The Latin Mass Society RC Diocese of Middlesbrough

Masses in Middlesbrough

2012-01-23T12:13:00.001Z

Regrettably, the Sunday evening Masses at the church of St Alphonsus in Middlesbrough are discontinued until further notice. The nearest regular Sunday Mass in the traditional form is at 9am at Barnard Castle.

Pilgrimage in Honour of St Margaret Clitherow

2012-01-14T18:45:00.000Z

There will be a pilgrimage in honour of St Margaret Clitherow in York on Saturday 24th March. It will begin with a Solemn Mass in the Church of St Wilfrid at 1.30pm at which Bishop Terence Drainey will preside. A procession will follow, which will pass through The Shambles, where Margaret Clitherow lived and over Ouse Bridge, where she was executed ending at the Church of the English Martyrs for Benediction.

Last year, when the Mass was in York Minster, the event was attended by about 750 people.

Sunday 25th December Christmas Day

2011-12-05T18:40:00.001Z

This year Christmas Day orrurs on a Sunday. Moreover, it will be the fourth Sunday of the month and a day when there would normally be a Mass in York.

Unfortunately, Fr Callaghan is unable to be with us on Christmas Day, so please note that there will be

NO LATIN MASS AT THE CHURCH OF THE ENGISH MARTYRS IN YORK ON 25TH DECEMBER

Masses will resume in York on Sunday 8th January 2012.

Services this weekend

2011-11-25T22:34:00.000Z

In addition to the Masses published in the previous post, the following services will also take place.

Saturday 26th November, 9pm. Ad Completorium (Compline) by candlelight.

Sunday 27th November, 6.30pm. Vespers for the First Sunday of Advent.

Both of these will take place at the church of St Mary, Bishophill Junior, York YO1 6EN

Masses on Sunday 27th November

2011-11-25T10:16:00.001Z

There will be Masses in the usus antiquior on Sunday 27th November as follows:

4pm English Martyrs, Dalton Terrace, York. YO24 4DA

6pm St Alphonsus, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough. TS3 6EW

Services this weekend

2011-11-19T00:41:00.000Z

Saturday 19th November 9pm
Compline by Candlelight
St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York

Sunday 20th November 6pm
Low Mass. 23rd Sunday after Pentecost.
St Alphonsus' Church, North Ormesby

Sunday 20th November 6.30pm
Vespers for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost
St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York

Sunday 13th November

2011-11-05T18:43:00.000Z

REMINDER

There will be a Low Mass at the Church of the English Martyrs in York at 4pm on Sunday 13th November. Fr Maughan will be the celebrant.

The attendance at the last York Mass, celebrated by Fr James Callaghan OSB on 23rd October, was good with a very respectable collection. We need to keep this up, so please come if you can and encourage others to do the same.

Remembrance Day. 11th November

2011-10-26T21:26:00.000Z

ST MARY’S CHURCH, BISHOPHILL JUNIOR, YORK

Remembrance Day. Friday 11th November, 2011. 7pm.

Vespers of the Faithful Departed.
In commemoration of all those who gave their lives in the two World Wars and other conflicts.

Gregorian Chant sung by The Schola of the RUDGATE SINGERS.

www.rudgatesingers.co.uk

Congratulations to David Aron

2011-10-14T14:52:00.002Z

I have just heard that David Aron has completed his walk along the Thames Way, from the source in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrage, a distance og 184 miles. He has carried his sleeping bag and tent the whole of the way, and emerged with just one blister!

The purpose was to raise money for the Good Council Network, a London based charity that councils girls that considering an abortion. It is not too late to sponsor David. The easiest way is to go to

www.justgiving.com/davidaron

The blog; That the bones you have crushed may thrill gives more information.

More on Masses in York

2011-10-12T12:13:00.000Z

Firstly a correction, Fr Maughan will be celebrating the Mass on the second Sunday and Fr Callaghan on the forth Sunday. This means that on Sunday 23rd October (not 22nd), the Mass will be celebrated by Fr Callaghan.

Secondly, the full address is:

Church of the English Martyrs

Dalton Terrace

York

YO24 4DA

Dalton Terrace is about half a mile outside the city walls and is a turning off the main road towards Tadcaster.

Resumption of Masses in York

2011-10-10T18:04:00.000Z

Masses in the usus antiquior are to be resumed in York. They will take place on the second and fourth Sundays of each month at 4pm beginning on Sunday 22nd October.

Fr Stephen Maughan will be the celebrant on the fourth Sunday and Fr James Callaghan OSB of Ampleforth Abbey will celebrate on the second Sunday. Since both these priests will have to travel a considerable distance, it would be nice to have a large congregation. Please pass the word on to anyone that you think may be interested.

News from the Leeds Diocese

2011-10-05T15:16:00.001Z

There will be an afternoon of prayer and recollection at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Harrogate Road, Moortown, Leeds. It will take place from 1.30 to 4.30pm on Saturday 15th October and will include:

Missa Cantata

Benediction

Rosary

Confessions

There will also be talks on the spirituality of the Mass and the Rosary. Everybody welcome.

Sunday 9th October

2011-10-05T14:59:00.000Z

Due to Mgr Heslin being away on holiday, there will be no Latin Mass at the Church of St Alphonsus in Middlesbrough on Sunday 9th October. Regular Sunday evening Masses will resume on Sunday 16th October.

Mass in Middlesbrough

2011-10-04T12:29:00.003Z

Mgr. Heslin took over saying the weekly 6pm Latin Mass at St Alphonsus, Middlesbrough last Sunday. However there will be no Latin Mass next Sunday, October 9th, while Mgr. Heslin is on holiday.

The next Latin Mass in Middlesbrough will be on Sunday October 16th at 6.00pm and thereafter weekly.

Services for October in York

2011-09-29T21:38:00.001Z

Saturday 01/10/2011 9pm. Compline by Candlelight.

Sunday 02/10/2011 6.30pm. Vespers for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost.

FRIDAY 07/10/2011 7pm. BVM of the Rosary. Vespers.

Saturday 08/10/2011 9pm. Compline by Candlelight.

Sunday 09/10/2011 6.30pm. Vespers for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost.

Saturday 15/10/2011 9pm. Compline by Candlelight.

Sunday 16/10/2011 6.30pm. Vespers for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost.

Saturday 22/10/2011 9pm. Compline by Candlelight.

Sunday 23/10/2011 6.30pm. Vespers for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost.

Sunday 30/10/2011 6.30pm. Vespers for the Feast of OLJC the King, followed by Compline.

All services take place at the Church of St. Mary, Bishophill Junior York YO1 6EN.

The times of Sunday Vespers may possibly change depending on whether occasional Sunday Masses are resumed next month.

Mass in York

2011-09-23T16:49:00.001Z

There will be no evening Mass at the Church of the English Martyrs in York this Sunday, 25th September. Please pass this information on to anyone that you think may be thinking of attending. Information about when Masses will resume in York will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

2011-09-14T11:00:00.002Z

Today, 14th September, is the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a feasst day that appeals greatly to me, because of the importance of the Holy Cross to the whole concept of Christianity. It also appeals to me, because it is the anniversary of the coming into force, four years ago, of the Holy Father's motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum.

Today is also of special significance to the traditional movement within the Church, because an important meeting is taking place between Bishop Fellay of the SSPX and Cardinal Lavada of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. There is speculation amongst some journalists and Vatican watchers that this meeting could be the start of the resolution of the differences between the SSPX and the Magisterium of the Church. Let us hope that this is the case.

ROME-SSPX Talks 14 September 2011

2011-09-13T23:10:00.003Z

Please pray for a satisfactory outcome for Bishop Fellay's meeting in Rome today, 14 September 2011 - Feast of the Holy Cross. Please pray that the Holy See may be generous in any offer that it may make to the Society of St Pius X and please pray that in its turn the SSPX will respond generously to any offer that may be made to it. The contribution the Society can make to both the Church and the cause of Tradition will produce greater fruit if its canonical situation is regularised. This does not mean selling out on its principles but, whilst maintaining true to tradition, taking its rightful place within the Church community. Lest any should have any doubts about this let our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, have the last word:

"Can it be completely mistaken to work to break down obstinacy and narrowness, and to make space for what is positive and retrievable for the whole? I myself saw, in the years after 1988, how the return of communities which had been separated from Rome changed their interior attitudes; I saw how returning to the bigger and broader Church enabled them to move beyond one-sided positions and broke down rigidity so that positive energies could emerge for the whole. Can we be totally indifferent about a community which has 491 priests, 215 seminarians, 6 seminaries, 88 schools, 2 university-level institutes, 117 religious brothers, 164 religious sisters and thousands of lay faithful? Should we casually let them drift farther from the Church? I think for example of the 491 priests. We cannot know how mixed their motives may be. All the same, I do not think that they would have chosen the priesthood if, alongside various distorted and unhealthy elements, they did not have a love for Christ and a desire to proclaim him and, with him, the living God. Can we simply exclude them, as representatives of a radical fringe, from our pursuit of reconciliation and unity? What would then become of them?

Certainly, for some time now, and once again on this specific occasion, we have heard from some representatives of that community many unpleasant things – arrogance and presumptuousness, an obsession with one-sided positions, etc. Yet to tell the truth, I must add that I have also received a number of touching testimonials of gratitude which clearly showed an openness of heart. But should not the great Church also allow herself to be generous in the knowledge of her great breadth, in the knowledge of the promise made to her? Should not we, as good educators, also be capable of overlooking various faults and making every effort to open up broader vistas? And should we not admit that some unpleasant things have also emerged in Church circles? At times one gets the impression that our society needs to have at least one group to which no tolerance may be shown; which one can easily attack and hate. And should someone dare to approach them – in this case the Pope – he too loses any right to tolerance; he too can be treated hatefully, without misgiving or restraint."

Fr William Charlton

2011-09-10T13:15:00.002Z

Since his appointment to the Church of St Alphonsus in Middlesbrough about three years ago, Fr Charlton has celebrated a Mass in the usus antiquior at his church each Sunday evening at 6pm. Prior to his moving to Middlesbrough, Fr Charlton was the regular celebrant of the 6.30 Sunday evening Mass in York.

News has filtered down that Fr Charlton will be leaving Middlesbrough later this month to be part of a newly formed community of Benedictine monks in France. We wish Fr Charlton and the new community every success.

Some had feared that this move would bring about the end of Latin Masses in Middlesbrough. I am pleased to be able to confirm that the Middlesbrough Sunday evening Masses will continue. The celebrant will be Mgr John Heslin, a retired priest of the Birmingham Archdiocese living in Saltburn. He used to celebrate First Friday Masses at the Church of St Clare in Middlesbrough.

I hope that Mgr Heslin's Masses will be well supported.

Sung Vespers in York This Sunday

2011-09-09T15:19:00.003Z

Vespers for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost

Will be sung by the Rudgate Singers at St Mary's, Bishophill Junior at 6.30pm this coming Sunday, 11th September. Please do join us.

location map for St Mary's can be found at their website

http://stmary-bishophill.co.uk/index.html

Walsingham Pilgrimage

2011-08-31T11:54:00.002Z

I have recently returned from the walking pilgrimage from Ely to Walsingham, a distance of 55 miles, and it was a great experience. I should add that I only walked the final mile. My role was driving a support vehicle, which carried some of the baggage and was available to pick up anyone who could walk no further.

Over 30 young and not so young people walked the whole distance over three days. They prayed the rosary and sang hymns much of the time, and there were opportunities for confessions to be heard by Fr Rowe along the way.

It was a great occasion and even the rather wet, and sometimes stormy, weather did not dampen the spirits of the pilgrims. There was a sung Mass each day. On the Friday it was at 6am in the church of St Etheldreda before setting off from Ely, and on the Saturday, it was in in the chapel of Oxborough Hall. The Sunday Mass was at the shrine in Walsingham, and the walking pilgrims were joined by others who had travelled there by coach or car.

For me the high point was walking the Holy Mile into the village of Little Walsingham. Many, but not me, did this bearfoot. We carried a processional cross, and sang the Rosary and a Litany as we walked. The musical setting of the Ave Maria was new to me, and is apparently the one used on the Paris to Chartres pilgrimage. I found it very attractive and suitable for the occasion. People certainly joined in well.

The procession took us to the grounds of the former abbey which is the site of the original shrine.

Plans are now being made for next year, when we expect to have a bigger and better pilgrimage.

Rudgate Singers: Services for September

2011-08-29T14:48:00.000Z

These may be of interest.

Sunday 04/09 6:30pm - St Mary's Bishophill Junior, York
Vespers for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday 10/09. 12:00pm Brinkburn Priory, Northumberland.
The Annual Solemn High Mass
Saturday 10/09: 9:00pm - St Mary's Bishophill Junior, York
Compline by Candlelight

Sunday 11/09. 6:30pm - St Mary's Bishophill Junior
Vespers for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost

Saturday 24/09. 9:00pm - St Mary's Bishophill Junior
Compline by Candlelight

Sunday 25/09. 6:30pm - St Mary's Bishophill Junior
Vespers for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost

Note: NO Chant SERVICES the weekend of 17/18th September in York, as I shall be down in Oxford singing for the Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood of fr. Lawrence Lew OP.

World Youth Day and the BBC

2011-08-24T13:59:00.002Z

Much has been written on various blogs about the coverage of World Youth Day by the BBC. All seem to agree that it was abyssmal.

I estimate that 95% of the coverage was about the relatively small demonstration by illinformed people protersing at the visit. Of the remaining 5%, much of it was devoted to a freak gust of wind that blew off Pope Benedict's skull cap.

If, like me you think that the coverage was outrageously biassed, then I would urge you to make a formal complaint. It is very easily done on line at:

www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/

Whilst at it, please encourage others to do the same.

The Restoration of Catholic Practices

2011-08-19T11:58:00.003Z

Fr Ray Blake has a post on his blog about the external marks by which Catholics were, at one time, easily recognised. The implication is that nowadays most of these practices are rarely seen.

Here is a list, mostly taken from Fr Blake's blog:

Friday abstinence,
Fast days,
Corpus Christi and Marian Processions,
Benediction,
Confession,
The religious life,
Pilgrimages,
Kneeling in church,
Genuflecting,
Reception of Holy Communion on the tongue,
Unlocked churches,
Latin,
Plain chant,
The Rosary,
The Angelus,
Mantillas,
Holy water,
Crucifixes in the home,
Blessing oneself with holy water when entering a church,
Making the sign of the cross when passing a church.

What prompted this discussion was the welcome proposal of the bishops of England and Wales to re-introduce Friday abstinence. The list suggests plenty more customs and practices that could be revived.

Masses in York

2011-07-29T13:36:00.002Z

Please note that due to the absence of Father Maughan on holiday, there will be no evening Masses in York on Sundays 7th and 14th August.

There will be Sunday Masses on 21st and 28th August, but after that the routine will change. Fr Maughan is moving to the northern part of the diocese, where he will be parish priest at Loftus, Brotton and Staithes.

Bishop Drainey is keen that the usus antiquior Masses in York continue, and he has asked Fr Maughan to travel to York on one Sunday each month to celebrate this Mass. As things are planned at present this will be the last Sunday of the month. I understand that Bishop Drainey is seeking further provision, but I have no information about this yet. Any news will be posted as it becomes available.

Although covering a large geographical ares, the Diocese of Middlesbrough is relatively small in terms of Catholic population and the number of parishes. It is also a diocese where the shortage of priests is particularly accute. As a consequence, many of the priests that we do have, are doing more than one job.
In these circumstances, it is difficult for the bishop to find priests who is able and willing to celebrate Mass in the usus antiquior.

Bishop Drainey has asked us to pray for priestly vocations. Please do so, because an influx of new priests is desperately needed.

Gregorian Chant Workshop

2011-07-07T00:08:00.000Z

Following on from Et Expecto's post about children singing Chant, it's not too late to register for this.

Gregorian Chant Workshop.

Saturday 9th July. 2.30pm-6.30pm

Church of St. Mary
Bishophill Junior,
York
YO1 6EN

In this half-day workshop, in the oldest church in the City of York, we will learn and sing some of the most beautiful hymns, antiphons & psalms in the repertory of Gregorian Chant. We will immerse ourselves in the history, sound, technique and language of this ancient musical style, working toward an authentic and beautiful performance of Compline [The Night Office] at the end of the day.

All materials (scores and helpful resources) are included in the cost of the day. Beginners and more advanced singers are welcome. Registration Fee: £6.50 – £5.00 for Students. It would be helpful if you could register in advance, as this will give us an idea how music & other source materials to prepare!

To register please contact us at mike.4b@ntlworld.com or telephone (01904) 341853.

Children singing Plainchant

2011-07-06T12:13:00.002Z

There is a very good video of primary age school children singing plainchant circulating around the internet. It can be found on Fr Finigan's, The Hermenutic of Continuity amongst other places. I recomment it.

Change of time of Mass

2011-06-29T10:43:00.000Z

The Mass at the Church of the English Martyrs in York today (Feast of St Peter and St Paul is now at 7.30pm. Sorry for any confusion.

Feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

2011-06-24T13:49:00.002Z

Wednesday 29th June is the feast of St Peter and St Paul and there will be Mass at the Church of the English Martyrs in York at 6pm.

It is also the sixtieth anniversary of the priestly ordination of Pope Benedict XVI. We should use this occasion to say a prayer or two for the intentions of the Holy Father, who has an exceptionally difficult job steering the Church in troubled times.

Father Stephen Maughan

2011-06-24T13:33:00.004Z

News is spreading that Father Stephen Maughan will be leaving York shortly to become the parish priest of the combined parishes of Loftus, Brotton and Staithes. The date of his move is not yet known. I am sure that everyone that has attended the Sunday evening Masses that Fr Maughan has said or sung for us at the Church of the English Matryrs in York will wish him well in his new appointment.

Nothing has been said officially, but it is rumoured that Bishop Drainey wants the usus antiquior Masses in York to continue. It is probable that Fr Maughan will visit York on at least one Sunday each mouth and that some other provision will be made on the other Sundays. We must be grateful to Bishop Drainey for his concern for the followers of the traditional Mass.

Corpus Christi

2011-06-20T16:56:00.001Z

There will be a 6.00pm Mass at English Martyrs' Church, York on the feast of Corpus Christi, Thursday 23rd June. It will be followed by a short procession, with the Blessed Sacrament. We are looking for a good sized congregation.

York Masses on Holy Days

2011-06-11T14:49:00.003Z

There will be Mass at 6pm in the church of the English Martyrs in York on each of the forthcoming (untransferred) Holydays of Obligation. That is:

Thursday 23rd June Corpus Christi
Wednesday 29th June St Peter & St Paul

Therse two Masse really will take place, unlike on the feast of the Ascension, when Fr Maughan was in Lourdes.

There will be a short procession after Mass of Corpus Christi.

It is up to You

2011-06-08T12:40:00.002Z

Fr Simon Henry at Offerimus tibi Domine has a very good post today about the implementation of Summorum Pontificum and Universae Ecclesiae. I would recommend anyone to read it.

These documents cover many areas, and one could spend a long time studying them. However, I would like to single out Article 5.1 of Summorum Pontificum. This is the bit that states that any stable group of the faithful is entitled to ask their "pastor" (parish priest of equivalent)for provision of the Mass and the other sacraments in the usus antiquior. Universae Ecclesiae explains that the group can be small and members need not necessarily come from the same parish, or indeed diocese.

So any group of people, five would be sufficient, who are stable (ie not here today and gone tomorrow) is perfectly entitled to ask their priest for provision of Mass in the older form. He should do his best to to satisfy the request in a reasonable fashion. This may be with a differenr priest as celebrant, or in a neighbouring parish. The point is that all reasonable possibilities should be explored.

If, after exploring the possibilities, the priest cannot find a way of satisfying the request, or it is felt that the priest has not taken the request sufficiently seriously, the applicants have the right to refer the matter to the bishop of the diocese. It then becomes his duty to attempt to resolve the matter. If this fails, the matter can be referred to Rome. So that there can be no dispute, it would be wise for the original request and all subsequent correspondence, to be in writing, and contain the names of all the applicants.

Summorum Pontificum is remarkable in the degree to which it delegates power to the laity. In matters concerning the older rites, the laity are empowered to set the ball rolling, and the clergy, even possibly the episcopy, are required to respond. Where reasonably practical, they must at least attempt to deliver the goods.

People often say that there is no point in asking their parish priest, because he is "so against it". In fact it is important that the question is asked, regardless of the expected answer, because the very asking is an important part of the procedure laid down by Summorum Pontificum. All bishops have recently had to send a report to Rome dealing with the reception of summorum pontificum in their diocese. One of the points that they will, no doubt, have remarked on is the number of requests that were received during the three year period.

This is why I say that it is up to you. If you don't ask you don't get. It you take the trouble to make a request, something should happen. You will notice that I have used the words "reasonably practical" and "reasonably possible" several times. We have to accept that many priests have never learned any Latin in their life, and may find the language very difficult. There may be other priests who, although they may be able to cope with the Latin, are so set in their ways that they cannot bring themselves to learn something new.

On the other hand, as Father Henry says, there are priests about that are very willing and able to say Mass in the usus antiquior. There are more than 100 who have attended the Priests' Training Conferences put on by the Latin Mass Society. There are many others who have taught themselves. In most cases, these priests would be delighted to be asked.

Universae Ecclesiae

2011-05-13T18:26:00.003Z

The long awaited document clarifying Pope Benedict's motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum, was published today under the title Universae Ecclesiae. Supporters of the traditional Mass will find much in it to please them. Many of the excuses used during the past three and a half years to inhibit the celebration of Mass in the usus antiquior are ruled out of order. Here are some of the points that are clearly set out in the document:-

1. There is no minimum size for a stable group of the faithful asking for a traditional Mass, and its members do not have to come a single parish or, indeed, diocese.

2. No priest visiting a church, oratory or place of pilgrimage who has the correct credentials can be refused the right to celebrate Mass in the older form.

3. Priests do not have to be fluent or expert in Latin to celebrate the older rite. They are only required to be able to pronounce the words correctly, and understand what they are saying.

Clause 28 of the document will probably produce the most debate, and turn out to be the most important one. Although it is dangerous to paraphrase a legal document, I shall try to do so. Broadly, it states that summorum pontificum derogates all provisions of Church law promulgated after 1962 which are connected with sacred Rites and which are incompatible with the 1962 liturgy.

If my interpretation is correct, this means that liturgical innovations introduced after 1962 cannot be applied to the usus antiquior. It would seem to imply that practices such as Communion on the hand, the use of extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist and female altar servers are definitely ruled out for the extraordinary form. It would be useful if a canon lawyer would give a considered opinion on these matters.

Another subject touched upon is is the teaching of the usus in seminaries. Clause 21 states:-

Ordinaries are asked to offer their clergy the possibility of acquiring adequate preparation for celebrations in the forma extraordinaria. This applies to seminaries, where future priests should be given proper formation, including the study of Latin, and where pastoral needs suggest it, the opportunity to learn the the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite.

Walking to Walsingham

2011-05-11T10:34:00.002Z

The Latin Mass Society is organising a walking pilgrimage from Ely to Walsingham, a distance of about 55 miles. It will take place over three days from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th August, which is the Bank Holiday weekend. It is modelled on the very successful Paris to Chartres pilgrimage which takes place every year, and is also a continuation of the mediaeval practice, when pilgrims would travel from all parts of England, and indeed Europe, to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Overnight accommodation will be provided in campsites and village halls, and there will be support vehicles to transport pilgrims' luggage. Bottled water and evening meals will be provide, but pilgrims are asked to bring with them food to eat during the day.

Pilgrims are asked to gather in Ely, the home town of St Etheldreda, on the Thursday evening, and there will be Mass early on Friday morning. Mass on the Saturday will be in the chapel of Oxborough Hall, a 15th century mansion which has been in continuous Catholic ownership since the Reformation. On Sunday, the walkers will be joined for Mass at the Shrine of Walsingham by other pilgrims travelling by coach and private car. Finally, pilgrims will walk the Holy Mile into the village of Little Walsingham.

To book into the walking pilgrimage, go to the website of the Latin Mass Society.

Compline by Candlelight during May

2011-05-02T12:28:00.000Z

Saturday 7th May

Saturday 14th May

Saturday 21st May

All at the church of St. Mary, Bishophill Junior, York (York's oldest church), commencing at 9pm.

The Rudgate Singers' 15th Anniversary Mass

2011-05-02T12:08:00.000Z

Many of you will, I'm, sure, have heard of us. Some no doubt, will have heard us sing at various services that have taken place in the North of England over the last few years. What you may not know, is that the idea to form the choir originated in prison! I used to work for the Prison Service, and a chance conversation with one of the Catholic Chaplains where I worked (Fr. Richard Aladics) led to the first Rudgate Service which took place in the beautiful catholic church in Scarthingwell, back in June 1996, where amongst other pieces, we sang the Missa Papae Marcelli by Palestrina.

What we believed would be a one-off occasion (or annual at best) clearly didn't turn out to be the case, and we now approach our 15th Anniversary!

The 15th anniversary Mass will take place at St. Joseph's Church, Newby, Scarborough (YO12 6HT if you have satnav) on 18th June, 2011 at 3pm, and will, once again include the Missa Papae Marcelli. Other music is as follows:

Aichinger: Factus est repente
Tallis: Loquebantur variis linguis
Lotti: Regina Caeli

as well as the full Chant Proper of the Mass of Whit Saturday from the Graduale Romanum.

Fr. Stephen Maughan, who celebrated the historic Mass in York Minster earlier this year, has kindly agreed to be the Celebrant, for what we hope will be another special occasion.

Please do put the date in your diaries.

Young Catholic Adults National Weekend.

2011-05-02T11:41:00.000Z

This is a little late, so you may have already read it elsewhere. My excuse is that I succumbed to an extremely nasty cold just after Easter & haven't felt like doing much else since, apart from the Rudgate Singers' Stow Minster Service.

Anyway, late or not, I'm more than happy to promote this here, although I'm a little on the old side, unless it applies to youths of all ages. ;-)

YOUNG CATHOLIC ADULTS NATIONAL WEEKEND 9TH-11TH SEPTEMBER 2011

During the weekend of the 9-11 September 2011 Young Catholic Adults will be running a weekend at Douai Abbey, it will be led by Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr de Malleray . The weekend will be full-board.

* YCA will have half of the retreat centre to itself

* There will be a Marian Procession, Rosaries, Sung Mass, Low Mass, Confession and socials

* Fr. de Malleray FSSP head of Juventutem will preach the retreat, Masses will be in the Extraordinary form

Prices range from £5 to £51 per person per night . There are 3 options

THE MAIN GUEST HOUSE

Friday , registration from 4pm, to Sunday 11th September (full board)* or

Arrive Saturday morning till Sunday or day only

51 pounds full-board PER PERSON PER NIGHT

25 pounds for students/low waged/unwaged (or whatever you can afford) PER PERSON PER NIGHT

THE COTTAGES

£35 PER PERSON PER NIGHT (full board). Self catering £25 per person per night (reductions for students:- or whatever you can afford) .

SELF CATERING CAMPING

£5 PER PERSON PER NIGHT (or whatever you can afford - please bring your own tent and food ).

If you would like lunch on Sunday 11th then it will be an extra £7 each.

How to book - limited places so please reserve your place early

To reserve your place FOR THE WEEKEND (no deposit needed if you are coming for the day on Saturday), please contact the Guestmaster direct and send a 20 pound deposit (NON RETURNABLE) to Brother Christopher Greener OSB, Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Reading, Berks. RG7 5TQ (please make any cheques payable to Douai Abbey). Please mention how long you wish to stay and any special diet.

For general enquiries about the weekend:- or any queries about the accommodation/location/lifts required please ring Damian Barker on 07908105787 or 01452 539503.

For photographs of previous Douai Retreats please see:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24212854@N07/sets/72157606091441047/

Episcopal Generosity

2011-04-29T12:36:00.002Z

I read this morning that Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa in the USA, together with Sr Theresa Gottschalk, have enabled the Priestly Society of St Peter to take over the Convent of Our Lady of Sorrows at a place called Broken Arrow. I presume that the order of nuns to which Sr Theresa belongs has shrunk to the extent that they are no longer able to maintain a presence in this particular convent. If this is the case, it is a story replicated many times over in numerous places in the western world, including in England.

What is to be commended in this case is that both Bishop Slattery and the superior of the order of nuns have taken the trouble to consider how this redundant convent can continue to serve the Church. They have come up with the simple solution of offering the buildings to the FSSP, who will now be able to locate a resident priest there.

A few weeks ago, we were able to read a similar story. Bishop Andre Joseph Leonard of Brussels decided to make the conventual Church of St Anne available to the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, giving them a fine church in which to establish a traditional Mass centre in one of the capital cities of Europe.

More recently, we have been able to read that Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury is willing to hand over the Church of St Peter and St Paul in New Brighton to the Institute of Christ the King with a view to their setting up a centre for eucharistic adoration. This imposing church with adjacent presbytery occupies a very prominent position on high ground in the Wirral, and was closed in 2008, on the grounds that it was too expensive to maintain. The latest information is that this project is likely to proceed.

Here are three examples of redundant ecclesiastical property being put to good use. Although I would not wish to quote specific cases, I can think of many examples where convents and churches have been closed with no consideration given to finding ways in which they may continue to serve the Church. Let us hope that the example given by these three bishops will be noticed and taken up by church leaders more generally.

Jubilee of the Holy Father

2011-04-07T15:53:00.002Z

On 29th June, the feast of St Peter and St Paul, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate the sixtyieth anniversary of his priestly ordination. This would be a great occasion in the life of any priest, but in the case of the Pope it is also a great occasion for the whole Church.

Pope Benedict has had an exceptionally distinguished career having held the positions of professor of theology at various universities, Archbishop of Munich & Freising, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Dean of the College of Cardinals and Supreme Pontiff. He is also the author of many learned books.

Holydays of Obligation

2011-04-07T15:44:00.002Z

In future, a Low Mass will generally be celebrated at 6pm at the church of the English Martyrs in York on Holydays of Obligation. Please note that where modern practice is to transfer the feast to the nearest Sunday, these Masses will be celebrated on the actual feast day. Coming shortly are:-

Thurs 2nd June Ascension of Our Lord.

Thurs 23rd June Corpus Christi

Wed 29th June Ss Peter and Paul

More on the Mass at York Minster

2011-03-28T16:01:00.002Z

You have seen the pictures, now for the words.

We did not know how many people would come to York for the pilgrimage in honour of St Margaret Clitherow. We thaught that there would be more than 200, and perhaps up to 500. Although we were unable to count the numbers at Mass in York Minster, we now think that there were around 750. As the choir section of the Minster filled up, vergers were busy bringing in more chairs, increasing the capacity from 500 to about 600. Even this was not enough, and a further 150 had to sit in the nave , where they had no view of the Mass.

The Rudgate Singers sang Byrd's Mass for Five Voices and a schola sang the propers from the Liber Usualis. All reports speak very favourably of the singing. We were very lucky to have an excellent singer in Father Stephen Maughan as the celebrant.

I was especially pleased that the majority of the congregation stayed to take part in the procession through the busy parts of York to the Church of the English Martyrs. The distance of a mile and a half must have been taxing for some. There was a capacity congregation of about 500 for Benediction offered by Father Michael Brown and veneration of the hand of Margaret Clitherow. Again, the Rudgate Singers provided the singing.

Mass for St Margaret Clitherow in York Minster, 26 March 2011

2011-03-27T22:27:00.009Z

The first sung Latin Mass at the High Altar of York Minster since the reign of Mary Tudor.

Feast of the Annunciation

2011-03-16T18:23:00.000Z

On Friday 25th March, there will be an evening Mass at 6.30pm at the church of the English Martyrs in York. This is, of course, the day before the big pilgrimage in York.

More on York Pilgrimage 26th March

2011-03-04T15:11:00.002Z

Arrangements for the pilgrimage in honour of St Margaret Clitherow are now well advanced. There will be coaches from London and Leeds, and a party will be travelling by train from London. There is also news of people coming from Oxford, Shrewsbury and Lancashire.

We will need a good crowd to fill York Minster, so please come and encourage others to come. If travelling by car, it may be convenient to uses the Park and Ride service at Askham Bar on the Tadcaster side of York.

The programme is:

1.30pm Missa Cantata York Minster
3pm Procession
4pm Benediction & veneration of the relic English Martyrs Church

Ash Wednesday

2011-03-04T15:07:00.002Z

There will be blessing and distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesda, 9th March, in both York and Middlesbrough.

English Martyrs, Dalton Treeace, York. 6.30pm
St Alphonsus, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough 7pm

Pilgrimage in Honour of St Margaret Clitherow Saturday 26th March 2011

2011-02-22T18:17:00.002Z

There will be a pilgrimage in honour of St Margaret Clitherow in York on Saturday 26th March. It is being organised by the Latin Mass Society and is expected to attract pilgrims from all over the north of England. St Margaret Clitherow is a patron of the Latin Mass Society.

A Missa Cantata will be celebrated by Fr Stephen Maughan at the High Altar of York Minster, and this will be followed by a procession to the Church of the English Martyrs in Dalton Terrace where there will be Benediction and veneration of the relic. The procession will pass through The Shambles, where Margaret Clitherow lived, and over Ouse Bridge, the site of her execution. The timings are as follows:-

1.30pm Missa Cantata York Minster
3.00pm Procession
4.00pm Benediction English Martyrs' Church

Use of York Minster has been made possible by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter.

A coach is being laid on for people travelling from Birmingham (contact Matthew Doyle: 0121 533 9049) and also one from Allerton Bywater. Those travelling by car are advised that parking restrictions in York are severe, and may find it more convenient to use the park and ride service from Askham Bar, on the Tadcaster Road, near to the A64. Thirty minutes should be allowed to get from there to the Minster.

Server Training

2011-02-16T15:20:00.002Z

The server training day at the Church of the English Martyrs in York, last Saturday, was attended by 20 men and boys wishing to learn to serve the older form of the Mass. Tuition was given in three groups. Neil Walker, assisted by David O'Neill took the advanced group which studied Missa Cantata. The other groups, lead by and Paul Waddington, studied Low Mass.

The day finished with a Missa Cantata, celebrated by Fr Stephen Maughan, and with music by the Rudgate Singers.

Saint Margaret Clitherow

2011-01-24T18:22:00.002Z

Saint Margaret Clitherow does not have her own feast day in the calander used with the usus antiquior, but in the new calander she does, and it is 26th March. This year, that will be a Saturday, and there is to be a Missa Cantata in York Minster on that day in honour of this York martyr and patron of the Latin Mass Society.

The Mass, which is to be celebrated by Fr Stephen Maughan, will be at 1.30pm, probably at the High Altar. It will be followed by a procession which will pass through the Shambles, where there is a permanent shrine to the martyr; and then cross Ouse Bridge, where the saint was put to death. The procession will end at the Bar Convent, where there will be Benediction and veneration of the relic.

This pilgrimmage is expected to attract large numbers, so pilgrims are asked to be in York Minster in plenty of time. Parking can be difficult in York, so visitors are advised to consider using the Park and Ride service.

This pilgrimage has been organised by the Latin Mass Society and has been made possible by the kind permission of the Dean and Chapter of York Minster.

Feast of the Purification

2011-01-24T18:14:00.002Z

Wednesday 2nd February will be thw Feast of the Purification, otherwise known as Candlemas. It marks the end of the season of Christmastide and candles feature in the liturgy.

The feast will be celebrated at the church of the English Martyrs in York wit a Mass at 6.30pm.

Traditionalism in France

2011-01-22T14:33:00.002Z

The French traditional organisation, Paix Liturgique, has published some interesting facts about the state of the Church in France, and the increasing influence of the traditional movement.

In 2009, 15 priests were ordained specifically to for the usus antiquior, and this represents 14% of the total number of priests ordained. This presumably means that the total number of ordinations was around 107.

There are 160 seminarians studying for the priesthood, who are destined to celebrate in the usus antiquior. This is, apparently, 20% of the total, meaning that the total is 800. Paix Liturgique indicate that this percentage is rising and anticipate that it will reach 25%.

The number of places where Mass is celebrated in the usus antiquior has increased by 72, from 132 to 204. This is an increase of 55%, but the period over which this has been achieved is not specified. In addition, the SSPX have 184 Mass centres.

These look impressive figures. Perhaps the major breakthrough that has occurred in France, but is yet to happen in England, is in the Diocese of Frejus Toulon. The seminary of this diocese teaches both forms of the Roman Rite, and encourages students who favour the usus antiquior.

Yet More News about Ushaw

2011-01-21T12:36:00.002Z

Today, the trustees of Ushaw College are meeting and presumably the main item on the agenda is the closure of the college. One would hope that the trustees will be giving consideration to the proposal that has been put to them whereby an independent Catholic trust would take over the estate and run it as a conference centre and retreat centre, thereby preserving some of its historic and cultural associations.

The trustees are:-

Archbishop Patrick Kelly (Chairman),
Bishop Seamus Cunningham,
Bishop Terence Brain,
Bishop Terence Drainey,
Bishop John Rawsthorne and
Bishop Mark Davies.

Another thing that they might be considering is the on-line petition, now signed by over 1100 people, calling on the trustees to forestall the closure until all the options have been considered and there has been the opportunity for public debate.

You can sign the petition by going to

www.ipetitions.com/petition/ushaw/

News about Ushaw

2011-01-11T18:59:00.002Z

Today's edition of the Newcastle Journal carries an interesting article about Ushaw College. It is headed:

Church will discuss bid to reverse closure plan

The article indicates that, at a meeting later this month, the trustees of Ushaw College will be considering the online petition calling for the closure of Ushaw College to be halted. It goes on to quote a representative of Ushaw College as saying that the college was aware of the petition to forestall the closure and ends withe the comment: "Nobody was available from the college's trustees for comment".

The petition, which can be found at:

www.ipetitions.com/petitions/ushaw

calls on the trustees of Ushaw College (who are the bishops of the dioceses of the northern province plus the bishop of Shrewsbury and are under the chairmanship of Archbishop Kelly) not to close Ushaw until there is proper consultation, and there has been a full examination of alternative alternative uses. The petition has attracted over 700 signitures.

Whilst this report is cause for much encouragement, the task of putting forward an a viable business plan, and convincing the trustees to accept it, still remains. Many suggestions have been made for the future of Ushaw College and more would be welcome. It does seem to be the case that there is a widespread body of opinion emerging that is determined to see Ushaw saved.

Petition Concerning the Closure of Ushaw

2010-12-21T16:28:00.003Z

A petition has been set up protesting at the manner in which the trustees of Ushaw College have announced its closure. It urges the trustees to defer the closure until such time as proper consultation has taken place and schemes for its survival have been considered.

To sign the petition, go to:

www.ipetitions.com/petition/ushaw/

There is a fair bit of background information about the closure of Ushaw College on Fr Brown's blog, Forest Murmers and Fr Elkin's blog, Let the Welkin Ring.

Closure of Ushaw College

2010-12-14T16:17:00.003Z

I have just received notification that Ushaw College is to close next June at the end of the academic year. More surprisingly, the notification states that there will be no conferences after 31st December 2010.

The reason for my being notified is that the Latin Mass Society has a booking for a Priests' Training Conference next August, and this cannot now take place. By good fortune, the Latin Mass Society also has a booking for a Priests' Trining Conference at Buckfast Abbey to take place during next May, so at least there will still be some provision for priests' training in 2011.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Middlesbrough

2010-12-10T19:12:00.002Z

On the feast of the Immaculate Conception, I travelled to Middlesbrough to attend the sung Mass celebrated by Fr William Charlton. Fr Simon Henry of the Liverpool Diocese was also present and acted as MC. I took the part of thurifer and Eamonn sang the propers in plainchant.

A choir consisting of just four singers sang Schubert's Mass in C Major very creditably, and Elgar settings of Ave Maria and Ave Maris Stella. Afterwards there were refreshments in the Hall, with an impressive cake to mark the golden jubilee of the parish of St Alphonsus.

International News

2010-12-06T19:31:00.002Z

What a lot of good news there has bee over the weekend.

Croatia

We read that the usus antiquior is to return to Croatia. Following intervention by the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, it has been announced that Masses will be offered in the usus antiquior at one of the churches in Zagreb. This is a major breakthrough for the predominently Catholic country of Croatia, whose bishops have resisted summorum pontificum up to now.

USA

There will be a weekly Sunday Mass in the cathedral of the Diocese of Marquette. Fr John Boyle of the Southwark Diocese, and on temporary secondment to Marquette, will be one of the regular celebrants. Another will be Bishop Sample, the local ordinary, who hopes to say this Mass about once a month.

Also from the USA, we read that Archbishop Schnurr of Cincinnati has decided that the Church of St Mark in that city will be reopended to serve as a parish dedicated to the traditional liturgy. This is an exceptionally fine church in the Italian renaisance style that closed because the congregation had largely moved away. Apparently, it is in need of expensive restoration, but will provide an ideal setting for the traditional Mass.

Australia

The second Ordinariate for former Anglicans to be set up, will be in Australia. It seems that this will follow closely on the heels of the English one expected to be set up in the new year. It is expected that the United States and Canada will follow soon after.

Catholic World Report

2010-12-01T18:30:00.002Z

I would like to draw readers' attention to the following website:

www.catholicworldreport.com

It contains a brilliant article by Dominic Scarborough entitled, Outside the Magic Circle, which is highly recommended reading.

Training of Servers

2010-11-30T17:23:00.002Z

The Sodality of St Tarcisius will be organising a day of training in York for men and boys who wish to learn to serve Mass in the older form.

It will take place on Saturday 12th February starting at 10.30am and finishing around 5pm. The venue will be the Church of the English Martyrs, Dalton Terrace, York.

Depending on the requirements of those attending, it is expected that tuition will be given on the following topics:-
Latin Pronunciation,
Serving Low Mass,
Serving Sung Mass.
The serving of Solemn Mass may also be included if there is the demand.

There will be opportunities for confession during the day, and the session will conclude with Mass at 4pm.

Although tea and coffee will be provided, participants are asked to bring their own lunch. There will be no fee for attending.

Anyone wanting to book a place should make contact with Paul Waddington by e-mail.
paul@gooleboathouse.co.uk

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

2010-11-25T18:16:00.002Z

There will be a Missa Cantata at the Church of St Alphonsus in Middlesbrough on 8th December, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, starting at 8pm.

The music will be Schubert's Mass in C, with motets by Elgar.

Christmas Day

2010-11-24T17:44:00.003Z

There will be two traditional rite Low Masses in the diocese on Christmas Day.

At 8am, Fr Charlton will be celebrating Mass at Dawn in the Church of St Alphonsus, North Ormesby in Middlesbrough.

At 8.30am at the Church of the English Martyrs, Dalton Terrace, York there will be Mass at Dawn celebrated by Fr Stephen Maughan.

There will be the usual Sunday evening Masses on 26th December, 6pm at St Alphonsus and 6.30pm at English Martyrs.

A holy and happy Christmas to all our readers.

Mass of Requiem

2010-11-04T16:49:00.002Z

On Tuesday evening, to mark the Feast of All Souls, there was a beautiful Requiem Mass at the Church of the Engilsh Martyrs in York. The Rudgate Singers sang Faure's Requiem and the Mass concluded with absolutions at the catafalque. Fr Stephen Maughan was the celebratant and also preached.

There was a fair sized congregation which included some coming a distance as well as local parishioners and regular attenders of the Latin Mass in York. Afterwards rereshments were served in the hall.

Rosary Crusade of Reparation

2010-10-19T14:42:00.002Z

This took place last Saturday. A huge crowd processed from Westminster Cathedral to the Brompton Oratory, reciting the rosary and singing Marian hymns. I was not there and have seen no estimate of the number of people taking part, but from the pictures that I have seen I would guess that there were 2,000.

The blog of the chairman of the Latin Mass Society includes many pictures, and there are some video clips on the blog "That the bones you have crushed may thrill". It is very impressive.

Feast of All Souls

2010-10-11T16:24:00.002Z

Tuesday 2nd November will be the Feast of All Souls, and the occasion will be marked at the church of the English Martyrs in York with a sung RequiemMass.

The Rudgate Singers will be singing Faure's Requiem.

7.30pm on 2nd November
Church of the English Martyrs
Dalton Terrace
York

Ushaw College to Close

2010-10-08T16:55:00.002Z

Fr Brown has just posted that Ushaw College is to close in 2011. No date is given except that it is said that the current students will complete their year of studies.

The Latin Mass Society has a booking to hold a Priests training Conference at Ushaw next August. It is not clear whether conference bookings beyond the end of the summer term will be honoured or not. We shall have to wait to see what happens.

There is a slightly puzzling paragraph at the end of the press release:

"We have long tried to find a development partner and it would be nice to believe that a partner will still come forward with a viable business plan but unfortunately time is running out and we have to face the realityof the situation we are in."

This would imply that a final decision has not yet been made. Is it possible to put together a group of people who would fill the role of development partner?

Solemn Pontifical Mass at the Throne in Leicester

2010-10-08T09:11:00.003Z

The Prior of the Dominican community in Leicester has announced that there is to be a Solemn Pontifical Mass at the Holy Cross Priory on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The celebrant will be Rt Rev Malcolm McMahon OP, Bishop of Nottingham, who, as the ordinary of the diocese, will be using the throne.

The Mass will be followed by the consecration of the shrine of the English Martyrs.

This is thought to be the first time that an ordinary of any English or Welsh diocese has celebrated a usus antiquior Pontifical Mass in his own diocese, since the introduction of the novus ordo in 1970. Clergy who would like to attend in Choir should bring their own cassock and serplice (and stole if receiving Communion).

The details are:-

Holy Cross Priory
Wellington Street
Leicester
LE1 6HW

7.00pm
Wednesday 8th December

Rosary Crusade of Reparation

2010-10-02T16:16:00.002Z

The annual Rosary Crusade of Reparation will take place on Saturday 16th October. There will be a procession starting at Westminster Cathedral at 1.45pm and ending with pontifical solemn benediction at Brompton Oratory. On this occasion, it will be lead by Rt Rev Dom Cuthbert Brogan, the Abbot of Farnborough.

In a pastoral letter following the visit of the Holy Father, Archbishop Vincent Nichols called on Catholics to be more visible in society and to take a more prominent role in public affairs. He suggested, for example, that Catholics should join local councils and be more active in politics. He also suggested that we should not shrink from making the sign of the cross in public.

Here is a perfect opportunity for Catholics, at least those living in the London area, not only to make the sign of the cross, but to recite the whole of the rosary in a very public way. I am not sure whether Archbishop Nichols is planning on taking part in the rosary crusade himself, but I would urge all those who can to get to Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 16th October.

The Beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman

2010-09-21T15:06:00.003Z

I am slowly recovering from the trip to Cofton Park in Birmingham, and a day that I will never forget. In the very early hours of Sunday morning, 19th September, I joined a coach in Selby and with a group of pilgrims travelled to the outskirts of Birmingham, arriving around 03.30. Our coach was one of the first to arrive, which meant that, after a quick security check and a mile walk, we were able to take up positions in the very front row of the enclosure in Cofton Park. Only the VIPs had a better place.

Although it drizzled on and off during the six hour wait for the Mass of Beatification, the time seemed to pass very quickly. From around 7am, things began to happen, with the two massed choirs (one of schoolchildren and the other of adults) rehearsing various parts of the Mass. Soon after 8am there was a truly dreadful ecumenical service which was broadcast on BBC Radio 4. The less said about that the better.

From 9am helicopters were flying overhead, which many people mistakenly took as the arrival of the Holy Father. In fact, I think they were carrying camera crews for the television coverage. After several passes, and dashed expectations, it was a great surprise to see the screens showing a landed helicopter with His Holiness emerging over a red carpet. The crowd went wild with cheering and flag waving. It turned out that the landing site was some distance away, because the screens showed the Holy Father being driven by car through residential areas.

On arrival at the site there was the usual hand shaking with mayors and other dignitaries before the Pope climbed into the popemobile for a quick traverse of the site. Again the crowd went wild, especially when babies were presented for blessing and kissing.

The Beatification Mass was novus ordo with the preface and canon in Latin. The kyrie was a version of the orbis factor kyrie and Credo III was sung. The Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei were in English and taken from James Macmillan's Mass, specially composed for the beatification. The choirs sang very well, considering that they had only come together a few hours before. I was a little disappointed with the selection of music. To my mind, Macmillan's Mass was not as wonderful as many had made out, and I suppose it was inevitable that some Taize chant would have been included. However Elgar's Ave Verum was much welcomed, as were other motets; and Praise to the Holiest was sung with great gusto.

I was very heartened to see how well the altar servers had been trained and how well they presented themselves. I could not say the same for all the numerous concelebrants, many of whom seemed not to have their attention fully focused on the actions on the sanctuary. Despite one or two criticisms, it must be said that the Mass was a wonderful experience, and credit for this largely rests with Mgr Marini who has the ability to control things whilst hardly being noticed.

At the end of Mass, and before the final blessing, the Holy Father delivered his Angelus address, normally given in St Peter's Square. Then the Angelus was recited in Latin. After a final hymn, an English version of the Te Deum was sung to a setting by Haydn. I would have much preferred it in Latin and plainchant.

The actual beatification ceremony was early in the Mass, just after the kyrie. It took the form of Archbishop Longley presenting the cause to the Holy Father, and the Holy Father giving his assent and declaring that the feast day would be 9th October. Then the relics of Cardinal Newman were presented to the Holy Father. Later Beatus Joannus Hinricus was invoked in the canon of the Mass.

After Mass, Pope Benedict was immediately taken to his next engagement. In the two hours that remained before our coach was due to depart, I walked through the crowd in the hope of spotting people I knew; and then purchased a sweatshirt as a memento of the occasion. We arrived back in Selby at 5.15, which was just nice time to get to York for Mass at 6.30.

The thing that impressed me most was the behaviour of the 50,000 or so people in the crowd. Before and during the Pope's arrival, the atmosphere was electric with wild shouting and cheering. As soon as Mass began, there was perfect silence. This is despite the congregation including mothers with babies, young families, youth groups and pensioners. It is a measure of the power of the Holy Father's presence, that he can engender such euphoria one moment and such prayerful attention the next. I doubt whether there is another man living who could do the same.

GOD BLESS OUR POPE

Papal Vigil in Hyde Park with FSSP Group

2010-09-18T21:23:00.006Z

Veneration of the True Cross

2010-09-15T13:01:00.002Z

Yesterday evening, we had veneration of the true cross at the church of St Charles in Hull. That church is lucky to posess a fragment of the cross that St Helena found in the Holy Land and is believed to be the actual cross on which Our Lord hung. It is housed in a superb reliquary, and I hope that someone might be able to provide a photograph of this.

The veneration followed a Solemn Mass in the usus antiquior. A marvelous set of red High Mass vestments belonging to St charles Church was used; and, although incomplete, they looked very well in this ornate Georgean church. Music was provided by the Rudgate Singers, with Robert O'Farrell playing the organ.

Opinion Poll in Britain

2010-09-10T10:06:00.002Z

Paix Liturgique, the French organisation that has commissioned opinion surveys on the usus antiquior in several European countries, has conducted a poll in England, Scotland and Wales. The telephone survey was conducted between 21st and 28th June by Harris Interactive. 800 individuals, over the age of 18 and claiming to be Catholic, were identified from a sample of 6153.

The full results can be found on Rorate Caeli and other blogs. I will just highlight some of the findings.

Awareness of the Motu Proprio

Of the 800 Catholics, 60.6% said that they were unaware that it was permissible to celebrate Mass in the extraordinary, or more traditional Latin, form. Since the sample would have included many lapsed Catholics, this is not a surprising figure. However, when the figures for those who claim to attend Mass regularly (ie at least once per month) are analysed, 37.2% were still unaware.

The conclusion must be that a very poor job has been done of explaining the provisions of summorum pontificum and the rights it gives to ordinary members of the faithful.

Normality

The poll asked the question: Would you consider it normal or abnormal for both liturgical forms to be celebrated regularly in your parish? Again, taking those who attend Mass regularly (ie at least once per month), the replies were as follows:-

Normal 55.1%
Abnormal 30.7%
No opinion 14.4%

Put another way, amongst regular Mass attenders, almost twice as many think that it would be normal for both forms to exist side by side in a parish as those that think that it would be abnormal.

Attendance

Perhaps the most interestying question was: If Mass were celebrated in Latin with Gregorian chant and in its extraordinary form in your parish, without taking the place of an ordinary one in English, how frequently would you attend it?

Again taking the replies of the practicing Catholics (ie those who attend Mass at least once per month), the answers were as follows:-

every week 43%
once per month 23.4%
on Holy Days 7.8%
occasionally 17.6%
never 8.2%

These are truely remarkable figures. Only 8.2% are so opposed to the traditional form that they would never attend, against 91.8% who would attend at least occasionally. As many as 66.4% say that they would attend at least once per month.

Conclusion

Of course what people say they would do in a poll and what people actually would do are different matters. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that this survey reveals both acceptance and interest in the traditional form of Mass is widespread. Furthermore, the proportion of practicing Catholics who would oppose the introduction of of the usus antiquior into ordinary parish life is minimal.

Feast of the Exaltation of thr Holy Cross 14th September

2010-08-27T18:18:00.003Z

There will be a sung Mass at the church of St Charles Borromeo, Jarrett Street in Hull at 7.30pm on Tuesday 14th September, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. If everything goes to plan, and the prospects seem good, it will be a Solemn Mass, otherwise a Missa Cantata.

The Mass will be offered tor the intentions of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and for the success of his visit to these lands. The choice of date for this Mass is significant, as it is the third anniversary of the implementation of Summorum Pontificum, and the date by which bishops throughout the world have been asked to report back to the Holy Father on any difficulties that have arisen out of its provisions.

The celebrant at the Mass will be Fr Stephen Maughan and the plainchant setting of the Mass will provided by the Rudgate Singers.

Please make every effort to attend.

Visit of Pope Benedict XVI

2010-07-24T15:43:00.003Z

In the Diocese of Leeds, which is the diocese where I live, it has been decided that there will only be one coach per deanary travelling to Cofton Park for the beatification of John Hehry Newman. It seems that the same policy is being adopted in the Middlesbrough Diocese.

If the same policy is adopted throughout England and Wales, by my calculation, the number of faithful permitted to attend the ticket only beatification will be limited to about 15,000.

Originally, it was estimated that 400,000 would wish to attend, although Coventry Airport, the location proposed originally, could only accommodate 200,000. When it was discovered that Coventry had not been booked, it was leaked that the organisers were considering holding the event at Oscott College which could only hold 10,000. After a storm of protest Cofton Park, which was said to be able to accommodate 80,000, was booked. Now it looks as if the number of the faithful allowed to attend the ticket only event will be limited to about 15,000.

What is going on?

The Shape of Things to Come

2010-07-23T17:56:00.002Z

I have been looking at the age profile of the bishops of England and Wales. In the next couple of years, several will reach the age of 75, which is the age when they have to submit their resignation to the Holy Father. They come up in the following order:-

Bishop Edwin Regan Wrexham Dec 2010
Bishop Brian Noble Shrewsbury Apr 2011
Bishop Thomas McMahon Brentwood Jun 2011
Bishop John Rawsthorne Hallam Nov 2011
Bishop Crispian Hollis Portsmouth Nov 2011
Bishop Christopher Budd Plymouth May 2012
Bishop John Hine Southwark Aux Jul 2013
Archbishop Patrick Kelly Liverpool Nov 2013
Bishop Terence Brain Salford Dec 2013

Several of these would be regarded as not being particularly friendly towards the usus antiquior.
Who will be their successors and will they be better disposed towards the traditional liturgies?

Who would you like to see ordained a bishop? Suggestions please.

A Mass in Filey soon

2010-07-14T15:49:00.003Z

Fr Maughan tells me that following the success of the Masses in Scarborough and Hull, he is being asked to say a traditional Mass in Filey. No date has been fixed yet, but it will be posted here as soon as arrangements are made.

It is time the Usus Antiquior was taught in Seminaries

2010-07-08T12:48:00.002Z

The Latim Mass Society has made a major contribution to the promotion of the older form of the Mass by providing training opportunities for priests wishing to learn the rubrics of the traditional Mass. In the last three years, five training conferences have been organised and a forther one will take place in August at Downside Abbey. Over 100 priests have attended these conferences, the vast majority of whom now celebrate in the usus antiquior at least occasionally.

Although these conferences can be credited with allowing the number of traditional Masses to increase, they can only be a partial solution to the problem, which is a desperate shortage of priests with the skills to celebrate in the usus antiquior. The proper solution must be surely be for the seminaries to teach both forms of the Mass and the third anniversary of summorum pontificum would be a good time for this to start.

More on the Masses in Scarborough and Hull

2010-07-06T12:54:00.002Z

Both of these Masses were a great success. The previous entry includes a link to some pictures of the Hull Mass, and I think more will be posted soon. The medieval music was quite exceptional and different from anything I had ever heard before.

Also very gratifying were the attendances. I think about 60 at Scarborough and 140 at Hull. Everyone seemed very enthusiastic and many asked when the next one would be. Both churches are very suitable for the older rite and the sanctuaries had been well prepared.

Yesterday's Mass in Hull

2010-07-05T20:40:00.000Z

Some photos from yesterday's superb Mass can be seen here. Some came out better than others!

More will be uploaded later.

Sung Masses in Scarborough & Hull - More Information

2010-06-22T14:16:00.002Z

These Masses will be in the usus antiquior and will be celebrated by Fr Stephen Maughan with the music provided by the Cambridge University Polyphonic Choir, directed by Matthew Ward. Matthew Ward is a PhD student at Cambridge, specialising in twelvth centuary Anglo-Norman Chant. We have been informed that the music will include works by Byrd and Tallis, as well as the Winchester Trooper, Dunstable and a movement from the Missa Caput.

The locations and times are:-

Church of St Peter
Castle Road
Scarborough
Wednesday 30 th June
5.00pm

Church of St Charles
Jarratt Street
Hull
Sunday 4th July
12.30pm

These will be rare opportunities to attend Mass with such high quality music, so please come along and tell your friends about them.

Sung Latin Mass in York

2010-06-14T21:15:00.001Z

If you're eagerly anticipating the Sung Mass in Hull, which promises to be splendid, and can't wait for July 4th, you're in luck, because there's a Sung Mass in York this weekend at English Martyrs Church!

The Mass will be at the usual time of 6.30pm on Sunday, and we will sing the Mass in Eb by Christoph Dalitz [very like Mozart, but this was composed in 1989] & the Motets Jesu Dulcis Memoria by Victoria and Elgar's Ave Verum. We shall also be singing the Gregorian Chant Proper from the Graduale and ending by singing the simple tone Salve Regina.

All welcome!

Sung Latin Mass in Hull

2010-06-14T15:20:00.003Z

At 12.30pm on Sunday 4th July, there will be a Latin Mass in the church of St Charles Borromeo, Jarratt Street, Hull. This is located in central Hull and is the principal church of the city.

It will be a Missa Cantata sung by the Cambridge University Polyphonic Choir and directed by Matthew Ward. At this stage, I am not sure what the musical setting will be, but I think we can be assured that it will be of excellent quality.

The Cambridge University Polyphonic Choir will also be singing at a Mass in Scarborough, but I have no details yet. Watch out for further information.

Candidate for the Priesthood

2010-06-04T14:07:00.002Z

I was pleased to read that Richard Marsden, whose blog is entitled Bashing Secularism, had been accepted as a candidate for priesthood in the Diocese of Middlesbrough.

Richard, who hales from Hull, graduated at the University of Sheffield and is currently employed as a journalist. He particularly interested in and a campaigner for life issues.

This is very good news for the Diocese of Middlesbrough, where the decline in the number of priests over the last decade or so has been more marked than in most other dioceses.

Trinity Sunday

2010-05-28T14:06:00.002Z

Next Sunday, 30th May, is Trinity Sunday. There will as usual be Usus Antiquior Masses at both York and Middlesbrough.

The one in Middlesbrough will be at the church of St Alphonsus in North Ormesby at 6pm, celebrated as usual by Fr William Charlton. It will be preceeded at 5pm with Rosary and Benediction.

The one in York will be at 6.30pm at the church of the English Martyrs in Dalton Terrace. On this occasion, we welcome as celebrant Mgr William Steele of the Leeds Diocese.

Yet Another Sung Mass

2010-05-24T12:03:00.002Z

I have just heard that there is to be a a Sung Mass at 12.30pm on Sunday 4th July at the Church of St Charles in Jarratt Street, Hull. A visiting choir will be singing a four part polyphonic setting and the celebrant will be Fr Stephen Maughan. Otherwise, I have no further information at the moment.

It is particularly pleasing that this Mass will take place in Hull as, at present, there is no regular provision for the traditional Mass in this city, which is the largest centre of population in the diocese. It is even more pleasing to have the Mass in St Charles Church as it is a very fine building.

More information later.

PRIESTS TRAINING AT DOWNSIDE

2010-05-22T11:46:00.002Z

The next priests training conference will be at Downside Abbey, which is in Sumerset, and will take place from 10th to 13th August. The Abbey Church at Downside is the largest Catholic church in the gothic style in England, and is an impressive building.

The conference will be open to all priests and deacons of the Catholic Church, and will provide tuition in the traditional Mass in all its forms (ie Low Mass, Missa Cantata and Missa Solemnis).

It will also be open to laymen who wish to learn to serve Mass, especially in the Missa Cantata and Missa Solemnis forms.

The cost, inclusive of board and lodgings, is £85 and application forms are available from:

paul@gooleboathouse.co.uk.

Another Sung Mass

2010-05-20T11:20:00.002Z

Next Sunday, , being Whitsunday, there will again be a sung Mass in York. On this occasion, it will be a plainsong setting. The details are:

Church of the English Matryrs
Dalton Terrace
York
6.30pm, Sunday 23rd May

The celebrant will be Fr Stephen Maughan.

Young Catholic Adults Host International Juventutem Weekend at Douai Abbey During the weekend of the 10-12 September 2010

2010-05-17T19:17:00.002Z

During the weekend of the 10-12 September . For the first time, Young Catholic Adults will be running the 2010 Juventutem International Conference at Douai Abbey(before the Douai weekend was aimed at the UK), the weekend will be led by Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr de Malleray . The weekend will be full-board
Places are limited so please book early
* There will be Sung Mass, Low Mass, Rosary, Adoration, Confession, a Marian Procession in honour of Our Lady of Fatima and socials
* Fr. de Malleray FSSP head of Juventutem will preach the retreat, Masses will be in the Extraordinary form.

THE MAIN GUEST HOUSE
Saturday 11th – Sunday 12th September (full board)*
51 pounds full-board (except Sunday lunch) PER PERSON PER NIGHT
25 pounds for students/low waged/unwaged (or whatever you can afford)

THE COTTAGES
£35 per person per night (full board). Self catering £25 per person per night (reductions for students:- or whatever you can afford) .

SELF CATERING CAMPING
£5 per person per night (or whatever you can afford - please bring your own tent and food ).

Limited places so please reserve your place early
To reserve your place FOR THE WEEKEND (no deposit needed if you are coming for the day on Saturday 5th July), please a 20 pound deposit (NON RETURNABLE) to Damian Barker, Flat 5, 12 St. Catherine Street, Kingsholm, Gloucester, Glos. GL2 9DU (please make any cheques payable to Damian Barker). For enquiries ring 07908105787.

For more details see:- http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/

For photographs of previous Douai Retreats please see:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24212854@N07/sets/72157606091441047/

Another Opinion Poll

2010-05-13T11:53:00.002Z

Paix Liturgique have conducted another opinion poll about attitudes to the traditional form of the Mass. This poll was in Portugal and timed to coincide with the Pope's visit to Fatima. The poll was undertaken by Harris International and based on a random sample of 1443 people, of whom 950 claimed to be Catholics..

Again, the poll demonstrates two things. Firstly, there is widespread ignorence about about the provisions of summorum pontificum. Around three-quarters of all Catholics and half of practicing Catholics do not know that Mass could now be celebrated in the older form. Secondly, the poll reveals a remarkableable amount of interest in the usus antiquior.

Here is a summery of the findings when addressed to all Catholics:

Are you aware that Mass can be celebrated in both the ordinary (modern) form and the extraordinary (traditional) form?

Yes 26%
No 74%

If the traditional Mass were available in your parish, without displacing the modern Mass, would you attend?

Weekly 6.5%
Monthly 7.7%
On major Feasts 14.0%
Occasionally 63.7%
Never 8.1%

The same questions were put to practicing Catholics (ie those who attend Mass at least once per month).

Are you aware that the Mass can be celebrated in both the ordinary (modern) form and extraordinary (traditional) form?

Yes 57.9%
No 42.1%

If the traditional Mass were available in your parish, without displacing the modern Mass, woukld you attend?

Weekly 29.5%
Monthly 24.0%
On major Feasts 14.2%
Occasionally 23.5%
Never 8.8%

Looking at these figures carefully, you will see that over 90% of practicing Catholics in Portugal say that they would attend the older form of Mass at least occasionally. I take this to mean at least once a year. It is interesting that when the same question is put to all Catholics, roughly the same percentage indicate that they would attend occasionally. One can conclude from that that the traditional Mass would attract back many lapsed or partially lapsed Catholics.

Nearly 30% of regularly practicing Catholics say that they would attend weekly.

I wonder what the figures would be if a similar poll was conducted in England.

Young Catholic Adults

2010-05-01T10:47:00.002Z

I have received a newsletter from Young Catholic Adults. This is an organisation which promotes the traditional Mass and heritage of the Church amongst younger people. It is affiliated to the international federation, Juventutem.

Amongst the activities listed in the newsletter are the following:-

15th May Training Day for Servers in conjunction with LMS

21st - 23rd May Chartres Pilgrimage Walking from Paris to Chartres

1st -8th August Latin Summer School in conjunction with LMS

20th - 22th Aug Walsingham Pilgrimage Walking from Ely to Walsingham

10th - 12th Sept Traditional Retreat at Douai Abbey

The walking pilgrimage from Ely to Walsingham is a new venture and and one that I hope will be a great success. It must take a huge amount of planning and organisation. To join the pilgrimage, you should e-mail: paulsmeaton@hotmail.co.uk

For up to date information about Young Catholic Adults, try: http://youngcatholicadultslatestnews.blogspot.com

Regular Sung Masses in York

2010-04-27T13:26:00.002Z

In future there will be at least one Missa Cantata each month at the Church of the English Martyrs in York. The 6.30 Sunday evening Mass will be sung on the third Sunday. On other Sundays it will normally be a Low Mass.

The next Sung Mass will be on 16th May which happens to be the transferred feast of the Ascension. The celebrant will be Fr Stephen Maughan and the musical setting will be Byrd provided by the Rudgate Singers.

Interesting Opinion Poll in Germany

2010-04-26T11:30:00.002Z

Paix Liturgique have engaged Harris Interactive (a very respected polling organisation) to conduct an opinion poll in Germany. Here are some of the results.

The following question was put to practising Catholics:

If Mass were celebrated in the Extraordinary Form in YOUR parish, would you attend:

Weekly 25%
Monthly 19%
Holy Days 9%
Occasionally 40%
Never 7%

These are truely remarkable figures. 93% of practicing catholics would apparently attend the older rite at least occasionally. 44% at least monthly.

Another question asked;

Are you aware of the provisions of Summorum Pontificum?

Yes 43.1%
No 56.9%

I presume that these replies relate only to practising Catholics. If this is the case, it comes as no surprise to me. If the same question was put to practising Catholics in England, I doubt whether 10% would be able to answer yes.

There is a fuller report on this survey on the blog, Rorate Caeli.

Reflections on the Conference at Ushaw

2010-04-24T13:31:00.002Z

It all went very well, despite a few minor hitches. It was unfortunate that a few of the priests who had booked in were unable to attend due to parish commitments or for personal reasons.

We were able to welcome two young priests from Sri Lanka, for whom it must have been an experience of a lifetime. Not only did they benefit from the tuition and the liturgies, but they were able to visit Durham Cathedral on the Wednesday afternoon. Following their time at Ushaw, they travelled to Walsingham and then were due to to take the Eurostar train to Paris before visiting Lourdes. Another overseas visitor was Fr Craig Holmes from South Africa. We also welcomed two priests from Scotland.

An innovation this year was to include tuition for laymen wishing to become proficient at being MC at High Masses. The shortage of well trained MCs has become a problem in many parts of the country. About ten took advantage of this course, so the problem should eased. One consequence of this was that there was no shortage servers throughout the week.

We were lucky to have six choristers in residence all week so we had a competent schola for all the liturgies. On the Thursday, they were supplemented by members of the Rudgate Singers so we were able to have a polyphonic Requiem Mass. On the Friday, the choir Antiphon came to sing a polyphonic setting of the Mass in honour of St Cuthbert.

Ushaw College again proved an excellent venue. The seminary chapel of St Cuthbert has has a large and convenient sanctuary, and there are many side chapels and altars convenient for tuition as well as private Masses. In addition, the food was excellent and the staff were most helpful.

One bonus was the showing, on the Wednesday evening, of an old film of the seminery's Christmas Midnight Mass in 1960. Although the quality of the sound was very poor, there was great interest in the modus celebrandi. It was all done with military precision and obviously very well rehearsed.

There is no doubt that all the priests who attended found the week both instructive and spiritually uplifting. Several have already enquired about coming back next year.

Ushaw Priests Training Conference Day Four - Requiem Mass

2010-04-15T13:31:00.005Z

Ushaw College Sacristy

2010-04-15T09:01:00.002Z

Ushaw Priests Training Conference - Private Masses

2010-04-14T18:56:00.002Z

Ushaw Priests Training Conference Day Three - Mass St Justin, Martyr

2010-04-14T13:19:00.005Z

Ushaw Priests Training Conference Day Two - Benediction

2010-04-14T13:12:00.002Z

Ushaw Priests Training Conference Day Two - Missa Cantata

2010-04-13T19:16:00.002Z

Ushaw Priests Training Conference - Day One

2010-04-13T19:07:00.007Z

Missa Cantata at York.

2010-04-05T16:36:00.002Z

The next Missa Cantata will be offered at English Martyrs, on 18th April at 6.30pm, when the Gregorian Chant Proper and the Paschaltide Mass Lux et Origo will be sung. This is a rare opportunity to experience sacred music as it was originally intended to be heard – during Mass. Please do encourage people to come along.