Status updates.

Hey guys. Just posting because I haven't in a long time. Fr. Charles Mwongera-whatever-the-rest-of-his-surname-is who attended Juventutem as a seminarian (one of the Kenyans) is staying over at S. Bede's, which is nice. Frs CB and AS seem to have assumed that I knew him rather better than I do, since I was off with the Chorus of Frogs (and Hungarians...) for much of the fortnight. At any rate, we've had a nice trip to London together with some random Mexican seminarians and all is well.

I have been busily sewing vestments (yes, sewing. Please don't faint) for assorted members of the clergy whom I've never actually met. This is difficult given the lack of information as to, for example, how tall they are. Nice brocade fabric reduces need for embroidery. Take note.

Please pray for me and for the (currently) three other girls who appear to be set for France in October. Well, when He closes the door He usually opens a window somewhere... The only problem is telling parents.

Jozi, Lloyd and Helen presumably say 'Hello'.

Elevating New Zealand

During Juventutem Australia's visit to New Zealand.

Admirable Vestments

To clarify: Please do not imagine that Omar grabbed these vestments from out of the drawer and decided to run about town in them. He wears them for a deliberate purpose - to exhibit their beauty specifically for those far away, and to show what they might look like on a real live body. I have censored a comment for the sole reason that it revealed the 'end' of these vestments. The essence of this post is to display vestments - accidentally placed over Omar. I don't think it is a sacrilege, seeing that he is baptised, confirmed, and a committed server - be he not what Bishop Quinn would have called 'a sacred person'. Omar also appears outside the church. I don't think the post will cause confusion. The maniple is clearly present! I see no ring, biretta, or mitre. I think it is lovely - but not as lovely as the vestments themselves. Enjoy!

Pax

Today I got to share the 'sign of peace' with Professor Janet E Smith. Bishop Elliott offered the Holy Sacrifice according to the Ordinary use - very simply, very beautifully, with sung Latin Ordinary. I was quite moved. I used Professor Smith's work in a paper I wrote almost three years ago, after discovering the joys of orthodoxy. She is just wonderful.

Later in the day Bishop Elliott encouraged people to discover the Classical Liturgy to come to an acute understanding of the Beautiful, and as a way of evangelising unto morality.

Deo gratias.

Registrations for World Youth Day

You may have noticed that individual pilgrim registrations have now opened. However, can I please ask Juventutem pilgrims not to submit registrations just yet as our registration process needs to be finalised. Please seriously begin to think about pilgrim numbers and group representatives. Less than a year to go!

This is going to be a terrifically huge task!

Launch into the Grad-Dip

Beginning Sunday evening, and then 'officially' on Monday, please God, I will be a Post-Graduate student. Deo gratias. Please say a prayer to Saint Mary Magdalene.

Update: Deo gratias. I am a post-graduate student.

From Canberra 6/07/07 - Waiting for Summorum Pontificum

A Solemn Votive Mass of the Holy Cross, offered by Father Gregory Jordan, SJ. Attended by throngs of people, the mass of them youth. These photos sent via Tradelaide, and more can be found at Thomas the Pilgrim's blog.

Juventutem Australia visits New Zealand

Please pray for the safe and successful travels of members of Juventutem Australia, who are visiting New Zealand this week. I believe that Father will be celebrating the Classical Liturgy in Christchurch Cathedral this Saturday evening. There is now a very enthusiastic Juventutem Chapter in New Zealand, and we pray that many of them will visit us next year.

JA members will meet with Ecclesiastical Patron, Bishop Basil Meeking, and pay visits to Dunedin, and Gore, I believe. Please do pray for this trip. It is most important.

FSSP Communiqué

Rather than repeat what is stuck up everywhere, I'll just direct anyone who wants to know to www.fssp.org. They're planning un stage for young ladies interested in pursuing an apostolic religious life. The one snag is that you have to know French, although I suspect that only a basic level would be absolutely necessary.

From the LMS England and Wales:

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY

For Immediate Release
13 June 2007



Latin Mass Society Launches a Major Training Conference at Merton College, Oxford for Priests Wishing to Learn the Traditional Latin Rite



The Latin Mass Society is organising a residential training conference at Merton College, Oxford from Tuesday 28 – Thursday 30 August 2007 for priests ordained within the last ten years to learn the Traditional Latin Rite. Information packs have already been sent to over 400 priests.

There will be three days of intensive practical training sessions, guided by priests who regularly celebrate the Traditional Mass, and supported by lectures on the Latin, history and doctrine of the Mass. There will also be a full schedule of daily Traditional Mass, Lauds, Vespers and Benediction.

The conference has been designed for priests who have little or no previous experience of the Traditional Rite, and a knowledge of Latin is not essential. Most of the tuition will focus on celebrating the Low Mass. It is planned that a follow up conference in 2008 will focus on the High Mass. The conference will conclude with a magnificent Pontifical High Mass celebrated by a visiting bishop.

Julian Chadwick, Chairman of the LMS said, "Interest in the Traditional Latin Rite has burgeoned under Benedict XVI’s pontificate, especially among the younger priests and faithful. In a service to the Church, the Latin Mass Society will provide growing opportunities over the next few years for priests to experience the reverence and devotion of the Traditional Rite. We see it as an integral part of the re-evangelisation of England and Wales, and know that a number of bishops are quietly appreciative of our efforts."

Full details of the Oxford Traditional training conference are available from the LMS at 11-13 Macklin Street, London WC2B 5NH; telephone 020 7404 7284.



. . . . ENDS . . . .



For further information, please contact John Medlin, General Manager, or Yvonne Windsor, LMS Office Administrator, on (T) 020 7404 7284; (F) 020 7831 5585;

E-mail: thelatinmasssociety(at)snmail(dot)co(dot)uk

Summorum Pontificum Register

I encourage everyone to register at the Summorum Pontificum contact database. It is a wonderful thing to see so many countries represented. A fantastic initiative, very worthy of support.

Learn to celebrate the Extraordinary use of the Roman Rite

For those interested (please pass this on):

Learn to celebrate the Extraordinary use of the Roman Rite (1962 Missal) - Intensive workshop for priests:

St Aloysius' Caulfield North (Melbourne, VIC)
Tuesday 31 July - Thursday 2 August, 2-6pm.

Inquiries/registration: (03) 9532 4154, , or write to:

Rev Glen Tattersall, 'Antioch', 21 Cromwell Street, Caulfield North VIC 3161.

Cantare Potest

Further to Jude's post, our new Priest can sing! And he is a ripe old 26.

Out of the muck of a week of ignorant rubbish in the papers, Melbourne boasts a new Priest. Perhaps the most moving thing during the ceremonies was Archbishop Hart's emotion, particularly during the 'Prayer of Consecration':

"Lord, grant also to us such fellow workers, for we are weak and our need is greater."

Deo gratias. Pray for Father Keswick.

Ecce sacerdos

Today I had the joy of seeing Archbishop Denis Hart welcome into the order of presbyters, Andrew Keswick. Andrew is the first Australian studying at the North American College to be ordained, having been previously at the Propaganda Fide, and upon completion of his studies in Rome, will return to become a priest of the archdiocese of Melbourne.

To see this young man, who I first met when in his first year at Corpus Christi Seminary, finally receive the office of the priesthood, be clothed in the chasuble and have his hands consecrated, was a truly touching sight. It made me call to mind the words from the Office of Confessors, "Elegit eum Dominus sacerdotam sibi. Amavit eum Dominus, et ornavit eum, stolam gloriae induit eum."Truly it was something which could only make one stand in awe at the dedication and dignity of the priesthood, of the priests who serve Melbourne in particular.

On a more personal note, my experience of this joyous occasion was enhanced by the presence of our own chaplain, who has contributed in his own little way to the development of Fr. Keswick and no doubt planted the seed for him to be hopefully celebrating the Classical Rite in the future. Deo volente!

So a very large tip of the biretta to Fr. Keswick and in the words of our Holy Mother, the Catholic Church, "Iuravit Dominus, et non paenitebit eum, Tu es sacerdos in aeternum."

Factum est ergo magnum gaudium in illa civitate

There is a beautiful piece reported at the NLM recounting Father Robert C. Pasley's reflections on the providential appropriateness of the texts from the 6th Sunday after Pentecost for the welcoming of Summorum Pontificum.

I'm very fond of this kind of reflection, so I think that it is very lovely that the introit for this coming Sunday, the 7th after Pentecost, begins: Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus: jubilate Deo in voce exaltationis!

Much rejoicing, and the clapping of hands.

On 'A Test of Faith'

I've posted a jumbled response to something published at The Australian. I've been inspired by Dennis Shanahan. I just hope that they are still updating the public's responses.

One Year to Go

This day marks exactly one year until Juventutem's opening Mass in Melbourne. It will be a votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament, offered by Bishop Peter Elliott.

I must begin to mention how we 'brought in' the Motu Proprio while in Canberra. The MacKillop Ball commenced in the Great Hall of Parliament House at 8:00pm - our table toasted to the Holy Father, and I sipped some enjoyable red wine called 'Cardinal's Choice'. There is so much to capture - but there had been cheers all throughout the day - a packed chapel for the Classical Liturgy on Friday night (including impressed Melkite visitors). The next day, Cardinal Cassidy said 'oremus' during Mass. And Bishop Jarrett! A magnificent preacher - and a great friend of the Classical Liturgy. I can't describe it. You'll have to wait for the recordings. All in one place that Saturday night - the MC, Servers from Queensland, Fr Jordan SJ, Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop Chaput, Dr Tracey Rowland, Bishop Jarrett, Cardinal Cassidy, the Pilgrim, the Indolent Server, Reps from Tradelaide, FSSP Seminarian(s), and many other delightful others. Just because it happened to be the 7th of July.

It was all very wonderful, and very wholesome. We even did penance by finding ourselves locked out of our rooms for most of that cold night. Practice for that Vigil, we said.

We returned to Melbourne on Sunday afternoon, in the bus that we came in - borrowed from the Baptists - the 'Jesus bus' - with 'Jesus is the Answer' in bold letters along its side. It attracted some attention - and a possible convert.

Update: I have been kindly reminded that the Cardinal in question, is Cardinal Cassidy - not Cardinal Clancy! This also gives me the opportunity to recount the make-shift Saturday lunch purchased from Canberra Coles, and consumed on Anglican church property. Meat, bread, and dip, and it was very good.

Another reason to rejoice

In the midst of a million thoughts, and a barrage of posts and information to read everywhere, I thought I might make a short, comforting reflection, on another benefit of the Motu Proprio. It used to be a rather selfish thought, but now we can be sure that there will be priests to say our Requiems. And priests to say theirs.

From the FIJ:

The Juventutem International Federation expresses all its gratitude to the Common Father Pope Benedict XVI for the publication of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum. In the cover letter to the bishops we read with emotion the following quote where the impact of the Gregorian Mass on "young persons" is described as the element having played a decisive part in improving the answer to the need for a clearer juridical regulation on the traditional Roman liturgy. Juventutem gives thanks to God for having been able to bear witness to the permanent value and power of sanctification of the Gregorian liturgy among today's youths:

"Immediately after the Second Vatican Council it was presumed that requests for the use of the 1962 Missal would be limited to the older generation which had grown up with it, but in the meantime it has clearly been demonstrated that young persons too have discovered this liturgical form, felt its attraction and found in it a form of encounter with the Mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist, particularly suited to them. Thus the need has arisen for a clearer juridical regulation which had not been foreseen at the time of the 1988 Motu Proprio."

We haven't forgotten that already in 2005 Pope Benedict XVI prayed for Juventutem:

"From protocol N. 11.234, from the Secretary of State dated July 22, 2005, addressed to Juventutem General Delegate:"The Holy Father has been informed that the Juventutem delegation will attend World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne. Please be assured that His Holiness is praying for all the groups who will gather for this significant occasion. With every good wish (...)".

Juventutem feels all the more encouraged to continue helping with the sanctification of youth worldwide through the Roman traditions of the Catholic Church.

From 'The Letter to Bishops' (Given on the Octave Day of SS Peter and Paul)

Immediately after the Second Vatican Council it was presumed that requests for the use of the 1962 Missal would be limited to the older generation which had grown up with it, but in the meantime it has clearly been demonstrated that young persons too have discovered this liturgical form, felt its attraction and found in it a form of encounter with the Mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist, particularly suited to them.

Two months to build an army

Deo gratias.

Back from Canberra - Photos

It is about 12:55 in the morning - I have returned from Canberra after a magnificent Conference. I haven't even seen the Motu Proprio! However, enthusiasm for the document at the Conference was outstanding - but I will mention more of that later. I really wanted to post pictures taken over the past week during the ACCC Conference - particularly, the public lecture given by Archbishop Chaput. He is like unto Christ. These pictures snapped by Omar on his phone!

With Bishop Peter Elliott

With Australia's most venerable and outstanding Jesuit, Fr Gregory Jordan SJ

Now, I must go and read the Motu Proprio! Deo gratias!

Habemus Moto Proprio

Which should probably decline or something, but that's far too confuddling.

click here

So much to do!

Lovely American brownies, Irish priests, episcopal encounters, happy priests, lots of snapshots... Archbishop Chaput is amazing. Off to Canberra tomorrow evening - Archbishop Chaput again!

The back of Father is featured in one of the extraordinary pictures at Rorate-Caeli.

The next time I am 'home' for a Mass, we will have a Motu Proprio! Time for bed - for now...

Profound Day

The ACCC Conference is on in Melbourne. I'm much too tired to write about how wonderful it is, or what a profound day it has been. Today I met my Year 12 Chaplain for the first time in five years. He is in rather bad health - so please say a prayer for Father Peter. He was so good to me at that time when I really was a horrid girl. More so than today, Deo gratias. So, this day, I think the Lord was quite content.

Hence, today's Alleluia verse for the feast of St Irenaeus is perfect:

In multitudine presbyterorum prendentium sta, et sapientiae illorum ex corde conjungere, ut omnem narrationem Dei possis audire.

Requiem with Bishop Elliott tomorrow - public lecture by Archbishop Chaput...

Liturgical Program for World Youth Day 2008

I am happy to announce Juventutem Australia's draft Liturgical Program for World Youth Day, 2008.

Pilgrims will arrive in Melbourne over the course of Tuesday and Wednesday, the 8th and 9th July, in time for the beginning of the program on Thursday 10th July, 2008. All of Juventutem's Masses will be celebrated according to the Classical Roman Rite.

Thursday 10th July: Votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament (Bishop Peter Elliott)
Friday 11th July: Votive Mass of St Benedict with collects from si diligis me (Archbishop Denis Hart)
Saturday 12th July: Pontifical Requiem (Victoria likely)
Sunday 13th July: 9th Sunday after Pentecost (Pontifical)

Monday 14th July: Pilgrims travel to Sydney by bus - low Masses of St Bonaventure

Tuesday 15th July: On this day Cardinal Pell celebrates the Official WYD opening Mass. There will be low Masses in the Classical Rite for the feast of St Henry. This is also a day for discovering Sydney.

Wednesday 16th July: Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Thursday 17th July: Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit
Friday 18th July: Votive Mass of the Holy Cross
Saturday 19th July: Feast of St Vincent de Paul. Vigil at Randwick racecourse.

Sunday 20th July: Papal Mass. There will be Mass(es) for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost following the Papal festivities. We hope to have something special for pilgrims this evening.

Masses in the Classical Roman Rite will be available for pilgrims on each day of the World Youth Day program. Liturgies are open to all pilgrims. The Offices of Vespers and Compline will be sung daily. Chant is of the essence. Pontificals are the norm.

Note: The 'post Pentecost count' is mine - and may be mistaken. Please pray for us. Please make plans to attend - and tell your chaplains.

Please leave comments if interested.