Northampton Seminarian

Feast of the Chair of St Peter

2011-02-22T20:08:00.003Z

This is one of my favourite pictures inside St Peter's, taken by a friend on this feast a few years back. By clicking on the photo to enlarge it, you will notice the many candles surrounding the "chair" in the background.

Basilian Monks in Grottaferata

2011-02-14T19:53:00.005Z

After a couple of weeks of exams, a group of the seminarians went up to Palazzola for a few days break before the new semester (which began today). On Sunday, we travelled the short distance to Grottaferata, where Basilian Monks have lived since 1004 when their Abbey of St Mary was founded by St Nilus. They are of the Byzantine-Greek rite, and their website at which you can hear something of their musical patrimony is found here.

Here's a video, and AMEN to the video's commentary (or AMENI as the monks would sing in Greek!)

General Audience

2010-09-30T18:13:00.004Z

New students at the English College usually attend the Wednesday General Audience in St Peter's Square with the Holy Father towards the end of September. This year is no exception; yesterday the new seminarians were there to be in the presence of Pope Benedict. The new students have been in Italy for some weeks now, learning Italian (even missing the Papal Visit.)

By way of welcome to his diocese, the Pope simply said:

"I am pleased to greet the seminarians and staff from the Venerable English College."

Google translate in Latin

2010-09-30T12:35:00.004Z

Enjoying a couple of free days before returning to Seminary to start the sixth year of formation on Sunday.

I noticed in today's Daily Telegraph that Google translate now works in Latin!

I tried it out - I think the engine may have standard translations of some things...

You can also translate websites; e.g. this blog in Latin. Some amusement to be had! Could be a useful tool for Theology students.

Westminster Music

2010-09-27T22:46:00.003Z

I discovered Papal Music's channel on Youtube. This is a collection of videos with the very best of the music heard by Pope Benedict during his visit (as sung by the choirs of Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey on the 17th and 18th September). I can't imagine that the Holy Father has heard so much beautiful music in such a short space of time during his Papacy.

One gem that passed me by at the time was Bruckner's Ecce sacerdos magnus!

Two of my favourites were James Macmillan's specially commissioned Tu es Petrus...

...and Duruffle's Ubi caritas,

Ad multos annos Holy Father!

2010-09-21T09:02:00.003Z

In the last hour of the Holy Father's wonderful visit to the UK, nearly all the seminarians of England and Wales had the privilege of having Pope Benedict XVI among us for a few minutes. A photograph was taken of us all with the Holy Father.

In the morning we had gathered at Cofton Park in Birmingham for the Beatification Mass, our job was to distribute Holy Communion to the faithful. Then, we boarded coaches which had a police escort to Oscott College. A generous lunch was provided, after negotiating the highest level of security imaginable. We rehearsed the photograph so that it could be done in very little time. Here is the scene we witnessed as the Holy Father appeared from Oscott:

Snow in Rome

2010-02-12T13:15:00.003Z

Not been doing blogging for quite a while - it has been a busy semester, the recent exam session has now finished and I'll be starting my tenth semester at the college on Monday.

This morning, for the first time since I've been here in Rome, there was heavy snow which settled [although it has already melted now] - here is a picture of the college garden at around 11am.

Anglicanorum Coetibus

2009-11-09T11:02:00.003Z

A few minutes ago, the text of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus was published on the Vatican Website. The constitution provides for personal ordinariates for Anglicans entering into full communion with the Catholic Church.
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Other details, and the new Apostolic Constitution itself, can be read here.

New Blogs

2009-11-03T16:48:00.003Z

Dunkeld Seminarian is the blog of a new seminarian at the Pontifical Scots College here in Rome.

"My Journey on the road to Citeaux" is a blog kept by a new postulant at Mount St Bernard Abbey, a cistercian monastery I often visit when I am at home in Leicestershire

Papal Visit

2009-10-01T11:41:00.003Z

Last week, it was reported that Pope Benedict will be visiting England & Wales. I hope the visit takes place in September as we are home on parish placements at that time of year.

Last Saturday I noticed this tablet embedded in the floor of Westminster Cathedral, before the first of the sanctuary steps. It recalls Pope John Paul II's visit there in 1982. During the visit, JP2 addressed 35,000 young people in Cardiff, hoping that, as long as the memory of his visit lasted, it would be remembered that he had come to Britain 'to call you to Christ, to invite you to pray!'

A very good reason for a Papal visit!

Non Angli sed angeli

2009-09-14T14:14:00.006Z

Not Angles, but angels! This was the pun coined by Pope Gregory the Great back in the sixth century, when he first set eyes on people from England. He later sent St Augustine to them.
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It's also the title of an exhibition which will be held in the crypt of the college Church in Rome, from October 21st 2009 - July 31st 2010. The exhibition has its own website.
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Ordinations

2009-09-14T13:52:00.004Z

Over the course of the seminary summer holidays, much travelling is done in order to be present at the ordinations of fellow students. This summer has been no exception, with no less than six from the English College ordained to the diaconate and to the sacred priesthood.
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It is always encouraging and joyful to see my friends from the seminary ordained. My favourite words of the ordination rite are when the bishop says to the man being ordained; May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfilment.

CBCEW - interview with Fr John Flynn

2009-06-24T21:11:00.001Z

An interview with a former fellow seminarian of mine in Rome, Fr John Flynn, may be heard here on the bishops' conference website.

Archbishop Nichols on the Year for Priests

2009-06-20T16:11:00.002Z

Found at the Diocese of Westminster website.

The Year for Priests 2009 - 2010: Archbishop Vincent Nichols from Catholic Westminster on Vimeo.

Christe, summe Sacerdos, exaudi nos

2009-06-20T08:17:00.007Z

Yesterday evening saw Vespers at St Peter's, presided over by the Holy Father, to inaugurate the Year for Priests, and many of the seminarians from the VEC attended.
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Before Vespers, the Holy Father reverenced a relic (the heart) of St John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. On Tuesday, Pope Benedict cited the saint in his letter proclaiming the year; "The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus." To conclude, the blessed sacrament was exposed and Pope Benedict presided over benediction.
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The picture on the left is the front cover of the booklet for the liturgy, whose contents may be read here, on the Vatican website's page of resources for this year.
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The picture below was taken during yesterday's liturgy, (the picture is from New Liturgical Movement's article).

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Easter Sunday

2009-04-14T13:00:00.002Z

The seminarians of the VEC were once again able to sing from a position immediately adjacent to the seat from which the Pope presided on Easter Sunday morning. We missed last year's heavy-rain affected Easter Mass due to our visit to Valladolid. In good weather, we gave this rendition of "Jesus Christ is Risen Today," before the final blessing.

Happy Easter

2009-04-14T12:54:00.002Z

Wishing all readers every blessing this Eastertide.

The college church is reaching the final stages of its restoration, and so this year we spent Holy Week and the Holy Triduum at Palazzola, our Villa. We were however able to attend the Chrism Mass in St Peter's, Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum and we were there for Mass on Easter Sunday morning in St Peter's Square.

I don't have any photos myself, but hope to put some here should some become available.

Solemnity of St Joseph

2009-03-19T16:30:00.002Z

Today is the feast of St Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He is the patron saint of the corridor on which I live here in Rome. The statue pictured stands at the entrance to the corridor.

It is exactly a year since I visited Avila during the seminary's 10 day visit to the Royal English College in Valladolid. Here are St Teresa of Avila's thoughts about St Joseph:

“To other Saints Our Lord seems to have given power to succor us in some special necessity—but to this glorious Saint, I know by experience, He has given the power to help us in all. Our Lord would have us understand that as He was subject to St. Joseph on earth—for St. Joseph, bearing the title of father and being His guardian, could command Him—so now in Heaven Our Lord grants all his petitions. I have asked others to recommend themselves to St. Joseph, and they, too, know the same thing by experience . . .” —Autobiography, VI, 9

Year of the Priesthood

2009-03-16T11:59:00.004Z

It was announced this morning by the Holy Father that there will be a "Year of the Priesthood" from 19th June 2009 - 19th June 2010. The theme will be "Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of the Priest." The year will be opened at Vespers on 19th June (Solemnity of the Sacred Heart) by Pope Benedict. The year coincides with the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d'Ars, St John Mary Vianney. At the end of the year, the saint will be declared patron of all the priests in the world.

Information from Vatican website.

Station Churches

2009-03-01T21:09:00.003Z

We're free to attend Mass at the Station Churches during this first week of Lent (see previous post). Tomorrow I will go along at 7am to the church of San Pietro in vincoli [St Peter in Chains], containing the chains which bound St Peter while he was imprisoned in Jerusalem [Acts 12].

Anagni

2009-03-01T20:54:00.003Z

An early Saturday rise is a rarity for the NS, though this being the first in Lent I was up for 7am Mass at the church of San Agostino, for the Station Mass; throughout Lent, the North American College in Rome organises Mass in English at a different Roman church each day.

Then I joined a gita-party to the small yet charming town of Anagni, nestled in the mountains about an hour south-east of Rome. There, we visited the 11th century cathedral, and the palace where local Popes such as Boniface VIII (1294-1303) would return for the summer, rather like the present Popes go to Castelgandolfo. Stunning artwork can be found in the Cathedral crypt, you can see photos at the Blog of a priest of my diocese, Fr David.

St Thomas Aquinas

2009-01-28T21:58:00.006Z

Today is the feast of the Doctor Angelicus, St Thomas Aquinas. I'm brought back to the memory of being in the room where he died, now a chapel at the Cistercian Abbey of Fossanova. The college made it's annual gita to the monastery a couple of years ago. It goes without saying that St Thomas was arguably the greatest theologian of his time/ever. Here's a picture of one of the current resident Friars (the Cistercians are no longer there) playing the tour guide.

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The two inscriptions which can be seen on the top left and right are these:
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aA mars bar for the first correct translation in the com box (provided I can reasonably get the prize to you!)

The Call of St Matthew

2009-01-11T16:09:00.003Z

Over the weekend, I was reminded of this Caravaggio painting, The Call of St Matthew. The two figures on the right, Our Lord and St Peter, are pointing towards the tax collector, who in turn points questioningly at himself. It depicts rather well being called by Christ, by His Church under the authority of His Vicar, and the humble recognition of the one being called. I am sure all who discern their Vocation will recognise the scenario in the picture.
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"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax
booth; and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed
him." [Matthew 9:9]

Fullness of Faith

2009-01-09T21:35:00.003Z

The blog Fullness of Faith has reappeared - it is the blog of a former Anglican vicar now a student at Oscott College for Nottingham diocese.
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His latest post includes the "Prayer for England", the prayer seeking the intercession of Our Blessed Lady for all Christians in our country to profess the "Fullness of Faith". We say it at the college here in Rome every Sunday evening after Benediction.

Seminarians meet Holy Father

2009-01-07T22:31:00.005Z

Two of our Westminster seminarians recently had the privilege of meeting the Holy Father, when Cardinal Cormac was in Rome in early December (as has been widely reported). The pictures can be seen at Newman House, the blog for the Catholic Chaplaincy for the University of London.
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It is a rare honour for students to meet the Pope personally - I am yet to do so - but the sheer number of people His Holiness meets brings to light the patience and energy (and holiness) he has. Viva il Papa!

Prayers for Pope Benedict

2009-01-07T22:21:00.003Z

I arrived back for the new term on Tuesday - because the Epiphany is celebrated in Italy on the 6th January, the day was also a public holiday - and Italians being Italians, the Pontifical universities extended the weekend by taking Monday off too! It is known in Italian as a Ponte, meaning bridge.
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After arriving at the VEC at 11am, I unpacked and walked to the Vatican in time for the Angelus with Pope Benedict. He sounded pretty tired compared to normal - and having been with my grandparents of a similar age at new year, the pace of his life must be quite exhausting - still, he shows us great leadership in following Christ, particularly in this Christmas, season and I hope he gets a rest soon.
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Happy New Year!

VEC on Radio 4

2009-01-02T11:33:00.004Z

In early December, Cardinal Cormac along with Edward Stourton and some BBC techies came out to Rome to record some footage for the Today Programme.

Two of us (including me!) were interviewed for the programme (of which The Cardinal was guest editor that day), and the student body were recorded singing the Te Deum.

The broadcast can be heard on the BBC iplayer until Tuesday 6th Jan. The ten minute section from the college begins 2 hr 19 mins 30 secs into it! My voice is that of the first student interviewed.

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T11:30:00.002Z

Happy New Year! I have realised a whole term has passed without a single post on my blog. There has been plenty worthy of mention.
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I wish every reader a 2009 full of blessings.

Returning to Rome

2008-10-06T15:51:00.002Z

After nearly seven weeks on an extended parish placement in Bletchley [Milton Keynes], it is nearly time to return to Rome to resume studies at the seminary there.
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On Sunday, I will fly back, classes will begin at the Pontifical universities on Monday morning, as well as the early starts for Morning Prayer and Mass at 6.45am daily.
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The placement has been enjoyable & encouraging, much fruit has been bourne as a result.
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The three placements I have done so far have taken me to Luton, Slough and here in Bletchley. I wonder where it will be next year.

Extended placement

2008-10-01T22:01:00.003Z

While the other seminarians have returned to Rome to begin another year of formation [beginning with a 5 day retreat conducted in silence], I remain on an extended placement in the parish of St Thomas Aquinas and All Saints in Bletchley [there are two churches but there has always been one parish in Bletchley].

Tomorrow brings the challenge of a short talk on the Holy Guardian Angels, an illustrated talk to a group of retired Catholics about life in Rome and at the VEC, and in the evening I'm kicking off the RCIA programme by explaining why I converted to the Catholic Faith while at university 9 years ago. Next Monday I will be giving an assembly to the primary school children about their patron saint. The placement has been a valuable opportunity to gain pastoral experience, establish what the needs of the Church might be should I be ordained in a few years, and shadow some of the parish priest's good work. Best of all has been the opportunity to meet the Catholic people of Bletchley.

St Michael the Archangel - my feast day

2008-09-29T18:30:00.004Z

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Our Lady of Walsingham

2008-09-24T11:35:00.004Z

Walsingham was formerly in the diocese of Northampton, until 1976 when the diocese of East Anglia was formed. Our Lady of Walsingham, whose feast has been celebrated on September 24th since the beginning of this decade, is a patron of the diocese of East Anglia.
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Prayer to Our Lady Of Walsingham
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O Mary, recall the solemn moment when Jesus, your divine Son, dying on the cross confided us to your maternal care. You are our Mother; we desire ever to remain your devout children. Let us therefore feel the effects of your powerful intercession with Jesus Christ. Make your name again glorious in this place, once renowned throughout our land by your visits, favours and many miracles.

Pray, O Holy Mother of God, for the conversion of England, restoration of the sick, consolation for the afflicted, repentance of sinners, peace to the departed.

O Blessed Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady of Walsingham intercede for us. Amen.

Was Peter in Rome?

2008-09-22T14:22:00.006Z

...of course he was.

But while on placement in Bletchley, an e-mail correspondence with a retired parishoner has begun, about matters theological and ecclesiological, and found myself needing to justify the position that Peter was in Rome!

Some protestants say that because it isn't explicitly stated in the Bible that Peter was in Rome, he never went there.
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The refutation of this position begins by asserting that scripture should be considered in addition to the Sacred Tradition of the Church (i.e. the writings of the Fathers).

Over at "Catholic Answers", there is an article which I found helpful (so did the parishoner).

The second responsory in today's Office of Readings quotes the first letter of St Paul to Timothy:

"Proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it: refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience, but do all with the patience that the work of teaching requires."

New Diocesan Website

2008-08-18T21:53:00.003Z

The Diocese of Northampton's new website is now online.

Rome Olympics, 1960

2008-08-17T17:14:00.008Z

As the Olympics are in full swing, here is a topical post recalling the Olympic Games of 1960, held in Rome.

The rowing and canoe events were held at Lake Albano. The Holy Father (John XXIII) and English College students would have been able to view the action from Castel Gandolo and Palazzola respectively.

The Youtube video below shows some of the rowing, a medal ceremony and the scenery. The helicopter camera shot at the beginning shows the stunning view over the lake. Palazzola can also be spotted. While many are looking forward to one particular event in 2012, I am contemplating another occasion that year, if God wishes it.

Ministry of Acolyte

2008-08-17T16:37:00.006Z

Back on Sunday 6th July, the seminarians in my year (including myself) received the ministry of Acolyte at Palazzola. This is the second and final lay ministry the seminarian receives during his priestly formation. During the institution, the bishop says "Take this vessel with bread for the celebration of the eucharist. Make your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of his Church." And the Acolyte responds: "Amen".

Serving for the Pope and new Lectors at the VEC

2008-07-03T22:16:00.006Z

Having returned from ordinations in Northampton diocese to Rome last Sunday (29th), I returned to the college to hear that once again the seminarians of the Venerabile had been asked to serve for Pope Benedict for the Solemnity of SS Peter and Paul, at St Peter's. Below is a picture of some of them in action (from The New Liturgical Movement blog).

The evening of the great Roman feast saw us go to the College's Villa (since 1920), overlooking Lake Albano with a view of the Pope's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. In days of yore, seminarians would spend the entire summer vacation at the Villa; these days, we have a week of rest, and a week of pastoral courses. While we are here, on separate days Lectors are instituted, Acolytes receive their ministry and Deacons are ordained. On Wednesday, 7 seminarians were instituted as Lectors by Cardinal Foley.

Cardinal Foley encouraged the new Lectors to do the same as that asked of deacons at their ordination when presented with the book of the Gospels: "Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach."

Northampton Priests

2008-07-01T10:17:00.006Z

After finishing another set of exams here in Rome, I was able to go back to the diocese for a week so that I could be present for the ordination of two new priests in the diocese, by Bishop Peter Doyle of Northampton.

The first was of Fr Andrew Richardson in Luton. It was the first time Bishop Peter had ordained a priest and so it was a memorable occasion for him and us all.

The second was of Fr Simon Penhalagan, on the following Saturday, at the cathedral in Northampton. Bishop Peter was ordained to the episcopate on the same date, 28th June, exactly three years previously.

I carried the processional cross at both ordinations, I haven't got any photos of the ordinations but I'm sure some will appear here at some stage.

Absolutely great news for our diocese that we have two new priests, for whom we should pray for as they begin their ministry; Fathers Andrew and Simon are certainly an inspiration to me as (God willing) the next seminarian of the diocese to be ordained.

May

2008-05-29T12:30:00.004Z

No blog posts lately - but not because of a lack of things to blog about. On top of the usual seminary staples of lectures, reading, prayer and house jobs, there have been a number of special events...
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At the start of the month we had our annual college gita to Ostia Antica, where Pope Benedict was cardinal bishop before being elected in 2005. The cathedral there is built on the site where St Monica, the mother of St Augustine was buried after she died there. The destination of the gita is a closely guarded secret, and so it was a pleasant surprise when the coach dropped us off a short way up the Tiber to travel by boat to the ancient town.

The following Saturday, on the eve of pentecost, a group of seminarians enjoyed our annual walk around the Sette Chiese, that is the four major basilicas and three others (St Sebastian, St Lawrence and Holy Cross). The day was as enjoyable as ever, the weather perfect; we benefited spiritually from excellent reflections given by seminarians at each stop, culmniating with Evening Prayer I of Pentecost at St Mary Major and some well chosen words from one of our number.

On Trinity Sunday, I went up to the Scot's college to attend a friend's candidacy there. The Mass was presided over by their former Rector, Bishop Tartaglia of Paisley. It's good to have other British seminarians in Rome to compare notes with.

Last Friday, as part of the Christian Archeology course I have been taking, a group of students from the university went to the church of St Agnes outside-the-walls, I visited the tomb of the martyr and sought her intercession, whilst learned a little about the history of the site, including a visit to the mausaleum where Costanza, the Emperor Constantine's daughter was laid to rest. The church of San Agnese is supposed to have been a model for our own college church, and there certainly is a similarity with its roundels, tribune and ceiling.

On Saturday I was at a wedding at another ancient Roman Church, San Stefano Rotondo, helping provide some music.

On Sunday after Mass at the college I attended Cardinal Stafford's installation as Cardinal Priest of San Pietro in Montorio.

On Monday, the entire seminary community went to the Chiesa Nuova for the Feast of St Philip Neri, a saint who in his lifetime had much to do with the seminarians of the college, encouraging them and acting as a spritual director before their return, in many cases to martydom in England. The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Coppa, who was appointed Cardinal Deacon in the most recent consistory, and is a former apostolic nuncio to the Czech Republic. Our job was to serve and to sing at the Mass, and to be with the hundreds gathered paying homage to a saint who in his own way contributed to the resolve of those brave men intent on keeping the faith in England.

And now I have several exams to prepare for so life will be more plain and simple for a while!

The Most Holy Trinity

2008-05-17T19:06:00.003Z

A detail from Durante Alberti's painting in the College Church, depicting the Holy Trinity in the Church dedicated to the same.

St Catherine of Siena & Pope St Pius V

2008-04-30T11:20:00.005Z

Last evening some students arrived back at the college after having visited the tomb of St Catherine of Siena at the basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva [Cardinal Cormac's titular Church]. By that time, the Church had shut and I had forgotten the connection between the virgin saint and that church. There are so many to remember. Thursday is a public holiday in Italy [1st May] so I will make a visit then, perhaps also visiting the Basilica of St Mary Major where the mortal remains of Pope St Pius V are; it is his feast today.

One of those visiting Santa Maria sopra Minerva handed me a card which had the following prayer;

O God, who adorned blessed Catherine with the particular privilege of virginity and of patience and who permitted her to triumph over the assaults of evil spirits and to remain steadfast in the love of your name, grant, we implore you, that we, in imitation of her, the corruption of the world scorned and dangers of all our enemies conquered, may attain your glory with certainty. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Santa Caterina da Siena, prega per noi.

John Henry Newman

2008-04-27T20:00:00.003Z

Last Thursday morning between lectures, an excited Oratorian came up to me to say that he had just heard that the miracle attributed to John Henry Newman had been accepted as such by the Consulta Medica here in Rome. This news is a very encouraging sign that this English Servant of God will be beatified sometime soon.

From the website of the Birmingham Oratory:
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"It is with great joy and excitement that we have heard the news from Rome in only the last few days that the team of medical experts entrusted with the investigation of Deacon Jack Sullivan's Healing in Boston have come to their final conclusion that this cure is indeed beyond the explanation of science, and that it can be attributed to the Will of Almighty God granted through the intercession of Cardinal Newman. All that remains now before his beatification can be announced is that the Pope's board of theological experts must decree that there is nothing contrary to the Catholic faith in Cardinal Newman's writings, which has already effectively been established over the last thirty-five years of the Process of the Cause."

Murder in the Cathedral

2008-04-27T18:48:00.009Z

"My decision is taken, if you call that decision, to which my whole being gives entire consent. I give my life to the Law of God above the law of men."

Last Thursday and Friday, a talented group of seminarian players of the college put on an adaptation of Murder in the Cathedral, a play written by T.S.Eliot based on the events of December 29th 1170, when Archbishop St Thomas Becket of Canterbury was murdered in his own cathedral by four knights believing they were acting on the direct orders of King Henry II. a

The play was produced and directed by two of our students, James Wilson [Middlesbrough] & David Wingfield [Westminster] respectively. The venue for the play was the atmospheric college crypt, where inspired directing made best use of the holy place beneath the church dedicated to the play's protagonist - the picture should give an idea of how well our version of Eliot's play came over.
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Of course, St Thomas of Canterbury is a patron of the diocese of Northampton.

One line spoken by Thomas in the play will ring true with many a seminarian; "Seven years is no brevity."

St Thomas of Canterbury, pray for us.

Solemnity of St George

2008-04-23T06:47:00.001Z

A fresco of St George slaying the dragon, on the ceiling of the refectory. It was painted by Andrea Pozzo in the late seventeenth century.

Pictures of the College

2008-04-17T11:12:00.002Z

Over on The Hermeneutic of Continuity you can see pictures of the Venerable English College, including some exclusive ones of the progress of the restoration of our College Church...

Happy Birthday sung to Sua Santita

2008-04-16T22:15:00.003Z

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7351279.stm

Quite appropriately, the White House arranged for Pope Benedict to have "Happy Birthday" sung to him... See the video on the link above, the Holy Father certainly looks more chuffed than he did hearing the national anthems in George Bush's garden this afternoon [seen on EWTN earlier].

Viva il Papa

2008-04-15T22:18:00.003Z

This is to wish Pope Benedict a very happy 81st birthday today, may he live for many more years. We pray that his visit to the US will be fruitful and that he will return to us in Rome safely. Here is a picture of him on his 79th birthday, Easter Sunday 2007; there is a deacon from the VEC on the right somewhere. [click to enlarge]

Bishop of Northampton on Vocations

2008-04-12T18:31:00.004Z

Here is a scan of the Bishop's pastoral letter for this weekend. If there are any males from the Northampton diocese who feel they might have a vocation to the priesthood, please contact our Vocations Director. To begin with, he would be someone to talk to about your calling; there would be no need to formally apply until you were ready to do so. [Click on the images to enlarge]

Semana Santa

2008-04-12T13:13:00.003Z

The VEC were in Valladolid from March 15th-24th. Here are some pictures I took of the street processions during Holy Week (Semana Santa).

Catacomb of Priscilla

2008-04-12T13:04:00.007Z

As part of a Christian Archaeology course I am taking, I went on a visit to the Catacomb of Priscilla here in Rome the other day. The highlight was to see this painting on the wall, the world's oldest known image of Our Lady.

Liverpool into the semi-finals

2008-04-11T21:22:00.002Z

As a Liverpool supporter (sorry to the cobblers of Northampton Town) I have been avidly following their progress in the Champions League, after disappointment last year. We're fortunate to have the facilities to see some of the matches here at the VEC. The Wonersh Seminarians at Orthfully Catholic have also been watching the matches...a

Speaking of Liverpool, it reminds me to put a link to the Liverpool Vocations Website which one of my brother seminarians asked me to mention.

Contacting the Author

2008-04-04T13:47:00.005Z

I switched off the comments facility a few months as some nasty stuff was coming through. However, one of my reasons for starting a blog in the first place was to provide a little insight into life at seminary, particularly thinking of those contemplating answering a possible call to priestly life and ministry. So there might be one or two out there with questions or comments. Should any reader wish to contact me, please do so through Facebook, sending a note saying that you've seen the blog.

Happy Easter

2008-03-31T22:22:00.005Z

I wish anyone reading this blog a happy Easter. On this Feast of Our Lady, I thought it appropriate to include this Solemn rendition of the Regina Caeli on this blog, sung beautifully by some Monks from somewhere-or-other. Let us pray for those good men and women called by the Lord to the monastic vocation, I think especially of my friends at Mount St Bernard Abbey, near my home in Leicestershire.

This year, due to our college Church being restored, the staff and students of the Venerabile took the opportunity of spending holy week and Easter in Valladolid. It was a wonderful week, and I hope to blog about it in the near future. The seminary communities of Allen Hall, Oscott and Ushaw have all chosen to celebrate the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord at the Royal College earlier this decade.

Solemnity of the Annunciation

2008-03-31T14:47:00.005Z

The Annunciation, by Fra Angelico, c.1432

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
j
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
j
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
j
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
j
V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
j
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

San Giovanni Valdarno

2008-03-31T14:08:00.008Z

Above and below are pictures of the small Tuscan town of San Giovanni Valdarno, where students arriving in Rome at the Venerabile spend time learning Italian before beginning studies at the Greg. I was there in August & September 2005, and stayed with an Italian family which certainly helped in learning basic conversational Italian quickly!

The town is well situated between Florence & Arezzo, about 30-40 minutes train ride from each. So the days off can be well spent exploring these places.
j
Some of the First Year preparing to leave San Giovanni to begin seminary life in Rome, September 22nd 2007. Photo: Marc Homsey

Chair of Peter II

2008-02-23T18:45:00.003Z

Read more on Hilariter, blog of Fr David Barrett, about his visit to St Peter's yesterday.

Feast of the Chair of St Peter

2008-02-23T09:48:00.004Z

Last year I managed to visit St Peter's on yesterday's feast but this year was unable to do so, it has been a busy first week of the semester with new courses, new house jobs to prepare for and lots of VIPs [Very Important Priests] visiting. On Wednesday the bishop-elect of Lancaster was with us and preached helpfully on Lent.

From Middlesborough diocesan website you can read the new Bishop of Middlesbrough's reflections on the letter received by a bishop-elect from the successor of St Peter.

‘Benedict, Bishop and Servant of the servants of God, to Our beloved son, Terence Patrick Drainey….. It clearly behoves Us, Who have succeeded to the Apostle Peter’s place, to provide appropriately for the cherished diocese of Middlesbrough. You, dear son, commend yourself to Us in no small measure by reason of your skilful fulfilment of the task of educator and of your practical knowledge of pastoral affairs. We now, therefore, with confidence in you, declare you Bishop of Middlesbrough. And We exhort the clergy and people willingly to welcome your coming as teacher and guide, and always to remain in union with you.
a
In conclusion, strive to use all your powers in this new ministry, so that the Church of the Diocese of Middlesbrough, with the intercession of the Virgin Mary, may enjoy life-giving, spiritual blessings. Given at Rome, at St Peter’s….etc. etc.’
Benedict XVI

Fra Angelico

2008-02-18T12:52:00.005Z

The new semester at the Pontifical Universities began today, and the daily rhythm at the VEC went back to normal. My first lecture this morning was cancelled so I thought I would pay a visit to the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva to visit the tomb of Fra Angelico, the Early Italian Renaissance painter who was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1982. It is his feast day today. He is a patron saint of artists, and Pope John Paul said of him:

"Angelico was reported to say "He who does Christ's work must stay with Christ always". This motto earned him the epithet "Blessed Angelico", because of the perfect integrity of his life and the almost divine beauty of the images he painted, to a superlative extent those of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

In keeping with yesterday's gospel for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, here is his painting of the Transfiguration which is in Florence at the Convento San' Marco, where he was a monk from 1436-45.

Pope Benedict - On the Importance of the Permanent Diaconate

2008-02-15T13:11:00.003Z

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 11, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Following a Lenten tradition, Benedict XVI met Thursday with parish priests and clergy of the Diocese of Rome. During the meeting, the participants asked the Pope questions. Here is a translation of the Holy Father's answer to the first question.

a
[Benedict XVI:]
Thank you for this testimony as one of the more than 100 deacons of Rome. I would like to also express my joy and my gratitude for the Council, because it revived this important ministry in the universal Church. I should say that when I was archbishop of Munich, I didn't find perhaps more than three or four deacons, and I very much favored this ministry because it seemed to me to belong to the richness of the sacramental ministry in the Church. At the same time, it can equally be the link between the lay world, the professional world, and the world of the priestly ministry -- given that many deacons continue carrying out their professions and maintain their positions -- important or those of a simple life -- while on Saturday and Sunday they work in the Church. In this way, you give witness in the world of today, as well as in the working world, of the presence of faith, of the sacramental ministry and the diaconal dimension of the sacrament of Orders. This seems very important to me: the visibility of the diaconal dimension.

a
Naturally as well, every priest continues being a deacon, and should always think of this dimension, because the Lord himself made himself our minister, our deacon. We can think of the gesture of the washing of the feet, with which he explicitly shows that the master, the Lord, acts as a deacon and wants those who follow him to be deacons, that they fulfill this role for humanity, to the point that they also help to wash the dirtied feet of the men entrusted to us. This dimension seems very important to me.

a
On this occasion, I bring to mind -- though it is perhaps not immediately inherent to the theme -- a simple experience that Paul VI noted. Each day of the Council, the Gospel was enthroned. And the Pontiff told those in charge of the ceremony that he would like one time to be the one who enthrones the Gospel. They told him no, this is the job of the deacons, not of the Pope. He wrote in his diary: But I am also a deacon, I continue being a deacon, and I would like to also exercise this ministry of the diaconate placing the word of God on its throne. Thus, this concerns all of us. Priests continue being deacons, and the deacons make explicit in the Church and in the world this diaconal dimension of our ministry. This liturgical enthroning of the word of God each day during the Council was always for us a gesture of great importance: It told us who was the true Lord of that assembly; it told us that the word of God was on the throne and that we exercise our ministry to listen and to interpret, to offer to the others this word. It is broadly significant for all that we do: enthroning in the world the word of God, the living word, Christ. May it really be him who governs our personal life and our life in the parishes.

a
Now, you have asked me a question that, I must say, goes a bit beyond my strengths: What would be the tasks proper to the deacons of Rome. I know that the cardinal vicar knows much better than I the real situations of the city and the diocesan community of Rome. I think that one characteristic of the ministry of the deacons is precisely the multiplicity of the diaconate's applications. In the International Theological Commission, a few years ago, we studied at length the diaconate in the history and also the present of the Church. And we discovered just that: There is not just one profile. What they should do varies, depending on the preparation of the persons and the situations in which they find themselves. There can be applications and activities that are very different, always in communion with the bishop and with the parish, naturally. In the various situations, various possibilities arise, also depending on the professional preparation that these deacons could have. They could be committed in the cultural sector, which is so important today, or they could have a voice and an important post in the educational realm. We are thinking this year precisely of the problem of education as central to our future, and the future of humanity.

a
Certainly the sector of charity was in Rome the original sector, because those called presbyters and deacons were centers of Christian charity. This was from the beginning in the city of Rome a fundamental area. In my encyclical "Deus Caritas Est," I showed that not just preaching and the liturgy are essential for the Church and for the ministry of the Church, but rather equally important is the service of caritas -- in its multiple dimensions -- for the poor, the needy. Thus, I hope that all the time, in the whole diocese, even if in distinct situations, this continues being a fundamental dimension, and also a priority for the commitment of the deacons, even if not the only one, as is also shown in the early Church, where the seven deacons were chosen precisely to permit the apostles to dedicate themselves to prayer, liturgy and preaching. Also afterward, Stephen found himself in the situation of having to preach to the Greeks, to the Jews who spoke Greek, and thus the field of preaching was amplified. He is conditioned, we could say, by the cultural situation, where he has a voice to make present in that sector the word of God. In that way, he makes more possible the universality of the Christian testimony, opening the doors to St. Paul who witnessed his stoning, and later, in a certain sense, was his successor in the universalization of the word of God. I don't know if the cardinal vicar would like to add something; I'm not as close to the concrete situations.

St. Thomas Aquinas on How to Study

2008-02-11T08:47:00.001Z

The students at the Venerabile have been studying hard for exams over the last few weeks, though I'm pleased to say mine have finished this morning. I look forward to spending a few days at the monastery of San Giorgio in Venezia; being with the monks should give the opportunity to begin Lent without being preoccupied by exam preparation. Although the exams have gone fairly well, I only wish I had previously seen the excellent advice of St Thomas on how to study!

d
"Letter of St. Thomas Aquinas to Brother John on How to Study"
d

Because you have asked me, my brother John, most dear to me in Christ, how to set about acquiring the treasure of knowledge, this is the advice I pass on to you: That you should choose to enter by the small rivers, and not go right away into the sea, because you should move from easy things to difficult things.

d
Such is therefore my advice on your way of life:
+ I suggest you be slow to speak, and slow to go to the room where people chat.

+ Embrace purity of conscience; do not stop making time for prayer.
+ Love to be in your room frequently, if you wish to be led to the wine cellar.
+ Show yourself to be likable to all, or at least try; but do not show yourself as too familiar with anyone; because too much familiarity breeds contempt, and will slow you in your studies; and don't get involved in any way in the deedsand words of worldly people.
+ Above all, avoid idle conversation; do not forget to follow the steps of holy and approved men.
+ Never mind who says what, but commit to memory what is said that is true.
+ Work to understand what you read, and make yourself sure of doubtful points.
+ Put whatever you can into the cupboard of your mind as if you were trying to fill a cup.

Angelus

2008-01-20T15:57:00.000Z

Heeding the request of the Pope's Vicar General, Cardinal Ruini, a particularly large group of us from the college attended the Holy Father's Angelus address & blessing [as many often do each Sunday at noon anyway]. The purpose of the Cardinal's request was to give the Holy Father our support in the light of the recent controversy...

What happened was that he had been invited to speak at La Sapienza university last week, but after a protest by a small minority of professors & students, the visit had to be cancelled.

Pope Benedict spoke of what happened, "As a professor — shall we say, emeritus — who has met with so many students in my life, I encourage all of you, dear university students and professors, to always be respectful of other people's opinions and to search for truth and goodness with a free and responsible spirit."

He also spoke of his "love for the search for truth, for frank and respectful dialogue for reciprocal positions."

St Peter's Square was the busiest I have seen it on a Sunday lunchtime, a great show of support for our Bishop of Rome.

"The Final Straw for the Sapienza; to refuse dialogue!"

St Thomas of Canterbury

2007-12-29T16:23:00.000Z

The College Church at the Venerabile is dedicated to The Most Holy Trinity, and to St Thomas of Canterbury whose feast it is today. His martyrdom is depicted on the famous Martyrs' painting of Durante Alberti, painted around 1580 [bottom left of the picture] and hanging in the College Church. Most of the martyrs of the VEC [all dying for the faith during the first 100 years of the college's history] would have seen this painting and no doubt the heroic faith of this Archbishop of Canterbury would have spurred them on to follow his example.

St Thomas is also one of the patrons of the diocese of Northampton, his connection being that "Northampton was the scene of the last stand made by St. Thomas of Canterbury against the arbitrary conduct of Henry II." http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11107b.htm The link to St Thomas of Canterbury [above] contains a detailed description of his resistance against the king's unjust treatment of the bishops at Henry's court in Northampton.

St Thomas of Canterbury, Pray for Us.

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2007-12-25T18:45:00.000Z

I wish anyone who reads this a very happy and holy Christmastide.

From the hymn for Evening Prayer I of The Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ:

The rose of grace and beauty of which Isaiah sings
Is Mary, virgin mother, and Christ the flow'r she brings,

By God's divine decree
She bore our loving Saviour, who died to set us free.

Fra Angelico

Nativity

1440-41

Convento di San Marco, Florence

Home for Christmas

2007-12-25T18:36:00.000Z

The holidays began for us at the VEC on Saturday morning, after 3 seminarians became candidates for Holy Orders the evening before.

Unfortunately my Mum had a fall at work a fortnight ago, and it only transpired on Friday evening (22nd) that something had been broken; consequently she had a hip replacement operation in Burton-on-Trent hospital on Christmas Eve. So the family have been visiting her in hospital for quite a while each day. She hasn't walked for 4 days now, and will make her first steps tomorrow we hope.

St Francis Xavier [1506-1552]

2007-12-03T22:06:00.000Z

Today, paid a brief visit on the way home from lectures to the chapel of St Francis Xavier at the Gesù, the main Jesuit Church in Rome.

His right forearm, which the saint used to bless and baptize his converts, is desplayed in a silver reliquary in this chapel.

Solemnity of St Ralph Sherwin and his Companions, Martyrs

2007-12-01T10:08:00.000Z

Today is our feast day, 1st December being the day on which the protomartyr of our college was executed in London in 1581. The day begins with a Mass, and later on the veneration of his relics which are kept beneath the altar of the college church. Last evening, we had a vigil comprising the Office of Readings, which included a reading from his letters from prison to his uncle and friends. Here are two particularly stirring passages from his final letter, written 30th November 1581;

"This very day, which is the festival of St Andrew, I was informed by superior authority that tomorrow I was to end the course of this life. God grant that I may do it to the imitation of this noble Apostle and servant of God, and that with joy I may say, rising off the hurdle, Salve Sancta Crux."

And the final words he wrote;

"God grant us both His grace and blessing until the end, that, living in His great fear and dying in His favour, we may enjoy the other for ever. Salute all my fellow Catholics. And so, without further troubling you, my sweetest benefactor, farewell."

St Ralph Sherwin, pray for us.

Consistory 2007

2007-11-24T15:17:00.000Z

Today in Rome, 23 new Cardinals received their red hats from Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican basilica. Here is Cardinal Foley receiving his. It was he who instituted my year as lectors back in July. He also made comment about the history of the college when our college schola appeared on EWTN back in April, on Easter Sunday.

All Souls

2007-11-04T16:38:00.000Z

From a reading of today's divine office, from the Second Vatican Council's pastoral constitution "Gaudium et spes" on the Church in the modern world...
"Peace is not the mere absence of war or the simple maintenance of a balance of power between forces, nor can it be imposed at the dictate of absolute power. It is called, rightly and properly, a work of justice. It is the product of order, the order implanted in human society by
its divine founder, to be realised in practice as men hunger and thirst for ever more perfect justice."

This reading reminded me of all those who died in Iraq as a consequence of the war waged by the US and UK (so far 4000 soldiers and 40000 Iraqis I believe, though probably more). In this month of November I will praying for those who have died as a result of this war. If only the US & UK had adopted some of the thinking of Gaudium et Spes;

Peace here on earth cannot be maintained unless the good of the human person is safeguarded, and men are willing to trust each other and share their riches of spirit and talent...
If peace is to be established it is absolutely necessary to have a firm determination to respect other persons and peoples and their dignity...
Peace is therefore the fruit also of love...
Peace on earth, born of love for one’s neighbour, is the sign and the effect of the peace of Christ that flows from God the Father...

All Saints

2007-11-04T16:25:00.000Z

On Thursday was the Solemnity of All Saints, which is a public holiday in Italy, and a free day for students at the pontifical universities & seminaries. This gave the opportunity to go to Mass elsewhere in Rome, and where better than the Pantheon, which some argue is the place where the feast was first celebrated...

In the early years when the Roman Empire persecuted Christians, many martyrs died for their faith. In 607 Emperor Phocas presented Pope Boniface IV with the Pantheon, a Roman temple dating from around the year 125. The Pope removed the statues of Jupiter and the pagan gods and consecrated the Pantheon to "All Saints" who had died as a result of the persecution. Since there were too many martyrs for each to be given a day, they remembered together on one day. In the next century, All Saints Day was changed by Pope Gregory III to today's date--November 1st.

A Saying of Mother Teresa

2007-10-21T16:00:00.000Z

“Jesus is God, therefore His love, His Thirst, is infinite. He the Creator of the universe, asked for the love of His creatures. He thirsts for our love…These words: “I thirst” - do they echo in our souls?”

MOTHER TERESA

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.

I Thirst for You

2007-10-21T15:34:00.000Z

Yesterday morning, I went with another student to take the proceeds of our "Poor Box" in the college together with a clothing collection, to the Missionaries of Charity to assist their work with the poor of Rome. (That's the order of nuns founded by Mother Teresa.) This was intended to be a fairly routine trip, but as a bonus the superior there showed us into the room in which Blessed Teresa of Calcutta stayed when she was in a Rome each year. We were also able to spend a few minutes in prayer where she would have done many times.

The superior gave us various literature including a prayer card enclosing a relicn from one of her habits, and a pamplet based on Mother Teresa's sayings which speak of assuaging the thirst of Jesus on the cross. Here is the text:

a
I Thirst for You

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock …” (Rev. 3:20) It is true. I stand at the door of your heart, day and night. Even when you are not listening, even when you doubt it could be Me, I am there. I await even the smallest sign of your response, even the least whispered invitation that will allow Me to enter.

And I want you to know that whenever you invite Me, I do come - always, without fail. Silent and unseen I come, but with infinite power and love, and bringing the many gifts of My Spirit. I come with My mercy, with My desire to forgive and heal you, and with a love for you beyond your comprehension - a love every bit as great as the love I have received from the Father ("As much as the Father has loved me, I have loved you..” [Jn. 15:10]). I come - longing to console you and give you strength, to lift you up and bind all your wounds. I bring you My light, to dispel your darkness and all your doubts. I come with My power, that I might carry you and all of your burdens; with My grace, to touch your heart and transform your life: and My peace I give to still your soul.

I know you through and through - I know everything about you. The very hairs of your head I have numbered. Nothing in your life is unimportant to Me. I have followed you through the years, and l have always loved you - even in your wanderings. I know every one of your problems. I know your needs and your worries. And yes, I know all your sins. But I tell you again that I love you - not for what you have or haven't done - I love you for you, for the beauty and dignity My Father gave you by creating you in His own image. It is a dignity you have often forgotten, a beauty you have tarnished by sin. But I love you as you are, and I have shed My Blood to win you back. If you only ask Me with faith, My grace will touch all that needs changing in your life; and I will give you the strength to free yourself from sin and all its destructive power.

I know what is in your heart - I know your loneliness and all your hurts - the rejections, the judgments, the humiliations. I carried it all before you. And I carried it all for you, so you might share My strength and victory. I know especially your need for love - how you are thirsting to be loved and cherished. But how often have you thirsted in vain, by seeking that love selfishly, striving to fill the emptiness inside you with passing pleasure - with the even greater emptiness of sin. Do you thirst for love? “Come to Me all you who thirst. . .” (Jn. 7:37). I will satisfy you and fill you. Do you thirst to be cherished? I cherish you more than you can imagine - to the point of dying on a cross for you.

I thirst for you. Yes, that is the only way to even begin to describe My love for you: I THIRST FOR YOU. I thirst to love you and to be loved by you - that is how precious you are to Me. I THIRST FOR YOU. Come to Me, and I will fill your heart and heal your wounds. I will make you a new creation, and give you peace, even in all your trials. I THIRST FOR YOU. You must never doubt My mercy, My acceptance of you, My desire to forgive, My longing to bless you and live My life in you. I THIRST FOR YOU. If you feel unimportant in the eyes of the world, that matters not at all. For Me, there is no one any more important in the entire world than you. I THIRST FOR YOU. Open tome, come to Me, thirst for Me, give Me your life - and I will prove to you how important you are to My Heart.

Don't you realize that My Father already has a perfect plan to transform your life, beginning from this moment? Trust in Me. Ask Me every day to enter and take charge of your life - and I will. I promise you before My Father in heaven that I will work miracles in your life. Why would I do this? Because I THIRST FOR YOU. All I ask is that you entrust yourself to Me completely. I will do all the rest.

Even now I behold the place My Father has prepared for you in My Kingdom. Remember that you are a pilgrim in this life, on a journey home. Sin can never satisfy you, or bring the peace you seek. All that you have sought outside of Me has only left you more empty, so do not cling to the things of this life. Above all, do not run from Me when you fall. Come to Me without delay. When you give Me your sins, you give Me the joy of being your Saviour. There is nothing I cannot forgive and heal: so come now, and unburden your soul.

No matter how far you may wander, no matter how often you forget Me, no matter how many crosses you may bear in this life; there is one thing I want you to always remember, one thing that will never change: I THIRST FOR YOU -just as you are. You don't need to change to believe in My love, for it will be your belief in My love that will change you. You forget Me, and yet I am seeking you every moment of the day - standing at the door of your heart, and knocking. Do you find this hard to believe? Then look at the cross, look at My Heart that was pierced for you. Have you not understood My cross? Then listen again to the words I spoke there - for they tell you clearly why I endured all this for you: “I THIRST...” (Jn. 19:28).Yes, I thirst for you- as the rest of the psalm-verse I was praying says of Me: “I looked for love, and I found none...” (Ps. 69:20). All your life I have been looking for your love - I have never stopped seeking to love you and be loved by you. You have tried many other things in your search for happiness; why not try opening your heart to Me, right now, more than you ever have before.

Whenever you do open the door of your heart, whenever you come close enough, you will hear Me say to you again and again, not in mere human words but in spirit: “No matter what you have done, I love you for your own sake. Come to Me with your misery and your sins, with your troubles and needs, and with all your longing to be loved. I stand at the door of your heart and knock ... Open to-Me, for I THIRST FOR YOU…”

Feast of Blessed John XXIII

2007-10-11T19:52:00.000Z

Had hoped to make a pilgrimage to the final resting place of Blessed John XXIII inside St Peter's this afternoon but ended up getting sidetracked with various jobs. We celebrated his Memorial this morning at our community Mass. Above is a picture I took a couple of years ago of this holy Bishop of Rome.

Back in Rome

2007-10-08T14:59:00.001Z

I've been back at seminary for over a week now, last week we were on retreat at Palazzola, led by Bishop David McGough, who gave us excellent reflections on the scriptures. We were in silence throughout, quite necessary for the function of a retreat which is a withdrawal from ordinary activities for a period of time to commune with God in prayer and reflection. Of course Jesus spent forty days in the desert in prayer before entering his public ministry.

Today we went back to lectures, I am now studying Theology and on the basis of this morning's classes I think I will enjoy this subject a lot more, without denying the need to study Philosophy first to understand Theology with greater depth.

Papal Podcast

2007-10-08T14:49:00.000Z

I've recently found a podcast which enables users of iTunes to hear all the Holy Father's public speeches, including his weekly catechesis at the general audience and the message he gives before the Angelus on a Sunday at noon. It can be found on the Vatican Radio website at:
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/rss_feeds.asp
As well as hearing Pope Benedict's wisdom, it serves in addition as a listening exercise for those learning Italian.

All paths lead to Rome

2007-09-26T22:13:00.000Z

After a happy time on placement in Langley and a great summer, it is now very nearly time to return to Rome to begin my third year of studies moving from Philosophy to Theology.

First, I'll return home to Ashby-de-la-Zouch (outside Northampton diocese) to spend time with my parents before flying on Sunday morning.

The picture is of the Castle in Ashby.

Letter from the Queen

2007-09-21T21:48:00.000Z

My grandparents, celebrating 60 years of marriage last Monday, were delighted to receive their letter from the Queen. Her Majesty & Prince Philip reach this milestone in November. They (and others) have shown a good example to their family of lifelong commitment, something quite rare these days, there's not many people of my generation keen to commit themselves to something or somebody for life. In the parish tomorrow there will be a marriage preparation day, so I'll be keen to find out what happened as I will be at my cousin's wedding near Watford!

School - hospital - school

2007-09-19T14:24:00.000Z

Window in Southwark Cathedral commerating Pope John Paul's visit and celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick in 1982.

Excellent morning today (still on placement). It began with a school Mass at St Bernard's Preparatory School. Then an emergency hospital visit to see a lady in the last days of her life, Father celebrated the sacrament of the sick. I have been present at such celebrations before but never at a moment when the sick person was so close to the end. Then we went on to the Catholic Primary in the parish for a short liturgy for those in the reception class and their parents who had come to collect them.

"By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ." CCC 1499

St Robert Bellarmine

2007-09-17T22:31:00.000Z

St Robert Bellarmine, bishop & doctor of the Church, was born in Montepulciano on 4th October 1542 and entered the Society of Jesus in 1560. From 1561-1563 he studied Philosophy at the Collegio Romano where, from 1576-1588, was professor of theology and from 1592-1594 was also Rector. On 3rd March 1599, he was created Cardinal and three years later was ordained bishop of Capua. Returning to Rome as an advisor to Pope Paul V, he died on 17th September 1621. Canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1930, he was declared a doctor of the Church the following year.

60 years of marriage

2007-09-15T18:54:00.000Z

My grandparents celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary today, they were married sixty years ago on 17th September 1947. What a marvellous achievement. The queen (who also celebrates this milestone this year) has sent them a telegram in the traditional way. This picture was taken a year ago in Salcombe harbour in South Devon, where my grandfather was born.

Come friendly bombs...

2007-09-12T14:24:00.000Z

Sir John Betjeman's famous poem about Slough is pretty harsh. My experience of Slough and its people has been positive, just the same as any other urban area in England. Here is The Office's David Brent to comment on Sir John's poem:

“This is the poem Slough, by Sir John Betjemen, probably never been here in his life. ‘Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough, it isn’t fit for humans now.’ Right, I don’t think you solve town planning problems by dropping bombs all over the place, he’s embarrassed himself there. Next ‘In labour saving homes with care, their wives frizz out peroxide hair, and dry it in synthetic air, and paint their nails...’; they wanna look nice, what’s the matter, doesn’t he like girls? ‘And talks of sports and makes of cars, and various bogus Tudor bars, and daren’t look up and see the stars, but belch instead.’ What's he on about? What, has he never burped? ‘Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough, to get it ready for the plough. The cabbages are coming now, the earth exhales...’ He’s the only cabbage round here. And they made him a knight of the realm.
Overrated.”

Schools in the Parish

2007-09-12T14:03:00.000Z

The theme for this week of the placement is schools - there are three Catholic schools in the parish, a grammar school, a prep school and a primary school. Yesterday I visited Holy Family primary school and stayed for the governors' meeting. Tomorrow, there is a start of year Mass at St Bernard's grammar school, then on Friday at Holy Family primary school. Next Wednesday, St Bernard's prep school have theirs. Next week I hope to spend a day with the grammar school lay chaplain to learn a little about his work.

Painting of the Nativity of Our Blessed Lady

2007-09-08T20:16:00.000Z

The painting behind the high altar in the Martyr's chapel in Rome is believed to be a depiction of the birth of Our Lady.

Nativity of Our Blessed Lady

2007-09-08T19:52:00.000Z

The Lady Chapel of Our Lady Immaculate & St Ethelbert, adorned with flowers for the birthday of Our Blessed Lady.

Went for Saturday morning Mass to the church of Our Lady Immaculate & St Ethelbert up in the centre of Slough, I'd only seen it from the outside last Sunday.I was told by a chap at the end of Mass that it is the most westerly church in England built from Suffolk flint. Inside it is beautiful:

Appropriately for this feast, in the church there is a stained glass window featuring the parents of Our Lady:

Visit to Portsmouth

2007-09-06T22:40:00.000Z

The first "day off" since I got to Slough gave a good opportunity to visit one of my VEC confreres down on placement in Portsmouth Cathedral. Bishop Peter was Administrator of the cathedral for a number of years.

Out and about in Portsmouth harbour:

Inside the Church

2007-09-06T21:00:00.001Z

The Church here at Holy Family recently had a lot of work done to it. Bishop Peter visited the parish on Feburary 2nd (Candlemas) to consecrate the new altar on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Church. This is what the Church looked before:And after:Bishop Peter consecrating the altar earlier this year:

Slough

2007-09-02T23:05:00.000Z

After being warmly welcomed to Holy Family at the Masses this morning, I found time this afternoon to wonder round the town centre of Slough. Whilst Slough won't be winning any awards for its architecture, it has all the shops and local amenities that one might expect. It boasts the largest Tesco in Europe!

In amongst Slough's concrete is the attractive church of Our Lady Immaculate & St Ethelbert.This plaque tells us that the church was built & consecrated in 1910.

Bishop Augustine Harris

2007-09-02T22:51:00.000Z

I was sorry to hear this evening of the death of Bishop Augustine Harris, bishop emeritus of Middlesborough, and before that an auxiliary bishop in Liverpool. He was the bishop who consecrated Liverpool Cathedral in 1967, he visited our seminary last year on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. May he rest in peace.

The following is from Independent Catholic News.

The Right Reverend Augustine Harris, Bishop Emeritus of Middlesbrough and Former Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, died peacefully yesterday evening at Ince Blundell Hall at the age of 89.
He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Liverpool on 30 May 1942 and in 1966 became Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese. The following year he consecrated the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. In 1978 he was appointed as Bishop of Middlesbrough where he served until his retirement in 1992. In retirement he lived in Formby and latterly at Ince Blundell Hall. He was very active in retirement, a familiar figure and a good friend to many.
The Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool said: "A friend has died. I know of no other way to begin to speak of Bishop Augustine Harris. A friend to prisoners, a friend to priests, a friend to his brother Bishops, a friend to fellow pilgrims to Lourdes: a good friend. And this can only have one explanation: the Lord said to him 'I do not call you servant, I call your friend,' and Gus, for so I must name him at least once, could say to and of the Lord: I do not only call him Lord, I call him friend. May he rest in peace."

Placement underway

2007-09-01T16:32:00.000Z

The placement at Holy Family, Slough has begun, having arrived here this morning. Already, I have been with the PP to a wedding in the neighbouring parish of Datchet, which is the most southerly parish in the diocese. Afterwards, we drove through the very pleasant Eton which is very nearby, spotting Windsor Castle over the river Thames, which is the border dividing Berkshire between our diocese and that of Portsmouth. Tomorrow is Sunday and that's when I'll begin to meet people in the parish and get more of a sense of what makes the parish tick.

Parish Placement

2007-08-31T10:07:00.000Z

Tomorrow I will be going to the parish of Holy Family, in Langley near Slough at the very south of the diocese for 4 weeks to complete my annual pastoral placement. I don't know the parish or the area but I trust that soon I will! After a long period of holiday (perhaps reflected in the absence of posts from the blog) I feel eager to begin the next episode of life as a seminarian, in the parish context. I hope God will guide myself and the parish/diocese in this phase of discerning His will.

Ignem Veni Mittere in Terram

2007-08-19T11:07:00.000Z

In today's gospel we hear those challenging words of Jesus, "I have come to bring fire to the earth." They are familiarly challenging for me since, each day when at the seminary, we see these words in Latin on the famous Martyrs' Picture in the college church ("Ignem Veni Mittere in Terram"), and on our crest (see above). John the Baptist earlier in the gospel of Luke spoke of Jesus' coming as one greater than himself who would “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

In the scriptures, fire is mentioned as an image for purification, and also for judgment. At this point in Luke's gospel, Jesus is walking towards Jerusalem, and his disciples must decide to go with him or not. This decision has the effect of judgement and division, as spoken of by Our Lord, "Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." So to follow Christ, we must accept division which may come about as a consequence of our deciding to follow Him.

From the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Pius XII on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2007-08-17T00:37:00.000Z

"Great Mother of God, so wondrously united with Jesus Christ, from all eternity, by the same decree of providence; in her conception immacluate, in her divine motherhood a virgin most pure, the noble associate of our Redeemer in his victory over sin and its consequences - what reward awaited her at last? For the crown of all her graces, she was exempted from the sentence of decay; shared her Son's victory over death, and was carried up to heaven, soul and body, there to reign as queen at his right hand, who is the King of the Ages, the immortal."

The Feast of the Assumption

2007-08-17T00:13:00.000Z

A trip to see my grandparents in Devon on Wednesday & Thursday (who will soon be celebrating 60 years of marriage) meant an early start from the presbytery in Luton, where I often stay during holiday periods.

I had to cross London to catch a train from Paddington, and was there in the nick of time for the 7am Mass at Westminster Cathedral, which also gave an opportunity to pray for a special intention at the shrine of Our Lady of Westminster as pictured on Mgr Langham's blog yesterday.

Diaconate Ordinations - Sunday 16th July

2007-07-24T11:27:00.000Z

The last day of each seminary year in Rome sees the ordination to the Diaconate of those approaching their last year of formation. This year, there were four ordained Deacon, from the dioceses of Westminster, Birmingham, A & B and Shrewsbury.

It is wonderful to see people with whom I've lived for two years finally reach their ordination, committing their lives to God and the Church. The candidates had to assent to the following questions put to them by the bishop during the liturgy;

In the presence of God and the Church, are you resolved, as a sign of your interior dedication to Christ, to remain celibate for the sake of the kingdom and in lifelong service to God and mankind?
Are you willing to be ordained for the Church's ministry by the laying on of hands and the gift of the Holy Spirit?
Are you resolved to discharge the office of deacon with humility and love in order to assist the bishop and the priests and to serve the people of Christ?
Are you resolved to hold the mystery of faith with a clear conscience, as the Apostle urges, and to proclaim this faith in word and action as taught by the Gospel and the Church's tradition?
Are you resolved to maintain and deepen a spirit of prayer appropriate to your way of life and, in keeping with what is required of you, to celebrate the liturgy of the hours for the Church and for the whole world?
Are you resolved to shape your way of life according to the example of Christ, whose body and blood you will give to the people?
Do you promise respect and obedience to your ordinary?

New Lectors - 1st July 2007

2007-07-17T14:43:00.000Z

On Sunday 1st July, four of us from my year were instituted as Lectors by Archbishop John Foley.

Serving for the Pope - 29th June 2007

2007-07-16T16:02:00.000Z

The seminarians of the V.E.C. were invited to serve for the Holy Father for the Solemnity of SS Peter & Paul at St Peter's, where Pope Benedict conferred the pallium upon 46 metropolitan archbishops. Fourteen of us were serving that morning, my job was to look after the pastoral staff, handing it to and taking it from the Holy Father where appropriate. Processing in and out at the beginning and end of Mass some 10 feet behind the Holy Father (see picture), was a once in a lifetime experience. I witnessed the love of the tens of thousands of the faithful there present for the successor of St Peter on his feast, on the site of his martydom. We are blessed to have a great Pope!That's me on the right of this picture. It was a great spot to be standing for over an hour of the two-hour liturgy, seeing Pope Benedict give each archbishop his pallium and speaking to each briefly.

SS Peter & Paul

2007-06-28T16:00:00.001Z

Looking forward to serving for the Solemnity of SS Peter & Paul, presided at by Pope Benedict at St Peter's tomorrow morning. We went for the rehearsal this morning. I believe there are 46 Metropolitan Archbishops receving their pallia. This Sunday I'll be instituted as a Lector at Palazzola. Full reports & photos of these events will appear here on July 16th when I get back to the UK.

Tony Blair in Rome

2007-06-25T16:57:00.000Z

Tony Blair visited the Holy Father in Rome last Saturday, followed by lunch with us at the college, as has been widely reported. It was the first time a serving British prime minster had set foot in the college. By their nature, senior politicians are controversial figures, and of course Blair's government has pursued policies which are contrary to Church teaching (as well as others in agreement with it). Nevertheless, it was a pleasure to meet him, he gave an excellent speech after the lunch, he seemed interested in us and the college. The college has welcomed pilgrims for many hundreds of years, so it seemed quite natural to continue this tradition. A BBC video can be found here, which also mentions that he is the first British prime minister to visit the college.

New Deacons

2007-06-24T21:35:00.000Z

Two seminarians of the Diocese of Northampton, Andrew Richardson & Simon Penhalagan were ordained to the diaconate last Saturday (16th June) at Oscott College, by Archbishop Vincent Nichols. Many congratulations to them, please pray for them as they begin their ministry as deacons, and as they approach ordination to the priesthood next Summer.

Roman heat

2007-06-21T22:55:00.001Z

It is uncomfortably hot in Rome at the moment, which doesn't help the revision for the exams - my final one is on Monday, bringing to the end my Philosophy degree at the Greg - I'm looking forward to getting to the Villa on June 29th for a two-week period which will include a mixture of pastoral courses, R & R and the institution of ministries, culminating in the ordination of 4 seminarians to the diaconate on July 15th - please pray for them.

Exams

2007-06-09T22:28:00.000Z

Have been at Palazzola for most of the past week preparing for forthcoming exams, we are a week into this semester's session here. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately from the studying point of view) the internet security at the viila does not permit the viewing or updating of blogs. I was sent this video as light relief from the Philosophy study...