Archbishop Roche

The Vatican has announced today that Archbishop Roche, formerly Bishop of Leeds, has been appointed to the post of Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.  He was Secretary of that Congregation.

Those who favour the Latin Mass can take some comfort from this appointment, because Bishop Roche was helpful in facilitating Latin Masses when he was Bishop of Leeds.  However, the appointment may not be as significant as one might think, as matters concerning tradition and the Latin Mass are dealt with by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

What ever the consequences, we offer Archbishop Roche our congratulations.

COVID Restrictions

 

I understand that the COVID restrictions governing church services have been eased.  This means that congregations amounting to 50% of the normal capacity of the church are permitted.  The consequence is that there should now be plenty of space in churches for everyone who wants to attend Latin Masses.

At St Wilfrid's in York, alternate benches are now available for use.

Church of St Charles in Hull

I attended the Latin Mass held on the Feast of the Ascension at St Charles' Church in Hull.  According to my count, the congregation numbered 41, which I thought was good.

A great deal of money has been spent on the church recently to repair the roof, which had been leaking for years, and causing further damage. The exterior of the church is now looking well, but it is evident that there is plenty more work to be done on the inside.  Much of the plaster in the side aisles is decayed and falling away.

The parish priest, Fr Benfield, said to me that he thought that it was the perfect setting for the Latin Mass.  

It is a fine church, with very elaborate decorations in the centre of Hull.  Let us hope that the money can be found to fully restore it, and that there will be many more Latin Masses there.

Feast of the Ascension

Thursday 13th May is the Feast of the Ascension.  There will be a Latin Mass at the Church of St Charles Borromeo in Hull at 7.30 pm.  It will be offered by Fr William Massie.

There will also be a Sung Mass at 6pm at the York Oratory.

Walsingham Pilgrimmage

After a break of a year due to COVID, the Latin Mass Society will be resuming its annual walking pilgrimage to Walsingham over the August bank holiday weekend.  Solemn Mass is offered each day, and the Rosary is recited (or sung) as the pilgrims walk the route.  The final Mass will take place at the Walsingham Shrine at on Sunday 29th.

Pilgrims planning to walk the 57 miles from Ely to Walsingham should assemble in Ely on the evening of Thursday 26th August.  Ladies are provided with overnight accommodation in halls at points along the route, whilst men are expected to camp.

Anyone wishing to take part in the walking pilgrimage must register before the event.  This can be done on the main website of the Latin Mass Society.

For those who do not feel able to make the long walk, an alternative is to make a day pilgrimage by gathering at the Walsingham Shrine for Mass at 2pm on the Sunday.  This will be followed by a procession along the Holy Mile and conclude around 5pm with Devotions at the site of the Holy House.  No registration is required for day pilgrims.

Convent in Ardee

 

Further to the previous post, the Institute of Christ the King paid 925,000 euros for the convent in Ardee.  To do this they had to borrow 600,000 euros, which they need to pay back.  There is a Go Fund Me page and other ways of making donations for the project on the Irish site of the Institute, and they are appealing for donations.  Over 1,500 euros were raised in the first three days of the appeal, so a good start has been made.

Considering the size of the building, and the amount of land associated with it, the Institute have got good value for money.  Here are some photographs.

Not surprisingly, the Institute are appealing for funds so that they can repay the debt.  There is a Go Fund Me page and there are other ways of of making a donation on the Irish website of the ICKSP.  In the first hree days of the appeal, 1,500 euros were raised on Go Fund Me, so that is a good start.

Institute of Christ the King Purchase Convent in Ireland.

 

The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest has purchased a Convent in the town of Ardee which is about 40 miles north of Dublin.  The Sister Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus, the female branch of the Order, will be moving into the Convent later this year.  It is a truly beautiful building with its own chapel, and set in 10 acres of land, and was formerly owned by the Sisters of Mercy.

Catholic Chaplaincy to the University of York

 

It has been announced that Bishop Terence Drainey has appointed Fr Richard Duffield CO to be the Chaplain to the University of York from the start of the next acedemic year.  Although the appointment is a few months away, it is very welcome news.  In recent years, the chaplaincy has been in the hands of the Carmelite Order, and the chaplains (there have been several) have not generally been sympathetic towards the Latin Mass.  Indeed some have been noticeably hostile.  

Since the Oratorians have been at St Wilfrid's Church in York, significant numbers of York University students have been attending the Latin Masses offered at the Oratory, which is evidence that the Latin Mass has widespread appeal amongst University students and young folk of that age.  I am sure that the appointment of Fr Duffield will be much welcomed amongst a large section of the students.Here is a picture of the Chaplaincy building:

Friday 19th March Feast of St Joseph

 

Friday 19th March is the Feast of St Joseph in this year dedicated to St Joseph.  There will be a Solemn Mass at 6pm on that day at St Wilfrid's Church in York.  The Music will be Byrd's Mass for Three Voices.

In these days of lockdown, there are very few opportunities to hear a polyphonic Mass, so Byrd's three part setting, which is particularly beautiful, is something not to be missed.

There will also be First Vespers followed by Benediction for the Feast of St Joseph at 6pm on Thursday 18th March.  

Institute of Christ the King to Take Over Another Church

The Bishop of Plymouth, Mark O'Toole, has announced that the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest is to take over a church in Torquay.  It is the Church of the Holy Angels, a relatively modest sized church that was built in the 1930's and located in a residential area of Chelston.  The existing Parish Priest will be retiring shortly and the parish will be merged with the much larger Church of the Assumption, which is located in another part of Torquay.  Although there will continue to be some provision for Novus Ordo Masses at the Holy Angels Church, The Institute will offer daily Latin Masses, as well as the Office and other devotions.

Unlike the large churches of the ICKSP in Preston and New Brighton, the Holy Angels Church was built to a modest budget and is not a great piece of architecture.  Neither is it a conspicuous building, being in a side street in a residential area.  Nevertheless, the interior is quite attractive, with a Romanesque sanctuary arch flanked by two smaller arches. These are supported on round Classical columns.