New Chant Schola launching in London for the Traditional Mass

A new all-male schola is being launched by the Latin Mass Society in January. It will rehearse one Friday evening a month, and sing at the following Monday evening Maiden Lane Mass.

It is named after St John Houghton, proto-martyr of the English Reformation, Prior of the London Charterhouse.

Announcement: The Latin Mass Society wishes to establish an all-male chant schola able to accompany sung Traditional liturgies (Mass and the Office) in the London area to the highest possible standard, and with due regard for the spirituality of the Chant. Members will be amateurs, led by a professional.

As well as grouping together competent singers, the schola’s regular rehearsals will make it possible for those with no previous experience of singing Gregorian Chant to learn how to do so. The rehearsals will conclude with a singing of Compline.

The Schola will rehearse one Friday a month to sing at Mass on the following Monday: the regular, public 6:30pm Sung Mass at Corpus Christi Maiden Lane.

Full details on Facebook here
and on the LMS website here.

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Juventutem London: dates for 2019

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LMS in London: new email list

The Latin Mass Society is planning some new initiatives in the London area, and there is already quite a lot happening in the capital, so we are launching an electronic newsletter just for London.

We already have one for the whole of England and Wales: you can sign up to that one here.

You don't have to be a member to join our email lists, and you don't have to live in London for this one: you may be an occasional visitor or simply interested to know what's going on. (Joining the London list won't automatically add you to the national list, so do consider signing up for both.)

We won't bombard you with emails: our plan is for a monthly email newsletter, though we may send the occasional urgent update when necessary.

LMS members in the London area who have agreed to be contacted by email are on the list. If you're not sure if this includes you, add your email address: duplicate entries are automatically merged.

Your information will only be accessible to our staff and Local and Assistant Representatives, in order for them to carry out their role in line with our Privacy Policy. We will never sell your personal information, or let other organisations use it for their own purposes.

After entering your email below and clicking subscribe, you will be sent a message to confirm your subscription. You may unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link in your newsletter.

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Bishop Schneider to offer Mass in London 24th May

Bishop Athanasius Schneider will celebrate Mass for the Latin Mass Society in St Mary Moorfields in London (click for a map) on 24th May at 6pm.

We will have some Tallis and other poluyphony from Cantus Magnus under Matthew Schellhorn.

After Mass Bishop Schneider will give a talk in the church's basement.

Support the work of the LMS by becoming an 'Anniversary Supporter'.

Confirmations in London: photo essay

John Aron took lovely photographs of the Confirmations which took place last Saturday at St James' Spanish Place. Bishop John Sherrington, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Westminster, officiated. There were I think 20 candidates.

Juventutem Mass at St Patrick's Soho Square

On Friday evening Juventutem London had a really splendid Mass in St Patrick's Soho Square, thanks to the hospitality of the parish priest, Fr Alexander Sherbrooke. The church has recently been reopened after a very extensive restoration, which among other things has made Mass ad orientem possible once more in the sanctuary.

It was a Solemn Mass. Fr Patrick Hayward was celebrant, Fr Seán Finnegan deacon, Fr Tim Finigan subdeacon. Fr Aidan Nichols OP preached and Fr Ray Blake heard confessions. Mass was very well attended, and a large group of us went to dinner together afterwards. Bones was there too - what with Juventutem London and Juventutem Oxford it was quite a blognic in fact!

The Mass was accompanied by the Schola Abelis with chant and polyphony.

Here's a little Finigan/Finnegan revision for my readers.

Fr Finnegan on the left, Fr Finigan on the right! Fr Hayward in the middle. A hearty thanks to all of them!

There are more photographs here (slideshow).

Laetare Sunday at St Bede's Clapham Park

Last Sunday I was in St Bede's Clapham Park, where Fr Andrew Southwell celebrated the usual Missa Cantata, and after Mass blessed roses and simnel cake. Fr Thomas Crean was visiting preacher; Fr Gregory Klaja, a visiting priest from Poland, helped distribute commion, and Charles Finch's Cantores Missae sang a glorious Mozart Mass. Mass was particularly well attended with lots of children, who were able to give their mothers blessed roses.







Full set of photos here.

Packed day of recollection for St Joseph's Feast in Westminster

Fr Andrew Southwell, the LMS National Chaplain, gave a spiritual conference followed by Solemn Mass in Westminster Cathedral. He spoke to a packed auditorium.

This event is a new initiative; in part it is a response to the fact that we can't have our Annual General Meeting this year in Westminster Cathedral, because all the Saturdays in June are booked out with confirmations. So rather than have only one Solemn Mass in the Cathedral (the Requiem in November), we arranged this as well. A very successful event which we shall certainly repeat.

The celebrant at Mass was Fr Andrew Southwell; the Deacon: Fr Martin Edwards; the Sub-deacon: Fr Patrick Hayward.

There are more photos here.

Another Juventutem Mass in London

On Friday evening there was another Solemn Mass in Corpus Christi Maiden Lane. The monthly Mass for the Good Counsel Network, organised by the Latin Mass Society, is the meeting place for Juventutem London, and it is thanks to their organisation that we had a Solemn Mass, with the Schola Abelis from Oxford providing both chant and polyphony.


More photos; videos.

Mass in St George's Cathedral, Southwark

While the Juventutem London group were gathering for a Solemn Mass in Corpus Christi Maiden Lane, Mass was being offered in the Extraordinary Form in St George's Cathedral, Southwark, the Cathedral of Archbishop Peter Smith (unusually, there is an Anglican diocese with the same name - Southwark).

It was celebrated by Fr Anthony Logan of that diocese, and was attended by 40 lay people and a number of members of the Cathedral staff, including Canon Cronin.

The Cathedral is an imposing building with some fine features: here is the lovely Knill Chantry. We were privileged to use to the High Altar.

There is a full report on the Southwark North blog here, and a set of photographs here.

Chartres Reunion in London

On Sunday many of those who have been, or intend to go, on the Chartres Pilgrimage joined Fr Matin Edwards' Mass in St Mary Magdalen's, Wandsworth. It was a Sung Mass with a Mozart ordinary sung by his excellent choir.

Anyone interested in the Chartres Pilgrimage can now visit the Chartres UK blog to find out more. The dates are 11th-13th June, with the British group travelling to and from France on the 10th and 14th. This is an unforgettable experience; having done it once I recommend it to everyone. It's true that it helps to be reasonably fit, but all sorts of people do it, of all ages, so you don't need to worry too much! I've done a lot of posts about it - start here.
More photos of the Mass at St Mary Magdalen here; see my post on Solemn Mass there with Fr John Zuhlsdorf.

Juventutem London Newsletter

Available (from the LMS website) here.

And by the way, Juventutem London are having a Solemn Mass in conjunction with the Good Counsel Network on Friday 11th February, 6.30pm in Corpus Christi Maiden Lane. Mass will be followed by the usual Juventutem 'social'.

LMS Saturday Mass in Westminster Cathedral

Since I was in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday afternoon (venerating the Relic Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe) I was able to see the beginning of the regular Low Mass organised by the Latin Mass Society in a side chapel. This takes place on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

Not being a Londoner I've not seen this before. It is good to see the side chapels being used for Mass, although the faithful were spilling out into the nave.

Something else I've not seen before was the Tabernacle in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel dressed in Rose (for Gaudete Sunday).

There are a few more photos here.

More on the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer

I spent Saturday morning singing in a Mass in Oxfordshire (I hope to post some videos soon) so I couldn't make the LMS Confirmations but I am delighted to see photos of this event, and the Sons' participation, on a number of blogs. The one above is from The Ecumenical Diablog.

I managed to catch up with them afterwards, and with various other people we had an extended tea and dinner round the corner in an Italian Cafe.

This was the first time I have met members of the community and I was able to have a chat with them on a wide range of subjects. They are the most interesting group of men, from all over the world, and despite the very difficult time they have had since reconciling with the Holy See they have lost neither their zeal nor their sense of humour. I'm not sure which is the greater acheivement!

Fr Anthony Mary F.SS.R saying his private Mass after the Confirmations, in St James', Spanish Place.

Their order is a reformed, traditional Redemptorist order. I don't know much about Redemptorists but Fr Anthony Mary (on the left, above) explained the Redemptorist apostolate in more detail to me. Apart from ministering to the parish where they are based, their approach is to avoid taking on parishes, and concentrate on retreats and, above all, parish missions. This makes them very different from the Benedictines - you have to go the Benedictines, but the Redemptorists come to you.

The typical way this works is a week-long mission, Sunday to Sunday. One of them would preach at all the Masses one Sunday, and have a series of evening talks during the week, and preach again at the Masses on the following Sunday. The emphasis is on getting people back to confession. I have come across a sort of folk memory of parish missions with fire-breathing Redemptorists in the 'old days', and the question is whether this format can still work: will people come to parish events on weekday evenings, for example? Fr Anthony told me that pastors have invariably been amazed at the response - far more people making the effort to get to as much of the mission as possible than they had expected, long queues for the confessional, and a renewal of parish life for the parish priest to build on from then on.

As Fr Anthony said, it is impossible for a parish priest to give a powerful sermon every Sunday - neither he nor the parishioners would be able to keep it up. The opportunity exists, however, when someone comes into the parish to do exactly that, and this is a resource of which parish priests could once avail themselves. And they will be able to do so again.

The ordination of members of the community has been delayed while their canonical status has been sorted out, but two men have completed their studies and a third in his final year. Once they are ordained the community will once more have the manpower to send priests into the mission field. This could be a huge shot in the arm for the increasing number of parishes where the priest is sympathetic to the Traditional Mass, and perhaps even has one on a Sunday, but is faced by the reality that the great majority of Mass-goers have not been properly catechised or prepared for their own confirmations and marriages. The parishes in this country, and not only here of course, could really do with the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer.

In the meantime, please support them! They publish an excellent quarterly newspaper, The Catholic, and are now selling a wall calendar with charming pictures not only of the liturgy of the Sons at work in the monastery. Naturally, you should buy the LMS wall calendar as well! See their blog for details.

Rosary Crusade of Reparation: pictures

I was there. As always, it was a great occasion. It really deserves more support: this is a unique opportunity for large-scale Catholic witness and public reparation for abortion.












Full set of photos; slideshow.

Mass in Tyburn Convent

Here is something left over from the Papal Visit: when the Holy Father came to Hyde Park on 18th September, there was a a group of traditionalist young people organised by the LMS and Fr Armand de Malleray FSSP. Fr de Malleray said Mass for them in the nearby Tyburn Convent; here is a photo; it is a bit grainy but the lighting must have been difficult. There are a few more here.

This is the crypt; I blogged about the main chapel not long ago. Tyburn convent stands near the site of the 'Tyburn Tree', the tree-legged gallows where more than a hundred recognised Catholic martyrs were executed during 'Penal Times'. The site of the gallows is marked on a traffic island; here is a photo from Wikipedia.

Rosary Crusade of Reparation

I've received the following announcement. I've been on this myself and it is a magnificent witness to the Faith.

The Rosary Crusade of Reparation, in its Jubilee Year, takes place this year on Saturday, 16th October 2010.

The Abbot of Farnborough, the Rt Rev Dom Cuthbert Brogan OSB, will lead this year's event.

The Procession starts at 1:45 PM on Saturday, 16 October 2010 outside Westminster Cathedral in Central London (nearest underground station is Victoria). The procession makes its way through Westminster and Knightsbridge to South Kensington, ending at the the Brompton Oratory (nearest Underground station South Kensington).

At the Oratory, following prayers and hymns, there will be Solemn Pontifical Benediction and an opportunity to enroll in the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Confirmations this November!

Last year I was able to attend the LMS' Confirmation service in London; I can see this year I won't be able to make it, but it is a wonderful occasion, with between 30 and 40 mostly young people receiving the sacrament from a bishop of the Westminster Archdiocese. I include below some of the pictures I took last year; see the slideshow.

Bishop George Stack, auxiliary bishop in Westminster, will administer Confirmations in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Rite) at St James’ Church, Spanish Place, London W1 on Saturday 20 November 2010 in a ceremony organised by the Latin Mass Society. This will be the seventh year the LMS has organised ceremonies.

As usual, permission for the Old Rite Confirmations has been given by Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster.

The candidates’ day will begin with a catechetical meeting in the Lady Chapel with Bishop Stack at 11.00 am. The Confirmation ceremony will begin at 11.30 am and will be followed by Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

The choir and organist of Spanish Place will provide the music, and, as ever, a large congregation is expected.

After the ceremonies, a reception for the bishop and newly-confirmed will be held in the crypt during which Bishop Stack will cut the celebratory cake.

Anyone requiring Confirmation in the Extraordinary Form for their children – or themselves; we often have several adult candidates – should contact the LMS office urgently for registration forms and full details. (T) 020 7404 7284; (F) 020 7831 5585; (E mail) info@latin-mass-society.org

Oh my people, what have I done unto thee?

The vandalism at Maiden Lane has been reported elsewhere, but I visited the church myself on Monday.

As is the custom on a Monday evening, there was a missa cantata organised by the Latin Mass Society. The celebrant was Fr Briggs. Photos of the Mass here.

LMS AGM and Pontifical Mass in Westminster Cathedral

The LMS AGM was today.

This was followed by lunch for the Committee and local LMS Representatives (and some guests), and a Pontifical High Mass in Westminster Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Arnold. Fr Andrew Wadsworth, a long-standing friend of the LMS who is soon to depart for the United States to work for ICEL, was Assistant Priest; Fr Martin Edwards, who was the guest speaker at the AGM, was subdeacon; the deacon was the Rev Mr Ian McDole, a deacon. The Westminster choir sang a Duruflé Mass.





There are many more photos here.

Worth noting in the last two pictures is the absence, not only of the temporary altar, but of the platform which it used to sit on. The platform used to stay even when the temporay altar was removed for the LMS's two annual Solemn Masses in the Cathedral. It hid the middle part of the bottom three marble steps (the uncarpeted ones) to create a larger space at that level. It has now gone forever, because Archbishop Nichols has permanently ejected the temporary altar. Novus Ordo Masses now use the high altar, which can be used without difficulty from both sides - as the installation Mass showed. You see the layout more clearly here, in a photo taken after Mass today ended.