This evening I was in London to give Benediction at the chapel of the Good Counsel Network which does so much good work in saving the lives of unborn children and helping their mothers to live with dignity, knowing that there are people who genuinely care for them and will give practical assistance.To avoid the rush hour, I stopped for a bite to eat near Charing Cross and after getting home and tidying up a bit of work at the desk, I allowed myself a look at the social media.
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Recently we have learned that priests are human and can commit serious sins. What is the priest supposed to do if he has to say mass (and receive Communion) without being able to go to confession?St Ambrose, St John Chrysostom, and many writers since them, have given sobering advice to priests on the damage that is done by their sins.
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Is this an exorcism? Fr Lombardi says “no”, the Diocese of Rome’s exorcist says, “yes”.Whatever is happening is more than a blessing; the priest seems rather anxious to communicate something to the Pope, and the security guard seems almost rude in snatching away the file, the young man seems to be experiencing something, either gasping for breath or crying out.Though formal exorcisms are rather long and should be well prepared any priest can now use the exorcism from the Extraordinary Form Rite of Baptism, it is relatively brief Rite.Traditional Jesuits don’t know their way round the rubrics of High Mass but part of Ignatian spirituality is the “discernment of spirits”, in the past most Exorcists were Jesuits, and Pope Francis does seem to go on a lot about old Nick
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When the leadership of the Conservative party describes its activists as “swivel-eyed loons” there is obviously a vast gap between the leadership and the party on the ground. There are only two possibilities 1) the party activists will leave and join something else like UKIP or 2) simply carry-on half-heartedly but fight against the leadership and eventually depose it.
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Painting: Saint Joseph, Georges de la Tour, 1642.CHAPTER IV. What are the Instruments of Good Works18 Jan.
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St. Bernardine of Siena FRANCISCAN PREACHER AND MISSIONARY Unlike many of the other Saints we encounter, St Bernardine -besides having an intriguing name that could Information: Feast Day:May 20Born:1380, Massa Marittima, ItalyDied:1444, Aquila, ItalyCanonized:24 May 1450 by Pope Nicholas VPatron of:advertisers; advertising; Aquila, Italy; chest problems; Italy; gambling addicts; public relations personnel; public relations work; be feminine!!- is actually ‘mentioned’ in the calendar as an optional Saint for the day.
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I’ve been having problems with blogging material.I don’t seem to have had any.After staring at my computer for the best part of an hour in the hopes that inspiration would strike, I have decided to give up and go into the church and pray.I need prayers right now…In the meantime, I thought I’d share a rather nice video from the Solemn High Mass in honour of St. Margaret Clitherow, celebrated at St
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CHAPTER III. Of calling the Brethren to Council17 Jan.
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I encourage people to come to daily Mass, I celebrate Mass daily, I think going to Holy Communion daily is a good thing but it was not always thus.St Pius X, that arch-innovator, not only changed the order of the sacraments placing First Confession and First Holy Communion before Confirmation but also made the daily celebration of Mass – and consequently the daily reception of Holy Communion – for priests a norm.
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The Shrine of Aylesford in Kent is used by the Archdiocese of Southwark for some big events, it is a place of local pilgrimage for the Union of Catholic Mothers, the Knights of St Columba and other excellent Catholic organisations. Still I feel that it is not given the prominence that it should have.Aylesford was confiscated by Henry VIII and became a private house for several centuries before being bought back by the Carmelites in 1949 when it came on the market
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My good friend Michael Coren sent me over an article he wrote last year on the question of bullying: The bullying of schools has just begun.
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This afternoon, the Holy See Press Office issued the following press release: “His Eminence Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, archbishop emeritus of St.
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It’s actually a sponsored walk, in aid of the Good Counsel Network. They do absolutely amazing stuff, giving real support to women in crisis pregnancies, many of whom would consider abortion to be their only option.
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There are reports today that Stonewall has been invited into St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Wimbledon.
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Chapter II. What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be14 Jan.
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O glorious Saint Dymphna,virgin martyr and chaste bride of Christ,child of Ireland,bereft of thy mother,object of thy grief-stricken father’s unlawful desires,pure dove who, to preserve thy purity, didst fly to foreign shores,dauntless follower of the immolated Lamb,willing exile from thy homeland,spiritual daughter of the holy priest Gerebernus,traveler through the dark of unknown forests,treasure hidden in the shadow of Saint Martin,lover of solitude and living sanctuary of ceaseless prayer,compassionate handmaid of the poor and afflicted,virgin nourished by the Bread of Life,virgin strong in thy weakness, virgin ablaze with the fire of the Holy Ghost,victim of thy demented father’s cruel rage,victim with the Immaculate Host,victim mingling thy blood with the Blood of the Lamb,turn thy gaze upon us who seek thy intercession today,and hearken to our supplications.Thy name, O Saint Dymphna, is spread abroad in the churches of Christ,where the suffering faithful invoke theeas the friend of exiles and of those in flight from persecution,as the unfailing advocate of the mentally ill, the emotionally distraught, and the despondent,as the light of those in the darkness of depression,the hope of the hopeless,the cheer and comfort of the sorrowing,the deliverer of those in the grip of anxiety,the courage of those stricken with panic,the healer of confused minds,and the solace of grieving hearts.Confident in thy powerful intercession,we beseech thee, Saint Dymphnato comfort all who, burdened by mental anguish or confusion,struggle daily to make their way in this valley of tears.Give them a garland for ashes,the oil of joy for sadness,and a garment of praise for the spirit of grief.Let no one who seeks thy help today go away empty,for thou art powerful over the heart of Christ,and He will heed thy pleading on our behalfwith the healing of darkened minds,the consolation of broken hearts,and the gracious manifestation of His merciful goodness towards all.
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I had a discussion with a group of priests recently, we were talking about ageing clergy, clergy in ill health, tired clergy and ultimately parish closures. We spoke about the need for evangelisation and then realised that most parishes and diocese have no plan to evangelise, only to manage decline.
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