About Saturday

We had a lovely day on Saturday on Pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady to the shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead. Fr Hurley celebrated a Missa Cantata at noon, accompanied by the quite simply wonderful Seaford Schola, led by Tom Hagger, some of whom (along with the man himself) are pictured rehearsing, below.

The weather was just right for the picnic, and groups of us went to see the Secret Chapel, where we were told the history of the Shrine and Blessed Francis Bell, before we met up at the Rosary Walk.

Benediction followed, which was absolutely beautiful. The musicians were marvellous, the singing was fantastic.

But did the afternoon end there, gentle readers? Oh dear me, no! To conclude, we had more tea, followed by more Catholic culture in the form of some resounding declamations of selected Cautionary Tales at the graveside of Hilaire Belloc, read by some of the people you can see pictured below:

We heard Matilda,  and Jim,

and Algernon!

And what just had to be the highlight, Mr Hagger, declaiming Heretics All!

It was a wonderful day. Many, many thanks to Fr Hurley for the Mass, and Rosary, and Benediction, to the serving team (you know who you are!), and very special thanks to Tom and the Seaford Schola, whose music made the day. Thank you all very much.

I think we all had a really good day!

Pilgrimage Tomorrow!

This is your final reminder that the Pilgrimage to Our Lady Of Consolation, West Grinstead, is

TOMORROW!

Missa Cantata at Noon, followed by picnic, Rosary, and Benediction. Day ends about 4 o'clock.

Good news of Feast Day Masses at St Pancras, Lewes.

There will be Low Masses at St Pancras

for the Feast of Corpus Christi, 7th June, at 8.00pm,

and

 for the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul, 29th June, also at 8.00pm.

Advertising and Promotion

If a car manufacturer rediscovered some blue prints, long consigned to the basement in an old filing cabinet for the most amazingly timeless and elegant car ever, and gave orders for its manufacture, but there was no-one bothered to advertise it, promote it, however wonderful the car is, it won't sell.






Similarly, if a fantastic recipe for a unique chocolate bar is rediscovered, and everything is in place for its marketing and distribution but no-one can be bothered to put in an order for it, even though they would probably acquire a taste for the most delicious confectionery ever invented, it won't sell.

We have the Extraordinary Form, unique and timeless. If you can, could I ask you to write to your parish priests asking for an EF Mass? Let me know how you get on. If you have already, let me know how you got on.

Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead

Is this Saturday, 2nd June.

Missa Cantata at Noon, Rosary, and Benediction at four (ish).

Bring a picnic, and hope to see you there.

Pentecost

Wishing you a very blessed and holy Whitsun!

OK folks, time to make your voices heard.

Fr Tim has a great post, 'What God has separated, let no man join together' in which he gives links to the Coaliton Marriage Petition (SIGN it if you haven't already) and the Government consultation papers regarding this issue. I've sent in my thoughts, please send in yours to whoever is supposed to be being consulted, and to your MP. So go to Fr Tim's blog, and sign, and follow the links to the consultation. There are sample answers you can look at if you're feeling in need of inspiration.

Hans Who (does-he-think-he-is)?

I've never liked suspense, although I'm a great believer in keeping the right feast on the right day, not having birthday presents early, and not peeking under the Christmas tree. And I like a book with a happy ending.
Which is why I like being a Catholic. We know how the story ends. I think that's one of the reasons reincarnation has always felt really rather cruel. You go round and round, never knowing the end.

The other thing I like about the church is its continuity. Here we are, assailed by all kinds of worldly rubbish and views that range from the irritating to the downright harmful, and the church remains ultimately a refuge for us. There are rules which make us free. I like rules as well. There is nothing more freeing than having a sensible, well-defined boundary. It's counter-intuitive, but it's true. Within a boundary, you are free. Outside it, you have a really huge potential to get entirely lost and mess up.

So, pondering what it means to be free takes me back to the blog title.

Really, Hans who? Putting aside the vast ego of the man (he comes across oddly enough a bit like Richard Dawkins wearing a slightly different hat), he is so free he seems to have lost the plot. What's the man on? We are reforming, under the amazing Holy Father God has given us, we're slowly and gently being allowed to return to our roots. Kung obviously loathes tradition (with a big and small T I'm guessing), and fails to see how important unity is to the Holy Father, and indeed to all of us.

He should really have kept up with the Spirit of the Times. Things have moved on, man, wake up and smell the incense.

Now, I wasn't going to post anything until after the Novena below ended, because I wanted to keep it at the top of the blog, but it's still there below this one, so please don't forget it's there! And also please remember the Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Consolation, 2nd June!

If you feel so moved...

...please say a Novena for the successful reconciliation of the SSPX and the Holy See! The reporting of the talks between them (and indeed even the possibility of a split within the SSPX) have been reported all over the blogosphere. There's a good report here in the Catholic Herald, and an intervew with Bishop Fellay on FR Z's blog here.

With a successful outcome in mind, the LMS is asking for Novenas to be offered from Friday, 18th of May until the Vigil of Pentecost on 26th May.

Please pray the Veni Creator Spiritus and the Memorarae

VENI, Creator Spiritus, mentes tuorum visita, imple superna gratia quae tu creasti pectora. Qui diceris Paraclitus, altissimi donum Dei, fons vivus, ignis, caritas, et spiritalis unctio. Tu, septiformis munere, digitus paternae dexterae, Tu rite promissum Patris, sermone ditans guttura. Accende lumen sensibus: infunde amorem cordibus: infirma nostri corporis virtute firmans perpeti. Hostem repellas longius, pacemque dones protinus: ductore sic te praevio vitemus omne noxium. Per te sciamus da Patrem, noscamus atque Filium; Teque utriusque Spiritum credamus omni tempore. Deo Patri sit gloria, et Filio, qui a mortuis surrexit, ac Paraclito, in saeculorum saecula. Amen. V. Emitte Spiritum tuum, et creabuntur: R. Et renovabis faciem terrae. Oremus: Deus qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de eius semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen. MEMORARE, O piissima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a saeculo, quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus confidentia, ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro, ad te venio, coram te gemens peccator assisto. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere; sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen.

COME, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God’s hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts overflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen. V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created. R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us Pray: O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost: grant that, by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ Our Lord. R. Amen. Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother; to Thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in Thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

I'll admit to being very excited by the merest possibility of this actually happening, and it's been a Rosary intention of mine for quite a while. So popping an extra intention on your Rosary might also be a nice idea, everything I'm sure will help! Thank you!

Ascension at St Mary Magdalen, Brighton

This Thursday there will be a Missa Cantata at 7.30 pm at St Mary Magdalen, Brighton.

The music will be Palestrina Missa Brevis in F.

There is also Mass at 6.00pm at St Pancras Lewes

There must be a special alignment of the stars, or something.

Here's a talk...

...by Mgr Wadsworth. Have a look at Clare's blog.

Ooh, now this...

...is one of my (many) hobby horses :

Children's Liturgy, or Children's Belittle-gy, as I prefer to call it.

It came into my mind today because I experience the mass exodus of smallish people fairly regularly when I assist at the Ordinary Form, and  today read His Hermaneuticalness and Creative Minority Report.

It narks me mightily when the kiddies are syphoned off at the beginning of Mass to colour in piccies of 'Jesus and me' when they could actually be meeting Jesus for real throughout the whole of the Mass. It narks me that they sing worthless ditties about wiggly worms and butterflies, or are sung out of Church to the hall with a cringey 'circle' song. It really narks me that the lowest common denominator is the default setting.





Don't get me wrong, I'm well aware of the wee brains of kids, but kids mostly aren't stupid.

Here's an example. I've just returned with a bunch of children from the annual nail biting week that is the French Trip.


It was a freezing cold late afternoon, and I was standing with some girls on the one of the D Day landing beaches in a biting wind, when one of the girls (Catholic) suddenly asks if she could ask me a question. Course, I said, blithely.







She looked very serious. "Miss," she said. "What do you think about infinity and heaven?" It took a while.
Then she asked about hell, and we had a very spirited discussion. She's ten.





So it really bothers me that kids who are naturally very intellectually curious can be fobbed off with paraphrased Bible stories, a spot of colouring, and a really awful song (because it isn't always just the pre First Holy Communion children that go out at the beginning).

This has nothing to do with age-appropriateness, it has everything to do with not being apologetic about the Faith.

Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead

A reminder that the Pilgrimage is soon, Saturday, 2 June!

Missa Cantata at noon, followed by a picnic, rosary, and Benediction, with plenty of opportunity to to chat, and visit the Secret Chapel.

The day ends with Benediction at about 4 o'clock.

Hope to see you there!

Masses at St Pancras, Lewes

In addition to the regular Saturday morning and first Sunday of the month Masses, there will be:









Low Masses at 6.00 pm on 17th May, Ascension Thursday
















and at 12.30 pm on 27th May, Pentecost Sunday

Technical hitches...

...mean I shall have to refer you to the LMS website for all information regarding the Holywell Pilgrimage, on 1 July, and the LMS Conference on 9 June.

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY

2 May 2012

Bishop Rifan of Campos Brazil to visit Britain this Summer

The Latin Mass Society is pleased to announce that Bishop Fernando Rifan, Apostolic Administrator of the Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney in Brazil, will be visiting Britain this summer and will celebrate Pontifical High Masses at three locations across England and Wales at events organised by the LMS.

The main events are as follows:

Saturday, 30 June, 3pm: Pontifical High Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 294 Harrogate Road, Moortown, Leeds LS17 6LE

Sunday, 1 July, 2.30pm: Holywell Pilgrimage, St Winefride’s Catholic Church, Well Street, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 7PL (Pontifical High Mass)

The Mass and Pilgrimage will be filmed by EWTN as part of a forthcoming television series. There will be a coach leaving for Holywell from London (Contact Graham Moorhouse on 01322 409231) and also, we hope, from Birmingham (phone 020 7404 7284), Liverpool (phone Jim Pennington on 0151 426 0361) and Wirral (phone Anthony Sibert on 0151 625 9033).

Saturday, 7 July, 11.00am: Annual General Meeting and Pontifical High Mass at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, London SE1 6HX (Mass at 11.00am, AGM at 2.00pm, addressed by the bishop).

We are hoping to run coaches from Cambridge, Reading and Brighton if there is sufficient demand. Please phone the LMS office (020 7404 7284) to book a place or for more information.

There will be a buffet lunch at the AGM for all paid-up members of the LMS. The cost per head will be £5, payable on the door. But if you are intending to come, please tell us beforehand so that we can budget for the catering.

Bishop Rifan will also be visiting Scotland during his time in Britain and will celebrate Mass in Edinburgh (venue to be announced by Una Voce Scotland) on Monday 2 July at 7pm.

This promises to be a wonderful week of events in the summer giving full witness to the Traditional Mass and the Faith that goes with it. We warmly encourage everyone to make the effort to attend at least one of the Masses.

For further information, please contact Mike Lord, General Manager,

on (T) 020 7404 7284; (F) 020 7831 5585; (E mail) michael@lms.org.uk

If...

...this has actually happened (and somehow I can't quite believe it yet), this will be so amazing! What a birthday present for the Holy Father.

Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead

 

Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead,

Saturday, 2^nd June.

The day begins with a Missa Cantata at noon, followed by lunch, and ends with Benediction at about four o’clock.

The celebrant will be Fr Hurley, the choir will be the Seaford Schola

Please bring a picnic lunch, and all are very welcome.

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY

‘Father Z’ Heads Impressive Line-up of Speakers at LMS’s First One-Day Conference on 9 June

Father John Zuhlsdorf, best known as the blogger ‘Fr Z’, will be one of the speakers at the Latin Mass Society’s Conference on Saturday 9 June in central London. This is the first time that the LMS has organised such an event and we are very excited to have such a strong line-up. In addition to Fr Zuhlsdorf, Fr Tim Finigan (parish priest, blogger and newspaper columnist), Dr John Rao (of ‘The Roman Forum’), John Hunwicke (blogger and well-known member of the Ordinariate) and Stuart McCullough (of the Good Counsel Network) will address the audience on the conference theme of ‘The Traditional Mass and the Catholic Life’. We hope that our guests’ talks will demonstrate that there’s more to Traditional Catholics than simply attending the Traditional Mass. Following the end of the talks, there will be a panel discussion to round off the day. The conference is aimed principally at ordinary LMS members, although non-members are very welcome to join us.

The Conference Venue is: Regent Hall, 275 Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ (opposite BHS, less than 5 minutes’ walk from Oxford Circus)

Admission is by ticket only. Full price tickets are £20 each, but there is a discounted price for paid-up LMS members of £15 each. In addition, we are supplying an optional buffet lunch for which there is a £9 supplement. So far, most people have booked in for the lunch (drinks are included). We are hoping that lunchtime will provide conference attendees with the chance to meet and chat with their fellow LMS members from up and down the country and to some of the speakers.

Tickets are available from the LMS office on 020 7404 7284 or online at:

www.lms.org.uk/news-and-events/lms-one-day-conference

There is a Low Mass before the Conference begins at St James’s, Spanish Place at 9am, for those who can attend. Doors open at Regent Hall from 10am and there will be a number of stalls for you to browse round (during which refreshments will be available – there will also be afternoon tea) before the first speaker begins at 11am. The Conference will close at 6pm.

Here is the full timetable and a summary of booking information:

9am Low Mass at St James's, Spanish Place.

10am Doors open.

10am -11am Registration. Stalls in the Conference Hall will be available to browse

11am - 11.50am 1st talk: Dr John Rao (Roman Forum)

12 noon - 12.50pm 2nd talk: Stuart McCullough (Good Counsel Network)

Lunch

2pm - 2.50pm 3rd talk: Fr John Zuhlsdorf (Fr Z)

3pm - 3.50pm 4th talk: Fr Tim Finigan (columnist and blogger)

4pm - 4.50pm 5th talk: John Hunwicke (of the Ordinariate)

5pm - 6pm Panel discussion

6pm Close

BOOKING INFORMATION:

Admission is by ticket only.

Ticket prices:
LMS Members £15
Non-LMS Members £20
(includes morning and afternoon refreshments)
Optional: Buffet lunch including drinks £9 supplement

You can buy your ticket by phoning the LMS office on 020 7404 7284, sending a cheque (payable to 'LMS') to LMS, 11-13 Macklin Street, London WC2B 5NH or online here: www.lms.org.uk/news-and-events/lms-one-day-conference

For further information, please contact Mike Lord, General Manager,

on (T) 020 7404 7284; (F) 020 7831 5585; (E mail) michael@lms.org.uk

Happy Easter!

Changes

A reminder that there is no Mass at OLOC, West Grinstead on Easter Day.

From Low Sunday, Mass at St Mary Magdalen, Brighton is at 6.30 pm.

All Mass times can be found on the sidebar.

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY

Bishop Drainey Leads LMS Pilgrimage to York

The Bishop of Middlesbrough, Rt Rev Terence Drainey, led a procession through the streets of York, as part of the Latin Mass Society’s 2^nd Annual Pilgrimage to York in honour of St Margaret Clitherow on Saturday, 24 March. This followed a Solemn Mass in the Extraordinary Form at St Wilfrid’s Church at which Bishop Drainey had presided at the Faldstool, and which attracted pilgrims from across England and Wales and overseas. The music was provided by the Rudgate Singers who sang a Mass setting by contemporary composer Jeffrey Ostrowski and pieces by Victoria, Bruckner and Scarlatti.

During the Mass, the bishop preached on the danger posed in contemporary society by moral relativism. ‘This relativism seems to permeate our world today to such an extent that it is part of the cultural and societal air that we breathe. If we are not on our guard it will taint us and affect us. It is an evil about which our Holy Father, Pope Benedict has spoken on many occasions,’ said the bishop. He went on to say that this was nothing new and, indeed, Bl. John Henry Newman had spoken nearly two centuries ago about the dangers to the faith posed by liberalism and religious indifferentism.

After Mass, Bishop Drainey led the procession through the narrow streets of the city, as pilgrims prayed the Rosary. Passing St Margaret Clitherow’s house and her shrine in The Shambles, the line of people crossed Ouse Bridge where the bishop drew attention to the site of St Margaret’s martyrdom, now marked by a plaque. The procession reached the Church of the English Martyrs where Solemn Benediction was celebrated. A relic of St Margaret’s hand, which was kindly lent by the Sisters at the Bar Convent, was exposed for veneration by the faithful.

LMS General Manager Mike Lord commented, ‘The pilgrimage was an important witness to the Catholic Faith in times when our religion is once again under attack. This was brought home by some of the negative comments made from the crowd as the procession made its way through York’s city centre. We were delighted that Bishop Drainey was able to join us and his encouraging sermon was much praised by pilgrims on what was a very successful day.’

Photo attribution: Andrew Sheffield

For further information, please contact Mike Lord, General Manager,

on (T) 020 7404 7284; (F) 020 7831 5585; (E mail) michael@lms.org.uk

Mass Cancellation.

There will be NO 3.00 pm Easter Day Mass at Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead, as Fr Hurley will be away.

Please pass the message on!

It's better in Latin

St Mary Magdalene, Bexhill, Palm Sunday

         There will be a Mass at 8.00 am on Palm Sunday,

at St Mary Magdalene, Bexhill.

Mass at Christ the King, Steyning, this Sunday...

...is at the usual time of 9.00 am.

York Pilgrimage

WIFE PRIDE

I am married. I am, and like being, a wife. 

I also really like the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1603 The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws. . . . God himself is the author of marriage."⁸⁷ The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator. Marriage is not a purely human institution despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centuries in different cultures, social structures, and spiritual attitudes. These differences should not cause us to forget its common and permanent characteristics. Although the dignity of this institution is not transparent everywhere with the same clarity,⁸⁸ some sense of the greatness of the matrimonial union exists in all cultures. "The well-being of the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life."

Please remember...

...that Mass in Seaford is at 4.00pm this Sunday, NOT at 3,00pm.

You know I said that in the future...

...one man and his dog won't be about sheep?

The words wife and husband will soon be archaic, spouse defunct, and children born the old fashioned way will be just that, old fashioned, so last century. After all, I can't remember the last time anyone from an institution, whether it be school, bank, wherever, referred to husband or wife. 'Partner' has been the term for someone with whom you are assumed to be having a co-habiting sexual relationship for a long time. (Read HERE for an interesting article by Lord Brennan, QC)

But I have to confess that my mild irritation at being regarded as some kind of relationship fossil is now more than mild. I know it's absolutely acceptable, nay, de rigueur, to assault marriage outright, to undermine it with  the continuous drip-drip that any alternatives are better because, well, they just are, okay,  in spite of what the government's own reports say. Perhaps they're hoping we'll all get bored and forget about it.

So if you haven't already signed the petition in support of marriage, please do by CLICKING HERE.  And the husband and me are still waiting for replies from our MP. Yawn.

Wow.

Mass at Seaford this coming Sunday...

...is at 4 o'clock, NOT at 3 this month.

In Other News...

...There will be a Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Consolation on Saturday, 2nd June, everyone welcome, bring a picnic. Mass will be at noon, Benediction at about four o'clock.

More details nearer the time!

Marriage

It's all over the blogosphere and news, but I haven't felt I could add anything particularly original to the great things I've read. We've written to our MP (twice, still no response), we've signed the petition, and here are a few thoughts.

You can't ignore biology. Men and women complement one another, and marriage is just the best way for us to love and support each other and children.

So the first thing is how sorry I feel for anyone who wants a long term committed married relationship.  They aren't to be had for love nor money (perhaps for ready money, but I wouldn't know about that), certainly not from what I can see under the age of thirty five. There is so much emphasis on the feel good pick up: meet, meet again, have sex, if the sex is good stay around for more sex, get to know each other, move in, stick around until you find someone better to have sex with. Repeat as necessary. Not being sexist here, but generally the woman and possibly a kid or two are left to get on with it. It's really not a good time to find that permanent special someone.


So what's the remedy to improve the lives of men, women, and children? Let's batter matrimony, says the Government, reduce its significance even further in the popular mind, redefine it, ignore biology, include everyone.


The trouble with being so very open is, that in the future, one man and his dog won't be about sheep.

It's not for government to legislate what constitutes an essential part of Faith, that's the bottom line.

So, now we have our dear government attempting to remove all visible signs of Christianity in the work place.

No crucifixes? No crosses? What about stars of David? The Sikh steel bangle?

I think I'm starting to feel persecuted.

I think this is a really, really, good idea.

In the States, a change in the order of the Sacraments is on the cards for children in the Diocese of Fargo.

Now it will be Baptism, Confirmation, First Holy Communion.

Read all about it here at the National Catholic Register.

Any thoughts?

Important dates for the diary

At Our Lady of Sorrows, Bognor Regis, Fr Tony Churchill will be saying Mass on:

Friday 4th May, The Feast of the Blessed Martyrs at 7.30.p.m.

and on

Friday 15th June,  the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at  7.30 p.m.

Please also note:

STEYNING:

There will be no Mass at Christ the King next Sunday, 26th February, as Fr Sean is unwell.

Prayers for Father Sean's speedy recovery!

LEWES:

Also, that from the first Saturday in Lent (25 Feb), Fr Jonathan Martin will be celebrating the 10 o'clock Mass on Saturday mornings in the EF (it is currently Latin O.F.). Please, please, try and support Fr Jonathan if you are in the area.

SEAFORD:

The next Mass at St Thomas More, which is Laetare Sunday 18th March, will be at 4.00pm, and not 3.00pm

Press Release From The Latin Mass Society

Sense of Beauty in the Liturgy ‘Umbilically Connected to Music’, Composer Tells Meeting of Choir Directors

James MacMillan, the Catholic composer, and Fr Guy Nicholls, founder of the Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in Birmingham, addressed a meeting of around fifty choir directors and chant experts at the second biennial meeting of the Gregorian Chant Network at the London Oratory on 18 February, sponsored financially by the Latin Mass Society.

The Network, which was founded two years ago by the Latin Mass Society, Una Voce Scotland, the Association for Latin Liturgy, the Schola Gregoriana of Cambridge and dozens of Chant scholas across England and Wales, aims to promote greater knowledge of, and expertise in, the Church’s most ancient musical form with the aim of fostering its wider use in the Catholic liturgy.

Dr MacMillan was the principal speaker and addressed the meeting about the role of music in the Church’s cultural patrimony. He recalled that, as a young boy, he had attended what is now called the Extraordinary Form of the Mass and noticed that, ‘the sense of beauty, the sense of sacred awe, was umbilically connected to the music.’ He observed that beauty as a concept had largely been lost from contemporary Church music. Indeed it had been accompanied by the abandonment of any objective notion of beauty at all. This fitted in with a widespread liturgical trend, namely, celebrations of Mass that have become self-preoccupied and centred on the notion of self-expression; a liturgy that too often focuses on community rather than the divine. In Dr MacMillan’s experience, the singing of Gregorian Chant had helped priests and their congregations to recover their focus on what was important in the Mass – that sense of beauty and the sacred.

Fr Guy Nicholls of the Birmingham Oratory, gave the meeting a brief but fascinating update on the progress achieved at the Newman Institute of Music, which was established in the wake of the Holy Father’s visit to Britain, and which was dedicated to meeting the musical needs of both clergy and laity.
The meeting was chaired by Dr Joseph Shaw, Chairman of the Latin Mass Society, who reported on the activities of the Gregorian Chant Network over the past two years and looked forward to further success in the months to come.

The very successful gathering concluded with Vespers in the Little Oratory, led by Fr Andrew Southwell, the Latin Mass Society’s National Chaplain.

For further information, please contact Michael Lord, General Manager, on (T) 020 7404 7284; (F) 020 7831 5585; (E mail) michael@lms.org.uk

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY

Latin Mass Society Announces Six New Patrons

The Latin Mass Society (LMS) has announced the establishment of six patrons, including well-known figures from the worlds of music, journalism, politics and the law.

This marks a major advance for the LMS and for the cause of the Traditional Latin Mass in England and Wales which are both attracting the support of mainstream figures within the Church.

The new patrons include Dr James MacMillan CBE, who composed the setting for the Beatification Mass of John Henry Newman and is well known for his tireless campaigning for excellence in Church music. Charles Moore, a convert to Catholicism, is a former editor of the Daily Telegraph and a prominent national journalist and political commentator. Prince Rupert Loewenstein is a former President and long time supporter of the Latin Mass Society. Lord (Brian) Gill is the second most senior judge in Scotland and was recently honoured with a papal knighthood. He has supported the Traditional Latin Mass for many years. Colin Mawby is another composer who is highly respected in Catholic music circles. He was Director of Music at Westminster Cathedral under Cardinal Heenan and more recently has been very supportive of the LMS’s attempts to nurture a wider knowledge of Gregorian Chant. Sir Adrian FitzGerald is President of the Irish Association of the Knights of Malta, a former mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and was previously a Chairman of the Governors of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School.

Announcing the establishment of the LMS’s new patrons, Chairman Dr Joseph Shaw said: ‘I’m delighted they have agreed to be patrons. This is a real indication of the Society’s standing in the Catholic community and the Church. Since Summorum Pontificum, our support of the Traditional Mass is no longer considered an eccentricity, to be tolerated at best, but an important apostolate for the good of the whole Church and recognised as such by the Holy Father.’

For further information, please contact Michael Lord, General Manager, on (T) 020 7404 7284; (F) 020 7831 5585; (E mail) michael@lms.org.uk

Mass cancellation at Christ the King, Steyning

There will be no Mass at Christ the King next Sunday, 26th February, as Fr Sean is unwell.

Prayers for Father Sean's speedy recovery!

Change in Mass time at St Thomas More, Seaford

The next Mass, which is Laetare Sunday 18th March, will be at 4.00pm, and not 3.00pm

Thanks Philothea