COMPANIONS OF THE HERALDS CELEBRATE NINE YEARS OF GRACE.

This week Fr Michael Fountaine MA VF, the Parish Priest at St Dunstan's Parish Church in Keynsham, near Bristol, celebrated a Mass to commemorate nine years of Papal Approval.

Fr Michael and some parishioners later joined the Companions of the Heralds for lunch, to mark the occasion.

CELEBRATIONS IN BRITAIN FOR NINE YEARS OF GRACE.

On 22nd February, the Feast of the Chair of St Peter, British Catholics joined the Heralds of the Gospel in commemorating nine years of Papal Approval.

Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of the Sons of Divine Providence in their house at Hampton Wick,Kingston-on-Thames.

About 40 people attended including some Companions of the Heralds. Brother Louis Miguel gave a short talk.

Afterwards there was a celebration at the Heralds own house nearby.

The Feast of the Chair of St Peter: celebrating nine years of proclaiming the Gospel!

Nine years ago this week, the Heralds of the Gospel were raised to the category of an International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right. The Holy Mass has been celebrated in profound thanksgiving for our vocation, by our communities and our Companions throughout the world

In Rome on the morning of February 28, 2001, Pope John Paul II welcomed a thousand jubilant members of the Heralds of the Gospel who had gathered for a landmark celebration. With unusual swiftness, the Vatican had approved the association's request to be raised to the status of an "Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right”

With what joy the Heralds and their lay Companions, celebrate this week the memory of our Pontifical establishment and recommit themselves to the mandate given to us by the Holy Father. Let us remind ourselves of his words:

“ I greet in a special way the Heralds of the Gospel.
By being faithful to the Church and to its Magisterium,
may you remain united to your pastors
and courageously proclaim Our Lord Jesus Christ
throughout the world.
Be messengers of the Gospel
through the intercession of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” Pope John Paul II

“…Now from this moment, ..you have … been given a special mandate. This implies that your community throughout the world acquires a unique relationship with the Chair of Peter"

Attende, Domine, et miserere, quia pecavimus tibi!

Photos of the mural of Christ in Majesty, in the Catholic Church of St Dunstan, in Keynsham, near Bristol, England.

Hear us, almighty Lord, show us your mercy,

sinners, we stand here before you.

Ash Wednesday is over. Will we now relax and forget all our good Lenten intentions until we are forced to face them again on Good Friday when it is too late? Will this Lent be once again another wasted penitential season?
Let us try to commit ourselves to do at least one thing every day this Lent to discipline our hearts, minds and spirits, and to accompany Our Lord on the long journey of his Passion. May we reach Easter with some little gift in our hands to joyfully offer the risen Lord! May we have truly fasted from ourselves, and for Jesus, this Lent!

Fasting is a very important ascetical practice, a spiritual weapon to do battle against every possible disordered attachment to ourselves. Freely chosen detachment from the pleasure of food and other material goods helps us to control the appetites of nature, weakened by original sin, whose negative effects impact upon our whole personality.

An ancient hymn of the Lenten liturgy exhorts: – Let us use sparingly words, food and drink, sleep and amusements. May we be more alert in the custody of our senses.”

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Hear us, almighty Lord,

show us your mercy,

sinners we stand here before you.

Word of the Father, keystone of God's building,

source of our gladness,
gateway to the Kingdom, free us in mercy,

from the sins that bind us.
God of compassion, Lord of might and splendor,
graciously listen, hear our cries of anguish,

touch us and heal us where our sins have wounded.
Humbly confessing that we have offended,

stripped of illusions, naked in our sorrow,

pardon, Lord Jesus, those your blood has ransomed.
Innocent captive, you were led to slaughter,

sentenced by sinners when they brought false witness.

Keep from damnation those your death has rescued.
Latin (10th C.), tr Ralph Wright, OSB
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A CALL FOR BEAUTY: POPE BENEDICT XVI’S ADDRESS TO ARTISTS

On November 21, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI met with 250 world renowned artists in the beautiful Sistine Chapel, a place where art v i b r a n t l y communicates truth. Pope Benedict’s entire message points clearly to the universality of the relationship between faith and art.

He quoted Pope Paul VI speaking to one of the greatest needs of the world, the quest for beauty within the lives of all people. Addressing artists, he said:
"We need you. We need your collaboration in order to carry out our ministry, which consists, as you know, in preaching and rendering accessible and comprehensible to the minds and hearts of our people the things of the spirit, the invisible, the ineffable, the things of God himself. And in this activity ... You are masters. It is your task, your mission, and your art consists in grasping treasures from the heavenly realm of the spirit and clothing them in words, colours, forms making them accessible."

Pope Benedict quoted him further: “This world in which we live needs beauty in order not to sink into despair. Beauty, like truth, brings joy to the human heart, and is that precious fruit which resists the erosion of time, which unites generations and enables them to be one in admiration. And all this through the work of your hands.. Remember that you are the custodians of beauty in the world."

In his own words, Pope Benedict spoke to the same thirst for beauty among humanity:

“What is capable of restoring enthusiasm and confidence, what can encourage the human spirit to rediscover its path, to raise its eyes to the horizon, to dream of a life worthy of its vocation if not beauty?
Dear friends, as artists you know well that the experience of beauty, beauty that is authentic, not merely transient or artificial, is by no means a supplementary or secondary factor in our search for meaning and happiness; the experience of beauty does not remove us from reality, on the contrary, it leads to a direct encounter with the daily reality of our lives, liberating it from darkness, transfiguring it, making it radiant and beautiful.”

In this age, we have often heard the argument that art needs to be graphic and aggressive in order to touch man’s inner core. Art communicated in this manner loses so much of its subtle message that in effect, it becomes too overwhelming to be comprehensible. However, Pope Benedict pointed out that when properly expressed, true and beautiful art contains a power within itself more commanding than is possible with explicit content. He stated:
“Indeed, an essential function of genuine beauty, as emphasized by Plato, is that it gives man a healthy "shock", it draws him out of himself, wrenches him away from resignation and from being content with the humdrum it even makes him suffer, piercing him like a dart, but in so doing it "reawakens" him, opening afresh the eyes of his heart and mind, giving him wings, carrying him aloft. Dostoevsky's words that I am about to quote are bold and paradoxical, but they invite reflection. He says this: ‘Man can live without science, he can live without bread, but without beauty he could no longer live, because there would no longer be anything to do to the world. The whole secret is here, the whole of history is here.’

The painter Georges Braque echoes this sentiment: ‘Art is meant to disturb, science reassures.’ Beauty pulls us up short, but in so doing it reminds us of our final destiny, it sets us back on our path, fills us with new hope, gives us the courage to live to the full the unique gift of life.
The quest for beauty that I am describing here is clearly not about escaping into the irrational or into mere aestheticism…. Authentic beauty… unlocks the yearning of the human heart, the profound desire to know, to love, to go towards the Other, to reach for the Beyond.”

For full article see: ‘The Current’ Vol 4 Iss 1Jan/March 2010
http://www.livingwatercollege.com/thecurrent/The%20Current.Vol.4-Iss.1.pdf
Living Water College of the Arts

Something Beautiful for Lent: Missa Orbis Factor

Missa " ORBIS FACTOR", Gregoriano, Giovanni Vianini, Schola Gregoriana Mediolanensis, Milano, Italia

TODAY IS ASH WEDNESDAY

PRAYER FOR ASH WEDNESDAY

Grant, Lord, that we
Christ's soldiers,
may enter on this Lenten campaign
with holy fasting,
so that self-denial may strengthen us
in our warfare with the spirits of evil.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen

FROM “ON HUMILITY AND PRIDE”, by Bernard of Clairvaux

“Remember, man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return”. These are the words the priest recites to each and every person who receives ashes on Ash Wednesday.


Pride = Curiosity about what is not one’s proper concern.
Humility = Containment of one’s interests, which shows itself in a humble bearing and lowered eyes.

Pride = Light-mindedness: chatter and exclamations about things which do not matter.
Humility = Quiet and restrained speech.

Pride = Laughing about nothing; foolish merriment.
Humility = Reluctance to laugh at foolishness.

Pride = Boasting and talking too much.
Humility = Keeping silent unless asked to speak.

Pride = Trying to be different; claiming special rights.
Humility = Regarding oneself as having no special rights in the community.

Pride = Thinking oneself holier than others.
Humility = Thinking oneself less holy than others.

Pride = Interfering presumptuously in the affairs of others.
Humility = Thinking oneself unworthy to take initiative.

Pride = Self-justification; defending one’s sinful actions.
Humility = Confessing one’s sins.

Pride = Insincere confession.
Humility = Patience in the face of accusation.

Pride = Rebellion against superiors.
Humility = Submission to superiors.

Pride = Feeling free to sin.
Humility = Desiring no freedom to exercise one’s will.

Pride = Habitual sinning.
Humility = Constant watchfulness against sin

What practical things could we do during Lent?

Lenten Symbols in Our Home

Let our homes be a place full of things that help raise our minds and hearts to God. We see so many images that distract us from all that is good and noble and holy. Perhaps, during Lent we could have in our homes simple symbols to help us focus on what is important as we take the 40 day journey to Easter?

A Crucifix
We probably all have a crucifix in our home. If not, Lent might be a wonderful time to place a crucifix in a central place, as a stirring reminder of God’s love. Every time we look at it we could offer a simple short prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
May the Most Precious Blood of Christ, all His Blood, Wounds, and Agony save us, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my sins, I renounce all evil and I give you my life

Water
A simple bowl of Holy Water, can remind us of our journey to the font of baptism for the renewal of commitment and life in Christ. Each day we can bless ourselves and say, “Lord, may this water remind us of our baptism and be a blessing for our home. Bless us, as we sign ourselves with it each day.”

A Candle
Place a candle in a central place in our home and pray over it together as we begin Lent. “Lord thank you for the gift of your Light in the midst of all darkness. Let this candle be a symbol of our faith in your presence among us.”
Light this candle whenever we feel tempted, when we are experiencing tensions in our home, whenever we need special graces. What a wonderful preparation for the lighting of the Pascal Fire at the Easter Vigil if, during Lent, we have meditated on the meaning of the symbolism of Fire and Light.
If we have Baptismal candles given to us or our children at Baptism, place them near our central candle. Each day repeat the words that were spoken when we received this candle: "Receive the Light of Christ. ... Keep this flame burning brightly."

If we have the white baptismal garments that have been used in our family for baptism, they could be taken out and placed somewhere near the other symbols. (Or any beautiful white cloth could be used.) Repeat the words, "See in the white garments you wear, the outward sign of your Christian dignity. Bring this garment unstained to the joys of everlasting life."

A Bible
What about giving the Bible a prominent place in our home to show our desire for God’s Word in our lives. Daily we could pick up that Bible and simply, reverently kiss it.

Sand
Perhaps a bowl of sand can help us remember our journey. The Lenten candle could be placed in it. God led the people in their journey in the desert. Jesus himself re-enacted that journey to face his own temptations. The desert can be a place of retreat, where there is a freedom from distractions. It can be a good place to be led and to face our temptations.

Ideas from: http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1527

Try this for Lent: You might even continue this long after Lent is over!

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.

2. The first finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and priests.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for all leaders in politics, industry, education, health and finance, as well as leaders of our own communities.. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance. Pray especially for Catholics who give the appearance of having compromised.

4. The ring finger is next. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger. Pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them. Remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory who cannot pray for themselves.

5. And lastly comes our little finger --- the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Pray for your own salvation as well as that of others - that you will never lose the precious gift of faith. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective.

But remember, as in all prayer, your first thought should be Almighty God, His goodness and providence. Render Him thanksgiving, praise and adoration.

'Ad Limina' Visit to Rome: Archbishop Nichols addresses the Holy Father.

Archbishop Nichols addressed the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales to mark the end of the Bishops' 'Ad Limina' visit to Rome. Full text follows

1 February 2010

Most Holy Father,

It is my privilege and delight to address you in the name of the Bishops of England and Wales and all Catholics in our countries.

The visit ‘ad limina Apostolorum’ gives us a precious opportunity of thanking you personally and most warmly for the years of service you are giving to the Apostolic See as our beloved Holy Father. Nor do we forget the years in which you were Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, where you always received us with the utmost courtesy and interest.

We wish to assure you of our prayers and heartfelt support for you in the exercise of this supreme Office. We are proud of the strong tradition of profound loyalty to the Holy Father which is part of our heritage in England and Wales. It is very much a feature of our Catholic life.

We would like to take the moment to thank you in particular for your inspiring teaching in the Encyclical Letters you have issued for the whole Church. The most recent of these, ‘Caritas in Veritate’, has been well received in our countries and is making a significant contribution to the debate about and examination of those circumstances and conditions which lead to the recent financial crises and the world wide hardship it has caused.

Your insistence on the central place of the human person, and of integral human development, is a powerful reminder that the most important truths have to shape economic and social programmes if they are to be of genuine service to the common good. First among these are, of course, the respect for life from its beginnings and the crucial role of marriage and family for the well-being not only of children but also for the good of society.

We thank you for the leadership you have given, even in recent months, on the questions of our care for the environments of our world: both the natural environment and, crucially, the human ecology necessary for our proper development.
These matters are of deep concern to many in our countries, including many young people, who have accepted the invitation, in large numbers, to look closely at ways in which they can live more simply, so that others may simply live.

We thank you, too, for your constant encouragement to us through the initiatives of the Year of St Paul and the Year for Priests. In our different dioceses we have built on these invitations both in the deeper appreciation of the Word of God and of the gift of the Eucharist. At this time we appreciate your concern for the dignity and reverence with which the Mass is celebrated. This is a central part of the life of every priest and bishop and we are committed to constant effort in this regard.

In particular the new translations of the Roman Missal offer us an opportune moment to deepen our appreciation of the Mass. Through catechesis we can renew our reception of the richness of the Church’s faith through the ages which, in faithfulness, is now handed on to us in these texts.

Of particular delicacy for us is the response made by you, Holy Father, to those Anglicans who, from different parts of the world, asked for a pathway to be established by which they could come into the full communion of the Catholic Church bringing with them elements of the Anglican patrimony which fully accord with Catholic faith. Years of close cooperation and deepening friendship and communion with our brothers and sisters in the Church of England have helped us to ensure that the various interpretations of and reactions to ‘Anglicanorum Coetibus’ have not seriously disrupted the relationships between our Ecclesial Communions.
Indeed the commitment to commence a third round of discussions as part of the work of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission has reinforced this relationship. We remain ready to explore with those Anglicans in England and Wales who wish to take up your generous and paternal response to their requests the ways forward towards full communion. We ask for your prayers in these important and sensitive matters.

But most importantly of all, Holy Father, we wish to express our joy at the prospect of your visit to our countries. We are grateful to Her Majesty the Queen, and to her Government, for the invitation extended to you and for the manner in which preparations are being undertaken. The entire Catholic community looks forward to this much hoped-for visit and the encouragement you will give not only to us but to all our fellow citizens.

There are, of course, great challenges facing the Catholic community in our land, as we strive to be faithful to the Lord in both word and deed. But there is also an openness to the things of faith, not least in a time of uncertainty and anxiety about many aspects of our society.

We are confident that your presence and teaching, with its consistent and reasoned appeal to all people, will be warmly received, as will you be personally. The Beatification of the Venerable John Henry Newman, who spoke so eloquently to our English tradition and culture, is, we trust, the eagerly anticipated climax of your proposed visit.

Most Holy Father, we are honoured to be received by you today. In this visit we strive to deepen the bonds of ecclesial communion not only between the Apostolic See and the Conference of Bishops, but more importantly between the Catholic community we serve and you yourself, Holy Father. You remain a vital sign and source of our visible unity in the Lord. We thank you most profoundly for this ministry and we assure you of our unwavering loyalty and prayers.

We ask of you, Holy Father, your Apostolic Blessing for ourselves and for our people.
+Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster
President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

Acknowledgement to Diocese of Westminster website: http://www.rcdow.org.uk/archbishop/default.asp?library_ref=35&content_ref=2673

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Youtube video - See the Apostleship of Prayer http://www.youtube.com/user/apostleshipofprayer

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord,which occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus and is also known as Candlemas day, since the blessing and procession of candles is included in today's liturgy.

The Feast of the Presentation, commemorates the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the temple, which took place 40 days after his birth as Jewish law required. According to Mosaic law, a mother who had given birth to a boy was considered unclean for seven days. Also, she was to remain 33 days "in the blood of her purification." Luke tells us, quoting Exodus 13:2,12, that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem because every firstborn child was to be dedicated to the Lord. They also went to sacrifice a pair of doves or two young pigeons, showing that Mary and Joseph were poor. Once in the temple, Jesus was purified by the prayer of Simeon, in the presence of Anna the prophetess. Simeon, upon seeing the Messiah, gave thanks to the Lord, singing a hymn now called the Nunc Dimittis:

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace,
your word has been fulfilled:
My own eyes have seen the salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Simeon told Mary, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." Simeon thus foreshadowed the crucifixion and the sorrows of Mary at seeing the death of her Son.

The name Candlemas comes from the activities associated with the feast. It came to be known as the Candle Mass. In the Western Church, a procession with lighted candles is the distinctive rite.

For more information on Today's feast day, see Catholic Culture and the Catholic Encylopedia.