Canberra Traditional Latin Mass

The liturgical week

2012-01-29T09:45:00.003+11:00

THE LITURGICAL WEEK

Sunday 29 January: 4th SUNDAY after EPIPHANY, 2nd class

Monday 30 January: St Martina, Virgin and Martyr, 3rd class

Tuesday 31 January: St John Bosco, Confessor, 3rd class

Wednesday 1 February: ST BRIGID, VIRGIN, 2nd class; at low Mass, Comm. of St Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

Thursday 2 February (1st Thursday): CANDLEMAS (the PURIFICATION of OUR LADY), 2nd class: MASS 6 PM

Friday 3 February (1st Friday): votive Mass of the Sacred Heart, 3rd class; at low Mass, Comm. of St Blaise, Bishop and Martyr; blessing of throats

Saturday 4 February (1st Saturday): The ANNIVERSARY of the DEDICATION of the CATHEDRAL, 1st class

Sunday 5 February: 5th SUNDAY after EPIPHANY, 2nd class

The Octave of Prayers for the Unity of the Church, 18 to 25 January

2012-01-15T09:30:00.000+11:00

Ant. Ut omnes unum sint, sicut tu, Pater, in me, et ego in te; ut et ipsi in nobis unum sint: ut credat mundus quia tu me misísti.

V. Ego dico tibi, quia tu es Petrus.
R. Et super hanc Petram ædificábo Ecclésiam meam.

Orémus.

DOMINE JESU CHRISTE, qui dixísti Apóstolis tuis: Pacem relínquo vobis, pacem meam do vobis: ne respícias peccáta mea, sed fidem Ecclésiæ tuæ; eámque secúndum voluntátem tuam pacificáre et coadunáre dignéris: Qui vivis et regnas Deus in sæcula sæculórum. R. Amen.

Anth. That they may all be one, as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

V. I say to thee, that thou art Peter.
R. And upon this rock I will build my Church.

Let us pray.

O LORD JESUS CHRIST, who didst say to thine Apostles: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: look not upon my sins, but upon the faith of thy Church; and vouchsafe unto her that peace and unity which is agreeable unto thy will: Who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. R. Amen.

The blessing of gold, frankincense, myrrh and chalk

2012-01-15T08:30:00.000+11:00

THE BLESSING OF GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH on Twelfth Day (Epiphany) begins with a collect that recalls both the offertory prayer Súscipe, sancte Pater and the Supra quæ in the Canon:

Accept, O holy Father, from me thine unworthy servant, these gifts which in lowliness I offer thee for the honour of thy holy name, and the claim of thine almighty majesty: as thou didst accept the sacrifice of righteous Abel, and as once thou didst accept the same gifts from the Magi that offered them.

There follows a prayer of exorcism to banish all diabolical influence from the gold, frankincense and myrrh and to ask that those who have them in their purses, homes or about them may be delivered from every danger of body and soul and deserve to enjoy every good.

Another collect requests that those who have the gold, frankincense and myrrh by them may be protected from sickness and wounding, illness of soul and body, and all danger.

THE BLESSING OF CHALK is relatively simple. It features a single collect:

Bless, O Lord God, this creation of chalk: that it may be wholesome to mankind; and by the invocation of thy most holy name grant that whoever take thereof, or write the names of thy saints Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar therewith at the doors of their houses may by the intercession and merits of the same secure health of body and protection of soul.

As the prayer suggests, the blessed chalk serves to write the names associated with the holy Magi, CASPAR, MELCHIOR, BALTHASAR, at the doors of one's house.

The manner of writing the names is as follows:

20 + C + M + B + 12

The numbers at each end of the inscription indicate the current year, and the letters are the initials of the names mentioned above.

Another explanation of the letters is that they are the initials of the Latin phrase Christus mansiónem benedícat, which means Christ bless the dwelling.

The announcement of the movable feasts

2012-01-15T07:30:00.000+11:00

THE MOVABLE FEASTS are Easter, whose date depends on the paschal moon, and those other feasts whose date depends on that of Easter.

The Roman Pontifical describes the solemn announcement (publicatio) of the movable feasts on Twelfth Day (Epiphany):

On Twelfth Day, the Gospel being sung, the archdeacon (or a canon, prebendary, or another according to local custom) vested in a cope shall ascend the ambo (or pulpit) and there (or in another place where the Gospel uses to be sung) shall by the time-hallowed establishment of holy Church announce the movable feasts of the current year according to the form herebelow written:

KNOW YE, best-beloved brethren, that by the consent of God's mercy,
as we have rejoiced for the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,
so also we declare to you joy for the Rising of the same our Saviour.
The (day, month) will be the Sunday at Septuagesima.
The (day, month) will be Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of Lent most hallowed.
The (day, month) you shall celebrate with joy holy Easter of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The (day, month) will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The (day, month) will be the feast of Whitsunday.
The (day, month) will be the feast of the most hallowed Corpus Christi.
The (day, month) will be the first Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to whom is honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Pontifical also provides for the announcement of the diocesan synod at this ceremony.

Indulgences for the last and first day of the year

2012-01-01T05:00:00.000+11:00

On Saturday 31 December the faithful who devoutly assist at the solemn chanting of the hymn Te Deum in a church or oratory, to return thanks to God for the benefits received during the course of the whole year, may gain a plenary indulgence; on Sunday 1 January the faithful who assist at the chanting of the hymn Veni Creator, to implore the divine assistance for the year, may likewise gain a plenary indulgence (v. Ench. ind. 26 §1, 1-2).

Christmas Masses on Sunday 25 December 2011

2011-12-24T12:23:00.006+11:00

Midnight Mass: 12 AM, Garran, Sts Peter and Paul

Dawn Mass: 8 AM, Campbell, St Thomas More

Day Mass: 10 AM, Garran, Sts Peter and Paul

The Great Oes

2011-12-09T17:00:00.000+11:00

THE GREAT OES are the anthems that accompany the Canticle of our Lady, the Magnificat, in the week before Christmas eve. They begin as follows: O Sapiéntia (O Wisdom); O Adonáï (O Adonai); O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse); O Clavis David (O Key of David); O Óriens (O Dayspring); O Rex géntium (O King of the nations); O Emmánuel (O Emmanuel).

These titles progressively proclaim Christ as the Lord and Governor of creation, King and Messias of the Jews, Ruler and Saviour of all peoples, true Light of the world and God become man. When the first letters that follow the O are arranged backwards, they spell the phrase Ero cras, Latin for “I shall be [there] tomorrow”.

In the Sarum Use the Great Oes commence on 16 December rather than 17 December, and an eighth anthem, beginning O Virgo vírginum (O Virgin of virgins) follows the seven Roman ones (however this anthem also occurs in the Roman Rite on the feast of our Lady’s Expectation, 18 December). This adds an explicit Marian note to the series, and changes the backwards Latin phrase to Vero cras, “Indeed tomorrow”.

The hymn Veni, o Sapiéntia, “Come, O thou Wisdom” (which is often printed and performed with the verse, Veni, veni, Emmánuel, “O come, O come, Emmanuel”, first) finds its origin in these anthems. Thus it is fitting to wait until 17 December before singing this hymn.

Some have interpreted the O as the groaning of creation for freedom (cf. Rom 8.22), the sighing of the Chosen People for deliverance (e.g., cf. Is 64.1), the expectation of our Lady (cf. the feast of Our Lady of the O in the Mozarabic Liturgy), the yearning of the Church for her Bridegroom (cf. Ap 22.17) both as a body and in each of her members.

A prayer for our Queen

2011-10-20T13:58:00.005+11:00

Ant. Dómine, salvam fac regínam nostram Elísabeth: et exáudi nos in die, qua invocavérimus te.

V. Mitte ei, Dómine, auxílium de sancto.
R. Et de Sion tuére eam.

Orémus.

QUÆSUMUS, omnípotens Deus: ut fámula tua Elísabeth, regína nostra, quæ tua miseratióne suscépit regni gubernácula, virtútum étiam ómnium percípiat increménta; quibus decénter ornáta, et vitiórum monstra devitáre, (tempore belli: hostes superáre,) et ad te, qui via, véritas et vita es, cum suo consórte et prole régia, gratiósa váleat perveníre. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. R. Amen.

Anth. O Lord, save our queen Elizabeth: and hear us in the day that we shall call upon thee. [cf. Ps 19.10]

V. Send her aid, O Lord, from the holy place.
R. And from Sion defend her. [cf. Ps 19.3]

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, we pray that thy servant our queen Elizabeth, who by thy mercy has undertaken the government of this realm, may receive increase of all the virtues, fit adornment for a queen, enabling her to withstand all foul temptations, (in wartime: overcome her enemies,) and, with her consort and the royal family, to be welcomed at the last by thee, who art the way, the truth and the life: through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will visit Australia from Wednesday 19 to Saturday 29 October.

Irish media: "malevolent mentality"

2011-10-15T17:00:00.002+11:00

In an opinion piece in The Irish Times (14 October 2011) John Waters discusses the venemous culture in the Irish media that targets Catholicism.

Read the article online.

The blessing of herbs I.

2011-08-15T16:00:00.000+10:00

On the feast of our Lady's Assumption (Lady day in harvest), immediately before Mass, standing before the altar and facing the people, who stand holding their herbs and fruit, the priest says:

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord, R. Who made heaven and earth.
V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.

Then Psalm 64 (Te decet hymnus, Deus in Sion, "A hymn, O God, becometh thee in Sion") is said, and these versicles:

V. Our Lord will give benignity. R. And our land shall give her fruit.
V. Watering the mountains from his higher places. R. Of the fruit of thy work shall the earth be filled.
V. Bringing forth grass for beasts. R. And herb for the service of men.
V. That thou mayest bring forth bread out of the earth. R. And wine may make the heart of man joyful.
V. That he may make the face cheerful with oil. R. And bread may confirm the heart of man.
V. He sent his word, and healed them. R. And delivered them out of all their destructions.
V. Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come to thee.
V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.

Here follow three collects. In the first the Church asks God to bless the herbs and fruit that, being employed in his name for the use of men and beasts, they may be made a help in every illness and opposition.

The second collect asks that for men, flocks, cattle and beasts the herbs and fruit may provide remedy against sickness, pestilence, sores, witchcraft, spells, the venom of snakes and other venemous brutes and animal bites, and whatever poison; that they may bring protection against devilish tricks, inventions and deceits in whatever place anything of them is put, borne or kept; and that those who celebrate the feast of the Assumption may deserve to be welcomed, with sheaves of good works, there whither our Lady was assumed.

The third collect asks that the faithful may be inclined to eternal health by that which is of time with the help of the fruits of the earth.

After a final blessing the priest sprinkles the herbs and fruit with holy water and incenses them.

Dr Tracey Rowland: "banal parish liturgies"

2011-07-06T10:11:00.004+10:00

In an article recently published in The Record, a Catholic newspaper from WA, former Anglican Dr Tracey Rowland says that for many of her Anglican friends "the major barrier to their return to full communion with the Catholic Church is precisely the banality of [Catholic] parish liturgies."

Read the article online.

The indulgences for Low Sunday

2011-05-01T09:00:00.000+10:00

On Low Sunday, 1 May, the faithful who, with heart utterly devoid of affection for any sin, even venial sin, take part in a devout exercise in honour of the Divine Mercy in any church or chapel, or at least recite the Lord's Prayer and Creed before the blessed Sacrament, either publicly exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, adding some devout invocation to the Merciful Jesus (e.g., "Merciful Jesus, I trust in thee."), may gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (i.e., sacramental Confession, eucharistic Communion, and Prayer for the Pope's intentions).

Those who, at least with contrite heart, offer a lawfully approved prayer to the Merciful Jesus may gain a partial indulgence.

Cf. Decr. Ap. Pæn. 29 Jun. 2002
AAS 94, 634-6

The offices of the sacred Triduum

2011-04-17T07:00:00.001+10:00

Thursday 21 April, 7 PM: Solemn Evening Mass on the Lord's Supper

Friday 22 April, 11 AM: Stations of the Cross; 3 PM: Solemn Afternoon Liturgical Action on the Lord's Passion and Death

Saturday 23 April, 8 PM: Vigil and Solemn Mass of Easter

Masses on Sunday 24 April will follow the usual schedule unless otherwise advised. Please check the website later in the week.

UPDATE: Masses on Sunday 24 April: the sung Mass at Garran will be at 10.30 AM rather than 11.30 AM.

Indulgences of the sacred Triduum

2011-04-17T06:55:00.000+10:00

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite the verses of the Tantum ergo at the solemn reposition of the blessed Sacrament after Mass on Maundy Thursday (Ench. ind. 7 §1).

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly assist at the adoration of the Cross during the solemn liturgical Action on Good Friday (Ench. ind. 13).

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who renew their baptismal vows during the celebration of the Easter Vigil (Ench. ind. 28 §1).

Summorum Pontificum petition

2011-02-26T16:13:00.002+11:00

Please sign the petition of Appeal for the Integrity of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.

Please ask others to sign too. This is important.

The burial of the Alleluia

2011-02-19T15:00:00.002+11:00

The depositio (discontinuance) of the Alleluia on the eve of Septuagesima assumed in mediæval times a solemn and emotional note of saying farewell to the beloved song. Despite the fact that Pope Alexander II [in the eleventh century] had ordered a very simple and sombre way of "deposing" the Alleluia, a variety of farewell customs prevailed in many countries up to the sixteenth century. They were inspired by the sentiment that Bishop William Duranti (1296) voiced in his commentaries on the Divine Office: "We part from the Alleluia as from a beloved friend, whom we embrace many times and kiss on the mouth, head and hand, before we leave him" [a reference to the Rationale divinorum Officiorum of William DURAND, or DURANDUS, Bishop of Mende, 1230-96].

The liturgical office on the eve of Septuagesima was performed in many churches with special solemnity, and alleluias were freely inserted in the sacred text, even to the number of twenty-eight final alleluias in the church of Auxerre in France. This custom also inspired some tender poems that were sung or recited during Vespers in honour of the sacred word. The best-known of these hymns is Allelúia, dulce carmen ("Alleluia, Song of Gladness"), composed by an unknown author of the tenth century [...]

In some French churches the custom developed in ancient times of allowing the congregation to take part in the celebration of a quasi-liturgical farewell ceremony. The clergy abstained from any role in this popular service. Choirboys officiated in their stead at what was called "Burial of the Alleluia" performed the Saturday afternoon before Septuagesima Sunday. We find a description of it in the fifteenth-century statute book of the church of Toul:

"On Saturday before Septuagesima Sunday all choir boys gather in the sacristy during the prayer of the None, to prepare for the burial of the Alleluia. After the last Benedicámus (i.e., at the end of the service) they march in procession with crosses, tapers, holy water and censers; and they carry a coffin, as in a funeral. Thus they proceed through the aisle, moaning and mourning, until they reach the cloister. There they bury the coffin; they sprinkle it with holy water and incense it; whereupon they return to the sacristy by the same way."

In Paris, a straw figure bearing in golden letters the inscription "Alleluia" was carried out of the choir at the end of the service, and burned in the churchyard [...]

Thus the Alleluia is sung for the last time, and not heard again until it suddenly bursts into glory during the Mass of the Easter Vigil, when the celebrant intones this sacred word after the Epistle, repeating it three times as a jubilant herald of the Resurrection of Christ.

Father Franz Xaver WEISER SJ
Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs (Harcourt, 1958)

Below is the text of Allelúia, dulce carmen followed by its English translation:

ALLELUIA, DULCE CARMEN, vox perénnis gáudii;
Allelúia laus suávis est choris cæléstibus,
quam canunt, Dei manéntes in domo, per sæcula.

Allelúia, læta mater, cóncinis, Jerúsalem;
Allelúia, vox tuórum cívium gaudéntium;
éxsules nos flere cogunt Babylónis flúmina.

Allelúia non merémur nunc perénne psállere;
Allelúia nos reátus cogit intermíttere;
tempus instat quo perácta lugeámus crímina.

Unde laudándo precámur te, beáta Trínitas,
ut tuum nobis vidére Pascha des in æthere,
quo tibi læti canámus Allelúia pérpetim. Amen.

ALLELUIA, SWEET SONG, expression of endless joy;
Alleluia is the pleasant praise of the heavenly choirs,
which they sing, in God's house abiding, for ever.

Alleluia thou intonest, glad mother Jerusalem;
Alleluia, the expression of thy rejoicing citizens;
Babylon's streams make us outcasts weep.

Now we do not deserve to chant Alleluia endlessly;
blameworthiness makes us leave off Alleluia;
the season looms when we must lament the misdeeds we have done.

Wherefore while praising we pray thee, blessed Trinity,
that thou grant us to see thy Pasch on high,
where we may sing Alleluia everlastingly to thee. Amen.

The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham

2011-01-16T03:00:00.000+11:00

from the Vatican Information Service:

ERECTION OF A PERSONAL ORDINARIATE FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

VATICAN CITY, 15 JAN 2011 (VIS) - "In accordance with the provisions of the Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum coetibus' of Pope Benedict XVI (4 November 2009) and after careful consultation with the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has today erected a Personal Ordinariate within the territory of England and Wales for those groups of Anglican clergy and faithful who have expressed their desire to enter into full visible communion with the Catholic Church", reads an English-language communique released today. "The Decree of Erection specifies that the Ordinariate will be known as the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham and will be placed under the patronage of Blessed John Henry Newman.

"A Personal Ordinariate is a canonical structure that provides for corporate reunion in such a way that allows former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of their distinctive Anglican patrimony. With this structure, the Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum coetibus' seeks to balance on the one hand the concern to preserve the worthy Anglican liturgical, spiritual and pastoral traditions and, on the other hand, the concern that these groups and their clergy will be fully integrated into the Catholic Church.

"For doctrinal reasons the Church does not, in any circumstances, allow the ordination of married men as bishops. However, the Apostolic Constitution does provide, under certain conditions, for the ordination as Catholic priests of former Anglican married clergy. Today at Westminster Cathedral in London, Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, ordained to the Catholic priesthood three former Anglican bishops: Reverend Andrew Burnham, Reverend Keith Newton, and Reverend John Broadhurst.

"Also today Pope Benedict XVI has nominated Reverend Keith Newton as the first Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Together with Reverend Burnham and Reverend Broadhurst, Reverend Newton will oversee the catechetical preparation of the first groups of Anglicans in England and Wales who will be received into the Catholic Church together with their pastors at Easter, and will accompany the clergy preparing for ordination to the Catholic priesthood around Pentecost" [...]

The Vigil for Nascent Human Life

2010-11-14T05:16:00.007+11:00

From Vatican Radio:

(1 October 2010) Pope Benedict XVI is calling on all Catholics worldwide to join in a vigil for all nascent human life, to be celebrated in local parishes and dioceses on the eve of the Advent season this year, the Vatican said on Thursday.

The Holy See's spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, released a brief note saying the Pope, as usual, will lead the Vespers in St Peter's Basilica in Rome on 27 November, the eve of the first Sunday of Advent. However this year the Vespers will be placed in the context of the "Vigil for Nascent Human Life" in the perspective of the Advent season and the solemnity of the Birth of the Lord that follow.

Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family, have sent a letter to the presidents of bishops' conferences across the world, inviting local bishops to preside over similar celebrations and prayer initiatives in spiritual union with the Holy Father, in promoting the Church's commitment and witness to a culture of life and love.

http://www.radiovaticana.org/in2/Articolo.asp?c=426841

The funeral of Bernard Roberts

2010-09-24T17:17:00.006+10:00

The holy Rosary for BERNARD MICHÆL JOHN ROBERTS will be recited at Garran, Sts Peter and Paul, after the 5.30 PM Mass on Tuesday 28 September.

The funeral Mass will be offered at Page, St Matthew, at 10.00 AM on Wednesday 29 September. Burial will follow at Gungahlin Cemetery.

The death of Bernard Roberts

2010-09-19T05:55:00.006+10:00

Our brother in Christ BERNARD MICHÆL JOHN ROBERTS died this week. His family was informed on Thursday evening. Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.

Réquiem ætérnam dona ei, Dómine: et lux perpétua lúceat ei.
Requiéscat in pace. Amen.

Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord: and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.

Move from Acton to Campbell

2010-09-11T17:10:00.002+10:00

As of Sunday 12 September the 8.30 AM low Mass will be offered at Campbell, St Thomas More, White Crescent, until further notice. The roof of St John the Evangelist chapel (Acton, John XXIII College, Australian National University) will be undergoing repair.

The birth and christening of Bronwyn Chaston

2010-08-28T18:32:00.005+10:00

We welcome the newest member of our community, BRONWYN MARIE CHASTON, born on 25 August, who received holy Baptism on 28 August.

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs David Chaston on the birth of their daughter!

The funeral of Margaret Clifford

2010-07-24T12:45:00.005+10:00

The holy Rosary for MARGARET MARY CLIFFORD (née SILLITTO) will be recited at Garran, Sts Peter and Paul, at 7.00 PM on Thursday 29 July.

The funeral Mass will be offered at Garran at 12.00 PM on Friday 30 July. Burial will follow at Woden Cemetery, and afterwards a reception at the Southern Cross Club (Corinna St, Woden).

The death of Margaret Clifford

2010-07-17T19:42:00.005+10:00

Our sister in Christ MARGARET MARY CLIFFORD (née SILLITTO) died shortly before ten o'clock in the evening on Friday 16 July, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, fortified by the sacraments of holy Church, at Calvary Hospital.

Réquiem ætérnam dona ei, Dómine: et lux perpétua lúceat ei.
Requiéscat in pace. Amen.

Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord: and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace. Amen.

Welcome to Rev. Damonn Sypher

2010-06-27T04:50:00.005+10:00

A heartfelt welcome to Rev. Damonn Sypher FSSP (ordained deacon on 6 March this year) who will assist in our community during the next several weeks.

A prayer for the Holy Father

2010-04-17T22:26:00.008+10:00

V. Orémus pro Pontífice nostro Benedícto.
R. Dóminus consérvet eum, et vivíficet eum, et beátum fáciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in ánimam inimicórum ejus.

V. Fiat manus tua super virum déxteræ tuæ,
R. Et super fílium hóminis quem confirmásti tibi.

Orémus.

OMNIPOTENS sempitérne Deus, miserére fámulo tuo Pontífici nostro Benedícto, et dírige eum secúndum cleméntiam tuam in viam salútis ætérnæ: ut, te donánte, tibi plácita cupiat, et tota virtúte perfíciat. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. R. Amen.

V. Let us pray for our Pontiff Benedict.
R. The Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. [Ps 40.3]

V. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand,
R. And upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed to thee. [Ps 79.18]

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY, everlasting God, have mercy on thy servant, our Pope Benedict. In thy goodness guide him into the path of eternal salvation, so that by thy grace he may desire what thou approvest, and with all his strength accomplish thy will: through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

partial indulgence (Ench. ind. 25)

Woman returns autographed photo of Spanish King after he signed law on abortion :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

2010-04-09T15:00:00.000+10:00

Woman returns autographed photo of Spanish King after he signed law on abortion :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

ABC radio feature on Christus Rex Pilgrimage

2010-03-22T13:28:00.004+11:00

On 7 March 2010 the Encounter programme on ABC Radio National aired a feature, produced by Bridget Spinks, about the Christus Rex Pilgrimage.

You can listen to it here.

Funeral of Eveleen Russell

2010-03-16T15:34:00.004+11:00

The funeral Mass of EVELEEN CHRISTINA RUSSELL will be offered at Garran, Sts Peter and Paul, at 1.30 PM on Friday 19 March. Burial will follow at Woden Cemetery.

Death of Eveleen Russell

2010-03-12T02:04:00.005+11:00

Our sister in Christ EVELEEN CHRISTINA RUSSELL died shortly before midnight on Thursday 11 March, fortified by the sacraments of holy Church, in the Stroke Ward at Canberra Hospital.

Réquiem ætérnam dona ei, Dómine: et lux perpétua lúceat ei.
Requiéscat in pace. Amen.

Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord: and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace. Amen.

Welcome to Father Adrian Wee

2010-02-27T18:00:00.002+11:00

Father Adrian Wee, a Clerical Candidate of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter, is visiting our community on Sunday 28 February. He will also assist us during Holy Week. Welcome, Father!

Canonisation of Mary MacKillop approved and date set

2010-02-20T19:00:00.001+11:00

From the Holy See:

CONSISTORY FOR THE VOTE ON SOME CAUSES OF CANONISATION
19 February 2010

This morning at eleven o'clock in the Consistorial Chamber of the Vatican Apostolic Palice, during the celebration of the Hour of Sext, the Holy Father Benedict XVI held the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Canonisation of the Blessed [...] MARY OF THE CROSS (MARY HELEN) MacKILLOP, Virgin and Foundress of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart [...] The ceremony of Canonisation of the [...] Blessed will take place on Sunday 17 October 2010.

DEO GRATIAS

Indulgence for the feast of St Peter's Chair

2010-02-20T18:00:00.000+11:00

This Monday, 22 February, the feast of the Chair of St Peter, members of the Confraternity of St Peter may gain a plenary indulgence.

Christening of Teresa Anthony

2010-02-20T17:00:00.001+11:00

TERESA ELEANOR ANTHONY, the second child of Mr and Mrs Stephen Anthony, received holy Baptism on Saturday 20 February. We joyfully and prayerfully welcome the newest member of our community.

Indulgence for visiting the Cathedral on its dedication anniversary

2010-01-30T16:00:00.003+11:00

This Thursday, 4 February, the faithful who visit the Cathedral and devoutly recite an Our Father and I believe there may gain a plenary indulgence (v. Ench. ind. 33 §1 6).

Anthony family's new baby

2010-01-23T15:43:00.002+11:00

Congratulations to MR AND MRS STEPHEN ANTHONY, of our community, on the birth of their second child, a little sister for Vincenzo!

Wedding of Robert Pacey and Sarah Mason

2010-01-16T21:50:00.002+11:00

Congratulations and prayerful best wishes to MR AND MRS ROBERT PACEY, newlyweds of our community!

Christening of Francesco Sgroi

2010-01-09T17:00:00.001+11:00

FRANCESCO DOMENICO GERARDO SGROI, the first child of Mr and Mrs Carmelo (Charlie) Sgroi, received holy Baptism on Saturday 9 January. We joyfully and prayerfully welcome the newest member of our community.

Kelly Burgess RIP

2010-01-09T15:00:00.002+11:00

KELLY BURGESS of our community died last week after suffering a cerebral aneurysm and strokes: may our Lord grant her eternal rest, and comfort her loved ones, especially Bernard Roberts, also of our community.

Bd Mary of the Cross qualified for canonisation

2009-12-26T16:00:00.002+11:00

On 19 December the Holy Father authorised the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints to publish decrees concerning: a miracle attributed to the intercession of Bd Mary of the Cross (MacKillop), the first beatified Australian and Foundress of the Josephites (Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart), thus qualifying her for canonisation; and the heroic virtues of the Servants of God Pope Pius XII, Pope John Paul II and Mary Ward (Foundress of the English Ladies, or Institute of Mary, now divided into the Congregation of Jesus and the Loreto Nuns), thus bestowing on them the title of Venerable.

Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP) statistics as of 8 October 2009

2009-12-11T09:27:00.003+11:00

Members

Total: 359

Priests (including associated and postulating priests): 219

Deacons: 11

Non-deacons seminarians (including postulants): 129

Average age of members: 36 years

Deceased members: 4

Nationalities: 28

Guidance of the Holy See on civil unions

2009-12-05T17:54:00.003+11:00

Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 31 July 2003

In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognised or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, clear and emphatic opposition is a duty. One must refrain from any kind of formal cooperation in the enactment or application of such gravely unjust laws and, as far as possible, in material cooperation on the level of their application. In this area, everyone can exercise the right to conscientious objection. (5)

The Church teaches that respect for homosexual persons cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behaviour or to legal recognition of homosexual unions. The common good requires that laws recognise, promote and protect marriage as the basis of the family, the primary unit of society. Legal recognition of homosexual unions or placing them on the same level as marriage would mean not only the approval of deviant behaviour, with the consequence of making it a model in present-day society, but would also obscure basic values which belong to the common inheritance of humanity. The Church cannot fail to defend these values, for the good of men and women and for the good of society itself. (11)

Prayer for our Archbishop

2009-11-17T16:21:00.007+11:00

Our Archbishop has released a statement concerning the ACT legislation on same-sex civil unions. Let us thank God for his guidance and support our Archbishop in prayer:

V. Orémus pro Antístite nostro Marco.
Ant. Stet et pascat in fortitúdine tua, Dómine, in sublimitáte nóminis tui.
V. Salvum fac servum tuum,
R. Deus meus, sperántem in te.

Orémus.

Deus, ómnium fidélium pastor et rector, fámulum tuum Marcum, quem pastórem Ecclésiæ Camberrénsis et Gulbernénsis præésse voluísti, propítius réspice: da ei, quæsumus, verbo et exémplo quibus præest profícere; ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi crédito, pervéniat sempitérnam. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. R. Amen.

V. Let us pray for Mark our Archbishop.
Anth. Let him stand and feed in thy strength, O Lord, in the height of thy name. [cf. Mic 5.4]
V. Save thy servant,
R. O my God, that trusteth in thee. [Ps 85.2]

Let us pray.

O God, the pastor and ruler of the faithful, look favourably on thy servant Mark, whom thou hast been pleased to appoint chief shepherd of the Church of Canberra and Goulburn. Enable him to further by his teaching and good example the salvation of those over whom he is placed, so that, with the flock entrusted to his care, he may attain life everlasting: through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

Canonisation of Father Damian and Jeanne Jugan

2009-10-18T04:13:00.006+11:00

On Sunday 11 October the Holy Father canonised Bd Damian of Molokai, Bd Mary of the Cross (Jeanne) Jugan, foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Bd Sigmund Felix Felińsky, Bd Francis Coll y Guitart and Bd Raphael Arnáiz Barón. May these Saints newly raised to the altars of the Church intercede for us!

Marian Scarrabelotti RIP

2009-09-08T09:00:00.000+10:00

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mrs Marian Scarrabelotti, who died on Wednesday 3 September.

A Solemn Pontifical Requiem for the repose of her soul (pictured above) was celebrated by Bishop Bede Jarrett of Lismore at St Christopher's Cathedral Canberra on Monday, 7 September.

Requiescat in pace.