“The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power and divinity and wisdom and power and honour: to Him be glory and empire for ever and ever.” Rev. 5:12 & 1:6

Firstborn of All Creatures
Jesus is the firstborn of all creatures. He gives the Father the greatest glory as Man because He is true God and loves the Father infinitely as God, the Son. This is why the Father is so pleased with His Son. Christ is the King for all eternity because He has given Himself for our ransom and has won for us our eternal salvation: “The Lord will reign forever and will give his people the gift of peace.” Ps. 28: 10-11 Jesus Christ is the “Son of Man” as He is both God and man. He is the first-born of all creatures and as such He gives the Father the greatest glory. This is why He is the “King of Kings” and the “Lord of Lords.” He is Christ the King of all nations and tribes: “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have our redemption, the remission of our sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For in him were created all things in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and invisible...” Col. 1: 13-16

He Has Redeemed Us
“(Jesus Christ) faithful witness, first-born of the dead and ruler of the Kings of the earth.” Rev. 1:5. Christ is the faithful witness who has given His life and “washed us from our sins in His own blood.” Rev. 1:5 All creation looks to Him as He is the “Alpha and Omega,” (Rev. 1:8) the beginning and the end of all things. All things are measured by His great sacrifice for He has conquered death and redeemed us of our sins. “To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.” Rev. 1:6

Jesus Christ is King, Priest and Victim
The Preface for the Feast of Christ the King (Ordinary Form) echoes the theme of Christ’s Kingship: “that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: Who with the oil of gladness didst anoint Thine only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ as Priest for ever and King of all.” (Preface) Jesus is our eternal High Priest and King of Kings forever: “That offering Himself on the altar of the Cross a stainless Victim to appease Thee, He might accomplish the mysteries of man’s redemption...” (Preface) He is not only our King, but He is also our Priest who has sacrificed Himself for our sins. By His sacrifice, we are redeemed for His eternal kingdom in heaven: “and that subjecting all creatures to His sway, He might present to Thine infinite Majesty a universal and eternal Kingdom; a Kingdom of truth and life; a Kingdom of holiness and grace: a Kingdom of justice and peace.” (Preface) To obtain this Kingdom, St. Paul told us we must be “without spot or wrinkle.” (Eph. 5: 27)

Tragic Choice of Modern Man
The nations of the world tragically reject the Kingship of Christ with their immoral opposition to God’s Divine laws. Many nations today have legalized practices which are opposed to the Ten Commandments: abortion, divorce, contraception, same sex marriages, and euthanasia. With these sins against God’s Commandments, the world has chosen Satan, the Prince of this World, as their leader (king). This choice can only lead to tragedy for all of us in this world. People no longer believe in truth and think that they can do what they want; they no longer believe in the eternal truths of heaven, hell and judgment; they deny the Church’s teachings on life and marriage and fail to procreate the children that God wishes to give the world. “Without a deep reverence for the sacredness of life, humanity places itself on the path of self-destruction.” (Cardinal Sean O’Malley on In Vitro Fertilization)


Christ the King Must Reign in Our World and in Us All
When Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925 with his decree, “Quas Primas,” he wanted to remind us that Jesus Christ must reign as King in our minds, our hearts, and in our wills if we want peace and happiness in this world. “He must reign in our minds which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desire and love God above all things, and cleave to Him alone. He must reign in our bodies and in our members which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls.”(#21) Jesus has created us, He has redeemed us, He has sanctified us with His Flesh and Blood, He governs us with love and protection, and He has prepared a place for us in His heavenly Kingdom if we are faithful to His commandments. He will come to judge us in His glory and power. If we choose Him as our King today, we need not fear that He will refuse us His kingdom in Heaven for all eternity.

Some photography from Rome, where I am making a short pilgrimage to coincide with the Populus Summorum Pontificum liturgies. Today a Pontifical High Mass at the Chair of St Peter's took place.

Celebrated by the Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample of Portand, Oregon, the homily was delivered by His Eminence Cardinal Levada, former President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.

The day had started with Eucharistic adoration at the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Damaso before we processed in good number to St Peter's. It is quite evident that amongst the many people attending the events this year, there are many from the United States.

A word of thanks to the Local Representatives (LRs) of the Latin Mass Society who came to London yesterday for the annual joint meeting with the committee.

Whilst it was great to see some of the experienced and longer serving LRs, it was encouraging to see some new faces - thanks for stepping forward and in doing so, helping to keep the Society represented in the various geographical areas of England and Wales.

It was a productive meeting and I look forward to many more encounters with our important network of LRs in the future.

For further information, contact the Liverpool Archdiocese Latin Mass Society Representative:
Mr. J.Pennington, 0151 426 0361

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the Church now discusses the only conditions under which Jesus bestows human peace and Divine Life. After all, have not His words and life shown him to be a God, not "of affliction," but "of peace?" Has he not brought us "back" to His own "blessed Land" from our own "captivity" (Introit) in which "through our weakness we become entangled" (Prayer)?

Have we not become "enemies of the Cross," bringing about our own "destruction," as the Epistle describes it? The Epistle advises, however, that we first of all "stand fast in the Lord" and "be of one mind in the Lord" with one another in order that He might "reform the body of our lowness" in personal and public life and be delivered from the "depths" (Gradual).

Christ will turn around to help us anywhere on the road of life if we only touch "the hem of His garment" in faith. But if we surround ourselves with a multitude of creatures and created things who laugh their Creator to scorn, "making a tumult," He will only come in when we put them out (Gospel). Hence , when we "pray" (Communion), our chief petition should be for an "increase of our service" to God (Secret), and to "overcome human dangers" so as to share in the "Divine" life.

The votive collect Pro Propagatione Fidei for the missions is made is the Mass today.

Our religion is a missionary faith, and we are required to try and bring it to all people throughout the world. In the case of lay persons appeal to other people can be made through good Christian example which might possibly be noticed by others who inquire about the Church. Otherwise, we must support missionaries through prayer and donations. A collection is taken in Catholic Churches today for the missions. Pray especially today to St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, Patroness of the ForeignMissions, for many vocations!

Please do consider booking for the FSSP ADVENT WEEKEND of Recollection Open to all, from the 9-11 December 2016.

And it is takes place right here in the Diocese of Wrexham!

Preached by Fr de Malleray on the theme: ‘God became man for our salvation.’ the Retreat runs from 6.30pm supper on Friday, through Sunday, when guests depart after Sunday lunch (2 nights).

Provided: full accommodation, towels, food (full-board), tea & coffee. Total cost: £110 / person. Take a booking form from the church (or download it here, print and fill it in) and return it to seminarian Thomas with your payment (cheques payable to FSSP England) or email tosullivan@olgseminary.org.

I'm dissappointed I cannot attend, but I pray for the success of the event.

The latest docudrama "The Inquisition" by Wirral LMS Rep, Stefano Mazzeo will be broadcast in the USA/Canada from 26th to 29th October at 9:30pm ET, it will be preceded at 8pm by an interview with professor Madden and Stefano on the 'EWTN Live' show with Fr Mitch Pacwa.where we discuss the inquisitions and this production.

In Britain and Ireland it will be broadcast on 27th and 28th at 9:30pm.

A trailer can be viewed here.

Thank you to those who turned up in reasonable number for the pilgrimage Mass at the Cathedral in Wrexham yesterday. It was a beautiful Mass and fitting commemoration of a local saint, Richard Gwyn, a co-patron saint of the LMS.

My additional thanks go to the Bishop of Wrexham, the Rt. Rev. Peter Brignall and Cathedral Dean, Canon Simon Treloar for allowing the Mass to take place at the Cathedral. Additionally, the Canons of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest for their unwavering support, particularly Canon Tanner who was celebrant. Finally, the servers and choir also deserve credit.

A full report will appear at some point in Mass of Ages, in the meantime some photographs.

Last week, Channel Four aired a programme in their 'Dispatches' series which was against the pro-life movement from beginning to end - particular criticism was levied at the efforts of the Good Counsel Network - remarkable how an edited programme can condemn the work of those who simply seek to protect those without a voice.

However, I came across the clip below from an edition of 'Dispatches' broadcast in 2007.

Appears that 'Dispatches' has an indifferent approach to the subject. Perhaps Channel Four is more interested in viewing figures created by the controversy of a sorrowful subject than the subject itself? Just a thought.

Pray for all those involved in abortion.

Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP has announced the some important liturgical dates for the diary over at Warrington:

Approaching the end of the ecclesiastical year, Mother Church uses the liturgy to prepare us for the Last Judgment.
 
First, she warns us that life is a warfare, as Job realised (Offertory). She warns us against the “deceits of the devil,” trying to destroy our riches of Divine Grace. She warns us also “against flesh and blood.” as explained in the Epistle, which also describes what the well-equipped Christian must wear for this war. But God will be “our refuge” (Gradual).
 
Consoling too are the words of Mardochai (Introit), confiding in God even when his beloved people faced destruction. Our second preparation consists in forgiveness of all injuries suffered during this life-struggle, even as we, relying on Divine Mercy, expect the forgiveness of all debts to the Divine Justice (Gospel).
 
The Prayer, Secret and Communion are in line with these sentiments of struggle against flesh and devil and of the exercise of charity toward our neighbour.
 
Although not commemorated in the Mass using the rubrics of the 1962 Missale Romanum, the 9th October marks the feast of one of the great Italian clergymen of the XVI Century, St. John Leonardi C., he helped found the Propaganda College in Rome whose goal was missionary work. In the same Mass SS Denis, Rusticus and Eleutherius Mm. are commemorated.
 
First Bishop of Paris, St. Denis was sent as a missionary to Paris by Pope Fabian in the middle of the III Century where he was beheaded with Rusticus, a priest, and the deacon, Eleutherius, near present day St. Denis. St. Denis is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers invoked in cases of demonic possession.
 
Although not commemorated under the newer rubrics of the Mass, pray to the Saints for missionary success!