Notre Dame de Rouen. The façade of the Gothic Church in France. Photographer: Hippo1947. Licence: SHUTTERSTOCK.

Tuesday, 8 October 2024

Saint Bridget. Widow. Feast Day 8 October.


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

Saint Bridget.
   Widow.
   Feast Day 8 October.

Double.

White Vestments.


The Vision of Saint Bridget.
The Risen Christ, displaying His Wound from 
Longinus, inspires the writing of Saint Bridget.
Detail of Initial Letter “T” miniature, dated 1530,
probably made at Syon Monastery, a 
Bridgettine House. (BL Harley MS 4640,f.15).
This File: 23 October 2010.
(Wikipedia)

Saint Bridget was a descendant of the Kings of Sweden. She was married to the Prince of Mercia, and brought up her eight children in a Holy Way; one of them was Saint Catherine of Sweden. She led her husband to such a virtuous life that he renounced the World to submit himself to The Cistercian Rule, in the Monastery of Alvastra, Sweden; he died there in the odour of Sanctity (1344), and is known as Blessed Ulpho.

Bridget became still more fervent in her Holy Widowhood “devoting herself to all manner of good works and persevering day and night in Prayer” (Epistle). Like a man who has discovered a treasure and who sells all he possesses to acquire it (Gospel), she divided her riches among her children, and, detached from everything, she sought only The Kingdom of Heaven.


Saint Bridget, in the Religious Habit and the Crown 
of a Bridgettine Nun, in a 1476 Breviary of the form of
The Divine Office unique to her Order.
Author: Anonymous.
(Wikimedia Commons)

Filled with The Fear of God, she subjected her body to the severest Penance (Introit), and Jesus, Whom she thus imitated in His Passion, rewarded her by revealing Heavenly Secrets to her (Collect). He gave her the Constitution of The Order which she Founded under the Rule of Saint Augustine. She died in Rome in 1373.

Mass: Cognóvi.


“The Mass Of The Foundation Of The Trinitarian Order”.
Artist: Juan Carreño de Miranda.
Illustration: LOUVRE



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The Stained-Glass Repository.

 


“Madonna And Child”.

Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

The London Stained Glass Repository was established as a charitable trust in 1982 and is now part of the Glaziers’ Foundation, which was set up in 2011 to embrace all the charitable work of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass.

The Web-Site of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass can be found HERE

The Stained Glass Repository, as it is now known since its move to the Welbeck Estate, Nottingham, rescues good quality glass and seeks to find new homes for it. Redundant Churches form the main source of rescued glass.

Stained glass, which is under threat from building closure or vandalism, is brought to the attention of the Repository, usually by the Church Commissioners.


“Suffer the little children to come unto me”.
Illustration: THE STAINED-GLASS REPOSITORY

The Repository Committee then considers among other things:
The artistic merit;
The historic interest;
The state of repair;
The general condition of the glass.

Once satisfied about the quality of the glass, the Repository Committee then negotiates for its release. 

This process can take several years and is not always successful because we have no powers of compulsion.


“Presentation Of The Child Jesus In The Temple”.

Once in store, the glass is photographed and catalogued, with details of the artist, subject-matter, Church/Diocese of origin, size and condition, etc.

Then begins the work of finding a new home for the glass. Because the subject-matter is mostly drawn from the Old and New Testaments, virtually all of the new homes are ecclesiastical buildings.

By no means are all those buildings in the United Kingdom; glass has been sent to the United States (where one new Church was designed round a huge window from the Repository), the Falkland Islands, Australia, and Croatia. 

Some good quality items have been lent to museums, and others have been used for educational projects around the World.


“Saint Peter”.
Illustration: STAINED-GLASS REPOSITORY


“Saint Paul”.
Illustration: STAINED-GLASS REPOSITORY

The Repository has never confined itself to dealing with glass of a particular type or period, and it was only circumstances which determined that the bulk of the glass would be Victorian and ecclesiastical.

The Repository does not pay for the glass it acquires, and correspondingly does not charge the new owners, although many of those have shown their gratitude with generous donations, which are very welcome and used to defray administrative costs.

Initial enquiries should be directed to the Clerk’s Office - details on the Contact Us page.


The Web-Site of The Stained Glass Repository can be found HERE

More detailed information can be found using the following links: The Catalogue of the Stained Glass Repository which can be viewed online.


“Angels”.
Terms of Reference – this document sets out the general aims of the Repository and the criteria for the acceptance of glass and its rehousing and re-installation. There is also guidance on heritage contacts.

Donation Guidelines – specific advice and guidelines for those wishing to donate Stained Glass to the Repository.

Installation Guidelines – specific advice and guidelines for places of Worship or other building owners considering installing Stained Glass from the Repository.


Heraldic Coat-of-Arms.

The Future Of The Repository.

The number of Churches being made redundant has now shrunk to a trickle, with a correspondingly reduced inflow of glass to the Repository. 

However, interest from possible new owners has remained reasonably high. The greatest need for the Repository, therefore, is to identify glass from sources other than the Anglican Church, which is nevertheless redundant or at risk. 

The Repository Committee actively seeks to identify such new sources.

The Repository works closely with many organisations, including:
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Colwich Abbey. Reviving And Restoring A Benedictine Monastery In England. Can You Assist With A Small Donation ?



The Web-Site for Colwich Abbey, England,
can be found HERE


A New Chapter In Our Community’s History.

International Expansion.

As our community has continued to receive many vocations, including ones from abroad, the Abbey had been considering establishing another House for the Lord. 

While different options were under consideration, we were not thinking of any location outside America. 

But our international Sisters’ visas were placed in jeopardy by new U.S. regulations, so Sisters had to take refuge in England.

The Web-Site for Colwich Abbey, England,
can be found HERE



A family offered them a temporary home in Staffordshire, little realising that a permanent solution was practically at their doorstep.

The Sisters discovered that, fifteen miles away, Saint Mary’s Abbey, in Colwich, was for sale. 

A week after their arrival, the Sisters visited the Abbey grounds, and were quite taken by the buildings, the historical value of the place, and its rural setting. 

With a formal invitation from the Archbishop, it became clear the Lord wanted the Benedictines of Mary to stay in Staffordshire, and to do all in their power to restore Colwich Abbey to its former glory.

The Web-Site for Colwich Abbey, England, 
can be found HERE


Continuing A Precious Heritage.

Under The Protection Of The Immaculate.


When our Sisters landed in England, their first stop was to Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London, to offer the Holy Rosary. 

The new House is under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception, and they know that Saint Paul and all the Holy Martyrs of England will assist them in their missionary endeavour in England, traditionally called “Our Lady’s Dowry”. 

It was no surprise to learn that Colwich Abbey is properly called Saint Mary’s, and that the Towns around them are closely associated with the Martyrs of the Persecution.

The Web-Site for Colwich Abbey, England, 
can be found HERE



Learning the rich history of Colwich Abbey, we discovered that the Founders of the Abbey included three great-great-granddaughters of Saint Thomas More, who gathered in 1623 at Cambrai, France, after The Dissolution Of The English Monasteries in the 1500s. 

They then re-established themselves in Paris under Dame Bridget More, where they suffered during the French Revolution until they were deported back to England. 

They finally settled in an 18th-Century House at the edge of Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, a beautiful forest historically used for royal hunting. 

Due to dwindling numbers, the Abbey was put up for sale in 2020.

The Web-Site for Colwich Abbey, England, 
can be found HERE



It is our great hope and desire that our community can revive Monastic Life in this beautiful and historic Sanctuary. 

Until then, the Sisters have already brought the Benedictine “Ora Et Labora” [Pray And Work] to the Midlands, and we await God’s timing for the next step in this exciting endeavour.

Restoring And Conserving 
This Historic Sanctuary.

Visiting Colwich Abbey revealed much work to be done, and the Sisters will shoulder as much repair and restoration work as they can possibly undertake themselves. 

They are used to hard work ! Helping hands are on the way, as our community receives vocation enquiries every single day.

The Web-Site for Colwich Abbey, England, 
can be found HERE



And since word has spread about this possibility, the European inquiries have grown considerably ! Over time, they will be welcoming more and more Sisters to our English House as space is prepared and restored.

Nevertheless, it is clear that the Sisters will need to engage professional labourers, and the Order is already financially engaged in two building projects in the United States. 

The “surprise English Foundation” in Colwich will hopefully receive generous financial backing from within their new home in England and nearby Europe. 

However, in the end, we know it is going to be an international network of grace and support that will see this project through.

The Web-Site for Colwich Abbey, England, 
can be found HERE



There is first the £2.5 Million purchase that will be due to Stanbrook Abbey for the acquisition of Colwich Abbey and its grounds.

Next, there will be the expenses of repairing and updating the building, which will be quite extensive. It will also be necessary to furnish the Abbey, as nearly all contents were put up for auction a few years ago. 

Purchasing and installing the High Altar in the Church, and making accommodations for the Faithful to assist at Mass, will be the final expenditures needed for preparing the Abbey. This brings the total cost to at least £4 Million.

Any gift or pledge, large or small, will ensure the success of this exciting project to re-establish Colwich Abbey and Found an International House for the Benedictines of Mary.

The Web-Site for Colwich Abbey, England, 
can be found HERE



Until the community has established itself as a non-profit organisation in England, all gifts may be made to the Founding Abbey in the USA. 

Please put “Colwich” in the Notes Box to designate your gift is for the new Colwich Abbey.

Payments can be made by Credit Card Online, Check in U.S. Dollars, or Bank Wire. 

If you are making a large gift, please consider a Wire Transfer to avoid Processing Fees. 

Our EIN number is 20-4450092 and the mailing address of the Abbey is below.

The Web-Site for Colwich Abbey, England, 
can be found HERE



Perhaps you may consider leaving a bequest to the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in your Will, or you can tell others about this endeavour to re-open this ancient House of Prayer.

As England has always been known as “Our Lady’s Dowry”, please join us in Prayer that we may restore this little portion of England to her !

Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles.
8005 NW 316th Street,
Gower, Missouri 64454,
United States of America.

Donate Now.

All gifts are Tax-Deductible !

We are a duly registered 501c3 charitable organisation, 
and so are able to issue acknowledgement letters 
suitable for IRS purposes.

Our EIN Number is 20-4450092.

You may donate by Credit Card or PayPal below:


Or send a Check by U.S. Mail, payable to:
Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles.
8005 NW 316th Street,
Gower, Missouri 64454,
United States of America.

The Web-Site for Colwich Abbey, England,
can be found HERE


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“Miserere”. Composed By: Allegri. Sung By: The Tallis Scholars. Director Of Music: Peter Phillips.



“Miserere”.
Composed By: Allegri.
Sung By: The Tallis Scholars.
Director of Music: Peter Phillips.

In February 1994, Peter Phillips and The Tallis Scholars performed on the 400th Anniversary of the death of Palestrina, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, where Palestrina had trained as a Choirboy and later
worked as Mæstro di Cappella.

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

“Miserere” (full title: “Miserere mei, Deus”; Latin for “Have mercy on me, O God”) is a Setting of Psalm 51 (Editor: Psalm 50 (Latin Vulgate)) by Italian Composer Gregorio Allegri.

It was composed during the reign of Pope Urban VIII, probably during the 1630s, for the exclusive use of The Sistine Chapel during the Tenebræ Services of Holy Week, and its mystique was increased by unwritten performance traditions and ornamentation.

It is written for two Choirs, of five and four voices, respectively, singing alternately and joining to sing the ending in nine-part polyphony.
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Monday, 7 October 2024

Fontgombault Sermon: Feast Of The Most Holy Rosary, 7 October 2021. “Mary, Eternal Fountain Of Love". Right Reverend Dom Jean Pateau. Abbot. Our Lady Of Fontgombault Abbey, France.



“Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum”.
“Be it done to me according to thy word”. (Lk 1:38)


This Article is taken from, and can be read in full at,

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
My dearly beloved Sons,

The richness of he feast of the Holy Rosary, which unfolds both in the texts of the Mass and in those of the office, leads us to ponder all the mysteries of the Lord’s life through Mary’s eyes and heart.

Pope Pius XII wrote on August 7th, 1947, to the members of a congress which took place in Paris, and then in Lisieux between September 23rd and 30th, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus:

Whereas in the order of nature a child, as he grows, should learn to become self-sufficient, in the order of grace, the child of God, as he grows, understands ever better that he will never be able to be self-sufficient, and that he should live in a superior docility and dependence.
Who might forget that if Mary gave birth without pain to Jesus in the Bethlehem stable, the all-sorrowful Virgin received all of us as her children and gave birth to us at the foot of the Cross: “Woman, behold thy son . . . behold thy mother.” (Jn 19:26-27) John the Evangelist, to whom these words were addressed, adds consequently: “And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.”


Unlike the order of nature, in which the child, as he grows, goes away from his parents, since we have received Mary as our Mother, according to Jesus’ will, it is our remit to receive ever more this motherhood, to remain her children, to take her in our own.

If we do that, a safe path opens up before us to walk towards the Lord. Mary is unable to teach anything else than what she has herself lived. He who follows the way she points to is assuredly setting off on the path towards Heaven, and he will reach it.


In that way, the choice The Church has made of the Annunciation for the Gospel pericope on this Holy Rosary Feast is not without significance.

Since we are called to ponder the mysteries of Jesus’ life through Mary’s eyes and heart, let us acknowledge that, for Mary, everything stems from the words she uttered as a conclusion to the Angel’s words: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done to me according to thy word.”


Saint John of The Cross used to send short notes to those he was spiritually helping, so as to guide them on the Spiritual Ways. Here is what he wrote in one of these notes:
The Father has said but one Word, which was His Son. And in an eternal silence, He still says it: The Soul should listen to it in silence. (Maxims, n. 147)
What concerns the eternal generation of The Word from the Father’s lips might be transposed to Mary’s lips for the birth in time of The Word according to human nature: Mary has said but one word: “Be it done to me according to thy word,” and this word has been fruitful.


And Mary still says it, and the Soul who wants to remain in Mary’s school should listen to it in silence, and tirelessly listen to it again and again. Mary’s life is but the blossoming of a single word. But how did Mary come to utter this word ? It all began with the visit from an Angel: “Rejoice, full of grace, The Lord is with thee.” (Lk 1:28) This unexpected visit is cause enough to trouble the humble Virgin, who doesn’t understand such a greeting.

After reassuring her, the Angel confirms his first greeting, The Lord is with her: She has found grace with God. In a second time, the Angel elucidates the meaning of this grace, this special beauty of Mary, due to the Divine Choice, the Divine Eyes that have considered her: She will conceive a son. She is requested to do something: To give Him the name of Jesus, namely, “God saves”.


This request constitutes a whole programme: How could a mother be foreign to her son’s work ? The Angel then reveals what this child will be: His name is Son of The Most High. He will receive the throne of David, for a reign that will know no end. From a purely human point of view, Mary answers that she knows no man.

But The Holy Spirit will come upon her, and the power of The Most High will overshadow her. The motherhood of Elizabeth, who was barren, will confirm this announcement. The Angel adds: “No word is powerless when it comes from God.”


On God’s side, everything has been said: Mary has been chosen for a unique motherhood, that of The Son of The Most High, that of The Messiah. Much more than the mere acceptance of a miraculous conception, what is asked of Mary, through the name she is to give to her child, is to accept the totality of Christ’s mystery.

She will not merely be the mother of a child, she will be the mother of the Saviour. By an act of faith she makes on behalf of mankind, Mary answers as an echo to the angel’s words, “Be it done to me according to thy word,” this almighty word coming from God.

Because Mary belongs entirely to God, God does great things in her. Through her, as on the day of the first creation, but in an even fairer way, since Mary is a reasonable creature, God says, and things are. May we imitate her !

 

On this day, as many remembrances take us ten years back, let us listen to the words Father Abbot Édouard pronounced on the very day of his own Blessing as an Abbot, 7 October 1953:
Sitting with majesty, two Angels behind her head, Our Lord on her knees with His hand raised in a gesture of Blessing, while she, in a gesture of supreme respect, upholds with her own hand her Son’s arm, as if to egg Him on to give His Blessing, or to associate herself with it, the Immaculate Virgin, the glorious Queen of Heaven, the Queen of the Rosary, has remained faithful to her sanctuary, and has not desisted from keeping it in its young splendour, and singing with it its canticle of simplicity . . . I like to see there . . . as an invitation to allow her to make of this Monastery, which has always been Dedicated to her glorious Assumption . . . a joyful centre of Marian life, a paradise of spiritual childhood, of simplicity in the freedom of God’s children, a springing source of living and inexhaustible water, an eternal fountain of love; “Fons Amoris, donec dies elucescat”.
In the school of our Fathers, Abbots of Heaven, let us remain, as little children, the docile and loving sons of our Virgin and Mother.

Amen.
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The Most Holy Rosary Of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Gregorian Chant. Feast Day 7 October.



“Say The Rosary”.
Illustration: RORATE CAELI


The Most Holy Rosary
in Gregorian Chant.
Available on YouTube
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Saint Sergius. Saint Bacchus. Saint Marcellus. Saint Apuleius. Martyrs. Feast Day 7 October.


Saints Sergius, Bacchus, Marcellus and Apuleius.
   Martyrs.
   Feast Day 7 October.

Simple.

Red Vestments.


Illustration: IN CAELO ET IN TERRA

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

"In Lower Syria,", says The Martyrology, "The Holy Martyrs, Sergius, and Bacchus, noble Romans, who lived under the Emperor Maximian".

Bacchus was scourged with thongs that tore his flesh; he died, in his torments, Confessing The Name of Jesus.

Sergius, forced to wear shoes with nails piercing his feet, remained strong in The Faith and was then beheaded.

At Rome, The Holy Martyrs, Marcellus and Apuleius, abandoned Simon the Magician, whose disciples they had been, to follow the teaching of Saint Peter. After The Martyrdom of The Apostles, they themselves obtained the same Crown under the ex-Consul, Aurelian, and were buried near Rome.

Mass: Sapiéntiam.
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This Year Is The 810th Anniversary Of The Revelation Of The Holy Rosary By Our Lady Mary To Saint Dominic In 1214.



English: The Madonna giving The Holy Rosary to Saint Dominic. This year marks the 810th Anniversary
of the Revelation of The Holy Rosary, by Our Lady Mary,
to Saint Dominic, in 1214.
Deutsch: Rosenkranz madonna, Szene: Maria mit Hl. Dominikus, zwei Engeln sowie Medaillons mit Darstellung zu Szenen aus dem Leben Jesu und der Passion.
Artist: Guido Reni (1575–1642).
Date: 1596-1598.
Current location: Basilica di San Luca, Bologna.
Source: The Yorck Project:
10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei.
DVD-ROM, 2002. ISBN 3936122202
Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.
(Wikimedia Commons)


The following Text is taken from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

There are differing views on the history of The Rosary. According to Tradition, the concept of The Rosary was given to Saint Dominic in an Apparition by The Virgin Mary, in 1214, in the Church of Prouille.

This Marian Apparition received the Title of Our Lady of The Rosary. In the 15th-Century, it was promoted by Alanus de Rupe (also known as Alain de la Roche, or, Saint Alan of the Rock), a learned Dominican Priest and Theologian, who established the “Fifteen Rosary Promises” and started many Rosary Confraternities. However, most scholarly research suggests a more gradual and organic development of The Rosary.

The practice of Meditation, during the Praying of The Hail Marys, is attributed to Dominic of Prussia (1382–1460), a Carthusian Monk, who called it the “Life of Jesus Rosary”. The German Monk, from Trier, added a sentence to each of the fifty Hail Marys, using quotes from Scriptures.


In 1569, the Papal Bull “Consueverunt Romani Pontifices”, by the Dominican Pope Pius V, officially established the Devotion to The Rosary in The Catholic Church.

From the 16th-Century to the Early-20th-Century, the structure of The Rosary remained essentially unchanged. There were fifteen Mysteries, one for each of the fifteen Decades of The Rosary. In the 20th-Century, the addition of The Fatima Prayer, to the end of each Decade, became more common. There were no other changes until 2002, when Pope Saint John Paul II instituted five optional new Luminous Mysteries.

[Editor: The Fatima Prayer: “O, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, and lead all Souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your Mercy”. (Our Lady at Fatima, 13 July 1917)]


“The Mass Of The Foundation Of The Trinitarian Order”.
Artist: Juan Carreño de Miranda.
Illustration: LOUVRE




THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL





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Illustration: Copyright:
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Saint Mark. Pope And Confessor. Whose Feast Day Is, Today, 7 October.


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

Saint Mark.
   Pope.
   Confessor.
   Feast Day 7 October.

Simple.

White Vestments.



Pope Saint Mark (336 A.D.).
Source:
(“Pope's Photo Gallery”).
Author: Unknown.
(Wikimedia Commons)

Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless otherwise stated.

Pope Mark (Latin: Marcus) was Head of The Catholic Church from 18 January 336 A.D. to 7 October 336 A.D.

Little is known of his early life. According to “The Liber Pontificalis”, he was a Roman, and his father's name was Priscus. Some evidence suggests that the Early Lists of Bishops and Martyrs, known as “The Depositio Episcoporum and Depositio Martyrum”, were begun during his Pontificate.

Per “The Liber Pontificalis”, Pope Mark issued a Constitution investing The Bishop of Ostia with a Pallium and confirming his power to Consecrate newly-elected Popes. Also per “The Liber Pontificalis”, Pope Mark is credited with the Foundation of The Basilica of San Marco, in Rome, and a Cemetery Church over the Catacomb of Balbina, just outside the City, on lands obtained as a donation from Emperor Constantine.

Mark died of natural causes and was buried in the Catacomb of Balbina. In 1048, his remains were removed to the Town of Velletri, and, from 1145, were relocated to The Basilica of San Marco, in Rome, where they are kept in an urn under the Altar. His Feast Day is Celebrated on 7 October.


The following Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

Mark, a Roman, occupied The Holy See for eight months during the Reign of Emperor Constantine the Great.

He succeeded Pope Saint Sylvester I and continued, with great zeal, the organisation of The Church that had been commenced by his predecessor thanks to the long era of peace inaugurated by the Emperor. He died in 336 A.D.

Mass: Sacerdótes.

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