Homily at the Solemn Mass of Requiem for Pope Benedict XVI on 7 January 2023 in Warrington. Fr de Malleray expresses gratitude for the fruitful ministry of Pope Benedict XVI. He recalls his involvement in the founding of the FSSP as Cardinal Ratzinger; during the papal interregnum, his uncompromising diagnosis of the woes of the Church; his unexpected election to the sovereign pontificate; his support of the traditional Roman liturgy; and his successful visit in Great Britain in 2010. R.I.P.
Adrian IV, The English Pope – Part 2
In this second instalment (continued from Dowry N°54, Summer 2022), young convert and historian Adam Mercer describes the life of the only English Pope so far, from his election onward. A courageous evangeliser in Scandinavia, Pope Adrian IV (Nicholas Breakspear) was caught into the never-ending political turmoil of the Middle-Ages, hindering his more fruitful theological activity.
Watching The Chosen?
Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP discusses the flaws and merits of a successful series on the life of the Lord Jesus. How to bring the Good News of salvation to young people, most of whom spend several hours online every day on social media and watching series? Despite some defects, the highly successful series The Chosen can be an opportunity for evangelisation. May it spur solid Catholics to become involved in making many more good faith films.
Refugees Find A Home In Catholic Tradition
Whereas Catholicism used to prosper in Hong Kong, it is now under threat as part of the alleged “Western” influence targeted by Communist China. Like many families of late leaving Hong Kong, this father-of-two describes his journey to faraway but freer England, and his providential discovery of the traditional liturgy.
Young Catholics Mourn Cardinal George Pell
The late Cardinal Pell supported the young adults of the traditional youth movement Juventutem from the beginning. Whereas Catholics honour the memory of the courageous prelate for numerous reasons, his paternal encouragements to young people attached to the liturgy of our fathers are treasured by the Juventutem International Federation, and by all those who see these traditions as a vital enrichment for the Church universal.
Art: Claude Lorrain’s Seaport by Sunset
Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP comments on a painting by Claude Lorrain, 1639, from Le Louvre, Paris. Claude painted various harbours, delighting in exquisite renderings of sunset and sunrise over the waters, ships and shores. Despite the absence of explicit religious elements however, Claude’s picture offers a meditation on the passing of time that spurs beholders to aspire to everlasting shores.
Fr Armand de Malleray reflects on the example given to England and further afield by the late Queen, and on the moral responsibility of leaders, especially Christian ones.
The Arundell Family and Catholic England
Richard Arundell looks back at what his family has endured for its fidelity to the faith of our fathers, thankfully retaining ownership of their magnificent chapel at Wardour, still in use.
Evolution and Conversion
Dr Rômulo Carleial, a biologist with a PhD in Zoology from the University of Oxford, writes about the theory of evolution as an elaborate circular argument against special creation.
Luisa de Carvajal: Would-be Saint and Martyr
Dominica Roberts introduces the Spanish noble lady whose hope to die a martyr for the love of Catholic England was nearly fulfilled in 16th-century London.
Special Gift: new FSSP UK Calendar 2023
As a special token of appreciation to the subscribers of our quarterly magazine, for the first time we offer this FSSP wall calendar with 28 pages beautifully illustrated, including all feasts special to the UK.
On 25-27 Nov 2022; St Mary’s Priory, Smith Street, Warrington WA1 2NS, England
Starts 5:00pm; ends 2:00pm
Is God calling ME? Matrimony, celibacy, monastery, seminary, Fraternity?
If you are a single Catholic man between 18 and 30 years of age, come and discern with us at St Mary’s Priory & Church. Shrine Rector Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP will lead the Weekend, assisted by Frs Ian Verrier, FSSP, Alex Stewart, FSSP and Fr Gerard Quirke. There will be talks, prayers (Divine Office in our beautiful church), Holy Mass and informal chatting with fellow guests. Possibility of private meetings with a priest, and of confession. Feel welcome confidentially to call, email or write for any questions. Location: St Mary’s Priory. FREE for unwaged and students. Others: £60 per person in total.
Six young men from the UK & Ireland are in formation at our two international seminaries. Three of our deacons from England were ordained priests at St Mary’s Warrington by Archbishop McMahon, OP of Liverpool. Those were the first EF priestly ordinations by a diocesan bishop in England in fifty years. Please pray for them (www.fssp.org/en/help-us/confraternity-of-saint-peter/) and for many more to enter the lists! We give thanks for 12 of priests ordained over the past 20 years: Fr Konrad Loewenstein in 2002; Fr Brendan Gerard in 2006; Frs Matthew Goddard and William Barker in 2009; Fr Simon Harkins in 2010; Fr Matthew McCarthy in 2011; Fr Ian Verrier in 2015; Fr James Mawdsley in 2016; Frs Alex Stewart and Krzysztof Sanetra in 2017; Fr Seth Phipps in 2018; Fr Gwilym Evans in 2022.
THE X-MEN?
As of September 2022, for the first time the number of FSSP priests serving in the UK & Ireland has reached a double figure: Fr Patrick O’Donohue in Waterford, Frs Brendan Gerard and John Emerson in Edinburgh, Frs Armand de Malleray, Ian Verrier, Alex Stewart and Gerard Quirke in Warrington, and Frs Matthew Goddard, Seth Phipps and Gwilym Evans in Reading. Thus, it is now ten priests in total (“X” in Latin) serving souls in these Isles. There will be work for many more!
Fr de Malleray comments on the fear felt by many souls confronted with growing uncertainty in the Church and secular pressure from the world
The English Pope (Part One)
While another English cardinal has just been created, young convert and historian Adam Mercer describes the rise to prominence of one Nicholas Breakspear, who later become the first (and latest) English pope.
Homily for First Mass of Fr Gwilym Evans, FSSP
Fr de Malleray welcomes the newly ordained priest as he begins his pastoral ministry in England. Fr Evans is reminded of being a man of the sacred, better to serve souls, including the most vulnerable ones. Diligence and love for God, especially in the Blessed Sacrament, conditions a fruitful priestly life.
Can A Catholic Wear Tattoos?
Niall Patrick Carroll reflects on Fr Mike Schmitz’s “Awesome Tattoo”. Why this recent trend of tattoos, now spreading even among Catholics? What criteria help one discern whether tattoos are bad, indifferent or positive? Our souls are where the divine imprint should show, now and forever.
Mgr Benson’s Novels on Catholic Persecution
The newly started Cenacle Press at Silverstream Priory in Ireland has released a beautiful illustrated edition of Mgr Hugh Benson’s classic novels describing the persecution of Catholics in England under penal times. A timely reminder and an encouragement as genuine religious freedom is under threat even in Western countries.
The Sacred Liturgy as a Secret Garden
In his latest and short book, Fr de Malleray offers an analogy between Frances Hodgson Burnett’s pre-WWI tale for children and the revelation experienced in the 2020s by a growing number of adults stepping into the grace-filled haven of the traditional Roman liturgy.
The well-known children’s story The Secret Garden lends itself to a religious and modern interpretation. Like orphaned children in desperate need of spiritual comfort, many Catholics discovered the traditional Latin Mass thanks to the Covid pandemic. Thirsting for Confession, for Eucharistic adoration, or for Holy Communion administered with reverence, they rejoiced when finding all this and more in traditional worship. This book offers an analogy between Frances Hodgson Burnett’s pre-WWI tale for children, and the revelation experienced in the 2020s by a growing number of adults stepping into the grace-filled haven of the traditional Roman liturgy.
Praise for The Sacred Liturgy as a Secret Garden
A very clever treatment of the novel The Secret Garden. That well-known children story should be read twice—firstly, as any reader would read it just for enjoyment, and then again after reading Fr de Malleray’s fascinating hermeneutic of tradition, because the enjoyment and appreciation would be much greater. —Leo Darroch, former President of the International Federation Una Voce
An imaginative essay, whose poetic nature is a timely invitation to rediscover the forgotten riches of the Church’s traditional liturgy. —Fr Simon Henry, BA MA, Director of St Peter’s International College
This essay is intriguing, creative and sufficiently provocative to maintain the reader’s interest. The variety of expression is refreshing. Readers of all ages will enjoy discovering the liturgical treasures that lie hidden in the Secret Garden. —Fr Neil Brett, former head teacher
Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP holds a Master’s Degree in Modern Literature from the University of The Sorbonne in Paris. Ordained a priest and first assigned in England in 2001, he has been the editor of the quarterly magazine Dowry since 2008 and is the author of theological essays, of fiction and of art commentaries. He regularly preaches retreats to the clergy and the laity, and to young members of the Juventutem youth movement of which he has been the general chaplain since 2004. Since 2015, he is rector of St Mary’s Shrine Church in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, England.
With Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP and Fr Gerard Quirke, and up to 40 young adults 18-35.
Sign up for our weekend away at Stonyhurst this July by emailing us at juventutemldn@gmail.com.
Hurry up: booking deadline Thur 14th July!
Spend the weekend with us in a beautiful setting, take the opportunity to get away from London and enjoy the stunning grounds, time with friends and Mass and devotions in the beautiful chapel.
Spaces are limited so email now to apply for a place!
A reminder that today members of the Confraternity of St Peter can gain a plenary indulgence (under the usual conditions). If you would like to join the Confraternity, please contact Fr Phipps.
Let us pray for our sovereign pontiff.
Here is a sermon Fr Phipps gave in 2018 for this feast:
