Papa Stronsay Calendar

by Fr Tim Finigan

The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer on Papa Stronsay have a beautiful and original calendar for 2010 featuring photos of Liturgy and manual work on the island. For information, see: Into a New Year with the Papa Stronsay Calendar. There are some copies left after their regular mailing to subscribers so it would be good if they were able to sell them. The first page has a list of "n00th" anniversaries through the centuries, such as the 1800th anniversary of the birth of St Cyprian. Each day has the celebration listed according to the liturgical calendar of 1962.

You can get a copy via paypal by using the order link on the sidebar of the Papa Stronsay blog, or you can order one from ebay. Price £5.

(reproduced, with permission, from The Hermeneutic of Continuity)

Historic homecoming for the Knights of Malta

by Gerald Warner

West Lothian witnessed an historic event as the Knights of Malta returned after 450 years to Torphichen Preceptory, their mediaeval headquarters in Scotland lost at the Reformation, to celebrate the Latin Mass.

The occasion was presided over by Fra' Fredrik Crichton-Stuart, Grand Prior of England of the Order of Malta, accompanied by knights and dames of the order (above).

The traditional Mass was arranged by Una Voce Scotland, the Scottish branch of the International Latin Mass Federation. Una Voce has been conducting Masses in the extraordinary form in different historic venues in Scotland and at the end of October they celebrated an Old Rite Mass at Cambuskenneth Abbey [Stirling].

The celebrant was Mgr Hugh Boyl; Fr John Emerson, of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter, was seated in the sanctuary beside the Grand Prior. The splendid vestment worn by Mgr Boyle, which attracted much attention, were 19th-century French cloth of gold.

Fred Stone of Una Voce explained that when they were taken to the Burrell Collection for expert assessment the museum was anxious to acquire them, but they are still very much in service and far from becoming museum.

Torphichen Preceptory near Bathgate in West Lothian was granted to the Knights Hospitaller by King David I in the 1140s, but there had been a church there from very ancient times, allegedly established by St Ninian around 400AD and said to have been visited by King Arthur a century later.

Torphichen was the Scottish Commandery of the Knights of Hospitaller of St John (known from 1530 as the Knights of Malta, after they took possession of that island.) Before and after the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, it was visited respectively by William Wallace and Edward I Longshanks, the Hammer of the Scots.

After the Reformation the building was partly demolished; only the foundations of the knight's cloister remain. The nave of the cross-shaped church became the parish kirk, but that too was demolished in 1756 and replaced by the present parish church.

Of the original commandery building all that remains is the central tower and transepts of the mediaeval church. These portions only surive because they were for a time used as a courthouse. The tower was at one point ruinous, but was re-roofed in 1947.

The building, now in the care of Historic Scotland, is still impressive. The vaulted ceiling is fine example of mediaeval craftmanship and, as the Una Schola schola discovered, provides excellent acoustic for Gregorian plainsong. They sang the Mass and then Te Deum, concluding with the Salve Regina.

In his homily Mgr Boyle invoked the historic nature of the occasion and the ancient link that Torphichen represented with the Order of Malta and Scottish Catholicism. At the end of Mass, Fra' Freddy Crichton-Stuart led the knights in reciting the prayer of the Order of Malta.

(photo © Martin Gardner;
reproduced from The Scottish Catholic Observer, 27.11.09)

upcoming events - December (1)

Events to December 14th

Monday - Friday during Advent
Confessions
12.30pm, St Mary's RC Cathedral, Broughton Street, Edinburgh

Wednesday 2 December 2009
Holy Hour - Prayer for Priests
7.00 - 8.00pm, St Mary's RC Cathedral, Broughton Street, Edinburgh

Thursdays, 3 & 10 December 2009
Gregorian Chant for Beginners
9.45 - 11.45am, Appies Tea Rooms, Sandvick, Orkney Islands

Saturday 5 December 2009
Cardinal Winning Pro-Life Initiative Advent Bazaar
12.00 noon - 2.00pm
Holy Cross Church Hall, 104 Albert Road, Crosshill, G42 8DR
(see here)

Sunday 6 December 2009
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
11.00am, St Margaret's RC Church, Loch Rd, South Queensferry,
followed by Rosary and Benediction at 3.00pm

Monday 7 December 2009
(vigil of the Immaculate Conception)
Traditional Latin Mass
7pm, Sacred Heart Church, 50 Old Dalmarnock Road, Bridgeton, Glasgow
followed by tea and talk for half an hour - all welcome

Tuesday 8 December 2009 (Immaculate Conception)
Traditional Latin Mass (Missa Cantata) [EF]
6.15pm, St Andrew's Church, Belford Road, Ravelston, Edinburgh
(to be confirmed)

Tuesday 8 December 2009
Prayer Evening for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
7.30 - 9.30pm, Convent, 106 Dixon Avenue, Glasgow
organised by the Confraternity of St Joseph (more info)

Saturday 12 December 2009
Una Voce Advent Day of Recollection
10.00am, Nazareth House, Glasgow
Led by Mgr Hugh Boyle.
Starts 10am, with Coffee; ends with Holy Hour, approx. 3pm

Sunday 13 December 2009
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
11.00am, St Margaret's RC Church, Loch Rd, South Queensferry,
followed by Rosary and Benediction at 3.00pm

Sunday 13 December 2009
Sung Latin Vespers and Benediction
5.00pm, St John Cantius Church, Broxburn (more info)

Sunday 13 December 2009
Carol-singing (more info)
starts 2.30pm, Fortescue House, 58 Grove End Road, London NW8
ends approx. 4.00pm, in aid of the Knights of Malta Hospice

~~*~~

Please comment with details of further events.

Manhattan Declaration

by Fr Ray Blake

The "Manhattan Declaration", is according to Sandro Magister, "The Manifesto That's Shaking America",

It's been endorsed by Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox leaders, united in defending life, the family and the place of Christianity in society. Obviously aimed at the Whitehouse:

"We will not be intimidated into silence or acquiescence or the violation of our consciences by any power on earth, be it cultural or political, regardless of the consequences to ourselves."

it is presented as a new civil rights movement:

We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:

• the sanctity of human life
• the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
• the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

sign it yourself here

(reposted from St Mary Magdalen)

Coming Up Next Week (November, Week 4)

Thursdays, 5, 12, 19, & 26 November 2009

Gregorian Chant for Beginners
9.45 - 11.45am, Appies Tea Rooms, Sandvick, Orkney Islands

Tuesday 24 November 2009
Parish Requiem Mass (Sung) [OF]
7.00opm, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Balornock (Glasgow)

Wednesday 25 November 2009
Queensferry Quench: "Danger!"
Are all religions essentially fundamentalist?
talk with Dan Petersen (more info)
7.15pm onwards, Orocco Pier, 17 High Street, South Queensferry

Saturday 28 November
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
after 10.00am Mass, St Andrew's Church, Belford Road, Ravelston, Edinburgh, AND
after 10.00am Mass, St Kentigern's, 26 Parkgrove Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 7QR

Sunday 29 November 2009 (Advent Sunday)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
12.00 noon, St Margaret's RC Church, Loch Rd, South Queensferry,
followed by Rosary and Benediction at 3.00pm

Sunday 29 November 2009
Prayer for the Conversion of Scotland
Rosary vigil to pray for Scotland's leaders, and the conversion of Scotland
2.00pm, outside Scottish Parliament, Abbey Strand (Holyrood), Edinburgh

Sunday 29 November 2009
Unveiling of the Nativity Scene and Carol Service
4.00pm, St Andrew's Square Gardens (east of George Street), Edinburgh

Monday 30 November 2009
Traditional Latin Mass [EF]
7.00pm, Sacred Heart, Old Dalmarnock Road, Bridgeton (Glasgow)

Monday 30 November 2009
Traditional Latin Mass (Missa Cantata) [EF]
6.15pm, St Andrew's Church, Belford Road, Ravelston, Edinburgh

Monday 30 November 2009
Solemn Vespers and Benediction for the feast of St Andrew, Apostle
6.45pm, St Mary's RC Cathedral, Broughton Street, Edinburgh

~~*~~

Please comment with details of further events.

Note: November has seen an unprecedented number of traditional events, hence splitting the 'Upcoming Events' post into four. Please let us know if you like this new format!

"Almighty Answers" blog

by Fr Tim Finigan

A student at the University of Edinburgh tells me of the Catholic chaplaincy there, which is run by the Dominicans. The students are fortunate to have five friars dedicated to their our spiritual care.

Last year they started up a blog called 'Almighty Answers' to encourage ordinary students (as well as anyone else who comes across the blog) to ask questions about the Faith or any other aspect of the Church. These questions are then responded to, either by one of the priests, or by a student, depending on the nature of the question.

The blog was set up and run last term during the Chaplaincy's 'Mission Week' and it has now been restarted. They welcome questions and comments...

You may also 'corner a cleric' by emailing almighty.answers at gmail dot com.

Reminder - Prayer Vigil for Conversion of Scotland

A reminder to all that the Holy Family Apostolate is organising a Prayer Vigil outside the Scottish Parliament on Advent Sunday.

Remember the blasphemous play performed at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow? This is a symptom of the spiritual and moral sickness pervading our society at an alarming rate...

The Holy Rosary is the perfect antidote, so please join us in front of the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh (Abbey Strand), on Sunday 29 November, at 2pm. Will you come along and pray for good leadership and the conversion of Scotland?

For more information please call 0131-669 1434, or email holyfamilyapostolate at gmail.com

Advent Carol Service in Aid of Knights of Malta Hospice

If you find yourself in London in the middle of December, here is an opportunity to support the excellent hospice work of the Knights of Malta:-

You are warmly invited to attend

A SERVICE OF ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS

in the Conventual Church of Saint John of Jerusalem
(Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, Grove End Road NW8)
at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday 15th December, 2009

The renowned choir ‘Cantores Missae’, under the direction of Charles Finch, will sing carols and motets.

There will be a retiring collection for the

much-needed support of

Saint John’s Hospice.

Following the service, all are warmly welcome to join members of the Order for mulled wine and mince pies in Fortescue House, adjacent to the Hospital.

Update: there will also be Carol-singing in the environs of St John's Wood, on Sunday 13 December, approx 2.30pm - 4.00pm. For more information, see here.

Singing Out in Praise at Abbey Mass in Stirling

A Sung Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite was celebrated last week in the bell tower of the mediaeval Cambuskenneth Abbey in Stirling.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr John Emerson FSSP from Edinburgh, and was only the second Mass to be celebrated in the Abbey since the Reformation, the first having been celebrated by Fr Emerson last year.

The Schola of Una Voce Scotland sang the Plainchant Mass of Our Lady, and Mass ended with the Salve Regina. Mgr Hugh Boyle from Our Holy Redeemer's, Clydebank, presided over the Choir.

Fr Emerson celebrated a Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite on the first Sunday of the month in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Stirling at 5.00pm.

(photo: Martin Gardner; article reproduced from The Scottish Catholic Observer, November 13th 2009)

Coming Up Next Week (November, Week 3)

Thursdays, 5, 12, 19, & 26 November 2009

Gregorian Chant for Beginners
9.45 - 11.45am, Appies Tea Rooms, Sandvick, Orkney Islands

Monday 16 November 2009
Solemn Vespers and Benediction for the feast of
St Margaret, Queen of Scots
6.45pm, St Mary's RC Cathedral, Broughton Street, Edinburgh

Monday 16 November 2009
Traditional Latin Mass [EF]
7.00pm, Sacred Heart, Old Dalmarnock Road, Bridgeton (Glasgow)

Saturday 21 November
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
after 10.00am Mass, St John's, 37 St Ninian's Road, Corstorphine EH12 8AL

~~*~~

Please comment with details of further events.

Note: November has seen an unprecedented number of traditional events, hence splitting the 'Upcoming Events' post into four. Please let us know if you like this new format!