Sixty priests gathered over the past two damp autumnal days for the inaugural Colloquium of the British Province of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy at the Oratory School at Reading. Secular clergy from all over the country were joined by two bishops, and brother priests from the Dominicans, the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, the Franciscans of the Immaculate, the Fraternity of St Peter, the Society of Our Lady of the Trinity, and (with a profound bow to their greater antiquity) the Order of St Benedict.
Without prejudice to the other excellent elements of the Colloquium, I think that many of the clergy would agree with me that the highlight was the address given by Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury on Loving and Living the Catholic Priesthood Today. He spoke simply, warmly, lucidly and with great humour about the priestly vocation and life. I wondered whether I was being over-emotional but afterwards found that several other wizened old footsloggers like me also felt that there was a speck of dust in their eye or something.
Everyone I spoke to agreed that it was simply the best talk that they had ever heard from a Bishop on the priesthood. To say as much is not to make a point about other bishops: to do so would cheapen Bishop Davies’ sincere and moving meditation. I doubt whether any of us went away without a genuine resolution to change our own lives for the better in response to the witness of this holy priest among priests.
Mgr Andrew Wadsworth, the Executive Director of ICEL, spoke this morning about the new translation of the Missal which was, of course, used at the Masses at the Colloquium. Again we were encouraged by the perspective that he brought to bear upon the heart of the priestly ministry in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, and we were given food for thought on the development of that celebration through the proper place given to genuinely sacred music.
For the record, the Sacred Liturgy was celebrated in the new rite, ad orientem, with provision made for priests to concelebrate or attend in choro, and facilities for priests to celebrate private masses if they wished. On both days there was adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with the opportunity for confession. (Thanks to the Oratory School the food was pretty good, too.)
Warmest congratulations are due to Fr Edwards, Fr Holden, Fr Whinder, and all the other priests who have organised the foundation of the Confraternity and its successful launch at such a fine Colloquium.
There are some more photos from the Colloquium at Fr Sam Medley's Flickr set.
8 comments:
(I am mesmerized by the photograph of Bishop Davies)
There is nothing on earth more wonderful than Catholic priests aside from the Eucharist.
Bishop Mark Davies is such an encouragement. When I heard him speak at the Evangelium conference in August, I was deeply impressed by the peace and joy on his face as he encouraged us to be loyal and devout. I felt I had encountered a saint.
The French writer, poet and politician Alphonse de Lamartine
(1790-1869) wrote the following about the Catholic priest:
"There is a man in every parish having no family, but belonging to a family that is worldwide; who is called in as a witness and adviser in all the important affairs of human life. No one comes into the world or goes out of it without his ministrations. He takes the child from its mother's arms and parts with him only at the grave. He blesses and consecrates the cradle, the bridal chamber, the bed of death, and the bier. He is one whom innocent children instinctively venerate and reverence, and to whom men of venerable age come to seek for wisdom, and call him father; at whose feet men fall down and lay bare the innermost thoughts of their souls, and weep their most sacred tears. He is one whose mission is to console the afflicted, and soften the pains of body and soul; to whose door come alike the rich and the poor. He belongs to no social class, because he belongs equally to all. He is one, in fine, who knows all, has a right to speak unreservedly, and whose speech, inspired from on high, falls on the minds and hearts of all with the authority of one who is divinely sent, and with the restraining power of one who has an unclouded faith."
Oremus pro sacerdotibus nostris.
Will Bishop Davies' talk be put online?
Sharon - I understand that the talk is not intended for publication as such, since it was given as a personal talk for us. However I may be able to give a little more of the general outline and one or two quotations.
Anthony - you are not the only one to take away that impression. We must pray for him and, when necessary, cover his back. He will have enemies in both the spiritual and earthly realm.
Sharon - I understand that the talk
is not intended for publication as such, since it was given as a meditation/conversation with brother priests together with its various personal elements. However I may be able to give a little more of the general outline and one or two quotations.
Anthony - you are not the only one to take away that impression. We must pray for him and, when necessary, cover his back. He will have enemies in both the spiritual and earthly realm.
Bishop Mark Davies also gave inspiring homilies at this year's Youth 2000 retreat at Walsingham, and spent hours hearing confessions there. God Bless him.
We loved Bishop Davis when we met him at the NACF Walsingham pilgrimage in May; he was enormously encouraging to families battling against the cultural tide, and gave a fascinating and erudite talk about Saint John Fisher "a saint for the second spring". He made a profound impression on us and was instantly added to the prayer list for "our" priests. You can only imagine how later finding out that he was responsible for inviting the ICKSP to set up in New Brighton was the cherry on the cake. He deserves and needs our prayers; God has blessed England with a Bishop who is both great and good.
Post a Comment