Two weeks in Westminster

The staff are away for a day so the students are finding themselves free for a period or two this morning so I thought I would take the opportunity to do some long awaited posting.

Two Saturdays ago, as you know, we attended the Solemn High Mass in Westminster Cathedral to celebrate the Holy Father's Motu Proprio. It was a joyous occasion, the Cathedral was packed and we counted at least five seminarians in the congregation. The Mass was Mozart's Coronation Mass (a favourite of many) and the homily was magnificent, comparing Servant of God Pope John Paul II to Moses and Pope Benedict XVI to Joshua. I was particularly impressed that the homily was given from the pulpit rather than the ambo/lectern. The people all participated well and the Te Deum brought a tear to many an eye. The only criticism I would have is that prior to Mass Julian Chadwick gave some notices on behalf of the Latin Mass Society, which included the next celebration of Confirmation at St James, Spanish place in the 'Traditional Form'. The Motu Proprio clearly states there are no longer two rites of Mass but two forms of the same rite, therefore we must all adjust our language to meet this significant change, otherwise people will continue to shun the Extraordinary Rite.

Last Saturday was the Rosary Crusade of Reparation beginning with a procession of the statue of Our Lady from Westminster Cathedral to Brompton Oratory, where we had hymns to Our Lady, blessing and clothing with the Brown Scapular, a marvellous sermon given by Fr Julian Large Cong Orat in which he stated that if the Rosary can win wars and bring about world peace imagine what it can do for the individual. The day ended with the most beautiful Benediction I have ever received.

All in all the last two weekends have been fantastic and we are looking forward to the LMS Requiem Mass in November.