Room with a view

Last Monday, I had the great pleasure of dining with Tom Pink, who is Reader in Ethics at Kings College, London, and his wife, Judy. We were joined by a certain person who cannot be named on this blog owing to the sensitivity of his work. In order to protect his anonymity, he was obliged to come to dinner dressed in Darth-Vader-cum-Burkah headgear.

Later, he kindly invited me to see his flat and drink some of his cognac. From the balcony, he has what can only be considered one of the best views that it is possible to have:

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A short talk on the Holy Ghost. An astounding moment in the temple and the gift of the Holy Ghost – who is a person and not a force. What peace really means in the texts of the Mass. The refreshing peace, and “refrigerium”. Our presence at the Mass is essential.

(While you are on YouTube, I would be most grateful if you were to click or tap on the button to "Subscribe" to my channel.)

Here is the text if you prefer just to read it:

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[Text] The Holy Ghost and the meaning of divinely given peace
The feast of Tabernacles was a popular feast in Jerusalem. People came from all over the country. They built elaborate tents to stay in, to remind them of the journey of their forefathers through the desert. It was a joyful feast of thanksgiving for the harvest, but also of all the good things that God had given.

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Saint Philip Neri was a friend and mentor of saints. He put his friendly and jocular personality at the service of the apostolate in which he played a part in the vocation of many saint friends in their work for the counter-reformation. His asceticism, love of the confessional and of the Holy Mass, his yearning for the missions and love for the poor were echoed by great saints who lived after him. His influence on the culture is something we can learn from today.

(While you are on YouTube, I would be most grateful if you were to click or tap on the button to "Subscribe" to my channel.)

Here is the text if you prefer just to read it:

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[Text] The Counter-Reformation Saints Club and its Natural Leader, St Philip NeriLaudetur Iesus Christus.
Praised be Jesus Christ.
Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.

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The feast of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More is celebrated today in England and Wales (the anniversary of St John Fisher's martyrdom) in the modern calendar and on 6 July (the anniversary of St Thomas More's martyrdom) for those who celebrate the traditional Latin Mass.

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