this great day!


The ordinand lies prostrate whilst the Litany of the Saints is sung.


The laying-on of hands. After the ordaining bishop, all the priests present lay their hands upon the head of the ordinand.  Above, the Rt Revd Monsignor Keith Newton, Fr. Hunwicke's superior in the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham lays hands; and below, Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R.



Anointing the hands of the priest. 

First Blessings.


Speaking with Msgr Kieth Newton.
Three generations.  Father and Mrs Hunwicke with the eldest of their five daughters and the eldest of their five grandchildren.

CONGRATULATIONS FATHER!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Last night saw the summer solstice - the longest day of the year.  It's wonderful being as far north as Papa Stronsay is, to experience the light through the night:

 The Sun set at about 10:45pm.

 10:48pm.

 11:00pm.

 Midnight and still not dark!

 12:02am.

12:03am.

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

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

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. 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

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

Monday, June 18, 2012

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



 
The flowers in
Our Lady's Garden
are reaching to the roof.
 
 
 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]  

 

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

"A humbling experience"

Diamond Jubilee Message.



The Queen described the diamond jubilee celebrations as 
a "humbling experience" 
in a televised address to the nation.

Sunday, June 03, 2012

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.


Friday, June 01, 2012

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!