Rare Catholic Film To See

We warmly recommend watching Terrence Malick’s latest film ‘A Hidden Life’ (UK release 17 January 2020) about unsung hero, Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II. When the Austrian peasant farmer is faced with the threat of execution for treason, it is his unwavering faith and his love for his wife Fani and children that keeps his spirit alive.

This deeply poetical, familial and (long) film raises many questions.
What would we have done? Is there no way one could swear alliegance to save one’s family and one’s life? While Nazi Germany is an easy – often stereotyped – incarnation of evil, asking the same questions about our modern world in 2020 is more challenging. Is it possible that we are compromising? When does prudence end, and when does resistance become necessary?
The villagers in the film ostracise Franz and his family because of their moral stance. Are we aware and fearful of a similar risk incurred if we stand up for truth and virtue? Precisely, are we standing up, or are we trying to lie low for as long as we can?
Dare we name the forces of oppression in 2020, even though they wear no swastikas up their sleeves?

One wishes that the film had explained the moral distinctions which make some official oaths permissible and others not.

For instance in the Concordat between the Holy See and the German Reich signed on July 20, 1933 [Ratified 10 September 1933] stipulated: “Article 16: Before bishops take possession of their dioceses they are to take an oath of loyalty either to the Reich governor of the state (Land) concerned or to the President of the Reich respectively, according to the following formula:
“Before God and on the Holy Gospels I swear and promise, as becomes a bishop, loyalty to the German Reich and to the State (Land) of . . . I swear and promise to honour the legally constituted government and to cause the clergy of my diocese to honour it. With dutiful concern for the welfare and the interests of the German state, in the performance of the ecclesiastical office entrusted to me, I will endeavour to prevent everything injurious which might threaten it.”

The oath which Franz Jägerstätter refused to take as a soldier was the Wehrmacht Oath of Loyalty to Adolf Hitler, 2 August 1934:
“I swear to God this sacred oath that to the Leader of the German Reich and people, Adolf Hitler, supreme commander of the armed forces, I shall render unconditional obedience and that as a brave soldier I shall at all times be prepared
to give my life for this oath.”

The Catholic faith of Franz is manifest in the film, but less explicit than was the case in his life. After a turbulent (and even sinful) youth, he started taking his faith more and more seriously. Family life made him an exemplary Catholic husband and father. He became the village sacristan. The film should have included at least one holy Mass (there are delightful scenes in his mountain village church). Still, what a pleasant surprise to see a Hollywood blockbuster film depicting the Catholic faith with such accuracy, respect and beauty (the Corpus Christi procession is a little jewel)!

On this eve of the feast of the Holy Family, the most precious gift offered us by Terrence Malick in ‘The Hidden Life’ is his depiction of a deeply Catholic home, where parents, grandmother and children are not spared hardship (working very hard in the fields indeed) but grow in moral stature through their trials embrassed in faith and relying on God’s grace. Aged 94, Fani attended the beatification ceremony of her husband in Rome in 2007, led by Pope Benedict XVI whose own home village was near St Radegund, across the border. No doubt this film can encourage modern families struggling with education, chastity, fidelity – and touch those among our contemporaries who as yet haven’t had the grace of experiencing Catholic family life. Holy Family of Nazareth, please inspire and protect all families!

Closing Title Card “…the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.” -George Eliot, ‘Middlemarch’.

Further reading: https://www.firstthings.com/…/a-hidden-life-the-story-of-a-…
Correspondence between Franz and his wife : https://www.ncronline.org/…/collected-writings-franz-jagers….

by Fr AM

Sunday Bulletin 5th Jan. 2020

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Deo gratias for the beautiful recent Christmas festivities! Thank you so much to all of you who, this past Christmas and over the year, contributed to the life of St Mary’s Shrine in general through: the liturgy and music, the flowers and cleaning, the collection and LiveMass, the administration, site managing, the various devotion groups, the cooking of meals, tidying the garden and car park; washing, sowing and mending vestments, linens and clergy items, and generally though your prayer and Christian charity.

Last but not least, I thank my fellow clerics Frs Ian Verrier, Henry Whisenant and Andrew Jolly, and Deacon Roger Gilbride for their generous pastoral zeal along the past year, not to forget our dear absent clergy Frs Konrad Loewenstein and Alex Stewart. On their behalf and mine, I thank you for your many expressions of affection and consideration through Christmas cards and Christmas gifts. Please be assured that you were remembered and your intentions in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at Midnight Mass, including all of you praying with us from a distance via LiveMass.

Fr de Malleray, Rector

Welcome home Henry! We are delighted to see our local seminarian Henry back for a well-deserved break after his first trimester at Our Lady of Guadalupe seminary: find out more here http://www.fsspolgs.org/.

Our heartfelt congratulations to Alasdair Mckenzie and Virginia Hale who were united in Holy Matrimony last Sat 28^th Dec. at St Mary’s, Fr Whisenant presiding, assisted by Deacon Gilbride. We assure the young couple of our prayer.

The Men’s group weekly meeting resumes this Wednesday (8^th Jan) following the usual format.

Extra liturgical Christmas celebrations: the Saturday before Christmas, a group of our parishioners walked into the town centre to sing Christmas carols and handed out blessed Miraculous Medals to the passersby. On Monday 30^th December, there was standing room only at the performance of ‘The Finding of the King’, a nativity play in the top parish room. Congratulations to the families and Fr Whisenant for the hard work and the impressive success.

White Flower Appeal 2020 – the Society for the protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will be holding its annual appeal next weekend. January 12^th.

On 21^st October 2019 the most extreme abortion regime in Europe was imposed on the people of Northern Ireland by the Government at Westminster.  Abortion will now be permitted for any reason up until (and even beyond) the 24th week of a 40 week pregnancy.  The abortion lobby now wants to introduce this in England and Wales.

Please be as generous as you can to help SPUC defend unborn babies and their mothers from this new attack.

SPUC Youth conference, Friday 28^th Feb – Sun 1^st March 2020. Willows Training Centre, Great North Road, Wyboston Bedfordshire MK44 3AL. £115 by 31/12 or £135, with one of the FSSP UP priests offering holy Mass each day.

40 Days for Life, Manchester: Wednesday, 26th Feb – Sunday 5th April (subject to possible PSPO).

Juventutem Warrington Sat. 11^th Jan: Chester, City walls, site of St John Plessington’s execution, and the cathedral. Parking £5; lunch in pub. Any 18-35 welcome! Leave St Mary’s at 10:00am after optional 9am trekkers’ Mass.

Full info on: www.facebook.com/juventutem.warrington/

Vocation Weekend 24-26 Jan. 2020: Warrington, for single Catholic men 18-30. 9 men booked already. Contact: malleray@fssp.org

Clergy Retreat 27 April-1^st May 2020, Stonyhurst: The priests and Holy Church: her sons and defenders – by Fr A. de Malleray. COST: £320 in total (4 days full board, modern single room with ensuite).

Mass Intentions:

(Other intentions were offered over the past 3 weeks as private Masses. Please ask Fr Whisenant if needed.)

by Fr AM

Sunday 22nd Dec 2019 Bulletin

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WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS THIS CHRISTMAS!  

Frs de Malleray, Verrier, Whisenant and Deacon Gilbride wish you a blessed feast of the Nativity of the Lord and assure you of their prayer at the altar. They thank you for your dedication and support to the liturgical, devotional and material life at St Mary’s Shrine.   EXTRA CONFESSIONS: 24 Dec: 11pm-11:50pm; 25 Dec: 10:30am-12noon  

Three gentle reminders:

☞The Nativity of the Lord is a holiday of obligation: every able Catholic must attend Holy Mass that day under penalty of grave sin: either Midnight Mass (even before midnight), or the Dawn Mass, or the Mass of the Day (Holy Communion can be received at the Midnight Mass and also at one of the two others if one wishes).

☞To receive Holy Communion: one must be a Catholic, in state of grace, one-hour fasting at least. In the EF liturgy, Holy Communion is received kneeling (unless unable to) and always on the tongue. Thank you in advance.

☞FSSP clergy do not retain Christmas and Easter collections for personal use. All Christmas collections will be used for the day-to-day running of St Mary’s Shrine (which includes the food, lodgings, pension allowance and salary of your priests).

Street Carolling: As Christmas approaches, let us not lose the moment for sharing with people the beautiful message of the coming feast: that God was born in the flesh to redeem us… On Saturday 21^st, you are invited to gather at 1 pm in the church (after the midday Mass), whence we will proceed into the town centre to sing Christmas carols (sheets with the words provided!) and those who are willing can hand out blessed Miraculous Medals to the passersby.

Children and friends of St Mary’s to act ‘The Finding of the King’ on Monday 30^th December. The Nativity play will be performed in the top parish room at 6pm. If you would like to participate in any way, contact Fr Whisenant via the office or Alison Kahn 01925 727759. Otherwise, come and watch and join in the singing! Tea and cakes downstairs afterwards (contributions welcome). 

No MEN’s group on 25^th Dec and 1^st Jan.

We pray for Alasdair Mckenzie and Virginia Hale who will be united in Holy Matrimony on Sat 28^th Dec.

St Mary’s Pro Life group would like to thank everyone for their generous support in purchasing SPUC Christmas cards a few weeks ago. £232.80 was raised.

SPUC Youth conference, Friday 28^th Feb – Sun 1^st March 2020. Willows Training Centre, Great North Road, Wyboston Bedfordshire MK44 3AL. £115 by 31/12 or £135.

Vocation Weekend 24-26 Jan. 2020: Warrington, for single Catholic men 18-30. 8 men booked already. Contact: malleray@fssp.org

Advent Recollection for the laity at Douai Abbey on 20-22 Dec: all 34 spaces are now booked.Please pray for spiritual fruit.Led by Frs A. de Malleray, FSSP & P. O’Donohue, FSSP on the theme: “Our Holy Mother the Church”.

Juventutem Warrington Sat. 21^st Dec, at St Mary’s Shrine: after optional 10am-12 noon Eucharistic adoration, 12:10pm Holy Mass and lunch at Presbytery, followed by talk by Fr Verrier FSSP. Any 18-35 welcome!

Clergy Retreat 27 April-1^st May 2020, Stonyhurst: The priests and Holy Church: her sons and defenders – by Fr A. de Malleray. COST: £320 in total (4 days full board, modern single room with ensuite).

Mass Intentions:

by Fr AM

Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Thur. 12th Dec 12:10pm

PROTECTRESS OF THE UNBORN, pray for us and for our country!

Picture: Painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the American FSSP seminary in Nebraska, which is under her protection.

12th Dec. is her feast: at St Mary’s Warrington, special Mass at 12:10pm this Thursday, with confessions, homily, veneration of the image of Guadalupe and Loreto litany in intercession for unborn children and for a General Election according to God’s Holy will. All welcome.
Find the Mass propers in Latin and English below:

INTROIT:
Salve, sancta parens, eníxa puérpera Regem: qui cœlum, terrámque regit in sæcula sæculórum. (Ps. 44: 2) Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego ópera mea Regi. v. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancti sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et saecula saeculorum. Amen. Salve, sancta parens…

Hail, holy Mother, who in childbirth didst bring forth the King Who ruleth Heaven and earth world without end. (P.T. Alleluia, alleluia.) Ps. 44: 2. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. V. Glory.

COLLECT:
Deus, qui sub beatissimae Virginis Mariae singulari patrocinio constitutos perpetuis beneficiis nos cumulari voluisti: praesta supplicibus tuis; ut, cuius hodie commemoratione laetamur in terris, eius conspectu perfruamur in caelis. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum, Filium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.

O GOD, Who hast willed that, under the special patronage of the blessed Virgin Mary, we be laden with perpetual favours, grant to Thy suppliants that, as we this day rejoice in her commemoration on earth, we may enjoy the vision of her in Heaven. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE: Wisdom 24: 23-31
Léctio libri Sapiéntiæ. Ego quasi vitis fructificávi suavitátem odóris: et flores mei, fructus honóris et honestátis. Ego mater pulchræ dilectiónis, et timóris, et agnitiónis, et sanctæ spei. In me grátia omnis viæ et veritátis: in me omnis spes vitæ et virtútis. Transíte ad me omnes qui concupíscisitis me, et a generatiónibus meis implémini. Spíritus enim meus super mel dulcis, et heréditas mea super mel et favum. Memória mea in generatiónes sæculórum. Qui edunt me, adhuc esúrient: et qui bibunt me, adhuc sítient. Qui audit me, non confundétur: et qui operántur in me, non peccábunt. Qui elúcidant me, vitam ætérnam habébunt.

As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odor, and my flowers are the fruit of honor and riches. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits; for my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb. My memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me, shall yet hunger; and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. He that harkeneth to me shall not be confounded, and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

GRADUAL: Canticles 6: 9
Quæ est ista, quæ progréditur quasi auróra consúrgens, pulchra ut luna, elécta ut sol? V. (Eccles. 50: 8) Quasi arcus refúlgens inter nébulas glóriæ, et quasi flos rosárum in diébus vernis. Allelúja, allelúja. V. (Cant. 2: 12) Flores apparuérunt in terra nostra, tempus putatiónis advénit. Allelúja.

Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun? Ecclus. 50: 8. As the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of spring.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Cant. 2: 12. The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come. Alleluia.

GOSPEL: Luke 1: 39-47
In illo témpore: exsúrgens María ábiit in montána cum festinatióne in civitátem Juda: et intrávit in domum Zacharíæ, et salutávit Elísa­beth. Et factum est, ut audívit salutatiónem Maríæ Elísabeth, exsultávit infans in útero ejus: et repléta est Spíritu Sancto Elísabeth, et ex­clamávit voce magna et dixit: Benedícta tu inter mulíeres, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui. Et unde hoc mihi, ut véniat mater Dómini mei ad me? Ecce enim, ut facta est vox salutatiónis tuæ in áuribus meis, exsultávit in gáudio infans. in útero meo. Et beáta, qui credidísti, quóniam perficiéntur ea, quæ dicta sunt tibi a Dómino. Et ait María: Magnificat ánima mea Dóminum: et exsultávit spíritus meus in Deo salutári meo.

At that time, Mary rising up, went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she cried out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord. And Mary said, My soul my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

OFFERTORY : 2 Par. 7: 16
Elégi, et sanctificávi locum istum, ut sit ibi nomen meum, et permáneant óculi mei, et cor meum ibi cunctis diébus.

I have chosen, and have sanctified this place, that My name may be there, and My eyes and My heart may remain there forevermore.

SECRET :
Tua, Dómine, propitiatióne, et beátæ Maríæ semper Vírginis intercessióne, ad perpétuam atque præséntem hæc oblátio nobis profíciat prosperitátem et pacem. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Through thine indulgent mercy, O Lord, and through the prayers of blessed Mary ever a virgin, may this oblation avail to the ensuring to us of prosperity and peace, now and forevermore. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION : Ps. 147: 20
Non fecit táliter omni natióni: et judícia sua non manifestávit eis.

He hath not done in like manner to every nation: and His judgments He hath not made manifest to them.

POSTCOMMUNION :
Sumptis, Dómine, salútis nostræ subsídiis: da, quæsumus, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírginis patrocíniis nos ubíque prótegi; in cujus veneratióne hæc tuæ obtúlimus majestáti. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Having received the aids of our everlasting salvation, O Lord, we beseech Thee, grant us to be everywhere protected by the patronage of blessed Mary, ever a virgin, in veneration of whom we have made these offerings to Thy majesty. Through our Lord.

Visit http://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl

by Fr AM

Sunday Bulletin 8th Dec. 2019

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VOTE LIFE this Thursday 12^th Dec – feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protectress of the Unborn! Ask your MP candidates if they will sign the Both Lives Matter pledge. 80 candidates have signed so far. Go to info@righttolife.org.uk. Both lives pledge, type in your postcode, find out where they stand. Former MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, Mr Rob Flello (Catholic) the former Labour MP (Pre 2017) has been deselected by Lib Dems (after 36hours) when they found out about  his Christian beliefs.

What if none of the candidates are completely pro-life? As Pope John Paul II explains in his encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), “…when it is not possible to overturn or completely abrogate a pro-abortion law, an elected official, whose absolute personal opposition to procured abortion was well known, could licitly support proposals aimed at limiting the harm done by such a law and at lessening its negative consequences at the level of general opinion and morality. This does not in fact represent an illicit cooperation with an unjust law, but rather a legitimate and proper attempt to limit its evil aspects.”Logically, it follows from these words of the Pope that a voter may likewise vote for that candidate who will most likely limit the evils of abortion or any other moral evil at issue.

Thus, it is morally wrong to vote for one who personally or via his/her party wishes to further worsen anti-life laws.

Message from the Bishops of England & Wales on the General Election.

Currently five clerics: Fr. Henry Whisenant will serve at St. Mary’s until 1^st July 2020 as Assistant; while Fr. Alex Stewart FSSP is in residence here for another couple of months.

Congratulations to Alasdair Hale baptised and confirmed on 7th December; to Virginia Hale, confirmed on 7th December; to their baby boy William, baptised on 7th December; to young Sinead Larkin, baptised on 9th November.

Gently-sloping ramp to the new car park and hall with broad paved footpath from church installed this week.

St Mary’s Christmas Bake-off! Bring cakes for a Christmas cake competition on Sunday 15^th December, in the Priory Court new Coffee Room. Men’s, women’s and children’s categories. Buy a vote and take a taste! Many of the cakes will be available for sale afterwards. 

Children and friends of St Mary’s to act ‘The Finding of the King’ on Monday 30^th December. The Nativity play will be performed in the top parish room at 6pm. If you would like to participate in any way, contact Fr Whisenant via the office or Alison Kahn 01925 727759. Otherwise, come and watch and join in the singing! Tea and cakes downstairs afterwards (contributions welcome). 

25 men in Stonyhurst last weekend, reflecting on: ‘Restoring manhood: Man as son of God, husband and father.’ Interest was expressed to hold another such weekend next year. (Picture below)

SPUC Youth conference, Friday 28^th Feb – Sun 1^st March 2020. Willows Training Centre, Great North Road, Wyboston Bedfordshire MK44 3AL. £115 by 31/12 or £135.

Wed 25^th: Christmas: 00:00am Solemn High Midnight Mass at midnight (following 11:30pm carols); 9:00am Low Mass at Dawn; 11:00am Solemn High Mass of the Day – NO 6pm Mass. Reminder: The Nativity of the Lord is a holiday of obligation: every able Catholic must attend Holy Mass that day under penalty of grave sin.

Vocation Weekend 24-26 Jan. 2020: Warrington, for single Catholic men 18-30. 7 men booked already. Contact: malleray@fssp.org

FULLY BOOKED! Advent Recollection for the laity at Douai Abbey on 20-22 Dec: all 34 spaces are now booked.Please pray for spiritual fruit.Led by Frs A. de Malleray, FSSP & P. O’Donohue, FSSP on the theme: “Our Holy Mother the Church”.

Juventutem Warrington Sat. 21^st Dec: iverrier@fssp.org.

70 young adults attended the monthly Juventutem London event at St Mary Moorfields on 6^th December. Watch the 3 videos of the last month’s conference day on ‘Rebuilding Religious Life in England’ here: www.facebook.com/pg/londonjuventutem/videos

Clergy Retreat 27 April-1^st May 2020, Stonyhurst: The priests and Holy Church: her sons and defenders – by Fr A. de Malleray. COST: £320 in total (4 days full board, modern single room with ensuite).

Mass Intentions:

by Fr AM

Videos on Religious Life

by Fr AM

Our Persecuted Brethren

Out of 5 victims of religious persecution worldwide, 4 are Christians. Thank God for courageous Hungary, a small country speaking up for millions of persecuted Christians. Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP was privileged to attend, and reports:

The international conference last week in Budapest was attended by over 650 delegates from all over the world, with speeches by Prime Minister Orban and by dozens of Cardinals, Archbishops and dignitaries of the Catholic Church and of other Christian communities. Former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Cardinal Mueller stated that undergoing hostility from the world is part of being followers of Christ, so that we must not lose heart but bear witness and persevere.

Awareness must be raised and anti-Christian persecution must not be camouflaged under the guise of religious persecution in general (‘as if anti-Semitism were never addressed specifically, but only racism in general’, a lay speaker suggested); or even denied as if attacks against Christians were accidental manifestations of purely ethnic and economical problems (e.g. African tribes merely fighting for water or pastures). Hungarian Ambassador to the Holy See Eduard Habsburg wondered: ‘I ask myself why people suddenly turn quiet when you begin to speak about the plight of Christians all over the world.’

The main issues at stake are 1) the shrinking presence of Christians in the Levant after 20 centuries, now more and more under threat (90% Christians have left Irak since the fall of Saddham Hussein); and 2) how the West can learn from these tragedies and prevent the eradication of Christianity in our our own countries, where lawmakers and the media are unbloodily but even more successfully erasing the Christian values and identity.

‘Hungarians make up only 0.02 percent of the world’s population, so how much difference can it make? Is it worth it?’ Prime Minister Orbán asked. He answered his own question by reflecting on the 12 apostles who, though small in number, changed the world with the Good News. ‘Standing up for our persecuted brothers and sisters engenders courage in ourselves and others,’ Orbán continued.

Orbán noted that the first Hungarian tribes arrived in the Carpathian Basin 1,100 years ago but many other groups had come and gone before them. ‘To this day Hungarians are curious as to why we were the ones to survive,’ the prime minister said. ‘According to the most widely accepted answer, our military capabilities and vigour would not have been enough, so the key to our survival was our conversion to Christianity.’

‘There are some who see this as primarily a diplomatic feat or one of state organisation, and it was exactly those things, but first and foremost it was a spiritual rebirth and a real conversion,’ Orbán said. ‘The Hungarian people and their government believe that Christianity can help peoples and nations survive, just as it had happened with us,’ he added. ‘Our first Christian king was more than just a remarkable ruler,’ Orbán said, adding that King St. Stephen had been a visionary who had given Hungarians guidance and a ‘spiritual and political compass’. The prime minister said Hungary was right to stand up for Christianity, arguing that ‘goodness inspires goodness’ and Hungarians’ commitment to helping persecuted Christians ‘breeds courage’. ‘Our example can have a far reach,’ he said. ‘Actions can free those who are crippled and restore faith in personal action.’

Orbán said the question may arise whether there was already enough to be done about anti-Christian sentiment in Europe and if there was even a need to provide help to other continents. ‘The troubles of Christianity in Europe and the persecution of Christians in other places cannot be separated from one another,’ he argued. ‘Europe is quiet,’ Orbán said. ‘A mysterious force shuts the mouths of European politicians and cripples their arms.’ He said the issue of Christian persecution could only be considered a human rights issue in Europe, insisting that ‘Christians are not allowed to be mentioned on their own, only together with other groups that are being persecuted for their faiths.’ The persecution of Christians ‘is therefore folded into the diverse family of persecuted religious groups’, he added.

‘We have 245 million reasons to be here. This is how many people are persecuted daily because of their Christian belief,’ Hungarian State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians Tristan Azbej said Nov. 26 as he opened the conference.

The Prime Minister said that while religious persecution should not be underestimated, those who treated the persecution of Christians solely as a humanitarian problem failed to mention the most important thing. ‘It’s not just the people and the communities but also the culture as a whole that is being subjected to an organised and comprehensive attack,’ he said. ‘Even in the land of our culture, our civilisation, the most successful Christian civilisation to date: Europe.’ He said this attack was being carried out through ‘the replacement of the population, immigration, stigmatisation, insults and the muzzle of political correctness’.

Orbán said there were many ‘good and true Christian politicians’ in Europe today but they were stymied from openly stating their views due to a mix of constant coalition negotiations and succumbing to the power relations of Europe’s media. Hungary, he said, was blessed with political stability, a public against migration, and a majority that demanded the protection of Christian culture. He said Hungarian politics started from the position that ‘we Christians have the right to protect our culture and way of life’. Orbán said that unlike many politicians elsewhere in Europe, ‘we believe people should be encouraged to live and thrive where their ancestors have lived for centuries. So the Hungary Helps scheme is about rebuilding schools, hospitals and dwellings in troubled parts of the world and providing young people with an education at Hungarian universities, he said.

He said Europeans were wrong to think that the persecution of Christians could never take place in their own country. He said that even though Europe had suffered at the hands of terrorists several times, ‘many Islamic State soldiers’ had come from western European countries while ‘Islamic masses’ had migrated to Europe illegally and unchecked. Demographic forecasts indicate that the religious and cultural proportions in some European countries will change rapidly, he said, adding that Europe could only be ‘saved’ by re-establishing its Christian identity.

Read more at: https://dailynewshungary.com/international-conference-on-persecuted-christians-orban-europe-can-only-be-saved-by-returning-to-christianity/

by Fr AM

Great Men’s Week-end

25 MEN reflected on…
‘Restoring Manhood: Man as son of God, husband and father.’

We spent a great weekend (29 Nov-1 Dec) at Theodore House, the brand new retreat centre at Stonyhurst. There were 23 laymen, most of them husbands and dads.
Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP led the retreat, asssited by Deacon Roger Gilbride, FSSP.
Thank you to Director Stefan and to Parish Priest Fr Tim Curtis, SJ for their friendly welcome. We venerated the many relics of saints displayed in the School Museum (e.g. above: crucifix of St Thomas More).
We hope to come again soon.
(Our next scheduled retreat there is for clerics, from 27 April to 1 May 2020 – bookings@christianheritagecentre.com.)

by Fr AM

Rorate Masses St Mary’s

Special Advent ‘Rorate’ Masses at St Mary’s Warrington:
Thursday 5 Dec at 6:30am;
Monday 9 Dec at 6:30am;
Tuesday 10 Dec at 6:30am;
Sat 14 Dec at 6.30am.
(This is in addition to our normal Mass schedule, not instead.)
The Rorate Mass is a Votive Mass in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the season of Advent. It has a long tradition in the Catholic Church, especially in German-speaking areas. The Masses begin early in the morning when it was still dark due to winter-time and are said by candlelight. Bring a torch in you need to read from your missal.

by Fr AM

St Mary’s Bulletin 24 Nov 2019

Click here to open this bulletin as pdf.

Priory Court: The temporary ramp to the new car park will be improved soon: handrail, gate, paving. You may already park in the new car park on the 18 spaces RIGHT from the new access to our back garden, i.e. the rear half of the car park, further away from the Buttermarket street entrance. In due course, the ground paint for parking spaces will be upgraded.

Send us any pictures taken on the day of the ‘inauguration’ when one of our young girls cut the ribbon to the main staircase.

Pray for our men on weekend of recollection in Stonyhurst 29^th Nov – 1^st Dec 2019: Theme: ‘Restoring manhood: Man as son of God, husband and father.’

Frs de Malleray and Verrier prayed for you on annual private retreat last week (18-22 Nov.)

Dowry Mag No43 online (https://fssp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2019-10-11-Dowry-43-WEB.pdf ) and now in print.

Religious call: 40 young adults & professionals attended the day conference on religious life and vocation, given by Fr de Malleray in London on Nov 9^th last. Pray that many of them will answer the call. Forward to your friends the link to the article on Reviving Religious Life in Britain : https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2019/11/reviving-religious-life-in-britain-and.html .

Fascinating talk by Fr Alex Stewart, FSSP to the Men’s Group on Wed 13 Nov last on the influence of good and bad musics on civilisation and souls. More on this topic on the forthcoming Wednesdays.

Minor Orders conferred to 20 at our US seminary on Sat 23 Nov by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, Bishop Emeritus of Lincoln.

Please pray for the ordinands to Porters and Lectors: Samuel, Jeremy, Joseph, Christopher, Benjamin, Anthony, Samuel, Matthew, Jacob, Brian, Charles, Stephen. To Exorcists and Acolytes: Savio, Adrian,  Quinn, Isaac, Andrew, Nathan, Evan, Edgar.

Altar serving workshop on Sat 23, 1pm-3pm with Deacon Gilbride, FSSP: roger.gilbride@fssp.org.

On November 5^th we celebrated a Requiem Mass with catafalque for all the deceased members of the Fraternity and of the Confraternity. We also recited together Lauds of the Office of the Dead.

St Mary’s Christmas Bake-off! Bring cakes for a Christmas cake competition on Sunday 15^th December, in the Priory Court new Coffee Room. Men’s, women’s and children’s categories. Buy a vote and take a taste! Many of the cakes will be available for sale afterwards. 

Immaculate Conception Sunday: Festivities to honour our Blessed Mother next 8^th Dec: 11am Solemn high Mass; 1pm Lunch; 2pm Talk & Musical Rosary; 3.45pm Sung Vespers & Benediction (ends before 5pm). Sun 6pm Low Mass and 7.15pm Compline as usual.

Vocation Weekend 24-26 Jan. 2020, Warrington, for single Catholic men 18-30. Contact: malleray@fssp.org

Advent Recollection for the laity: last spaces: at Douai Abbey, Berks.: 20-22 December 2019. FromFri. 20 Dec.with EF Holy Mass at 6PM, followed by 7PM Supper (arrival from 4PM). Ends Sun 22 Dec 3PM. Led by Frs A. de Malleray, FSSP & P. O’Donohue, FSSP on the theme: “Our Holy Mother the Church”.

Costs: £141.60 for single room with en-suite full board; £108.00 for shared room.

Booking: ATTENTION: Please DO NOT book directly with Douai Abbey. Instead, please send any booking correspondence and fees to us at: ‘Advent Retreat 2019, St John Fisher House, 17 Eastern Avenue, Reading RG1 2NS, Berkshire, England’. Info: ukretreat@fssp.org

Clergy Retreat 27 April-1^st May 2020, Stonyhurst: The priests and Holy Church: her sons and defenders – by Fr A. de Malleray. COST: £320 in total (4 days full board, modern single room with ensuite).

Mass Intentions:

by Fr AM