Carissimi “Noli timere” (Be not afraid) is a phrase repeated in Scripture no less than 365 times! We hear it spoken by God through His prophets to His chosen people in all sorts of situations. Our Lord Himself says it to His disciples, particularly when they are frightened and or ignorant of the significance of…
Category: Epistles
Super omnia caritas: a pastoral epistle for Lent 2018
Carissime in Christo “Above all charity[1]” summarises the apostolic exhortations of the New Testament epistle writers and indeed the crux of our Catholic faith. The sacrificial love of God made manifest in Christ for us is the raison d’etre of the Church, to proclaim and teach it is the Divine Commission but more than this, it…
Deus est fidelis: a pastoral epistle for the New Year 2018
Carissime in Christo “Deus est fidelis qui est fidelis ad eum”[i] may as a motto serve as a summation of that which the Mass lections in Lent strive to teach us i.e. how best to appreciate and serve our God for as long as He wills us to serve Him in this mortal life. As…
lex orandi, lex credendi…
A.M.D.G. S. Clementis Papae et Martyris ~ Semiduplex Sabbato infra Hebdomadam VI quae superfuit post Epiphaniam IV. Novembris: Commemoratio S. Felicitátis Mártyris, septem filiórum Mártyrum matris; et Commemoratio infra octavam: S. Edmundi, Regis et Confessoris Carissimi, A common mistake many make is to confuse Old Roman Catholicism with “Traditional” Roman Catholicism. This is on the…
Nos autem gloriári: a pastoral epistle for Roodmas 2013
A.M.D.G. In Exaltatione Sanctae Crucis Carissimi, “We should glory… in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he is our salvation, our life and our resurrection; through Him we are saved and made free.” [Galatians 6:14] So began the Mass this morning for today’s feast. But how often do Christians really “glory” in the…
Ordinandi… (ii)
A.M.D.G. Secunda die infra Octavam Dormitionis B.M.V. [Septa die infra Octavam S. Laurentii] Carissimi, Ordinands… in my first post I touched on the process of formation, particularly in my own jurisdiction but primarily on the practical academic aspect. As we approach the retreat taking place during September’s Embertide, my thoughts have turned towards the “Scrutinies”…
Ordinandi…
A.M.D.G. Secunda die infra Octavam Dormitionis B.M.V. [Septa die infra Octavam S. Laurentii] Carissimi, Ordinands… My recent posts have been born from my own personal reflections whilst on retreat recently and although they do have a particular audience in mind, they are not meant as “sermons” though they may indeed have that “preachy air” about…
Eva… Ave: a pastoral letter on the Dormition BVM 2013
A.M.D.G. In Dormitione Beatæ Mariæ Virginis [Sexta die infra Octavam S. Laurentii] Carissimi, Today we celebrate the “Dormition of the Mother of God”, or the “Falling asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary” older titles for the feast more commonly known now as “the Assumption”. Fortunately our recent reflections may help us to understand the significance…
Sacrificium… (ii)
A.M.D.G. Quarta die infra Octavam S. Laurentii Commemoratio: Ss. Hippoliti et Cassiani Martyrum Carissimi, Yesterday’s reflection ended with the conclusion that the ministerial priesthood of the New Covenant replaces that of the Old Covenant, not to offer ritualistic sacrifices but to offer “the” ultimate atoning Sacrifice of Calvary through the high priesthood of Christ to…
Sacrificium…
A.M.D.G. Tertia die infra Octavam S. Laurentii Commemoratio: S. Clarae Virginis Carissimi, Sacrifice… St Lawrence, whom we celebrate this week with an Octave, gives us another insight ref the incarnational aspect of the priesthood and indeed of the Apostolic sharing of the “bitter cup”. St Ambrose of Milan says that Lawrence met His Holiness Sixtus…
