Extraordinary Form Masses in Lancaster

A few people asked me how I had known of the recent Mass at Warwick Bridge, and why I hadn't told them about it earlier.

The how is simple: I get a regular email from the local LMS Reps (happily called Bob and Jane Latin - no, honestly!) If you are a member of the LMS in the diocese, with email, I am sure you cold arrange to do so too.

The why s also simple: I had assumed those interested would be on their email list. 

However, having learned that is not th case, I thought it might be helpful to post details here.

Lancaster Diocese Masses in the Extraordinary Form

February 2014

Sunday February 2nd at 6.00 pm

Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Christ the King, Harraby, Carlisle

Sunday February 9th at 3.00 pm

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

St Peter's Cathedral, Lancaster

Saturday February 22nd at 10.00 am

Chair of St Peter

Our Lady & St Wilfrid, Warwick Bridge, Carlisle

Mass is also celebrated every Sunday at 9.00 am

at St Mary Magdalene, Leyland Road, Penwortham.

Local Representatives: Bob & Jane Latin

Email: lancasterlms@gmail.com

Website: latinmasslancaster.blogspot.com

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As always, if you are travelling any distance, it is worth checking in advance that the scheduled Mass is still on: occasionally something may disrupt the schedule.

It's not all right for others

There has been some controversy in the press recently about claims that huge numbers of Christians are being martyred every year.  Personally, I am not particularly interested in the numbers: the fact is that many, many Christians suffer for their Faith throughout the world. 

I have just been reading  the ACN booklet Persecuted but Never Forgotten.  It is chilling but essential reading, documenting the persecution of Christians in many countries around the world. 

It concludes with many suggestions for us (what we can and should be doing) and these words of Pope Francis':


I have a question for you, but don’t answer out loud, only in your heart. How many of you pray for Christians who are being persecuted? How many? Everyone respond in your heart. Do I pray for my brother, for my sister who is in difficulty because they confess and defend their faith? It is important to look beyond our own boundaries, to feel that we are one Church, one family in God! 

It's all right for some

So Ant has landed on her feet again. She just enquired about the possibility of going for a voyage on this ship, and the next minute, she was booked on, with a bursary paying her passage, and a promise to give her the next level of sailing qualification that she is after.

She sails from Genoa in a few days, for a ten day voyage, to Malta.

How is it that I never got to do such stuff at her age? (or any age, come to that?)

It just gets better and better!

I have already enthused (here and here) about the wonderful Mass Propers site.

But I continue to discover further glories.  Tonight, I wanted to look at the chant for next Sunday; but next Sunday is Candlemas, so it doesn't feature in the drop-down list of Sundays (as it is always 2 Feb, and therefore, rarely a Sunday).

So I looked at the 'Custom Mass' tab (confident it would not be some dreadful modernist diy thing). But that only offered a Wedding Mass, a Mass for the Dead, a Mass for the Dedication of a Church, and a Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart.

But then I saw that for each part of the Proper (Introit etc) there was a search option. More in hope than expectation, I entered Suscepimus, and there it was: the Candlemas Introit.  And it worked for the Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory and Communion, too.

I am as happy as a pig in clover.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the wonderful Leutgeb of the Bara Brith blog who pointed this site out to me.

Getting Practical

It has been pointed out to me that I have said nothing about the really practical stuff: how to book on the Chartres Pilgrimage.

No surprises there: I am strictly an ideas man. Apart from my pedantry with regard to language, I don't do detail.

However, I realise that it might be quite helpful for those interested to know rather more than I have let slip so far. So I am delighted to be able to point you at the Website, which contains a full itinerary etc. and also the contact details for Mr & Mrs Carey, who are the organisers of the British Chapters.

At present, the site says that Registration Forms will be available shortly: so either visit the site regularly to download one once they are available, or contact the Careys to get on their email list.

For those who enjoy French, the French site is here.

Oh, and just a couple more things...

One of the things I forgot to mention in yesterday's post about the Chartres pilgrimage, is that now is also the time to start getting in shape for it.

If you are super-fit, like me, and run up the fells with your dog every morning before breakfast, this may be less of an issue.

But if not, it is worth serious thought.  The pilgrimage is not unmanageable: indeed young children (who tend to be quite fit) do it readily. But many adults, used to a more sedentary life, do struggle. We walk serious distances (albeit over very easy countryside) over the first two days: about 50 miles. It can also be very hot.

So it is worth getting a bit of walking in now, on a regular basis, and also getting your boots broken in. Whilst it is kind to the Order of Malta volunteers to make them feel useful, they do have a very busy few days treating blisters.

The other aspect, of course, is the spiritual preparation: you can start collecting prayer intentions, maybe make a novena or two; also, get others praying for you on the pilgrimage.

Notre-Dame de la Sainte-Espérance, convertissez-nous.    

Go on, you know you want to...

It is that time of year when you have to start your planning, if you want to go on the Chartres Pilgrimage.

Yes, of course you want to: to read my gripping account of the last time I went, try here here here, here and here.  How could you resist?

The pilgrimage always takes place over Pentecost weekend. This year that means leaving London on Friday 6th June, walking on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (7th, 8th and 9th) and returning to London on Tuesday 10th June.  That's why you need to start planning now: book those dates in your diary, find baby-sitters, pet-sitters, book time off work, and so on.

It is a truly wonderful experience - and you will have the added bonus of meeting me in the flesh.  What further inducement do you need?