Canon Fragelli ICKSP RIP

 Have a look at this video:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=K8pFCRrRbO0…

Stainer's Crucifixion

On Wednesday 1st March at 7pm, there will be a performance of Stainer's Crucifixion given by the combined ranks of York Oratory's Choral Scholars, Schola and Choir.  Something not to be missed.

New Instruction concerning Traditionis Custodes

Arthur Cardinal Roche, formerly Bishop of Leeds, but now Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship, has today issued a statement concerning two aspects of the "implementation of the motu proprio, Traditionis Custodes" of July 16 2021.  He states that two specific dispensations are reserved ti the Apostolic See.

The two dispensations are:-

 - the use of a parish church or the erection of a personal parish for the celebration of the Eucharist using the Missale Romanum of 1962 (cf. Traditionis custodes art. 3 §2);

- the granting of license to presbyters ordained after the publication of Motu proprio Traditionis custodes to celebrate using the Missale Romanum of 1962 (cf. Traditionis custodes art. 4).

In the original document, it is not completely clear whether individual bishops have the authority to grant these dispensations, and many have argued that, since the purported intention was to give bishops greater control over the celebration of the older form of the Mass, it would be logical for these two issues to be within the competence of local bishops.

It is clear that the intention of this latest instruction is to further limit the availability of the Latin Mass, but it is much less clear how things will work out.  In the Diocese of Middlesbrough, Latin Masses are offered publicly and regularly in three parish churches.  This is done with the full approval, and indeed the encouragement, of Bishop Drainey.  The new instruction would seem to require that application must be made to Rome to seek permission for these to continue.   I cannot see this happening any time soon.

Guild of Saint Clare

This is a reminder that there will be a gathering of the northern chapter of the Guild of St Clare at the York Oratory after the 9.15am Mass.  Anyone with an interest in the making or repairing of vestments, or ecclesiastical sewing and embroidery more generally is invited to attend, regardless of experience.  

As this picture shows, the Guild is not totally a female organisation.

There is more information onthe earlier post below.

Ash Wednesday

 Wednesday 22nd February is Ash Wednesday.  Ashes will be blessed and imposed at the following times at the York Oratory.

          8.15am     Low Mass

          6pm          Missa Cantats

Guild of St Clare

On Saturday 25th February between 10am and 3pm, the northern chapter of the Guild of St Clare will be meeting in York.  Members of the Guild will gather in the upper room of St Wilfrid's church after the 9.15am Mass to undertake various needlework tasks, principally the making and repair of vestments.

Anyone interested in vestments, whether experienced in needlework or not, would be most welcome. Tuition and advice will be available for beginners.

If you have your own needlework project, whether ecclesiastical or not, bring it along to work on.  That way, you will have something to do whilst being inspired to greater things. If you do not have any work in progress, you will be able to assist someone else, until such time as you are confident to take on something new.

Please bring a packed lunch.   Tea, coffee and usually biscuits will be provided.

David Lloyd

 David Lloyd was the Chairman of the Latin Mass Society when I became the Representative for the Middlesbrough Diocese about 20 years ago. He lived in Holywell in North Wales, and had been a active member since the early days of the Society.  David died the other day, and here is some information about Requiem Masses for the repose of his soul.

A few of you have asked to be informed when arrangements have been made for a Requiem for David Lloyd, former Chairman and Secretary of the LMS. 

A Sung Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 6.30pm, Monday 13th February in Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane, in London. The Society hopes to organise another in SS Peter & Paul and St Philomena in the Wirral: to be confirmed. 

We have tried to organise a Requiem for Pope Benedict XVI, in conjunction with Brompton Oratory, but Cardinal Nichols has refused permission for this to take place. In response to the request, he wrote: ‘You will understand that the provisions laid down by the Holy See allow me to give permission for the use of the 1962 Missal in response to the pastoral need of a Stable Group of people. Requests from the Latin Mass Society do not fall into this category…’ 

This is why the Requiem for David will take place in the context of one of our long-established weekly Masses in Maiden Lane.

It is extraordinary that Cardinal Nichols should not regard the Latin Mass Society as a stable group.

It seems that in the Diocese of Cheyenne, which is in the USA, the bishop is taking a hard line on the implementation of Traditionis Custodes. 

We must be grateful that the majority of the Bishops of England and Wales have been more charitable.  In fact, the Diocese of Clifton is the only one where "Latin Masses" are outlawed.

Candlemas

Thursday 2nd February is the Feast of the Purification of Our Lady, and the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, otherwise known as Candlemas.  There will be the blessing of candles and procession at 6pm at the York Oratory.  This will be followed by a Sung Latin Mass.

Requiem for Pope Benedict XVI

 A Solemn Requiem Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict XVI at the York Oratory on Friday 13th January at 6pm.  The setting of the Mass will be  Victoria's Missa pro Defunctis for four voices.

The Sister Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest has announced that a further nine postulants joined the order in  December.  The new members of the order  come from the United States, Nigeria, Italy, France, Germany, Mexico and Argentina, and bring the total membership of the order to over 70.  Here are the new postulants at the order's noviciate in Naples. 

It is interesting that three countries (Nigeria, Mexico and Argentina) are represented where the Institute of Christ the King does not have a pastoral presence.  The order, which at one time was dominated by French and American nuns, is becoming increasingly international.  I believe that it has three English and two Irish members.

A Quotation from the Writings of Pope Benedict XVI

 

Feast of the Epiphany

Friday 6th January is the Feast of the Epiphany.  In  the Diocese of Middlesbrough, there will be the following Latin Masses:

      11am   Church of St Joseph, Stokesley    Low Mass

      6pm     York Oratory    Sung Mass

The Mass at Stokesley will be the last Latin Mass offered in the parish by Fr Charlton.  I am sure that all readers would like to join me in wishing him a long and happy retirement.

I remind readers that, starting on Sunday 8th January, Fr Sellers will be offering a Latin Mass on Sundays at 3pm in the Church of St Andrew in Teesville.  Please consider giving this Mass your support.

Archbishop Ganswien Interview

Archbishop Georg Ganswein, who was private secretary to Pope Benedict throughout his papacy and retirement, as well as during his time as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has given an interview to a German Catholic newspaper.  The interview is available as a video, and has been posted on the Rorate Caeli website.

Unfortunately for me, it is conducted in German, which is a language that I do not understand, but I understand that  Archbishop Ganswein states that when the Pope Emeritus read Traditionis Custodes, it broke his heart.

No doubt a translation of the interview will emerge before long.