We are extremely grateful to the FSSP for saying Mass three times in July while our regular priests are away. The first of these Sundays is this weekend, 9 July, when Fr Goddard will visit us.
The FSSP are enjoying plenty of vocations and ordinations – most recently, two priests were ordained in Warrington – stunning pictures here : http://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/06/20/pictures-extraordinary-form-ordinations-take-place-in-england-for-first-time-in-decades/
Just a reminder that, for ss Peter and Paul we will have a Low Mass at 7:30pm at Christ the King.
Yesterday, in Warrington, there were the first Ordinations in the Old Rite to take place in the more than 50 years! Some photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/138056205@N08/sets/72157682144213182
It was a pleasure to welcome back Fr Anton Webb as our celebrant for Corpus Christi on the evening of 15 June. By co-incidence, he was the celebrant at the Corpus Christ Mass in 2016. He has a wonderful singing voice which supplemented this Sung Mass. In the choir loft was Bedford Choral Society, the singers of whom were joining us for the second time, and also Fr Gabriel Diaz, who himself has celebrated Mass many times at Christ the King, but on this occasion was singing the Propers and the beautiful Corpus Christi Sequence.
Bedford Choral Society sang Palestrina’s Missa Brevis and it was a joy to hear this setting in the context for which it was originally written.
Fr Webb gave a most inspiring homily linking the Feast of Corpus Christi with the Feast of the Nativity, pointing out that the Preface is the same for each, reflecting that at Christmas Our Lord Jesus Christ became present in the flesh, and in the Eucharist becomes substantially present at the moment of Transubstantiation. His Divinity was hidden at his Incarnation and in the Eucharist his Humanity is hidden as well. For me this notion of ‘hidden-ness’ makes the whole mystery of the Latin Mass much more meaningful.
Following the Mass there was a short procession in the grounds of the church on the background of a glorious pink sunset. We returned into the church for Exposition. The altar bearing its two seven-branched candlesticks and the gold and silver monstrance never fails to fill me with awe and wonder and I went home rejoicing.
Barbara
We were very lucky to have a wonderful photographer at Mass – while on a trip / pilgrimage from New Zealand (his “home” parish is in Christchurch), and below are his photos of the procession. Thank you, Daniel!
On Thursday 15th June, the Bedford Choral Society will sing Palestrina’s Missa Brevis for the Corpus Christi Mass celebrated by Fr. Webb at Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP (location here)
Mass is at 7:30pm, followed by a procession afterwards.
All are welcome!
What a wonderful poem here:
http://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/highest-of-all-kings.html?m=1
And some very pertinent comments about the modern lack of imagination from some priests. FR Diaz, though, is made of different stuff, and gave a lovely sermon about this feast.
Low Mass this Thursday, 25 May, at 7:30pm. Hope to see you there!
It’s 50 years since the Abortion act and 100 years since the Fatima apparitions – “the greatest message of modern times,” according to St John Paul.
So if you’re going to pick one year to go to the March for Life, perhaps make it this year?
More details are here : www.marchforlife.co.uk including how to get there. If you’re struggling for transport please do get in touch with us, as we may be able to help
This is a fantastic event to attend – this year’s will be my fourth – and it led me to my interest in and commitment to the Traditional Mass through a devotion to St Margaret Clitherow. There is a procession past the Shambles where she lived and to the spot where she was martyred, as well as a wonderful High Mass beforehand and Benediction afterwards. It is feasible to do the trip to York and back in a (longish) day from the Bedford area and we adjourn to one of the many nice eating places in York before making the return journey.
Barbara
HAPPY EASTER! Some photos from Mass are below as well as a very thought provoking article (and book) about the need to set up our own communities. The Tipi Loschi are an inspiration – who knows, perhaps we can have something similar here in Bedford. We don’t have the Adriatic Coast, but we have beautiful countryside, a growing congregation in a welcoming parish and the Traditional Mass!
https://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/04/the-benedict-option/
Visitation of the Statue and Relics to the Diocese of Northampton from 30 Sept-1 Oct 2017.
The National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, and Relics of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco will be travelling around the country, visiting various Cathedrals abbeys and churches this year, 2017, which is the Centenary year of the Fatima message, which was given by the Blessed Virgin between May and October 1917.
The Latin Mass Society are involved in the short visitation to the Dominican Priory, Haverstock Hill, London, on 8 July 2017
More details here:
http://www.worldfatima-englandwales.org.uk/visitation.html
(The World Apostolate of Fatima is an approved Public Association of the Faithful).