Wednesday, 30 November 2011

The Month of the Holy Souls (6)






It is an annual tradition of this blog that on the last day of the Month of the Holy Souls we invite you to remember to pray for deceased Popes, Cardinals, Bishops and Priests, especially those who have nobody to pray for them. Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis!


"We must empty Purgatory." St. Pius of Petraclina, O.F.M.Cap.

Monday, 28 November 2011

Pilgrimage to Rome 2011, Day II - the Pope is on Holidays

Day two starts at dawn, sore footed from the long walk the day before we all made our way down to breakfast and then Mass in the convent chapel. Like every day of our pilgrimage Fr. Jim Larkin said Mass and members of the Sodality acted as servers.

The plan for our second day was to go to the general audience with the Pope and then carefully examine St. Peter's looking for old sodalists - but with the Pope away in Germany we got the morning off and it consisted mainly of coffee drinking and chatting. The afternoon, however, was spent as planned fine combing St. Peter's Church for sodalists. Unrelated to the sodality, but since I myself am Swedish always my number one stop when in St. Peter's, is the tomb of Queen Christina of Sweden (picture 2); the daughter of the protestant warfaring King Gustavus II Adolphus, took over the Swedish throne after him when he was killed in battle (by two sodalists, by the way) in Lützen in 1632. Christina abdicated the Swedish throne in 1654 in order to become a catholic and move to Rome. Moving on from there to the altar of Blessed John Paul II, also a sodalist, and then on to several of the Benedicts, Clements, Innocents and Pii.

Another thing to do in Rome is, of course, shopping. While some tourists may be primarily interested in walking down the shopping streets like il Corso the pilgrim looking to throw some cash around has, apart from the millions of little souvenir shops that sell rosary beads, medallions, icons and little bottles of Holy Water, there are other shops that sell vestments, monstrances and beautiful candle holders.




Sunday, 27 November 2011

Requiem Mass for Deceased Members 2011

A Requiem Mass for deceased members of St. Conleth's Catholic Heritage Association was celebrated yesterday morning in St. Coca's Church, Kilcock, Co. Kildare, Ireland. We would like to thank all those who travelled to Kilcock to attend the Mass. We apologize for the errors in the publicity material. We hope you'll keep in contact and attend our forthcoming Latin Masses.

Reports on previous Latin Masses in Kilcock can be found here (2009) and here (2010).



Pro Multis

I was rereading a particular portion of The Canon of the Mass and Liturgical Reform by Dom Vagaggini, published in 1966. Normally, I don't look at the English translation provided unless I need to know a technical word, because I find it a bit loose and I'm a stickler for accuracy in this regard. Anyhow, I was reading the proposal and my eyes drifted to the English, and I got a small shock. This is what the Latin says in Dom Vagaggini's proprosal C for another Eucharistic Prayer

"Hic est enim calix Novi Testamenti in Sanguine Meo qui pro vobis et pro multis effundetur..."

And this is translated as

"This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood which shall be poured out for you and for everyone..."

Quite surprised, I flipped to proposal B which had the same thing.

Then I flipped still further back to the critiques of revised versions of the Canon drawn up by other scholars. Amon's Latin reads

"Hic est enim calix sanguinis mei, novi et aeterni testamenti: mysterium fidei: qui pro vobis et pro multis effundetur in remissionem peccatorum"

but the English reads

"For this is the cup of my blood, of the new, everlasting covenant; for you and for all men it will be poured out for the forgiveness of sins."

And note two things (1) the translation for "pro multis" (2) the omission of Mysterium Fidei. Brings to mind, actually, the warning of the Holy Office on how these were being left out of vernacular translations.

Kung's version has the same English mistranslation except his Latin does not include "mysterium fidei"

Amazing what can escape one's attention!

The funny thing is that all the Eastern anaphorae in the book are translated correctly in this regard. Or maybe not so funny.......

First published in February, 2008

St. Pius X - Part IX


On this day one hundred years ago, at a Public Consistory, Pope St. Pius X created Cardinals their Eminences:

  • António Mendes, Cardinal Bello, Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Marcellino e Pietro in pecore, Patriarch of Lisbon;
  • José María Justo, Cardinal Cos y Macho, Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria del Popolo, Archbishop of Valladolid;
  • Diomede, Cardinal Falconio, O.F.M., Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria in Ara Coeli, then Apostolic Delegate to the United States of America and later Prefect of the S. Cong. of Religious;
  • Antonio, Cardinal Vico, then Apostolic Nuncio of Spain, later Prefect of the S. Cong. of Rites; Gennaro, Cardinal Granito Pignatelli di Belmonte, Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria degli Angeli, then Apostolic Nuncio of Austria and later Prefect of the S. Cong. of Ceremonies;
  • John Murphy, Cardinal Farley, Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria sopra Minerva, Archbishop of New York;
  • Francis Aphonsus, Cardinal Bourne, Cardinal-Priest of S. Pudenziana, Archbishop of Westminster;
  • František Salesky, Cardinal Bauer, Cardinal-Priest of S. Girolamo dei Croati, Archbishop of Olomouc;
  • Léon-Adolphe, Cardinal Amette, Cardinal-Priest of S. Sabina, Archbishop of Paris;
  • William Henry, Cardinal O'Connell, Cardinal-Priest of S. Clemente, Archbishop of Boston;
  • Enrique, Cardinal Almaraz y Santos, Cardinal-Priest of S. Pietro in Montorio, Archbishop of Toledo;
  • François-Virgile, Cardinal llard, Cardinal-Priest of S. Susanna, Archbishop of Chambéry;
  • Franz Xaver, Cardinal Nagl, Cardinal-Priest of S. Marco, Archbishop of Vienna;
  • François-Marie-Anatole, Cardinal de Rovérié de Cabrières, Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria della Vittoria, Bishop of Montpellier;
  • Gaetano, Cardinal Bisleti, Cardinal-Deacon of S. Agata de’ Goti, later Prefect of the S. Cong. for Seminaries and Universities and President of the Pont. Biblical Commission;
  • Giovanni Battista, Cardinal Lugari, Cardinal-Deacon of S. Maria in Portico;
  • Basilio, Cardinal Pompilj, Cardinal-Deacon of S. Maria in Domnica, then Secretary of the S. Cong. of the Council, later Vicar General for the Vicariate of Rome and President of the Pont. Commission for Sacred Archaeology;
  • Louis, Cardinal Billot, S.J. Cardinal-Deacon of S. Maria in Via Lata;
  • Wilhelmus Marinus, Cardinal van Rossum, C.SS.R., Cardinal-Deacon of S. Cesareo in Palatio, later President of Pont. Biblical Commission, Major Penitentiary Apostolic, and Prefect of the S. Cong. for the Propagation of the Faith.

  • Sancte Pie Decime, Gloriose Patrone, ora pro nobis!

    Saturday, 26 November 2011

    The Month of the Holy Souls (5)


    In fact, she does not start with the afterlife in order to recount the torments of purgatory — as was the custom in her time and perhaps still is today — and then to point out the way to purification or conversion. Rather our Saint begins with the inner experience of her own life on the way to Eternity.

    “The soul”, Catherine says, “presents itself to God still bound to the desires and suffering that derive from sin and this makes it impossible for it to enjoy the beatific vision of God”. Catherine asserts that God is so pure and holy that a soul stained by sin cannot be in the presence of the divine majesty (cf. Vita Mirabile, 177r).

    We too feel how distant we are, how full we are of so many things that we cannot see God. The soul is aware of the immense love and perfect justice of God and consequently suffers for having failed to respond in a correct and perfect way to this love; and love for God itself becomes a flame, love itself cleanses it from the residue of sin.

    Pope Benedict XVI on St. Catherine of Genoa
    General Audience, 12th January, 2011

    "We must empty Purgatory." St. Pius of Petraclina, O.F.M.Cap.

    Wednesday, 23 November 2011

    Mass in Kilcock


    Mass in Kilcock, Co. Kildare

    A Requiem Mass in the Gregorian Rite will be celebrated according to the Missal of Blessed John XXIII (1962) in the Church of St. Coca, Kilcock, Co. Kildare, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 26th November, 2011, with the kind permission of the Very Reverend Parish Priest of Kilcock. The Mass will be offered for the deceased members of St. Conleth's Catholic Heritage Association.

    St. Coca of Kilcock, pray for us!

    Monday, 21 November 2011

    The launch of Pushkin the Pontifical Puss: Tails of an Oratory Cat


    Real honours are rare and few and so I was most delighted to receive an invitation from Pushkin, the cat in residence at the Birmingham Oratory,  to the launch of his first book.  'Pushkin the Pontifical Puss: Tails of an Oratory Cat', chronicles his life and gives an insight into the hidden private thoughts of this famous feline.  Prominent amongst this is an account of his meeting with the Pope or in cat, 'He-who-wears-white', which so captured the world's press.

    Readers may remember that earlier this year I was privileged to be granted an exclusive interview with Pushkin for CHRISTVS REGNAT.  Our encounter was an experience I enjoyed immensely and so I have been eagerly awaiting the chance to read his new work since a few months ago he confided in me about his intentions to write a book.

    The exclusive launch took place this evening at the Birmingham Oratory for a select group of around a hundred guests.  Guest of honour was Pushkin's close friend 'she-who-wears-diamonds', better known to the rest of us as HRH Princess Michael of Kent, who wrote the foreward.  Other guests included close friends from both the clergy and laity, some local and others who had travelled some considerable distance to attend this very special event.

    Under the watchful eyes of his human, Father Anton Guziel, who was always ready to leap into action to respond to his needs, Pushkin surveyed the guests, amber eyes taking in everything.  Like any gracious host he found the time to bestow a few moments attention here and there, offering the opportunity to briefly pay homage with a stroke of his sleek black form for the most worthy.

       
    Guests were entertained by the Children from the Oratory School who sang numbers specially prepared for the evening, "Oh I want to sing about Pushkin" and "Pontifical Puss" and members of St Paul's Girls' School who performed Rossini's "Buffo per due Gatti".  We heard an extract read by Peter, one of the co-stars of the book and speeches from Her Royal Highness and Father Anton.  We also had a delicious buffet the star of which was a wonderful Pushkin cake.



    The launch proved to be a most enjoyable evening and the book is already flying off the shelves.  A special copy is even on its way to the Holy Father tied up in a piece of the ribbon that Pushkin was wearing at their meeting.  I think there is a strong possibility that Pushkin may soon add 'best selling author' to his list of accolades.  But despite all the attention of the launch and indeed as a result of his rise to fame as a result of his meeting with the Holy Father last year this stylish black Persian maintains a quiet dignity appropriate to his status as cat in residence at the Birmingham Oratory.



    Proceeds from the book will go to fund much needed restoration work at the Oratory and to the  Carmelite Nuns in Wolverhampton, who have beautifully illustrated it.  It will make a lovely Christmas present and I snapped up a number of the first copies this evening so if you are on my Christmas gift list you may be lucky enough to get one!  If not copies are available from St Paul's Publishing priced £6.50.

    We don't know much about Blessed John Henry Newman's relationship with Pushkin's ancestors.  However, I like to think that he would approve of this new author who stalks with such style in his footsteps through his elegant and hallowed halls and who, in his own inimitable way, is trying both to spread the word and to preserve Newman's legacy of the Oratory.

    On that note I must end but to slightly misquote the last line of the book 'Pushkin', she said, I'll be back.'

    Pilgrimage to Rome 2011, Day I - Let's start the walking!


    For the fourth pilgrimage with the Sodality of Our Lady in Ireland we went back to the Eternal City. Our tour guide, Mr. Thomas Murphy, had arranged for us to stay the week in a convent just next to St. Peter's Church - Instituto Sanctissima Bambina Maria - which, apart from conventient access to 7 o'clock morning Mass, a fact of which many of us took advantage, offered the most incredible view from the roof top terrace (picture 1); warm summer evenings, dusk, with a well lit St. Peter's at our feet - clearly divinely inspired.

    Day one was planned as a walk through the streets of Rome along the Via Papale, the route of the popes, although we did it backwards; starting at St. Peter's Square (picture 5), just after morning Mass with Fr. Larkin, our route went down to the Tiber, past the Church Santo Spirito in Sassia and Ospedale Santo Spirito, and then towards Castel Sant'Angelo (picture 2) which was originally built as the Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum. Since the 6th century AD connected with St. Michael the Archangel after Pope Gregory the Great, during a plague epidemic in 590 AD, saw a vision of the Archangel on top of the building and took it as a sign that the plague was over.


    From here we went across the Tiber on the Ponte Sant'Angelo (picture 3) and strolled through the narrow streets of the inner city of Rome and made our way to the Chiesa Nuova - Filippo Neri's oratory, designed by Borromini - passing Banco Santo Spirito and the Piazza del' Horologico. From the Chiesa Nuova we walked back onto the old Papal Way, once the main street of Rome but very narrow by today's standards.
    We stopped at the church Santa Maria della Pace, a beautiful white classical church that stands out among the sandstone buildings of old Rome. It was begun by Pope Sixtus IV and Bramante (who lived just down the road) but it was finished by the Sodality Pope Alexander VII and de Cortona. It is one of the very earliest renaissance streetskape 'theatres' of Rome. Around a few corners we visited the tomb of Pope Hadrian VI in the German church Santa Maria dell'Anima and then on to Piazza Navona and the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, a 17th century baroque church located on the site where St. Agnes was martyred in 304 AD. It's a beautiful little church but the unfortunate location, on one of Rome's more tourist-ridden piazzas, apparently necessitates signs and loud speaker announcements which, at least for this pilgrim, takes away that "good ol' churchy feeling".

    After a quick lunch and the compulsory post-lunch-gelato we went on to the Collegio Capranica (picture 4) where our guide had arranged for us the special privilege to be allowed in to look at the chapel and to pray. The chapel was a very special place for the Sodality because it is where at least two popes (Benedict XV and Pius XII) joined.

    From there we sauntered the few steps to the Pantheon, one of the most impressive buildnings in Roma - from the outside. Inside the Pantheon is actually a church but this is a fa
    ct to which very few people pay the least bit of attention and upon entering you find yourself in a big hall, with excellent acoustics, where a couple of hundred people do their best to talk as loudly as possible and where tour guides happily stomp about with twenty or so photo-hungry tourists following. Here our tour ended and we made our way back to the convent for Benediction, Vespers, supper and bed. My advice after this first day; when in Rome - avoid the touristy places.







    Sunday, 20 November 2011

    Ad Multos Annos, Your Eminence!


    Today is the first anniversary of the elevation of H.E. Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke's elevation 'to the purple' by Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI.

    Gaudeamus Omnes!

    Saturday, 19 November 2011

    The Month of the Holy Souls (4)


    Do you see, my dear brethren, do you hear that tender mother, that devoted father, and all those relatives who helped and tended you? "My friends," they cry, "free us from these pains; you can do it." Consider then, my dear brethren: (a) the magnitude of these sufferings which the souls in Purgatory endure; and (b) the means which we have of mitigating them: our prayers, our good works, and, above all, the holy sacrifice of the Mass. I do not wish to stop at this stage to prove to you the existence of Purgatory. That would be a waste of time. No one among you has the slightest doubt on that score. The Church, to which Jesus Christ promised the guidance of the Holy Ghost and which, consequently, can neither be mistaken herself nor mislead us, teaches us about Purgatory in a very clear and positive manner. It is certain, very certain, that there is a place where the souls of the just complete the expiation of their sins before being admitted to the glory of Paradise, which is assured them. Yes, my dear brethren, and it is an article of faith: if we have not done penance proportionate to the greatness and enormity of our sins, even though forgiven in the holy tribunal of Penance, we shall be compelled to expiate them.... In Holy Scripture there are many texts which show clearly that although our sins may be forgiven, God still imposes on us the obligation to suffer in this world by temporal hardships or in the next by the flames of Purgatory. Look at what happened to Adam. Because he was repentant after committing his sin, God assured him that He had pardoned him, and yet He condemned him to do penance for nine hundred years, penance which surpasses anything that we can imagine. See again: David ordered, contrary to the wish of God, the census of his subjects, but, stricken with remorse of conscience, he saw his sin and, throwing himself upon the ground, begged the Lord to pardon him. God, touched by his repentance, forgave him indeed. But despite that, He sent Gad to tell David that he would have to choose between three scourges which He had prepared for him as punishment for his iniquity: the plague, war, or famine. David said: "It is better that I should fall into the hands of the Lord (for his mercies are many) than into the hands of men." He chose the pestilence, which lasted three days and killed seventy thousand of his subjects. If the Lord had not stayed the hand of the Angel, which was stretched out over the city, all Jerusalem would have been depopulated! David, seeing so many evils caused by his sin, begged the grace of God to punish him alone and to spare his people, who were innocent. See, too, the penance of Saint Mary Magdalen; perhaps that will soften your hearts a little. Alas, my dear brethren, what, then, will be the number of years which we shall have to suffer in Purgatory, we who have so many sins, we who, under the pretext that we have confessed them, do no penance and shed no tears?
    St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney, Sermon on Purgatory

    "We must empty Purgatory." St. Pius of Petraclina, O.F.M.Cap.

    St Elizabeth of Hungary and the Blue Church



    Today, 19th November, is the feast day of St Elizabeth of Hungary. She is best known for her charitable work, caring for and giving alms to the poor.

    St Elizabeth grew up in the castle in Bratislava (formerly Hungary). The daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary, the neice of St Hedwig, the great aunt of another St Elizabeth (Isabel) of Portugal she married to Ludwig IV of Thuringia.  During her marriage she regularly distributed alms to the poor and built a hospital the patients of which she visited daily.  Widowed young she devoted herself to good works dying at just 24.  She had a great devotion to St Francis.

    St Elizabeth is the patron saint of bakers, countesses, deaths of children, the falsely accused, the homeless, nursing services, tertiaries, widows and young brides.  She is often depicted with alms, flowers, bread, a pitcher and the poor.



    I recently visited the Church of St Elizabeth in Bratislava and was captivated by its unusual Hungarian Art Nouveau architecture. Situated a little out of the city's bustling centre in the old town, it is more generally referred to as the Blue Church.





    It was built between 1906 and 1908 and designed by Odon Lechner, the most important art nouveau architect in Hungary.  He was influenced by a wide range of styles in particular Magyar and Turkic folk art and these influences are responsible the eastern like appearance of much of his work.


    Whilst originally decorated in pastel colours, its distinctive blue came later.  It is decorated with mosaics, majolicas and has a blue glazed roof.  Over the door is a  mosaic of St Elizabeth.  The Church has a single nave.









    Whilst it certainly is an interesting and unusual design when seen from a distance as one approaches one really begins to appreciate the attention to detail that has gone into this unusual building, one quite unlike any church I had seen before. For me it brought to mind the phrase, God is in the detail.  The pictures really cannot do it justice.

















    St Elizabeth pray for us.

    Tuesday, 15 November 2011


    Communiqué following the XXth General Assembly of the Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce. Rome, 5th/6th November 2011.

    Saturday, 12 November 2011

    The Month of the Holy Souls (3)


    8. “But I know not whither he has gone,” say you. Wherefore do you not know, tell me? For according as he lived well or otherwise, it is evident whither he will go. “Nay, on this very account I lament,” say you, “because he departed being a sinner. ”This is a mere pretext and excuse. For if this were the reason of your mourning for the departed, you ought to have formed and corrected him, when he was alive. The fact is thou dost every where look to what concerns yourself, not him.

    But grant that he departed with sin upon him, even on this account one ought to rejoice, that he was stopped short in his sins and added not to his iniquity; and help him as far as possible, not by tears, but by prayers and supplications and alms and offerings. For not unmeaningly have these things been devised, nor do we in vain make mention of the departed in the course of the divine mysteries, and approach God in their behalf, beseeching the Lamb Who is before us, Who takes away the sin of the world—not in vain, but that some refreshment may thereby ensue to them. Not in vain does he that stands by the altar cry out when the tremendous mysteries are celebrated, “For all that have fallen asleep in Christ, and for those who perform commemorations in their behalf. ”For if there were no commemorations for them, these things would not have been spoken: since our service is not a mere stage show, God forbid! Yea, it is by the ordinance of the Spirit that these things are done.

    Let us then give them aid and perform commemoration for them. For if the children of Job were purged by the sacrifice of their father, why do you doubt that when we too offer for the departed, some consolation arises to them? Since God is wont to grant the petitions of those who ask for others. And this Paul signified saying, “that in a manifold Person your gift towards us bestowed by many may be acknowledged with thanksgiving on your behalf.” 2 Corinthians 1:11 Let us not then be weary in giving aid to the departed, both by offering on their behalf and obtaining prayers for them: for the common Expiation of the world is even before us. Therefore with boldness do we then intreat for the whole world, and name their names with those of martyrs, of confessors, of priests. For in truth one body are we all, though some members are more glorious than others; and it is possible from every source to gather pardon for them, from our prayers, from our gifts in their behalf, from those whose names are named with theirs. Why therefore do you grieve? Why mourn, when it is in your power to gather so much pardon for the departed?

    St. John Chrysostom, Sermon XLI on 1 Corinthians (xv, 46)

    "We must empty Purgatory." St. Pius of Petraclina, O.F.M.Cap.

    Friday, 11 November 2011

    Annual General Meeting & Mass 2011




    The Annual General Meeting of Saint Conleth's Catholic Heritage Association took place this evening preceded by a Votive Mass of the Holy Ghost celebrated in Cill Mhuire, Ballymany, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

    The Irish Constitution


    In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom is all authority and to Whom, as our final end, all actions both of men and States must be referred,

    We, the people of Éire,

    Humbly acknowledging all our obligations to our Divine Lord, Jesus Christ, Who sustained our fathers through centuries of trial,

    Gratefully remembering their heroic and unremitting struggle to regain the rightful independence of our Nation,

    And seeking to promote the common good, with due observance of Prudence, Justice and Charity, so that the dignity and freedom of the individual may be assured, true social order attained, the unity of our country restored, and concord established with other nations,

    Do hereby adopt, enact, and give to ourselves this Constitution.

    Preamble to the Constitution of Ireland

    Dochum Glóire Dé agus Onóra na hÉireann

    Tuesday, 8 November 2011

    FIUV 2011 Sunday Session

    On Sunday the FIUV General Assembly held an open forum at which a number of outstanding speakers gave papers. The first was Fr. Joseph Valluari, FDP, who read a paper on the “private prayers” that the Priest says during Mass. He was followed by Don Stefano Carusi, IBP, who told the delegates about the spirit and progress of the Institute of the Good Shepherd. Dr. Helmut Ruckriegel, who was a founder member, gave a brief history of the UNA VOCE Federation. Then Right Rev. Dr. José-Apeles Santolaria de Puey y Cruells, JCD (ABD), HistL, SMOM, gave a very detailled paper on the value of Romanity in the Traditional movement and the Roman Rite as a factor of Civilization in the Western World. At this point Right Rev. Monsignor Valentín Miserachs, President of the Pontifical Institute for Sacred Music arrived and addressed the General Assembly on Sacred Music and the Centenary of the Pontifical Institute which was founded by St. Pius X in 1911. Fr. Kramer, FSSP, was followed by the concluding speaker, Canon Luzuy of the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, who told the delegates about the progress of the Institute in Italy, UK and Ireland and also about the Sisters Adorers.