NCC Bedford | St Alban's

Second Sunday after Easter 2020 (Good Shepherd Sunday)

April 26, 2020April 27, 2020 archbishoppeterLeave a comment

Dominica Secunda post Pascha (Good Shepherd Sunday)

Masses this Week

ALL MASSES AND SERVICES ARE LIVE STREAMED ON THE NCCUKI Facebook Page

Sunday 26 April: Dominica Secunda post Pascha (Good Shepherd Sunday) – Solemn Mass at 11.00am (Pro Populi); Rosary for Deliverance from the Coronavirus (Glorious Mysteries) and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 6pm
Monday 27 April: S Peter Canisius, Conf & Doct Eccl – No Mass
Tuesday 28 April: S Paul of the Cross, Conf – No Mass
Wednesday 29 April: S Peter, M – No Mass
Thursday 30 April: S Catherine of Siena, V – No Mass
Friday 1 May: S Joseph the Worker, Spouse of the BVM – First Friday: Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary for Deliverance from the Coronavirus (Sorrowful Mysteries) and Mass at 6pm
Saturday 2 May: S Athanasius, Ep, Conf & Doct Eccl – First Saturday: Rosary in Reparation to the Blessed Mother for blasphemies against her, her name and her holy initiatives (Glorious Mysteries) and Mass at 6pm (Private Intention)

All Masses are offered according to the 1962 Missale Romanum.

Mass Intentions may be sent by email to Archbishop Peter
at archbishop@nationalcatholic.org.uk

Click here for the Propers for all Sunday and Weekday Masses, which may be viewed online or downloaded for printing.

This Sunday’s Mass Propers:

Introit: Ps 32:5-6

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord, alleluia: by the word of the Lord were the heavens made, alleluia alleluia – (Ps32:1) Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: praise is comely for the upright. Glory be… The earth is full…

Collects

O God, who, by the humility of Thy Son, didst lift up a fallen world, grant unending happintess to Thy faithful: that those whom Thou has snatched from the perils of endless death, Thu mayest cause to rejoice in everlasting joys. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth…

Epistle: 1 Peter 2:21-25

For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered, he threatened not: but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly. Who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray; but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia. (Luke 24:35) The disciples knew the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread. Alleluia. (John 10:14) I am the good Shepherd: and I know My sheep, and Mine know Me. Alleluia.

Gospel: John 10:11-16

Bernhard Plockhorst (1825-1907): The Good Shepherd - Public Domain

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep. But the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and flieth: and the wolf catcheth, and scattereth the sheep: And the hireling flieth, because he is a hireling: and he hath no care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know mine, and mine know me. As the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep. And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.—Creed

Offertory: Ps 62: 2, 5

O God, my God, to Thee do I watch at break of day: and in Thy Name I will lift up my hands, alleluia.

Secret

May this holy offering, O LOrd, always bring to us Thy healing blessing: that what it represents in a Mysteriy, it may accomplish with power. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son…

Preface for Easter

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation at all times to praise Thee, O Lord, but more gloriously at this time above others when Christ our Pasch was sacrificed. For He is the true Lam who hath taken away the sins of the world: Who by dying hath destroyed our death; and by rising again hath restored us to life. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying: —Sanctus

Communion: John 10:14

I am the good Shepherd, alleluia: and I know My sheep, and Mine know Me, alleluia, alleluia.

Postcommunion

Grant unto us, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that having received the grace of a new life, we may ever glory in Thy gift. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son…

Meditiation by St John Henry Newman on this Sunday’s Gospel

An extract from a Sermon preached by St John Henry Newman during his Anglican Period, dating from between 1843 and 1869.

“The good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” In those countries of the East where our Lord appeared, the office of a shepherd is not only a lowly and simple office, and an office of trust, as it is with us, but, moreover, an office of great hardship and of peril. Our flocks are exposed to no enemies, such as our Lord describes. The Shepherd here has no need to prove his fidelity to the sheep by encounters with fierce beasts of prey. The hireling shepherd is not tried. But where our Lord dwelt in the days of His flesh it was otherwise. There it was true that the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep—”but he that is an hireling, and whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”

St John Henry Newman Cong. Orat. (1801-1890) – Parocial and Plain Sermons Vol VIII

Notices

Private Retreat

I am spending Monday to Thursday of this week in private Retreat. There will be no live stream of Mass or Rosary during that time; I ask you all to continue to pray the Rosary each day at 6pm for Deliverance from the Coronavirus and to pray for me and all the Clergy of the Church, for all who are sick from the coronavirus, those who are caring for them, and for those who have died as a result, for their families and their friends.

Live Streaming of Mass and the Holy Rosary

Live Streaming of Mass, the Holy Rosary and other Services will continue on the Church’s Facebook Page after my Retreat, from Friday 1st May. Moving forward, there will be some days when a live stream is not possible, announcements will be made on Facebook. On those days, please pray the Rosary privately for deliverance from the coronavirus pandemic.

With the live streaming of The Holy Sacrifice of The Mass, there is the opportunity to make a daily Spiritual Communion whilst under to the current lockdown and social isolation situations where we are not able to physically be present for the offering of The Holy Sacrifice of The Mass:

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

We have already had daily views and post engagements into the hundreds – from around the world – without any overt publicity on our part: let us all pray that others will be inspired to join us in what we hope may become the biggest Rosary Circle ever. We would invite you to “Like” and “Follow” our Facebook Page so that you can be updated on Church activities.

Those recently deceased

Of your charity, please remember in your prayers those personally known to me who have died either during the course of, or as a result of, the coronavirus pandemic:

Paul Benjamin Carrington
Jean Seamark
Chris Robinson
Bryan King

Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine
Et lux perpetua luceat ei
Fideliam animæ ei, et fidelis animæ omnium defunctorum
per misericordiam Dei
Requiescant in Pace
Amen

Please feel free to advise me of the names of any family members or friends who have sadly died either during or as a result of the coronavirus pandemic (together with their date of death): their names will be added to the list and they will be remembered at Mass, this may be done via the email link towards the top of the post, along with any other Mass intentions or prayer requests.

Please remember:

Stay safe

Stay at home: Help the Health Services: Save Lives

Don’t be a #covidiot

With all blessings

‡ Peter

First Sunday after Easter 2020

April 20, 2020 archbishoppeterLeave a comment

Domenica in Albis in Octava Paschae (Low Sunday)

Masses this Week

ALL MASSES AND SERVICES ARE LIVE STREAMED ON THE NCCUKI Facebook Page

Sunday 19 April: Domenica in Albis (Low Sunday) – Rosary for Deliverance from the Coronavirus (Glorious Mysteries) and Solemn Mass at 6pm
(Pro Populi)
Monday 20 April: Feria – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Rosary for Deliverance from the Coronavirus (Joyful Mysteries) and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 6.30pm
Tuesday 21 April: S Anselm, Ep, Conf & Doct Eccl – Rosary for Deliverance from the Coronavirus (Sorrowful Mysteries) and Mass at 6pm
(HM Queen Elizabeth II on her 94th Birthday)
Wednesday 22 April: SS Soter & Caius, PP MM – Rosary for Deliverance from the Coronavirus (Glorious Mysteries) and Mass at 6pm
(Private Intention)
Thursday 23 April: S George, M, Patron of England and Patron of Scouting – Rosary for Deliverance from the Coronavirus (Joyful Mysteries) and Mass at 6pm
(All Members of Scouting throughout the World).
Following Holy Mass, all Members of Scouting are invited to renew their Scout Promise with Archbishop Peter.
Friday 24 April: S Fidelis of Sigmaringen, M – Rosary for Deliverance from the Coronavirus (Sorrowful Mysteries) and Mass at 6pm
(John Davies RIP 1998)
Saturday 25 April: St Mark the Evangelist – Rosary for Deliverance from the Coronavirus (Glorious Mysteries) and Mass at 6pm (Private Intention)

All Masses are offered according to the 1962 Missale Romanum.

Mass Intentions may be sent by email to Archbishop Peter
at archbishop@nationalcatholic.org.uk

Click here for the Propers for all Sunday and Weekday Masses, which may be viewed online or downloaded for printing.

This Sunday’s Mass Propers:

Introit: 1 Peter 2:2

As newborn babes, alleluia, desire the rational milk without guile, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia – (Ps 80:2) Rejoice to God our Helper; sing aloud to the God of Jacob. Glory be… As newborn babes…

Collect

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who have celebrated the Paschal Feast, may, by Thy bounty, retain its fruits in our daily habits and behaviour. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth…

Epistle: 1 John 5:4-10

Dearly beloved, whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ: not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit which testifieth, that Christ is the truth. And there are three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one. And there are three that give testimony on earth: the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three are one. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater, because he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth in the Son of God, hath the testimony of God in himself. He that believeth not the Son, maketh him a liar: because he believeth not in the testimony which God hath testified of his Son.

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia.(Matt 28:7) On the day of My Resurrection, saith the Lord, I will go before you into Galilee. Alleluia. (John 20:26) After eight days, the doors being shut, Jesus stood in the midst of His disciples and said: Peace be to you. Alleluia.

Gospel: John 20:19-31

doubting_thomas1 At that time, when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you. Then he saith to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God. Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed. Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name. —Creed

Offertory: Matt 28: 2, 5-6

An Angel of the Lord descended from heaven and said to the women: He whom you seek is risen, as He said, alleluia.

Secret

Receive, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gifts of Thine exultant Church: and to her whom Thou has given cause for so great joy, grant the fruit of perpetual happiness. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son…

Preface for Easter

Communion: John 20:27

Put in thy hand, and know the place of the nails, alleluia; and be not faithless, but believing, alleluia, alleluia.

Postcommunion

We beseech Thee, O Lord Our God, to make the most holy Mysteries which Thou has given us as a defence of our renewal, a remedy for us now and in the future. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son…

Meditiation by St John Henry Newman on this Sunday’s Gospel

I ADORE Thee, O my God, with Thomas; and if I have, like him, sinned through unbelief, I adore Thee the more. I adore Thee as the One Adorable, I adore Thee as more glorious in Thy humiliation, when men despised Thee, than when Angels worshipped Thee. Deus meus et omnia—”My God and my all.” To have Thee is to have everything I can have. O my Eternal Father, give me Thyself. I dared not have made so bold a request, it would have been presumption, unless Thou hadst encouraged me. Thou hast put it into my mouth, Thou hast clothed Thyself in my nature, Thou hast become my Brother, Thou hast died as other men die, only in far greater bitterness, that, instead of my eyeing Thee fearfully from afar, I might confidently draw near to Thee. Thou dost speak to me as Thou didst speak to Thomas, and dost beckon me to take hold of Thee. My God and my all, what could I say more than this, if I spoke to all eternity! I am full and abound and overflow, when I have Thee; but without Thee I am nothing—I wither away, I dissolve and perish. My Lord and my God, my God and my all, give me Thyself and nothing else.

Thomas came and touched Thy sacred wounds. O will the day ever come when I shall be allowed actually and visibly to kiss them? What a day will that be when I am thoroughly cleansed from all impurity and sin, and am fit to draw near to my Incarnate God in His palace of light above! what a morning, when having done with all penal suffering, I see Thee for the first time with these very eyes of mine, I see Thy countenance, gaze upon Thy eyes and gracious lips without quailing, and then kneel down with joy to kiss Thy feet, and am welcomed into Thy arms. O my only true Lover, the only Lover of my soul, Thee will I love now, that I may love Thee then. What a day, a long day without ending, the day of eternity, when I shall be so unlike what I am now, when I feel in myself a body of death, and am perplexed and distracted with ten thousand thoughts, any one of which would keep me from heaven. O my Lord, what a day when I shall have done once for all with all sins, venial as well as mortal, and shall stand perfect and acceptable in Thy sight, able to bear Thy presence, nothing shrinking from Thy eye, not shrinking from the pure scrutiny of Angels and Archangels, when I stand in the midst and they around me!

O my God, though I am not fit to see or touch Thee yet, still I will ever come within Thy reach, and desire that which is not yet given me in its fullness. O my Saviour, Thou shalt be my sole God!—I will have no Lord but Thee. I will break to pieces all idols in my heart which rival Thee. I will have nothing but Jesus and Him crucified. It shall be my life to pray to Thee, to offer myself to Thee, to keep Thee before me, to worship Thee in Thy holy Sacrifice, and to surrender myself to Thee in Holy Communion.

Saint John Henry Newman Cong. Orat. (1801-1890) – Meditations and Devotions

Notices

Live Streaming of Mass and the Holy Rosary

The link just above the calendar for the week points to the National Catholic Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland’s Facebook Page, where each day I lead the recitation of the Holy Rosary, followed by Holy Mass on a live stream from my private chapel. On some days, there is instead Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by recitation of the Holy Rosary and Benediction.

Our Blessed Lady is the Mediatrix of All Graces; therefore we beseech her to intercede for us before Almighty God for deliverance from the pestilence of the Coronavirus; that He will grant His strength and grace to those who are suffering because of the virus; He will stand with all our emergency workers – doctors, nurses, paramedics, ancilliary staff in our hospitals, and those care workers who tirelessly look after the vulnerable; and that He will grant eternal and peaceful rest to those who have died as a result of the pandemic forgiving their sins so that they may enjoy their eternal reward.

The pattern for the Holy Rosary each day is: Mondays and Thursdays – the Joyful Mysteries; Tuesdays and Fridays – the Sorrowful Mysteries; Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays – the Glorious Mysteries.

Each Mystery of the Holy Rosary is preceded by a brief meditation from Fr Patrick Peyton – “The Rosary Priest” and these are on a different theme each day.

With the live streaming of The Holy Sacrifice of The Mass, there is also the opportunity to make a daily Spiritual Communion whilst due to the current lockdown and social isolation situations:

Those recently deceased

Of your charity, please remember in your prayers those personally known to me who have died either during the course of, or as a result of, the coronavirus pandemic:

Paul Benjamin Carrington
Jean Seamark
Chris Robinson
Bryan King

Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine
Et lux perpetua luceat ei
Fideliam animæ ei, et fidelis animæ omnium defunctorum
per misericordiam Dei
Requiescant in Pace
Amen

Please remember:

Stay safe

Stay at home: Help the NHS: Save Lives

Don’t be a #covidiot

With all blessings

‡ Peter

Archbishop Peter’s Paschal Message for 2020

April 13, 2020 archbishoppeterLeave a comment

Surrexit Christus Vere, Alleluia, Alleluia!

The traditional proclamation on Easter Sunday. However, one feels at the present time that “Alleluias”, though liturgically permitted, may not be quite appropriate for a while yet.

It goes without saying that we all are living today in troubled times. A virus, a disease, a plague, the like of which none of us have experienced in our lifetimes, or in the lifetimes of our parents, grips the entire world. Indiscriminate about whom it infects – young or old, rich or poor, entirely healthy or with underlying illness; nobody knows who might have been infected or who might be infected…..

Read the entire message on the main National Catholic Church of the United Kingdom of the United Kingdom and Ireland website by clicking here.

First Sunday of Advent 2018

December 2, 2018 archbishoppeterLeave a comment

Masses this week

Sunday 2nd December – First Sunday of Advent: Mass at 11.00am; Vespers and Benediction at 6.00pm
Monday 3rd December – St Francis Xavier (Conf): Mass at 6.00pm
Tuesday 4th December – Ss Peter Chrysologus (Bp, Conf & Eccl Doct) and Barbara (V&M): Mass at 6.00pm
Wednesday 5th December -St Sabbas (Ab): Mass at 6.00pm
Thursday 6th December – St Nicholas (Bp & Conf): Mass at 6.00pm
Friday 7th December – St Ambrose (Bp, Conf & Eccl Doct): Mass at 6.00pm
Saturday 8th December – The Immaculate Conception of the BVM: Solemn Mass at 10.00am; Rosary and Benediction at 6.00pm

All Masses are offered according to the Missale Romanum of 1962

Propers for the First Sunday of Advent

Introit (Ps 24:1-3)

To thee have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed: neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded. – ℣ (Ps 24:4) Show, O Lord, Thy ways to me: and teach me Thy paths. Glory Be….. —To Thee have I lifted…

Collect

Stir up Thy power, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and come: that from the threatening dangers of our sins we may deserve to be rescued by Thy protection, and to be saved by Thy deliverance. Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle (Rom 13:11-14)

Brethren, know that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. The night is passed and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy: but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gradual (Ps 24:3, 4)

All they that wait on Thee shall not be confounded, O Lord. ℣ Show, O Lord, Thy ways to me: and teach me Thy paths.

Alleluia, alleluia. ℣ (Ps 84:8) Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy: and grant us Thy salvation. Alleluia.

Gospel (Luke 21: 25-33)

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves: men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved. And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand. And He spoke to them a similitude: See the fig tree and all the trees: when they now shoot forth their fruit you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Amen I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. —Credo

Offertory (Ps 24: 1-3)

To Thee have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed: neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait for Thee shall be confounded.

Secret

May these holy Mysteries, O Lord, cleanse us by their powerful virtue and make us to come with greater purity to Him Who is their source. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth…..

Preface of the Most Holy Trinity

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord: not in the Oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one Substance. For what by Thy revelation we believe of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation; so that in confessing the true and eternal Godhead, in It we should adore distinction in Persons, unity in Essence, and equality in Majesty: in praise of which Angels and Archangels, Cherubim also and Seraphim, day by day exclaim, without end and with one voice, saying: — Sanctus

Communion (Ps 84: 13)

The Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.

Postcommunion

May we receive, O Lord, Thy mercy in the midst of Thy temple, that we may prepare with due honour for the approaching feast of our redemption. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ…

This Week’s Homily

The season of Advent is a season of penance and prayer in preparation for the coming of the Son of God in the flesh, and also for His Second Coming to judge mankind. The Masses for Advent strike a note of preparation and repentance mingled with joy and hope, hence while the penitential purple vestments are worn and the Gloria is omitted, the joyous Alleluia is retained.

The readings from the Old Testament contained in the Introit, Gradual, Offertory and Communion of these Masses, generally taken from the prophecies of Isaiah and from the Psalms, remind us of the longing of all nations for a Redeemer. The Lessons from St Paul urge us to dispose ourselves fittingly for His coming. The Gospels describe the terrors of the last judgement, the Second Coming—good reason to inspire longing for the Redeemer—and tell us of the preaching of John the Baptist “to prepare the way of the Lord.”

“This First Sunday of Advent, or the Fourth before Christmas, is the first day of the Liturgical Year. The Mass prepares us this day for the double coming (adventus) of mercy and justice. That is why St Paul tells us, in the Epistle, to cast off sin in order that, being ready for the coming of Christ as our Saviour, we may also be ready for His coming as our Judge, of which we learn in the Gospel. Let us prepare ourselves, by pious aspirations and by the reformation of our life, for this twofold coming. Jesus our Lord will reward those who yearn for Him and await Him: ‘Those who trust in Him shall not be confounded.'”

Commentary by Fr Sylvester P Juergens SM (1894-1969) from Daily Missal and Liturgical Manual (Laverty, 1938)

Amid all the switching on of “Xmas Lights” and late night shopping in towns all over the country, the Season of Advent goes largely un-noticed. For many—if not most—Christmas is upon us and the emphasis is on the material meaning: who can outdo whom with expensive presents, stocking up on vast amounts of food and drink, Christmas parties and such like. It is an immensely commercial time, which can begin at any time from September onwards with the replacement of the barbecues in the “Seasonal” aisle of the supermarkets with Christmas decorations, tins of sweets and so forth. The whole time of year seems to become more and more commercialised as the years go by. And every year I say to myself “Its not even Advent yet!”

But we have reached a new beginning, the first Sunday of a new liturgical season, Advent, and the start of a new liturgical year.

Every year the Church leads us through the different liturgical seasons. The first season is Advent, followed by Christmas. After Christmas we have a few weeks of the time after the Epiphany, leading into the Easter Cycle starting with the season of Septuagesima. This leads after three Sundays into the season of Lent, which leads into Passiontide, Holy week and ultimately the Eastertide. Then we move into the Season after Pentecost, lasting until the end of November.

Each one of these liturgical seasons has its own meaning, and along with that meaning, it has its own characteristics. They have Mass readings that are connected by common themes, they have special days, celebrations, and traditions and each Season has its own liturgical colour.

Taken all together, the seasons of the liturgy are like a spiritual tour. The Church is the tour guide. The sites the Church points out include all the major events in the history of salvation: from Creation, which we recall at the Easter Vigil, to Christ’s Second Coming, which this first Sunday of Advent highlights.

But why does the Church insist on taking us through this yearly tour of salvation history? Why do we have to revisit the same celebrations and seasons every single year?

Is it just some sentimental tradition, or does it actually have a worthwhile purpose? The Church hasn’t survived and thrived for two thousand years because it is full of sentimental traditions. The Church is a wise spiritual mother, guided by the Holy Spirit, and the liturgical seasons are an expression of this wisdom. At least two worthwhile purposes are at work in this liturgical calendar, and the more clearly we understand them, the more fully we will be able to benefit from them.

There are two reasons behind the liturgical seasons.

The first is simply that the Church doesn’t want us to forget about what’s most important. Human life is full of excitement, suffering, being busy, complex relationships, and urgent deadlines: there’s just a lot going on. It has always been like that, but the pace and cacophony have been steadily increasing ever since the invention of mass media. In the midst of so much noise and activity, the devil keeps his eye on us. He wants us to give so much attention to the daily headlines of our busy lives that we pay less and less attention to the bigger picture, to the headlines that God has written and wants to write for all time.

By giving us a yearly tour through the liturgical seasons, the Church has a chance to cut through the urgent, busy things that the devil uses to distract us, and highlight the important, lasting things, like sin and salvation, death and judgement, God’s love, God’s plan, God’s commandments.

The second reason behind the liturgical seasons that they are designed to help us grow in grace. The seasons of the natural world create rhythms of light, temperature, and moisture that enable plants and animals to grow, spread, and thrive. This is why you can tell the age of a tree if you count the rings exposed by a cross-section of its trunk. Each ring is a year, a series of ordered and inter-related seasons. God designed the natural world to work that way. And he has designed the supernatural world, the world of faith and grace, to work in a similar way.

During each liturgical season, as we turn the attention of our minds and hearts to the different truths of God’s word and events of Christ’s life, our souls receive fresh nourishment and enlightenment.

The liturgical seasons help us grow spiritually in a balanced and healthy way, avoiding spiritual staleness and stunted growth. As we go through life, the truths of our faith stay the same, but we change. And so, every time we revisit them, we see new aspects of them. For example, it is one thing for a child to celebrate Christmas and welcome Jesus into the world, but it is a very different thing for someone who has become a parent to contemplate God becoming a little baby. It’s the same mystery of divine love, but seen and appreciated from vastly different perspectives.

God always has something fresh to say to us, and he says it through our contemplation of his Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Each event in Christ’s life, celebrated through the liturgical seasons, is a flowing fountain of wisdom, and every time we go back to it, we are refreshed and strengthened anew; we grow in grace.

To help us cut through the noise and grow in grace, these are two of the main purposes the Church gives us the beautiful, powerful rhythm of liturgical seasons.

God is doing his part to achieve those purposes. But we have to do our part too.

God has something ready for each one of us during this Advent: maybe a new insight that will make us grow in wisdom; maybe an experience of forgiveness or spiritual liberation that will bring us deeper interior peace; maybe a word of grace that will heal us of an old and festering emotional wound; maybe a personalized spiritual vitamin that will strengthen and inspire us for a new mission he has in store.

Only he knows how we are meant to grow during this Advent. The best way for us to find out is to cooperate with him, to make a decent effort to do our part. Something should be different in our lives during these next four weeks. Something should be different in our homes, in how we spend our time, in what we think about.

Advent is about the coming of Christ: his first coming two thousand years ago, his future coming at the end of history, and his present coming in our lives today. Our job during this month before Christmas is to focus our attention on that, to pray about it, to reflect on it, to let it touch our lives.

But we don’t have to wait until tomorrow to start our Advent activities: we can start right now, with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Christ comes to us during the Mass, entering into our lives through the Eucharist, just as he entered into the world at the first Christmas.

Let’s make sure he finds plenty of room.

With all blessings
‡ Archbishop Peter

II Sunday of the Passion of the Lord or Palm Sunday 2018

March 25, 2018March 25, 2018 archbishoppeterLeave a comment

Masses This Week

Sunday 25 March – Domenica II In Passionis seu Palmis – Solemn Mass at 6.00pm (Pro Populi)

Monday 26 March – Feria Secunda in Hebdomadæ Sanctae (I Classis) – Mass at 6.00pm (Private Intention)

Tuesday 27 March– Feria Tertia in Hebdomadæ Sanctæ (I Classis) – Mass at 6.00pm (Private Intention)

Wednesday 28 March – Feria Quarta in Hebdomadæ Sanctæ (I Classis) – Mass at 6.00pm (Private Intention)

Thursday 29 March – Maundy Thursday (I Classis) – Chrism Mass at 10.30am; Solemn Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7.00pm followed by the Solemn Translation and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Stripping of the Altars

Friday 30 March – Good Friday (I Classis) – Solemn Liturgical Action of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ – 3.00pm

Saturday 31 March – Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil at 8.00pm followed by the Solemn Vigil Mass of Easter

Sunday 1 April – Easter Sunday – Solemn Mass at 6.00pm (Pro Populi)

All Masses and other Services are offered according to the Missale Romanum
of 1962

A 4158 — Christ Crucified – Diego Velazquez, c1632. Public Domain

Thought for the Week

It is the death of the Eternal Word of God made flesh, which is our great lesson how to think and how to speak of this world. His Cross has put its due value upon every thing which we see, upon all fortunes, all advantages, all ranks, all dignities, all pleasures; upon the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. It has set a price upon the excitements, the rivalries, the hopes, the fears, the desires, the efforts, the triumphs of mortal man. It has given a meaning to the various, shifting course, the trials, the temptations, the sufferings, of his earthly state. It has brought together and made consistent all that seemed discordant and aimless. It has taught us how to live, how to use this world, what to expect, what to desire, what to hope. It is the tone into which all the strains of this world’s music are ultimately to be resolved.

—Blessed John Henry Newman: Sermons and Devotions

‡ Peter.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

January 7, 2018January 6, 2018 archbishoppeterLeave a comment

Masses this week:

Sunday 7 January – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph: Solemn Mass at 11.00am, Rosary and Benediction at 6.00pm
Monday 8 January – Feria: Mass at 6.00pm
Tuesday 9 January – Feria: Mass at 6.00pm
Wednesday 10 January – Feria: Mass at 6.00pm
Thursday 11 January – Feria: Mass at 6.00pm
Friday 12 January – Feria: Mass at 6.00pm
Saturday 13 January – The Baptism of Our Lord: Solemn Mass at 9.00am

All Masses are offered according to the Missale Romanum of 1962

Today’s Mass

Introit (Proverbs 23:24-25)

The father of the Just rejoiceth greatly, let Thy father and Thy mother be joyful, and let her rejoice that bore thee – (Ps 88:2-3) How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the Courts of the Lord. Glory Be… The father of the Just…

Collect

O Lord Jesus Christ, who, being subject to Mary and Joseph, didst sanctify home life with unspeakable virtues: grant that, by the aid of both, we may be taught by the example of Thy Holy Family, and attain to eternal fellowship with it: Who livest and reignest…

Epistle (Colossians 3:12-17)

Brethren, Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. 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. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Gradual (Ps 26:4)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. (Ps 83:5) Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, O Lord, they shall praise Thee for ever and ever.

Alleluia, alleluia. (Is 45:15) Verily Thou art a hidden King, the God of Israel, the Saviour. Alleluia.

Gospel (Luke 2:42-52)

And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day’s journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father’s business? And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men. —Creed

Offertory (Luke 2:22)

The parents of Jesus carried Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord.

Secret

We offer unto Thee, O Lord, this propitiatory sacrifice, humbly entreating Thee: that through the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, Thou wouldst firmly establish our families in Thy peace and grace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ…

Preface of the Epiphany

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: for when Thine only-begotten Son was manifested in the substance of our mortal flesh, with the new light of His own immortality He restored us. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army we sing a hymn to Thy glory, evermore saying: — Sanctus.

Communion (Luke 2:51)

Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.

Postcommunion

Make us, O Lord Jesus, whom Thou dost refresh with heavenly sacraments, ever to follow the example of Thy Holy Family: that in the hour of our death, the glorious Virgin, Thy Mother with blessed Joseph, may come to our aid, and we may be found worthy to be received by Thee into everlasting tabernacles. Who livest and reignest…

Thought for the Week

THE Epiphany is a season especially set apart for adoring the glory of Christ. The word may be taken to mean the manifestation of His glory, and leads us to the contemplation of Him as a King upon His throne in the midst of His court, with His servants around Him, and His guards in attendance. At Christmas we commemorate His grace; and in Lent His temptation; and on Good Friday His sufferings and death; and on Easter Day His victory; and on Holy Thursday His return to the Father; and in Advent we anticipate His second coming. And in all of these seasons He does something, or suffers something: but in the Epiphany and the weeks after it, we celebrate Him, not as on His field of battle, or in His solitary retreat, but as an august and glorious King; we view Him as the Object of our worship. Then only, during His whole earthly history, did He fulfil the type of Solomon, and held (as I may say) a court, and received the homage of His subjects; viz. when He was an infant. His throne was His undefiled Mother’s arms; His chamber of state was a cottage or a cave; the worshippers were the wise men of the East, and they brought presents, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. All around and about Him seemed of earth, except to the eye of faith; one note alone had He of Divinity. As great men of this world are often plainly dressed, and look like other men, all but as having some one costly ornament on their breast or on their brow; so the Son of Mary in His lowly dwelling, and in an infant’s form, was declared to be the Son of God Most High, the Father of Ages, and the Prince of Peace, by His star; a wonderful appearance which had guided the wise men all the way from the East, even unto Bethlehem.

This being the character of this Sacred Season, our services throughout it, as far as they are proper to it, are full of the image of a king in his royal court, of a sovereign surrounded by subjects, of a glorious prince upon a throne. There is no thought of war, or of strife, or of suffering, or of triumph, or of vengeance connected with the Epiphany, but of august majesty, of power, of prosperity, of splendour, of serenity, of benignity. Now, if at any time, it is fit to say, “The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him.” [Hab. ii. 20.] “The Lord sitteth above the waterflood, and the Lord remaineth a king for ever.” “The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” “O come, let us worship, and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker.” “O magnify the Lord our God, and fall down before His footstool, for He is Holy.” “O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; bring presents, and come into His courts.”

Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman: Sermons by Season – The Season of Epiphany

On this Feast of the Holy Family, I am pleased to be able to give thanks to Almighty God once again for the safe arrival into this world of my grandchildren, born within two weeks of one another in the lead up to Christmas. Please keep them both in your prayers.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all, slightly late I am afraid, a very happy and peaceful New Year.

‡ Peter

Proclamation of the Movable Feasts for 2018

January 6, 2018 archbishoppeterLeave a comment

Archbishop Peter has announced the dates of the movable feasts for the Liturgical Year ending on the First Sunday of Advent 2018.

The document is available in Latin and in English.

Pentecost or Whit Sunday 2016

May 14, 2016May 15, 2016 archbishoppeterLeave a comment

Masses This Week

Sunday 15 May – Pentecost or Whit Sunday (I Class with Octave of the I Class) (Statio ad S. Petrum) – Solemn Mass at 3.00pm (Pro populi); Rosary and Benediction at 6.00pm
Monday 16 May – Monday in the Octave of Pentecost (Statio ad S. Petrum ad Vincula) – Mass at 6.00pm (Private Intention)
Tuesday 17 May – Tuesday in the Octave of Pentecost (Statio ad S. Anastasiam) – Mass at 6.00pm (Rose Margaret Davies RIP (2012))
Wednesday 18 May – Wednesday in the Octave of Pentecost (Statio ad S. Mariam maiorem) – Mass at 6.00pm (Private Intention)
Thursday 19 May – Thursday in the Octave of Pentecost (Statio ad S. Laurentium extra muros) – Mass at 6.00pm (Private Intention)
Friday 20 May – Friday in the Octave of Pentecost (Statio ad Ss. Duodecim Apostolos) – Mass at 6.00pm (Private Intention)
Saturday 21 May – Saturday in the Octave of Pentecost (Statio ad S. Petrum) – Mass at 6.00pm (Private Intention) followed by First Vespers of Trinity Sunday
Sunday 22 May – The Octave Day of Pentecost: Feast of the Most Blessed Trinity – Solemn Mass at 11.00am (Pro populi); Rosary and Benediction at 6.00pm

All Masses are offered according to the Missale Romanum of 1962

Introit (Wisdom 1:7)

The Spirit of the Lord hath filled the whole world, alleluia; and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. (Ps 67:2) Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and let them that hate Him flee from before His face. Glory be… The Spirit…

Collect

O God, who on this day didst reach the hearts of Thy faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit: grant unto us, by the same Spirit, to be wise in what is right, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son…

Epistle (Acts 2:1-11)

And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue. And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying: Behold, are not all these, that speak, Galileans? And how have we heard, every man our own tongue wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews also, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians: we have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.

Alleluia, alleluia. (Ps 103:30) Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth Alleluia. (Here all kneel) Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful: and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Sequence

Come, Thou Holy Spirit, come,
And from Thy celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine

Come, Thou Father of the poor,
Come, Thou source of all our store,
Come, within our bosoms shine.

Thou of Comforters the best,
Thou the soul’s delightful guest,
Sweet refreshment here below.

In our labour rest most sweet,
Pleasant coolness in the heat,
Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill.

Where Thou art not, man hath nought
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew,
On our dryness pour Thy dew,
Wash the stains of guilt away.

Bend the stubborn heart and will,
Melt the frozen, warm the chill,
Guide the steps that go astray.

On Thy faithful who adore,
And confess Thee evermore,
In Thy sevenfold gifts descend.

Give them virtue’s sure reward,
Give them Thy salvation, Lord,
Give them joys that never end.
Amen. Alleluia.

Gospel (John 14:23-31)

The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles — The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon The Apostles

At that time Jesus said to His disciples: If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard, is not mine; but the Father’s who sent me. These things have I spoken to you, abiding with you. But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. You have heard that I said to you: I go away, and I come unto you. If you loved me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father: for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it comes to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe. I will not now speak many things with you. For the prince of this world cometh, and in me he hath not any thing. But that the world may know, that I love the Father: and as the Father hath given me commandment, so do I.—Creed

Offertory (Ps 67:29-30)

Confirm, O God, what Thou hast wrought in us; from Thy temple, which is in Jerusalem, kings shall offer presents to thee. Alleluia.

Secret

Sanctify, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the gifts offered up to Thee; and cleanse our hearts by the light of the Holy Spirit. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son… in the unity of the same…

Preface of the Holy Spirit

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O Holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: through Christ Our Lord. Who ascending above all the heavens, and sitting at Thy right hand, poured out on this day the promised Holy Spirit upon the children of adoption. Wherefore the whole world doth rejoice with overflowing joy; and the heavenly Hosts also and the angelic Powers sing together the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:—Sanctus

Communion (Acts 2:2-4)

Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming where they were sitting, alleluia: and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking the wonderful works of God, alleluia, alleluia.

Postcommunion

May the infusion of the Holy Spirit, O Lord, cleanse our hearts, and render them fruitful by the inward sprinkling of His dew. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ… in the unity of the same…

Thought for the Week

When our Lord entered upon His Ministry, He acted as though He were a mere man, needing grace, and received the consecration of the Holy Spirit for our sakes. He became the Christ, or Anointed, that the Spirit might be seen to come from God, and to pass from Him to us. And, therefore, the heavenly Gift is not simply called the Holy Ghost, or the Spirit of God, but the Spirit of Christ, that we might clearly understand, that He comes to us from and instead of Christ. Thus St. Paul says, “God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts;” and our Lord breathed on His Apostles, saying, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost;” and He says elsewhere to them, “If I depart, I will send Him unto you.” [Gal. iv. 6. John xx. 22; xvi. 7.] Accordingly this “Holy Spirit of promise” is called “the earnest of our inheritance,” “the seal and earnest of an Unseen Saviour;” [Eph. i. 14. 2 Cor. i. 22; v. 5.] being the present pledge of Him who is absent,—or rather more than a pledge, for an earnest is not a mere token which will be taken from us when it is fulfilled, as a pledge might be, but a something in advance of what is one day to be given in full.

—Blessed John Henry Newman: Sermons and Devotions

A Little Bit of History…

You may have noticed in the calendar for the next week (at the top of this post) the words Statio ad S. … – which indicate the Church in Rome (before the exile of the Popes to Avignon) where the Pope and the faithful would offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. There was a solemn procession to that Church, and the procession stopped (statio) at the Church named. So for the Feast of Pentecost, for example, the procession would have gone from the Basilica of St John Lateran (the Cathedra of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope) to the Basilica of St Peter in the Vatican, where the Mass was offered. If the day was also the Feast Day of a particular Saint, the procession would proceed via that Saint’s Church in Rome.

At the Lateran Basilica there would be an assembly called a Collecta (we take our word Collect from it), then a procession with the Cross at the head, with psalms being sung and the Litany of the Saints.

To this day, before the Mass begins, the sacred ministers gather in formation with the Cross facing them, waiting for the priest (and deacon and subdeacon if a High Mass is to be offered) to join the procession. This waiting is called the Statio, which is sometimes done in the parish hall on Sundays and great feasts, but which normally takes place in the Sacristy.

On some days of the year these Stations were penitential, such as during Advent, Lent and Ember days and on vigils, or at special times when there were chastisements going on such as war, pestilence or famine. There were also joyful Stations, such as those that fell on Sundays or on great feast days. There were seven principal churches of Rome where the Stations were most frequent: St. John in the Lateran, St. Peter in the Vatican, St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, The Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and St. Sebastian Outside the Walls.

The arrangement of the Stations was completed by St. Gregory the Great, and for the first time written into the Sacramentary, and later in the Missal. The present day arrangement comes from him, though a few churches received their station-days from later popes.

When the popes left Rome for Avignon (1305-1309 A.D.), they no longer took part in the Stations. But the Stations were still kept, and the relics of the saints on that particular day were venerated. Of all the penitential processions, the greatest was on St. Mark’s day (April 25), and is simply called the “Major Litanies”. The “Minor Litanies” refers to the processions made through the fields and farms three days before the Ascension.

I must apologise for the lack of updates on the Parish Website since Easter: I have been seriously unwell for some months, and although now recovering still have a way to go. During that time I have been barely able to function, let alone offer Mass and only occasionally to pray the Office. May I humbly ask for your charitable prayers for me, that the Lord may aid my continued recovery and give me the strength and grace to try and return life to as normal as it can be.

This Tuesday, 17th May, is the anniversary of the death of my dear mother, Mrs Margaret Davies and that day’s Mass will be offered for the repose of her soul. Your charitable prayers are requested for the repose of her soul. Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Animam eiam, et animæ omnium fidelium defunctorum, per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace, Amen.

Starting soon, as an experiment, I am going to try and either broadcast a live stream of Sunday Mass or to make a video recording of the Mass to be uploaded to the website later in the day. At the moment I am not sure how I am going to achieve this from a technical point of view but will experiment during the week and see how it can be done.

‡ Peter.

First Sunday after Easter 2016

April 4, 2016April 4, 2016 archbishoppeterLeave a comment

Domenica in Albis in Octava Paschae (Low Sunday)

Masses this Week

Sunday 3 April: Domenica in Albis (Low Sunday) – Solemn Mass at 6pm (Pro Populi)
Monday 4 April: The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to The Blessed Virgin Mary (translated from Good Friday) – Solemn Mass at 6pm (Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation PCPA, RIP)
Tuesday 5 April: S Vincent Ferreri, Conf – Mass at 6pm (Private Intention)
Wednesday 6 April: Feria – Mass at 6pm (Robert Banfield RIP)
Thursday 7 April: Feria – Mass at 6pm (Private Intention)
Friday 8 April: Feria – Mass at 6pm (Private Intention)
Saturday 9 April: Our Lady’s Saturday – Votive Mass of the BVM at 6pm (Private Intention)

All Masses are offered according to the 1962 Missale Romanum.

Introit: 1 Peter 2:2

Collect

Epistle: 1 John 5:4-10

Alleluia

Gospel: John 20:19-31

Offertory: Matt 28: 2, 5-6

An Angel of the Lord descended from heaven and said to the women: He whom you seek is risen, as He said, alleluia.

Secret

Preface for Easter

Communion: John 20:27

Put in thy hand, and know the place of the nails, alleluia; and be not faithless, but believing, alleluia, alleluia.

Postcommunion

We beseech Thee, O Lord Our God, to make the most holy Mysteries which Thou has given us as a defence of our renewal, a remedy for us now and in the future. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son…

Thoughts for the Week

I ADORE Thee, O my God, with Thomas; and if I have, like him, sinned through unbelief, I adore Thee the more. I adore Thee as the One Adorable, I adore Thee as more glorious in Thy humiliation, when men despised Thee, than when Angels worshipped Thee. Deus meus et omnia—”My God and my all.” To have Thee is to have everything I can have. O my Eternal Father, give me Thyself. I dared not have made so bold a request, it would have been presumption, unless Thou hadst encouraged me. Thou hast put it into my mouth, Thou hast clothed Thyself in my nature, Thou hast become my Brother, Thou hast died as other men die, only in far greater bitterness, that, instead of my eyeing Thee fearfully from afar, I might confidently draw near to Thee. Thou dost speak to me as Thou didst speak to Thomas, and dost beckon me to take hold of Thee. My God and my all, what could I say more than this, if I spoke to all eternity! I am full and abound and overflow, when I have Thee; but without Thee I am nothing—I wither away, I dissolve and perish. My Lord and my God, my God and my all, give me Thyself and nothing else.

Thomas came and touched Thy sacred wounds. O will the day ever come when I shall be allowed actually and visibly to kiss them? What a day will that be when I am thoroughly cleansed from all impurity and sin, and am fit to draw near to my Incarnate God in His palace of light above! what a morning, when having done with all penal suffering, I see Thee for the first time with these very eyes of mine, I see Thy countenance, gaze upon Thy eyes and gracious lips without quailing, and then kneel down with joy to kiss Thy feet, and am welcomed into Thy arms. O my only true Lover, the only Lover of my soul, Thee will I love now, that I may love Thee then. What a day, a long day without ending, the day of eternity, when I shall be so unlike what I am now, when I feel in myself a body of death, and am perplexed and distracted with ten thousand thoughts, any one of which would keep me from heaven. O my Lord, what a day when I shall have done once for all with all sins, venial as well as mortal, and shall stand perfect and acceptable in Thy sight, able to bear Thy presence, nothing shrinking from Thy eye, not shrinking from the pure scrutiny of Angels and Archangels, when I stand in the midst and they around me!

O my God, though I am not fit to see or touch Thee yet, still I will ever come within Thy reach, and desire that which is not yet given me in its fullness. O my Saviour, Thou shalt be my sole God!—I will have no Lord but Thee. I will break to pieces all idols in my heart which rival Thee. I will have nothing but Jesus and Him crucified. It shall be my life to pray to Thee, to offer myself to Thee, to keep Thee before me, to worship Thee in Thy holy Sacrifice, and to surrender myself to Thee in Holy Communion.

Blessed John Henry Newman Cong. Orat. (1801-1890) – Meditations and Devotions

Notices

Prayers After Mass

Until First Vespers of Trinity Sunday, following the Prayer for the Queen and the recitation three times of the Ave! Maria, the Regina Caeli, laetare! is recited, followed by the Prayer to St Michael:

Regina caeli, laetare! Alleluia
Quia quem meruisti portare; alleluia
Resurrexit sicut dixit; alleluia
Ora pro nobis Deum; alleluia.

V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria; alleluia.
R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere; alleluia.

Oremus.
Deus qui per resurrectionem Filii tui Domini Nostri Jesus Christi mundum laetificare dignatus es; praesta, quaesumus, ut per ejus Genitricem Virginem Mariam perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eumdem Christum, Dominum Nostrum.

R. Amen.

Feast of The Annunciation

The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is this year translated from its usual date of 25 March, due to that date this year being Good Friday, to Monday 4 April.

Holy Mass that day will be offered for the repose of the soul of Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation PCPA, Foundress of the Eternal Word Television Network in the United States, of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word and of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama.

Mother Angelica went home to Our Lord on Easter Sunday, fortified for her journey by the Rites of Holy Mother Church.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Anima ei, et animae omnium fidelium defunctorum, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.

During this time of great joy in Christ’s Church, let us remember in our prayers all those killed or injured in the terrorist attacks perpetrated by D’aesh in Brussels, Iraq, Istanbul, Aden and Syria, as well as all others killed or injured in the many other terrorist incidents around the world.

With all blessings

‡ Peter

The First Sunday in Lent 2016

February 13, 2016February 14, 2016 archbishoppeterLeave a comment

Masses this week

Sunday 14th February – 1st Sunday in Lent (V): Solemn Mass at 6.00pm
Monday 15th February – SS Faustinus and Jovita, Mm (R): Mass at 7.30pm
Tuesday 16th February – Lenten Feria (V): Mass at 7.30pm
Wednesday 17th February – Lenten Feria (V): Mass at 7.30pm
Thursday 18th February – S Simeon, Bp & M (R), S Mary-Bernard Soubrious, V: Mass at 6.00pm
Friday 19th February – Lenten Feria (V): Mass at 7.30pm
Saturday 20th February – Lenten Feria (V): Mass at 6.00pm

All Masses are offered according to the Missale Romanum of 1962

Introit (Ps 90:15-16)

He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I will deliver him, and I will glorify him: I will fill him with length of days. (Ps 90:1) He that dwelleth in the aid of the Most High: shall abide under the protection of the God of Heaven. Glory be… He shall cry…

Collect

O God, who dost purify Thy Church by the yearly observance of Lent: grant to Thy household, that what we strive to obtain from Thee by abstinence, we may achieve by good works. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ…

Epistle (II Corinthians 6: 1-10)

Brethren, we helping do exhort you, that you receive not the grace of God in vain. For he saith: In an accepted time have I heard thee; and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Giving no offence to any man, that our ministry be not blamed: But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, in chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armour of justice on the right hand and on the left; By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastised, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as needy, yet enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

Gradual (Ps 90: 11-12)

God hath given His Angels charge over thee, to keep the in all thy ways. In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Tract (Ps 90:1-7, 11-16)

He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob. He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust. For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word. He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust. His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night. Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.

For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways. In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon. Because he hoped in me I will deliver him: I will protect him because he hath known my name. He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him. I will fill him with length of days; and I will show him my salvation.

Gospel (Matthew 4:1-11)

At that time, Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry. And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me. Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written, The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to him.—Creed

Offertory (Ps 90:4-5)

The Lord will overshadow thee with His shoulders, and under His wings thou shalt trust: His truth shall compass thee with a shield.

Secret

We solemnly offer to Thee, O Lord, the sacrifice of the beginning of Lent, beseeching Thee: that while we restrain our carnal feasting, we may abstain also from harmful pleasures. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son…

Preface of Lent

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to Thee, O Holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: Who by this bodily fast dost curb our vices, dost lift up our minds, and bestow upon us strength and rewards; through Christ Our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chrous unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise: — Sanctus

Communion (Ps 90:4-5)

He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust. His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.

Postcommunion

May the holy reception of Thy Sacrament, O Lord, refresh us, that cleansing us from our old life, it may make us to pass into the fellowship of the saving Mystery. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ…

Prayers After Mass

Until Maundy Thursday, following the Prayer for the Queen and the recitation three times of the Ave! Maria, the Ave, Regina Caelorum is recited, followed by the Prayer to St Michael:

Ave, Regina caelorum!
Ave, Domina angelorum!
Salve radix, salve porta
Ex qua mundo lux est orta.

Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa.
Vale, O valde decora!
Et pro nobis Christum exora.

V. Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata.
R. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos.

Oremus.
Concede, misericors Deus, fragilitati nostrae praesidium; ut qui sanctae Dei Genitricis memoriam agimus, intercessionis ejus auxilio a nostris iniquitatibus resurgamus. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum.

R. Amen.

Thought for the Week

Christ willed to be tempted:

That He might assist us against our own temptations. St. Gregory says, ” That our Redeemer, who had come on earth to be killed, should will to be tempted was not unworthy of Him. It was indeed but just that he should overcome our temptations by His own, in the same way that He had come to overcome our death by His death.”

To warn us that no man, however holy he be, should think himself safe and free from temptation. Whence again His choosing to be tempted after His baptism, about which St. Hilary says, “The devil’s wiles are especially directed to trap us at times when we have recently been made holy, because the devil desires no victory so much as a victory over the world of grace.” Whence too, the scripture warns us, Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation (Ecclus. ii. i).

To give us an example how we should over come the temptations of the devil, St. Augustine says, “Christ gave Himself to the devil to be tempted, that in the matter of our overcoming those same temptations He might be of service not only by His help but by His example too.”

To fill and saturate our minds with confidence in His mercy. For we have not a high-priest who cannot have compassion on our infirmities, but one tempted in all things, like as we are, without sin (Heb. iv. 15).

—St Thomas Aquinas, Meditations for the Days of Lent

As we embark on this Holy Season of Lent, let us all remember in our prayers those who are suffering or who have died as a result of terrorist atrocities throughout the world; especially those who are suffering, both Christian and Muslim, in Syria and Iraq at the hands of the D’aesh terrorists and their murderous mediæval ideology.

Let us also pray that through our Lenten observance we may be drawn ever closer to God, His Blessed Mother and all His Holy Saints.

‡ Peter.