By appointment of Bishop David Oakley of Northampton
Chaplain: Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP: malleray@fssp.org
Visiting Priest: Fr Miguel Coelho
Secretary: Mrs Rita Carroll: bedford@fssp.org
Daily Mass at Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP
Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, 30 Amersham Road, HP6 5PE
Chaplain’s residence: St Alban House, 18 Brett Drive, Bromham, Bedford MK43 8RF
Webpage: fssp.org.uk/bedford, or fssp.org.uk/chesham
Beginning:
Welcome to this first edition of the bulletin of our community in this new chapter of its history. It has been a week since Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP moved from Warrington into a house in Bedford as the new priest Chaplain. Much remains to be done for utilities and furnishing, and the Internet should be installed next weekend. Fr de Malleray is kindly assisted by Fr Miguel Coelho (pronounce “Father Co-Hello”), a visiting priest from Portugal.
After years praying for FSSP clergy in permanent residence in Bedford, this is now happening. As you may know, FSSP priests have been serving the needs of the people who like to worship in the traditional form in the Northampton Diocese since 2007. Our priests travelled from London, then from Reading, and also from Warrington. For years we had to stay every Saturday night in the local Travelodge. Living in Bedford will improve the spiritual environment for Catholics and for anyone needing our spiritual input. (It will also benefit the natural environment, lowering our carbon footprint considerably, some of our readers will happily notice.)
Mass of Christ the King, at Christ the King Church in Bedford, on 29 Oct 2023
Context:
By appointment from Bishop David Oakley, since 25 October 2023 Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP succeeds Fr Matthew Goddard, FSSP as Chaplain to the Gregorian Chaplaincy serving the needs of Catholics worshipping in the traditional Latin rite, at Christ the King Church in Bedford, and at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church in Chesham Bois. The Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP) is an international Roman Catholic community, founded in 1988 through direct intervention of Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. The FSSP is of pontifical right, that is, under the direct authority of the Holy See. On 11 February 2022, Pope Francis issued a decree confirming their liturgical charism.
The FSSP have ministered in the Northampton Diocese since 2007. Bishop Peter Doyle had established them as a “Gregorian Chaplaincy” and Bishop Oakley has now granted them permanent residence in the diocese. The FSSP Chaplaincy is served from Bedford, now its permanent base, whence the priests travel to Chesham Bois for Sundays and major feasts. Members of the FSSP Chaplaincy have been committed parishioners of Christ the King Parish and of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish for years.
Contact: For further information, please visit https://fssp.org.uk or email the FSSP Chaplain Fr de Malleray: malleray@fssp.org, or the FSSP Chaplaincy Secretary Mrs Rita Carroll: bedford@fssp.org.
Answering your needs:
Numbers on our first Sunday, for the feast of Christ the King, were encouraging, with 194 attending Holy Mass in Bedford (8:30am Mass only, since no 12:30pm Mass anymore); and 129 in Chesham Bois (at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church – no 8:00am Mass anymore). What is more, one third of the congregation are children and the other third or about are parents.
It has been a busy but grace-filled first week, with our first Sunday Masses, then the feast of All Saints in both churches (including an impressive 120 people at 7:30pm in Bedford, with numerous children), All Souls with three consecutive Masses of Requiem for the dead, and First Saturday.
Homilies:
On the feast of Christ the King, FSSP Chaplain Fr de Malleray said that families were the outposts of Christ’s kingdom, and encouraged them to be havens of peace where parents, children, and also visitors grow closer to Jesus through Mary and St Joseph. Father reminded people of the encyclical Quas Primas, published in 1925, which affirms that by right Christ must reign not only upon individuals but also upon institutions and nations. With prudence and charity, all Catholics should pray for such a salvific outcome.
On the feast of All Saints, the Chaplain suggested that the secret of saints is to keep focussed on God in everything they do, however menial, and to do it all for the love of God and neighbour. That way, even chores and trials are turned into worthy purification for oneself, and into brotherly intercession for others, friends and fiends alike, after the example of Christ.
Stain-glass window of saints at Chesham Bois Church
On the Commemoration of all the faithful departed (All Souls), the Chaplain asked all to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, since they cannot hasten their entrance into everlasting bliss, but we can. This we do through our devout participation in the saving Sacrifice of Christ reenacted at Holy Mass, and through gaining indulgences when visiting a cemetery between 1 and 8 November to pray for the repose of any soul (and fulfilling the other usual conditions such as state of grace, Holy Communion that day and prayer to the perennial intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff).
All Souls with catafalque at Christ the King Church on 2 Nov 2023
On the First Saturday, Fr de Malleray explained how, when hanging on the Cross, Our Lord had entrusted us all to Our Lady as her spiritual progeny. Being our Mother through grace, she is never oblivious of our needs, or weary of our petitions. On the contrary, caring for us is her deepest joy as she anticipated even on her Annunciation, when she said Yes to Archangel Gabriel. Her Immaculate Heart represents her intercession to God on our behalf, almighty as per God’s very will and power.
Meeting our Parish Priests: On Friday 27 October, in the presence of the Dean of Bedford, Fr de Malleray and Fr Coelho attended the Mass of Installation of the new Parish Priest at Christ the King Church, Fr Richard Aladics who, like Fr de Malleray recently arrived from a northern diocese. Fr Aladics introduced the two priests to the congregation. Lay members of the FSSP Chaplaincy were in attendance. On Wednesday 1 November, the priests met with the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church in Chesham Bois, Fr Roy Karakkattu, who welcomed them and said that the change of time from 8:30am to 12noon for the traditional Latin Mass would benefit the wider parish.
Fr Aladics PP cutting his “induction” cake.
Holy Mass times in Bedford:
Based on your feedback regarding weekday Mass times (Bedford), by agreement of Fr Richard Aladics PP, the following schedule is now in force:
Sun 8:30am
Mon 10:00am
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 8:00am
Sat 10:00am
Confessions:
(Bedford): Sat 11:00am to 12noon, and before and during every Mass when a second priest is available.
(Chesham Bois): Shortly before the Sunday 12noon Holy Mass, and during the Mass when a second priest is available.
Practicalities:
CHRISTMAS: How many in your household would actually attend Midnight Mass at Christ the King if starting at midnight?
FINANCES: Thank you to at least 11 households who have now shifted their standing order from the Reading bank account to the newly created Bedford one. Kindly proceed with the change if you have not done so already, since two priests full time means ongoing expenses, which are not covered by Reading or by the diocese. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sort code: 30-80-27
Lloyds Bank account number: 44025960
GIFTAID: Increase your donation to the FSSP Chaplaincy by 25% at no further expense to you. Ask Rita for a Gift Aid form, fill it in and hand it back to her. That will help us a lot.
MAILINGLIST: Please subscribe for free to the newly created Mailchimp list, now the official medium of information for the Northampton FSSP Chaplaincy. CLICK ON THIS LINK:
Or simply visit the Chaplaincy’s dedicated webpage via fssp.org.uk/bedford, or fssp.org.uk/chesham, and click to the right of the screen on “Subscribe to our Bedford and Chesham Bois bulletin”.
RETREAT: Places left on the Weekend of pre-Advent recollection preached by Fr de Malleray in the amazing setting of Stonyhurst, at Theodore House. Please visit this link to book for the event. “Why God became Man.“ Book NOW directly with Stonyhurst: www.christianheritagecentre.com/events.
24-26 Nov 2023.
EF Holy Mass each day, talks by Fr de Malleray, adoration and confessions.
See you there!
ADVENT FAMILY GATHERING in Bedford: tell us today the preferred date for your household:
Sat 2 or Sat 9 December.
Schedule:
10:00am Holy Mass
11:00am Confessions and Eucharistic adoration for the intention families.
12noon-2pm: Picnic lunch in hall with stalls of books and devotional articles to buy as Christmas presents, while catting with priests and families.
2:00pm Spiritual Conference by Fr de Malleray on Why God became Man. Followed by Q&As. Simultaneously, talk for children and/or learning a few simple hymns.
On Sat 4 Nov, after 10am Confessions, 11am Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with homily by Fr de Malleray, FSSP; at Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford.
Greetings in Christ the King, whose feast we will celebrate this Sunday.
By now you may have heard that Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP was appointed full-time chaplain of the FSSP Gregorian Chaplaincy established several years ago in the Northampton Diocese, serving Bedford and Chesham Bois, starting on Sunday 29 October 2023. We thank Bishop David Oakley of Northampton and Fr Richard Aladics, P.P. for their continued support to our ongoing ministry in the Northampton Diocese.
Fr de Malleray takes over from Fr Phipps, FSSP and the other FSSP priests based in Reading. He is currently moving into a property in Bedford. You may recall that he offered Mass regularly in these two locations, as early as 2008, in 2015, and in Bedford in 2021, then travelling from Warrington. He is eager to meet again with you from this Sunday onward.
A MailChimp list will soon be advertised to share information.
Mrs Rita Carroll accepted to be the Secretary of the FSSP Gregorian Chaplaincy. She can be contacted at bedford@fssp.org.
Fr de Malleray can be contacted at his usual address: malleray@fssp.org.
Please note that this webpage (fssp.org.uk/bedford) is the official page of this apostolate.
SUPPORT: Please shift your standing order from the Reading account to the new Bedford & Chesham Bois Lloyd bank account:
Sort Code: 30-80-27
Account number: 44025960
Forthcoming events:
On Friday 27 October at 7pm, at Christ the King Church in Bedford, Fr de Malleray will attend the induction ceremony of Fr Richard Aladics as the new Parish Priest. All are welcome to attend.
Saturday 28 Oct3pm-5pm: Confessions at Christ the King Church, Bedford
Sunday 29 Oct, 8:30am: Holy Mass at Christ the King Church, Bedford (patronal feast of the parish according to the 1962 calendar). Please note: the 12:30pm Sunday Mass no longer takes place, as Fr de Malleray must travel to Chesham Bois instead.
Sunday 29 Oct, 12noon: Holy Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church in Chesham Bois. Please note: the 8:00am Sunday Mass no longer takes place. It is from now on postponed to 12noon, so as to allow time for Fr de Malleray to travel from Bedford.
Wednesday 1 Nov, 11:00am in Chesham Bois: All Saints (a holy day of obligation)
Wednesday 1 Nov, 7:30pm in Bedford: All Saints (a holy day of obligation)
Thursday 2 Nov, 11:15am in Bedford: All Souls: three consecutive Low Masses of Requiem (ending by 12:30pm)
To be confirmed: First Saturday Confessions and Holy Mass in Bedford on Sat 4 Nov, morning.
Let us pray for the spiritual fruit of this apostolate.
Click here to open the 20-page magazine or on the picture below.
In this issue:
Editorial: The Youth of Roman Traditions
Fr de Malleray reports on World Youth Day in Portugal last August with the Juventutem youth movement. A low-key presence but loaded with many graces, not least the protection of Our Lady of Fatima.
Juventutem Summer Weekend at Ampleforth
Tom Clovis, FSSP describes the successful annual Summer Weekend organised by Juventutem for 70 young adults in Ampleforth Abbey last July, boding well of next summer’s edition for the 20th anniversary of Juventutem.
Good News: Truth Can Be Known
A typed version of the talk by Conan McGonagle, FSSP on objective truth and how we can grasp it. Relativism influences us all. With St Thomas Aquinas, common sense is the best guide to use God’s creation fruitfully.
Priest Novelists: Evangelising through Fiction
The example of Cardinals Newman and Wiseman, among others, illustrates why some priests write novels to reach out to souls. Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP surveys the involvement of clerics in the literary apostolate.
First FSSP House in Ireland
Fr Patrick O’Donohue, FSSP rejoices as the Bishop of Waterford blesses the first permanent dwelling of the FSSP on the Emerald Isle in Waterford. A major encouragement in our Irish mission.
Novel The Island without Seasons
Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP reviews a recent novel by a Romanian author and Tolkien expert. Hero Alexander Wills is sent on a quest for lost Atlantis, a warning to our modern age to have to learn from the past.
Support our Apostolate
Our ministry depends on the charity of our benefactors: parishioners, visitors and readers. Every little (and big) help enables us to do more and better across these Isles.Thank you for your generosity!
A publisher, an editor, a novelist and an academic comment on a Catholic novel just released.
Summary:
He survived Hiroshima. He escaped East-Germany. Will he elude the Church?
Deceased art expert Ken Kokura seemingly reappears in Japan, upsetting the plans of priestly diplomats. They fear, lest a ruthless schemer may have stolen his identity. How far will that possible super spy dare to go to subvert Church policy? The answer may be hidden in Vermeer’s celebrated paintings.
Against a Cold War backdrop, friendship, religion, the fine arts, and ideology intertwine. Loyalties are tested, leaving the only alternatives of betrayal or sacrifice. In the Church under attack, the worst infiltration is sin. Safety then will start with repentance.
Vermeer’s Angel is Fr de Malleray’s brilliant debut novel in an intriguing genre that could accurately be called ‘Vatican Noir’. The author’s detailed knowledge of the ecclesiastical backdrop and the artistic foreground make for a convincing ‘high resolution’ world in which ambition, morality, psychology, espionage and high drama intersect.
Pierpaolo Finaldi, Master of the Keys – The Catholic Writers Guild (UK). Pierpaolo Finaldi is also the CEO of The Catholic Truth Society.
A remarkable novel, a tale of Ostpolitik set in expertly orchestrated scenes alternating between the aftermath of Hiroshima and the collapse of Eastern European communism. Ingeniously interweaving the various strands of his fiction with real history, Japanese culture, Vatican diplomacy, Kim Philby’s Soviet spy ring, and a penetrating analysis of art that makes painting come alive, this is not only a culturally sophisticated narrative, but a gripping read, full of human interest.
Robert Asch, St Austin Review.
Writer, literary critic, and scholar, Robert Asch is co-editor of the St Austin Review and of the St Austin Press.
Armand de Malleray’s stunning prose draws the reader into a world of intrigue and uncertainty where nothing is quite as it seems. This is more than just a novel, it is a haunting meditation on the significance of memory, identity, betrayal, guilt and the insatiable human yearning for the Truth.
Fiorella De Maria, author of The Father Gabriel Mysteries
Award-winning novelist De Maria studied Literature in Cambridge and has published nine books with Ignatius Press.
Vermeer’s Angel is a triumph of a novel. It is a startlingly broad canvas that crosses several continents, cultures and decades, unfolding for the reader subtle readings of both artistic masterpieces and men’s souls. It is a novel about the loss of the self, caused by the atomic blast of modernity and the lingering radiation of older ills. It is a novel about memory and about self-betrayal, suffused with a gentle but persistent sense of the need to recover spiritual responsibility in a world of pragmatic compromise.
Brian Sudlow, author of Catholic Literature and Secularisation in France and England (Manchester University Press)
Dr Brian Sudlow teaches at Aston University (Birmingham, UK) and has written extensively about Catholic literature and Catholic thought in France and England.
Published by Arouca Press, 2023.
Vermeer’s Angel is available on the publisher’s website and on Amazon, including for UK customers, whose copy will be printed in the UK and shipped nationwide without custom taxes.
It is also for sale on the Latin Mass Society‘s bookshop.
Today, 18 July 2023, is the 35th anniversary of the foundation of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter by a dozen priests at the Abbey of Hauterive in Switzerland on 18 July 1988.
Schedule at St Mary’s Shrine on Tuesday 18 July 2023:
35th anniversary of Foundation of FSSP in Switzerland; St. Camillus de Lellis, Confessor:
12:10pm Holy Mass
5:00pm Vespers
6:00pm Holy Mass
Act of Foundation
Published
[Original: French]
By this act the undersigned clerics found the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter as a clerical Society of Apostolic Life, in conformity with the dispositions of CIC (can. 731-46), taking into consideration the exemption foreseen in the Protocol of 5 May 1988 and the Motu proprio Ecclesia Dei adflicta of 2 July 1988. This society can associate lay brothers to its work.
The Constitutions, which will specify the goals and the spirituality of this society, are inspired by the approved statutes of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, the society reserving to itself the right to make any changes which it judges necessary by reason of present circumstances.
The undersigned respectfully request the Holy See to approve the said society in the shortest delay possible in order that they may act effectively for the unity and the good of the Church.
Sat 29 July 2023: 10:00am-5:00pm. For single Catholic Ladies 18+ (under 18 welcome if accompanied by responsible adult family member), at St Mary’s Shrine Church, WA1 2NS, Warrington.
Conferences on discernment, celibacy and prayer, with Sr Mari Caritas (then visiting from Minneapolis, erstwhile from St Mary’s Shrine) and Fr de Malleray, FSSP. Free. Bring your picnic.
Bookings: stmaryssecretary@fssp.org.
SCHEDULE: 10am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 10:15am First Conference 11:30am Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Rosary and Confessions 12:10pm Holy Mass 1pm Shared picnic lunch 2pm Conference 3pm Quiet time or individual meeting with Father or Sister 4pm Last conference and refreshments 6pm Sung Vespers (on option)
Fr de Malleray considers that the month of the Sacred Heart is also that of the Holy Eucharist with Corpus Christi. The example of St Francis of Assisi whose humility is universally acknowledged shows a little spoken-off connection between the saint and the Holy Eucharist.
Prayerful Pro-Life Witness
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, the courageous young woman who was arrested for praying silently outside an abortuary, explains why bearing witness to life is part of the Gospel. She invites all to the March for Life in London on 2 September.
English Architect and Irish Pews in Bavaria
English seminarian David rejoices at the beautiful improvements to the community chapel at the International Seminary of St Peter in Bavaria, enhanced by unexpected contributions from the British Isles.
On the Coronation of King Charles III
Homily from Warrington on the day of Coronation, giving thanks for the Christian rite of coronation, a powerful reminder of the Christian identity of the the United Kingdom. The ritual calls for conforming the life of sovereign and people to the sweet law of Christ, King of kings.
Pugin at the Far End of the World
Brian Andrews, Heritage Officer for the Diocese of Hobart, explains A.W.N. Pugin’s influence as far as Tasmania, illustrated by stunning pictures that bear witness to the global influence of the great Catholic convert architect.
Traditional Ministry in Australia
Fr Roger Gilbride, FSSP, formerly in England, recalls the humble beginning of the FSSP in Australia until its upgrade to a fully-fledged district.
Vermeer’s Angel, a New Catholic Novel
Four representatives of the world of letters comment on a Catholic novel just released: a Catholic publisher, a literary review editor, a novelist and a university lecturer took pleasure in reading a story where friendship, religion, the fine arts, and ideology intertwine against a Cold War backdrop. In the Church under attack, the worst infiltration is sin. Safety then will start with repentance.
Our Lady Helps Build the Village
Building up a vibrant Catholic sanctuary is more needed than ever in our uncertain times. Not for the first time over the past 5 years, divine Providence has helped the Priory Campaign in Warrington. The versatile Shrine hall was recently blessed by the Archbishop of Liverpool, but help is still needed for completion of work.
Support our Apostolate
As the FSSP expands across the British Isles, assistance in many ways is requested, while a broad range of media is offered to all to strengthen their faith and evangelise.
