The number of Russians viewing this blog is continuing at an exceptionally high level. Here are the figures of the top ten countries during the past week.
Russia 2562
United States 656
Germany 559
United Kingdom 420
Mauritius 374
Ukraine 148
China 118
France 44
Ireland 33
Canada 32
Yesterday there were a total of 1185 viewings, which is quite exceptional, and it seems that most of these were from Russians. Why should this be?
The most visited post since the beginning of this blog is the one entitled Fr William Charlton in September 2011. It is still regularly visited, almost five years after posting.
28 July 2016
Where is our Audience
Recently there has been a surge in the number of people accessing this blog, with Russia and Mauritius featuring prominently. In the past week the the top audience figures are as follows:
Russia 486
Mauritius 259
Germany 197
USA 125
UK 104
China 24
France 18
Ireland 15
I have no idea why there is currently so much interest from Russia.
Russia 486
Mauritius 259
Germany 197
USA 125
UK 104
China 24
France 18
Ireland 15
I have no idea why there is currently so much interest from Russia.
Walk to Walsingham
The annual walking pilgrimage to Walsingham organised by the Latin Mass Society will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Pilgrims will gather in Ely on the evening of Thursday 25th August and will arrive in Walsingham around midday on the Sunday.
The distance is about 55 miles, so it is not for the feint-hearted. However, in the past, it has been completed by small children and people in their 70s and even 80s. Accommodation is in halls for women and camping for men.
To read all about it, and to book, go to the Latin Mass Society website and look under news and events.
Footnote: The Latin Mass Society also welcomes day visitors to Walsingham on the Sunday. There will be a Solemn Mass at 2pm at the Catholic Shrine, followed by a procession along the Holy Mile and final prayers in the Abbey grounds. If you are not able to walk the 55 miles, why not join the pilgrimage in Walsingham.
The distance is about 55 miles, so it is not for the feint-hearted. However, in the past, it has been completed by small children and people in their 70s and even 80s. Accommodation is in halls for women and camping for men.
To read all about it, and to book, go to the Latin Mass Society website and look under news and events.
Footnote: The Latin Mass Society also welcomes day visitors to Walsingham on the Sunday. There will be a Solemn Mass at 2pm at the Catholic Shrine, followed by a procession along the Holy Mile and final prayers in the Abbey grounds. If you are not able to walk the 55 miles, why not join the pilgrimage in Walsingham.
21 July 2016
The Ad Orientem Debate
I have read a post on the blog of Fr Ed Tomlinson, who is an Ordinariate Priest in Kent, on the subject of facing East. Five years ago, he took over the church of St Anselm in Pembury which during the week served as a hall and consequently only had the most basic of altars. Unsurprisingly it was used ad populum.
Gradually, a sancturary has been created with a new more dignified altar, lectern, pulpit and now choir stalls. Because of very limited space, the new, larger altar was installed for ad orientem use. The altar rails, altar steps and a fine reredos are shortly to be installed.
Father Tomlinson has commented that there was hardly a ripple of objection to the change to ad orientem. He also states that whilst these changes have been taking place, the average of the congregation has got younger, and their contributions have gone up. What better recommendation could one hope for!
Gradually, a sancturary has been created with a new more dignified altar, lectern, pulpit and now choir stalls. Because of very limited space, the new, larger altar was installed for ad orientem use. The altar rails, altar steps and a fine reredos are shortly to be installed.
Father Tomlinson has commented that there was hardly a ripple of objection to the change to ad orientem. He also states that whilst these changes have been taking place, the average of the congregation has got younger, and their contributions have gone up. What better recommendation could one hope for!
18 July 2016
St Walburge, Preston
I traveled to Preston on Sunday to attend the Pontifical Low Mass celebrated by Bishop Campbell. Bishop Campbell will soon reach retirement age, so there may not be many more opportunities to see Bishop Campbell in action. As one would expect, the Mass was exactly as one would expect a Pontifical Low Mass to be, although the choir did sing some hymns and there was exemplary organ playing.
After Mass, Bishop Campbell was available to talk to anyone who approached him, and most did. He gave the impression of being really pleased to be at St Walburge's. Indeed, I would not be surprised if it the church of the diocese that he likes visiting most.
After Mass, Bishop Campbell was available to talk to anyone who approached him, and most did. He gave the impression of being really pleased to be at St Walburge's. Indeed, I would not be surprised if it the church of the diocese that he likes visiting most.
13 July 2016
The Rudgate Singers' 20th Anniversary Service
This isn't, strictly speaking a Middlesbrough event, but as the Rudgates have contributed so much to the Traditional Liturgy in the Diocese, it is worth mentioning here.
Details below:
Details below:
SOLEMN MASS
in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite
on the occasion of the Twentieth Anniversary
of the Rudgate Singers
SAINT AUSTIN's CHURCH
Wentworth Terrace, Wakefield WF1 3QN
Saturday, 16th July 2016, at 12:00pm
Palestrina Missa Papae Marcelli & motets also by Palestrina, concluding with the Solemn Salve Regina written for St. Mary's Abbey in York.
11 July 2016
Fr James Mawdsley FSSP
I travelled to St Mary's Church in Warrington yesterday for the first Solemn Mass of Fr James Mawdsley. It was a great occasion with a good sized congregation, and very good singing of Byrd's Mass in Five Parts.
Afterwards food was laid on in the rectory garden, which provided the opportunity to talk to several interesting people. Among them were four FSSP seminarians, from England and Wales. It really is a joy to meet these young men who, deus vult, will one day be serving as priests in England. I also had an interesting conversation with Fr de Malleray.
Afterwards food was laid on in the rectory garden, which provided the opportunity to talk to several interesting people. Among them were four FSSP seminarians, from England and Wales. It really is a joy to meet these young men who, deus vult, will one day be serving as priests in England. I also had an interesting conversation with Fr de Malleray.
Ad Populum
It has been fairly widely reported today that Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has wasted little time contacting the clergy of his diocese, and essentially urging them to ignore the words of Cardinal Sarah concerning the celebration of Mass ad orientem. (See post below).
It is noteworthy that Cardinal Nichols is speaking for himself, and not on behalf of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. So far as I am aware, no other bishop of England or Wales (or indeed of the world) has responded similarly.
The conclusion that we must make, is that Cardinal Nichols has an agenda all of his own, and it is one that is antagonistic to the traditional movement in the Church. It is also one that will not be welcomed by a significant proportion of his clergy, and of his flock.
It is noteworthy that Cardinal Nichols is speaking for himself, and not on behalf of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. So far as I am aware, no other bishop of England or Wales (or indeed of the world) has responded similarly.
The conclusion that we must make, is that Cardinal Nichols has an agenda all of his own, and it is one that is antagonistic to the traditional movement in the Church. It is also one that will not be welcomed by a significant proportion of his clergy, and of his flock.
07 July 2016
Ad Orientem
Speaking at the Sacra Liturgia Conference in London, Cardinal Sarah Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship, is reported as saying the following:
He is, of course, talking about celebration of the Mass in the Novus Ordo, but it is nevertheless a very significant development. The quotation is taken from the Catholic Herald.
“It is very important that we return as soon as possible to a common orientation, of priests and the faithful turned together in the same direction – eastwards or at least towards the apse – to the Lord who comes.” ... “I ask you to implement this practice wherever possible.”He said that “prudence” and catechesis would be necessary, but told pastors to have “confidence that this is something good for the Church, something good for our people”.“Your own pastoral judgement will determine how and when this is possible, but perhaps beginning this on the first Sunday of Advent this year, when we attend ‘the Lord who will come’ and ‘who will not delay’.”
He is, of course, talking about celebration of the Mass in the Novus Ordo, but it is nevertheless a very significant development. The quotation is taken from the Catholic Herald.