...that a lecture on philosophy would be a crowd-puller. But when I heard about a new series of lectures being run at Holy Ghost church, Balham, I thought I'd go along, and brush up on a topic that I studied in the first year of my Maryvale degree course...I turned up last night (Tuesday) to find people standing out in the entrance hall and on the steps - the room was packed out, with people sitting (and in some cases kneeling, as there wasn't even room to sit!) on the floor and pressed up against the walls...
The speaker was Re Dr Francis Selman, who lectures at Allen Hall. He has a quiet, pleasant voice and everyone was gripped. One chap, standing in mild discomfort right up against the front door and straining to hear, was making copious notes and sharing them with a friend. People asked interesting questions.We explored Aristotle and Plato and forms and reality and life and existence...
As the room emptied when the evening was over, it was quite astonishing to see just how many had been crammed in there...I can't go to next week's lecture as I will be at Walsingham, but as numbers are so great they are now looking to move into the nearby school hall.
I've been reading a lot just recently about Bl John Paul II and Poland and this evening made me think, somehow, of descriptions of the "flying university" in the Poland of the 1980s...
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Sunday, October 02, 2011
Next CATHOLIC HISTORY WALK...
...is this week. Wed Oct 5th, meet 6.30pm on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral. No need to book - just turn up. Wear suitable shoes for walking. Walk lasts about an hour and a half, though of course you can leave at any time. We'll be looking at the City, and some of its fascinating byways...
Saturday, October 01, 2011
There is a really good report...
...on today's big Blessed Sacrament procession on this London news site...
The pics are particularly good as they show details of the event. Note the thurifer walking backwards so that he faces the Bl. Sacrament...and also note, in another pic, the splendid processional cross leading us...
It was a priviledge to have Bishop Alan Hopes with us, and all the clergy were really splendid: it was complicated because this was a long walk in which to carry, with due honour, a heavy monstrance - we crossed from Victoria through Westminster and down to the embankment, and then over the big bridge and thence via Lambeth and into Southwark...
On the way we passed, variously, the Victoria Tower gardens next to Parliament, Lambeth Palace, and the Imperial War Museum...somehow it is good to think of the Blessed Sacrament being carried, with prayer and praise, through our London like that...
The pics are particularly good as they show details of the event. Note the thurifer walking backwards so that he faces the Bl. Sacrament...and also note, in another pic, the splendid processional cross leading us...
It was a priviledge to have Bishop Alan Hopes with us, and all the clergy were really splendid: it was complicated because this was a long walk in which to carry, with due honour, a heavy monstrance - we crossed from Victoria through Westminster and down to the embankment, and then over the big bridge and thence via Lambeth and into Southwark...
On the way we passed, variously, the Victoria Tower gardens next to Parliament, Lambeth Palace, and the Imperial War Museum...somehow it is good to think of the Blessed Sacrament being carried, with prayer and praise, through our London like that...
History was made...
...today as, for the first time, the Blessed Sacrament was carried in procession from one London cathedral to the other, across the Thames. A huge crowd of the faithful (see below for description of what it felt like to be part of it), great singing of hymns and praying of the Rosary, an atmosphere of devotion and unity, a sense of thanksgiving, and all under the clearest of clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine...
The aim was to give thanks for the Visit of the Holy Father last year, and for the Beatification of Bl.John Henry Newman, himself a Londoner and the first person to be beatified on British soil...in the great procession, which included people from every age and race and background, we had Sisters in blue habits and veils from the new Ordinariate convent recently established in London, and sisters from Mother Teresa's order in their distinctive blue-and-white sari-habits, and Franciscan brothers in brown robes, and Knights of St Columba with their traditional ribboned collars with medals of office...we had families with children in push-chairs, and young people teaming up (I saw a couple of WYD backpacks, which brought back cheery August memories for me), and parish clergy, and seminarians from Allen Hall and from St John's Wonersh....
Before it all began, I dropped in to a shop near Westminster Cathedral to fortify myself with a cup of coffee. I was much too worried and nervous (willanyonecome?willitbeallright?) to eat anything. A young friend happened to be getting a cup of coffee too and caught sight of me - we got talking, swapped WYD memories, spoke about a book on Bl.JPII which I am currently re-reading and hugely enjoying, relaxed...suddenly everything felt that it was going to be all right. And it was, it was. Across the road, people were pouring into the Cathedral and a great piece of history was about to be made...
Deo Gratias.
The aim was to give thanks for the Visit of the Holy Father last year, and for the Beatification of Bl.John Henry Newman, himself a Londoner and the first person to be beatified on British soil...in the great procession, which included people from every age and race and background, we had Sisters in blue habits and veils from the new Ordinariate convent recently established in London, and sisters from Mother Teresa's order in their distinctive blue-and-white sari-habits, and Franciscan brothers in brown robes, and Knights of St Columba with their traditional ribboned collars with medals of office...we had families with children in push-chairs, and young people teaming up (I saw a couple of WYD backpacks, which brought back cheery August memories for me), and parish clergy, and seminarians from Allen Hall and from St John's Wonersh....
Before it all began, I dropped in to a shop near Westminster Cathedral to fortify myself with a cup of coffee. I was much too worried and nervous (willanyonecome?willitbeallright?) to eat anything. A young friend happened to be getting a cup of coffee too and caught sight of me - we got talking, swapped WYD memories, spoke about a book on Bl.JPII which I am currently re-reading and hugely enjoying, relaxed...suddenly everything felt that it was going to be all right. And it was, it was. Across the road, people were pouring into the Cathedral and a great piece of history was about to be made...
Deo Gratias.
A huge, unforgettable procession...
... with an enormous crowd, far far larger than I had ever imagined possible, stretching down to the river as the Blessed Sacrament, borne aloft and surrounded by acolytes and candle-bearers and billowing incense, was carried out from Westminster Cathedral...
We sang hymns, we prayed the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, we prayed in silence, we sang "O Sacrament most holy....". You can get a flavour of it all here, complete with some good pictures... We began in a well-filled Westminster Cathedral with Newman's "Praise to the Holiest in the height" with a glorious organ accompaniement, and slowly, slowly the crowd made its way out and turned down Ambrosden Avenue...by now it was abundantly clear that we had vastly underestimated the numbers attending and so not everyone had hymn-sheets, but it didn't matter, as the singing was fine and people joined in the Rosary with vigour, the voices going back and forth as we passed the Royal Horticultural Halls and Vincent Square and Marsham Street... We poured over Lambeth Bridge and I turned for a moment to look at the Houses of Parliament with the flag flapping under the clearest of blue skies. The splendid Knights of St Columba were stewarding the whole thing, and had mapped out the route and checked all the cross-roads - at each major junction we were allowed across in sections, bus passengers gawping, tourists stopping to take pictures. As we wound our way past Lambeth Palace and down towards St George's at Southwark it began to feel extremely warm - it must have been hard work for the clergy carrying the Blessed Sacrament and its big umbrella-canopy thing ( what's the official name?) and dressed in robes...at St George's every pew was filled to capacity and people still filed in at the back...and then Benediction began, with a splendid Tantum Ergo and then the roar of voices echoing "Blessed be God..."
We sang hymns, we prayed the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, we prayed in silence, we sang "O Sacrament most holy....". You can get a flavour of it all here, complete with some good pictures... We began in a well-filled Westminster Cathedral with Newman's "Praise to the Holiest in the height" with a glorious organ accompaniement, and slowly, slowly the crowd made its way out and turned down Ambrosden Avenue...by now it was abundantly clear that we had vastly underestimated the numbers attending and so not everyone had hymn-sheets, but it didn't matter, as the singing was fine and people joined in the Rosary with vigour, the voices going back and forth as we passed the Royal Horticultural Halls and Vincent Square and Marsham Street... We poured over Lambeth Bridge and I turned for a moment to look at the Houses of Parliament with the flag flapping under the clearest of blue skies. The splendid Knights of St Columba were stewarding the whole thing, and had mapped out the route and checked all the cross-roads - at each major junction we were allowed across in sections, bus passengers gawping, tourists stopping to take pictures. As we wound our way past Lambeth Palace and down towards St George's at Southwark it began to feel extremely warm - it must have been hard work for the clergy carrying the Blessed Sacrament and its big umbrella-canopy thing ( what's the official name?) and dressed in robes...at St George's every pew was filled to capacity and people still filed in at the back...and then Benediction began, with a splendid Tantum Ergo and then the roar of voices echoing "Blessed be God..."
Friday, September 30, 2011
Pondering the Holy Father's visit to Germany...
...I came across this thought-provoking piece about a significant anniversary...
The throne room...
...at Archbishop's House, Westminster, was packed and consequently rather uncomfortably hot as we gathered on Wednesday evening for a reception given by the Friends of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Cardinal Levada was there from Rome and spoke with enthusiasm of the Ordinariate, urging that it be given all possible support. You can read more about the evening here.
There were dozens and dozens of people there whom I knew, and it was one of those milling-about-and-talking occasions where you intersperse inconsequential greetings with sudden lengthy discuissions on rather important subjects...
It is hugely important that the Ordinariate flourishes.It needs funds. Scope here for serious generosity on the part of those who want to see the Church flourish in Britain and reach and heal our poor old country...
There were dozens and dozens of people there whom I knew, and it was one of those milling-about-and-talking occasions where you intersperse inconsequential greetings with sudden lengthy discuissions on rather important subjects...
It is hugely important that the Ordinariate flourishes.It needs funds. Scope here for serious generosity on the part of those who want to see the Church flourish in Britain and reach and heal our poor old country...
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
I'm off to Walsingham in a couple of weeks...
...and if you are interested in the shrine there, you can read about it here...
And you are coming, aren't you...
...to the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament on Saturday? (Oct 1st) Starts 1.15pm Westminster Cathedral. This week I was working on the hymn-sheet...we are starting of course with veneration of the Blessed Sacrament, so O Salutaris Hostia...and during the Procession we will have some of the best hymns, including "Sweet Sacrament Divine" and of course Newman "Praise to the Holiest in the height...."
WE NEED YOU to come and join us.
WE NEED YOU to come and join us.
After Mass...
...at Westminster Cathedral, an invitation to view some of the art of Greg Tricker, on display in the chapel of St Andrew and in the aisles. There were some things well worth viewing: among much else, some good stained glass, a wonderful image of Christ as a boy painted on wood, and a stunning carved depiction of Joseph of Arimithea bringing the Chalice from the Last Supper to Britain by boat. This last, carved out of a great piece of oak, is a fine piece of work...the Glastonbury legend has long fascinated so many of us, and here it is renewed afresh in Westminster Cathedral...
Sister Wendy, whose own books on art have made her deservedly well known, spoke about Greg Tricker's work, and then we all went for a celebration in the bookshop next to the Cathedral, where Tricker's book was launched with wine and speeches, and there was a convivial party atmosphere and much talk...
Sister Wendy, whose own books on art have made her deservedly well known, spoke about Greg Tricker's work, and then we all went for a celebration in the bookshop next to the Cathedral, where Tricker's book was launched with wine and speeches, and there was a convivial party atmosphere and much talk...
Monday, September 26, 2011
A well-filled hall...
..for the annual meeting of the Assn of Catholic Women on Saturday. We had an excellent talk by Dr Philip Howard on medical ethics and the inspiration of Blessed John Paul, followed by a DVD about BlJP from Rome Reports. I most warmly recommend the latter - it's simply called "John Paul the Great" - and indeed other DVDs from Rome Reports...well-produced, authoritative, and hugely watchable.
The ACW has had a good year. Our Schools Project grows and flourishes, with children sending in essays from Catholic primary schools across Britain, and generous parcels of book prizes going out thanks to the wonderful support of the Catholic Truth Society.We had a happy pilgrimage to Minster recently. Our work in helping teachers using Art and Music (notably Gregorian Chant)in teaching the Faith goes on steadily. Our annual gathering at the Westminster Cathedral Chrism Mass to show public support for priests was again a cheering event. And at this AGM we gained some new members and looked at plans for 2012 and beyond...
The ACW has had a good year. Our Schools Project grows and flourishes, with children sending in essays from Catholic primary schools across Britain, and generous parcels of book prizes going out thanks to the wonderful support of the Catholic Truth Society.We had a happy pilgrimage to Minster recently. Our work in helping teachers using Art and Music (notably Gregorian Chant)in teaching the Faith goes on steadily. Our annual gathering at the Westminster Cathedral Chrism Mass to show public support for priests was again a cheering event. And at this AGM we gained some new members and looked at plans for 2012 and beyond...
To the Notre Dame university building...
...just off London's Trafalgar Square, for a celebration with Catholic Voices, and the launch of two new books. One is by CV's founder Jack Valero, and is a good read, telling the story of this adventure of this Catholic initiative,how it grew, how it linked to the Papal Visit, The other is a sort of handbook for Catholics on some of the major topical issues that the Catholic Voices team has been tackling: I'm finding it useful and stimulating. This was a youthful, lively, happy evening with an impressive range of young people. Some of us went on to a pub and there was lively talk until a late hour...
Friday, September 23, 2011
And the Holy Father...
...has been welcomed in Germany where, contrary to the predictions, there was a warm welcome, vast crowds at an open-air Mass, a friendly meeting with the Jewish community. He gave an excellent address to the German Parliament - worth reading: here.
This is a Pope of rich wisdom, especially on the relationship between faith and reason, and the respective roles and duties of Church and State. The Lefebvrists, now busy pondering on whether or not to rejoin the Church, are stuck in a muddle on the latter issue and those that do decide to return will find a good way forward here.
But why won't the BBC and much of the British media just give themselves a break and start reporting things fairly? The Pope, answering questions on the plane en route to Berlin was at ease with the idea of people turning out in protest demonstrations against him, noting with goodwill that they were free to do so. In the event, numbers protesting were far smaller than expected, and the real news is that - as in Britain - that people are finding this gentle and fatherly man of God some one who brings a message worth hearing.
This is a Pope of rich wisdom, especially on the relationship between faith and reason, and the respective roles and duties of Church and State. The Lefebvrists, now busy pondering on whether or not to rejoin the Church, are stuck in a muddle on the latter issue and those that do decide to return will find a good way forward here.
But why won't the BBC and much of the British media just give themselves a break and start reporting things fairly? The Pope, answering questions on the plane en route to Berlin was at ease with the idea of people turning out in protest demonstrations against him, noting with goodwill that they were free to do so. In the event, numbers protesting were far smaller than expected, and the real news is that - as in Britain - that people are finding this gentle and fatherly man of God some one who brings a message worth hearing.
To the convent at...
...Tyburn, for the launch of a really superb new DVD. It tells the story of these remarkable Benedictine sisters, who now have convents in mountain sites in South America, the New Zealand bush, and the heart of Rome, among other places. Lush scenery, glorious photography, scenes of convent life that are touching, funny, frank and beautiful.Lots more about it here.
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