New Auxiliary Bishop for Edinburgh

Pope Benedict XVI has today appointed the Very Reverend Monsignor Stephen Robson as the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh. The new Bishop will assist Cardinal Keith O’Brien in the administration of the diocese. The diocese last had an Auxiliary Bishop in 1996 and the appointment reflects Cardinal O’Brien’s national responsibilities and his international role as a member of a number of Pontifical Councils in Rome.

Commenting on the appointment Cardinal O’Brien said:

“I have known the new Auxiliary Bishop, Mgr Stephen Robson for well over 35 years. He has been involved with me in pastoral work and school work, seminary apostolate and during his further studies, literally everything a priest should be involved in. I am happy once again to have an Auxiliary Bishop to help in pastoral work and administration following on from my previous Auxiliaries; Bishop Monaghan (1985 – 1989) and Bishop Rafferty (1990 – 1996).  

Cardinal O’Brien added:

“Mgr Stephen combines two great qualities in a very special way: He is highly respected by his brother priests and also by the Deacons, religious and people of this Archdiocese and beyond because of his open, friendly and pastoral zeal; Also, he combines his very personal manner with his own deep spirituality and academic learning, so that he can bring to bear on a variety of problems an incisive knowledge and an ability at decision making.”

Cardinal O’Brien concluded:

“I have every hope that he will continue to work well with me and everyone in our Archdiocese in the years which lie ahead as I become ever more aware of my national responsibilities in our country and my responsibilities to Pope Benedict XVI as a Cardinal of our Church.”

Reacting to the appointment Mgr. Robson said:

“Although I have experienced great peace and joy on receiving the Appointment by the Holy Father as Auxiliary Bishop to Cardinal O'Brien there has also been a great sense of unworthiness and at the same time, trust. As a deeply committed Roman Catholic I love the Church deeply, seeing her, not as so many do as simply an Institution but as the Community of the Risen Lord on Pilgrimage through life.” 

Mgr Robson added:

“My first duty as Auxiliary is to my Archbishop, Cardinal O'Brien and he is no stranger to me. I have known him over 35 years and served him as my Bishop for twenty-seven years. As he reminds me I am his Auxiliary, first and foremost!  My second duty is to serve the Priests and then the Faithful and Religious of our Archdiocese in the best way I can. And this is impossible without the help of the Good Shepherd who is the model, inspiration and more important the grace and strength working through all Bishops.”  

Mgr Robson concluded:

“I have had many interesting and fruitful jobs in our Archdiocese in the past thirty three years - in parishes, seminaries in Aberdeen and Rome, in the Archdiocesan Education Service, the Chancery the National Tribunal, the Education Commission. I have been fortunate to work as assistant priest in a parish to Secretary to the Archbishop, from Parish priest to Chancellor. And none of it has been possible with out the constant help of the Good Lord and the encouragement of my Superiors - wherever I have been.  I have been an academic and, though I also love academia, gladly lay all this aside so that I can be of use to those I am called to serve in the bigger picture. Please pray for me.”

~~*~~

• Commentary over at the benedictoblate blog.
• Scottish Catholic Observer commentary too: sconews.co.uk
• and a second article, too!

(image: daylife.com)

Canonical Visitation of Papa Stronsay

Official statement from Fr. Michael Mary

From 23rd to 26th April, 2012 a Canonical Visitation of the community at Papa Stronsay was undertaken by the local Ordinary, the Rt. Rev. Hugh Gilbert, O.S.B. accompanied by the Very Rev. Benedict Hardy, O.S.B.

The Visitation was positively received by the community. Its outcome will be formally announced in due course, pending canonically required consultations.

fr.michael at the-sons.org

Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer

Golgotha Monastery Island

Papa Stronsay, KW17 2AR

Orkney (Scotland, U.K.)

Pontifical High Mass in Edinburgh

Una Voce Scotland's diary for 2012 is beginning to fill up, including a number of pilgrimages to pre-reformation sites, plus, we have the additional joy in welcoming H.E. Bishop Rifan back to Scotland during his busy trip to the UK.

Bishop Rifan is Apostolic Administrator of the Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney.

His Eminence Cardinal O'Brien has graciously given permission for a Pontifical High Mass to be offered by Bishop Rifan on the Monday 2 July at 7:00 p.m (venue to be confirmed).

For more details, keep an eye on this blog, or unavocescotland.org.uk.

Your unique opportunity to visit the inside of the largest Charterhouse in the world!

Day excursion for men and young men (ladies are not admitted in the monastery, apologies) to West Sussex on Saturday 24 March 2012: 

Please kindly let us know if you would like to come along, that we may plan the transportation: any men and boys welcome (we will have CRB checked adults), whether or not they attend Mass in Reading, and wherever they travel from. 

Schedule: 

• 11am: Sung Mass at West Grinstead recusant Shrine, sung by Fr Simon Leworthy FSSP; confessions heard by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP 
• 12.30pm: Visit of Secret chapel and veneration of sacred items used by recusant priests, and prayer at Hilaire Belloc’s grave. 
• 1pm: packed lunch in Parish Hall. 
• 2pm: visit of Parkminster Charterhouse. Ending about 3.30pm. To be confirmed 
• Around 4pm: depart to Reading; estimated time of arrival at St William of York in Reading: 6pm. 

Travel:

• From Reading: 9am: departure from St. William of York Catholic Church, Upper Redlands Road, Reading, Berks. RG1 5JT (see map here), located next to St Joseph Convent School. Large free parish car park next to St William Church, where you can safely leave your vehicle until you return. 
• Not from Reading? Tell us also if you intend to come and meet us directly at West Grinstead.

Gregorian Chant in Edinburgh over Easter

The Office of Tenebræ will be chanted by the St Margaret Schola on the mornings of Maundy Thursday (5 April), Good Friday (6 April) and Holy Saturday (7 April). Exact location and timeto be confirmed. Tenebræ consists of the Offices of Matins (Vigils) and Lauds. Office booklets will be available that contain all the texts in both Latin and English.

Other Holy Week and Easter celebrations (in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass all in Latin with Gregorian Chant) will take place in St Andrew's Church, 77 Ravelston Road, Edinburgh EH4 3DS; the celebrant is Fr John Emerson FSSP.

• Thursday 5 April, 7.30pm, Mass of the Last Supper
• Friday 6 April, 3.00pm, Good Friday Liturgy and Veneration of the Cross
• Saturday 7 April, 8.00pm, Paschal Vigil
• Sunday 8 April, 11.30am, Solemn Mass of Easter Day

For more information, see the following links:

• www.fssp.org.uk
• edinburghschola.blogspot.com

Vocation discernment weekend

Vocation discernment weekend:

30 March - 1 April 2012

at St John Fisher House in Reading:

For Catholic men between 18 and 35 years of age (under 18 please contact us).

Starts on Friday 30th March 2012 at 6pm (arrivals from 5pm)– ends on Sunday 1st April 2012 at 3pm. Led by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP, assisted by Fr Simon Leworthy, FSSP and Rev Ian Verrier, FSSP – one of our seminarians from Birmingham (read his interview in the Catholic Herald last month here).

(picture: Palm Sunday 2009 in Reading)

Location: St John Fisher House is the residence of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter in England & Wales.

Address: 17, Eastern Avenue, Reading, RG1 5RU, England.

Access: 27mn from London Paddington by direct trains up to every 10mn, and from London Waterloo. Direct trains from Oxford, Bournemouth, Bristol, Newcastle, York, Birmingham, Gatwick Airport, Southampton Airport, etc. Direct 'RailAir' buses from Heathrow to Reading train station every 20mn. Motorway: M4. Trains: www.nationalrail.co.uk. Buses:www.nationalexpress.com

Limited overnight accommodation: please book now.

Programme: Spiritual conferences, socials, Holy Mass each of the three days (Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite) including Solemn High Mass on Palm Sunday, silent prayer, private talk with Fr de Malleray, FSSP. Fr de Malleray will explain what a vocation is in general and to the priesthood in particular. Read here the Holy Father's recent Letter to seminarians. Extract: "The proper celebration of the Eucharist involves knowing, understanding and loving the Church's liturgy in its concrete form. In the liturgy we pray with the faithful of every age – the past, the present and the future are joined in one great chorus of prayer. As I can state from personal experience, it is inspiring to learn how it all developed, what a great experience of faith is reflected in the structure of the Mass, and how it has been shaped by the prayer of many generations."

Cost: no set price for students or unemployed – any donation welcome; others: £50 suggested.

New: our special Vocations flyer and videos on www.fssp.org.uk/england/pages/vocations.

Contact: Tel: 0118 966 5284; Email: malleray at fssp.org

Web: www.fssp.co.uk/england; International: fssp.org; Youths: www.juventutem.org

St John Fisher House is the residence of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter in Reading, a Catholic international priestly society canonically established in the dioceses of Portsmouth and of Northampton, and in the Archdiocese of St Andrew's & Edinburgh.

We had 11 men staying here at our last Vocation discernment weekend before Christmas. We hope you can be with us this next time. God bless you!

(Picture: coat of arms of the FSSP embroidered on vestments worn by Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts H. Exc. Juan Ignacio Arrieta at minor ordination in Germany of Rev James Mawdsley, FSSP (from Durham) on 11 February 2012. Read Liverpool diocesan priest Fr Henry's report on the event here.)

32 seminarians tonsured the same day

On 22nd October 2011, 14 and 18 seminarians were tonsured in each of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter's two seminaries, making it 32 altogether: the largest number of ‘tonsurati’ in the history of the Fraternity. Among them were three from the United Kingdom: Revs Krzysztof (originally from Poland), Alex, and Mark. The latter reports on the ceremony in Bavaria.

In the Old Testament the tribe of Levi had no inheritance to call their own; they had no land to pass on to their sons. According to God's merciful plan they were accorded forty-eight cities to dwell in – scattered amongst the other tribes – but this was for their maintenance; they had no "heritable property" as we would know it today. And yet, having nothing, they had everything, for "the Lord God of Israel Himself" was their possession (Jos. 13:33).

So it is for the cleric. He is singled out, set apart – after a particular call from the Lord – to bring sacrifice to the Lord. Living in a spirit of poverty, he has – like the Levites – nothing material to give. Rather he brings the offerings of others, and above all he brings himself to be offered. Thus with a joyful heart I, and thirteen of my confrères, prayed the immortal words from Psalm XV– "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me" – and received the clerical tonsure on October 22nd in Lindau, on the shores of Lake Constance in Bavaria, from His Excellency Vitus Huonder, Bishop of the neighbouring diocese of Chur (Zurich) in Switzerland.

In a moving ceremony, the Seminarian is "called forward" to receive the tonsure, where he answers "adsum", that he is present and ready; he is prepared. The Seminarian having donned the collar, soutane and cincture privately in the Sacristy – the collar representing Christ's yoke, and the cincture chastity – the Bishop proceeds to cut five locks from the Seminarian's hair in the form of a Cross, at the same time reciting the above verse from the Psalter in Latin. Then the Surplice – the cleric's particular garb for Liturgy (the Soutane being his everyday clothing, it must be remembered) – is "imposed" onto the Seminarian, with the prayer that the Lord will make him a "new man, created by God in justice and the sanctity of Truth" (c.f. Eph. 4:24).

Whilst the Code of Canon Law now recognises the clerical state only with the conferring of the Diaconate, the ceremony of Tonsure and Clothing as Clerics makes us such liturgically and „existentially‟. One may not yet canonically be a cleric, but for us, and for the eighteen further Seminarians who received the Tonsure on the same day in America, a very visible change has taken place. To the world we look like clerics, or – not knowing any better – we are mistaken for Priests, and we are confronted with a new identity each time our reflection is seen in a pane of glass or a mirror. Is it really me there? Yes, and – trusting in God's call – I will continue to "put on" My Lord each day, and suffer for His sake. (Though, most encounters are positive, because – even in today's "Godless" society – people recognise a commitment as such.)

And so began my second year as a Seminarian for the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter. After a first, "probationary" year, the very visual ceremony and change from civil clothes into always dressing like a cleric, is one that strikingly confirms that one is continuing in formation. With six years still "to go", there is plenty time to become used to the soutane, and also to be formed by it. After all, our formation here is not only academic, as Pope John Paul II noted in the Apostolic Exhortation "Pastores Dabo Vobis", but must also encompass human, pastoral and spiritual formation. And even a piece of clothing contributes to that (though, having been blessed by the Bishop, our Soutanes are also sacramentals!).

The Seminary formation here follows the model prescribed by the Council of Trent while conforming to the Ratio Studiorum of the Holy See. The first year, probationary in nature, is a year of spiritual formation, during which the candidate becomes disciplined in a community life of prayer and penance. The next two years comprise a thorough grounding in thomistic philosophy, during which the Seminarian also continues studies in Latin, scripture, and Gregorian chant, already begun in first year. This is then followed by four years of theological studies, during the last of which one is on placement as a deacon.

Already in the first year there were many challenges to be met: dealing in a foreign language "all day, every day" has its initial frustrations but immense benefits. After years of disuse my childhood German had become very rusty, and I prepared for entering the Seminary by going "back to school", to night classes. That said, the first few weeks were daunting as the artificial environment of my Hometown University could only prepare me so far, and I found many gaps: the language of philosophy being somewhat different from that of the holidaymaker or business traveller.

The daily régime of the Seminary is also demanding, but very rewarding: the day centres around the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Hours of the Divine Office (the Breviary). By 6:25am Seminarians are in the Church praying Lauds in choir, this is then followed by silent mental prayer and then the community Mass. Likewise, Seminarians gather in the chapel for Sext (midday prayer) and Vespers, or Rosary in common, or Adoration and Benediction, and again in the Church for Compline (night prayer). The rest of the day is made up of classes and tasks and chores. Despite there being two mandatory recreation periods, one after lunch and one after the evening meal, the day seems full-packed and in second year it does not show any signs of slowing down!

That said, the daily rhythm bears for me a great deal similarity to that one finds in, for example, a Benedictine monastery. By that I mean that there seems a healthy mix between all the aspects of life necessary for formation: not one seems to rule at the expense of the rest. There is work and study, time for silence and then time to talk, private prayer and contemplation, public liturgy and outreach; all has its right place. This follows the succinct maxim of the Middle Ages: "in medio stat virtus", virtue lies in the centre. Hence, whilst the life can be hard at times, there is a real sense of reward and valuable work, especially when one looks to the goal: the Catholic Priesthood. I cannot presume to second-guess the Lord's divine plan for me, but should it be that He wishes me to be His Priest, then here is the place to realise that end. And so I am reminded of the prayer of the cleric each day he dons his Surplice: "Clothe me, O Lord, in the new man, who is created by God in justice and the sanctity of truth".

(originally published in Downry, no. 12 (Autumn 2011), magazine of the FSSP in England)

Vocation discernment weekend / Altar servers' weekend

Vocation discernment weekend, at St John Fisher House in Reading on 16-18 December 2011:

For Catholic men between 18 and 35 years of age (under 18 please contact us).

Starts on Friday 16th December 2011 at 6pm – ends on Sunday 18th December 2011 mid-afternoon. Led by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP.

Location: St John Fisher House is the residence of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter in England & Wales.

Address: 17, Eastern Avenue, Reading, RG1 5RU, England.

Access: 27mn from London Paddington by direct trains up to every 10mn, and from London Waterloo. Direct trains from Oxford, Bournemouth, Bristol, Newcastle, York, Birmingham, Gatwick Airport, Southampton Airport, etc. Direct 'RailAir' buses from Heathrow to Reading train station every 20mn. Motorway: M4.

Limited overnight accommodation: please book now.

Programme: Spiritual conferences, socials, Holy Mass each of the three days (Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite) including polyphonic Sunday Mass, silent prayer, private talk with Fr de Malleray, FSSP. Fr de Malleray will explain what a vocation is in general and to the priesthood in particular. Read here the Holy Father's recent Letter to seminarians. Extract: "The proper celebration of the Eucharist involves knowing, understanding and loving the Church's liturgy in its concrete form. In the liturgy we pray with the faithful of every age – the past, the present and the future are joined in one great chorus of prayer. As I can state from personal experience, it is inspiring to learn how it all developed, what a great experience of faith is reflected in the structure of the Mass, and how it has been shaped by the prayer of many generations."

Cost: no set price for students or unemployed – any donation welcome; others: £50 suggested.

New: our special Vocations flyer and videos on www.fssp.org.uk/england/pages/vocations.

~~*~~

Altar servers' weekend (residential): at St John Fisher House in Reading on 18-20 November 2011:

For single Catholic men between 18 and 35 years of age (under 18 please contact us).

Starts on Friday 18th November 2011 at 6pm – ends on Sunday 20th November 2011 mid-afternoon. Led by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP.

In a convivial atmosphere, come and learn (or improve) how to set the vestments and sacred items before Mass and to serve Low Mass and Benediction. EF Mass on the Friday evening, Saturday morning and Sunday morning. Fr de Malleray will give explanations on the liturgy.

Limited overnight accommodation: please book now. Non residential participants welcome.

Cost: no set price for students or unemployed – any donation welcome; others: £50 suggested.

Lanherne Convent appeal

by Dr Joseph Shaw

I too have received the same e-mail as Fr Sean and Fr Ray Blake.

The Sisters of the Immaculate at Lanherne have for ten years occupied a convent owned by the Carmelites. This is not odd for them as they are unable to own property. However the Carmelites have announced that they wish to put the convent on the open market, unless... well, unless the Sisters can come up with something.

They are a thriving community who use Traditional Mass the 1962 Breviary. They are a sister order to the Friars of the Immaculate, who have a base in Stoke and two of whom accompanied the LMS Pilgrimage to Walsingham.

Please pray for a solution to be found. The community is unique in the British Isles and if they lose the convent they will have to return to Italy. The order, and the community at Lanherne, is international.

If we English Catholics can't find a home for these sisters who want to devote their entire lives to praying for us, then I say we do not deserve the conversion of England for which we all long.

(reposted from LMS Chairman blog)

Ordination of new Bishop of Aberdeen

Fr. Hugh Gilbert, former Abbot of Pluscarden will be ordained Bishop ofAberdeen at St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen on Monday 15th August.

From the Episcopal Ordination Bishop Hugh Gilbert will become the leaderof the geographically largest diocese within the UK. He spent 37years as a contemplative monk, and was Abbot of the PluscardenAbbey, near Elgin.

Speaking before the ceremony, Bishop-Elect Hugh said:"It is a privilege and a joy to be asked to serve the Church, and thewider community, in the beautiful diocese of Aberdeen, where I havealready lived as a monk for 37 years. I am grateful for the warm welcomegiven me, and, trusting in the grace of the Holy Spirit, look forward toworking with others for the building-up of the Body of Christ."

The retiring Bishop of Aberdeen, Bishop Peter Moran, said:“I am very pleased to welcome Bishop Hugh Gilbert as my successor. Hisrich spiritual experience will guide the people of the diocese in thatsearch for personal holiness on which Pope Benedict has laid such stress.After nineteen years as abbot, his fatherly leadership skills will supportand empower the clergy of the diocese in their often isolated pastoralappointments. I am confident that I am passing our diocese to an excellent successor and I wish Bishop Hugh every blessing.”

Bishop Moran added:“neither Pluscarden Abbey nor its Abbot are remote from the pressures andconcerns of the contemporary world, which so much needs God, and needs toknow god’s love. Hugh Gilbert’s wide-ranging friendships and contacts willensure that the Diocese of Aberdeen remains very much in touch with ‘thejoys and hopes, the griefs and the anxieties’ of the Church and the worldof today.”

The President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Cardinal KeithO’Brien, said:“The Bishop is aware more than most Bishops of the need of the Diocese ofAberdeen having been a monk in this Diocese for so long. He himself as awilling servant of this Diocese already has been willing to travel onsupply to various parishes in the Diocese and his Monastery has presented an opendoor to priests, religious and people of the Diocese of Aberdeen andindeed people who come seeking advice and help from all over our countryand throughout the world."

Cardinal O'Brien continued: "Through his very beautiful writings, manybased on the addresses to his community at Pluscarden, he has had amaginificent outreach in helping to build up the spiritual lives ofothers. And because of the outreach from his own monastery to othermonasteries throughout the world he realizes the needs of those incountries which are less prosperous than our own."

The Cardinal concluded: "One might say that a new Bishop for Abrdeen could not have had a betterpreparation than to have been the Abbot of Pluscarden Abbey within thisDiocese, for such a period of time, before his call by Pope Benedict XVIto be the Bishop.”

Congratulations also came from the former Bishop of Aberdeen,Archbishop Mario Conti, who said:“I am delighted that Abbot Hugh has been chosen to be my second successoras Bishop of Aberdeen. He is a wise and holy man who knows the diocesewell and who is much respected by the people and the priests.”

Archbishop Conti concluded: “I had the joy of ordaining him priest and soit will be a special pleasure to be there when he is ordained a bishop.”

(source: SCMO)