Sunday 9 October 2011

Rosary Crusade Photos, and Blessed John Henry Newman

Yesterday's Rosary Crusade of Reparation, led by Monsignor Keith Newton, was a great success.  A wonderful work of public witness and devotion.  Those who were there consider that the numbers were truly excellent, even by the usual high standards of this annual event.

There are two photostreams of yesterday on Flickr that we would like to bring to your attention.  The first is on  Marylebone Ordinariate Group's Flickr page.   The second was brought to our attention by Fr Ray Blake, and can found at this link, belonging to Joseph Shaw.

Joseph Shaw's photos show the impressive size of the procession, whereas our photos also show the glorious scenes in the Oratory, as well as one or two "behind the scenes" shots. 

Having looked at the photos and noticed the impact that the event probably had on road users, I feel I can hardly complain that my plans to get to St James's this morning, and then as a back up plan to the Oratory, were totally obstructed by the closure of Hyde Park Corner and the resultant traffic chaos.  Still, in Central London, we are well served with afternoon and even early evening masses, so I shall find a way to fulfil the Sunday obligation.

On today of all days, it is most appropriate that a member of the Ordinariate should indeed make every effort to hear mass.  Although the celebration of Sunday displaces it (and so the day was properly observed yesterday), in our hearts we also note that today would ordinarily be the day when we celebrate Blessed John Henry Newman. 


In honour of this great man, here is one of his much loved hymns.  Praise to the Holiest in the Height is almost the anthem of the Ordinariate, but instead of doing the predictable thing and linking to that, here is Lead Kindly Light.



There is some information on Blessed John Henry Newman in the blog of the Sevenoaks Ordinariate Group.  However, for members of the Ordinariate, Blessed John Henry Newman is not only a source of spiritual inspiration, but also a practical example of someone who left familiar surroundings, following his faith and his convictions, and came into the full communion of the Catholic Church. 

Blessed John Henry Newman, pray for us and for the Ordinariate of which you are patron.

1 comment:

  1. "we are well served with afternoon and even early evening masses ..."

    Indeed we are, and I went to St James this afternoon at 1600 hrs, not having managed to get to my usual Ordinariate mass last night. What a wonderful church that is.

    ReplyDelete