A new year of worship to God and service to neighbour begins on Sunday!
 
These Sundays before Christmas prepare us “to adore the King Who is to come.” They reveal the expectation of the ancient world in its long night of spiritual darkness. They reveal our hope that a prophesied Saviour will come.
 
Immediately, in the Introit, we put our trust in God, Who will not deceive us, imploring him to “show Thy ways” where we may meet Him. For His coming, “nearer than we believed,” in today’s Mass, the Epistle warns us to “rise from sleep” and “cast off works of darkness” and put on “the Lord Jesus.”
 
The Gospel, by picturing how we must accept Christ as King of Justice at His second Advent at the end of the world, indirectly prevails upon us to prepare now for His first coming, as King of Mercy.
 
Aware of the dangers ahead during this preparation, we invoke His Power in the Prayer, we offer this Sacrifice to be cleansed by His Power (Secret), and we promise to receive the Sacrament of His Mercy (Postcommunion).
 
During Advent, the ferias of the first and second weeks are of the III class, and if no feast of the III class or higher occurs, then the Mass of the prior Sunday of Advent is celebrated. Commemoration of the feria is made in every feast celebrated during Advent. Although sometimes known as ‘Little Lent’ in the past, the Season is actually joyful as we are looking forward to the birth of Our Divine Saviour.

For Abbé Pierre Bivouli who will be ordained a Priest of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest by His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke on tomorrow.

Abbé Bivouli is native of Mouila, Gabon- of course 25 years ago, Gabon was one of the first African missions of this Traditional Order.

This will be the 12th priestly ordination at the Institute this year, 11 deacons were ordained in July, also by Cardinal Burke.

The Bishops of England and Wales met at Hinsley Hall, Leeds, for their autumn plenary meeting from 16-19 November 2015 and surprisingly, in the sense, it had not previously been indicated they discussed the Good Friday Prayer for the Jews contained in the 1962 Roman Missal used in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

The post meeting information release states:
 
“The Bishops' Conference requests that the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei (PCED) review the prayer Pro Conversione Iudaeorum, in the Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday, in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, in the light of the understanding in Nostra Aetate of the relationship between the Catholic Church and Judaism.”

A controversy well documented at the time of the promulgation of the 2007 moto proprio Summorum Pontificum was the prayer for the Jews contained in the pre-conciliar edition of the Missal.

And so, Pope Benedict XVI decided to modify the prayer and in the new version, the request that God may “deliver [them] from their darkness” and “their blindness” was removed. The reformed prayer is formulated as follows:

“that God our Lord should illuminate their hearts, so that they will recognize Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all men.”

It also asks that God “grant that when the fullness of peoples enters your Church all of Israel will be saved.”

It became a directive of the Holy See that the revision (dated 4 February 2008) be used forthwith in place of the original, except the 1962 prayer was not the actually the original.

This first revision by Pope Saint John XXIII in 1959 caused the adjective “perfidus” (unfaithful), and the word “perfidiam” (faithlessness) to be removed.

These words were (and one can understand this) simply unacceptable to the Jewish people. Indeed the polemics over the matter had gone on for years.

Pius XII had sought to give some contextual explanation as he explained, perfidus in this context has nothing to do with being "faithless" in the sense of "shifty" or "untrustworthy".  It means "faith-less" in the sense that they don’t have Christ faith, they do not believe, they are unbelieving. 

(Note also in 1959, Pope John eliminated from the rite of baptism the phrase used for Jewish catechumens: Horresce Iudaicam perfidiam, respue Hebraicam superstitionem … Dread Jewish unbelief, spurn Hebrew superstition)

However, back to 2008 and the prayer written by Pope Benedict. This modification displeased the great rabbi of Rome, who declared during an interview that the fact that the new formula maintained an “explicit” request for the conversion of the Jews “was undermining decades of progress” in the dialogue between Jews and Christians.

The Benedictine revision surely cannot be an obstacle to dialogue because it reflects the faith of the Church by affirming that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour of all mankind, the Church is simply giving witness to the Catholic faith. Why anyone should be surprised that Catholics continue to pray that all may worship Jesus is baffling.

After all, given that we Catholics believe that not to be believe in Christ puts you in danger of hell, it must be a good thing to pray for all these different groups, including Catholic themselves and also the Jews.

Additionally, the conversion of the Jews for which the modified prayer is asking, is  a reference to a text of St. Paul the Apostle which expresses the hope - i.e. with reference to the last days, the end of history - that the people of Israel would also enter the Church when all the other nations do.

This is a reference to Romans 11:25-26:

For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, of this mystery (lest you should be wise in your own conceits) that blindness in part has happened in Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles should come in. And so all Israel should be saved, as it is written: There shall come out of Sion, he that shall deliver and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.

In the first instance, I was really pleased to hear that all went well at Warrington yesterday.

I have spoken to a number of people who were present at St Mary's for the inaugural High Mass in the presence of Archbishop Malcolm McMahon O.P. and all said that the liturgy, supported by wonderful music was befitting of such a magnificent occasion. I pray that this FSSP mission flourishes.

The old saying 'It's grim up North' can be laid to rest for purposes of Catholic traditionalism!

Meanwhile, I was at another fledgling traditional apostolate yesterday. St Walburge's, Preston held a Men's Retreat entitled 'The Spiritual Combat'.

The retreat attracted around 25 men, some of whom had travelled from as far as London and Northumberland to hear Canon Francis Altiere deliver two excellent instructions, hear confessions and give benediction - obviously not all at the same time! He was assisted by Canon Poucin De Wouilt and Oblate Abbé Ben McEvilly.

Someone kindly recorded the talks and has uploaded them to You Tube. You may wish to listed to them - I commend them to you!

The Sunday Mass this week brings us to the end of the Church year of public worship.

Hence, the general theme appropriately refers to the end of the world. In preparation for our final judgment, we beseech God to arouse “our wills” for “divine service” (Prayer), to be on our guard, awake and active, lest our faith sleep or be merely sentimental.

The Epistle, therefore, begs us to be filled with a “knowledge of God,” to be “fruitful in every good work,” to recognize our duty and privilege to work with and for one another in true Christian community, which is the Communion of “saints,” all for the sake of Him Who shed “His Blood.” Lest “His Love” fail to inspire us.

The Gospel fills us with sentiments of holy fear, as we consider the destruction of the Jerusalem's of this world, the end of all time, and the beginning of eternity; as we consider further the necessity of fleeing to the “mountains” of God from the Judea of “false Christs” and false leaders, who sometimes are so clever as “to deceive even the elect,” enslaving, misleading, corrupting their minds, especially in the modern press, radio and television.

Today, we may well implore God through our Sacrifice to turn “our hearts” to Him (Secret) and to heal through our Sacrament what “is diseased in our hearts” (Postcommunion.)

Although Holy Scripture does not tell us anything about the presentation of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple, this belief is based upon evidence authorized by a very ancient Christian tradition, and the Church has given it official recognition by making it the object of a special Marian feast. Mary, who leaves her home and parents in her most tender years in order to live in the shadow of the Temple, speaks to us of detachment, of separation from the world, of complete dedication to the service of God, of virginal consecration to the Most High. After her, countless virginal souls will present themselves in the Temple to offer themselves to God, but no offering will be as pure, as total, as acceptable as Mary’s.

Our Lady is truly the privileged one among all creatures, who, from the first moment of her existence, heard the great call: “Hearken, O daughter, and see and incline thy ear, and forget thy people and thy father’s house.” The Most High is enamored of her beauty and wills that she be wholly His. Mary responds, and her answer is eminently prompt and complete. The response of souls who God calls to the Altar, to the religious life or to virginal consecration in the world, should resemble Mary’s These souls must also be separated from the world, leave parents and friends; they must detach themselves from their people and their homes. There cannot always be a spiritual one, that is, a separation in the realm of the affections. It is the heart which must be detached, be secluded, because the Lord’s elect can no longer belong to the world: “they are
not of the world,” Jesus said. To live in the world without being of the world is not easy, but it is absolutely essential in order to answer the divine call. There are virginal souls who fail in their consecrated vocation, or neglect to correspond fully, because they are still attached to the world to its maxims, its vanities, its affairs, its comforts; they have not had the courage to effect a true separation, or at least, if they have undertaken it, they have not remained faithful. This can happen not merely to souls living in the world but even to those in the cloister, for the world penetrates everywhere, and everywhere it invades hearts that are not entirely detached.

Corresponding to complete separation is oblation, total consecration. Mary gave herself wholly to God, unreservedly, forever. “Lord, in the simplicity of my heart I offer myself to You this day as Your servant for  evermore, for Your homage and for a sacrifice of perpetual praise.” Such must have been the dispositions with which this holy child offered herself to the Most High, dispositions which were lived with a fullness and coherence incomprehensible to our wretchedness.

Never for a moment did Mary fail in her complete consecration; God was able to accomplish in her all that He willed, without meeting the least resistance. Circumstances of an exceedingly difficult and painful nature abounded in the life of our Blessed Lady. She made no objections nor did she marvel that her immolation should reach such proportions.

What a contrast to our life as consecrated souls! How easily we take back the gift made to God! We take back our heart when we admit human affections; we take back our will when we refuse to submit to certain commands of obedience which mortify or contradict us, when we will not accept that which entails sacrifice, when we complain, protest or defend our rights. Yet the only true right of a soul consecrated to God is that of letting itself be used and consumed for His glory.

Let us ask Mary, presented in the Temple, to take our poor offering into her maternal hands, to purify and complete it by her offering, so pure, so perfect; to include and hide it in hers, so great and so generous, that being thus purified and renewed, it may be agreeable to God.

"Divine Intimacy” by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD)

It seems that lately there is a notable traditional event every week!

At the end of October there was a well attended First High Mass of Canon Scott Tanner ICKSP at New Brighton.

This weekend the Society's 50th anniversary year was concluded by a magnificent Requiem High Mass at Westminster Cathedral celebrated by His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke. The Cardinal had also earlier administered the Sacrament of Confirmation upon a number of confirmands at St James', Spanish Place.

Meanwhile, this coming Saturday, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady, the official inauguration of Father Armand de Malleray FSSP and the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter at St Mary’s in Warrington takes place. Mass is at 12 noon.

This will be a Polyphonic Solemn High Mass in the presence of local Ordinary, the Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool, and of the Right Rev Cuthbert Madden OSB, Abbot of Ampleforth, whose Abbey founded and ran St Mary's Priory Church until 2012.

The music for the Mass is:

Missa a 4 voci : Claudio Monteverdi
Christe, Adoramus Te :  Claudio Monteverdi
Ave Maria : Tomas Luis de Victoria

Mass will be followed by refreshments.

I cannot be there but I pray for every success for the Priestly Fraternity and their mission in Warrington.

St Mary’s is situated 100 yards West of the A49. Driving southbound on the A49, turn right onto Dial Street at the roundabout just after Lidl on your left. Driving northbound on the A49 turn left onto Dial Street at the roundabout after the Borough Arms public house. Those traveling by car may wish to arrive in Warrington in good time to secure suitable parking.

It may be worth noting that the 'regular' Mass schedule at St Mary's is as follows:

• Sunday 11am
  
• Monday to Saturday 12.10pm
• Saturday 12.00 noon Confessions

Of your charity, prayers for the French people, particularly the Parisians!

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

For the poor souls taken by these atrocities:
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke will visit England this weekend to confer Confirmations and celebrate Pontifical Requiem Mass for Latin Mass Society on Saturday and also address the CIEL UK conference on Sunday afternoon having first celebrated a Low Mass at Brompton Oratory.

The specific times are as follows:

Saturday 14th November:
11:00 am Confirmations in St James', Spanish Place.
2:00 pm Pontifical Requiem Mass in Westminster Cathedral (with homily): LMS Annual Requiem

Sunday 15th November:
9:00 am Low Mass at the London Oratory
2:00 pm Address to the Annual Conference of CIEL UK, St Wilfrid Hall, Brompton Oratory.

Next month's Mass at Buckley will be on the second Saturday (a week later than usual). This is at the request of our regular celebrant, Fr. Francis Doyle.

I will no doubt post another reminder closer to the actual date but I also wanted to give as much notice as possible.

Incidentally, a really good attendance at today's Mass at Buckley. Just short of 30!

This Sunday coming is the second in November and therefore our monthly Mass at St Francis of Assisi takes place at 1230pm

St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Llay Chain
Llay LL12 0NT

See map below.

Shown in the 'EWTN Gallery', Extraordinary Faith is a monthly 30 minute television programme that celebrates the beauty of classical Catholic sacred art, architecture, music, and liturgy.

On Thursday 5th November (0200, 0800 and 2100), the work of Miami's Latin Mass Community in restoring Catholic tradition in the archdiocese of Miami with participation from Archbishop Thomas Wenski.