Held
at the Brompton Oratory on Tuesday, 20th March, 2012, in St Michael’s Halls
from 7:30 to 8:15 pm. Started after Mass and Devotions for the 40 Hours.
Present: Bros. Stephen de la Bedoyere, Preceptor; Andrew Cesana, Richard Coles, Kts; Mary, Pat O'Osullivan; Servant OL; Pierre
Vallerie, Ian Gordon, Maurice Powers, Friends OL
READING: Ch. 11: On Prayer (Read by Ian Gordon)
MASTER’S
DIRECTIVE 4: ACTION (Section 3 – Studies – Postponed until May)
‘
I will insist certainly on specific services rendered personally to people in
trouble, avoiding big words, endless meetings and petitions that merely salve
people’s consciences! What has made the immense success of the Sant’Egidio
community is that its first members –Roman university students- started (and
have continued) by welcoming and nourishing in person the tramps of the
Trastevere… The same is true of the Templars assuring the security of pilgrims
to the Holy Land. I do take part of the responsibility for not doing this in
the first days of the Order … but I entered the monastery when we were only 6
or 7!’ (Dom Lafond, e-mail to the Master – 0605-2008).
We need to be fully aware that the activity
of the Knights is firstly and above all a charitable one. May I then remind you
of the priorities established by my predecessors and myself:
-
Promoting Life and the Family- Studying the real situation in our societies, based on documents of the Church’s Magisterium, like Ecclesia in Europa/America and drawing from them, for the MSM or individual nations, programme for evangelising.
- In this process, identifying the remnants of Marxism within our societies of the New Evangelisation (c.f. my directive of 2003)
- Study and diffusion of the Church’s social teaching
- Study of the liturgy
Further points:
-
The promotion of Life and the
Family is above all in the context of the IFCI, which will hold its first
congress in the 3rd quarter of 2012 in France, after a formative
seminar in Braga in June 2010 attended by a representative of the Pontifical
Council for the Family.
-
We should not forget the continued
presence of Marxism in the modern mind. The fact that earlier directives of
mine have neither been understood nor followed up… does not stop me from
putting it forcefully forward again. A simple example would be that the theory
of gender is a fruit of dialectic Marxism (thesis: machismo of the dark ages;
antithesis: dictatorship of women; synthesis: a society without sexes!) How
this is followed up –individually or collectively– in the MSM is matter for
each of us to decide ‘whether by speech or writing or any other means’ (XVIII,
3) and according to the superior’s guidance. Nor should we neglect
‘cyber-militantism’, which produces good results, not least allowing Catholics
to use this means to make their voices heard in electoral campaigns.
-
To carry our activity, we have
made too little use of the Ladies and our Sisters, of our spouses, even if they
do not form part of the Order, and of other members of the Familia. Let’s
follow the example of our British brothers and recruit Servants of Our Lady –men
and women– so that they can add to their common prayer, the possibility that
they lead undertake to direction of such apostolate, so as to ‘enlarge on earth
the frontiers of God’s kingdom’.
-
Bearing in mind the variety of
interpretation among our nations of the word ‘action’, I offer this reflection
once again by putting forward (see Annex 2) a programme of studies, and
sincerely hope that you will respond to this questionnaire in preparation for
the discussio, at the 2012 General Chapter.
COMMENTARY
ON THE RULE:
I’m glad that we have read the chapter on
Prayer. If only because the Master’s inspiring words can only be implemented
through our prayer. Please study what the Master has written, and please study
the chapter on prayer. May I share with you my vision for the ‘apostolic’ side
of a fully functioning Preceptory? Each member will have a variety of apostolic
activities, depending on his/her background, abilities, preferences and
compatibilities. Our status in life and our job are fundamental to our life of
Christian witness and service. So our families come first (and as a bachelor,
my extended family mean a great deal to me), and our work, too. There are few
jobs that do not have a dimension towards the service of others. Looking around
at the present constituents of our Preceptory, each one of us is involved in
work for others; teaching, overseas development, fundraising, musical culture,
linguistics (c.f., Word of God) and so on… This is the nature of society. As
knights, however, we contribute an extra effort and a higher standard to what
we would otherwise do. However, all of us are part of an organised group that
needs maintenance: so we are called to play a part: Preceptor, Treasurer,
Chapter Secretary (remember how well this was done by Jeffrey), Director of
Studies, Translator, IT Officer, Publicity Officer... We should obviously be
generous in offering our services. Recruitment impinges on us all. We will then
be ready –alone or – preferably– with others– to express our knightly charity
in external ways. While we may have external activities in which we are already
engaged (Andrew and the ‘Days with Mary’, for instance), a certain priority should be given to
activities that are suitable to the knightly ethos –which is why we must study
the Master’s directive; OLAF or IFCI, for instance, visiting priests in
retirement homes (which should involve pairs), etc. There is a chance here also
of working with people outside the MSM, and attracting others to the Order! You
may well say, ‘What a programme!’ I certainly did, but what did we expect when
we said to God: ‘I will serve You’?
EXHORTATION:
A structure like this can only –I repeat–
be implemented by persevering personal prayer. Jesus ‘spent the night in prayer’
before choosing His apostles. Well, sleep is important for us, but we can
follow the Lord in spirit in Lent and Easter!
NEWS OF THE ORDER:
1. The Master has undertaken a ‘cyber’ debate on the the question of recruitment to the MSM via IT with major superiors. No doubt we will hear more about this at the General Chapter! There seem to be young men, from Canada to Brazil via Australia (!) interested in joining the MSM. Let’s keep them in our prayers.
NEWS OF THE ORDER:
1. The Master has undertaken a ‘cyber’ debate on the the question of recruitment to the MSM via IT with major superiors. No doubt we will hear more about this at the General Chapter! There seem to be young men, from Canada to Brazil via Australia (!) interested in joining the MSM. Let’s keep them in our prayers.
INTERNATIONAL FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO INSTITUTE: The July pilgrimage to Aylesford is a chance for us to pray for the October international IFCI Congress in France.
OLAF:
A couple of Nairobi families are desperate for help
with school fees, and I will address this a.s.a.p. So far, in answer to my
circular letter, only one recipient has shown an interest in helping, but – for
a viable future for OLAF – we really need several fully committed people.
NEWS OF THE PRECEPTORY:
1. Meeting Bishop Alan Hopes: Jean-Paul and I spent an hour with Bishop Alan on Wednesday, 14.03.12. He is a good friend of the Gauthiers, having married Jean-Paul and Kofo (in the year I was dubbed) and this rendered our exposé of the MSM quite an informal activity. Bishop Hopes took an immediate interest in our activities and appeared inspired by our desire to play a bigger role in evangelisation in this country. In particular, he felt that we couldn’t do better than make contact with ‘Catholic Voices’ who are spearheading opposition to the Government’s consultation on Gay ‘Marriage’.In reference to canonical recognition, he endorsed our intention to meet Archbishop Smith, and –himself an Anglican convert– he was glad to hear that we have already established contact with the Ordinariate. I need to formally thank him for his hospitality to us, include his intentions in our Chapter prayers, and send him Chapter summaries.
Call to prayer, which we have received on behalf of Bishop Hopes, who will attend the ’40 Days for Life’ prayer gathering in Bedford Square on Friday 30th March between 7 and 8 pm. Our vow for Defence of the Church will at least involve us in prayer, and – if possible –attendance.
2. Deacon James Bradley, of the Ordinariate, will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Hopes at St Patrick’s Church, Soho, on Saturday, 21stApril at 10:00, and he will say his first Mass at the Church of the Holy Ghost, Nightingale Square, the following Sunday at 11:00.
JEAN-PAUL’S NEWS:
Call to prayer, which we have received on behalf of Bishop Hopes, who will attend the ’40 Days for Life’ prayer gathering in Bedford Square on Friday 30th March between 7 and 8 pm. Our vow for Defence of the Church will at least involve us in prayer, and – if possible –attendance.
2. Deacon James Bradley, of the Ordinariate, will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Hopes at St Patrick’s Church, Soho, on Saturday, 21stApril at 10:00, and he will say his first Mass at the Church of the Holy Ghost, Nightingale Square, the following Sunday at 11:00.
3. Funeral details for Servant OL Peggy Starkie: At the Little Oratory, on Tuesday, 27th March, at 11:00, with drinks afterwards at St Joseph’s Hall (She will be interred at Kensal Green Cemetery. Any member of the Preceptory who can come will be most welcome. Mary and Stephen attended the Requiem, and Mary played ‘In Paradisum’ on the bells at the recession.
4. The date of the Crusade of Reparation (Westminster to Oratory) has been changed to Saturday, 13th October (1:30 to 5:00). This is great, as this will enable those attending the IFCI Congress to be able to process!
5. Chapter of Saturday, 28th April (c.f., Memorial Mass for Joe Farrelly and Rosemary Rendel (Servant OL) in Lady Chapel at Westminster Cathedral at 2:00pm. Our Chapter will open in Room 4, Cathedral Clergy House (42 Francis Street) at 11:30 and will conclude at 1:30. I suggest we bring a packed lunch. There is no fee, but we will make a donation.
6. Aylesford Pilgrimage: I have confirmed the hiring of a room at the Priory for £100 (one hires for the day) attendance at Mass at midday on Monday, 16thJuly, followed by our Chapter from 1:00 till 3:00. We should bring a packed lunch. It would be good to invite our friends. We need to discuss transport.
MARTIN’S
NEWS: Martin most enjoyed the Foyers de Charité
information day at Bayswater, which was attended by 35 people, bringing nearer
the day when a Foyer of Charity will be established in this country. He hopes
to attend the Memorial Mass for Rosemary at Westminster Cathedral on 28.04.12.
GEORGE’S
NEWS:
Now
living in retirement in the Warrington area. George wrote to me about his
involvement in the Church Healing Ministry over 30 years. Maybe he will be able
to tell us more about it in due course.
ANDREW’S
NEWS:
- Mrs
Cesana is back home, and glad to be, although her care package has had to
be increased.
- Forthcoming
Days with Mary include Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead (31st
March), Holy Apostles , Pimlico (21st April).
- Andrew
has sent a ‘Happy Retirement’ card to Fr Roger Nesbitt, PP of Folkestone,
on behalf of the Preceptory. We hope to remain in touch with him… perhaps
he could be a chaplain of devotion?
- Andrew
will send a notice about the MSM to the Westminster Directory, for
inclusion in 2013 edition!
JEAN-PAUL’S NEWS:
1. He will be abroad after Easter till end of
May for professional reasons.
2. He is prepared to follow up anyone
interested in a vocation with the Knights: gauthier@aol.com 01304 381 788.
3. The church of St Augustine at Ramsgate
has been made by the Archbishop of Southwark an official Shrine in honour of
the great Benedictine missionary to the early English … very visitable!
MARY’S
NEWS:
1. Recommends reading: ‘Pushkin is not the
Pope’s cat: He lives at the Birmingham Oratory. ‘Pushkin the Pontifical Puss:
Tails of an Oratory Cat’ by Fr Anton Guzial, Cong Orat. Well worth obtaining,
and published by St Paul’s.
2. As part of the Schola Gregoriana (Cambridge)
Mary will participate in a recital of
‘Music in the Middle Ages in
honour of Our Lady from the Abbeys of Las Huelgas and Fontrevaux’ to be
performed at the Temple Church (London) at 6:30 pm on Monday, 16th
April at £10.
PAT’S
NEWS:
1. He and Pierre attended the ESBVM AGM at
Allen Hall.
2. He was accompanied today by Maurice Power, a
friend of his (whom we have met before) who appears keen to know more about the
Knights
IAN’S
NEWS:
1. He and Maureen attended the ACW Day of Prayer and Reflection recently.
2. He has been organising the petition on Marriage (for link see above) in his parish, as well as Lenten hunger lunches.
3. He was impressed by the recent TV series ‘Catholics’
HOLY WEEK & EASTER TRIDUUM
Monday, 23rd April: St George, Protector of the Realm and Patron of Chivalry
Thurs.26th April: Our Lady of Counsel ; Friday, 27th April: Our Lady of Montserrat
Saturday 28th April: St Louis-Marie Patron of the MSM, and St Gianna Molla, Patron of IFCI
20 to 27th April: NOVENA in honour of St Louis-Marie for vocations to the MSM. See text accompanying.
1. He and Maureen attended the ACW Day of Prayer and Reflection recently.
2. He has been organising the petition on Marriage (for link see above) in his parish, as well as Lenten hunger lunches.
3. He was impressed by the recent TV series ‘Catholics’
FEASTS
and ANNIVERSARIES:
Monday, 26th March: (trans.)
Feast of the Annunciation (Feast of the true devotion)HOLY WEEK & EASTER TRIDUUM
Monday, 23rd April: St George, Protector of the Realm and Patron of Chivalry
Thurs.26th April: Our Lady of Counsel ; Friday, 27th April: Our Lady of Montserrat
Saturday 28th April: St Louis-Marie Patron of the MSM, and St Gianna Molla, Patron of IFCI
20 to 27th April: NOVENA in honour of St Louis-Marie for vocations to the MSM. See text accompanying.
PRAYER
INT.s:
- Dead: We
think of all those who have died recently: Peggie Starkie, Maria Coates
- Sick:
Joyce Palmer, Friend OL; John and Audrey Powell; Anthony Crowley
- For continual prayers: Fiorella Nash (Friend OL), pregnant; Nicholas Lane; Mgr. Miles (Ret’d);
- Permanently on our Prayer List: Pope Benedict and his intentions, vocations to the MSM and IFCI, OLAF and the children we are supporting; Foyers de Charité movement; Days with Mary; Friends of the Holy Family; Confraternity of St James; Carmelite Nuns in Finland and 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 Paul Hendricks and his intentions; Bishop Moth and his intentions; Mgr Newton and the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham; Bishop Echeverria and the Prelature of Opus Dei; Bishop Alan Hopes and his intentions
CHAPTER OF FAULTS
CONCLUDING PRAYERS
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