Preceptory
of Great Britain
August 2012 Fontaine-Simon Pilgrimage and Chapter
14 August 2012,
Fontaine-Simon and La Commanderie de l’Immaculée, Montireau Diocese of Chartres, France
Pilgrimage
to Fontaine-Simon: At
the recommendation of the Preceptor, the members of the UK Preceptory present
in Montireau for the XXXIst Chapter General of the Order began the
day with a pilgrimage to Fontaine-Simon, from 9:30am-11:30am. The
name "Fons-Simonis" is attested from the eleventh century, perhaps linked to
the worship of water. The "Fontaine
Saint Anne" is considered miraculous shrine. It is dedicated to Saint Anne, patroness of the village. Each year, Fontaine-Simon holds a pilgrimage in honor of St. Anne, on the last
Sunday of July. People have been
making this pilgrimage since the twelfth century to implore the graces of the Saint.
The
members of the Preceptory recited the Glorious Mysteries at the shrine and
offered prayers for the successful outcome of the French Prioral elections, the
Middle-East, and other intentions. They then returned to the Commanderie in
order to attend to their assigned duties in the context of the Chapter General.
Opening
of the Preceptoral Chapter and Presentation of the Agenda: The Chapter was opened at 7:32pm with a Prayer to the
Holy Spirit.
In
attendance were: Chev. Stephen de la Bédoyère (Preceptor); Chev. Martin Blake
(Treasurer); Chev. Andrew Cesana; Chev. Jean-Paul Gauthier; and Ian and Maureen
Gordon (Friends of Our Lady).
The
Preceptor indicated that he wished to discuss the three following topics:
1) The Preceptor’s Report to the Chapter General
2) Upcoming Activities
3) Preceptory Plans for the Year of Faith
Discussion
of the Preceptor’s Report to the Chapter General: The Preceptor asked members for input and comments on
his planned triennial presentation on the State of the Preceptory. Input was
duly provided and taken into account, and subsequently presented in what turned
out to be perhaps the most organised of the national presentations on the State
of the Order.
It
bears noting that, in response to the Report and a query from the Preceptory,
the following was clarified during the Chapter General regarding the reading of
the Office:
(1)
It is clear, from Dom Lafond himself, successive Masters and the tradition of
the MSM, that we should use by preference Dom Lafond’s beautiful Office of Our
Lady;
(2)
In Chapter, it should be read in Latin, as it was the will of Dom Lafond that
the MSM should behave as a depository of “Treasures of the Church” and this is
the community in which we chose to enter;
(3)
Owing to the lack of familiarity with the Latin language and culture in the
English-speaking world among our Servants of Our Lady and Prayer Friends, in
1995 Master Dubois accepted the use of the 3 Major Hours of the Roman Office in
English, “topping and tailing” in Latin;
(4)
Until a Latin-English version of Dom Lafond’s Office is produced, members may,
at home, read the Office (preferably the Little Office of the BVM) in English;
(5)
Master Pellabeuf and the General Chaplain additionally requested that all
members try to say the 3 Gospel Canticles in Latin habitually, and to learn
certain major prayers such as the Magnificat in Latin as well.
[The
Chapter was suspended from 7:45pm-8:30pm for communal dinner with the other
members of the Order in attendance of the Chapter General.]
Upcoming
Activities: The scheduling
conflict of October 13th 2012 was discussed and it was resolved that
the Preceptor and Chev. Cesana would represent the Order at the Rosary Crusade
for Reparation while Chev. Gauthier would represent the Preceptory at the IIFC
Congress, in order to ensure maximum Preceptory exposure and participation, in
spite of limited members.
Maureen
Gordon reiterated her suggestion of July that the Preceptory consider
supporting the ministry of “the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom”. She noted that
the sodality focused on the following: (1) A “Prayer Guild for England” in
order to bring England back to Catholicism; (2) taking up collections for poor
parishes; (3) pilgrimages to Barcelona and Walsingham. She concluded by noting
that Mgr. Stark, the Guild’s 4th Master since its foundation (in
1897), was now retired and that the sodality was now in the charge of a lay
committee.
Year
of Faith: The Preceptor asked
the members what they wished be done in the Preceptory for the Year of Faith.
The Gordons indicated that they would be studying the documents of Vatican II
and would share the results of their studies with the rest of the Preceptory.
[It
was subsequently learned, during the Chapter General that the Priory of France
planned to study the new “Porta Fidei”
Motu Propriu in this Year of Faith. This too could form a valuable,
alternative activity for members of the Preceptory preferring this course of
study.]
Closing
of the Chapter: The Chapter was
concluded with the Memorare prayer at
8:48pm. Special
intentions included: The Leclerc family, Peter Sibley (health issues),
Bro-at-arms Stefan Stenke (professional opportunities), and the Preceptory
(vocations, a successful Preceptoral year).
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; and Bishop Alan Hopes and his intentions.
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