Marriage as an Apostolate

Torch of The Faith News on Wednesday 01 February 2017 - 11:05:25 | by admin

The Witness of a Generation Formed in the True Faith

When I first became a Catholic in 1993, there were a number of strongly Catholic couples, of retirement age or thereabouts, that were very active in the parish qua married couples.

Having already brought up their families, these couples were very involved together in the spirituality of the parish: expressed through shared attendance at daily Mass and Rosary, weekly Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Stations of the Cross; and also in the practical outreach that was going out from the parish, through traditional groups like the SVP society and the Legion of Mary.

I particularly remember these couples as ones that, whilst being very rooted in the necessities of everyday life, nevertheless clearly exuded love, commitment and even a certain sense of holiness. Indeed, it was through the very ordinariness of their daily lives that the gleams of sanctity showed.

Even in the case of one couple where the husband had sadly walked out and gone absent years earlier, his good wife faithfully kept up her side of the covenant; even going to an extra Mass every single Sunday, as well as the one she already went to with her grown-up children, in a self-sacrificial attempt to fulfill the missing husband's Sunday obligation for him. I'll never forget that lived testimony to real love and the indissolubility of true marriage.

It is worth reflecting that the majority of these couples had their formation in the faith as youngsters in the decades of the 1930's - 1940's. 

Many of these good folks died and went to their reward in the first decade of the new millennium. I sometimes shudder to think of what they would make of the present papacy and its impacts. They never would have believed it possible that things could ever sink to the level of the current attempted subversion of the True Faith.

Over the years, we have still encountered couples of the kind being described above, mainly in Traditionalist circles or in places like Steubenville or Pantasaph, but there do seem to be a lot less of them than there ever were before; and there are certainly less of them coming up ''through the ranks'' of the following generations.

Indeed, with even marriage itself becoming rare, we now know some priests whose parishes have not been blessed with the celebration of a single Nuptial Mass or wedding ceremony for several years. 

When one reflects on the present crisis in the Church, it becomes clear that far too many people, alas even among the ranks of the Sacred Hierarchy, have an understanding of marriage that is heavily influenced by post-modernity and pop-psychology. This leads them to view love and marriage primarily, if not solely, as some kind of guaranteed vehicle for easy-happiness and self-actualization.

Just taking a look at the approach taken by the Modernists in the whole divisive battle over Amoris Laetitia reveals an understanding of spousal love that has much more in common with consumerism, where one is encouraged to update to the ''latest model'' every few years, than with anything one finds in the natural and divine law.

When one contrasts their approach with the qualities of actual self-sacrificial love, especially those established and enabled by the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, it becomes clear that theirs is an immature, selfish and overly romanticised conception indeed. Worse than that, it is extremely sinful.

During these crazy times for the Church, it can often be refreshing to dip into the writings of some of the best Catholics like that great Irishman Frank Duff, the Servant of God and Founder of the Legion of Mary.

The Servant of God, and Founder of the Legion of Mary, Frank Duff (1889 - 1980).

What follows is an excerpt from his book The Spirit of the Legion of Mary. It has been chosen because I think it well highlights the genuine spirituality that so obviously set those above-mentioned Catholic couples apart: they truly lived their marriages as a shared apostolate.

Even the lady who had been cruelly abandoned continued to live in the midst of her sufferings in this apostolic manner. Indeed, she had perhaps the deepest grasp of the redemptive power of suffering, when it is borne in love with Christ, that I have yet encountered.

If we are all to overcome the present crisis, which we should more accurately call a heresy, then the spirituality of those couples is one we would all do well to recover and emulate.

Marrying for God by Frank Duff

Do people ever think of getting married for God? Is there any reality in the phrase ''Vocation of marriage'' so frequently heard? Or is that expression no more than lip-service? I fear so. For examine and you will find that quite a different set of ideas from true vocational ideals governs the general approach to marriage.

I do not suggest that people do not try to lead holy lives in matrimony. Of course they do. But so do the butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker - and the Civil servant.

But that does not by itself constitute those trades vocations except in the conventional sense of the word.

Marriage is different.

It is a true vocation in every sense of the word, because it is a sacramental state - as is the priesthood itself.

Therefore, marriage is an immense thing, elevated as far above merely occupational states as Mount Everest is reared above ground level.

But vocations and sacraments for full efficacy require cooperation; and I fear that in regard to the great Sacrament of Matrimony this condition is not being sufficiently satisfied.

Its big moment is esteemed to be the wedding; after which there is little or no advertence to the fact of a sacramental condition.

If graces flow, it is rather because God freely gives them, than because of any effort to earn them. For in the everyday marriage the main factors are not faith, hope and charity, but pounds, shillings and pence; not holiness, but worldly pursuits; not God, but sheer self.

Doesn't this neatly encapsulate and express the whole crisis now facing the Church?

May the Holy Family - Pray for us!

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Traditional Novena in Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Torch of The Faith News on Tuesday 24 January 2017 - 20:40:26 | by admin

Today marks the start of the traditional Novena in preparation for the great Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A version of the Candlemas Novena follows below:-

Day One

Bright Mirror of all virtues, holiest Mary, forty days had scarcely elapsed from thy delivery when thou, though the purest of all virgins, didst will, according to the Law, to be presented in the Temple to be purified: grant that we, like thee, may keep our hearts unstained by sin, that so we, too, may be made worthy to be presented to our God in the Temple of His Glory.

Day Two

Virgin most obedient, at thy presentation in the Temple thou didst will, like other women, to offer the wonted sacrifice: obtain for us that we, too, following thy example, may learn how to offer ourselves a living sacrifice to God, by practicing every virtue.

Day Three

Virgin most pure, in observing the precept of the Law, thou didst care little that men should account thee unclean: ask for us grace to keep our hearts forever pure, however blamable the world may think us.

Day Four

Virgin most holy, in offering thy divine Son to His eternal Father, thou didst gladden all the court of Heaven: present our poor hearts to God, that He, by His grace, may keep them ever free from mortal sin.

Day Five

Virgin most humble, in placing Jesus in holy old Simeon's arms, thou didst fill his soul with heavenly joy: give our hearts into God's holy keeping, that He may fill them with His Holy Spirit.

Day Six

Virgin most zealous, by redeeming* thy Son, Jesus, according to the Law, thou didst cooperate in the salvation of the world: ransom now our poor hearts from the slavery of sin, that so they may be ever pure before the face of God.

Day Seven

Virgin most meek, on hearing the prophecy of Simeon foretelling thy woes, thou didst promptly bow to the good pleasure of God: enable us also to bear all troubles with patience and resignation to His divine will.

Day Eight

Virgin most compassionate, when through thy divine Son thou didst fill the soul of Anna the prophetess with light, thou didst make her magnify the mercies of God by recognizing Jesus as the Redeemer of the world: enrich our souls with heavenly grace, that we may largely share the fruit of the divine Redemption.

Day Nine

Virgin most resigned, who didst feel thy soul transfixed with sorrow when in spirit thou didst foresee all the bitter passion of thy Son, and, knowing the grief of St. Joseph, thy spouse, for all thy sufferings, didst with holy words console him: pierce through and through our souls with true sorrow for our sins, that we may one day have the consolation to be made partakers of thy glory in Heaven.

After each individual day's unique prayer, then say the Hail Mary, followed by the Litany of Loreto, and afterward:

V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Spirit.

R. That he should not see death until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Let us Pray

Almighty, everlasting God, we pray Thy majesty, that as Thine only begotten Son was presented in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so Thou wouldst enable us to present ourselves before Thee with clean hearts. Amen.

* Footnote to Day Six: Of course, Our Lord Jesus Christ, as God Incarnate, did not need to be redeemed. However, He and Our Lady fulfilled all the precepts of the Law. This is the sense in which that day's prayer is to be understood.

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Fr. Michael Scanlan - Requiescat in Pace

Torch of The Faith News on Tuesday 10 January 2017 - 03:09:00 | by admin

There are just a few people who seem so close to Our Lord that, when they pass through death from this life, the sadness one naturally feels is tempered with a sense that at least they are now ''safely over the wall'' and beyond the temptations and evils of this world. It is a phenomenon which St. Augustine touched upon during his timeless discussion of the death of righteous men in his classical work, The City of God Against the Pagans. Don't get me wrong, such people still need our prayers, but the darkness of their death seems tangibly tinged with the brightness of Christ's light. 

I must say that this mingling of sorrow with joy is what I have experienced since hearing the sad news of the death of Fr. Michael Scanlan on Saturday at the age of 85.

To most readers of this blog, and certainly those on the Continent of North America, Fr. Michael Scanlan T.O.R. will need little introduction: a graduate of Harvard School of Law; former staff judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force; priest of the Franciscan Third Order Regular; president, chancellor and president-emeritus of Franciscan University of Steubenville; and famous personality in the charismatic movement and on EWTN.

It was the dynamic Fr. Michael Scanlan who had led the restoration of the Steubenville campus from a financially struggling local college in the early 70's, into a successfully world famous Catholic university; globally renowned in more recent times for its theological orthodoxy, pro-life activism and energetic missionary outreach.

Or rather it was the Holy Spirit, working through Fr. Scanlan and his powerful gifts and leadership, Who achieved all of this. As the kindly Dr. Alan Schreck once recalled in a video-tribute to Fr. Scanlan: when being interviewed by the Trustees for the leadership role at Steubenville, Fr. Scanlan had simply stated: ''I want to make Jesus Christ really Lord of every aspect of the life of this campus.''

In doing so through the decades that followed, he became a friend to late-20th-Century leaders like Pope St. John Paul II, St. Mother Teresa, Mother Angelica and Fr. Benedict Groeschel; as well as a strong spiritual father to many folks across the generations and socio-economic backgrounds. I recall one touching story of how Fr. Scanlan helped to overcome the social exclusion of some young black-children in the locality through a very caring and practical approach that united communities together.

In the post-conciliar period, during which time far too many Catholic educational institutions were collapsing into dissent, rebellion and immorality, Fr. Scanlan bucked the trend by making Franciscan University's professors the first in America to take the public Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium.

Under his leadership, the university built on this key defence of the Faith in several other practical ways. These included: developing the successful ''Households'' to help generations of young people grow together in holiness; creating a campus atmosphere in which a dynamic spirit of evangelization could take root and bear rich fruit; establishing the strong and healthy pro-life traditions, which include weekly prayers and outreach outside a Pittsburgh abortion facility, participation in the annual March for Life in Washington D.C., lobbying of local and national elections and setting up the Tomb of the Unborn on campus near to the perpetual Adoration chapel.

In 1975, Fr. Scanlan also established the annual summer conferences which continue to draw tens of thousands each year. Such is the scope of Steubenville's mission that the university now boasts over 12,000 graduated alumni throughout the world.

To be honest, as a Brit' I knew little of this, or the fact that he had been a famed leader in the charismatic movement, on the night that I first met Fr. Scanlan on the Steubenville campus.

It was a roasting late-summer evening in 2004 and he was wearing a pure white habit, instead of his usual dark T.O.R. habit, to keep cool from the baking hot sun. The other thing he was wearing was his trademark welcoming smile.

Father Scanlan was one of several Franciscan priests who were that night hosting a welcoming party for a dozen or so international students who, like me, had travelled a long way to get to Ohio from various countries, in order to study full-time at the university.

When he heard that Angie and I were British, Fr. Scanlan told us an amazing story about a conference he once gave in England. He said that, whilst he had been talking at the podium, he felt the Lord keep telling him to proclaim a certain man's name - a name he had never heard of before - and announce to that man that Jesus wanted him to know that He did love him.

Fr. Scanlan said that this seemed so odd that he thought, ''I can't do that!'' However, the sense of urgent prompting continued until he suddenly announced ''Mr. so-and-so. Jesus wants you to know that he does love you!'' Apparently, at the end of that long-ago evening in England, whilst Fr. Scanlan was chatting to members of the audience, a man came up to him and said: ''How did you know about me? Just this night, I had said to the Lord that I needed to know if He really loved me and I asked Him to show me!'' The whole time Fr. Scanlan was telling Angie and I that story, his smiling eyes were shining with great joy.

As we have shared here before, Angie and I have a little ''miracle'' story of our own.

A few months after we got married in 2002, we had a large EWTN satellite-dish installed at our home in Bootle near Liverpool, here in England. In the following months, we began to watch the Franciscan University Presents show every Sunday evening. That is how we first came to see or hear anything about Fr. Michael Scanlan.

To us, he was a holy-looking old American priest, hosting an intellectual theology show that featured more familiar writers, like Dr. Scott Hahn, Dr. Regis Martin and various guests, sitting around a low coffee-table each weekend.

In early 2004, when an advert came on EWTN for the MA course at Franciscan University, Angie turned to me and asked would I like to go there. Having already gained a BA in Theology in Liverpool, and having just recently resigned from my job as a PR/Education officer at a pro-life charity, due to the organization's unfolding compromises in the realms of contraception, sex-education and Rogerian non-directive counselling, combined with my desire to receive post-Ushaw seminary healing/orthodox formation, I shrugged and said something like, ''Yes. Why not?''

To cut a long story short, we began a 30-Day prayer to St. Joseph for guidance and found ourselves flying over the Atlantic for a visit to the campus just a few weeks later. By the start of the following semester, we had stored most of our belongings in my Mum and Dad's loft, sold our home for double the price we had paid just two years earlier and arrived in Steubenville on a family study-visa for a two-year course of studies.

The really amazing thing - something that made us both think of God's sense of humour and His protective Fatherhood - was the fact that we were loaned the actual coffee-table and chairs that we had seen so often on TV, to help us to furnish our Steubenville apartment, when the Franciscan University Presents team updated their set with new ones!

When you are 4,000 miles away from family and friends, on the far side of the Atlantic, details like that can really deepen your faith and sense of wonder about God's awesome Providence! Sometimes I would just look at that coffee-table - and the former Taco-Bell booth that someone loaned us to use a dinner table and chairs! - and shake my head in amazement! 

At the other end of our two-year stay in America, just a few days before our final flight back home to dear old Blighty in 2006, we met with Fr. Scanlan near to the Franciscan Friary.

We had never been blessed with children and some friends had told us that Fr. Mike often prayed with couples in this situation; many of whom subsequently went on to have children of their own. In one legendary case, Fr. Scanlan had prayed with arms outstretched over one young wife, whilst her mother also joined in with the prayers from just behind her daughter. Apparently, in the months that followed, both the young wife and her middle-aged mother became pregnant!

Whenever you got near to Fr. Scanlan, you would see that powerful joy in Christ shining out from his eyes, his smile and indeed from his very countenance. Sometimes the university would put out glossy publicity materials that featured a laughing Fr. Scanlan at the centre of a group of happy students. The truth is that, although these were so obviously staged, they really did reflect the fact that Fr. Scanlan was like a spiritual father to so many young people. It was a very common sight to see him at the centre of groups of buzzing students like this in real life. He was very Christ-like and attracted people of all ages and types to be in his presence. 

A lot is spoken about ''joy'' today by people who really are dissenting from Christ's true teachings. What they are selling is counterfeit; the stolen pleasure of sin is not the same as authentic joy. With God's grace, one can spot the difference a mile off.

In some sermons, Fr. Scanlan would teach that real Christian joy is not the same as happiness or pleasure; it is rather the deeper gift received by those who let go of trying to control their own lives, die to themselves, give everything over to God and live no longer for themselves, but for Christ Who lives in them. Those people are free. Their true joy can persist even beneath, and in the midst of, grave trials and sufferings.

I think I've met about three people in my entire life who lived like that. They were all Catholics and, I would say, that Fr. Michael Scanlan was one of them.

Anyway, when he prayed over us that day in June 2006, I was feeling pretty confused because part of me wanted to stay Stateside and not leave the strongly Catholic-culture around the Steubenville campus and town. Whilst Angie and I were never really at home with the charismatic movement, Steubenville was nevertheless a special place where there were several chapels hosting 24-hour adoration, many faithful Catholic families, regular community activities and much orthodox teaching. During the two years that we spent there: around 20 young adults - roughly 10 at each of the Easter Vigils - were received into the Catholic Church on campus; at least one baby was saved from abortion; and many homeless and disadvantaged people were given friendship and practical assistance. 

Aware of our impending return to the UK, Fr. Scanlan prayed fervently for the fulfillment of God's plan in our lives and marriage, before giving us his priestly blessing for the future. At the end, he said that sometimes people are still not blessed with children, however this would be because God had some other plan for that couple to fulfill with their marital union.

There are many on-line videos featuring Fr. Scanlan that we think are worth your time to view. After hearing of Father Scanlan's death at the weekend, I watched one short video-clip message on the internet; wherein he gives a heartening message to alumni of the university. With those bright eyes of his shining as ever with Christ-like love, he encourages us all with the following words:-

I want to encourage you to live out your life with everything you have gained from the University. But know that faith has a place, and what you've learned about your faith, what you've studied in theology, what you've developed in the life of worship and the Sacraments, as well as implementing the Scriptures, in all you do, it's so important, pull your life into one, solidly rooted on the Lord Jesus Christ, and His Word, and going forth, saying: ''I am a disciple and I've got something to give.''

It is 10 years since we came home from our amazing experiences and learning at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. It has been a tough decade marked by a rapidly secularizing culture, the ongoing collapse of Catholic orthodoxy and the deaths of several close family and friends. We never were blessed with children either. But, it has also been a time in which we have hopefully deepened our discipleship in the Lord through these Crosses and trials.

It has certainly been a period in which we have gone much deeper into the Tradition of the Church through liturgy, prayer and further study; living now as we do from the Traditional Calendar and attending only the Traditional Latin Mass for several years.

And yet, like so many other folks throughout the world, we can only say that we would not be where we are today without all that we had first learned and encountered at Steubenville.

And for that, we must ultimately say a big ''Thank You!'' to Fr. Mike Scanlan and those people he picked to serve on his team. His ministry brought us closer to Jesus and helped us to grow to a deeper understanding of the Church and the present situation. In a very real sense, Franciscan University of Steubenville ''tooled us up'' spiritually and intellectually for what we are doing now through this apostolate.

Please join us in praying from the heart for the many priests, deacons, religious and laity who are now grieving the loss of a spiritual father; and also for the repose of Fr. Michael Scanlan's immortal soul: Eternal rest grant unto him, dear Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him; and may he rest in peace. Amen.

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Feast of the Holy Family (Traditional Calendar)

Torch of The Faith News on Sunday 08 January 2017 - 13:00:49 | by admin

The Traditional Calendar today celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family. As the explanation of today's feast in the Traditional Missal recalls, the Holy Family at Nazareth teaches us lessons which are of crucial importance at the present time - that family life is holy and of divine institution, that manual labour is honourable, and that poverty is no disgrace.

For the last few years, we have been following the traditional custom of keeping our small in-house Nativity Crib set up in the lounge until the Feast of the Presentation in February. It can be very helpful as an aid and encouragement to prayer; as well as a consolation when all the other Christmas decorations have been removed in the chilled and grey days of January!

Last night, as we were about to begin praying the Rosary in front of our household Crib, Angeline suddenly got up and said: ''Do you mind if I rearrange this a bit? There are too many kings in the way and I can't see Jesus!''

Although this was a momentary distraction, and something which seemed quite ordinary at the time, the deeper aspects of her words dawned on me, whilst we prayed through the Joyful Mysteries as part of the First Saturday devotion.

How true it is that there are many secular ''kings'' who have tried to supplant Jesus in the hearts of the faithful through the ages.

Then again, how sad that even many leaders in the Church are now attempting to dethrone Christ and - forgetting that they were only made Princes of the Church in order to draw others to Him - are trying to replace Him with their own worldly ''kingships'' and faulty ideas.

And again, is it not too often the case that we ourselves prefer other ''kings'' to be lords in our own lives, rather than Jesus Christ the Universal King? None of us can honestly say that we are exempt from such sinful tendencies. Due to our concupiscent nature, we even use good things in selfish ways. How much we rely on God's grace and goodness!

And yet, therein lies the Good News: in spite of all the coldness and unwelcome of our fickle hearts, the Infant King lovingly breaks into our lives and calls us to love Him again in return. We need to remove the false ''kings'' from our hearts; and discern how to rightly order the good ''kings'' that can help us to serve Christ more faithfully.

Here is a traditional little prayer to the Holy Family, which might help us in that regard. It is highly recommended as a daily prayer throughout one's earthly pilgrimage.

Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph, I give Thee my heart and my soul!

Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph, assist me in my last agony!

Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with Thee!

We wish you a Blessed Feast of the Holy Family! 

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Epiphany Meditation and Prayer by St. Alphonsus de Liguori

Torch of The Faith News on Thursday 05 January 2017 - 21:14:04 | by admin

The Adoration of the Magi

Jesus is born in a poor stable; the angels of Heaven indeed acknowledge Him, but men abandon and forsake Him on earth. Only a few shepherds come and pay Him homage. But our Redeemer was desirous of communicating to us the grace of His redemption, and begins therefore to manifest Himself to the Gentiles, who knew Him least. Therefore He sends a star to enlighten the holy Magi, in order that they may come and acknowledge and adore their Saviour. This was the first and sovereign grace bestowed upon us, - our vocation to the Faith; which was succeeded by our vocation to grace, of which men were deprived.

Behold the wise men, who immediately, without delay, set off upon their journey. The star accompanies them as far as the cavern where the holy Infant lies: on their arrival they enter; and what do they find? They found the child with Mary (Matthew 2:11). They find a poor maiden and a poor Infant wrapped in poor swaddling-clothes, without anyone to attend on Him or assist Him.

But, lo! on entering into the little shed these holy pilgrims feel a joy which they had never felt before; they feel their hearts chained to the dear little Infant which they behold.

The straw, the poverty, the cries of their little Saviour, - oh, what darts of love! oh, what blessed flames are they to their enlightened hearts! The Infant looks upon them with a joyful countenance, and this is the mark of affection with which He accepts them amongst the first-fruits of His redemption.

The holy kings then look at Mary, who does not speak - she remains silent; but with her blessed countenance that breathes the sweetness of paradise she welcomes them, and thanks them for having been the first to come and acknowledge her son (as indeed He is) for their Sovereign Lord. See also how, out of reverence, they adore Him in silence, and acknowledge Him for their God, kissing His feet, and offering Him their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Let us also with the holy Magi adore our little King Jesus, and let us offer Him all our hearts.

Affections and Prayers

O amiable infant! though I see Thee in this cavern lying on straw poor and despised, yet faith teaches me that Thou art my God, Who camest down from Heaven for my salvation.

I acknowledge Thee, then, for my sovereign Lord and Saviour; but I have nothing, alas! to offer Thee.

I have no gold of love, because I have loved creatures; I have loved my own caprices, but I have not loved Thee, O amiable infinite One!

I have not the incense of prayer, because I have lived in a miserable state of forgetfulness of Thee.

I have no myrrh of mortification, for I have often displeased Thy infinite goodness that I might not be deprived of my miserable pleasures.

What then shall I offer Thee? I offer Thee my heart, filthy and poor as it is; do Thou accept it, and change it.

Thou camest into the world for this purpose, to wash the hearts of men from their sins by Thy Blood, and thus change them from sinners into saints. Give me, therefore, I pray Thee, this gold, this incense, and this myrrh.

Give me the gold of Thy holy love; give me the spirit of holy prayer, give me the desire and strength to mortify myself in everything that displeases Thee. I am resolved to obey Thee and to love Thee; but Thou knowest my weakness, oh, give me the grace to be faithful to Thee!

Most holy Virgin, thou who didst welcome with such affection and didst console the holy Magi, do thou welcome and console me also, who come to visit thy Son and come to offer myself to Him. O my Mother, I have great confidence in thy intercession! Do thou recommend me to Jesus. To thee do I entrust my soul and my will; bind it forever to the love of Jesus!

St. Alphonsus de Liguori - Pray for us!

We pray for every grace and blessing to be given to you, our readers, on this holy Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord.

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Some Traditional Latin Masses to Celebrate Epiphany in NW England

Torch of The Faith News on Thursday 05 January 2017 - 17:39:02 | by admin

Although the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has transferred the celebration of Epiphany to this coming Sunday, there are a number of opportunities for Catholics in the North West of England to follow the Traditional Calendar with a Traditional Latin Mass on Friday, 6th January. Please be aware that the following list may not be exhaustive.

Bolton

St. Osmund's, Long Lane, Breightmet, Bolton, BL2 6EB.

7:30pm - Low Mass

Liverpool

St. Anthony's, Scotland Road, Liverpool, L5 5BD.

12 Noon - Low Mass

Lydiate

Our Lady's, Southport Road, Lydiate, L31 4HH.

10am - Low Mass Please Note the New Time!

Manchester

English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8QT.

7pm - Low Mass

New Brighton

ICKSP Shrine Church of Ss Peter, Paul and Philomena, 7 Atherton Street, New Brighton, Wirral, CH45 9LT.

N.B. On Thursday 5th of January at 5pm - Traditional Blessing of Epiphany Water before First Vespers of the Epiphany.

Friday 6th January - 7pm - Sung Mass

(Anyone who wishes to have their house blessed with the traditional Epiphany Blessing and blessed chalk is asked to contact the ICKSP Canons in good time for this to be done before 2nd February, 2017).

Preston

ICKSP Shrine of St. Walburge, Weston Street, Preston, PR2 2QE.

7pm - Sung Mass

(As above)

Warrington

FSSP Shrine Church of St. Mary, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA1 2NS.

N.B. The Blessing of Epiphany Water has taken place today (the Vigil of Epiphany) between 11:00-11:20am.

Friday 6th January - Masses at 12:10pm and 7:30pm

We give thanks to God for these good priests and the opportunities they provide for the faithful to attend the Traditional Latin Mass for the great Feast of the Epiphany on its traditional date.

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Please Pray to Protect Ireland from the Scourge of Abortion

Torch of The Faith News on Thursday 05 January 2017 - 13:23:28 | by admin

Precious Life has warned that abortion could be legalised in Northern Ireland as early as February 2017, if David Ford's (Alliance Party) abortion bill is passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

This Bill began its passage through the Assembly on 6th December, 2016. It aims to permit the killing of babies with life-limiting disabilities, any time during pregnancy, right up to the moment of birth!

Reminding supporters that Jesus taught His disciples that some evils can only be overcome by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21), Precious Life's Bernadette Smyth is asking for a massive 'revolution' of prayer and sacrifice.

Basing this initiative on the fact that the battle is not primarily with human beings, but with the spiritual powers of evil (Ephesians 6:13), and that God used 40-day periods to transform individuals, communities and the entire world - from Noah in the Flood, to Moses on the Mountain and on to the Disciples after the Resurrection - Bernadette has called for a special 40-Days for Life pro-life campaign for Ireland.

Commencing a couple of days ago on 3rd January, and lasting until the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Saturday, 11th February, Bernadette asks people all around the world to participate in praying the Prayer to Protect Ireland from the Scourge of Abortion (please see below). 

Pro-life supporters everywhere are invited to offer their daily Mass; daily Rosary; daily Divine Mercy chaplet; and/or their daily Holy Hour. Fasting from favourite foods for this intention is also encouraged. So too, is taking part in - or at least praying for - the pro-life Prayer Vigils, which take place outside of Belfast's Marie Stopes Abortion Agency, every Thursday and Friday between 10:00am - 6:00pm (local time).

Readers in Northern Ireland are also encouged to: sign a Petition Postcard to the First Deputy and First Ministers; distribute Campaign Leaflets and Postcards in their local communities; Lobby Assembly members; and make donations to help the Campaign.

Precious Life's courageous Director Bernadette Smyth.

Readers everywhere are encouraged to take part by praying Precious Life's daily campaign prayer.

During the Next 40 Days, Please Pray this Daily Prayer to Protect Ireland from the Scourge of Abortion

Lord Jesus, You are the Divine Physician, and the source of all life and health.

Guide Northern Ireland's politicians at this critical time. Give them the humility to know that they are servants, not masters.

Give them the wisdom to realize that every life has equal value.

Give them the strength to resist the idea that some lives can be sacrificed to save others, or that killing the unborn is a part of health care. 

Please give your people the courage to speak up and to hold public officials accountable for their actions.

In the Most Holy Name of Jesus, and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, save Ireland from the sin and crime of abortion (say this last paragraph 3 times).

Amen.

Please do join in the earnest praying of this prayer during each of the 40 days in Bernadette's important pro-life campaign.

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Feast of The Most Holy Name of Jesus

Torch of The Faith News on Monday 02 January 2017 - 15:41:44 | by admin

St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) painted a wooden tablet with the Monogram of the Holy Name of Jesus -  ''IHS'' - surrounded by the rays of the sun, to help spread the devotion far and wide. In the centuries that followed, it became common to see similar representations of this Monogram depicted in sacred art, architecture, vessels and vestments. With a cross mounted above the central letter ''H'', this eventually became the emblem of the Jesuits.  

The Traditional Calendar today celebrates the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. From the earliest days of the Church, Catholics have reverenced, and even prayed, the Holy Name of Jesus as a foundational devotion.

The closer one draws to Our Lord, the more one loves His beautiful and holy Name. This is more true than even the love one has for a spouse, because the Name of Jesus bears and expresses infinite depth. In the presence of this Name, we wish to become consumed by the eternal One, Who bears It. 

St. Paul proclaimed: ''For which cause God also hath exalted Him, and hath given Him a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father'' (Philippians 2:9-11).

Again, in Acts 4:12, we read: ''Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.''

The very name of Jesus expresses to us the infinite mystery of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. For that reason, the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that the ''invocation of the Holy Name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always'' (CCC 2668). Praying the Holy Name of Jesus was an indulgenced prayer for long periods of Church history. If ever one finds it hard to pray, or even if one is blessed with the desire to pray, it is a good practice to simply repeat the Holy Name with as much devotion as one can muster.  

When I first became a Catholic in 1993, I noticed that there were a number of older Catholics in the parish who gently bowed their heads whenever the Holy Name of Jesus was mentioned during Holy Mass.

As the years went by, this practice became less common until Angie and I began to attend only the Traditional Latin Mass several years ago. In the Traditional Latin Mass, most people - in all ages of the congregation - continue this time-honoured practice.

I say time-honoured, because the 2nd Council of Lyons, held at the behest of Pope Gregory X in 1274 A.D., formally wrote the custom of bowing the head at the name of Jesus into the law of the Church.

That sacred Council ordered: ''Those who assemble in church should extol with an act of special reverence that Name which is above every name, than which no other under Heaven has been given to men, in which believers must be saved, the Name, that is, of Jesus Christ, Who will save His people from their sins. Each should fulfil in himself that which is written for all, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious Name is recalled, especially during the Sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head.''

I actually owe my own practice of bowing my head at the mention of the Holy Name of Jesus to a small Irish boy that was interviewed on BBC's Songs of Praise programme sometime around 20 years ago.

I had, at that time, been a Catholic for just a couple of years and, as mentioned above, was aware that a few older Catholics were bowing their heads during Holy Mass. When this boy was speaking, very naturally, about his love for Jesus during this TV-show, he bowed his head in a manner that was as touching as it was natural. It was evident that this was so much part of the lad's daily practice that it was completely second nature to him.

From that day forward, I endeavoured to bow my own head whenever the Holy Name was mentioned in homilies and so forth during Mass.

As with any pious practices that are embraced as much by the heart as the limbs, this gradually became second nature to me also; both during the Sacred Liturgy and at other times when I hear the Most Holy Name being mentioned outside of Mass. Even when I say the Holy Name out loud myself, I generally bow the head gently. It is a consoling practice that has become something almost unnoticed by myself; and yet to omit it would register in my soul with a sense of discomfort. Thus, when I speak of the practice becoming unnoticed as second nature, this is not the same as to speak of it as unwilled. Rather, its practice makes it become so much part of the will that, eventually, it no longer requires conscious effort. 

A good Catholic lady recently expressed her sadness to me that so few Catholics today bow their heads when the Lord's Name is spoken during Mass. That lady is right: we should be concerned about the loss of this practice and all that it signifies. Perhaps one aspect of this loss is down to that widespread collapse in orthodox catechesis that has sadly typified the last five decades in the Church. There are many well-intentioned younger Catholics who have never even heard of, much less encountered, this pious practice.

And yet it is worth noting that this practice is even pointed out in the latest General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM). This explicitly teaches: ''A bow signifies reverence and honour shown to the persons themselves or the signs that represent them. There are two kinds of bows: a bow of the head and a bow of the body...A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together and at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honour Mass is being celebrated'' (GIRM 275).

Going forward there are several practical things that we can all do to assist the recovery of this practice in order to deepen the honour given to the Most Holy Name of Jesus: praying the Holy Name over and over ourselves at some point each day with loving devotion; cultivating the practice of reverently bowing our own heads until this becomes second nature to us; passing this information on through sermons, newsletters, blogs, catechetical sessions and conversations with others; deciding to tell our own friends about it in celebration of this feast.

Let us conclude with the Offertory prayer from today's Traditional Latin Mass and Psalm 85: I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Thy Name forever; for Thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild, and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon Thee. Alleluia.

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Anno Domini 2017 - Restore All Things in Christ!

Torch of The Faith News on Sunday 01 January 2017 - 10:53:02 | by admin

Instaurare Omnia in Christo

Let us begin this New Year of 2017 in Christ, with Christ and for Christ. We have been reflecting this morning on St. Paul's call to ''restore all things in Christ'' (Ephesians 1:10). It was an ideal that Pope St. Pius X so clearly made his own during the days of his great pontificate. Let us make it our own motto for the new year that is now opening out to us like a grand vista of opportunity.

On this day each year, we also recall those important words in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which remind us that, ''Jesus Christ is the Lord of the cosmos and of history. In Him, human history and indeed all creation are 'set forth' and transcendently fulfilled'' (CCC 668).

As we recall each year on this day, it is well worth posting those words up somewhere in one's home to provide a daily reminder of this good news for the times when things get particularly tough.

Feast Day

Today is the Octave Day of Christmas, upon which the Traditional Calendar honours the Circumcision of Our Lord. From ancient times, the Church already celebrated certain aspects of the Nativity on this day: It marks a special day of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in honour of Her Motherhood; it also celebrates the anniversary of the Circumcision, when the divine Infant submitted to the rite which demonstrated the reality of His human nature, and shed His blood for the first time; thirdly, it was also the Name-day of Our Lord, when He was called Jesus, the Name told by the Angel at the Annunciation.

We wish all of our readers a Happy and Holy 2017!

As we embark on the adventure of 2017, we wish all of our readers, new and old, every blessing in Jesus Christ and in Mary, the great Mother of God. May this be a year in which we all receive many graces and blessings, experience a deeper conversion to Christ and grow towards holiness and true charity.

With love to you all from Alan, Angeline and Alan's mum Doreen xxx.

Thank you so much for your readership and prayers. Happy New Year!

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Christmas Evangelization from the Domestic Church

Torch of The Faith News on Friday 30 December 2016 - 14:22:27 | by admin

'Twas the night before Christmas: Angeline completing the finishing touches to our window crib-scene just before Christmas Eve.

The various feasts and seasons of the Liturgical Calendar provide many splendid opportunities for evangelization to shine out from the domestic church. Such opportunities become ever more important as atheistic secularization continues apace in the wider society.

As I've noted before, my late father Ken used to make special posters to hang in the windows at Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter; as well as sending out religious cards to friends and neighbours with a brief Christian message, and the times of confessions and Masses at local churches, listed inside them.

Throughout the year, he also had a 10-inch tall Crucifix in the front window, which was replaced by a lovingly created Nativity scene each Christmas. 

This Nativity was particularly notable because, except for the grounds and interiors of churches, it is very rare to see Christmas Nativity scenes in England these days. There may be plenty of houses adorned with illuminated Santas, reindeer and snowmen, but there are not so many featuring representations of the Holy Family.

In fact, due to their scarcity in British shops, Dad had to make his own using statues of Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Joseph the Worker and a plastic baby laid in a potpourri basket!

Perhaps it was just a Steubenville thing, but when Angie and I spent two years in America, it was wonderful for us to see Christmas Crib sets lit-up on the porches, window ledges and lawns of so many homes at this time of year.

I managed to pick up a Nativity set, at a garage sale in Ohio, during our first semester for just 50 cents. We were then able to set it up on the snow-covered veranda of our apartment during the holy season.

Although it cost us many times that to have the set boxed and shipped back to England two years later - and though it took four weeks longer than we did to come home across the Atlantic! - we've always considered that it was well worth the outlay and hassle.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

With a drape of deep blue fabric to represent the night sky, a Christmas tree decoration doubling as the Star of Bethlehem, and a set of warm-white Christmas lights to add a bit of twinkle, we pray that our Nativity set helps to keep the light of Christ shining locally each Christmas.

Above a glowing candle-arch in the front living-room window, we have also erected Dad's last-made Christmas poster; complete with its Nativity icon, silvery background and multi-coloured reminder that God Became Man to Save Us.

The other front windows include his embossed Nativity window-hanging, which Angeline refreshed last Christmas with a new piece of red and gold tinsel, to keep Dad's legacy of Christian witness fresh for another few years. 

The final window features the Keep Christ in Christmas poster that we first picked up last year. May God bless Province 21 (Burnley) of the Knights of St. Columba, who were again distributing similar posters to parishes around Lancashire in the weeks prior to Christmas. 

Familiaris Consortio teaches: ''As a sharer in the mission and life of the Church, which listens to the Word of God with reverence and proclaims it confidently, the Christian family fulfills its prophetic role by welcoming and announcing the Word of God: it thus becomes more and more each day a believing and evangelizing community'' (FC 51).

There are many ways by which the domestic church can act an an engine of Catholic witness and evangelization in its own locality. These are some of the ways that we have inherited and developed; and which we joyfully continue through the various seasons of the Liturgical Calendar. We find them helpful in passing on traditions of faith and family in the home and hopefully beyond.

As the celebrations of the Octave of Christmas continue today, we pray that God will give us all the grace to Keep Christ in Christmas! 

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