Saint George. Martyr. Feast Day 23 April. Patron Saint Of England. Red Vestments.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint George.
   Martyr.
   Feast Day 23 April.

Semi-Double.
(In England: Double of The First-Class with Octave).

Red Vestments.

Martyrdom of Saint George.

Artist: Paolo Veronese (1528–1588).

Date: Circa 1564.

Current location: 

San Giorgio in Braida, Verona, Italy.

Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint George, born of an illustrious family in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey), was promoted by Emperor Diocletian to the First Ranks in the army.

When the Emperor had published at Nicomedia his first Edict against the Christians, Saint George reproached him for his cruelty. Immediately, Saint George was cast into prison and subjected to such atrocious torments that the Eastern Church calls him The Great Martyr. He was beheaded in 303 A.D.

This Patron of armies is Venerated by Greeks and Latins. Rome possesses a Sanctuary erected in his honour, where The Station is held on The Thursday after Ash Wednesday.

England chose him for her Patron in the 13th-Century. Therefore, in this Country, his Feast is a Double of The First-Class with an Octave. He is one of The Fourteen Auxiliary Saints.

Mass: Protexisti.

Saint George killing the Dragon.

Artist: Bernat Martorell (1390–1452).

Date: 1434-1435.

Source: AA.VV.,El llibre d'or de l'art català,

Edicions Primera Plana, Barcelona, 1997.

Author: Bernat Martorell (1390–1452).

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia -the free encyclopædia.

Saint George, was a Soldier in the Roman army and was later Venerated as a Christian Martyr. His father was Gerontius, a Greek Christian, from Cappadocia, and an Official in the Roman army; his mother, Polychronia, was a Christian, from Lydda. 

Saint George became an Officer in the Roman army in the Guard of the Emperor Diocletian, who ordered his death for failing to repudiate his Christian Faith.

In hagiography, Saint George is one of the most Venerated Saints in The Catholic Church (Latin and Eastern), Anglican, Orthodox, East Syrian, and Miaphysite Churches. 

He is immortalised in the myth of Saint George and the Dragon and is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Many Patronages of Saint George exist around the World, including Countries and Cities, as well as the Scout Movement, in addition to a wide range of professions, organisations, and disease sufferers.

Jonas Kaufmann And Julia Kleiter Sing From Erich Korngold’s “Die Tote Stadt”.

Jonas Kaufmann and Julia Kleiter

sing from Erich Korngold’s “Die Tote Stadt”.

Available on YouTube

HERE

“Missa Papæ Marcelli”. Composer: Palestrina. Sung By: The Tallis Scholars. Director Of Music: Peter Phillips. Illustrations: Caravaggio.

“Missa Papæ Marcelli”.

Composer: Palestrina.

Sung by: The Tallis Scholars.

Director of Music: Peter Phillips.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Listen to the unbelievably beautiful polyphonic singing by The Tallis Scholars of Palestrina's “Missa Papæ Marcelli”.

In addition, you will see the magnificent paintings by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571 - 1610).

This outstanding Painter made great use of the art of “Chiaroscuro”.

“Chiaroscuro”, in art, is the use of strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition.

It is also a technical term used by artists and art historians for the use of contrasts of light to achieve a sense of volume in modelling three-dimensional objects and figures.[1] 

Similar effects in cinema, and black and white and low-key photography, are also called “Chiaroscuro”.

Our Lady’s Words: “I Am The Immaculate Conception”. Sermon By: Fr. Timothy Finigan. Plus, Venues For “A Day With Mary” For 2026.

Our Lady’s Words:

“I Am The Immaculate Conception”.

Sermon By: Fr. Timothy Finigan.

“A Day With Mary”.

15 February 2014.

Available on YouTube

HERE

The Web-Site of

“A Day With Mary” can be found

HERE

Monsignor Conlon (R.I.P.). This Wonderful Priest. Please Remember Him In Your Prayers And Masses.

The following Text is from

RICHARD HAWKER (FACEBOOK)

Of your Charity, Pray for the repose of the Soul of Antony Conlon (R.I.P.), Priest, who departed this life in 2020.

I did not know him as well as others, but met him a few times, 

and he struck me as a fine Priest.

Here he is Preaching at The First Mass of Canon Scott Tanner, ICRSS, at Saint Birinus, Dorchester-on-Thames,

a couple of years back.

It was a belter of a Sermon, too.

I was privileged to be The Master of Ceremonies for the Mass.

Jesu Mercy, Mary Pray.

Saint Soter And Saint Caius. Popes And Martyrs. Feast Day 22 April. White Vestments.

 

Text from “The Liturgical Year”.

   By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.

   Volume 8.

   Paschal Time.

   Book II.

The Palms of two Martyred Popes are intertwined with Grace this day of the Calendar. Saint Soter suffered for Christ in the 2nd-Century A.D., and Saint Caius in the 3rd-Century A.D.

A hundred years separate them and yet we have the same energy of Faith, the same jealous fidelity to keep intact the “depositum” left by Christ to His Church.

What human society ever existed that produced heroes for Century after Century ? The Society, however, which was Founded by Christ — in other words, The Church — is based on that Traditional devotedness which consists in laying down one’s life for the Faith.

And, if so, we may be sure that the spirit of Martyrdom would show itself in them that were the Heads and Fathers of this Society.

The first thirty successors of Saint Peter paid dearly for the honour of the Supreme Pontificate; they were Martyrs. How grand the throne of Our Risen Jesus, surrounded as it is by all these Kings clad in their triumphant Scarlet Robes !

Saint Soter was the immediate successor of Saint Anicetus, whose Feast we kept on 17 April. Time has effaced the details of his life. Eusebius, however, gives us a fragment of a Letter written by Saint Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, wherein thanks are expressed to the Pontiff for the Alms he sent to the Faithful of that Church, during a famine.

An Apostolic Letter was sent with these Alms; and Saint Dionysius tells us that it was read in the assemblies of the Faithful, together with the one addressed to the same Church, in the preceding Century, by Saint Clement.

The Roman Pontiffs have ever united Charity to their fidelity in preserving pure the deposit of our Faith.

With regard to Saint Caius, he suffered death in the terrible persecution under Diocletian; and little more than a mere mention of his name is given in the annals of Christian Rome.

We cannot, therefore, be surprised at the brevity wherewith the Liturgy speaks of these two Martyred Popes. We read with great interest the Lessons given in our Breviaries.

Saint Soter was born at Fondi, in Campania. He passed a Decree, forbidding Virgins consecrated to God to touch the Sacred Vessels and Palls, or to exercise the Office of Thurifer in The Church.

He also decreed that, on Maundy Thursday, the Body of Christ should be received by all, excepting those who were forbidden to do so by reason of some grievous sin.

His Pontificate lasted three years, eleven months, and eighteen days. He was crowned with Martyrdom under the reign of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and was buried in the cemetery which was afterwards called the Cemetery of Callixtus.

In the month of December, according to the custom observed by his predecessors, he Ordained eighteen Priests, nine Deacons, and eleven Bishops, for divers places.

Saint Caius was a native of Dalmatia, and a relation of the Emperor Diocletian. he decreed that the following Ecclesiastical Orders or honours should precede the Ordination of a Bishop: Door-Keeper; Lector; Exorcist; Acolyte; Sub-Deacon; Deacon; Priest.

He concealed himself for some time in a cave, in order to escape the cruelty exercised against the Christians by Diocletian. But, after eight years, he, together with his brother, Gabinus, received the Crown of Martyrdom.

He governed The Church twelve years, four months, and five days. He Ordained in the month of December twenty-five Priests, eight Deacons, and five Bishops.

He was buried in the Cemetery of Callixtus, on the 10th of the Kalends of May (22 April). Pope Urban VIII revived his memory in Rome, restored his Church, which was in ruins, and honoured it with a Title, a Station, and the Relics of the Saint, himself.

O, holy Pontiffs ! You are of the number of those who went through “the great tribulation”, and “passed through fire and water”, to the eternal shores of Heaven.

The thought of Jesus’ victory over death gave you courage: You remembered how His Passion was followed by a glorious Resurrection. By imitating Him, in laying down your lives for your sheep, you have taught us how we also should think no sacrifice too great to be made for our Faith.

Obtain for us this heroic courage. Baptism has numbered us among the soldiers of Christ: Confirmation has given us the Spirit of Fortitude; we must then be ready for battle.

It may be that, even in our own times, a persecution may rage against The Church; at all events, we have to fight against ourselves, the Spirit of the World, and Satan; support us by your Prayers.

You were once the Fathers of the Christian people; you are still animated with the pastoral Charity which then filled your hearts. Protect us, and make us loyal to the God, Whose cause was so dear to you when here on Earth.

Saint Soter And Saint Caius. Popes And Martyrs. Feast Day 22 April. White Vestments.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Soter and Saint Caius.
   Popes and Martyrs.
   Feast Day 22 April.

Semi-Double.

White Vestments.

Saint Soter.

The Pope Who Established Easter 

And Defended The Sacrament of Marriage.

Available On YouTube

HERE

Pope Soter succeeded Pope Anicetus in 161 A.D., and was Martyred ten years later under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. 

Pope Caius, whose Relics are kept in the Sanctuary of Saint Sylvester, at Rome, governed The Church a Century later and was put to death in 296 A.D.

Pope Saint Caius.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Like all the Sovereign Pontiffs of the first Centuries, they united their sacrifice to that of Christ and “in Him bore much fruit” (Epistle). 

“God then avenged the blood of His servants and invited them to the Marriage Feast of The Lamb” (Epistle), to associate them in His Triumph and Happiness (Gospel, Offertory, Communion).

Let us honour the Blessed Martyrs Soter and Caius in order that, in Heaven, their powerful intercession may obtain for us Divine protection (Collect).

Mass: Sancti tui.

The Solemnity Of Saint Joseph. Spouse Of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Confessor. Patron Of The Universal Church. The Third Wednesday After Easter Sunday. White Vestments.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

The Solemnity of Saint Joseph.
   Spouse of The Blessed Virgin Mary,
   Confessor and Patron of The Universal Church.

Third Wednesday after Easter.
   (Wednesday after Good Shepherd Sunday).

Double of The First-Class
   with an Octave.

[Note: An Octave was given to this Solemnity, rather than to The Feast of Saint Joseph on 19 March, because Feasts falling in Lent may not have Octaves.]

White Vestments.

Saint Joseph.

Spouse of The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Confessor and Patron of The Universal Church.

Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Artist: René de Cramer.

“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.

Used with Permission.

Today’s Mass might be represented by a Triptych (see, below), showing us that Saint Joseph is the protector, whom Divine Providence has chosen for His Church.

1. The Epistle speaks to us of Joseph, who, in the Old Testament, is a figure of Saint Joseph. The dying Jacob prophesies that his son, Joseph, “shall be the Pastor and Strength of Israel, and that The Almighty shall shower Blessings upon him.” And Joseph was established by Pharao over the entire land of Egypt, so that the salvation of all depended upon him. [The Lessons and Responses of the First Nocturn of Matins.] The whole Church has recourse to Saint Joseph with confidence.

2. The Gospel, Collect, and Communion, explaining the connection between the Heavenly Trinity and The Holy Family, this Trinity on Earth, show forth the power of Saint Joseph. Jesus is, at the same time, Son of God and Son of man. Mary is the Spouse of The Holy Ghost, and it is the will of God The Father that Saint Joseph should be considered father of Christ and that he should exercise paternal rights over Him (Preface).

3. Lastly, the Introit, Collects, Alleluia, and Offertory, show us Saint Joseph as the guardian of the new Jerusalem, which is The Church, to watch over her in the midst of all her tribulations.

Full of confidence in the patronage of Saint Joseph, let us honour his Title of Protector on Earth, so as to deserve his help from Heaven (Collect).

Mass: Adjútor.

Creed: Is said.
Preface of Saint Joseph during the Octave.

“Te Joseph Celebrent”.

The Hymn (First Tone) of Second Vespers

for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Prayer To Saint Joseph.

Prescribed by Pope Leo XIII, for the Month of October,

after the recitation of the Rosary 

and the Litany of Our Lady.

Indulgence: 300 Days.

21 September 1889.

Unto thee. O, Blessed Joseph, do we fly in our tribulation and, having implored the help of thy Holy Spouse, we now also confidently seek thy protection.

By that affection which united thee to The Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by thy fatherly love for The Child Jesus, we humbly beg thee to look down with compassion on the inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased with His Blood, and in our need to help us by thy powerful intercession.

Do thou, O prudent Guardian of The Holy Family,

watch over the chosen people of Jesus Christ.

Keep us, O loving father, safe from all error

and corruption. O great protector, from thy place

in Heaven, graciously help us in our contest

against The Powers of Darkness.

And as of old thou didst rescue The Child Jesus from

the danger of death, so now defend God’s Holy Church

from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity.

Extend to each one of us thy continual protection,

that, led on by thine example, and strengthened

by thine aid, we may live and die in holiness,

and obtain everlasting happiness in Heaven.

Amen.

Saint Anselm (Anselm Of Canterbury. Anselm Of Aosta. Anselm Of Bec). Bishop. Doctor Of The Church (1033-1109),

Saint Anselm. Archbishop of Canterbury.

19th-Century English Stained-Glass Window.

Source: http://www.arspublik.com/

public-domain-images-saint-anselm/

Author: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text from “The Liturgical Year”.
   By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
   Paschal Time.
      Volume 8.
      Book II.

A Monk, a Bishop, a Doctor of The Church — such was the Saint whose Feast comes to gladden us on this twenty-first day of April. 

He was a Martyr, also, at least in desire, and, we may add, in merit, too — for he did enough to earn the glorious palm.

When we think of Anselm, we picture to ourselves a man in whom are combined the humility and meekness of the Cloister with the zeal and courage of the Episcopal dignity; a man who was both a sage and a Saint; a man whom it was impossible not to love and respect.

He left his native Country of Piedmont [Editor: Literally, “the foot of the mountain”] for the Monastery of Bec, France, where he became a Benedictine Monk.

Being elected Superior, he realised in himself the type of an Abbot, as drawn by Saint Benedict in his Rule: “He that is made Abbot”, says the holy Patriarch, “should study to give help rather than to give commands”.

We read that the love entertained for Anselm by his brethren was beyond description. His whole time was devoted to them, either in giving them spiritual direction, or in communicating to them his sublime knowledge of the sacred sciences.

After governing them for several years, he was taken from them, and compelled to accept the dignity of Archbishop of Canterbury. He was a worthy successor of Augustine, Dunstan, Elphege, and Lanfranc; and by his own noble example of courage, he prepared the way for the glorious Martyr, Thomas [Editor: Thomas Becket], who succeeded him in less than a Century.

As Bishop, his whole life was spent in fighting for the liberty of The Church. Though gentle as a Lamb by nature, he was all energy for this great cause. He used to say: “Christ would not have his Spouse [Editor: The Church] be a slave; there is nothing in this World that God loves more than the liberty of His Church”.

There was a time when The Son of God allowed Himself to be fettered with bonds in order that He might loosen us from the chains of our sins; but, now that He has risen in triumph from the dead, He wills that His Spouse should be, like Himself, free.

She cannot otherwise exercise the ministry of salvation confided to her by her Divine Lord; and yet there is scarcely a single hundred years of her existence in which she has not had to fight for this holy liberty.

The rulers of this Earth, with very few exceptions, have ever been jealous of her influence, and have sought to lessen it by every possible means. In our own times, there are numbers of her children who do not even know that she has any rights or privileges; they would be at a loss to understand you, if you told them that she is the Spouse of Christ, and, therefore, a queen.

They think it quite enough for her, if she enjoy the same amount of freedom and toleration as the sects she condemns; and they cannot see how, under such conditions as these, The Church is not the kingdom He wished her to be, but a mere slave.

Saint Anselm would have abominated all such theories as these; so does every true Catholic. He is not driven into disloyalty to The Church by the high-sounding words “progress” and “modern society”; he knows that there is nothing on Earth equal to The Church; and when he sees the World convulsed by revolutions, he knows that all comes from The Church having been deprived of her rights.

Anselm was not only the zealous and heroic defender of the rights and privileges of The Church; he was also a light to men by his learning. The contemplation of revealed truths was his delight. He studied them in their bearings one upon the other, and his writings occupy a distinguished place in the treatises of Catholic Theology.

God had Blessed him with extraordinary talent. Amidst all the troubles and anxieties and occupations of his various duties, he found time for study. Even when passing from place to place, as an exile, he was intent on the meditation of the mysteries of Religion, thus preparing those sublime reflections which he has left us on the Articles of our Faith.

Vespers. Compline. Salve Regina. According To The Sarum Use.

Vespers. Compline. Salve Regina.

According to the Sarum Use.

 Sung by: Antiquum Documentum.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Saint Mary’s Church, Chislehurst.

Saint Mary’s Church, Chislehurst.

Picture Credit: SuzNut - Paul Keys.

The part of the building on the Right is the Clutton Chapel, built in 1874, to house the Imperial Tomb of Emperor 

Napoleon III and, later, his son, the Prince Imperial.

Illustration: SAINT MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

SAINT MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH,
CROWN LANE, CHISLEHURST,
KENT.

ANNIVERSARY OF CONSECRATION.

SUNDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2012.

1100 HRS.

SOLEMN PONTIFICAL MASS

AND SOLEMN VESPERS AND BENEDICTION.

CELEBRANT:

THE MOST REVEREND

KEVIN McDONALD.

TRUMPET MINUET – HOLLINS.

ECCE SACERDOS MAGNUS – ELGAR.

CHRIST IS MADE THE SURE FOUNDATION – PURCELL/HAWKINS.

MASS IN C “CREDO MASS” – MOZART.

LAUDATE DOMINUM – MOZART.

PANIS ANGELICUS – FRANCK.

HOLY LIGHT ON EARTH’S HORIZON – CASWELL.

FINALE FROM ORGAN SONATA NO 1 – MENDELSSOHN.

1700 HRS. 

SOLEMN VESPERS

AND

BENEDICTION.

PSALMS – PLAINCHANT - GUERRERO.

MAGNIFICAT – PALESTRINA.

O SALUTARIS – ELGAR.

AVE VERUM – BYRD.

TANTUM ERG0 – VIERNE.

SALVE REGINA – PLAINCHANT.

FANFARE - LEMMENS.

Copilot states:

23 April 1943 — that’s the Consecration Date of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Chislehurst, by Archbishop Peter Amigo.

The Church was originally opened in 1854, but, like many Victorian Catholic Churches, it wasn’t Consecrated until all debts were cleared, which finally happened during Archbishop Peter Amigo’s tenure in 1943.

Origins and Foundation (1853–1854).

Founder: Captain Henry Bowden, Scots Guards Officer and Catholic convert.

He hosted Mass in his home, Tudor Hall, before donating the land opposite for a permanent Church.

Foundation Stone laid: 8 December 1853 by Bishop Thomas Grant of Southwark.

Opening: 8 August 1854, after just nine months of construction.

Architect: William Wilkinson Wardell, a protégé and friend of A. W. N. Pugin.

Style: Gothic Revival; strongly Puginian in spirit — Steep Roofs, Lancet Windows, disciplined verticality.

Wardell later emigrated to Australia, where he designed major Churches including Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne.

St Mary’s Church, Chislehurst, is now Grade II Listed (designated 29 June 1973).

The Bonaparte Connection (1871–1888).

This is one of the most remarkable aspects of Saint Mary’s history.

The Exiled Imperial Family in Chislehurst.

In 1871, Napoleon III, Empress Eugénie, and the Prince Imperial, settled at Camden Place, Chislehurst, near Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, where they attended Mass on Sundays and Feast Days.

After Napoleon III’s death on 9 January 1873, he was buried in Saint Mary’s Church, six days later.

In 1879, his son, Louis-Napoléon (the Prince Imperial), killed in the Anglo-Zulu War, South Africa, while an Officer in The British Army, was also buried here.

The Clutton Chapel (1874).

To house the Imperial Tomb of Emperor Napoleon III, a new Chapel was added in 1874.

Architect: Henry Clutton, a leading Catholic architect of the period.

This Chapel stood as a temporary Imperial Mausoleum until 1888, when both tombs (Emperor Napoleon III and the Prince Imperial) were transferred to Saint Michæl’s Abbey, Farnborough, Hampshire, where Empress Eugénie was also buried later on.

Graveyard and Notable Burials.

Graveyard opened 1864.

Includes the grave of Dr. Charles West, Founder of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Includes the grave of Michæl Treharne Davies, Catholic Author.

Address: 28 Crown Lane, Chislehurst BR7 5PL.

A comparison with other Southwark Gothic Revival Churches.

Here are the key Gothic Revival Catholic Churches in the Archdiocese of Southwark, starting with the most architecturally significant.

These are all grounded in the same 19th‑Century Gothic Revival Style that produced Saint Mary’s, Chislehurst — though each expresses the Style differently.

Saint George’s Cathedral, Southwark (1848). Architect: A. W. N. Pugin — the leading figure of the Gothic Revival.
Style: Early, Strict, Puginian Gothic.
Status: Cathedral of the Archdiocese.
Consecrated: 1894.
Notes: Considered the most important Catholic Church in England when built; heavily bomb‑damaged in World War II and restored.

Saint Peter’s, Woolwich (1843–1844).

Architect: A. W. N. Pugin.
Style: Early-English Gothic Revival.
Notes: One of Pugin’s purest Parish Churches; retains much of its original character.

Saint John the Baptist, Brighton (1835–1840). Architect: A. W. N. Pugin (major enlargement 1840–1841).
Style: Decorated Gothic.
Notes: A landmark of early Catholic emancipation; richly furnished in Pugin’s idiom.

Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Fulham (1848–1849). Architect: A. W. N. Pugin.
Style: Early-English Gothic.
Notes: A compact but textbook example of Pugin’s Parish Church model.

Saint Mary Magdalen, Mortlake (1852).

Architect: William Wardell — the same architect as St Mary’s, Chislehurst.
Style: Early-English Gothic Revival.
Notes: Shares the same disciplined, Pugin‑influenced vocabulary as Chislehurst.

Saint Francis de Sales, Hartley (1850s).

Architect: Edward Welby Pugin.
Style: Mid‑Victorian Gothic Revival.
Notes: A rural example with strong Pugin family influence.

Saint Joseph’s, Guildford (1860s–1870s).

Architect: Edward Welby Pugin.
Style: High-Victorian Gothic.
Notes: More elaborate than earlier Pugin works, with richer Tracery and vertical emphasis.

Saint Mary’s, Clapham (1851).

Architect: William Wardell.
Style: Early-English Gothic Revival.
Notes: Another Wardell Church, showing his characteristic restraint and clarity.

How these relate to Saint Mary’s, Chislehurst.

Saint Mary’s (1853–1854) sits in the second generation of Southwark Gothic Revival Churches: Wardell was a direct disciple of Pugin, so Chislehurst shares the same disciplined, Liturgically‑driven Gothic.

The Clutton Chapel (1874) adds a later, more refined, Victorian Gothic layer.

The Church fits stylistically between the early Pugin Parish Churches (Woolwich, Fulham) and the later, more elaborate, E. W. Pugin Churches (Guildford).