My flight from the USA to the UK went without a hitch, until I put my feet on terra firma at Gatwick. The line for passport control took 1.5 hours, which was both unusual and pretty annoying.
I am presently with Fr. Finigan of The Hermeneutic of Continuity in Blackfen.
Yesterday, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, we celebrated here a very nice solemn Mass with two priest friends, of the Diocese of Southwark, as deacon and subdeacon. Fr. Finigan was celebrant. I was asked to preach.
There was a fairly sound small schola cantorum for the proper chants for the day. Some of the chant was accompanied by organ, which I am not convinced is always necessary. The Mass itself was well executed, and the sacred ministers obviously knew what they were about. It was well-attended given its time at midday. Afterwards there was a pleasant reception in the parish hall.
I attempted to record my sermon, but I can’t now get it off my digital recorder. There is some sort of file error. So… I may not be able to give you the audio, alas. I will try to post the text in a separate entry later, if I can resolve my technical problems of getting my own notebook connected to the parish’s router. Grrrr. I also has some photos to share, but I will need to get my own computer connected before I can upload them. Double Grrrr.
In the evening Fr. Finigan and I took the tube into central London and attended, in choir, the solemn Mass at the Brompton Oratory. The music was splendid polyphony by a mixed choir. I am not sure what the Mass setting was. The ceremonies were very well coordinated. Afterwards there was a well-attended reception. I had the great good fortune to meet quite a few people who read this blog.
So far, this trip – aside from the jet lag and connectivity problems – can be characterized by beautiful traditional liturgy, vigorous Catholic faith on the part of all whom I am meeting, wonderful hospitality and sunny weather.
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If you get a chance, pass on greetings to Fr. Steven Fisher, a priest of Southwark and a strong supporter of the usu antiquor. He’s at St. Ethelbert-St. Gertrude in Ramsgate, and was a classmate in my canonical studies.
Ireland next father, please!
Dear Father,
It was lovely to see you last night at the Oratory on such a happy and long-awaited day.
I do hope you will be able to visit us at Harrow sometime soon.
As ever,
Fr Andrew Wadsworth.
Irulats: All that’s needed is to have the priest or approved group send the invitation, cover the usual expenses, and that I have an open spot in the calendar.
Fr. Wadsworth: I was delighted to see you again as well! It would be my great pleasure to visit Harrow. Let’s stay in touch about that.
I am beginning to regret I scheduled such a short trip!
Father Z: I’m on the case!
Ecce quam bonum et quam jucundum, habitare fratres in unum!
It was so good to hear your sermon, Father Z (Zee not Zed, ha ha), and to have the chance to meet you twice on the 14th, at Blackfen and at Brompton Oratory. I hope that you can resolve the technical glitches and give us another chance to hear (or read) your sermon – much to “bite†on, much to ponder. Thank you.
All in all, a great day and a worthy celebration and thanksgiving.
And, like the victor’s slave at a Roman triumph, greeting all who came to the evening reception, on the landing outside St Wilfrid’s Hall at the Oratory, a maquette of the Los Angeles Our Lady of the Angels to remind us in the midst of our happiness that there is still so much to do …
Londiniensis: a maquette of the Los Angeles Our Lady of the Angels
O.L of the Klingons.
It was wonderful to meet you yesterday. Be good!
Photos of the evening High Mass at the Oratory are now also online at http://www.traditionalcatholic.org.uk
Photos of the evening High Mass at the Oratory:
http://www.traditionalcatholic.org.uk/OratoryHighMass/Introduction.html
Is there anyone we should recognize here:
http://www.traditionalcatholic.org.uk/OratoryHighMass/Photos%202_files/IMG_0910.jpg
Ask Fr Finigan about the secretion of excess electrons :-)