Amid the many blogs that have now appeared on the blogroll is one that perhaps requires and explanatory note: Transalpine Redemptorists at home. The Transalpine Redemptorists have purchased an island in the Orkneys which is called Papa Stronsay and is now the home of the Golgotha Monastery. As you can see from the map, it is a fair walk/swim from Blackfen!View Larger Map
The Transalpine Redemptorists have worked closely with the Society of St Pius X but are also informally pursuing avenues of discussion with Rome. Fr Michael Mary CSSR and Fr Anthony Mary CSSR have this week published a "Declaration on Relations with Rome" (headed Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!)
There will doubtless be considerable controversy about this declaration within traditionalist circles but I have to say that I found it a moving expression of sincere desire to be in a regular canonical situation. They speak of the problems that have plagued the Church since Vatican II and then say (referring to Summorum Pontificum)
But now we must ask ourselves if a glimmer of light has not begun to show through the clouds of confusion that for many years have darkened the sky of eternal Rome. For we now have a Pontiff, a successor of Peter, ready to allow us to adhere fully to this timeless tradition of the Church and its complete expression in Catholic life without apparent compromise. He seems ready to "let us do the experiment of Tradition" as Archbishop Lefebvre asked so many years ago.Their blog is not all about relations with Rome - there is much about daily life in the Community at Papa Stronsay. There can be some fairly severe weather up there and one pastime is to go storm walking:
There is also an account of the funeral of Brother Michael Alban FMS, a Marist brother who had moved to Orkney. His requiem Mass was at Stronsay and he was buried on Papa Stronsay. The hearse was drawn the mile or so from the pier by a donkey:
Well I decided to put the blog on the blogroll (cf. also the "Disclaimer (of sorts)" on the sidebar.) I encourage you to pray that there will be a good outcome to their prudent and charitable deliberations without causing any unnecessary division among traditionalists. Besides, I'm just delighted to see that there are traditional Redemptorists following in the footsteps of one of my favourite saints. The picture of St Alphonsus at the top of this post is one that I took from their blog - it is not one I have seen before.
9 comments:
I wonder why St. Alphonsus is shown with a blue ring rather than a purple (ameythyst) one, which I thought Bishops got to wear...?
I'm pleased they are at least trying to come back to Rome. I do have a massive problem with the SSPX though Father. I can understand why the Archbishop went against Rome, but that doesn't make what he did right. And the recent statements from the SSPX are quite frankly shameful.
I have watched a documentary about these men. They seem prayful and holy. I hope that they can reconcile with Rome.
St Alphonsus Ligori is the patron saint of people with arthritis; he was crippled with this painful condition in his later life.
Well !
I don't think there is much doubt about which is the most northerly monastic community in the British Isles.
The most beautiful photo posted by Fr. Tim is, in my opinion, the funeral procession along the shore to the monastic cemetery on Papa Stronsay.
With a fervent prayer that the status of this Redemptorist community which follows the traditional spirituality of St. Alphonsus may soon be canonically regularised.
I advise you all to go to their website and let them know you are praying for them to return to Rome, they will likely not publish your comment but I know they will be grateful for your offer of prayers.
They have had to deal with a lot of abuse for this brave decision, show them your support and willingness to welcome them back.
Those images of their life are beautiful.
That blue ring on St. Alphonsus' finger caught my eye too. It's the exact same shade as an U of Notre Dame class ring. Wow...who would have known? St. Al must have been one of the first graduates of the university! (just kidding - but he is the patron of my home parish)
The Transalpine Redemptorists are far more Catholic than many of those who claim to follow in the foot steps of St. Alphonsus Liguori.
Their canonical regularisation will be a welcome step in the church. Hopefully the PCED will accord the same privilege, like the Institute of the Good Shepherd, of allowing them to constructively criticise documents of the Second Vatican Council, while respecting the Holy See to give the final interpretation.
Mac - I think the ring color is just a circumstance of printing.
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Our Holy Father Alphonsus predicted that his Congregation would last until the end or the world. It is my firm belief and conviction that this will be fulfilled, not in the Redemptorists, but in the Transalpine Redemptorists. They have remained faithful to our founder. We have not.
Please pray for the Transalpine Redemptorists. I think there are many of us who hope they will soon be in a regular canonical situation so that we may join them. Pray also for those of us who struggle to be faithful to our founder in a congregation that has strayed from what he meant us to be.
Klemens Maria - I can very well understand your position and I pray that the Transalpine Redemptorists soon have full canonical regularity: I am sure they will attract many new vocations and many Redemptorists such as yourself. St Alphonsus pray for us.
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