Traditional Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary from St Mary's Bishophill, York

Services for July.

4th: Low Mass. St Clare's, Brookfield, Middlesbrough
4th: Compline St Mary's, Bishophill, York
6th: Low Mass, English Martyrs, York.
11th: Compline. St Mary's, Bishophill, York
12th 5th Annual Founders-Day Requiem
St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle
19th: Compline. St Mary's, Bishophill, York
20th. Missa Cantata, English Martyrs, York.
26th: Compline. St Mary's, Bishophill, York

Further details from the calendars of

www.lms-middlesbrough.co.uk or
www.rudgatesingers.co.uk

Are we in this Diocese going to do anything to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the Moto Proprio? Suggestions welcome in the comments box!

Westminster Cathedral

It was a great pleasure to see several people from the Middlesbrough Diocese at Westminster Cathedral last Saturday. Amongst the 2,000 who attended the Mass, I saw at least eight people who attend the traditional Mass at York. All had made their way independantly, by coach, train or car, to London. So Middlesbrough Diocese was well represented.

Leeds Diocese did even better with a full coach from the parish of Allerton Bywater alone. And there were coaches from other areas as well. I noticed the one from Cornwall.

To read reports of the Mass and of what Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos had to say, I suggest that you look at some of the better known blogs, such as Holy Smoke, The Hermeneutic of Continuity and New Liturgical Movement. It was a day to be remembered.

Kneeling for Communion

The blogosphere is alive with reports of the celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi in Rome. New Liturgical Movement probably gives the best coverage but Fr Zuhlsdorf also covers it.

Most notable is to see everyone who receives Holy Communion from the Holy Father kneeling at a pre-dieu, and receiving on the tongue.

Of course, at every Mass there is the option for anyone to receive Holy Communion kneeling and provision should be made to make this possible. However, in practically every church in England, no provision is made for this. I notice that almost all priests stand on the floor of the nave rather than in the sanctuary to give Communion; thus denying the possibility of the faithful kneeling on the altar step. Most people who have passed middle age find difficulty kneeling on the floor (and getting up again) in any dignified manner. A pre-dieu (or better still an altar rail) would solve this problem.

Maybe, the example set by the Holy Father and by the congregants in Rome on the Feast of Corpus Christi, provides the opportunity to review the manner of the reception of Holy Communion in our parishes. Perhaps now would be a good time to request our parish priests to make provision for the faithful to receive body of Christ whilst kneeling.

Young Catholic Adults (YCA)

YCA now have a blog for information on new events, including their upcoming retreat at Douai Abbey between 4-6 July. Mgr Antony Conlon, the LMS Chaplain, will be celebrating Mass in the Extraordinary form for YCA on 6 July. Douai Abbey is a bit of a long journey from the diocese but well worth it if you can get there.

Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos

A reminder that, at the invitation of the Latin Mass Society, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Commission, Ecclesia Dei, will be visiting London on Saturday 14th June. He will address the annual general meeting of the Latin Mass Society which will be held in Westminster Cathedral Hall at 11.00am.

At 2.00pm, he will be the celebrant at a pontifical High Mass in the usus antiquior at the High Altar of the Cathedral. He will also preach. His Eminenence will process into the Cathedral wearing the Cappa Magna which is a rare sight nowdays.

The occasion will be a landmark in the progress of the campaign to restore the ancient form of the Mass to our churches; and is expected to attract a large congregation. Hopefully, this will include a sizable contingent from the Middlesbrough Diocese. I already know of four people who are going, but we would like to get a coach load. If you would like to share transport, please telephone 01757 638027 or e-mail waddington@ gooleboathouse.co.uk.

Message from Juventutem Kenya

I have received the following message from Fr Charles Mwongera in Kenya:

About the WYD,we want to register this week and book Tickets for those who might be
going to Australia. We are asking all our friends to just send the little they have
fund-raised because we are already late. So don't mind the little that you have been
able to raise for us, we will appreciate. Just send to us so that we make the travel
arrangements.
God bless all your good intentions.Say hello to all the friends over there.
From Kenya,
Fr.Charles.

If you would like to help Fr Charles and the pilgrims from Kenya reach Sydney for World Youth Day please send a donation to the Latin Mass Society at:

The Latin Mass Society,
11 - 13 Macklin Street
London WC2B 5NH
United Kingdom

Trip to London on 14th June

The Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 14th June will be a major occasion; and an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the demand for the return of the traditional form of Mass to our parish churches. A hugh congregation is expected with many travelling from the north of England.

It is possible that a coach could be hired to take people from Yorkshire. Alternatively, arrangements could be made to share cars. Which ever way it is done, it is important that a sizable contingent heads south on the day.

Anyone interested in coordinating transport is invited to leave a comment.

Mass at St Peter's Church, Scarborough

There is to be another Mass in the usus antiquior at Scarborough. Fr William Charlton will again be saying a Low Mass on Wednesday 16th April at 7.30pm in St Peter's Church. Last time there was a very impressive congregation of about 150.

There is a picture of the sanctuary in the post dated 24th January. It is a very fine church and very suitable for the traditional rite. Please spread the word around.

Press Release from the LMS

Cardinal Hoyos to celebrate Pontifical High Mass in Westminster Cathedral

Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos to Celebrate Pontifical High Mass in the Traditional Latin Rite in Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 14 June 2008

The Latin Mass Society is proud to announce that Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, President of the Ecclesia Dei Commission in Rome and Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy, has accepted its invitation to celebrate a Pontifical High Mass in the Traditional Latin Rite (the Extraordinary Form) in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 14 June at 2.00 pm.

Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos is one of Pope Benedict XVI’s closest collaborators and is charged with oversight of the Vatican’s relations with the religious communities and laity committed to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos will arrive in London on Friday 13 June in time to attend a private dinner given in his honour by Mr Julian Chadwick, Chairman of the LMS.

The LMS hopes to arrange for Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos to call on Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, at Archbishop’s House close to the Cathedral on Saturday morning. Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos will then deliver an address at the LMS’s AGM in Westminster Cathedral Hall later in the morning. He will then take lunch with the LMS’s Committee members before celebrating Mass in the Cathedral at 2.00 pm.

As befits a Prince of the Church, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos will be welcomed at the Cathedral west door in full cappa magna before processing to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel to pray; he will then vest in the sanctuary whilst the Cathedral choir sings. Pontifical High Mass will then be celebrated at the High Altar with all the breathtaking ceremony and music integral to the Traditional Rite. Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos will also preach.

Julian Chadwick, Chairman of the LMS, said, “This is the highlight of the LMS’s 43 years of struggle on behalf of the Traditional Latin Rite. It will be the first time since the liturgical changes of 1969 that a Cardinal will have celebrated the Extraordinary Form in Westminster Cathedral [Note: Cardinal Alfons Stickler, Vatican Librarian Emeritus who died in December last year, presided at a High Mass in the Cathedral organised by the LMS in 1992 but did not celebrate]. Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos has been unstinting in his work on behalf of the Extraordinary Form and this Mass is a clear signal from Rome that it wants the Traditional Rite reinserted into the heart of the Church’s liturgical activity. We are extremely grateful to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor for readily agreeing to this Mass and to Mgr Mark Langham, the Cathedral Administrator, and all his staff for their help with all the arrangements. This Mass literally represents the prayers of many thousands of LMS members and supporters offered up through the years and now come true.”