MSM November 2011 GB Preceptory Chapter

MILITIA SANCTAE MARIAE, Knights of Our Lady G.B. Preceptory, From the preceptor:

 ‘RORATE, CAELI, DESUPER, ET NUBES PLUANT JUSTUM, APERIATUR TERRA, ET GERMINET SALVATOREM.’

Dear Brothers, Sisters and Friends,

In wishing you and yours a holy Christmas and a happy new Year 2012, I have the sadness of passing on to you the news of the death of three members of the MSM and of one Friend:  Dom Thomas Niggl, Abbot Emeritus of Weltenberg in Bavaria, German Prioral Chaplain (who dubbed several knights, including Stephen and Andrew) died on 10^th December; Chev. Raymond Thirionet, a Belgian knight whom I had the pleasure of meeting, died on 14^th November; Servant of Our Lady Rosemary Rendel died on 12^th December. She was also a Dame of St Gregory, and I used to say that she was the only female knight in the MSM, although, of course, her knighthood was of St Gregory (for services rendered to the Church, in particular her historical scholarship!); Bishop John Jukes, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus in Southwark, who was a good supporter of the knights. I am glad to say that Brother Andrew and Sister Mary, having both had operations in October, seem to have fully recovered. I must apologise for the delay in sending the November Chapter summary. I spent a week in Nairobi after the Chapter which delayed the job. Added to this, both my computer and printer ceased to function, and had to be replaced … the transfer of information caused me some trouble.

- Preceptor Stephen de la Bedoyere

________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter held at the London Oratory at 6:45 pm in St Michael’s Hall, 15^th November, being present the Preceptor, Stephen de la Bédoyère, Richard Coles, Kt. (N/A); Patrick O’Sullivan, S.O.L.; Pierre Vallerie, Ian Gordon, Fr.s O.L.

READING FROM RULE:

CHAP. X:  by Chev. Richard Coles

COMMENTARY: by Preceptor de la Bedeloyere

Can one imagine a more beautiful expression of the liturgy than as ‘the very voice of the Spouse of Christ’? I assume that these are the words of our Founder Dom Lafond, since they are neither italicised in the text nor given a reference; as indeed must be the title of the chapter. The Office that we in G.B. say has always been a compromise, as –due to fewness of members– the Office of Our Lady written by our Founder does not yet have an English edition, and with so few Observants it has proven impossible to say the whole Office as prescribed in the Rule.

Fidelity to our vocation requires that we be faithful to the spirit and norms of the Militia Sanctae Mariae: The Office should be that of Our Lady. It should be recited entirely each week by the efforts of the Preceptory. In the ‘90s, Master Frederic approved a plan for us the use the ancient text of the Office of Our Lady at Chapters and the Shorter Morning and Evening Prayer of the Roman Office on our own… in this way it has proven possible for three knights using the three principal offices to say the whole Office weekly. Since then we have given up the Little Office of Our Lady, as the translation is antiquated. It seems to me that, at Chapters, the Office should be available to all who attend and in practice that means an English text. As the Preceptory begins to grow, we need to consider the options carefully, pray about the issue and discuss what to do. While I ask each Observant to be faithful to our Rule, I do so in a spirit of leadership, not enforcement. For the moment, we should continue with the Shorter at Chapters, but I strongly recommend those who have a copy of the French Office, and who can cope with either Latin or French, to recite the three principal offices of Lauds, Vespers and Compline from that text according to the rota… if you intend to do this please let me know.

EXHORTATION: We are familiar with St Benedict’s exhortation: ‘Prefer nothing to the Work of God’. Let’s start 2012 by giving it our best shot!

NEWS OF THE ORDER: We are now well into the final Capitular year before the next General Chapter of the MSM in August, 2012 –which Observants are required by the Rule to attend –and I would like to theme the intervening Preceptoral Chapters on the Master’s directives. In combination with the General Chapter will be a 2-3 day formational seminar for brothers-at-arms… it would be wonderful if, by then, we are able to send some of our own brothers to attend. Our Belgo-Congolese brother, Jean-Pierre Misakabo, has told us that the post election situation in Congo-Zaire is very uncertain. Prayers please!

NEWS OF THE PRECEPTORY: I am in regular correspondence with Chev. George Mockler, who wishes to re-integrate fully with the Preceptory. During my November visit to Nairobi, I asked a number of the parents whose children OLAF has helped financially if they would become Prayer Friends and Spiritual Supporters (PFSS) of the MSM and they said yes. Our new “Friends of Our Lady” are: Mophat Andako (teacher; unmarried, non-Catholic) and Bernard and Gaudencia Wanjala (teachers, non-Catholic)… These are already  PFSS; Reverend Mother and Community, Mount Carmel Convent, Nairobi; Mr and Mrs Nabangi; Mr and Mrs Ochieng… not to mention, of course, those who pray for us as a matter of course in this very religious country. I met one or two young men who, I felt, could have vocations among the Knights. Prayers, please! Brothers Jean-Paul and Stephen attended the Rosary Crusade of Reparation in October, and we met the presiding prelate, Mgr Newton, the Ordinary of Our Lady of Walsingham, from which meeting a further meeting was arranged to explain the Knights to the Ordinariate. Report in January.  Servant O.L. Rosemary Rendel’s funeral was at the Oratory on 21st December. The Preceptor asked Sister Mary to represent the Militia. Please watch out for the Memorial Service at the Oratory in January. It is important that as many members of the Preceptory as possible attend. Pierre and Stephen attended the Solemn Mass for the Immaculate Conception on Thursday, 8th December at the Oratory.

INTERNATIONAL FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO INSTITUTE: Congress in Paris, w/e of the 5th to 7th October. Details to be circulated. Prayers, please!

OLAF As a result of my week in Kenya, one of the families that we have helped in the past, the Ochiengs, have asked us if we can help fund the school fees of two of the children (out of six): Teresa and Mathias together need £600 for the year; I should like to send £200 now, and we have just over £100 in Funds. Could you help? The future of Our Lady’s African Fund depends on people willing to run it. It needs a minimum of a couple of hours a week per operative… three more people would allow the equivalent of one day a week for OLAF. The report on my visit to Nairobi, which was undertaken on behalf of Our Lady’s African Fund, is on our Blog. Cheques should be made out to Our Lady's African Fund and sent to: Stephen de la Bédoyère, C32, Du Cane Court, LONDON SW17 7JF

SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN (SPUC) Ian Gordon, F.O.L., continues to be involved in SPUC activities. Stephen has agreed to do the annual White Flower SPUC collection at Balham Holy Ghost on 7+8, January. Prayers Please!

FOYERS DE CHARITÉ RETREAT: “God’s Plan for the Fullness of Time’, in Brentwood on 29.01.12 – 4.02.12. Contact Msgr. Barltrop, on 07879953953 or at St Mary of the Angels, Moorhouse Rd, Bayswater, LONDON, W2 5DJ

WITNESS AND PILGRIMAGES Ian and Maureen Gordon, F.s O.L., attended a British Museum Conference on Treasures for Heaven and participated in a retreat at Ampleforth. Chev. Richard Cole has been attending Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary (ESBVM) prayers at the church of St Mary at the Hill. S.O.L. Patrick O’Sullivan was able to attend the funeral of Joe Farrelly of ESBVM. Peter Sibley also remained involved in ESBVM. Chev. Jean-Paul Gauthier and family have made a number of pilgrimages near their home in Kent, including to St Augustine’s Cross at Ebbsfleet, Richborough Fort’s Roman Baptistery, St-Augustine’s Abbey and Tomb in Canterbury, The Parish and Relic St-Thomas of Canterbury, and the Abbey of Minster in Thanet (where Jean-Paul attended a retreat for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist). Prayers were said by Jean-Paul for the MSM at each location.

GOD’S CALL: References are made in this summary –and earlier ones– to responsibilities within the Preceptory, and it would be good to have among us someone with time to represent us in the pro-Life movement, and keep us informed; I have already mentioned OLAF’s need for committed operatives. We now have a goodish number of young men enquiring seriously about the MSM. Jean-Paul and the Preceptor are trying to follow each one up. But the key to success is the prayer of each one of us… what about daily: ‘Holy Mary, Mother of God, Sovereign Lady of the Knights, graciously call to Your banner unfurled, men and women who will extend the frontiers of God’s Kingdom on earth. Amen’

FINANCES: Please recall that your denier becomes due in January: Observants:  2x One day’s net income Servants O.L. £ 5:00 Friends O.L. Personal donation. If you have difficulty in paying, please contact Martin Blake. Donations, of course, are acceptable. Martin’s address: 28, War Memorial Place, HENLEY ON THAMES, RG9 1EP; Tel. 01491.413.063

FEASTS and ANNIVERSARIES: In November after the Chapter: Our Lady of Ostrabrama (16th); Anniversary Mass for Dom Lafond, and annual Requiem for MSM (17th); Christ the King (20th); December feasts of Our Lady: Immaculate Comception, Loretto (10th), Guadalupe (12th), Expectation (18th); Canonical Erection of MSM in Chartres (24th) 1/I/12:Mary, Mother of God 6/I/12: Epiphany (celebrated in England on following  Sunday) 13/I/12: Birthday, Mary Remnant 17/I/12:      “            Richard Coles 23/I/12:      “          Pierre Vallerie

PRAYER INTENTIONS: 1.      Dead: We think of all those members of the MSM who have died recently: Raymond Thirionet (Mass on 3/I/12 at Tintagel at 10:00); Rosemary Rendel (Mass on 4/I/12 at Tintagel at 10:00); Dom Thomas Niggl (Mass on 17/II/12 at Sacred Heart, Sittingbourne at 10:00) 2.      Sick: Mrs Coles; Anthony Johnson; Harry Gibson; Stratford Caldecott, Friend of Our Lady 3.      For continual prayers: Nicholas Lane’s housing problem 4.      Permanently on our Prayer List: Pope Benedict and his intentions; vocations to the MSM and IFCI, OLAF and the children we are supporting; Foyer de Charité movement; Days with Mary; Friends of the Holy Family; Confraternity of St James; Carmelite nuns in Nairobi; Society of Pewe; WAF; ESBVM; Billings family Life Centre; Fathers and Parishes of the Oratory and St Mary Magdalen’s; Elderly and sick clergy whom we visit; Vocations to the priesthood, religious life and marriage; Bishop Moth and the Bishopric of the Forces; Bishop Hendricks and his intentions; Monsignor Keith Newton and the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, worldwide.

CONCLUDING PRAYERS: RITUAL AND COMPLINE

NEXT CHAPTER: Parlour 6, Saturday, 28th January, the Brompton Oratory, from 1:00 to 3:30pm Agenda: Renewal of our Montfortian Consecration to Our Lady Plans for the Capitular Year Report on the Preceptor’s Meeting with Mgr. Newton Annual Donation to the Fathers of the Oratory for our Use of the Facilities Annual   Subscriptions