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

Monday 25 May 2020

Saint Urban I (Reigned 222 A.D. - 230 A.D.). Pope And Martyr. Feast Day 25 May.


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

Saint Urban I.
   Pope and Martyr.
   Feast Day 25 May.

Simple.

Red Vestments.




English: Pope Saint Urban I
(Papacy 222 A.D. - 230 A.D.), wearing The Papal Tiara.
Polski: Pomnik świętego Urbana w Cieszowej
Photo: 12 July 2006.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)


Date: 12 December 2007.
Author: F l a n k e r
(Wikimedia Commons)

This Holy Pope is believed to have been the same Urban who Baptised Valerian (husband of Saint Cecilia), Tiburtius (brother of Valerian), and Maximus (their gaoler (jailer)), whom we honoured on 14 April.

Pope Saint Urban I was Martyred in 230 A.D.

Mass: Protexísti.



A 12th-Century fresco of Pope Saint Urban I in a window embrasure
in the Church of Chalivoy-Milon, France (see, below).
(Google Images)


English: Church in Chalivoy-Milon, France,
containing a fresco of Pope Saint Urban I (see, above).
Français: Église de Chalivoy-Milon, France.
Photo: 25 August 2011.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)


Saint Urban I.
Pope and Martyr.
Available on YouTube at


The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

Pope Urban I (Latin: Urbanus I) was Bishop of Rome, or Pope, from 222 A.D. to 230 A.D. He was born in Rome and succeeded Pope Callixtus I, who had been Martyred.

Much of Urban's life is shrouded in mystery, leading to many myths and misconceptions. Despite the lack of sources, he is the first Pope whose Reign can be definitely dated. Two prominent sources do exist for Urban's Pontificate: Eusebius' History of The Early Church and also an inscription, in the Coemeterium Callisti, which names the Pope.

Urban ascended to The Chair of Saint Peter in the year of The Roman Emperor Elagabalus' assassination and served during the Reign of Alexander Severus. It is believed that Urban's Pontificate was during a peaceful time for Christians in The Empire, as Severus did not promote the persecution of Christianity.

Saint Urban I is a Canonised Saint of The Roman Catholic Church and The Eastern Orthodox Church.

Saint Gregory VII (1073-1085). Pope And Confessor. Feast Day 25 May.


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

Saint Gregory VII.
   Pope and Confessor.
   Feast Day 25 May.

Double.

White Vestments.



Pope Saint Gregory VII
Celebrating Mass (inspired by The Holy Ghost).
Date: 1878.
Source: Scanned by Uploader.
Page 292 of Little Pictorial Lives Of The Saints.
Benzinger Brothers.
Author: Unknown.
(Wikimedia Commons)


Pope Saint Gregory VII.
Available on YouTube at

Born at Soana, Tuscany, Italy, Hildebrand became a Monk in the famous Benedictine Monastery of Cluny, on which, at the time, depended two thousand Monasteries. He soon became Prior, and was later Elected Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Paul-Without-the-Walls, Rome, and made a Cardinal of The Roman Church.

At the death of Pope Alexander II, in 1073, he was Elected Pope and took the name of Gregory VII. Thus, entrusted with the government of The House of God (Gospel, Communion), he participated in the full Priesthood of Jesus (Introit, Epistle).

At a time when the Bishops, mostly "Simoniacal", were the dependents of Lay Princes, he strove with such constancy to defend the liberty of The Church (Collect) that, as we are assured, no Pontiff, since the time of The Apostles, undertook more labours for her (The Church) or fought more courageously for her independence.

While he was saying Mass, a Dove was seen to come down on him: The Holy Ghost thereby bore witness of the Supernatural views that guided him in the government of The Church. Forced to leave Rome, he died at Salerno in 1085, saying those words, the first of which are from Psalm XLIV: "I have loved justice and hated iniquity: That is why I die in exile."

Following the example of Saint Gregory, let us overcome with courage all adversities (Collect).

Mass: Státuit.
Commemoration: Of Saint Urban I.

Sunday 24 May 2020

“Quanta Cura Encyclical”. A Study Of “The Syllabus Of Errors”, Which Was Issued By Blessed Pope Pius IX On 8 December 1864, The Feast Of The Immaculate Conception.



Blessed Pope Pius IX
(“Pio Nono”).
Artist: George Peter Alexander Healy (1813–1894).
Date: 1871.
(Wikimedia Commons)


LECTURE SERIES.

Event Description

Eager to expose the lies of Modernism,
Blessed Pope Pius IX issued a list of eighty condemned beliefs.
Become informed about these falsehoods
which actively dominate popular thought.

Instructor.


William Marshner, S.T.D.

Dr. William Marshner is a founding faculty member at Christendom College and served continuously as Professor of Theology until his retirement from teaching in 2015. A well-known author and Protestant Convert to The Catholic Church, Dr. William Marshner has lectured widely on topics ranging from Islam to The Heresy of Modernism.


Below, is the 2019 Illustration from INSTITUTE OF CATHOLIC CULTURE.

This Lecture is still available to watch and/or listen to.

Just become a Member.
It is a simple, free, enrolment process



Illustration: NEW LITURGICAL MOVEMENT


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

By: David Clayton.

I thought that NLM Readers might be interested in this series of Seminars that just came to my notice, a study of "The Syllabus of Errors", issued by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1864, which is being led by Dr William Marshner, Professor Emeritus of Theology at Christendom College.

Each Seminar is recorded and accessible on The Institute of Catholic Culture Web-Site. You can register at REGISTRATION


Eager to expose The Lies of Modernism,
Blessed Pope Pius IX issued a List
of eighty condemned beliefs.

Become informed about these falsehoods,
which actively dominate popular thought.

Register to watch and/or listen to this fascinating subject
at REGISTRATION


I encourage Readers to look at the Schedule of their other Events, including, for example, a Lecture on the Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins, by Joseph Pearce. Go here for more details.


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

The Syllabus of Errors (Latin: Syllabus Errorum) is a Document issued by The Holy See under Blessed Pope Pius IX on 8 December 1864, The Feast of The Immaculate Conception, as an Annex to The Quanta Cura Encyclical.

It condemns a total of eighty errors, or heresies, and, through that, promulgated Catholic Church Teaching on a number of Philosophical and Political questions, and referred to Documents issued previously.



Reaction from Catholics was mixed, while that from Protestants was uniformly negative. The Document remains controversial, and has been cited on numerous occasions by both Catholic Traditionalists, seeking to uphold Traditional Catholic values, and Anti-Catholics seeking to criticise The Church’s positions.

The purpose of “The Syllabus of Errors” was not to explain in depth “The Errors”, themselves, but only provide a list of them, with a short paraphrasing of “The Error” and references to the corresponding Papal Documents.

The actual Encyclicals, listed, reveal what it is about “The Error” that is incorrect, and, in which situations or nuances or emphasis.

In order to understand The Pope’s argument against each Error, one must read, not only “The Error”, itself, but the Document to which it points.

In Festo Beatæ Mariæ Virginis. “Our Lady, Help Of Christians”. Sancta Maria Auxilium Christianorum. Nuestra Señora María Auxiliadora De Los Cristianos. Feast Day 24 May.



The Venerated image of “Mary, Help of Christians”
to which Pope Leo XIII granted a Canonical Coronation on 17 May 1903.
Date: Circa 1867.
Source: Own work.
Author: Tommaso Andrea Lorenzone (1824-1902),
at the request of Don Bosco.
(Wikimedia Commons)



Titulo Auxilium Christianorum.
Our Lady, Help Of Christians.
Feast Day 24 May.
Missale Romanum 1861.
Illustration: ZEPHYRINUS

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

Mary, Help of Christians (Latin: Sancta Maria Auxilium Christianorum; Spanish: Nuestra Señora María Auxiliadora de los Cristianos; is a Roman Catholic Marian Devotion with a Feast Day Celebrated on 24 May.

Saint John Chrysostom was the first person to use this Marian Title (“Mary, Help Of Christians”) in 345 A.D. as a Devotion to The Virgin Mary. Don Bosco also propagated Marian Devotion under this Title. The Title of “Mary, Help of Christians” is associated with the defence of Christian Europe (Latin and Greek), the North of Africa, and The Middle East, from non-Christian peoples during The Middle Ages.

In 1572, during the expansion of The Islamic Ottoman Empire, which intended to invade Christian Europe, Pope Saint Pius V invoked Christian Armies, and its victory achieved was consequently attributed to the Intercession of Mary under this Title.


English: Treviso Cathedral. The Madonna Chapel.
A 19th-Century wooden statue of Mary, Help of Christians,
by Ferdinand Stuflesser, artist of Val Gardena, Italy.
Français : Cathédrale de Trévise - Chapelle de la Vierge - au centre une de l'autel une statue en bois récente du XIXe par Ferdinand Stuflesser, artiste de Val Gardena, Représentant Marie Auxiliatrice.
Italiano : Duomo di Treviso - Capella della Madonna - La statua lignea al centro dell'altare, opera recente (XIXe) di Ferdinand Stuflesser, artista della Val Gardena, rappresenta Maria Ausiliatrice.
Photo: 29 May 2016.
Source: Own work.
This file is copyrighted and has been released under a license which is incompatible with Facebook's licensing terms. It is not permitted to upload this file at Facebook.
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons
(Wikimedia Commons)


Ultimately, Pope Leo XIII granted a Canonical Coronation towards the Marian image bearing the same Title on 17 May 1903, now permanently enshrined within The Basilica of Mary, Help of Christians, Turin, Italy.

There are two inscriptions from the first Centuries of Christianity, in Greek, related to The Virgin Mary: : θεοτοκος (Teotokos, Theotokos, Mother of God) and βοηθεια (Boetheia, The Helper). The Fathers of The Church referred to Mary as "βοηθεια". Saint John Chrysostom used the Title in a Sermon of 345 A.D., Proclus in 476 A.D., and Sebas of Cæsarea in 532 A.D.

After The Patristic Period (5th-Century A.D.), other persons used it, e.g., Romanos The Melodist in 518 A.D., The Patriarch of Jerusalem, Sophronius, in 560 A.D., John of Damascus in 749 A.D., and German of Constantinople in 733 A.D.


Illustration from The Feast Day of Our Lady, Help of Christians.
24 May.
Missale Romanum 1861.
Illustration: ZEPHYRINUS


In the view of Fr. Johann G. Roten, SM, the Invocation of Mary as “Help of Christians” is part of the oldest Prayer addressed directly to Mary, the “Sub Tuum Præsidium”, which was found on a Papyrus dating, at the latest, from the end of the 3rd-Century A.D. “Præsidium” is translated as “an assistance given in time of War by fresh Troops in a strong manner.”[1]

Around 1576, Bernardino Cirillo, Arch-Priest of Loreto, published at Macerata, two Litanies of The Blessed Virgin, which, he contended, were used at Loreto. One is in a form which is entirely different from our present Text. Another form (“Aliæ litaniæ B.M.V.”) is identical to The Litany of Loreto approved by Pope Clement VIII in 1601 and now used throughout the entire Church.

This second form contains the Invocation “Auxilium Christianorum” (“Help of Christians”). Possibly, Soldiers returning from The Battle of Lepanto (7 October 1571) visited The Sanctuary of Loreto, and Saluted The Holy Virgin there for the first time with this new Title. It is more probable, however, that it is only a variation of the older Invocation “Advocata Christianorum”, found in a Litany of 1524.[2]


Our Lady, Help of Christians.
Patroness of Australia.
Available on YouTube at

Torsellini (1597) and The Roman Breviary (24 May, Appendix) say that Pope Saint Pius V inserted the Invocation in The Litany of Loreto after The Battle of Lepanto. But the form of The Litany, in which it is first found, was unknown at Rome at the time of Pope Saint Pius V.[3]

The Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians, was instituted by Pope Pius VII. By order of Emperor Napoleon I of France, Pope Pius VII was arrested on 5 June 1808, and detained as a prisoner, first at Grenoble, France, and then at Fontainebleau, France.[4]

In January 1814, after The Battle of Leipzig, he was brought back to Savona, Italy, and set free on 17 March 1814, on the eve of The Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, The Patroness of Savona. The journey to Rome was a veritable triumphal march. The Pontiff, attributing the Victory of The Church, after so much agony and distress, to The Blessed Virgin, visited many of her Sanctuaries on the way and Crowned her images (e.g., “The Madonna del Monte” at Cesena, “della Misericordia” at Treja, “della Colonne” and “della Tempestà” at Tolentino).


English: Statue of Madonna and Child
in Siegenfeld (Heiligenkreuz), Lower Austria.
Deutsch: Marienstatue, sog. Bauernmadonna, in der Cholerakapelle
im Helenental, Ortsteil Siegenfeld, Gemeinde Heiligenkreuz, Niederösterreich.
Photo: 24 March 2019.
Source: Own work.
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons
(Wikimedia Commons)

The people crowded the streets to catch a glimpse of the Venerable Pontiff who had so bravely withstood the threats of Napoleon. He entered Rome on 24 May 1814, and was enthusiastically welcomed.[5] To Commemorate his own sufferings and those of The Church during his Exile, Pope Pius VII extended The Feast of The Seven Dolours of Mary to The Universal Church on 18 September 1814.

When Napoleon left Elba and returned to Paris, Murat was about to march through The Papal States from Naples (Joachim-Napoléon Murat, 25 March 1767 – 13 October 1815) was a Marshal of The French Empire and Admiral, during the reign of Emperor Napoleon I. He was also the first Prince Murat, Grand Duke of Berg, from 1806 to 1808, and King of Naples from 1808 to 1815.

Murat received his Titles, in part, by being Napoleon's brother-in-law through marriage to his younger sister, Caroline Bonaparte, as well as personal merit. He was noted as a daring, brave, and charismatic Cavalry Officer, as well as a flamboyant dresser, for which he was known as “The Dandy King”).

Pope Pius VII fled to Savona on 22 March 1815.[2] After The Congress of Vienna and The Battle of Waterloo, The Pope returned to Rome on 7 July 1815. To give thanks to God and Our Lady, on 15 September 1815, he declared 24 May, the Anniversary of his first return, to be henceforth The Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians. The 1913 Catholic Encyclopaedia Article commented that: “It has spread nearly over the entire Latin Church, but is not contained in The Universal Calendar.”


Turin, Italy.
Founded by Saint John Bosco.
Photo: March 2007.
Source: Own work.
Author: Franco56
(Wikimedia Commons)

The Marian Feast has been Celebrated by The Order of Servites since the 17th-Century. The Veneration to Mary became popular under this Title in Rome, especially, where The Feast was promoted by Saint John Bosco and Saint Vincent Pallotti. [6]

Saint John Bosco was an ardent promoter of Devotion to “Mary, Help of Christians”. He even built a huge Basilica in her honour in 1868 and Founded a Religious Congregation for Women, under the Title of “The Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians”.

Interpreting the painting he had commissioned inside the Basilica, Saint John Bosco referred to it as depicting “Mary, Mother of The Church”. This suggests an identical connection to the way in which Popes have addressed Mary as both Mother and Help of The Church. Recall the two Marian Greek attributions of θεοτοκος (Teotokos, Theotokos, Mother of God) and βοηθεια (Boetheia, The Helper) at the start of this Article. Saint John Bosco, in fact, chose this Devotion because of its affinity to his Devotion to “The Church, The Bearer of Christ”.


English: Stained-Glass Window depicting Our Lady, Help of Christians.
Church of Saint John the Baptist, Ahrem, Germany.
Deutsch: Bleiglasfenster in der katholischen Pfarrkirche St. Johannes der Täufer, Ahrem, Darstellung: Anbetung der Madonna mit Kind.
Photo: 16 April 2011.
Source: Own work.
Author: Reinhardhauke
(Wikimedia Commons)

Vatican II, in the Constitution on The Church (Sections 61 and 62), cites this Title of Mary, placing it in the context of Mary's Maternal Role. “In an utterly singular way, she co-operated by her Obedience, Faith, Hope and Burning Charity in The Saviour’s Work of restoring Supernatural Life to Souls.

For this reason, she is a Mother to us in The Order of Grace . . . By her Maternal Charity, Mary cares for The Brethren of her Son, who still wander through this World in the midst of dangers and difficulties until they are led to the happiness of their Heavenly Home”.[7]

The Church has Traditionally focused on two aspects of Our Lady’s help on this Feast Day. Firstly, The Church focuses in this Feast on the role of Our Lady's Intercession in the fight against sin in the life of a Believer. Secondly, The Church focuses on Our Lady as one who assists Christians as a community, through her Intercession, in fighting against anti-Christian forces.

Michael Daniel observes that, while this approach may be regarded as outdated, in light of Vatican II, where the World and non-Christians elements therein were seen in a positive rather than a hostile or threatening light, it would seem that it would be naïve on the part of Christians to regard all Movements and all Social Trends as either good or harmless.[7]


The Dioceses of Tuscany adopted it on 12 February 1816. The Hymns of The Office were composed by Brandimarte.[8]

It became The Patronal Feast of Australasia, a “Double of The First-Class“ with an Octave.[9] After the Reforms of The Second Vatican Council, it was designated a Solemnity to be kept on the first available Sunday on or after 24 May.

The Fathers of The Foreign Missions of Paris, in accordance with a Vow (1891), Celebrated this Feast Day with great splendour in their Churches.

It has attained special renown since Don Bosco, Founder of The Salesian Congregation, Dedicated his Foundation to Our Lady, Help of Christians, The Mother Church of his Congregation at Turin, Italy, on 9 June 1868. The Salesians have carried the Devotion to their numerous establishments around the World.

It was established due to the great appreciation of Saint Don Bosco for this Marian Title, and the development of The Salesian Works in many Countries since the second-half of the 19th-Century. Although it is commonly associated with The Roman Catholic Church, The Orthodox Church has also known the Devotion since 1030 in Ukraine, when the Country was defended from a barbarian invasion.


The Salesian National Shrine of Our Lady, Help of Christians, is located in Stony Point, New York. There is also The National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, in Parañaque City, Philippines, which is also in the care of The Salesians of Don Bosco. [10]

The Abbey of Mary, Help of Christians, better known as Belmont Abbey, is a small American Monastery of Benedictine Monks in the Town of Belmont, Gaston County, North Carolina, outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. The Minor Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians, is listed on The National Register of Historic Places.[11]

There is a Chapel of Our Lady, Help of Christians, at the Basilica of The Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.[12]

Under this Title, The Virgin Mary is Venerated by many Chinese Catholics, particularly at The Shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan. In May 2007, Pope Benedict XVI designated 24 May her Feast Day for The Roman Catholics in China, who face persecution and restriction from The Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.

On 17 May 1903, Pope Leo XIII granted a Canonical Coronation to the famed image through his Papal Legate, Cardinal Agostino Richelmy, which is now permanently enshrined within The Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians, in Turin, Italy.


The High Altar, Mariahilferkirche
(Our Lady, Help of Christians) Church,
Haydnplatz, Vienna, Austria.
Photo: 27 December 2005.
Source: Own work.
This File: 16 February 2006.
User: Gryffindor
(Wikimedia Commons)

The same Pontiff also instructed The Sacred Congregation of Rites to assign Mary, under this Devotional Title (“Our Lady, Help of Christians), as the Official Patroness of Australia. She is also The Patron Saint of New Zealand, and, since 1924, of China.[13]

On 24 May 2009, Pope Benedict XVI, during his Regina Cæli Papal Address, invoked this Marian Patronage, under The Venerated Title of Our Mother of Sheshan, calling for Chinese Catholics to renew their fidelity to The Pope as the sole successor of Saint Peter.[14]

On 23 March 2018, Pope Francis granted a Papal Bull for the Canonical Coronation of a namesake Seminary in San Fabian, Pangasinan, Philippines. The image is notable for having been gifted to The Philippine Islands by The Apostolic Delegate, Monsignor Guillermo Piani, S.D.B., while the privilege of Blue Coloured Vestments were invoked by The Papal Legate.

Acerbic-ness Rules O.K.



Sir Winston Churchill.
Yousuf Karsh called this picture
Creator: Yousuf Karsh.
Date: 30 December 1941.
Location: Ottawa, Canada.
Credit: Yousuf Karsh. Library and Archives Canada, e010751643 /
Yousuf Karsh. Bibliothèque et Archives e010751643.
(Wikimedia Commons)

“I am enclosing two tickets
to The First Night of my new Play.
Bring a friend.
If you have one.”
(George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill).

“Cannot possibly attend The First Night.
Will attend The Second Night.
If there is one.”
(Winston Churchill to George Bernard Shaw).

Saturday 23 May 2020

The Church Of The Sacred Heart, Limerick, Ireland. The Ascension Mass Of Our Lord Jesus Chris. Plus, Benediction. This Church Was Once Slated To Be A Leisure Centre And Bar.



High Mass on The Feast of The Ascension.
Plus, Benediction.
The Church of The Sacred Heart, Limerick, Ireland.
This beautiful Church was once slated to be a Leisure Centre and Bar.
Available on YouTube at
YOU TUBE

This Article is taken from, and can be read in full at,
THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY RC DIOCESE OF MIDDLESBROUGH

The following Text, dated 28 August 2012, is from THE IRISH TIMES

The Sacred Heart Church, located at The Crescent, in Limerick City Centre, which was on the market for more than €4 million, has been sold for €700,000 to a Community of Priests called The Institute of Christ The King Sovereign Priest.

Also known as The Jesuit Church, after The Order that built it and occupied it for many years, The Sacred Heart Church has been vacant for the last six years following its sale to the Late John O’Dolan, a developer from Galway.

Mr O’Dolan, who died in 2009, had planned to convert the building into a leisure centre and bar.

But now the Church, which was in danger of falling into disrepair, is to return to its original function following its sale to the Religious Community, led in Limerick by 38-year-old Frenchman, Canon Wulfran Lebocq, The Institute’s Choirmaster, who has lived in Ballingarry since 2010.

“The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)”. “Am Freiceadan Dubh”. “The Ladies From Hell”. “The Forty Twa”. “Nemo Me Impune Lacessit”. “No-One Provokes Me With Impunity”.


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



“The Black Watch”.
“Am Freiceadan Dubh”.
“Nemo Me Impune Lacessit”.
“No-One Provokes Me With Impunity”.
Badge and Tartan.
Original page was as follows:
Uploaded by GraemeLeggett on 15 May 2007.
(Wikipedia)


1st Battalion, The Black Watch,
Pipes and Drums.
Available on YouTube at


The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) is an Infantry Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Prior to 28 March 2006, The Black Watch was an Infantry Regiment – The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) from 1931 to 2006, and The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) from 1881 to 1931. Part of The Scottish Division, it was The Senior Regiment of Highlanders.

The source of The Regiment's name is uncertain. In 1725, following The Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, General George Wade was authorised by King George II to form six "Watch" Companies to patrol The Highlands of Scotland, three from Clan Campbell, one from Clan Fraser, one from Clan Munro and one from Clan Grant.


The Royal Highland Regiment (The Black Watch), at Fontenoy, 1745.
Signed and dated "W. Skeoch Cumming/1894".
Author: William Skeoch Cumming (1864-1929).
(Wikimedia Commons)


“The Ladies From Hell".
Available on YouTube at

These were to be "employed in disarming The Highlanders, preventing depredations, bringing criminals to justice, and hindering rebels and attainted persons from inhabiting that part of The Kingdom." The Force was known in Gaelic as "Am Freiceadan Dubh", "The Dark Watch" or "The Black Watch".

The first Battle in which The Black Watch took part was The Battle of Fontenoy, in 1745, where The Regiment distinguished themselves with great bravery.

The Regiment was numbered The 43rd Regiment of Foot, in 1747, changing to The 42nd Regiment of Foot, in 1749. In 1751, The Regiment was titled “42nd (Highland) Regiment” and, in 1758, was permitted the honour to add “Royal” to its title. However, it continued to be known colloquially as “The Black Watch”.


Jimmy Doig, Piper,
The Angus Black Watch Association,
plays The Pipes,
The Old and Saint Andrew's Church,
Montrose, Scotland,14 September 2008.
Photo: Frank G. Proctor, Glengate.

In 1881, when The 42nd Regiment of Foot amalgamated with The 73rd Regiment of Foot, the new Regiment was named “The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)”.

The Regiment adopted The Royal Motto of Scotland's Stewart Monarchs, “Nemo me impune lacessit” (“No-one provokes me with impunity”).

The Black Watch was formed as part of The Childers Reforms, in 1881, when The 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot (The Black Watch) was amalgamated with The 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment of Foot, to form two Battalions of the newly-named Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). The 42nd Regiment of Foot became The 1st Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), and The 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment of Foot became The 2nd Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).


"The Black Watch" Homecoming Parade,
Dundee, Scotland. 20 April 2012.
Available on YouTube at

Recipients of The Victoria Cross.

All of The Black Watch Servicemen, listed below, were awarded The Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious Award for Gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth Forces.


Francis Edward Henry Farquharson, Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, 9 March 1858.
John Simpson, Indian Mutiny, Fort Ruhya, 15 April 1858.
Alexander Thompson, Indian Mutiny, Fort Ruhya, 15 April 1858.
James Davis, Indian Mutiny, Fort Ruhya, 15 April 1858.
Edward Spence, Indian Mutiny, Fort Ruhya, 15 April 1858.
William Gardner, Indian Mutiny, Bareilly, 5 May 1858.
Walter Cook, Indian Mutiny, Sissaya Ghat, 15 January 1859.

Duncan Millar, Indian Mutiny, Sissaya Ghat, 15 January 1859.
Samuel McGaw, Ashanti War, Amoaful, 31 January 1874.
Thomas Edwards, Egyptian Campaigns, Tamaai, 13 March 1884.
John Ripley, First World War, Rue du Bois, 9 May 1915.
David Finlay, First World War, Rue du Bois, 9 May 1915.
Charles Melvin, First World War, Istabulat, 21 April 1917.
Lewis Pugh Evans, First World War, Zonnebeke, 4 October 1917.


An 11-foot high Bronze Statue of a Black Watch Soldier, by William Birnie Rhind, Commemorates over 200 Members of The Black Watch Regiment who were killed or wounded in The South African War of 1900-1902.The Black Watch, the oldest Highland Regiment, was formed by General Wade in 1739 to Police The Highlands at a time when many of The Clans harboured Pro-Jacobite Sympathies. Their name derived from the contrast of their Dark Green Tartan against The Regular Red Tunics of The British Army. The unveiling ceremony for The Memorial, planned for 25 May 1910, was cancelled, because The Nation was in Mourning for the death of King Edward VII.
Date: 9 September 2011.
Source: Own work.
Author: Kim Traynor
(Wikimedia Commons)



A Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Sentry “At Ease”.
Date: 1892.
Author: Harry Payne (1858–1927).
(Wikimedia Commons)

Notable Members.

Robert Munro, The Original Black Watch Commander, Colonel Sir Robert Munro.
Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales, Australia, from 1810 to 1821. An inscription on his tomb in Scotland describes him as "The Father of Australia".
Bernard Fergusson, Baron Ballantrae. Last British-Born Governor-General, New Zealand
Alfred Anderson, Scotland's last surviving World War I Veteran (died 2005).
James Anton, Late-Quartermaster-Sergeant of 42nd Royal Highlanders and Author.
Jim Baxter, Scottish Footballer.


Jim Baxter. Scottish Footballer.
A former Member of The Black Watch.
Illustration: DAILY RECORD

Fergus Bowes-Lyon, Older Brother of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Duncan Campbell, Scots Nobleman and British Army Officer.
Harold Davis, Scottish former Professional Football Player.
Henry Davie, Liberal Member of Parliament for Haddington
Adam Ferguson, Scottish Philosopher, Social Scientist and Historian.
Stewart Granger, Actor.
J. B. S. Haldane, British-born Geneticist and Evolutionary Biologist.
Christopher Logue, English Poet.
Fulton Mackay, Scottish Actor.


Fulton Mackay.
Played Prison Officer Mackay in the
TV Programme, "Porridge", to great acclaim.
A former Member of The Black Watch.
Illustration: AVELEYMAN.COM


“Porridge”.
A Tribute to Fulton Mackay (Prison Officer Mackay).
Available on YouTube at


“Porridge”.
Starring Fulton Mackay (Prison Officer Mackay).
Available on YouTube at

Gillean Robert Maclaine, The 25th Hereditary Chief of Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie.
Major Ian Stanhope Murray.
Eric Newby, English Travel Author.
Simon Ramsay, Conservative Politician and Colonial Governor.
Neil Ritchie, British Army Officer during The Second World War.
William Rose, Screenwriter.


Portrait of The Viceroy of India,
Field-Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell.
1943. A former Member of The Black Watch.
Source: IWMCollections IWM Photo No.: TR 841.
Post-Work: User:W.wolny
(Wikimedia Commons)

Frederick Guthrie Tait, Scottish soldier and amateur golfer.
Rory Stewart, Scottish diplomat, Harvard Professor and Conservative MP.
Arthur Wauchope, British soldier and colonial administrator.
Archibald Wavell, British Field-Marshal during The Second World War.


The Black Watch Pipes and Drums.
Available on YouTube at


Piper David Muir, George Glen, Donald McKenzie and Colour-Sergeant William Gardner, 42nd Royal Highlanders (forebears of The Black Watch)
grouped round a drinks table at Aldershot Garrison, England.
Photo: 1854-1856.
Source: This is photograph Q 71646
from the collections of The Imperial War Museums.
Author: Cundall, Joseph and Howlett, Robert.
(Wikimedia Commons)
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