Join Our Lady's Spiritual Support Corps, the MSM's Auxiliary!

[If interested in joining the MSM's Auxiliary Corps, please make a Consecration to the Blessed Mother according to the Monfortian formula (http://militiasanctaemariae.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/msm-marian-consecration-according-to.html), save the below picture onto your desktop, print, fill in, and send it to the MSM Magisterial Delegate for the US via e-mail, at: gauthierjp@aol.com]

MSM UK Preceptory May 2012 Chapter Minutes

15 May 2012 (UN Day of the Family), Brompton Oratory, London

Please note that David Sainty, accompanied by his wife Camelia, will be received as Brother-at-arms and Sister of the Order, on Saturday 2nd June, 2012, at 4:00 pm in St Wilfrid's Chapel at the Brompton Oratory, in the presence of Fr Rupert McHardy, Cong. Orat. If you are a member or friend of our Preceptory, please make every effort to be present.

Present: Stephen de la Bédoyère (Preceptor); Jean-Paul Gauthier, Andrew Cesana (Kts.); Richard Coles (Kt. n/a); Mary Remnant, S.O.L.; and Pierre Vallérie, F.O.L.

Apologies: Ian and Maureen Gordon, Fs.O.L. (Holy Land pilgrimage), Dom Benet Watt, OSB (S.O.L.)

Chapter began at 7:00pm, following 6:00pm Mass & Adoration at the Oratory

OPENING RITUAL

READING FROM THE RULE: Chap. 1 (“The Objects of the Order of the Knights of Our Lady”), Arts. 4 in fine & 5 (Read by Jean-Paul Gauthier, Kt.)

READING FROM THE MASTER’s 2012 DIRECTIVE:
Item 5: “New Evangelization” in Magisterial Directive N^o. 3 of 2012, by Master Jacques Pellabeuf (Translated & Read by Preceptor Stephen de la Bédoyère)

“ ‘The new evangelisation (…) is not a response to the time of crisis in which we are living. When we talk of the new evangelisation we mean the renewal within ourselves of that missionary spirit which should live within every Christian. It is a procedure which is rooted in the full continuity of that first evangelisation by which Our Lord Jesus wished into being the Church, and entrusted to Her this mission: to go and encounter every person and bring per the GOSPEL’ (Mgr. Fisichella, quoted in Zenit -ZF101206)

This leitmotiv, which is taken up – as in numerous other lay movements – in how we present ourselves to the outside, should lead us to listen to the Church’s teaching on how to bring the Good News to our contemporaries, be they from the older Christian nations or from new lands opening to Christian culture. Having made such a study, we have to ask ourselves how to turn this teaching into procedures within the MSM to give flesh and blood to the New Evangelisation. The pedagogy of the new Dicastery, created by the Holy Father, will help to guide our choices.”

COMMENTARY ON THE READINGS:

The Preceptor stressed that “the MSM means business” on New Evangelization. He stressed that, in so doing, the Order will follow the guidance and directives in this area provided by the Apostolic See’s new Dycastery [Pontifical Council for New Evangelization, presided by Mgr. Fisichella], as has been determined by the Master. The Preceptor noted the value of following the daily activities and statements of the Apostolic See (including those of the Pontifical Council for New Evangelization) by subscribing (for free) to the daily dispatches of the Vatican-watch news agency Zenit, through: www.zenit.org. He also stressed that a relationship exists between the Rule and this guidance, and that the members of the Order are indeed living according to the Rule. He noted his satisfaction for instance that, in keeping with Chap. 1 Article 5 of the Rule, which states that “the education of young people” is a “social work conducive to the aims of the Order”, there were three British Preceptory members that were teachers around the table at this Chapter meeting alone.

In the Preceptor’s words: “We have the words of the Prefect of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelisation, as well as those of the Master, alongside the text of our Rule regarding the mission of the MSM, and we need to absorb them as part of our attitude towards our vocation. We don’t want to validate Chesterton’s humorous remark: ‘It’s not that Christianity has been tried and failed… it’s never been tried!’ God is calling us to extend the frontiers of His Kingdom AS Knights and Servants of Our Lady. This is the role for which the MSM seeks recognition in this country.”

EXHORTATION:
The Preceptor’s exhortation for the month, on the theme proposed by the readings (New Evangelization), was to meditate on the 6^th Station of the Cross: St-Veronica’s wiping of Our Lord’s face with a cloth. The Preceptor exhorted the members of the Preceptory to follow St-Veronica’s example of doing apparently “small” (yet in fact important) things to evangelize, in small ways, all of the time. He recalled G.K. Chesterton's remark: 'The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.'

NEWS OF THE ORDER:

IFCI (International Familiaris Consortio Institute): The dates for the 2012 International Congress in Paris have been changed to October 13^th and 14^th. The Preceptor presented the program for the Congress. It was noted that the Congress conflicts with the October 13^th 2012 Crusade for Reparation March and Stephen proposed that knights stagger their attendance at the Congress to ensure that several knights be present in London for the March as well, given the Order’s prominence at the event and its value for the Order’s visibility in the UK.

OLAF (Our Lady’s African Fund): The Preceptor has been in touch with several people who have volunteered to assist OLAF, including Donal Foley and Ben Kobus. We need to pray to see the future of the Fund.

2012 Chapter General: The Preceptor reminded the Preceptory members of the 2012 Chapter General dates and asked that they please inform him of whether or not they intend to attend, so that he might inform the Hospitalier in France. He reminded members that attendance is compulsory for the Observantia ( i.e. a dispensation from Preceptor if absolutely impossible to attend ). All knights in attendance at the Chapter (including the Preceptor, Andrew Cesana, and Jean-Paul Gauthier) expected to attend –with Jean-Paul expecting to attend the Formation Workshops for Brothers-at-Arms in the days leading up to the Chapter General as well.

NEWS OF THE PRECEPTORY:

Queen’s Jubilee: The Preceptor will send a congratulatory letter to Her Majesty on the occasion of the 60^th year of her reign, on behalf of the Preceptory.

Aylesford Pilgrimage: Mass will be held at the Aylesford Priory on July 16^th at noon. A show of hands indicated that the following members of the Preceptory expected to participate: Stephen de la Bédoyère; Andrew Cesana; Jean-Paul Gauthier; Mary Remnant; Richard Coles; and Pierre Vallerie (everyone in attendance at the Chapter meeting!). Those coming from London were reminded to change trains at Strood. The Retreat Room has been cancelled in order to save funds, and a picnic was likewise suggested instead of lunch at the Aylesford Canteen.

MSM Blog: The MSM English-language Blog now has had 1,893 page-views, with slightly more US reads (590) than UK reads (462). Australia has had 113. Almost inexplicably, Russia and the Ukraine have had 191.

MSM LinkedIn Group: An MSM LinkedIn Group was launched and currently has 10 launched discussions and 10 members, including 4 distinguished members who are not from the MSM (Bart Servaes, Pierre Lefebvre, Daniel Corrin and David McBee). This could be a helpful new information and recruitment tool!

PRECEPTORY MEMBERS’ NEWS

Stephen’s News: Stephen will be attending a “ Mass (10:00 am ) and Eucharistic Adoration for the Catholic Family” in Tintagel, Cornwall, on June 8^th 2012. He invited other members of the Preceptory to join him if possible.

He expressed concern at the continuation of the 'Soho' Masses, where overtly homosexual couples attend Mass and receive Holy Communion regularly, seeing this as publicly abusive of the Blessed Sacrament.

David Sainty’s News: David and his wife Camelia, Australians who remarkably found us by researching the true origins of the schismatic branch of the MSM, are to be received into the Order during o the 2^nd of June, at 4pm, at the Little Oratory in London, by Fr. Rupert McHardy. The Preceptor asks at many members to attend as possible.

Andrew’s News: Andrew has been unable to attend the “Days with Mary” die to his mother’s health. He informed the Preceptory of the latest available news on the struggles of Lanherne Convent and St-Augustine’s Abbey.

Richard’s News: Richard this month met with a friend, Anthony Johnson, and said a Rosary for the Order.

Mary’s News: Mary went to a religious choral concert at the Sistine Chapel. She also attended the Tyburn Lecture, where she spoke to Mgr. Newton. She intends to follow up with a letter to him, mentioning her connections with Walsingham, and to take that opportunity to point out her belonging to the Order as well. She is supportive of the idea of a MSM pilgrimage to Walsingham. Fr. Simon McGurke of Belmont Abbey informed her that a By-pass project is placing the Abbey under the threat of the exercise of Eminent Domain rights by the Government. She was asked to help the Abbey in an awareness/fund-raising lecture/recital aimed at preventing this from occurring, and will keep the Preceptory appraised of her actions in this regard.

Jean-Paul’s News:
•        Met and corresponded with Fr. Rodger Hunter-Hall, in Washington DC, regarding his possible interest in the MSM / Sent him various MSM materials
•        Continued correspondence with David & Camelia Sainty, and the Order’s Chancellor & Drapière, regarding administrative and other details of the formers’ reception
•        Posted Chapter minutes, the IFCI announcement, as well as a story on the FCEA and Dungu Church on the MSM Blog
•        Created a MSM LinkedIn Group and posted various MSM notices & Blog story links on it
•        Wrote to Fr. Duncan Lourensz, PP of St-Thomas of Canterbury Parish in Deal, Kent, re. MSM –Awaiting feedback
•        Wrote to Aux. Bishop Hine, of Southwark, re. MSM –Awaiting feedback
•        Sent IFCI “Vita” Magazine to various Friends of the MSM & MSM candidates
•        Discussed (unsuccessfully) the possibility of translating the MSM Office into a Latin-English version with Professor Webb of Northbourne Park Prepartory School, a teacher of Latin. Confirmed that the Latin is that of the 19^th Century Neo-Vulgate

John Walker’s News: John has cardiac problems and asks for the Preceptory’s prayers.

Pierre’s News: Pierre shared with the Preceptory that his research on Islam had revealed, through his reading of Islamic religious texts, that Mary is considered a Patroness of Islam, and that Muslims also call her “Our Lady” (in Arabic: “Sayida T’huna”).

HORARIUM:

No change in the Horarium at this time. The Preceptor announced a plan he was developing, under which the Preceptory should be able to move to saying the full 7 liturgical hours of the Office during the course of the week, rather than the current practice of saying the 3 major hours. He indicated that it required 7 people who regularly read the Office to participate, which he stated that the Preceptory had. He however wanted to make sure that all 7 concerned members of the Preceptory had either a copy of the MSM Office (in Latin) or the Little Office of the BVM (in English) prior to inaugurating the proposed new horarium. He is looking for copies of the Little Office BVM (by a Master of Novices).

UPCOMING FEAST DAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
•        Sun., 20^th May: The Ascension
•        Sun., 27^th May: Whitsunday
•        Wed.,30^th May: St Joan of Arc, Patroness of the Order [Also Jean-Paul’s birthday]
•        Thurs., 31^st May: Visitation
•        Sun.,3^rd June: Trinity Sunday
•        Tues.,5^th June: Fr Michael Clifton’s birthday (Chaplain of Devotion)
•        Sun.,10^th June: Corpus Christi
•        Fri., 15^th June: Sacred Heart
•        Sat.,16^th June: Immaculate Heart of Mary

PRAYER INTENTIONS

The Dead: Patsy Spencer-Silva; Richard Atkin’s mother Margaret; Mary’s cousin John Powell; Phyllis Bowman, Co-founder of SPUC

The Sick: John Walker; Mrs Cesana

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; Mgr Newton and  the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham; Bishop Echeverria and the Prelature of Opus Dei; Bishop Alan Hopes and his intentions.

We add to these: Nicholas Lane, the Orphans of the “Nazareth Home for God’s Children” in Ghana & their caregiver Sister Stan Terese Munumi (Marian Sisters of Eucharistic Love); community at Lanherne Priory

CHAPTER OF FAULTS
Members of the Observantia retired to acknowledge their various failings regarding their ability to live up to the Rule, prior to returning to the fuller Chapter meeting.

CLOSING PRAYERS
Following Closing Prayers, Chapter ended at 8:30pm
(We omitted the prayer to Our Lady of Chivalry; 'Mea culpa', Preceptor)

MARIAN HYMN

“Hail, Queen of Heaven”

COMPLINE

MSM Creates Shahbaz Bhatti Prayer Circle

Instituted by the MSM's Portuguese Province, and named in honor of the assassinated Catholic Minister from Pakistan, the Circle prays for the advent of freedom of religious views and practice.

The Hon. Shabaz Bhatti

The Circle's newsletters may be obtained at: http://csb.msm-portugal.org.

UK Coalition For Marriage Petition

[The UK Conference of Bishops and the MSM ask UK residents to sign the petition to preserve the traditional legal definition of mariage. Thank you for your support]

http://www.c4m.org.uk into

The Latin Mass after 'Universæ Ecclesiæ'

[The following article is from "Mass of Ages", the magazine of the influential Latin Mass Society in the UK. After having met with French monks devoted to the revival of the Church in France, the author John Pedler explains the implications of the instruction Universae Ecclesia. Please note that Mr. Pedler uses the expression "two rites" where he should in fact use "two forms." Furthermore, please note Mr. Pedler's views are his own and not necessarily those of the MSM, of which he is not a member. Indeed, the MSM does not condone disrespect for the Episcopate nor for African priests now working in Europe -Quite the contrary! Looking beyond style and editorial line, his article is however quite informative on the new liturgical dispensation, and we thought it worth reproducing for our Blog's readers:]

"The Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei’s Instruction of 30 April 2011 removes several of the excuses a number of bishops have made for their reluctance to implement the “universal law of the Church” established by Pope Benedict’s Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum of 7 July 2007. The Pope’s conciliatory letter to bishops accompanying the Motu Proprio assured them that, as provided by Sacrosanctum Concilium 22, 'each bishop is the moderator of the liturgy in his own diocese' and could therefore intervene wherever there was a problem, with the important qualification: 'in full harmony, however, with all that has been laid down by the new norms of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum'.

But a number of bishops still found ways to interpret Summorum Pontificum to continue to avoid being generous in granting permission for the 1962 Mass of John XXIII although they had been exhorted to do so by Pope John Paul II in his Motu Proprio Ecclesia Dei, 1988.

The pope required that three years after Summorum Pontificum came into effect (14 September 2007) there should be an enquiry into its effects worldwide. The Instruction which results from this enquiry comes 'with the desire to guarantee the proper interpretation and correct application of the Motu Proprio'.

Some bishops’ conferences (including the French one) provided replies that were lukewarm (if that) to the pope’s initiative, and clashed markedly with information from other sources (e.g. the Vatican diplomatic service, lay organisations like the international Una Voce movement, and communities providing the Extraordinary Form). A principal complaint was that many bishops were interpreting the Motu Proprio in ways to justify their long-standing policy of minimising use of the Extraordinary Form.

The 30 April 2011 Instruction makes it plain that these excuses are not valid. It goes further by confirming that the 'Vicar of Christ and Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church' aims at offering the Extraordinary Form to all the faithful, and guaranteeing its use for all who ask for it. And, most significantly it declares that the Holy Father’s concern is also to 'promote reconciliation at the heart of the Church'.

There is a disciplinary warning too: the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei is 'hierarchically Superior' and has the power to decide, where there has been legitimate complaint, on any decision of a bishop 'which appears contrary to the Motu Proprio'.

So in the six years of Pope Benedict’s pontificate, the Mass of John XXIII has come from being at best a poor relation to being one of two equally valid rites of the Roman Church – an Extraordinary Form to be celebrated whenever asked for by any group of faithful from anywhere, even one only just formed ad hoc by some pilgrims arriving at a shrine.

Two equally valid rites means that the lex credendi, lex orandi for both are the same. The Ordinary Form – as Paul VI himself stated in his introduction to the first edition of his missal - reaffirms the traditional theology of the Mass as Sacrifice and the Real Presence. So the changes of 1969 do not, as many have implied, open the way towards a neo-protestant interpretation of 'the Lord’s supper'.

To the great relief of many, this recognition of two equally valid rites is designed to put an end to the 'trads' versus 'progs' division which has done so much harm to the Church since the 1960s. The pope sees the Extraordinary Form as providing a 'touchstone' of holiness for those offering the Ordinary Form which remains the usual Form. And it is the Holy, as then Cardinal Ratzinger, pointed out, that the young seek but so often have not been finding in the post-Conciliar Church.

It is ironic that it was assumed in the 1970s that there would be no call for the 'Traditional Mass' once the pre-Vatican II generation passed away, yet today it is the young – often those considering vocations, young priests, and lay people with young families – who are now pressing so persistently for the Extraordinary Form and through it, for the revival of the Church. The torch of the Holiness of the Mass – in both its Forms – is being passed successfully to a new generation. And, as Fr. Jean-Paul Argouac’h points out in the March/April Edition of Reforme Liturgique, the Mass is at the heart not only of the Church but also of Christianity.

There was a time after the election of 78 year old Benedict XVI when quite a few believed (and not a few hoped) that his papacy would prove a flash in the pan – a stop-gap pope’s vain attempt to “set back the clock” by reviving a lost past. But in the seventh year of Benedict’s pontificate his purposes for the Church’s renewal are prevailing and are shared by those most influential in Rome. The hermeneutic of continuity has taken deep root. It is the lax liturgical practices of the 60’s and 70’s that are passing away with an older generation of bishops and clergy. Those who have been in Rome to discuss these matters in the last two years have returned greatly encouraged. The discipline of the Catholic Church is being restored gently, but firmly by the successor of Peter.

With the 2011 Universæ Ecclesiæ Instruction leaving no doubt about the papal intent of Summorum Pontificum, religious and laity calling for a greater use of the Extraordinary Form are no longer humble petitioners, but now have the backing of the highest authorities when discussing the liturgy with bishops.

With this sea change, there are two fundamental questions – what is the way forward for the Extraordinary Form, now accepted as the standard for Holiness? And what can be done to evoke that same Holiness in celebrations of the Ordinary Form?

To take the Extraordinary Form first. Perhaps what is most important is to pursue the right of all priests, with the minimal qualifications now permitted, to celebrate according to the 1962 Missal, and to ensure that seminaries do indeed, as is required, offer Latin and training for this purpose – which of course implies teaching the theology which lies behind it. Training for today’s priests is essential. And what graces will be granted for those who celebrate the 1962 Mass daily!

Introducing the Extraordinary Form to parishes is clearly important if it is to be a beacon for enhancing the Holiness with which the Ordinary Form is celebrated. Low Mass will not serve for this - a sung High Mass once a month, even every two months, should surely be the norm to aim at. Then there is the option – in France, at present usually denied – of inviting priests in communities using the 1962 Missal to take over parishes for which no priest can be found given the crippling shortage of vocations for the Ordinary Form. But in France today there are cases where bishops prefer to close churches or seek priests from Africa, rather than from such communities!

Another option is the designation of particular churches for the Extraordinary Form. This can be very useful in making that Mass regularly available throughout a country – but, unless care is taken, this can lead to isolation as has occurred in some cases in France ('out of sight, out of mind' some bishops hoped). That can be countered by arranging for the priest and his 'team' at such churches to visit cathedrals and other churches to celebrate High Mass from time to time where the necessary expertise is lacking. Were this to happen not only the general public but the media would once again be aware of the Mass that even many non-Catholics considered a most precious part of our European heritage. But such 'visitations' are of course impossible without the support and encouragement of the bishop.

What can be done the better to evoke the Holy in celebrations of the Ordinary Form? Interestingly the major differences that are often seen as reducing the sanctity with which the Ordinary Form is celebrated are not required, but simply permitted 'for pastoral reasons'. The normative language is Latin but celebrations in the vernacular are permitted 'for pastoral reasons'. The same applies to the direction ad populum, to the distribution of the eucharist by 'extraordinary ministers', and to reception of communion in the hand. As the pope has pointed out, some Latin can always be introduced to great benefit, as can Gregorian chant. And the Institutio Generalis Romani Missalis (2000) states that the distinction between chancel and the rest of the church remains and that nothing requires the removal of altar rails from old churches and nothing prohibits their erection in new churches.

So nothing prevents bishops from ending or modifying all these practices which many people mistakenly see as integral to the Ordinary Form. Just celebrating ad orientem, and receiving communion kneeling and on the tongue (as the pope requires when he celebrates), would make an immense difference – not just in holiness, but also in helping to restore the priesthood to its traditional significance. That is crucial to discovering desperately needed vocations for the Ordinary Form, which is not currently a problem for the Extraordinary Form.

That the Ordinary Form can be celebrated with the utmost sanctity and beauty can be seen at the exceptionally well-attended Ordinary Form Latin Masses at Brompton Oratory in London which enable full use of the immense heritage of Mass settings by the great composers. Perhaps nothing would do more to restore to the Church the fullness of sanctity than for the bishops to follow this lead in their cathedrals.

What of the future? If there is to be meaningful change in promoting the Holy in the liturgy, bishops must become part of the solution, and not remain a substantial part of the problem. In France all too few are open to change although the dechristianisation of France proceeds apace on their watch, in large measure due to the 'disintegration' of the liturgy. But change must happen in the next five years or so given the average age of bishops, provided new bishops are chosen by the Congregation of Bishops in accord with its present policies. And change could come quite fast: for example, the appointment of Bishop Aillet to Bayonne has already set a new tone including the new syllabus for seminaries envisaged in the Universæ Ecclesiæ Instruction of 30 April 2011.

But, as Abbe Claude Barthe has noted in Homme Nouveau, recent Episcopal appointments have not all reflected the pope’s wishes. The disappointment has led last year 21 young and younger French priests to ask Cardinal Ouellet, the new Canadian prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, to name new bishops 'for the pacification of the liturgy'.

It is, after all, not just by dialogue, but by holding up the lantern lit by the Holy Spirit that the Catholic Church can best reach out to all the peoples of the world as her Founder intended, and Vatican II sought to ensure.

The MSM & the Procession of the Veil of Our Lady: Feast of the Assumption in Chartres 2011

http://centre.france3.fr/info/les-chretiens-celebrent-l-assomption-70014046.html?onglet=videos&id-video=000297798_CAPP_Chartres28UneprocessionpourlAssomption_150820111922_F3

MSM Chapter Photos Viewable Online

https://plus.google.com/photos/112079262745152217624/albums/5710140264295465329?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/112079262745152217624/albums

MSM Dubbing Video Viewable Online

http://youtu.be/TW7GuBFq284?hd=1

IFCI Facebook Page Created

http://www.facebook.com/institutinternartionalfamiliarisconsortio

Benedict XVI Makes Appeal on UN World Day of Families

Says Work Should Sustain and Unite Families, Not Hinder Them

VATICAN CITY, MAY 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- In his general audience on Wednesday, Benedict XVI remarked on the United Nations’ International World Day of Families, held Tuesday. The theme chosen by the UN to mark the event was “family and work.”

The Holy Father appealed to families to use work not as a hindrance, but as a unifying element in family life. Work, he said, “should not hinder the family, but should rather sustain and unite it, and help it be open to life and to enter into relationships with society and with the Church.”

The Pontiff also expressed his hope that Sunday would be viewed by all as “a day of rest and an occasion to strengthen family bonds.”

At the beginning of June, the Holy Father will be traveling to Milan for the 7th World Meeting of Families. The theme of that event also deals with the issue of work, as well as the theme of celebration.

Cardinal Murphy-OConnor Concerned With Growing Attack on Christianity

LEICESTER, England, MAY 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, the retired archbishop of Westminster, is warning that atheism seeks to wipe out Christianity from the United Kingdom.

In a speech delivered this week in Leicester’s Anglican Cathedral, the prelate stated, “In the name of tolerance it seems to me tolerance is being abolished.”

Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor retired three years ago as head of the Archdiocese of Westminster. The speech was delivered to a group of Catholic thinkers in England.

The cardinal had strong words regarding the effect that secularists have had in the U.K.. "Our danger in Britain today is that so-called Western reason claims that it alone has recognized what is right and thus claims a totality that is inimical to freedom," he said.

"No one is forced to be a Christian. But no one should be forced to live according to the new secular religion as if it alone were definitive and obligatory for all humankind."

"The propaganda of secularism and its high priests want us to believe that religion is dangerous for our health. It suits them to have no opposition to their vision of a brave new world, the world which they see as somehow governed only by people like themselves.”

The cardinal cited the controversy over same-sex “marriage,” stating that the issue was not about prejudice against homosexuals, but about democracy and the nature of marriage itself. “On what grounds does a minority have the right to change the meaning of a fundamental institution for the majority?” he said.

He also protested the treatment of Christians in the workplace, citing a recent case in March where two women were penalized at work for refusing to not wear crucifixes. The British government asserted in that particular case that since wearing a cross is not a requirement of the faith, employers have a right to ban wearing a cross in the workplace.

The cardinal further objected to the treatment of the elderly and the most vulnerable in society, saying that a loss of “reverence” for humanity causes them to be viewed as a problem, and not a gift. “An aging population certainly presents its challenges – not least to our prejudices – but it is also an extraordinary gift,” he continued. “When society only sees age as an expensive inconvenience, a threat to resources and lifestyles, it no longer sees a person but a problem. This permits a slow erosion of dignity; subtly and silently the process of dehumanzation has begun.”

Catholic Dioceses, Organizations Taking Obama Administration to Court

Showdown With Federal Government Over Religious Freedom

WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 21, 2012 (Zenit.org).- A total of 43 dioceses, hospitals, schools and Church agencies have filed 12 lawsuits in various courts of the United States as part of the ongoing dispute with the federal government over the move by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to oblige Catholic organizations to pay for contraception and abortifacients.

“Time is running out, and our valuable ministries and fundamental rights hang in the balance, so we have to resort to the courts now,” explained Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), in a statement today.

The regulations introduced by the HHS will force Catholic organizations and employers to provide abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization and contraception to their employees free of charge.

“We have tried negotiation with the Administration and legislation with the Congress – and we’ll keep at it – but there's still no fix,” the cardinal said.

Cardinal Dolan described the coordinated legal action as “a compelling display of the unity of the Church in defence of religious liberty.”

“It's also a great show of the diversity of the Church's ministries that serve the common good and that are jeopardized by the mandate – ministries to the poor, the sick, and the uneducated, to people of any faith or no faith at all,” he added.

In explaining why it was a party to the legal action, the Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division explained that the regulations narrowly define what constitutes a religious employer. As a result the vast majority of Catholic organizations, including universities, hospitals, charitable organizations, and publishing companies will not qualify for an exclusion from the obligation to cover the services that are in contradiction with Catholic teaching.

Violating beliefs

"Our lawsuit raises two questions," said Gregory Erlandson, president of the Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division: "Whether the government can use such criteria to define the religiousness of an organization, and whether the government may force religious institutions and individuals to provide and facilitate services which violate their religious beliefs."

A press release from the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., explained that it is a part of the lawsuit because the HHS rules violate the First Amendment and federal law by forcing Catholic organizations to sacrifice their beliefs in order to be able to continue their mission of serving all people in need.

“For the first time in this country’s history, the government’s new definition of religious institutions suggests that some of the very institutions that put our faith into practice -- schools, hospitals, and social service organizations -- are not ‘religious enough,’” said Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington.

The Catholic University of America is another of the plaintiffs. Its president, John Garvey, issued a statement in which he explained that while the initial protests over the new regulations led President Obama to concede that insurance companies would pay for the mandated services, such a compromise would not solve the moral objections.

The services would still be part of the cost of an insurance policy, which the Catholic University and other religious organizations have to buy. “In the end the University, its employees, and its students will be forced to pay for the prescriptions and services we find objectionable,” Garvey noted.

“Unless we can get judicial relief, we will soon have to take steps to conform to a rule we view as immoral,” he declared.

Immoral

The Archdiocese of St. Louis and Catholic Charities of St. Louis are also part of the legal action against the federal government. Archbishop Robert Carlson said that the lawsuit filed today is not about contraceptives.

He said it is about freedom to practice religion. “[Religious liberty] is our first, most-cherished freedom and it requires constant vigilance and protection or it will be lost.” He added, “As a shepherd, I cannot remain silent while the right of Catholics to practice our faith is eroded!”

The lawsuits just announced are not the only ones pending regarding the HHS rules. In past months a number of other Catholic organizations have filed lawsuits in various federal courts.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is involved in a number of these lawsuits, acting on behalf of Belmont Abbey College, a Catholic liberal arts college founded by Benedictine monks, and Colorado Christian University, an evangelical college located outside of Denver.

Subsequently, in February, the Becket Fund filed on behalf of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and Ave Maria University.

Pope Calls 'Church Militant' an Apt Description for Faithful on Earth

Says Evil Wishes to Dominate; We Must Battle It

VATICAN CITY, MAY 22, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says that the members of the Church on earth are aptly described as "ecclesia militans," the Church militant, since it is "necessary to enter into battle with evil."

The Pope said this Monday when he had a meeting with the College of Cardinals. The lunch-meeting was an expression of appreciation for congratulations received last month for the Pope's 85th birthday (April 16) and seventh anniversary of election to the See of Peter (April 19).

The Holy Father then reflected on the battle against evil, saying that though the term "ecclesia militans" is "somewhat out of fashion," it is true, "it bears truth in itself."

"We see how evil wishes to dominate the world and that it is necessary to enter into battle with evil," he explained. Evil is seen in many forms of violence, the Pontiff reflected, but also "masked with goodness and precisely this way destroying the moral foundations of society."

Benedict XVI said that in this struggle against evil in which we find ourselves, "it is very important to have friends." He then spoke of the College of Cardinals as his friends, with whom he "feel[s] at home." 

The Pope concluded with a word of confidence and hope: though in battle, he reflected, "we are in the Lord’s squad, hence in the victorious squad."

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On ZENIT's Web page: Full text: www.zenit.org/article-34824?l=english

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UK Preceptory April 2012 Chapter Minutes

Held at Clergy House, Westminster Cathedral (Rm 4, 42 Francis St.)

Saturday, 28^th April at 11:30, on the Feast of St Louis-Marie Grignon de Montfort

Present: Stephen de la Bédoyère, Preceptor, Martin Blake, Richard Coles, Kts; Peter S, Mary R, Servants O.L.; Pierre Vallerie, Ian Gordon, Lindy Wiltshire, Friends O.L.

Apologies: Andrew Cesana,  Jean-Paul Gauthier, Kts.

Please note that our April Quarterly Chapter today combines with attendance at the Memorial Mass for our sister Rosemary Rendel, which takes place in the Cathedral Lady Chapel at 2:00 this afternoon. The Mass is also a memorial one for the late Joe Farrelly, Knight of St Gregory and pillar of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Resquiescant in Pace.

READING FROM THE RULE: Ch. 17, Secs. 1 to 3, by Ian Gordon

COMMENTARY ON THE RULE:

Today I’d like to take from the Master’s Directive on ‘Action’ the section on Life and the Family. We listened in September to John Smeaton’s eloquent appeal to get involved in the defence of unborn and elderly life in our society, and as a Preceptory we certainly need our man in the pro-Life movement! But at a more basic level, it is obvious because marriage is such a fundamental social relationship that the knight’s family life is also his first apostolate… his first knightly action!

Even those of us who are unmarried have family relationships … a parent who has to be cared for is an example. I’m not married, but I have a very wide extended family, which means a great deal to me. The text of the Rule gives such a beautiful picture of what a Christian family should be like.

Concern about the widespread attack on the reality of marriage by aggressive secularism in the second half of the XXth century led our brother Carlos Gomes Aguiar in Portugal to propose the creation of the MSM’s own apostolate – the International Familiaris Consortio Institute, which came into existence in 2008. A seminar in Braga in 2010 attended by a senior figure in the Pontifical Council for the Family and different delegations of the MSM is to be followed by the first MSM Congress in October 2012 in Paris. Details of this accompany this summary.

Around 40 years of teaching has shown me a radical and very negative change in family life, even in the context of Catholicism. Until the ‘60s, a family was a community formed by two people of complementary gender in a state of total self-giving expressed in the generation and education of new life. Now, a family is a contract between two adults –usually of different genders- with an idea that children ought to be a consequence of this living together. Today, a family consists of two equals with maybe some dependents … In the Christian vision, the family consists of three superiors: each partner regards the other as superior and both regard their children as superior to them!

As a nation, can Britain be comfortable at having legalised abortion before so many other countries, at promoting contraceptive population control in the Third World and facilitating euthanasia among our aged? Now our government is trying to destroy Christian marriage through adapting it to include homosexual partnerships… as if it could.

It seems to me that family today needs to regain the two qualities of generosity and reciprocal self-giving . This was John-Paul II’s vision and we hope to put it across via IFCI!

EXHORTATION:

All of us – married, unmarried – should pray constantly for the truth of marriage and of family life, and help where possible to strengthen families.

NEWS OF THE ORDER:

The Master has reminded us that 2012 is the Church’s Year of Faith, and suggests that each one rereads Paul VI’s ‘Credo of the People of God. Maybe someone could check with CTS re availability of this document and let me know.

NEWS OF THE PRECEPTORY:

1. An Australian family man, David Sainty, who is also, I believe, preparing to become a permanent deacon, will be received with his wife Camelia, probably on Saturday, 2^nd June in the late afternoon, at Folkestone Catholic Church, by Fr Nesbitt, as a brother-at-arms. He contacted us initially via Donal’s web-site and has taken an interest in the MSM very seriously. He will be on a trip to Europe and will be returning down-under on 4^th June. Please attend the ceremony if you can, and please pray for David, his family and his vocation. Jean-Paul will be David’s ‘parrain’.

2. I now have the dates for August Chapter General in Montireau (Chartres), France:

- Saturday, Sunday and Monday 11, 12 and 13 August, Formation seminar at Commanderie for brothers-at-arms. This is only a requirement for bros. –at-arms.

- Tuesday, 14^th August: French Prioral Chapter at Commanderie: non obligatory.

- Wednesday, 15^th August: ASSUMPTION: we attend High Mass at Chartres, have lunch at the Sisters of St Paul, and participate in the Procession during the afternoon. In the evening, the International Chapter of Honour will be held at the Commanderie.

- Thursday, 16^th August: General Chapter at Commanderie: Obligatory for GB Observants.

I suggest that if we are not attending the Seminar, we travel on Monday, 13^th and return on 17^th morning. For some of us, Tuesday 14^th could be a day to visit Chartres and do our traditional pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Anne at La Fontaine-Simon.

May I please have your plans soon, to let the Guestmaster know how many Brits to expect.

2. It is good news that the Provost of the Brompton Oratory is Fr Julian Large. We pray for the Fathers and Parish of the Oratory at our Chapters, and I suggest a meeting with Fr Large to explain the Knights to him.

INTERNATIONAL FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO INSTITUTE:

1 . Today is the feast-day of St Gianna Molla. Patron of IFCI.

2. Married members may consider joining the National Association of Catholic Families: Please ask Preceptor for application forms (one can join as a single member, too).  

3. I enclose, as an annex, information about the Paris Congress (12^th to 14^th October). Further information will be communicated to those interested in attending when it becomes available. Unfortunately, the date coincides with the annual Crusade of Reparation in London where uniformed knights have participated alongside the Knights of Malta at the head of the procession. It would be good if a couple of knights could forego the Congress in order to represent us on the Crusade.

4. Although we have decided against the expensive hire of a room for Chapter at Aylesford, our pilgrimage will go ahead on Monday, 16^th July. Please try to come. Mass will be at 12:00, followed by our traditional picnic, a short Chapter and Office. Do pray for good weather!

OLAF:

Currently the future profile of Our Lady’s African Fund must depend on finding a few very committed collaborators. One or two people have expressed their possible commitment – including a member of the Knights – so I’ll have more news in May, Meanwhile:

a)      Bernard Wanjala expresses his gratitude for a donation to cover his university fees, which will help with the school fees on his children.

b)      George Ochieng expresses his gratitude for a donation to cover the school fees of two of his children. He is trying to develop a business venture in Nairobi.

c)       Please continue to pray for our African beneficiaries, especially the children we sponsor at St Martin’s and Strathmore.

STEPHEN’S NEWS:

1. Although my Easter break seemed to consist mostly of watching football on Spanish TV, I was able to visit the Ransomer Church of Our Lady of Mercy and the Sagrada Familia to pray for the MSM and IFCI (although I was unable to enter either church), while in Barcelona.

2. I was able to attend the 1^st Mass of newly-ordained Fr James Bradley, a member of the Ordinariate, on Sunday, 22^nd April at Holy Ghost, Balham. I think that we should pray for his ministry.

3. I need to repaint the little statue of Our Lady of Walsingham given me by John Piper and which I wish to turn over to the Preceptory. I am looking for a plaster painter, and will offer per the cost of materials.                                                                                                                             

MARTIN’S NEWS: Martin spent Easter at Downside, and is settling in

Henley near his daughter and her family. He is to give a brief appreciation on behalf of the MSM of Rosemary Rendel at today’s memorial Mass in the Lady Chapel at Westminster Cathedral.

ANDREW’S NEWS: Mrs Cesana continues at home in fairly good shape, but her care problems sometime require him to be at home by her side. Current days with Mary include: today at Kensal Rise (near Peggy’s tomb) and Roehampton on 19^th May.

JEAN-PAUL’S NEWS:

1. Jean-Paul begged leave to be excused this Chapter, as his work keeps him abroad.

2. He has been in West Africa, and has made contacts which can be relevant to OLAF, and the Preceptor will look at these in that context.

3. He has been working on:

- Contacts with David Sainty, as above

- Fr. Rodger Hunter-Hall, in Washington: a possible Chaplain, and others

- Creating a video of his dubbing for MSM use

- Contributed to Master’s survey on long-distance recruitment.

- IFCI: suggested we join the ‘Familias’ ministry

RICHARD’S NEWS: Continues to wind up his mother’s estate in Glos. He has used his time there well in ecumenical contacts during Lent, confirming Catholic points when possible, and promoting the Coalition for Marriage petition. He attended Clapham Park St Bede’s for Holy Week.

MARY’S NEWS:

1. The Temple Church recital of Music in the Middle Ages in Honour of Our Lady, in which Mary participated, was a great success.

2. She will play ‘In Paradisum’ on the bells this afternoon at Rosemary’s Memorial Mass.

PETER’S NEWS: He continues his collection of Marian objets d’art and documents, and archiving MSM documents. He is happy to be developing personal friendships, often through his interest in antiquities. He and Guillermo have been in contact regards the English Lady, about whom Bishop Chartres of London will be giving a talk to the ESBVM soon.

PIERRE’S NEWS: His studies are currently taking him to linguistic issues on names for Our Lady in Semitic languages.

IAN’S NEWS:  Ian has been reading some of the basic texts about the MSM lent to him. He has been particularly moved by ‘The True Devotion’ and Gautier’s ‘Chivalry’ which he continues. He and Maureen will be going on pilgrimage to the Holy land in May.

LINDY’S NEWS: Lindy, a relative of Rosemary’s, is welcome to our Chapter today. She is an oblate of Downside Abbey, where she recently met Martin and the Catholic writer Dwight Longernecker.

 

FINANCES:

1. Our Treasurer, Kt. Martin Blake, stated that the current income is:   £360.  Martin and I are both grateful for subscriptions paid, but are sad to note that there are STILL outstanding subscriptions! If you have problems paying, do get in touch with one of us (Martin’s address is 28, War Memorial Close, HENLEY ON THAMES, RG9 1EP).

2. At Fr Bradley’s 1^st Mass, the Ordinariate again appealed for Funds, and I have some envelopes for this purpose. Please be generous, but if you haven’t paid your MSM sub, please prioritise the latter.

3. Information is coming through about the financial difficulties of the Lanherne convent. Please pray for the Franciscan community there.

HORARIUM:

1. I am considering the possibility of an horarium for the 7 daily ‘hours’, by combining the use of the Latin-French MSM Office with a single version of the Little Office BVM. We need 7 people who will be prepared to say the Office one ‘hour’ daily. Do we have a contact address for CARMEL of Plymouth? We’ll need a single English version for Chapters and other joint activities of our Preceptory.

2. Meanwhile we can change the Horarium on 1^st May. From May until July:

    Kn.1: Stephen, Richard

    Kn.2; Donal and

    Kn3:  Andrew, Pat and Ian

    7 Hours ad experimentum: Gauthiers

FEASTS and ANNIVERSARIES: 

Tuesday, 1^st May: St Joseph the Worker, Patron of the MSM

Thursday, 10^th May: Our Lady of Pewe (Westminster Abbey)

Sunday, 13^th May: Our Lady of Fatima

Wednesday, 2^nd May, John Walker’s Birthday

Sunday, 13^th May: Chevalier Yves de Sagazan R.I.P. 1997

Tuesday, 15^th May: U.N. Day for the Family

PRAYER INTENTIONS:

1. Dead: We think of all those who have died recently: Margaret Coles, Angie (Stephen’s nephew Dan’s mother-in-law), John Powell, Julia Crowe, Phyllis Bowman, co-foundress SPUC
2. Sick:  John Wrigley, John Walker, Stratford Caldecott, Mrs. Cesana
3. For continual prayers: Fr James Bradley, Fr Rodger Hunter-Hall, David Sainty and family, the Lanherne Community, Nicholas Lane
4. 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; Mgr. Keith Newton and  the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham; Bishop Echeverria and the Prelature of Opus Dei; Bishop Alan Hopes and his intentions.

NEXT CHAPTERS:

Tuesday, 15^th May, Oratory St Michael’s, 6:45 – 8:00

Tuesday, 19^th June, Oratory St Michael’s, 6:45 – 8:00

Monday, 16^th July, Patronal Pilgrimage to Aylesford

Tuesday, 14 – Thursday, 16^th August: Assumption and MSM Chapter General

Saturday, 29^th September: Oratory St Michael’s 1:00 to 4:30 Chapter and annual OPEN DAY

Saturday, 13^th October: Crusade of Reparation, Westminster to Oratory: 1:30 to 5:30

Tuesday, 20^th November, Oratory, St Michael’s, 6:45 – 8:00

Saturday, 8^th December: Oratory: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: Solemn Mass (morning): Please attend if possible.

Saturday, 26^th Jan.2013: Oratory Parlour 6, 1:00 to 3:30: Montfortian Consecration

CONCLUDING PRAYERS