Friday, 2 November 2012

For the Faithful Departed

Part of being in a Sodality is praying for other members, whether living or dead.
For the dead

Mr Arthur Crumley, former MC in Chief of the LMS, who gave support and encouragement to us on our foundation.

Dominic Mary, TOP, who died on 21st October last year, and was one of the founder members of this Sodality.

For all those who have served, supported, organized, or priests who have celebrated, the Traditional Latin Mass especially in the years since 1970.

Particularly this year for Fr Hugh Thwaites SJ.

For those souls in purgatory who were most devoted to the service of the Altar.


Prayer for the Living and the Dead

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui vivorum dominaris simul et mortuorum, omniumque misereris, quos tuos fide et opere futuros esse praenoscis: te supplices exoramus; ut, pro quibus effundere preces decrevimus, quosque vel praesens saeculum adhuc in carne retinet, vel futurum jam exutos corpore suscepit, intercedentibus omnibus Sanctis tuis, pietatis tuae clementia omnium delictorum suorum veniam consequantur.
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast dominion over both the living and the dead, and hast mercy on all whom Thou foreknowest shall be Thine by faith and works: we humbly beseech Thee that all for whom we have resolved to make supplication, whether the present world still holds them in the flesh, or the world to come has already received them out of the body, may, through the intercession of all Thy saints, obtain of Thy goodness and clemency pardon for all their sins.
(Collect Pro Vivis et Defunctis, Roman Missal)

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Server Training with the FSSP

Starts on Friday 26 October at 6pm – ends on Sunday 28 October mid-afternoon.

Led by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP, with Fr Matthew Goddard, FSSP.

In a convivial atmosphere, come and learn (or improve) how to set the vestments and sacred items before Mass and to serve EF Masses and Benediction. EF Mass on the Friday evening, Saturday morning and Sunday morning. Limited overnight accommodation: please book now. Non residential participants welcome.

Cost [for the whole weekend, 2 days + 2 nights, including full board accommodation at St John Fisher House]: no set price for students or unwaged – any donation welcome; others: £50 suggested.

Contact: Tel: 0118 966 5284; Email: malleray@fssp.org; website: www.fssp.co.uk/england.

Friday, 31 August 2012

LMS Pilgrimage to Walsingham



Bishop Mark Davies attends Solemn Mass to mark end of LMS Pilgrimage to Walsingham

 Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury preached at the Solemn Mass offered to mark the end of the Latin Mass Society’s 3rd Annual Walking Pilgrimage to Walsingham on Sunday, 26 August. The Mass was celebrated by Canon Olivier Meney, ICKSP, with Fr Bede Rowe (the pilgrimage chaplain) as Deacon and Fr John Cahill as Sub-Deacon. Gregorian Chant was provided throughout the pilgrimage by a schola assembled from amongst the walking pilgrims and directed by Matthew Schellhorn, who is also our Local Representative for Southwark North.

Around 70 people took part in the three-day, 55-mile walk from Ely in Cambridgeshire to the Slipper Chapel in Walsingham, which was offered for the conversion of England.

The pilgrimage began with Sung Mass, celebrated by Fr Cahill, offered on the Friday morning at St Etheldreda’s Catholic Church, Ely. The MC was Rev James Mawdsley, one of the English seminarians studying with the FSSP. Mass was followed by the traditional Pilgrims’ Blessing given by Fr Rowe. A visit was then paid to Ely Anglican Cathedral to prayer for the conversion of our separated brethren. By the end of the afternoon, the pilgrims had been blessed with beautiful sunshine and had reached their first billet at Stoke Ferry near King’s Lynn.

Sung Mass on Saturday morning was in the family chapel at Oxburgh Hall, a fifteenth-century moated manor house, which, although now owned by the National Trust, is still lived in by the Bedingfield family whose ancestors built it. Oxburgh has a long history as a centre of recusancy and boasts its own priest’s hole, which pilgrims were given the chance to visit after Mass.

The pilgrims continued through Saturday, praying the Rosary, singing hymns and songs, and getting absolutely soaked through as the heavens opened and thunder and lightning let loose on the Norfolk landscape. By the time the procession of pilgrims reached Harpley village, their Saturday evening stop, spirits had recovered somewhat, which was further aided by a visit to the Rose and Crown pub in the village.

Sunday saw the last leg of the pilgrimage and the tired pilgrims reached their destination of the Slipper Chapel. They were joined by a coach full of people who had travelled from London for the day to attend the final Mass in the Chapel of Reconciliation at the National Catholic Shrine. Following Mass, Bishop Davies gave his blessing (in Latin) to the pilgrims.
The statue of Our Lady of Walsingham, which had been carried throughout the final day of the pilgrimage led the procession of well over a hundred people along the Holy Mile to the grounds and ruins of Walsingham Abbey, the site of the Holy House of Nazareth, built by the Lady Richeldis in 1061 and which, like the abbey, was destroyed under Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. Prayers of thanksgiving were offered by Fr Bede Rowe followed by veneration of the statue of Our Lady.
LMS General Manager, Mike Lord, said: ‘This year’s pilgrimage was the most successful yet, with the number of participants rising to 70 from last year’s total of 30. This is very encouraging. Several family groups joined us, which we were delighted about and, although most pilgrims were young people, there was a good spread of ages. Everyone was most  impressed by two ladies aged 84 and 86 who completed the walk.

‘We are very grateful to Bishop Davies for agreeing to attend in choro for the Solemn Mass and for preaching. There are many other people who put in many hours of work to make this event the great success it turned out to be and we would like to thank them all.

‘We hope that our pilgrimage, with the many prayers and personal sacrifices of the pilgrims, and the Masses offered up during the three days, will bring many graces upon England and assist in its conversion.’

Tuesday, 14 August 2012

Renewal of Annual Commitment for Members


Members of the Sodality of St Tarcisius should renew their commitment annual, and are encouraged to make this commitment at around the time of the Feast of St Tarcisius (15th August). The following prayer should be said, with devotion. If possible, before the Blessed Sacrament.


Prayer of the Society of St Tarcisius (for private use)

Lord Jesus, I profoundly adore Thee, really present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love Thee, and desire to love and serve Thee more perfectly. I do reparation to Thy Sacred Heart, for the negligence and indifference which is often shown to Thy true Body and Blood.

I thank Thee for the great privilege of serving Thee on the Sanctuary, and resolve for the future to serve Thee with greater fervour, devotion, attention, and exactness. O Lord, let my example when on the Sanctuary never be an occasion for scandal to my neighbour, but rather encourage others to greater reverence. May I always act as I believe, and show by my example my belief in the great truths of our Faith.

Most Blessed Mary, Mother of our Lord, obtain for me by thy prayers the grace to serve thy Son with reverence and devotion.

Saint Tarcisius, pray for me, that I may follow thy example by defending the honour of the Blessed Sacrament all the days of my life and even unto death. Amen.

Friday, 3 August 2012

Server training at the SCT Summer School

IMG_0289
Last week was the St Catherine's Trust Summer School, which ran alongside the Latin Mass Society's Latin Course. Between them, we had three priests: LMS Chaplain Fr Andrew Southwell, Fr Thomas Crean OP, and Fr John Hunwicke of the Ordinariate of Our Lady. This enabled us to have Solemn Mass five days in a row, which can't have happened very often in the UK for quite some time!

We also had three Missae Cantatae.
IMG_0293
The great advantage of this from the training point of view is that it enables servers to see repeatedly, for real, what happens in the ceremonies, and to experience different roles. IMG_0295 IMG_0304
We also made use of the services of a young man on the Latin Course who is preparing to go to the FSSP Seminary in the USA, Our Lady of Guadalupe at Denton, Nebraska. IMG_0476
 The Summer School is a great opportunity for young people, a week of solid Catholic experience, with liturgy and a wide range of subjects with our enthusiastic volunteer staff. There is no fixed fee; the whole thing is very generously sponsored by the Latin Mass Society and others.
  IMG_0322
There is more about the Summer School here; the St Catherine's Trust website is here.

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Devotions for Holy Communion

Devotions for Holy Communion

Over on the Liturgia Latina blog, Devotions to prepare for and give thanksgiving for Holy Communion have been posted. These prayers are from "The Garden of the Soul" and have been used by generations of Catholics, from the time of Bishop Challoner to today.

Altar servers can all to easily forget to say prayers of preparation and thanksgiving. What with setting up for mass, and clearing the sanctuary, the time drifts away.

But it is important to receive Our Lord's true Body with proper preparation and thanksgiving. Always make a point of saying at least some prayer on arrival at Church and before departing. If your prayers at Church are curtailed by things to do, why not say some at home before departing for Mass, and later after you return.

Using a set of prayers regularly - like these from the Garden - is a good discipline. Routine and discipline are useful in the spiritual life. We are formed spiritually by our devotions and our regular prayers. Why not go for some of the best?

See this link here for the Devotions:

Monday, 20 February 2012

Prayer of the Society of St Tarcisius

Prayer of the Society of St Tarcisius (for private use)

Lord Jesus, I profoundly adore Thee, really present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love Thee, and desire to love and serve Thee more perfectly. I do reparation to Thy Sacred Heart, for the negligence and indifference which is often shown to Thy true Body and Blood.

I thank Thee for the great privilege of serving Thee on the Sanctuary, and resolve for the future to serve Thee with greater fervour, devotion, attention, and exactness. O Lord, let my example when on the Sanctuary never be an occasion for scandal to my neighbour, but rather encourage others to greater reverence. May I always act as I believe, and show by my example my belief in the great truths of our Faith.

Most Blessed Mary, Mother of our Lord, obtain for me by thy prayers the grace to serve thy Son with reverence and devotion.

Saint Tarcisius, pray for me, that I may follow thy example by defending the honour of the Blessed Sacrament all the days of my life and even unto death. Amen.

Latin Mass Society Announces Six New Patrons



The Latin Mass Society (LMS) has announced the establishment of six patrons, including well-known figures from the worlds of music, journalism, politics and the law.

This marks a major advance for the LMS and for the cause of the Traditional Latin Mass in England and Wales which are both attracting the support of mainstream figures within the Church.

The new patrons include Dr James MacMillan CBE, who composed the setting for the Beatification Mass of John Henry Newman and is well known for his tireless campaigning for excellence in Church music.

Charles Moore, a convert to Catholicism, is a former editor of the Daily Telegraph and a prominent national journalist and political commentator.

Prince Rupert Loewenstein is a former President and long time supporter of the Latin Mass Society.

Lord (Brian) Gill is the second most senior judge in Scotland and was recently honoured with a papal knighthood. He has supported the Traditional Latin Mass for many years.

Colin Mawby is another composer who is highly respected in Catholic music circles. He was Director of Music at Westminster Cathedral under Cardinal Heenan and more recently has been very supportive of the LMS’s attempts to nurture a wider knowledge of Gregorian Chant.

Sir Adrian FitzGerald is President of the Irish Association of the Knights of Malta, a former mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and was previously a Chairman of the Governors of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School.

Announcing the establishment of the LMS’s new patrons, Chairman Dr Joseph Shaw said: ‘I’m delighted they have agreed to be patrons. This is a real indication of the Society’s standing in the Catholic community and the Church. Since Summorum Pontificum, our support of the Traditional Mass is no longer considered an eccentricity, to be tolerated at best, but an important apostolate for the good of the whole Church and recognised as such by the Holy Father.’

(For further information, please contact Michael Lord, General Manager, on (T) 020 7404 7284; (F) 020 7831 5585; (E mail) michael@lms.org.uk)

Sunday, 1 January 2012

Sub tuum praesidium ~ πὸ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν


Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus. Sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta.

We fly to thy protection O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our prayers in our necessities, but save us from all dangers. O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.


πὸ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν, καταφεύγομεν, Θεοτόκε. Τὰς ἡμῶν ἱκεσίας, μὴ παρίδῃς ἐν περιστάσει, ἀλλ᾽ ἐκ κινδύνων λύτρωσαι ἡμᾶς, μόνη Ἁγνή, μόνη εὐλογημένη.




The Sub Tuum praesidium is, without question, one of the most ancient hymns, having been dated to the mid Third Century in its Greek form, which is given above. The Latin version is comparatively recent, dating to the 11th century - about the time of the Battle of Hastings.


It is used in the Roman Liturgy as the antiphon at Compline in the Little Office of Our Lady. It is also in the Raccolta, and is often added to Litanies of Our Lady. It's well worth learning by heart.