Bedford
March 27, 2017
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
February 12, 2017
Fr. Jonak very kindly came down to say Mass for us today. Nicholas was too ill to serve but Alex kindly stepped in. Get well soon Nicholas and thank yiu Alex!
Here’s another Anglo Saxon sermon and hymn, from a wonderful blog.
by fsspuk
February 6, 2017
The Sunday morning Mass at Bedford on 5 February saw an unusual ceremony taking place. As it had been the feast of St Blaise only two days earlier, Fr Horgan, our visiting celebrant, invited the congregation to come forward after Mass for a blessing of their throats. Many of them did so.
We knelt and the blessing was given with a pair of crossed candles which had been lit and extinguished a few moments before, with the candles either side of the throat and the words: ”By the intercession of St Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every malady of the throat, and from every possible mishap; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.
Not much is known about St Blaise, but in 316 he is said to have saved the life of a boy who was choking after swallowing a fish bone, hence his patronage of illnesses of the throat.
by fsspuk
February 3, 2017
No Mass yesterday (next year, Godwilling!) but this sermon is beautiful:
http://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/lfric-on-candlemas-twofold-burgeoning.html?m=1
“LORD, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace; according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people: to be a light to lighten the gentiles and to be the glory of Thy people Israel”
by fsspuk
December 21, 2016
Father Patrick gets a biretta
It all started over coffee in the hall after the Latin Mass a few months ago. Fr Patrick Hutton, the Parish Priest at Christ the King, admitted to losing his biretta at the cemetery a while back and regretting its loss.
We were aware that Fr Patrick had a big birthday coming up on 8 December, and so I suggested we replaced his biretta as a gift from the Latin Mass congregation. As this was intended to be a surprise, we had to take a guess at the size and duly placed the order with Luzar Vestments on line. The biretta arrived, was wrapped and accompanied by a card of good wishes; Fr Patrick is a true supporter of the Latin Mass and we are very grateful to him for his interest.
Sunday 11 December was the chosen day both for our presentation and another one later in the day from the main congregation at Christ the King. Therefore over coffee in the hall, I duly presented Fr Patrick with his gift. He was clearly delighted, put it on straightaway and assured us it was a good fit. We had pre-arranged a photographer and the results are below.
Happy 75th Birthday Fr Patrick and God bless you.
Barbara
by fsspuk
