Saturday, 29th
September, 2012
(FEAST OF ST MICHAEL,
GRANDMASTER OF THE MSM)
Brompton Oratory,
London
ATTENDANCE:
Present: Jacques
Pellabeuf, Master of the MSM; Stephen de la Bédoyère, Preceptor; Martin Blake,
Andrew Cesana, Jean-Paul Gauthier, Kts.; Richard Coles, Kt. (N/A); John Walker, Sq. (N/A); Mary Remnant,
Donal Foley, S.O.L.s; Pierre
Vallerie, Ian Gordon, Lindy Wilshire, F.O.L.s ; Tristan and Olivier
Gauthier, Familia. We welcomed the
Master, travelling so soon after visiting our German brothers.
Apologies: Peter Sibley,
S.O.L., Mrs Miranda Villiers, Miss Catherine Pearson, Hugh Richards, William
Jolliffe, Archbishop Nichols, Archbishop Smith, Pat O'Sullivan, Deacon Robert
Hughes, Kathleen Murphy.
Those who came
specifically for Donal's Talk were Mr and Mrs Bingham-Daly, Hugh Richards, Ron
Trevett, and James Tomlin.
READING FROM THE RULE:
Chap. XIII, Sec. 2, on
devotion to the Angels, by John Walker.
COMMENTARY BY THE PRECEPTOR:
This is ‘our’ time of
year… I am not historian enough to know the precise connection between St
Michael and Chivalry… I am on stronger ground about St Michael and mountains (Mont
St-Michel, St Michael’s Mount, Glastonbury Tor) and indeed his connection with
the retail trade (Marks & Spencer)! But as Supreme Commander of God’s
hosts, it is fitting that he should be our Grand Master. I just want to flesh
out (if one can use that expression in reference to angels), the very rich
section just read by John; The joy of Angels at the creation of matter, Yahweh
who listened to Ezechias’ prayer seated on the cherubim, God the Father
contemplated by the guardian angels of those little ones whom Our Lord exhorts
not to despise or scandalise, Protectors of nations, Jesus Himself comforted in
Gethsemane… And finally those angels to whom the Church has given a feast of
their own, next Tuesday, who watch over us 24/7, and whose principal job is to
direct our prayer to Him who is continually adored by His angels and saints, and
here below, by sinners like you and me. Knights we may be, but before God,
children.
PRECEPTOR’S EXHORTATION:
We should become
familiar with the Chaplet of St Michael, and ask our own Guardian to nudge the
Guardians of those to whom we are trying to do a bit of good.
APPROVAL OF THE JULY AND AUGUST 2012 MINUTES:
The chapter minutes were
summarised by Ian Gordon, and met with general approval. Chev. Gauthier added
to this summary that a new Preceptoral rule had been discussed and agreed in
the July 2012 Chapter, under which all members of the Preceptory’s Familia over
the age of 80 would henceforth be dispensed from paying dues.
NEWS OF THE ORDER:
Reflecting upon the
upcoming reception of Ian Gordon in the UK Preceptory, the Master indicated
that Bro. Felipe Amorim of Portugal was to be dubbed in August but that he
could unfortunately not come to Chartres for financial reasons. Bro. Luis
Carlos Joaquim of Brazil is soon to become a Squire. Noting the French and
German Priories’ challenges in recruiting new members and contrasting this with
our recent success in Portugal and overseas (i.e., in Canada, the US, Brazil,
Australia…), he nevertheless was pleased to inform us that he expected that the
French Priory would receive 2 new Brothers-at-Arms next year and that there
were currently 2 young Brothers-at-arms in Germany. Jean-Marie Mascarenas, a
49-year old Indo-French industrialist, descendant of the discoverer of
Mauritius and Réunion, is now a postulant in the Order.
The Master also indicated
that there were offers to buy both the du Moustier usufruct land (by the du
Moustier family) and the Commandery itself, by the “Fatima Project” Charity
–which would help to resolve the Magisterium’s financial challenges.
Finally, recalling the
recent death of Mgr. Kuehn, former bishop of Chartres and Primate of the Order
for 13 years, the Master concluded by reminding us of his passing. He informed
us that Mgr. Kuehn attended Chapters General when invited, was our teacher and,
in the time of Master Dubois, defended us in the context of the Touvier affair.
May he Rest in Peace.
INTERNATIONAL FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO INSTITUTE (IFCI):
The Master stated that
his priority for the Order is the Family. He reminded us that the 2nd
IFCI International Congress will take place on October 12th-14th,
in Paris. He informed us that 3 bishops intend to attend and that 2 more may also.
Journalists from the Catholic press, as well as leading theologians on the
family, will also be in attendance. All the members of the British Preceptory
were likewise warmly invited. Chev. Gauthier indicated he has and English
programme that he can share with those interested in the event.
OUR LADY’s AFRICAN FUND (OLAF):
OLAF funds are at around
£300, and we have received three requests amounting to £2,500. Oliver House
School in Kenya is sponsoring an ‘eat all your lunch’ activity on behalf of
grain purchase at St Martin’s School.
NEWS OF THE PRECEPTORY:
1. The statue of OL of Walsingham presiding over the day’s
proceedings. The Preceptor reminded those in attendance that the next proposed
Preceptoral pilgrimage, in July2013, was likely to be to Walsingham. Several
other members of the French Priory and Canadian Magisterial Delegation sent the
Preceptory their wishes on her Feast Day.
2. Details of the Preceptory’s new governance structure will be
circulated to all Observants [This was done on September 30th].
3. Preceptor de la Bédoyère and
Chev. Gauthier will arrange visits to the
Archbishops of Southwark and of Westminster, and Chev. Cesana may accompany Chev.
Gauthier to visit Bishop Hine, Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark responsible for
the family.
4. All members who are not attending the IFCI Congress in Paris
are asked to attend the annual Crusade of Reparation on Saturday, 13th October.
5. The Carmelite Nuns of Nairobi have included vocations to the
MSM in their annual novena to both Ste Theresas.
6. Interest has been revived among us for visiting priests in
retirement homes, and hopefully these will restart soon.
7. Thurs 11th October marks the start of the Year of Faith. The
Preceptor suggests the members read the “Porta
Fidei” Motu Propriu in this Year of Faith, as is being done in the French
Priory
Statement by the Preceptor:
I was appointed
Preceptor of Great Britain by Master Dubois in the ‘90s, in succession of the
founder of our Preceptory, Martin Blake. Next year I shall be 70, and in the
last couple of years my health has caught up with my age! I now need continual
medication and checks to reduce the risks of having a stroke. A large amount of
more complex activities contribute to increasing stress and fatigue, and I have
been strongly and reliably advised to cut down on what I am doing. I have an
easier programme at school and have minimised what I do in my parish.
Therefore, with the agreement with the Master, and having discussed the matter
with Jean-Paul, I have decided to resign the Preceptory in his favour. While I
remain Master’s Delegate, Jean-Paul will be running the practicalities of the
Preceptory. I believe that we all appreciate his youth and dynamism, and I ask
each one to give him their prayers and support. Within the MSM, it has been a
privilege to be Preceptor.
I am asking Jean-Paul to
prioritise issues that are of importance to the Preceptory and prepare a
timetable for their study. I have tried to summarise what appears to me to be
priorities for the future:
1. To seek new and
younger vocations, otherwise we do not have a future in GB -It means a great
deal to all of us that our friend Ian Gordon has asked to be admitted to the
MSM as Bro. at Arms;
2. To find a really
committed chaplain who, whatever his activities, can give sufficient time to
us;
3. To develop our
personal generosity in favour of the Knights; and
4. Constant and
confident prayer... Jesus said: ‘One thing only is necessary; PRAYER’.
STEPHEN’S NEWS:
·
His cataract operation
at the end of August appears to have been a success, although there are some
complications.
·
The Providence Alliance
for Catholic Teachers (PACT), the educational association that employs him, is
starting two Catholic independent secondary schools next September in S.W.
London. Prayers, please.
MARTIN’S NEWS:
·
In the context of
today’s reading and the upcoming Feast Day of Michaelmas, as well as the
upcoming Feast of Bl. John Henry Newman on Tue 9th October, Martin mentioned
John Henry Newman’s “The dream of Gerontes” on Elgar’s piece as a particularly inspiring
read on angels.
·
He indicated that Chev.
Jean-Maurice Clercq sent him and others within the Preceptory readings for the
recent Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham.
·
Martin also mentioned that
he read a good article on Fr. Thwaites, S.J., who started the Days with Mary,
who has recently passed and whose funeral some observants attended.
ANDREW’S NEWS:
·
The Days with Mary,
that Andrew supports through his music ministry, are “going from strength to
strength”. The last one was in Folkestone, home of Chev. John Wrigley (Resquiat In Pace) and of Fr. Nesbitt (a
Spiritual Supporter, recently retired). When in Folkestone, Andrew had a mass
said for Chev. Wrigley, RIP.
·
Chev. Cesana mentioned
that Fr. Stephen Bund, of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, is
replacing Fr. Nesbitt.
JEAN-PAUL’S NEWS:
·
Realising a
long-standing dream, in July, Jean-Paul went to Assisi, Rome and Monte Cassino
with Tristan (one of his sisters was getting married in Assisi). In Rome, they
went to St-Peter’s, the 4 Basilicas, Pantheon, Coliseum, Castel Sant’Angelo,
the Scala Santa, Santa Crocce, San Onofrio, San Silvestro in Capite, and the Tre Fontana Abbey.
·
Has been corresponding
with an American postulant –whom he sees as a S.o.L. (our first in the US
should it happen). The postulant, Frederick Dannaway, asks for our prayers for
his community and for his engagement.
·
Exchanged with Chev. Yan
René about a Mise-en-Page for a
bilingual Office, with the Latin already typed in, prepared for the German Priory.
Has also found a Douay-Rheims/Latin-Vulgate online translation of the psalms,
from which much of the English could be cut and pasted in.
·
Did some IFCI publicity
(mailing list of 240, securing tracts from French Priory, translation of
programme into English), at the same time as for the Open Day.
·
Did and sent in some
initial work on the Magisterial Committee working on the Canonical update of
the Rule.
·
Fed the Blog; The blog
has now had something like 3,300 visits, about 1/3 from the US, 1/3 from the
UK, 1/3 from elsewhere. The main search words are “Militia Sanctae Marie” and
“Knights of Our Lady”, followed BNM, Rosary Crusade, Newton, IFCI… and now
‘Personal Oratories’. This is interesting, because it tells us that our
associations with the Rosary Crusade and the Ordinariate have appeal and should
be reinforced. There are now also 7 people following the Blog regularly, 4 of
which are outside the MSM.
·
Corresponded with Fr.
Edouard Gallez. He is looking for a publishing in English for a book on the
origins of Islam. Donal?
·
Corresponded with Fr.
Glandfield of the Archdiocese of Southwark –Tentative plan to meet with Archb.
Peter Smith in October agreed.
·
Wrote to Fr. Christopher
Lindlar of the Ordinariate, in Mongeham Kent, regarding a possible presentation
of the MSM.
·
Prepared July and
August chapter minutes, sent around Sainty reception photos, and sent the
Magisterium some information on copyrighting our Arms.
·
Signed the Rimsha Masih
petition sent round by Chev. Carlos Aguilar, Provincial of Portugal. Learned
about the use of an online petitions tool, should we require one.
·
Translated and digitised
the SoL Reception and Rite of Conclusion of Receptions.
·
Has also done some MSM
LinkedIn posts. There are now 13 LinkedIn followers of the MSM site.
·
Thanked Preceptory for
their receptiveness and responsiveness to him, which greatly allayed his fears
regarding becoming Preceptor.
MARY’s NEWS:
·
Went to both Wisques
and St-Wandrille Abbeys in July, for the Feast of St-Wandrille, as well as to
commemorate her father’s research work on Jumièges. Her father’s birthday’s was
the same as St-Wandrille’s…
·
Attended a special mass
for the Feast of St-James in July, at which the Nuncio was present, as was
Abbot Dom Cuthbert Brogan, of St-Michael’s Abbey in Farnborough.
·
Played her medieval
Chime-Bells (including Christus Vincit,
Beata Viscera and Danielis Prophetia)
for the symbolic minute when all bells were meant to be rung in the UK, for the
opening of the Olympics, but heard no others.
·
Attended service, presided
by Archb. Nichols, for the Feast of Our Lady of Dolours, at the Servite Church
in Fulham, London, named in her honour.
·
Attended the recent AGM
of the Association of Catholic Women (ACW) at the Oratory, also attended by Fr.
Julian Large (Provost) and Fr. Rupert McHardy of the Oratory, along with Ian
and Maureen Gordon of the MSM. The ACW Chairlady was informed of S.O.L. Donal
Foley’s talk by Ian Gordon. Stephen recalled that she has asked him for a story
on the MSM for the ACW Newsletter.
PETER’s NEWS:
Has been and continues
to be seriously ill, physically and mentally; however his interior peace is
revived.
DONAL’s NEWS:
Has been doing Fatima
presentations all year, including in Littlemore (Bl. John Henry Newman’s Church
in Oxford). Fr. Nicholas Schofield (former Anglican, now Archivist for the
Archdiocese of Westminster) in Uxbridge and others have been quite supportive, including
of the way in which Donal leads the Rosary. The Preceptor asked for donations
for the WAF and Donal’s Talk. [Donal subsequently reported that donations were
generous]
JOHN’s NEWS:
·
Went to Fr. Thwaites’
funeral and learned that, as he died, he smiled and reached his arms out.
·
Indicated his readiness
to resume active status as a Squire –which, according to the Master, would only
require that he renew his vows during a forthcoming Chapter
FRIENDS’ NEWS:
Ian Gordon:
·
Attended the Chapter
General in Montireau in August with Maureen and felt that it was a very
spiritual and enlightening occasion, giving him a much better understanding of
the MSM.
·
After the Chapter
General, Maureen and he set off for Lourdes for their annual ‘stage’.
·
Went to Cambridge
University Catholic Association annual Mass and reception for Cambridge
Catholic graduates.
·
Ian is the Secretary
and a Trustee for the ‘British Jesuit Alumni’ Charity. On the feast of St
Ignatius, they held an Annual Mass and Reception at the Farm Street Church. In
the crowd, he managed to find F.O.L. Pierre Vallerie, who is also a Jesuit
alumnus. Progress is being made with regard to an international conference
which they will be hosting in Heythrop College next autumn.
·
As part of their
Hospital Chaplaincy, Ian and Maureen currently visit about 30 Catholics at the 'Epsom
and St Helier University Hospital' each week. They are, however, aware that
there are other Catholics whom they cannot find due to data protection
legislation. They are negotiating to have a notice board put up at the hospital
to advertise their Chaplaincy. Progress is slow as they negotiate with the hospital
and the Anglican chaplains
·
Ian and Maureen are
Ambassadors for Missio (a Catholic missions support charity) and have been
invited to a reception and dinner to meet Cardinal Turkson (Prefect of the
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace) and Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor
at Middle Temple. As the tickets cost £125 each, they are however unlikely to
attend
Lindy Wiltshire:
·
Says Rosary together
with other women on Tuesday nights.
·
Going to Church at
St-Joanne-of-Arc in Farnham.
Roger Burton:
·
Doing RCIA Parish work.
·
Still an Oblate, now of
Chilworth Abbey, nearer to his home that was St-Augustine’s in Ramsgate. The
Preceptor recommends it highly for retreats.
Joyce Palmer:
Now our only Anglican,
Joyce will hopefully be able to enter a rest-home and settle there. Prayers,
please.
FINANCES:
1. Statement by Treasurer: There were about £350 in the MSM
Bank Account, before today’s expenses and donations to Donal, the Master, and Fr.
Doyle.
2. Today’s outgoings:
a. S.O.L. Donal Foley: £25 for expenses;
b. Fr. Patrick Doyle: £30 donation for St Wilfrid's Fund for
Oratory Students.
c. The Master: £80 for his journey (He has paid something like €120).
3. Jean-Paul also collected the following:
a. €20 from Ian Gordon, for an Office and Tie –To be remitted to the
Magisterium.
b. £4 from the Preceptor, for two MSM badges.
4. Offices can be purchased from Chev. Gauthier for €10 each, by anyone who may require one
5. The Magisterial Delegate and new Preceptor agreed, following
Chapter, that copies of the account statements should be sent to one or both of
them regularly
6. The Magisterial Delegate further indicated that OLAF has its
own, separate, bank account
HORARIUM:
From tomorrow:
·
Knt. 1: Andrew
Cesana/Patrick O’Sullivan/Ian Gordon
·
Knt. 2: Stephen de la Bédoyère/Richard Coles
·
Knt. 3: Gauthiers/Donal
Foley
FEASTS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
·
Mon. 1st October:
Olivier Gauthier’s Birthday
·
Tues. 2nd October
at 7:30pm: Fiorella Nash will be speaking on maternal Mortality and Abortion at
24 Smith Terrace SW3, London
·
Sun. 7th October:
Our Lady of the Rosary
·
Tue 9th October:
Bl. John Henry Newman
·
Thurs. 11th October:
Start of the Year of Faith
·
Sat. 13th October:
Rosary Crusade of Reparation March
·
Sat. 20th October,
3:00-4:15pm, Westminster Cathedral: Two Cathedrals Pilgrimage This pilgrimage
is in honour of Bl. John Henry Newman between Westminster and Southwark
Cathedrals. The Preceptor will verify with Canon Tuckwell if observants
attending can be in uniform.
·
24th October:
Visit to the Statue of Our Lady of Dublin by Hervé Boisson and Stephen in 2006
·
31st October:
Dom Lafond, R.I.P.
·
Thurs. 1st November:
All Saints Day
·
Fri 2nd November:
All Souls Day
·
Tues. 20th November: Monthly Chapter at St
Michael’s Scout Hall 6:45- 8:15pm
PRAYER INTENTIONS:
·
Dead: We think of all
those who have died recently, and in particular Mgr. Kuehn and Fr. Thwaites,
S.J.
·
Sick: Peter Sibley; Mrs.
Cesana; Pat O’Sullivan, who has just had a stent put in for his heart, and has
developed an infection; F.O.L. Stratford Caldecott, who is very sick with
Cancer, and will properly not recover -Stratford is currently undergoing
chemotherapy for his advanced prostate cancer, but a tumour has been recently
developing in his spine, making walking and sitting very painful. The
Caldecotts ask us to join them in a novena, asking for the intercession of
Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux
·
For continual prayers:
Members of the MSM experiencing financial difficulties, Joyce Palmer, Nicholas
Lane, Archbishops Smith’s and Nichols’ intentions
·
Special Prayers:
Frederick Dannaway and the Catholic Community of Delaware; the Preceptory in
this time of transition, as well as Chev. Gauthier for the proper fulfillment
of his new charge within the Preceptory; PACT’s new schools in SW London
·
Permanently on our
Prayer List: Pope Benedict XVI 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 Finland and Nairobi; Society of Pewe; World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF);
Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary (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.
CONCLUDING PRAYERS:
·
Prayer to Our Lady of
Chivalry
·
Chaplet of St Michael
·
‘Non Nobis Domine’
-Sung
Chapter was concluded at
3:00pm in order to receive guests who had come to attend the MSM Annual
Michaelmas Open Day Talk for 2012.
ANNUAL MICHAELMAS “OPEN DAY” EVENTS
Open Day Talk
From 3:05pm onward, the
MSM Annual Michaelmas Open Day Talk for 2012 was given by S.O.L. Donal Foley,
on the topic of “From Heaven to Earth: Marian Movements in the Twentieth Century”.
Those who could not attend may find the Talk at the following link: http://militiasanctaemariae.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/marian-movements-in-twentieth-century.html
Liturgical Ceremonies
The Open Day Talk was
concluded at 4:05pm in order to give capitulants time to repair to St-Wilfrid’s
Chapel in the Oratory for the following ceremonies:
·
Reception of Ian Gordon
as Brother-at-Arms
·
Blessing of a Rosary
and MSM Badge for American Servant-of-Our-Lady Postulant Frederick Dannaway
·
Investiture as
Preceptor of Great Britain of Chev. Jean-Paul Gauthier
·
Reception Concluding
Ritual
Vespers
Once all receptions were
conducted, at 4:50pm, the Observantia
of the Order returned to the Chapter Room in order to say Vespers. Vespers were
concluded at 5:30pm.
