Bedford
April 11, 2017
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to cancel Tenebrae in Latin on Maundy Thursday 13 April at 6 pm. There will be Tenebrae in English with readings and hymns at 6 pm led by Fr Patrick Hutton preceding the Maundy Thursday liturgy, also in English, at 7.30 pm. We apologise if you were planning to come to the Traditional Form.
The Good Friday Stations of the Cross in Latin at 12.00 noon is going ahead as scheduled and there will be Latin Mass on Easter Sunday at the usual time of 8.30 am. Fr Thomas Crean OP is the celebrant.
by fsspuk
April 2, 2017
We are very fortunate to have Fr. Crean not just for Easter Sunday Mass but also for Tenebrae on Maundy Thursday and Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. Please spread the word and invite people to come along!
The Latin Easter Schedule at Christ the King is as follows:
Maundy Thursday: 6pm, Traditional Tenebrae, followed immediately by Mass in the Ordinary Form
Good Friday: Stations of the Cross at Midday. Liturgy of the Passion in the Ordinary form is at 3pm
Easter Sunday: Mass at 8:30am
by fsspuk
March 31, 2017
Fr. Thomas Crean, a regular celebrant at Christ the King published a terrific book in 2007, titled ‘A Catholic Replies to Professor Dawkins’. Essentially, the book is a refutation of Dawkins’ best-seller, ‘The God Delusion’, where Dawkins claims that “belief in God is not only a delusion, but also that religion actually has a harmful influence on society.”
I will post a longer ‘review’ in the resources section shortly.
Suffice to say, this is an excellent read and well worth purchasing. Copies are rare, but used copies are available on Amazon, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/cka/Catholic-Replies-Professor-Dawkins-Thomas-Crean/1871217709
Fr. Crean has published at least four books, available on Amazon including a specific refutation of ‘The God Delusion’ (God is No Delusion: A Refutation of Richard Dawkins).
‘A Catholic Replies to Professor Dawkins’ shouldn’t be seen as a book aimed at atheists. If anything, its style is one of conversation with a fellow Catholic. Like a truly good writer, Fr. Crean conveys complex arguments in a very readable way, with a dash of tongue-in-cheek humour woven into the very sound, sensible reproaches. The book focusses on two main philosophies; one held by the author, the order by Dawkins. That it manages to surmise Dawkins’ book, dispensing with unhelpful commentary, and getting down to the main points, is another quality of the book – keeping it succinct and readable.
by fsspuk
March 27, 2017
Source: Feast of Annunciation at Christ the King
by fsspuk
Many people still associate study of the works of St Thomas Aquinas (1225-74) with the dark and dusty atmosphere of an old theological library. In attempt to introduce the study of the Angelic Doctor (so named, some say, because of his extensive writings on angels) a group of Dominican scholastics and lay theological scholars came together some years ago and organized a one week course on Aquinas in Ireland during the summer months. They set up the Aquinas Institute of Ireland, and their first summer school was held in 2014 at a Dominican facility overlooking the sea on the south coast. Some of the organizers teach at the International Theological Institute (ITI) near Vienna, and present and former students of that Institute also attend these summer schools.
The stated goal of this Aquinas Institute is “to introduce the thought of St. Thomas to a wider audience, and to lead students of both theology and philosophy towards a deeper and more comprehensive appreciation of his texts.” During the past four years, men, women, lay and ordained, and families too (activities and sports are organized for those who bring their children along), people of many ages and nationalities, have attended these schools. During the week all the participants read closely an extract of Aquinas writings in a prayerful environment, with discussion and reflection on the texts. Since the school also welcomes people who are not familiar with the writings of Aquinas, classes are organized in a manner which helps all grow in appreciation of the depth and wonder of his teaching, and its relevance for our faith today.
The first Aquinas Summer School was held in 2014, and this year, since suitable accommodation is not available in Ireland, the School will be take place at the Shrine of Our Lady in Walsingham. It will run from Sunday July 23rd to Saturday the 29th, and the cost of tuition, accommodation and food is £240. More details and the application procedure can be found at the website:
http://www.aquinasinstitute.ie
The Writings of Saint Thomas Aquinas
The Summa Theologica and the Summa Contra Gentiles are the best known of the writings of St Thomas Aquinas. These works are spread over many volumes, but toward the end of his life St Thomas produced a Compendium of Theology, a book of just over 400 pages, which contains a synopsis of the Summa Theologica.
St Thomas also wrote commentaries on the books of the New Testament, and one on the Book of Job. Many of these commentaries are now being published in English for the first time. The Aquinas Institute at Wyoming Catholic College in the USA is translating and publishing these Commentaries, along with his other works of theology and philosophy. Their website is: http://theaquinasinstitute.org/
Some years ago, Fr Paul Kimball SSPX published his own translation of the Commentary on the Gospel of Saint Matthew. A book of 1026 pages, this work provides many insights into the personal faith of Saint Thomas.
Then there is the four volume Catena Aurea, published by Baronius Press. This is a “golden chain” of commentaries by the Church Fathers on the four gospels, translated into English by Blessed John Henry Newman in 1841. St Thomas compiled the commentaries from the Fathers in a manner that allows them to be read as a single exposition of the meaning of each gospel.
Finally, for those who want a simple work of St Thomas on fundamental aspects of our faith, The Aquinas Catechism, contains his short and clear explanations of the meaning of the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Ten Commandments.
Fr Daniel Horgan
by fsspuk
March 7, 2017
Latin Mass with Our Lady of Guadalupe Miraculous Relic Image
The Miraculous Relic Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be visiting Christ the King on Saturday 25 March, the Feast of the Annunciation. The Image is an authorised copy of the original in Mexico City, has the status of a First Class Relic and confers the same graces and blessings. In 2016 the Image travelled more than 3000 miles around the United Kingdom on Pilgrimage Visits and was venerated by more than 25,000 people. The Image has been present at Masses celebrated in many languages, but never, until now, has it been present at a Latin Mass.
Fr Gabriel Diaz will celebrate Mass at 10.00, after which the Image will be available for veneration until 11.45, when Barbara Kay, one of the Guardians of the Shrine of Our Lady of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Bedford, will give an explanation of the Image. At 12.00 the Angelus and the Chaplet of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be said and after this, the Image will again be available for veneration until 1.00. There will be a small selection of devotional items related to our Lady of Guadalupe on sale.
You are warmly invited to join us on this special occasion. For more information about the Image, please see our website: www.relicourladyofguadalupe.co.uk
Barbara
by fsspuk
March 1, 2017
On a wet and windy evening in Bedford, Fr Gabriel Diaz celebrated the first Traditional Ash Wednesday Mass at Christ the King since 1969. As well as many of the usual Sunday morning Latin Mass congregation, we were joined by many other parishioners from Christ the King, including some of this year’s Confirmation candidates, and so we numbered around 100 people. For some of them, this was likely their first experience of the Latin Mass.
Fr Diaz has a sonorous voice, and the words “Memento, homo, quia pulvia es, et in pulverem reverteris … ” rang out loud and clear, over and over again, solemnly and unmistakably reminding us of our mortality, as each of the congregation went forward to receive the consecrated ashes on their forehead. There was an awesome silence as we listened to the words of the prophet Joel, reminding us of our sin, but also of God’s mercy towards us if we repent.
Fr Diaz paused before giving Holy Communion to explain to those not familiar with the method of reception, that at the Latin Mass, this is always received kneeling and on the tongue.
There was something special about this Mass which made it a memorable start to the season of Lent, and I hope some of the congregation for whom the Latin Mass is unfamiliar will come back and learn to love it more.
Barbara
“Remember, man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.” Eek!
by fsspuk
February 27, 2017
Fr. Diaz gave another wonderful sermon to about 50 people for Quinquagesima, telling us about some of the historical practises of the Church around this season.
For those who weren’t there (and those who were) here’s another wonderful sermon:
http://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/now-pure-and-holy-time-draws-near.html?m=1
Reminder! Ash Wednesday Mass is this Wednesday at 730 pm, at Christ the King.
by fsspuk
February 23, 2017
Lent is almost upon us! One last Sunday of reflection (Quinquagesima) and then Ash Wednesday. We’ll have Mass at 730pm at Christ the King, celebrated by Fr Diaz
by fsspuk
February 20, 2017
On Sunday 19 February, over coffee and delicious cakes, we said goodbye to John and June Wood, who have been part of our congregation ever since the Latin Mass first came to Bedford 18 months ago. They are moving down to Wales to be nearer one of their daughters, but assured us that they will be visiting the other two daughters in Bedfordshire from time to time and will hope to pop in.
Fr Patrick Hutton said what a pleasure it had been to have them with us and we all signed a card of best wishes. June said that Christ the King, Bedford was the friendliest parish she had been in, and they were really going to miss us. We will miss them too and hope that they will find a Latin Mass not too far from their new home.
by fsspuk
