Blog Archives - THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY IN WREXHAM

First Saturday Mass at Buckley : 3rd January

30/12/2014

Our Lady said to Lucia in the July apparition at Fatima, “I shall come to ask... that on the First Saturday of every month, Communions of reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world.”

Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be offered at:
Our Lady of the Rosary, Jubilee Road, Buckley, Flintshire CH7 2BF

Mass begins at 12.30pm and is a Saturday Mass of Our Lady (Mass IV).

Felix namque es, sacra Virgo María, et omni laude digníssima: quia ex te ortus est sol iustítiæ, Christus, Deus noster.

You are happy, O holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all high praise; for out of you has risen the sun of justice, Christ our God.

Offertory - Mass IV of Our Lady, Roman Missal 1962

Holy Innocents then and today

29/12/2014

The calendar in both forms of the Mass saw the usual feast of the 28th December, The Holy Innocents outranked. In the Extraordinary Form, the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas took precedence. In the Ordinary Form, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph was celebrated.

The Holy Innocents allows us reflect on the present day as much as it does on the orders given by King Herod in the wake of the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the hope that by killing every boy born in Bethlehem at the same time as Jesus, he would succeed in killing the new-born King of the Jews.

There was nothing about those baby boys that made them deserve death. Look at any one of them, and you can see that he had no chance to do anything, or be anyone, or become anyone. So passive are these babies that some people find it hard to level off the the title of “martyr” with people like St Stephen, who insisted on preaching the truth until his hearers stoned him for it, or St Thomas Becket, who insisted on living the truth until King Henry II had him killed in 1170 because of it.

These children didn't insist on anything except their mothers’ nurture; and unlike Stephen and Thomas, they did or said nothing to provoke their martyrdom.

In our little human brains, these babies are a puzzle, and that is one reason why God has inspired the Church to celebrate the feast of The Holy Innocents – to expose how inadequate our seemingly rational, worldly-wise thoughts are!

As he reminds us again and again throughout salvation history, his thoughts are not our thoughts. Babies may not rank high on the scale as far as our human calculus is concerned; but then neither do sparrows, and yet God has told us that God sees and counts every one of those.

So, in honouring them I suppose we effectively honour the martyrdom of the people these children could have become, and their children’s children as well; and at the same time we can remember the contemporary and continuing massacre of those who die before birth for the convenience of those who have them killed as happens in abortion clinics and hospitals the world-over.

Support the work of people like the Good Counsel Network, who work tirelessly in a Christian setting to prevent more Holy Innocents of this present day.

Sunday within the Christmas Octave at Holywell

26/12/2014

There will be a Traditional Mass this Sunday, 28th December 2014 at:

St Winefride Catholic Church
Well Street
Holywell
Flintshire
CH8 7PL

Directions here.

As ever, all are welcome. The Mass begins at 11.30am

The Master of Ceremonies

26/12/2014

In the current issue of the 'Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri' aka FSSP UK periodical 'Dowry' is an interesting article by Alex Stewart, a local man (Wirral, although the article says Liverpool!) who is a Seminarian with the Fraternity. The article is an informative little piece which educates and informs on the intricate parts of the structure of a Pontifical Mass, mainly at the Throne but the Faldstool is referenced. As someone who has assisted in the organisation of a Pontifical Mass, I would have benefited from a read of this article beforehand!

Click on the image to the left for the article, and click here for the full Winter edition of 'Dowry'

Have a most blessed Christmas!

24/12/2014

From the Roman Martyrology:

Anno a creatióne mundi, quando in princípio Deus creávit cœlum et terram, quínquies millésimo centésimo nonagésimo nono: A dilúvio autem, anno bis millésimo nongentésimo quinquagésimo séptimo: A nativitáte Abrahæ, anno bis millésimo quintodécimo: A Moyse et egréssu pópuli Israël de Ægypto, anno millésimo quingentésimo décimo: Ab unctióne David in Regem, anno millésimo trigésimo secúndo; Hebdómada sexagésima quinta, juxta Daniélis prophetíam: Olympíade centésima nonagésima quarta: Ab urbe Roma cóndita, anno septingentésimo quinquagésimo secúndo: Anno Impérii Octaviáni Augústi quadragésimo secúndo, toto Orbe in pace compósito, sexta mundi ætáte, Jesus Christus ætérnus Deus, æterníque Patris Fílius, mundum volens advéntu suo piíssimo consecráre, de Spíritu Sancto concéptus, novémque post conceptiónem decúrsis ménsibus, in Béthlehem Judæ náscitur ex María Vírgine factus Homo. Nativitas Domini nostri Iesu Christi secundum carnem.

In the 5199th year of the creation of the world, from the time when in the beginning God created heaven and earth; from the flood, the 2957th year; from the birth of Abraham, the 2015th year; from Moses and the going-out of the people of Israel from Egypt, the 1510th year; from the anointing of David as king, the 1032nd year; in the 65th week according to the prophecy of Daniel; in the 194th Olympiad; from the founding of the city of Rome, the 752nd year; in the 42nd year of the rule of Octavian Augustus, when the whole world was at peace, in the sixth age of the world: Jesus Christ, the eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by His most merciful coming, having been conceived by the Holy Ghost, and nine months having passed since His conception was born in Bethlehem of Juda of the Virgin Mary, having become man. The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Flesh.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

21/12/2014

John preaches the Baptism of Penance

Introitus

Rorate, cæli, désuper, et nubes pluant iustum: aperiátur terra, et gérminet Salvatórem. Cæli enárrant glóriam Dei: et ópera mánuum eius annúntiat firmaméntum.

Let the Just One descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop Him down. Let the earth open and a Saviour bud forth. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.

Today's Mass voices our expectation, in union with Mary, waiting for Jesus to come.

The Offertory and Communion recall the devotion of Mary to the blessed fruit of her womb, Jesus, during the months before the first Christmas. Her preparation inspires us to pray for priests who have been called by her Christ as the "dispensers of the mysteries of God (Epistle); and to hearken to their "voice ... crying in the wilderness" of a world awaiting its God ... "prepare ye the way" (Gospel).

In other years, today would be the feast of St Thomas

Become an LMS Anniversary Supporter

20/12/2014

LMS Anniversary Supporters’ Appeal 1965-2015
Fifty years of campaigning for the Traditional Mass

Next year, the Latin Mass Society celebrates its half-centenary.

Over the past fifty years, the LMS has been a constant voice campaigning for the preservation and promotion of the Traditional Mass. In recent times we have seen a number of breakthroughs, but there is a great deal of work still to be done before the Old Rite is freely available for all Catholics, as Pope Benedict desired.

The Latin Mass does not just appear by itself in parishes—it is the result of continual work by supporters of the Old Rite. The Latin Mass Society is the only lay organisation in this country campaigning for the Traditional Mass, and we cannot continue our work without support from you.

Helping our campaigning work to grow

That is why we are launching a new scheme to ensure the continued expansion of the Society’s work. To provide a predictable income for the Society for our new and existing projects, we are calling on our supporters to consider making regular donations of a few pounds a month.

We have set ourselves a target of ‘Anniversary Supporters’ as follows:

200 people to commit to giving an extra £2.50 a month

100 people an extra £5 a month

50 people an extra £10 a month

Never have the prospects for the traditional movement in England and Wales been more positive. Never has the Latin Mass Society been more active.

Please support our transition to the next fifty years of our work. Thank you.

How to donate

Please click on the appropriate 'Subscribe' button below to show your support for our continuing and growing work.

Alternatively, please fill in the Direct Debit Form and return it to:

LMS, 11-13 Macklin Street, London WC2B 5NH

Sign up here to help us continue our work for the Traditional Mass:

Anniversary Supporter £2.50 a month

Anniversary Supporter £5.00 a month

Anniversary Supporter £10 a month

The Christmas Programme over in Liverpool

15/12/2014

My colleague Rep over at Liverpool Archdiocese, Jim Pennington has advised me on the programme of Masses in his area over the Christmas period and beyond to Epiphany.

Note, I have been advised of a revised time for the Christmas Day Mass at Penwortham, it is 8.30am and not 9am.

Why we need Latin in the Liturgy ....

15/12/2014

Years ago, a group of American soldiers, stationed in Eastern Korea, drove in back of a 2 1/2 ton truck to attend Midnight Mass in a Catholic Church in I’chon. Although they came from many differing cultural backgrounds in addition to the Korean Faithful, they used their Fr. Steadman Missals and followed the High Mass, sung in beautiful Latin and followed the Gregorian Chant performed by the choir.

They welcomed Our Lord into this world on the date of His Birth, part of a group of brothers and sisters worshiping in peace and love and unity. They received the True Body Christ in the Mass.

United in the Eucharist and the prayers of the Mass given in Latin!

Ember Week

15/12/2014

There are Ember days this coming week, with specifically on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Traditional Catholics maintain fast and abstinence on the Ember Days, having one meal with meat on the Ember Wednesday and Ember Saturday, and a full meal on Ember Friday with no meat. Two smaller collations, together making up a bit less than a full meal, is permitted.

We ought to maintain fast from 21 to 59, abstinence from 7 years and up on all Fridays.

Of course, the Ember Days are meaningless unless some sacrifice is made by the faithful to pray for the young men who will be ordained to the priesthood on the Ember Saturday.

New arrangement for Saturday Mass at Buckley in 2015

15/12/2014

Being on the 1st November, All Saints Day fell on the first Saturday this year and we held a Low Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary in Buckley (pictured above).

As I drove from Buckley, I commented to my wife that I did not anticipate a big attendance knowing that quite a number including a family, were away. How wrong I was!

We had approximately 25 assist at Mass and this prompted a discussion about changing the Mass to the First Saturday in the future.

During her July apparition at Fatima, Our Lady said to Lucia, “I shall come to ask... that on the First Saturday of every month, Communions of reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world.”

Although she made no further mention of this devotion at Fatima, on the 10th December 1925, our Blessed Mother again appeared to Lucia at Pentevedra, Spain where she had been sent to learn to read and write by the Dorothean Sisters. It was there Our Lady completed her request for the Five First Saturdays and gave her great promise!

Well, I can report that after speaking to our celebrant, Father Francis Doyle, our cantors and servers, from 3rd January 2015, this Mass will now be a first Saturday Mass. The Mass time remains at 1230pm

Traditional Masses this weekend

13/12/2014

In Wrexham Diocese this coming weekend, there are Traditional Masses as follows:

Saturday 13th December at 1230pm
Our Lady of the Rosary, Buckley
Low Mass for the Feast of St Lucy

Sunday 14th December also 1230pm
St Francis of Assisi, Llay
Low Mass for III Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)

All are welcome, indeed all our encouraged to attend and support the Latin Mass in our Diocese.

In Conceptione Immaculata Beatae Mariae Virginis

9/12/2014

Advent is a semi-penitential season as we await our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The priest wears violet vestments on the Sundays to remind us of this.

Joy, however, is mixed into the season. The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated today and whilst it is a Holy Day of Obligation in many places as prescribed in the General Calendar, in England and Wales sadly it is not ranked as such.

Most Catholics accepted that Mary was born free of Original Sin from the beginning of the Church. With the doubts created by Modernism and sceptics, Pope Pius IX declared ex cathedra, on December 8, 1854, officially and from the throne, that Mary was conceived without Original Sin and bound all believing Catholics, under pain of sin, to accept the doctrine proclaimed. The feast fits in perfectly with the season of Advent for as we prepare for Christ, we honour the most pure vessel in which He chose to reside as a helpless infant.

O Virgin Immaculate, who wast
preserved from original sin, look in
pity upon our separated brethren
who are thy children also and call
them back to the center of unity.
Although separated from the
Church, some have kept a certain
veneration for thee. Reward them by
obtaining for them the grace of
conversion. Thou conquered the
infernal serpent from the first moment
of thy existence. Now, glorify
thy Divine Son and bring back to
him the straying sheep. Destroy all
heresies and bring peace once more
to the Christian people. Amen.

(Indulgenced Prayer)

The Second Sunday of Advent

7/12/2014

The Advent liturgy today unfolds the interior and social aspects of Christ's coming.

The Introit refers to Sion, holy mount of Jerusalem, so often mentioned as the symbol of the interior life of the faithful soul. It speaks also of the soul as a docile sheep led by God. It publishes His coming "to save the nations." After calling upon God to "stir up our hearts" in the Prayer so as to "prepare," notice how the Epistle stresses social charity, "to receive one another as Christ also hath received you."

Again, the Gospel enumerates some of the interior and social "works of Christ," which, together with His miracles, testify that He is the long-expected Divine Saviour of the world. The blind of soul now see. The lame of will now walk. The lepers of sin are absolved. The poor become rich with a new Gospel.

A true bishop who vigorously opposed heretics, and even criticized the Emperor Theodosius for his heretical views, St. Ambrose is widely recognized as the person who converted St. Augustine. Highly learned, and a magnificent orator, this famed Doctor of the Church, contributed much to doctrine but was also highly skilled in music and is widely regarded as the originator of the Ambrosian Rite, which liturgy is still used in Milan, his see. His glorious feast is celebrated December 7. Under the 1962 rubrics, his feast is not commemorated in this Sunday's Mass.

Deo grátias!

Please pray for ....

7/12/2014

Br Stephen Morrison O.Praem.

Br Stephen Morrison O.Praem. will be ordained to the priesthood today.

Br. Stephen is a great friend to the St Catherine's Trust/Latin Mass Society having been on the staff at the Summer School on a number of occasions, most recently last Summer. He is a charming man with a wonderful soft sense of humour! He will make a first class priest!

Almighty Father, we pray that you bestow on this servant of yours the dignity of the priesthood. Renew in his heart the spirit of holiness, so that he may be steadfast in this second degree of the priestly office received from you, O God, and by his own life suggest a rule of life to others. Amen