Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady

 

Regina in Caelum assumpta, ora pro nobis.

 

Happy Feast!

Biretta for the Beach?

With Fr. Tim soon to relocate to the sunny Kent Coast, I have come across these rather fetching 'sunshade birettas' - just the thing for wants to relax in a deckchair and feels a knotted hankie on the head to be a bit infra dig.




Source - The Phillipi Collection blog - well worth a visit



As you will see these are the prelatial versions, which I understand have been prepared for the Vatican Cricket Team's upcoming tour (cricket caps are so last year!) :-)

As far as I can see, however, the rumour that the Fishwrap has enquired about a version featuring the wording 'Kiss Me Quick' is entire conjecture.

 

Nod to Bruvver Eccles for this



 

Now, I'd better go and extricate my tongue from my cheek ...







Feast of the Transfiguration

Happy Feast!

The painting of the Transfiguration of Our Lord shown above is from the apse ceiling in one of the most beautiful of London suburban Catholic churches, St. Saviour's, Lewisham. I have included a wider view of the church interior below to give an impression of how it fits into the whole scheme - you will notice that the original Sanctuary is still intact and in situ.

 

The painting's history is quite interesting, having apparently been executed by Polish prisoners of war during WWI, so is currently quite topical.

I will try to post in more depth about this lovely church at a later date. Perhaps I will try to resume the series of posts I did last summer on London Catholic churches, and have a look at some of the more interesting ones in the suburbs.

Suffering or Complacency?

Father Ray Blake has again grabbed my attention by the interesting juxtaposition of two recent posts. In the first he discusses the role of martyrdom and suffering in the Church, referring to a post by Fr. Z., concerning crucifixions of Christians being carried out by ISIS (I would recommend following these links, and praying for those being persecuted and murdered for the Faith at this time, but would also caution you about following the thread right back to the original article, complete with extremely grim photos unless you are well prepared for these), and to the traditional incorporation of red elements (eg shoes) into the Pope's dress as a mark of following in the bloody footsteps of Our Lord. The second post shows a list of Pope Francis' 10 suggestions for being happy. The juxtaposition does, I'm sorry to say, emphasise the effeteness of the some of the Holy Father's comments.

From Fr. Ray's post

While Joy and Peace are fruits of the Holy Spirit, and I hope we will all experience many pleasant times in our lives, the role of the Church Militant is to fight against the Devil, the World and the Flesh, until they are finally conquered. It was to this end that Christ suffered, and this suffering continues through His Mystical Body, the Church. The Christian life on Earth is, therefore, not supposed to be something pollyannish, where everything is wonderful and jolly (eternal happiness is the reward of the Church Triumphant): it always has the characteristic of a battle, and is, at times, extremely hard. It is about working and fighting to save our own soul, and to help in the salvation of as many other souls as we are able, for this is the ultimate mission of the Church. Fortunately, most of us will not be called to give up our lives in bloody martyrdom for the Faith, but, we should, nonetheless ask ourselves often if we would do so if the occasion arose.

The Holy Father says that he aims to follow a Franciscan charism in his pontificate. I would therefore draw attention to the following verses from the hymn to St. Francis, which clearly don't adopt an 'I'm OK, you're OK' stance:-

 

In thine own beloved Assisi

Thou disdst stir mens hearts to love,

Teaching them that holy penance

Is the road to Heaven above.

Make us love the priceless virtue

By our hidden God esteemed;

Make it valued, Holy Francis,

By the souls of the Redeemed.

 

Teach us also, dear Saint Francis,

How to mourn for every sin.

Make us walk in thy dear footsteps

'Till the crown of life we win.

Bless thy children, Holy Francis,

With those wounded hands of thine,

From thy glorious throne in Heaven

Where resplendently they shine.

 

 

Sancte Francisce, ora pro nobis.

 

St. Francis receiving the stigmata

 

 



Remembering the Fallen

This morning, I spent a short while in the company of the Anglican community close to my father's home, while they conducted a short memorial service on  the occasion of the 100th. anniversary of the First World War. The war memorial stands in the churchyard.

 

 

The service consisted of a few prayers, a scriptural reading, and reading of the names of the known war dead of the parish (considerably more names than those that appear on the memorial). For their souls and those of all who died in the World Wars:-

 

Requiem aeternum dona eis, Domine,

Et lux perpetua luceat eis:

Requiescant in pace.

AMEN.

Liturgical Boutiques

My attention has recently been drawn to some discussion on The Rad Trad blog, concerning 'liturgical fetishes' and 'liturgical boutiques'. Please see this link for a direct route to the boutique.



For the benefit of those among us who are connoisseurs of liturgical apparel, rescuers of period vestments, and similar, here are a few links.

If you want to get ahead, get a biretta at Domus Birettarum (a small selection shown below - please note the rather fetching pink, tartan and camouflage versions on the right :-) ).

Those with a recent lottery win, or similar windfall (but not quite enough for the purchase of a Minor Basilica), might like to visit Luzar Vestments - or just to admire some of the stuff he has in stock.

A man who wasn't averse to wearing lace

Finally, the more avant garde  followers of fashion might like to look here - just think carefully before appearing in public. :-)

Another man who wasn't too bothered by lace, rose vestment, etc.


 



Men in the Church

Fr. Ray Blake has recently posted a thought-provoking piece about the appeal of the Old Mass to men, and more generally about current attitudes in the Church and how these relate to a masculine viewpoint. I recommend Father's article to you.

 

I agree with Father's views in that, as a bloke, I like things that are clear, well-organised, functional and, quite often, guided by strict rules. This is part of the appeal of the Old Mass, which is very structured, quite business-like, and allows me to focus on God and worship without forcing me to interact unduly with the rest of the congregation. This fits well with what much of current psychology says about gender differences in thought. Men tend to focus on single things, and, when in a group, tend to want to do things; when the talk, it is often about discussing a topic of common interest, problem-solving, or 'putting things to rights'. Women by contrast, tend to do multiple tasks, and set much score by relationships; their conversation is often about feelings and social interaction. Please accept my apologies for what I know is a drastic over-simplification ... before I provoke a great backlash from the ladies who may read this.

St. Ignatius -
 just giving the impression that you would want to pick a fight with him

It is interesting that Father posted this on the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola. His experience as an ex-soldier are clear in his vision for the Society of Jesus, with elements of  'strong arm Christianity', extensive and structured training, and Spiritual Exercises to prepare the soul for spiritual battle. It seems that former military men often make good priests, possibly because they are used to enduring privations, have developed a belief in the strength of their own character, and have no trouble with a disciplined way of life and obedience, while still being able to show and use their own initiative.

Mass on a battlefield
 

Prayer for Generosity (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labour and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.

AMEN.