tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303728932024-03-05T13:04:10.002+01:00ANGLIA CATHOLICAOur collection of texts and pictures of the catholic piety of all the peoples of England (gentis anglorum), Anglo-Saxons, Normans and CeltsImmaculata Helvetiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173541379544056331noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-72305835820729955292011-06-12T15:46:00.001+02:002011-06-12T15:48:45.555+02:00Prayer for the Conversion of England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRNYdwZZUkfquJLXpoGyDhnmzYW6wOMhm0_fFORTekjoLWDhSzpsTA4Rmp4UItcyUEQ5qlowjoMX9G9yjDbnJv5DsqDuC7eSmqG2LQ536wUuOufxxIscs3aLbchxhLfxpd2yD4w/s1600/shrine_blessed_sacrament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRNYdwZZUkfquJLXpoGyDhnmzYW6wOMhm0_fFORTekjoLWDhSzpsTA4Rmp4UItcyUEQ5qlowjoMX9G9yjDbnJv5DsqDuC7eSmqG2LQ536wUuOufxxIscs3aLbchxhLfxpd2yD4w/s320/shrine_blessed_sacrament.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>O LORD Jesus Christ, infinite Goodness, Who by the Divine Sacrament of Thy Body and Blood dost regenerate, strengthen, and nourish Thy Church, and daily offerest Thyself a sacrifice of praise and propitiations to Thine Eternal Father, look propitiously upon our beloved Country, which is excluded from the Sweets of this Thy Banquet. All that in this land has been done and said through impiety or ignorance against these most Holy Mysteries, mercifully pardon - inspire the minds of all men with faith and reverence for this beloved Sacrament, so that all in this land may become Thy children, like olive plants round about Thy Table, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">From: <a href="http://holydevotions.blogspot.com/search/label/Higginson%20Teresa">Devotions to the Sacred Head of Our Blessed Lord</a>; Imprimatur: Jacobus Canonicus Carr, Pro Episcopo Liverpolitano.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Immaculata Helvetiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173541379544056331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-34639614972623739152009-03-17T16:52:00.007+01:002009-03-17T19:26:28.097+01:00Drei Wallfahrtsorte Unserer Lieben Frau in GroßbritannienEs gibt wenige Länder, welche reicher waren an Gnadenorten der Mutter Gottes, als das alte katholische England. Aber es gibt auch fast kein Land, wo es den Feinden der heiligen katholischen Religion so vollständig gelungen ist, die Wallfahrten zu unterdrücken, ja sogar ihre Spuren auszutilgen, soweit es möglich war, wie in England. Gar spärlich sind daher die Nachrichten über die alten Gnadenorte in jenem Lande; aber eine Art von Zeugen sind uns doch erhalten, die laut reden von der Liebe der alten Engländer zur heiligen Mutter Gottes. Es sind das die herrlichen Dome, welche entweder geradezu Marienkirchen sind, oder doch eine Gnadenkapelle besaßen. - Drei derselben verdienen eine besondere Aufmerksamkeit. Diese wollen wir daher im Geiste besuchen.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Die Kathedrale zu Canterbury</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/immaculata/3363212988/" title="Canterbury by Immaculata Helvetia, on Flickr"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/3363212988_cc54043baf_m.jpg" alt="Canterbury" width="240" height="162" /></a>Der berühmteste Gnadenort der englischen Landschaft Kent war Canterbury, wo man noch jetzt einige Spuren der alten Andacht zu Maria findet. Als am Ende des sechsten Jahrhunderts der hl. Mönch Augustin von dem hl. Gregor nach England geschickt wurde, um dort den Samen des Evangeliums auszustreuen, erbaute er zu Canterbury eine Kirche zu Ehren des Erlösers. Das war der Ursprung der berühmten Kathedrale, welche seitdem stets den Vorrang genoss vor allen Kirchen Englands. Als jedoch später die Dänen wiederholte Einfälle in das Land machten und die Stadt Canterbury verwüsteten, erlitt die Kirche so große Beschädigungen, dass die Erzbischöfe sie verlassen mussten. Erst der hl. Odo konnte um die Mitte des zehnten Jahrhunderts das Gotteshaus wieder zur Feier der heiligen Geheimnisse herrichten.<br />Nachfolger des hl. Odo auf dem erzbischöflichen Stuhle von Canterbury war der hl. Dunstan. Nachdem Beispiele vieler anderer Heiligen pflegte diese berühmte Kirchenfürst sich Nachts vom Lager zu erheben, um die Altäre der Kirche zu besuchen. Bei diesen frommen Übungen nun wurde er mehrmals mit himmlischen Erscheinungen begnadigt. Einmal war er auf seinem Rundgange durch die Kathedrale bis in die Nähe der Mutter-Gottes-Kapelle gekommen. Da vernahm er einen wunderbaren Gesang und sah, wie die Mutter Gottes, um geben von einer Schaar jungfräulicher Sängerinnen, in himmlischem Glanze ihm entgegenkam und ihn in die Kapelle führte.<br />Solche wunderbare Gnadenerweise waren vielleicht die Veranlassung, dass der Dom von Canterbury ein Gnaden- und Wallfahrtsort wurde. Jedenfalls wurde die unterirdische Kirche unter dem Dom, in welcher die Gebeine St. Dunstan's ruhen, später ein berühmtes Mutter-Gottes-Heiligtum. Wenige Jahre nach dem Tode des Heiligen zerstörten und plünderten die Dänen abermals die Stadt und teilweise die Kathedrale. Doch stellte der freigebige König Canut dieselbe wieder her. Allein um die Mitte des elften Jahrhunderts verwüstete eine große Feuersbrunst den Dom dergestalt, dass man denselben ganz von Neuem aufbauen musste. Zur Ausführung dieses großen Werkes sandte Gott nacheinander zwei Erzbischöfe, welche vielleicht die bedeutendsten Männer sind, die der Diözese Canterbury vorgestanden haben. Es waren dies Lanfrank und der hl. Kirchenlehrer Anselm. Der erstere begann den prachtvollen Bau, und St. Anselm führte ihn der Vollendung entgegen. Aber erst sein Nachfolger konnte die Einweihung vornehmen. Im Jahre 1174 wurde abermals ein großer Teil der Kirche durch Brand in einen Schutthaufen verwandelt. Sogleich begann man mit der Wiederherstellung, welche freilich mitunter durch die Wirren der damaligen Zeit gehemmt wurde. Im Übrigen aber wetteiferten die Könige und Erzbischöfe, sowie die Gläubigen in der Erweiterung und Verschönerung des herrlichen Domes.<br />Mehrere Kapellen, kunstvolle Gemälde, tausenderlei Verzierungen, goldene und silberne Gefäße, Statuen aus kostbarem Metall, unzählige Kunstgegenstände, das waren die Zeugen der Glaubenseinheit jener Jahrhunderte. Vor Allem aber waren die zwei Marienkapellen der Gegenstand allgemeiner Verehrung. Mit der äußersten Pracht wurden sie ausgestattet; was die christliche Kunst nur Herrliches schaffen konnte, das musste die Heiligtümer der Mutter Gottes schmücken. Gnadenkapelle scheint die unterirdische Kapelle gewesen zu sein. Ein berühmter Schriftsteller der Reformationszeit sagt von dieser Gnadenkapelle unter Anderm: "Aus Furcht vor Dieben hat man sie mit einem eisernen Gitter umgeben. Wirklich sah ich nie einen Ort, welcher mehr mit Schmuck überladen gewesen wäre. Beim Schein der Kerzen hatten wir ein mehr als königliches Schauspiel, welches Walsingham (ein anderer berühmter Gnadenort in England) an Schönheit bei weitem übertraf." - Die Bildsäule der Mutter Gottes stand höher als der Altar, unter einem Baldachin, auf einem prächtig gearbeiteten Untersatz, der mit Szenen aus dem Leben Maria's geschmückt war.<br />Aber wie tausend andere Heiligtümer und Schätze Maria's ging auch dieses verloren in der Zeit der unseligen Reformation. Der wollüstige und goldgierige König Heinrich VIII. beraubte den Gnadenort seines ganzen Schmuckes. Alle seine Reichtümer, kostbaren Gesteine und Metalle wanderten in die Schatzkammer des Königs. Die Bilderstürmer vollendeten das Werk der Zerstörung, so dass man heute kaum noch einige Spuren der schönen Verzierungen entdeckt. Die Katholiken verloren den Dom an die Protestanten; seitdem hörte die Verehrung der Mutter Gottes auf, und nur die einzelnen Katholiken, welche aus der Fremde dorthin kommen und den herrlichen Dom besuchen, mögen still für sich am ehemaligen Gnadenorte ein Ave Maria sprechen und trauern über die Verblendung der Feinde Maria's, welche an diese Stelle der gnaden- und fruchtbringenden Verehrung der Mutter Gottes den kalten, unfruchtbaren protestantischen Gottesdienst gesetzt haben.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">2. Die Kathedrale zu Lincoln<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/immaculata/3363213472/" title="Lincoln by Immaculata Helvetia, on Flickr"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3363213472_098f93219a_m.jpg" alt="Lincoln" width="160" height="240" /></a>Gegen Ende des elften Jahrhunderts verlegte Remigius, Bischof der Diözese Dorchester seine Residenz aus dieser Stadt nach Lincoln. Unbeirrt durch den Kriegslärm, welcher in jenen Zeiten im ganzen südlichen England erschallte, legte er sogleich den Grundstein zu einer neuen Kathedrale, welche er der Mutter Gottes weihte. Mit Eifer betrieb er das begonnene Werk. Schon legte man die letzte Hand an den Bau und der Bischof machte die Vorbereitungen zur Einweihung. Geistliche und weltliche Würdenträger wurden eingeladen: mit allem nur möglichen Glanze sollte die Feier am 9. Mai 1092 begangen werden. Da plötzlich, am Vorabend des Festes, warf eine Krankheit den Bischof nieder und noch an demselben Tage verschied er. Seine Aufgabe, den herrlichen Mutter-Gottes-Dom zu errichten, war erfüllt. Die Einweihung aber sollte er seinem Nachfolger überlassen.<br />Ungefähr dreißig Jahre nach der Vollendung des Domes richtete ein heftiger Brand bedeutenden Schaden an. Bischof Alexander, ein tüchtiger Kenner der Baukunst, stellte sogleich die Kirche wieder her.<br />Die Kathedrale von Lincoln gehört zu den Heiligtümern, zu denen die Engländer stets eine besondere Verehrung hegten. In einem Bürgerkrieg um die Mitte des 12. Jahrhunderts hielten es die Einwohner der Stadt mit ihrem König Stephan. Sie hatten Maria zu ihrer besonderen Beschützerin gewählt und schrieben ihrer Fürsprache einen glänzenden Sieg zu, welchen sie im Jahre 1147 über den Grafen von Chester erlangten, indem sie ihn mit einem beträchtlichen Verlust von ihren Wällen zurückschlugen. Ein englischer Schriftsteller schreibt hierüber: "Die siegreichen, von Freude erfüllten Bürger von Lincoln gaben ihrer Beschützerin, der Jungfrau der Jungfrauen, großen Dank und Preis".<br />Von da an nahm der Ruhm U.L.Frau von Lincoln stets zu, und reiche Geschenke wurden dem Heiligtum zu Teil. Gegen Ende desselben Jahrhunderts entstanden durch ein Erdbeben Risse in de Mauern der Kirche und manche Gewölbe stürzten zusammen.<br />So fasste denn der große Bischof Hugo den Plan, die Kathedrale nicht nur von neuem aufzubauen, sondern sie auch bedeutend zu vergrößern und schöner als vorher zu schmücken.<br />Keine vierzig Jahre vergingen indes, da entstand ein neuer Schaden an dem Mutter-Gottes-Heiligtum. Der große Turm auf der Mitte des Gebäudes stürzte ein und zerstörte manche Teile des Daches und des Gewölbes. Aber auch der damals regierende Bischof, wie sein Vorgänger, setzte seine Ehre darein, den entstandenen Schaden wieder gut zu machen.<br />Von da an fügte die Frömmigkeit der Gläubigen stets neue Verschönerungen zum Baue hinzu, bis die Glaubensneuerer den Katholiken den schönen Dom raubten, nachdem sie Vieles zerstört und die Kostbarkeiten hinweggenommen hatten.<br />Möchte doch in dem ursprünglich so katholischen England die wahre Religion wieder einen vollständigen Sieg über den Irrtum davontragen, und U.L.Frau von Lincoln wieder die Verehrung und Liebe im Herzen der Engländer gewinnen, welche sie so sehr verdient.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Westminster in London</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/immaculata/3363213980/" title="Westminster by Immaculata Helvetia, on Flickr"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3363213980_b0b7f176e5_m.jpg" alt="Westminster" width="164" height="240" /></a>Über den Ursprung der berühmten Abtei und Kirche in Westminster sind die Geschichtsforscher nicht einig. Am wahrscheinlichsten ist, dass der von Papst Gregor dem Großen nach England gesandte hl. Augustin der Urheber ist. Er bekehrte den König Sebert, welcher dann zum Danke für die Gnade der heiligen Taufe, die er mit vielen Untertanen empfangen hatte, dem hl. Mellitus, dem ersten Bischof von London, die Mittel gab zur Erbauung eines Klosters. Dieses baute der hl. Mellitus zu Ehren des hl. Petrus, und weil es westlich von der kurz vorher erbauten Kathedrale St. Paul lag, erhielt es den Namen Westminster. (Minster heißt so viel wie Kloster.) Dieses klösterliche Heiligtum sollte eine Pflanzschule werden für die Missionäre, welche das noch fast ganz heidnische England für das Christentum gewinnen sollten.<br />Die erste Kirche Westminster war ein ganz bescheidener Bau, und wie ein Schriftsteller sagt: "ohne eine andere Zierde als den Eifer der darin betenden Mönche."<br />Verfolgen wir nun kurz die Geschichte des Baues von dem einfachen Klosterkirchlein bis zu dem majestätischen Dom, wie er noch heutzutage dem Besucher Bewunderung einflößt.<br />Die Dänen zerstörten im neunten Jahrhundert die Kirche sowie die Stadt. Der hl. Dunstan, den wir schon oben haben kennen gelernt, stellte die Abtei wieder her. Der hl. König Eduard im elften Jahrhundert baute die Abtei von neuem und größer. In seinem frommen Eifer scheute er keine Kosten; freigebig gab er alle nötigen Geldsummen her, um das Werk zu fördern und möglichst bald dessen Vollendung zu sehen. Schon krank, wolle der König doch am heiligen Weihnachtsfeste 1065 der Einweihung beiwohnen. Er beschenkte die Abtei noch reichlicher, und zehn Tage nach dem Fest empfing er den ewigen Lohn für seine vielen Guttaten. Sein heiliger Leib wurde in der neuen Westminsterkirche beigesetzt.<br />Als Wilhelm der Eroberer sich nach Erkämpfung Englands in der Westminsterkirche krönen lassen wollte, und die Anwesenden laut ihren Beifall kund gaben, glaubten die normannischen Soldaten des Eroberers, das Geschrei sei ein Alarmruf gegen die Krönung. Sie legten Feuer an die benachbarten Häuser und begannen zu plündern. Der Brand griff immer weiter um sich und die Kirche samt der Abtei wurden größtenteils ein Raub der Flammen.<br />Erst König Heinrich III. begann 1220 die Restauration, und zwar baute er zuerst die Kapelle der heiligen Jungfrau. Trotzdem dass er durch den stolzen und widerspenstigen Adel in große Not kam, oder was wahrscheinlicher ist, eben weil er in Not war, machte er sich ans Werk, um von der Königin des Himmels Hilfe und Rat in der Regierung zu erflehen.<br />Er ließ nach und nach die ganze Abtei wieder aufbauen, ganz auf eigene Kosten; und als er seine Augen schloss, war der Bau seiner Vollendung nahe. Sein Nachfolger führte ihn zu Ende im Jahre 1285.<br />Zwei Jahrhunderte später schien dem König Heinrich VII. die Mutter-Gottes-Kapelle noch nicht schön genug. Er baute sie um und zwar mit einer solchen Pracht, dass sie weit und breit berühmt wurde.<br />Ein anderer Heinrich im sechzehnten Jahrhundert, nämlich der Glaubensneuerer Heinrich VIII., konnte auch dieses reiche Mutter-Gottes-Heiligtum nicht bestehen lassen. Wie viele andere kirchliche Schätze, so fielen auch die Weihgeschenke der Mutter Gottes von Westminster seiner Habsucht zum Opfer.<br />Auf welche Veranlassung hin Westminster ein Gnadenort geworden, und zu welcher Zeit, davon finden wir nichts aufgezeichnet. Nur eine Notiz eines Geschichtsschreibers können wir anführen als Zeugnis dafür, dass Westminster ein Wallfahrtsort gewesen. Derselbe sagt: "die Abtei Westminster habe ein berühmtes Bild gehabt, welches die Könige des Hauses Plantagenet sehr hoch schätzten. Und", sagt er: "es geschehen durch dasselbe viele und schöne Wunder". Vor diesem Bilde hat Richard II. gebetet an dem Morgen, als er nach Smithfield den Aufrührern entgegenzog.<br />Gebe Gott, dass wir Katholiken bald wieder mit Freuden auf ein katholisches England hinschauen können, das die Mutter Gottes ehrt und liebt wie seine Väter in alter Zeit, und das den schönen Namen wieder zu tragen würdig ist, den es wegen seiner vielen Marienkirchen früher hatte: "Mariens Brautschatz". <span style="font-style: italic;">(I. Spencer Northcote, "Berühmte Gnadenorte U.L. Frau". Köln, 1869 - Abbé Bourassé. "Les plus belles églises du monde". Tours, 1861.)</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Immaculata Helvetiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173541379544056331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-38244992312470002882008-02-14T17:56:00.002+01:002008-02-14T18:49:18.138+01:00Prayer for England<a title="Our Lady of England, Walsingham by Immaculata Helvetia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/immaculata/2264626119/"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="240" alt="Our Lady of England, Walsingham" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2246/2264626119_7a2ef2a84e_m.jpg" width="155" /></a><strong>O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England, thy dowry, and upon us who greatly hope and trust in thee.</strong><br /><strong>By thee it was that Jesus, our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more.</strong><br /><strong>Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the cross, O Sorrowful Mother, </strong><br /><strong>Intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold, they may be united to the Chief Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son.</strong><br /><strong>Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith, fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee in our heavenly home.</strong><br />AMEN.<br /><br /><em>Source: </em><a href="http://cathcon.blogspot.com/2008/02/prayer-for-england.html"><em>Catholic Church Conservation</em></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Immaculata Helvetiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173541379544056331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-89041639201667575502007-01-29T18:12:00.000+01:002007-01-29T19:24:39.736+01:00The Knock Apparition and Purgatory - 3<a href="http://anglia-catholica.blogspot.com/2007/01/knock-apparition-and-purgatory_27.html"><em>Continued from Part 2</em></a><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>3. An Objection Answered</strong><br /><br />But the objection may be urged that we may not infer that Knock was due to the intercession of the souls in purgatory, for, in making such an inference are we not confronted with the well-known fallacy - <em>post hoc, ergo propter hoc</em>? This maxim is paraphrased thus: the fact that one event <em>follows </em>another does not warrent the conclusion that the latter was caused by or connected with the former. In relation to Knock the maxim can be applied as follows: the fact that the apparition followed on the offering of a hundred Masses for the holy souls does not prove that it was due to their intercession or that there was any connection whatever between the two events.<br />To the difficulty raised we offer the following reply. The objection fails to recognize those significant aspects of the apparition, already noted, and the particular circumstances surrounding the offering of the hundred Masses for the holy souls. Assembled together, these factors would seem to be convincing testimony that the apparition was due to the intercession of the souls in purgatory.<br />Especially does the above objection defeat itself in not taking account of the pointedly significant fact that about twelve hours after the offering of the hundredth Mass for those other-world sufferers there occured an apparition, which, like a spark of eternal glory, seemed to reflect within itself the gratitude and the consuming desire of the inhabitants of purgatory - the gratitude of those who had attained to heaven's resplendence bright; the consuming desire of others not yet comforted by the vision of the Lamb of God in glory.<br />We trust that the following reflection may prove a fitting conclusion to this section. Who among us would be so rash, or rather so faithless, as to say that there is no connection between the solemn defintion of our Lady's Immaculate Conception as a dogma of faith in the year 1854 and the words "I am the Immaculate Conception" spoken four years later by Mary in the grotto at Lourdes? Does not the Catholic world see in this fact Heaven's grateful ratification of the Church's solemn definition? And would it not likewise appear to be in full accord with Catholic instinct to say that the apparition at Knock was, in the providence of God, purgatory's grateful and immediate acknowledgement (8) of the sacrifice which had been enacted in the Mass a hundred times for its suffering members?<br /><br /><strong>May 14th - 1879 - August 21st</strong><br /><br />On the morning of the fourteenth of May, 1879, Archdeacon Cavanagh with a joyful and generous heart ascended to the unpretentious altar in Knock church to offer the first of one hundred Masses for the holy souls. Day after day he placed the infinite fruits of the Adorable Sacrifice in the hands of "the ever Immaculate Mother of God" that she might hasten for her suffering children the blessed vision of God. Thus did he enter into that "extreme and pure love" of Christ for the souls in purgatory. (9) For through the Mass he loved them in Christ's own way by sharing in the divine fire of his longing to make amends for them.<br />It was Blessed Mary of Providence who said that "the heart of a helper, so close to purgatory, must be always on fire". Justly may it be affirmed that these beautiful words were realized in due measure in the heart of Archdeacon Cavanagh. For love's secret kinship with those other-world sufferers had urged him to take into his heart the flame of their desire to render now at last to God the love that should have been life's generous offering. The holy souls had found in this priest one who had made himself their representative and their victim.<br />For more than fourteen weeks throughout the summer and early autumn of 1879 Archdeacon Cavanagh was faithful to his morning tryst of love and mercy with the holy souls. At last came the memorabel day of the twenty-first of August. In the morning at the usual hour the Archdeacon offered Mass for the hundredth time for the lonely suffering mulitudes in purgatory. And that evening, but a few feet away from the altar of sacrifice <em>on earth</em>, our Lady appeared as Queen and Mediatrix contemplating <em>in Heaven</em> the sacred mystery of the Lamb's redeeming sacrifice. It should be remermbered that only a <em>narrow</em> passage which served as a sacristy separated the apparition gable from the altar of the church.<br />The oft-repeated sacrifice of the Mass had reconciled many of those other-world sufferers to God "by the cross" (Cf. Ephesians 2:16) and had given them access to the vision of the Lamb of God in glory. The apparition at Knock was purgatory's grateful and immediate acknowledgement of the redeeming sacrifice. ...<br />But viewed in the present context the apparition means something more. For if we think that mulitudes of souls continued to languish in purgatory after the offering of the hundred Masses we are still in full accord with expert theological teaching on this point. And further still: of the 6,000 people who on an average die each hour (which amounts to 144,000 every day) how many of that vast and daily repeated number of souls are ready to be admitted to the immediate vision of God? All this has led us to believe that while the holy souls expressed their gratitude in so admirable a manner in the design of the Knock apparition, they likewise expressed by means of the self-same design, and, in a true sense continue to express with tremendous urgency their voiceless pleadings for the constant renewal of the Adorable Sacrifice on their behalf.<br />Since it would seem, then, that the Knock apparition was obtained by the intercession of the holy souls we should show our gratitude for so singular a grace by continually helping them. Among the many means of showing mercy to them, the Mass occupies a place apart. For when we have Mass offered or assist at Mass for these afflicted ones we enter into our Lord's own love for them and speed them on their way to the city that <em>"hath no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it. For the glory of God hath enlighted it: and the Lamb is the lamp thereof"</em> (Apocalypse 21:23).<br /><br /><br />REFERENCES (Ch. 19)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(1) Liam Ua Cadhain, <strong>Venerable Archdeacon Cavanagh</strong>, Knock Shrine Society, 1953, pp. 45-46.<br />(2) Rev. Michael Walsh, <strong>The Apparition at Knock</strong>, The Leinster Leader Limited, Naas, 1955, p. 113.<br />(3) Inside, a narrow passage which served as a sacristy ran parallel between the gable and the altar of the church.<br />(4) "To sum up the character of the apparition, we can say there is in it nohting that is ridiculous or extravagent: it is regular, reasonable and harmonious in design" - Rev. Michael Walsh, <strong>op. cit</strong>. p. 77<br />(5) Excerpts from prayers in Masses for the dead.<br />(6) Council of Trent, Session XXV (Denzinger 983).<br />(7) "If our faith ... were sufficiently ardent to remove every obstacle and thus to prepare for the Host the same reception that the purifying process of purgatory effects for eternal life, the results would be almost the same. Filled with the eucharistic life by Communion, even those here on earth would be transformed in God as are the elect in Heaven." - Bernardot, O.P., <strong>From Holy Communion to the Blessed Trinity</strong>, Sands & Co., London, 1959, p. 21.<br />(8) <strong>Acknowledgement</strong> - in the sense that it was the holy souls who obtained, by their intercession , the heavenly favour of the apparition.<br />(9) Cf. Saint Catherine of Genoa, <strong>Treatise on Purgatory</strong>, chapter IX.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-77496665967300152772007-01-27T19:53:00.000+01:002007-01-29T19:20:20.278+01:00The Knock Apparition and Purgatory - 2<a href="http://anglia-catholica.blogspot.com/2007/01/knock-apparition-and-purgatory.html"><em>Continued from Part 1</em><br /></a><br /><strong>2. Vision of Peace</strong><br /><br />An intense love for the "ever Immaculate Mother of God" and her children suffering in purgatory - these were the two characteristics which strongly marked the deep piety of Venerable Archdeacon Cavanagh, Parish Priest of Knock at the time of the apparition.<br />"Several months before the apparition, Archdeacon Cavanagh found he could gratify his holy desire of saying one hundred Masses for the souls in purgatory whom our Blessed Mother most wished released. The great poverty of the people deprived him of the temporal help which other priests have from the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice for the intentions of the people. He made it known that he rejoiced to find he was free to follow his desire and to offer the adorable sacrifice for these holy souls in purgatory" (1) .<br />On the morning of the twenty-first of August, 1879, this saintly priest, standing before the altar of Knock church, had the happiness of completing his incomparable gift of mercy in favour of the holy souls - the last of the hundred Masses had been offered (2). In the evening of that same day the exterior of the south gable-end (3) of the church and some space around it were enveloped in a radiance not of earth.<br />In the profoundest spaces of this light there was a vision which, in serveral of its features, has rightly been considered apocalyptic in character. The vision had a focal point of supreme significance: a Lamb, facing towards the other figures of the apparition, was standing on a fullsized altar. Behind the Lamb and away from Him, a large cross stood erect on the altar. Triumphant over death and radiating the splendours of his glory, this Lamb clearly represented Jesus - the risen and glorified Lamb of God - who redeemed us by His sacrifice.<br />From the silent summits of contemplation that overlook the eternal city Our Lady gazed with immortal rapture on the divine Lamb and she was so transformed in His beauty and gladdened by His presence that it seemed as if a fountain of joy had broken in her heart. She appeared as if completely, yet serenely, held by the wonder and glory of her vision which shone upon her in a revelation which eternity will never exhaust. She did not speak. The beauty of her vision had ravished every human utterance from her lips.<br />We confine ourselves to these few features of the apparition which are especially relevant to our present purpose.<br />It should be noted that in its varied components the glorious spectacle was moulded to exquisite harmony (4) and reflected that tranquility of order which is eternal peace. The entire scene reposed in that silence which is one with beauty and breathed the calm of evelasting love. It pointed unmistakably to "rest and life everlasting" and a "rejoicing in the glory of heaven for evermore" (5).<br />The more we consider this aspect of the apparition the more reasonable does it appear to say that in imagery and symbolism adapted to the weakness of our human comprehension, it was a showing forth of the glorious vision for which the souls in purgatory are continually yearing and to which many of them had already attained through the Sacrifice of the Mass which had just been offered the hundredth time for them in the church at Knock.<br />So vast are the spiritual resources of Knock, so endless is its wealth of mystery and meaning, that, in our opinion, it lends itself convincingly to this interpretation without the least prejudice to other aspects of the apparition. Such admirable harmony can only be explained by the presence of truth informing and enriching its design.<br />There is another way of showing that the apparition owes its singular design to the intercession of the holy souls. In a very special sense, Knock is a manifestation of the eucharistic mystery, for it reveals the Lamb of God, standing as One glorified, on the altar of His own sacrifice. In this we see that the Mass which had been so often offered in Knock church for the relief and release of the holy souls is very significantly shown forth in the apparition; very significantly, we say, for while the souls in purgatory are helped "chiefly by the acceptable sacrifice of the altar" (6), the reception of its fruits in the Holy Eucharist is the most effective means by which we may avoid purgatory (7). The holy souls thus show their deep interest in our spiritual welfare.<br />But God willed that the souls in purgartory should seal the apparition whith a further sign that it was due to their interecessory power. For Our Lady, in whose hands had been placed the fruits of the hundred Masses offered for her suffering children, appears at Knock as Queen and Mediatrix contemplating, in the glory of Heaven, the sacred mystery of the Lamb's redeeming sacrifice. For her and for her children the Lamb of God is salvation, everlasting life, blessedness and rest.<br />In these three aspects of the apparition which we have just noted there is intrinsic evidence - that is, evidence in the very design of the apparition itself - that it was due to the intervention of the holy souls.<br />Thus did these saintly sufferers who "wait with silence for the salvation of God" (Lamentations 3:26) mark unmistakably the blessed vision of peace with the voiceless grateful accents of their powerful intercession. While God would draw the apparition back into the abyss of His own hiddenness, its grace will ever breathe a deep sense of joy; Knock will forever be a kiss from the loving, yearning hearts of purgatory.<br /><br /><em><a href="http://anglia-catholica.blogspot.com/2007/01/knock-apparition-and-purgatory-3.html">To be continued</a></em><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-32127677363473698772007-01-16T18:40:00.000+01:002007-01-29T18:39:26.837+01:00The Knock Apparition and Purgatory - 1By Father Hubert, O.F.M.Cap.<br /><br />The following article constitutes the closing chapter of a manuscript, "The Mystery of Purgatory" by Father Hubert, O.F.M.Cap. of Kilkenny, Ireland, which is as yet unpublished. This chapter appeared in the 1962 Knock Shrine Annual and it was repeated in the same publication in 1967 upon the request of many readers and of the editor. We are privileged to reproduce it here with the author's kind permission. <em>(Fatima Findings, February 1972)</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">1. A Well-Founded Tradition<br /></span></strong><br />Was the Knock apparition obtained through the intercession of the souls in purgatory? Tradition affirms it to be a fact. Fortunately an early and enlighening expression of the tradition found its way into print in a very natural way. Here is how it happened. In the month of August, 1888 (just nine years after the apparition) a person who had recourse to Our Lady of Knock received a particular grace. In thanksgiving, the client had a leaflet printed and circulated. We quote, as originally printed, the relevant sections of the leaflet:<br /><br /><blockquote><p>From the commencement the devotion to Our Lady of Knock had been connected with compassion for the Holy Souls. It was after 100 Masses had been offered for the souls in purgatory by the good Parish Priest that the ... apparition took place and pilgrims began to resort to Knock. Ever since a sepecial charity for the souls in purgatory has been a very marked feature of the piety of the faithful at Knock. ... </p><p>As, therefore, Our Lady of Genazzano is known as the Mother of Good Counsel and Our Lady of Lourdes is remembered in connection with the Immaculate Conception, may not Our Lady of Knock be very fitly styled the HELPER OF THE HOLY SOULS AND MOTHER OF THE CHURCH SUFFERING? </p><p>Is not her compact with those who seek a grace at Knock: "Help my suffering children in purgatory and I will be a Mother to you"?<br />OUR LADY OF KNOCK, HELPER OF THE HOLY SOULS AND MOTHER OF THE CHURCH SUFFERING, PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED AND PRAY FOR<br />US SINNERS WHO HAVE RECOURSE TO THEE. ... </p></blockquote><br />Owing to the tradition in question one might not unreasonably hope to find in the features of the appartion some discernable sign revealing the intervention of the holy souls. But such a sign does not readily suggest itself. Even so, not just one but several such signs are present, and once discovered, they appear as unmistakable.<br />That the intercessory influence of purgatory should not be immediately evident is surely in keeping with the ways of God. For the holy souls have entered into the casting off and forgetting of all that is of self. Hiddenness and silence are characteristics of purgatorial life. Seeking to be unknown save to God alone these saintly sufferers wait in ineffable obscurity for the open vision of the Lamb of God. It would seem, then, that the utter self-effacement of these souls and even a certain divine propriety, required that the signs of their intervention should be in part concealed behind the veil of mystery.<br />But it is a mystery which commands close attention, invites reverent inquiry, urges us to raise our hearts and minds to God. So doing, the obscure influence of purgatory in the design as well as in the history of the apparition becomes gradually clear and finally reveals itself in an admirable brightness. Here also, in a breath of divine repose, prayer sees anew through our Lady's eyes the infinite beauty of the Eucharistic Sacrifice which purifies our own souls while we are yet on earth and hastens for the much loved souls in purgatory the blessed vision of peace.<br /><br /><em>To be <a href="http://anglia-catholica.blogspot.com/2007/01/knock-apparition-and-purgatory_27.html">continued</a></em><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-1167509718332803392006-12-30T21:08:00.000+01:002007-01-27T20:27:09.030+01:00Our Lady of Evesham, Worcestershire<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4490/2035/1600/794398/Our_Lady_of_Evesham_1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4490/2035/320/405247/Our_Lady_of_Evesham_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Among the many places of devotion in England there is Our Lady of Evesham, Worcestershire, which, according to tradition, is an authentic place of apparition of Our Lady. Sometime in the early eighth century, Our Lady allegedly appeared to a swineherd named Eoves and entrusted him with the task of going to the Bishop of Worcestershire to ask him to build a shrine in the forest where she had appeared. There is no data about the building of this church, but it is said that Lady Godiva rebuilt the church in 960. The shrine was a favorite place of pilgrimage until the Reformation; and now, four hundred years later, after World War II, a new shrine has been erected by the Catholic Church in Evesham.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-1164027165171517522006-11-20T13:34:00.000+01:002007-01-27T20:28:03.854+01:00O God of earth and altar, bow down and hear our cryO God of earth and altar,<br />Bow down and hear our cry,<br />Our earthly rules falter,<br />Our people drift and die<br />The walls of gold entomb us,<br />The swords of scorn divide,<br />Take not Thy thunder from us<br />But take away our pride.<br /><br />From all that terror teaches,<br />From lies of tongue and pen,<br />From all the easy speeches<br />That comfort cruel men,<br />From sale and profanation<br />Of honour and the sword,<br />From sleep and from damnation,<br />Deliver us, good Lord!<br /><br />Tie in a living tether<br />The prince and priest and thrall<br />Bind all our lives together,<br />Smite us and save us all!<br />In ire and exultation<br />A flame with faith, and free<br />Lift up a living nation<br />A single sword to Thee.<br /><br /><em>Gilbert Keith Chesterton, "Hymn", 1926</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>See also "<a href="http://www.qunl.com/rees0005.html">End of the Trail</a>"</em><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-1158859497744060072006-09-21T19:17:00.000+02:002007-01-27T20:29:03.828+01:00Margaret Sinclair - Sister Mary Francis of the Five Wounds<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4490/2035/1600/Margaret_Sinclair_1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4490/2035/320/Margaret_Sinclair_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>Poor Claire Colletine (Extern) - 1900 - 1925</strong><br /><br /><em>"If I could only gain one soul for Jesus it would be worth it all."<br /></em><br /><strong>PRAYER FOR HER BEATIFICATION</strong><br /><br />O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst endow Thy lowly and ever cheerful Virgin Margaret Sinclair, with a share in Thy sufferings and in Thy zeal for the salvation of men, grant, that, through her glorification we too may arrive at a share in Thy glory Who livest and reignest, God, world without end. Amen.<br /><br /><strong>PRAYER FOR A NOVENA</strong><br /><br />Three Hail Marys and the invocation: Margaret Sinclair, pray for us.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Cum licentia ordinarii: + D. Mackintosh, Archiep. Glasguen. 25 Oct. 1926.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-1156961012161316142006-08-30T20:01:00.000+02:002007-01-27T20:29:33.776+01:00Prayers to Our Lady of Walsingham<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4490/2035/1600/OL_Walsingham_1-1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4490/2035/320/OL_Walsingham_1-1.jpg" border="0" /></a>O Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham, to thy loving intercession we commend ourselves, our homes, our friends and our native land. We recall with thankful hearts the love thou didst show to thy Son on Earth, and the blessings given us through thy prayers. As thy devoted children, we dedicate our lives to His service. Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us that we may do whatever His will is for us. Amen<br /><br /><strong>Ancient Walsingham Prayer</strong><br /><br />O alone of all women, Mother and Virgin, Mother most happy, Virgin most pure, now we sinful as we are, come to see thee who are all pure, we salute thee, we honour thee as how we may with our humble offerings; may thy Son grant us, that imitating thy most holy manners, we also, by the grace of the Holy Ghost may deserve spiritually to conceive the Lord Jesus in our inmost soul, and once conceived never to lose him. Amen.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-1154357371336903262006-07-31T16:43:00.000+02:002007-01-27T20:30:17.999+01:00Lead kindly Light, lead Thou me onLead kindly Light - amid the encircling gloom<br />Lead Thou me on!<br />The night is dark, and I am far from home -<br />Lead Thou me on!<br />Keep Thou my feet, I do not ask to see<br />The distant scene, - one step enough for me.<br />I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on.<br />I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on!<br />I loved the garish day, and spite of fears,<br />Pride ruled my will; remember not past years.<br />So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on<br />O'er moor und fen, o'er crag and torrent, till the night is gone<br />And with the morn those angel faces smile<br />Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile."<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(John Henry Newman, June 16th, 1833, in the Straits of Bonifacio.)</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-1151523039714044412006-06-28T21:04:00.000+02:002007-01-27T20:32:21.863+01:00That Host upraised against the Sky"One word whispered, strange, across the night,<br />Deeper than any wireless message thrilled<br />The soundless voice of Aquin, one deep chord<br />Sustaining that light song with undertones<br />Profound as death, in the innermost heart of the world:<br /><em>Visus, tactus, gustus, in te fallitur.</em><br /><em>Sed auditu solo tuto creditur</em>."<br /><br />"Time and Space<br />Dissolved... Two thousand years ago, this Act,<br />Two Thousand Years ago, this Act,<br />On earth (and in the heavens, before all worlds);<br />Foreshadowed His own passion to create,<br />Life that might share His own on high at last,<br />And, by His own transfiguring entrance here,<br />Ennoble the dark Nature He had made,<br />Stooping to Man, that men might raise to God.<br />There, as that Host, upraised against the sky,<br />Bowed every head, I saw ten thousend shrines,<br />Ten thousand altars, in the self-same Act<br />Made one, and shadowing forth that Act in heaven<br />Before which all those heavenly armies kneel...<br />All these and more made one by that one sign,<br />One thin white disk upraised against the sky,<br />There, in one strict concentring point at last,<br />Closed all the thoughts and aims of earth and heaven,<br />Shone the one signal that could never change,<br />The ultimate sea-mark of our voyaging souls.<br />Behind that Act, two thousand years ago<br />On earth, and in the heavens before all worlds,<br />Stood, and for ever stands, the eternal Christ,<br />Whose Presence is not separate from His Act,<br />Because in Him, Substance and Will are one,<br />Breaking that Bread whereof His Body was made,<br />In union and communion with man's own;<br />A sacramental sign, earth's common Bread,<br />Bread of a thousand grains, compact in one,<br />To feed that flesh wherewith the soul of Christ,<br />Was clothed on earth, as man's own soul is clothed;<br />And, as the living soul of man on earth<br />Is here and now incorporate into Christ,<br />Becomes His Body anew.<br />Time, Space dissolved."<br /><br />Alfred Noyes<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30372893.post-1151475434795312792006-06-28T08:06:00.000+02:002007-01-27T20:31:38.540+01:00To Mother Mary whom with many names we name<em><span style="font-size:130%;">She will not weary of your harmonies,<br />The Gentle Mother: for her memories<br />Are full of ancient melodies,<br />Raised in the fashion of old Israel,<br />Beside the cold rock well:<br />Under the glow of calm and splendid skies;<br />Jesus upon her breast,<br />Fronting the shadowy land, the solemn west.<br />Ah, Mother! whom with many names we name,<br />By lore of love, which is our earthly tongue,<br />Is all too poor, though rich love's heart of flame,<br />To sing thee as thou art, nor leave unsung<br />The greatest of the graces thou hast won,<br />Thy chiefest excellence!<br />Ivory Tower! Star of the Morning! Rose<br />Mystical! Tower of David, our Defence!<br />To thee our music flows,<br />Who makest music for us to thy Son."</span></em><br /><br />Lionel Johnson (1867-1902)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=728457">Subscribe to «ANGLIA CATHOLICA» by Email</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0