Westminster Cathedral Magazine

17 Pages·2017·5.04 MB·English

April 2018 | Edition Number 235 | FREE
Westminster Cathedral Magazine
The Lord took Adam by the hand and raised him
up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the
dead, and Christ will give you light”
CONTENTS
Oremus Inside Oremus 4
Cathedral Clergy House
42 Francis Street
London SW1P 1QW
Cathedral Life: Past & Present
T 020 7798 9055
E [email protected] An Easter Greeting by Cardinal Vincent 4
W www.westminstercathedral.org.uk
The Taming of the Beast by Fr Andrew
Oremus, the magazine of Westminster
Cathedral, reflects the life of the Cathedral and Bowden 5
the lives of those who make it a place of faith in
central London. If you think that you would like Planned Giving:
to contribute an article or an item of news, A Result by Linda McHugh 11
please contact one of the editorial team.
Cathedral History:
Patron
The Mosaics of Ss Gregory and 6
The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
Augustine by Patrick Rogers 16 & 17
Chairman
Canon Christopher Tuckwell Cathedral History in Pictures:
Cardinal Cormac at the Easter Vigil
Editor
Fr John Scott by Paul Tobin 23
Oremus Team The Service of the Altar
Tony Banks – Distribution by Benjamin John 26
Zoe Goodway – Marketing
Manel Silva – Subscriptions Teaching and Testimony
Berenice Roetheli – Proofreading
at the Travellers’ Mass 28
Eucharia Sule – Office Assistant
Design and Art Direction
Julian Game Features
Registered Charity Number 233699 9
Restoration for the
ISSN 1366-7203
Rock-Hewn Churches 6
Opinions expressed by contributors do not
necessarily represent the views of the Editor or A Barfly’s Stations of the Cross: XI-XIV
the Oremus Team. Neither are they the official by Terry Egan 7
views of Westminster Cathedral. The Editor
reserves the right to edit all contributions. Anglo-Saxons and Rome
Publication of advertisements does not imply
any form of recommendation or endorsement. by Dr Michael Straiton KCSG 8 & 9
Unless otherwise stated, photographs are
published under a creative commons or similar Love in Action: Newman
licence. Every effort is made to credit all and the Santa Marta Group 10
images. No part of this publication may be
reproduced without permission. Catholic Suffragettes
by Fr Nicholas Schofield 12 & 13
Sponsored by:
A Reflection on the Annunciation
19
by Br Toby Lees OP 14 & 15
English History for American Students
by Joanna Bogle 18
Thomas Exchange Global Ltd A Presidential Address on
Music-Making by Martin Baker 22
Sir Harold Hood’s Charitable Foundation
John Bradburne:
A Candidate for Canonisation 30
The Polish Sunday: Rest, not Retail 30

Regulars
30
From the Chairman 5
Friends of the Cathedral 19
Monthly Album 20 & 21
Diary and Registers 24 & 25
Crossword and Poem of the Month 27
The Harrowing of Hell by Bartolomé Bermejo (1440-c.1501)
In Retrospect 29
© Museu Nacional de Catalunya
St Vincent de Paul Primary School 31
Printed by Premier Print Group 020 7987 0604
April 2018 Oremus
3
AN EASTER GREETING TAMING THE BEAST/FROM THE CHAIRMAN
From the Cardinal Working Together From the
in Westminster
Chairman
How quickly the time has sped by! People, Faith and Vocational Discernment.’ These meetings
Lent is over and now we rejoice in the have been so encouraging. We have found, over and over
profound celebration of the suffering, again, how much love there is for the Church in the hearts
Fr Andrew Bowden
death and resurrection of our Lord of many young people. They love and cherish their faith and
and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Not long ago are hungry for more! They are filled with the zeal of young
we welcomed his birth, how he ‘leapt believers and ready to play their part, fully conscious of the When the ‘Beast from the East’ first struck London a few
down from his heavenly throne’ and difficulties of our world today. weeks ago, the Cathedral was ready, willing and able to
came among us. In that moment of his help those most vulnerable in our society during that
The call of the Risen Lord is that we are to be his
Incarnation he embraced the totality of prolonged spell of extremely cold weather. At the request
disciples. Easter hope is not something to be kept to
our humanity, making every one of us of Westminster City Council and in partnership with
ourselves! It is to be expressed, with joy, in word and deed!
his sister or brother. Now he rises in glory, the victor over the Passage, Crisis, and the Red Cross and at very short
I asked the young people with me if they would be the
death. He opens for us to way to our true fulfilment, raising notice, the Cathedral Hall was opened as a shelter for the
Lord’s ‘digital disciples’, using their skills in social media I write this before the liturgies of the Triduum begin, but
us up to be received by his Father. This is the very purpose homeless. A number of the Cathedral’s regular Night Shelter
to open the wonder of our faith to many others. Modern in the hope that all of us who worship at the Cathedral
for which that same heavenly Father sustains us in our volunteers gave generously of their time and joined a team
communications can enable much mischief, but they can be in these days will grow in understanding of the mystery
existence – so that we might come home to him for ever. made up of volunteers from all of these agencies to provide
put to a life-giving use, too! of the Cross as we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection. It is
a warm and safe place to sleep, food and friendship for 45
No wonder we rejoice! No wonder we proclaim: encouraging to see that so many make Ash Wednesday and
I wish all the readers of Oremus a most holy and happy homeless people.
‘Alleluia, the Lord has risen as he promised!’ No wonder the beginning of Lent a priority and that the same is true
Easter! As St Paul cries out: ‘If God is for us, who can
we wish each other the peace of Easter, echoing Jesus’ own of Good Friday. A deep awareness of our human frailty is
be against us?’ (Rom 8.31). In this hope and joy we can
greeting to his disciples: ‘Peace be with you!’ the foundation for an Easter joy and peace when we hear
indeed rejoice!
it proclaimed that ‘Alleluia! The Lord is risen’. Whether
In recent weeks, we Westminster bishops have been
our observance of Lent went according to plan or not, the
meeting with young Catholics to hear their hopes and
Resurrection remains as the source of all hope, both for
anxieties, not only about their daily lives but also about
ourselves and for the society in which we live. May our
their faith. We have been doing so as part of our preparation
Paschal celebration and thanksgiving continue throughout
for the October Synod of Bishops, on the theme: ‘Young
the Forty Days of the Easter season.
The Bishops of England and Wales have now restored
Join the Companions of Oremus
the former practice of keeping the Solemnity of the
Ascension of the Lord on the Thursday of the Sixth
This was a wonderful example of how the Cathedral Week of Easter, that is, on the fortieth day and I look
... and help us to continue to publish Parish responds with practical charity to the society in which forward to sharing that traditional day with the Cathedral
we live. It was great that we were able to use the resource congregation. The Ascension always falls in school term-
our magazine free of charge of the Cathedral Hall but also our human resources i.e. our time and so the children of St Vincent de Paul School will
volunteers. It was also a great example of the Cathedral be able to join us.
co-operating with other agencies in the provision of a rapid
Elsewhere in Oremus you can read of the parish’s
The Companions of Oremus was established in 2016 to recognise those response to an acute need.
Planned Giving Appeal, of which we heard at Mass during
who give generously to support the production of Oremus. The weather may (hopefully) now be warming but the Lent. All our circumstances and abilities are different,
problem of homelessness doesn’t go away. We continue to but during the Triduum you will see that a number of our
Companions’ names are published in the magazine each month (see page 7)
keep the needs of these most vulnerable members of our Seminarians are present at the principal liturgies. It is of
and, from time to time, Mass will be offered for their intentions.
society in our thoughts and prayers. The Cathedral’s regular course necessary and good for their formation that they
All members will be invited to at least one social event during the year.
weekly night shelter will resume in the Autumn. In the experience the liturgy in its fullness, yet their presence (and
If you would like to join the Companions of Oremus please write to meantime, if you would like to know more or are interested many of them are young) underlines the generosity with
Oremus c/o Clergy House, 42 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QW or in volunteering, please contact me via Clergy House which they are making their response to God. In a world
Reception. which can seem uncertain and confused they are offering
email [email protected] – members are asked to give a
their lives for the service of Christ’s faithful. I ask that you
minimum of £100 annually. Just mention in your email or letter how you
will remember them regularly in your prayers, for they
would like your name to be listed and let us know if you can Gift Aid your Thank You deserve both our thanks and support.
donation, providing your name and address, including postcode.
A huge thank you to Eric's Walking Team, who braved
Thank you for your support.
the freezing cold and snowy weather to walk the 8 With every best wish and blessing
Thames Bridges on 17 March. Thank you also to the kind
and generous sponsors of those who participated in the
walk to raise funds for the Children with disabilities of
the Bambang Sunshine Project. May God reward you all.
Oremus April 2018 April 2018 Oremus
4 5
AN ANCIENT CHRISTIAN CIVILISATION A PRE-EASTER DEVOTION/COMPANIONS
Churches Hewn from the Rock A Barfly's 14 Stations Companions of Oremus
We are very grateful for the support of the following:
Terry Egan Mrs Mary Barsh
Mrs Else Benson
Dr Stuart Blackie
The fortress-city of Fasil Ghebbi was the residence of XI Mr Denis Board
the Ethiopian Emperor Fasilides and his successors. The Yes, I admit it, Anne Veronica Bond
city, surrounded by a 900m-long wall, contains palaces, he's a braver man than me - Richard Bremer
or he's what he said he is, Francis George Clark
churches, monasteries and unique public and private
a God of some sort! Daniel Crowley
buildings. The Tiya monuments are experiencing cracking He's being attached; Ms Georgina Enang
and tilting problems, believed to have been caused by they're driving nails into him; Alfredo Fernandez
I can't hardly think of it - Connie Gibbes
the landscape and the type of soil. Tiya is among the most
into hands and feet! Zoe & Nick Goodway
important of the roughly 160 archaeological sites discovered
I'm a normal guy - Mrs Valerie Hamblen
so far in the Soddo area, south of Addis Ababa. It contains no more shrewd than others are, Bernadette Hau
36 monuments including 32 carved stelae covered with and no less either: Mrs Henry Hely-Hutchinson
symbols, most of which are difficult to decipher. They are the but at least I'm not being Sharon Jennings in memoriam
stuck to bits of wood; Alice M Jones & Jacob F Jones
remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not I feel the sun on my back... Poppy K
yet been precisely determined. Mary Thérèse Kelly
Florence M G Koroma
XII
no 34 million Birr has been allocated for the renovation, How he's mocked by them, Raymund Livesey
usti with $400,000 secured from donors. Ethiopia has nine hoisted up there on the air, Barry Lock
Gi Clare and John Lusby
© UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most of any country till even he asks: 'Oh, why
James Maple
The church of Bet Giyorgis in Africa. Eight of these are cultural, and one - the Simien am I forsaken?'
Dionne Marchetti
But he's like a rend
Mountains National Park - is natural. Five other sites in Mary Maxwell
in the curtain of darkness,
Four of Ethiopia's nine World Heritage Sites - the Rock- Ethiopia are currently under consideration by UNESCO as Pamela McGrath
and I set my drink aside
Hewn Churches of Lalibela, the Aksum Obelisk, Fasil Tentative World Heritage Sites. to consider it... Linda McHugh
Peter McNelly in memoriam
Ghebbi in Gondar and the Tiya stelae - are to undergo
Looking to the sky - Mrs C Mitchell-Gotell
repairs this year. the sunlight dazzling my eyes - Abundia Toledo Munar
I half expect him Chris Stewart Munro
Director of the Authority for Conservation of Cultural
to save himself after all - Mrs Brigid Murphy
Heritage, Haile Zeleke, said the heritage sites have suffered
climb down from those beams Kate Nealon
damage because of their age. Maintenance work on the and stretch out his arms to us... Raymond O’Sullivan
rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, which consist of 11 Dora Parsons in memoriam
medieval monolithic cave churches, and the Aksum obelisk, XIII Emel Rochat
He came down from it; Berenice Roetheli
the ruins of the ancient city of Aksum, will commence this
they took him down off the cross: Patrick Rogers RIP
year. The churches of Lalibela, dubbed the 'Eighth Wonder
I helped them do it - it was John Scanlan
of the World', are still in active use today. They represent the the least I could do! John Shepherd
apex of an Ethiopian underground church building tradition How heavy he was - Mr Luke Simpson
that dates to the arrival of Christianity in about 350AD. and how awkward it all was - Sonja Soper
Tessa and Ben Strickland
but we wrapped him up at last
Aksum, the oldest Eileen Terry
in a linen cloth...
continuously-inhabited I was parched, of course, Robin Michael Tinsley
Mr Alex Walker
city in sub-Saharan and needed a good, long drink
Christiana Thérèse Macarthy-Woods
Africa, served as and something to eat;
Patricia M Wright
but it was hardly the same -
capital of the Aksumite
watching some dove sail and of our anonymous Companions
Kingdom, which was
through the bottom of my glass... If you would like to become a Companion of Oremus, see page 4
the dominant trade
entity in the Horn XIV
of Africa for over a Something else I saw
New in Cathedral Gift Shop
millennium prior to the from my place in the corner -
rise of Islam, stretching how they laid him in a tomb
hewn into the rock... We are pleased to announce an exquisite addition to the
from the Sudanese
Against the entrance, range of gifts available in Westminster Cathedral Gift Shop.
Nile across the Red
they rolled an enormous stone - Cross pens are renowned worldwide
Sea to Yemen. Works but, as I looked, it appeared for their design and quality and we
Pete on the Fasil Ghebbi to roll back again! now have for sale a luxury ball-point
uesy in Gondar, which are The sun was shining, pen which comes with the Cathedral
© Bl experiencing cracking, I couldn't see so clearly, logo and in its own box.
though I pressed my eyes -
The church of Abba Libanos is carved will be launched as but either way, it's as though This will make an excellent gift for a
an all four sides, but is still attached soon as a consulting he's in front of me, loved one on that special
to the rock above. firm has been selected. beckoning me to follow... occasion. Retail Price: £35.00
Oremus April 2018 April 2018 Oremus
6 7
ROYALS IN ROME ROYALS IN ROME
Anglo-Saxons on Pilgrimage Offa, King of Mercia for Rome in great state taking his son back with him. The
seized the throne and royal party remained in Rome for a complete year and
established supremacy Ethelwulf astonished the Romans by his lavish largesse.
over many lesser kings.
Matthew Paris wrote in the 13th century: ‘When Ina
He consolidated his
arrived in Rome he built a house with the approval of Pope
position by marrying his
Gregory II which he called the School of the English (Schola
daughters to the kings of
Saxonum). This he did in order that the kings of England and
Wessex and Northumbria,
the royal family with bishops, priests and clergy might come
It was a little over fifty years after the not only of Britain, but ultimately the and was the first ruler to it to be instructed in learning and the Catholic faith, lest
landing of St Augustine in Britain (AD whole of Europe. His next initiative was to be called ‘king of the anything might be taught in the English church that was
597) that for the first time in history to build the Abbey church of St Peter King Ina inspects the plans for English’. By the end of his heterodox or opposed to the Catholic church. Thus they
Anglo-Saxons made a pilgrimage to nearby with the assistance of masons Glastonbury Abbey reign, Offa was master would return home thoroughly strengthened in the faith.’
of all England south of
Rome. In the year AD 648 St Wilfrid he had hired in Gaul. Then he obtained
the Humber. He had Offa’s Dyke built, a frontier barrier In 1015 King Cnut, king of Denmark and Norway,
at the age of 13 entered the monastery Pope Agatho’s permission to take back
of a continuous ditch and bank that ran 149 miles along invaded England and defeated Edmund, son of Ethelred.
of Lindisfarne in Northumbria. After a to Britain with him John, the arch-cantor
the frontier between the Mercian and Welsh kingdoms On Edmund’s death he was proclaimed king of England.
few years there he had a strong desire of St Peter’s and Abbot of St Martin’s
‘from sea to sea’. Offa had dealings with the emperor In 1027 Cnut made a trip to Rome to attend the coronation
to make a pilgrimage to Rome as a in Rome, to teach his monks in Britain
Charlemagne and he visited Rome in 792 to strengthen his of the Holy Roman Emperor Conrad II. He was warmly
penitential exercise and to receive the Gregorian plainsong, psalmody and
links with the papacy. The English penny (silver currency) received there and went again in 1031. Following the
Pope’s blessing and study the Roman Roman ritual. Benedict Biscop undertook
was introduced during Offa’s reign. In the first recorded Danish invasion of 1013 Ethelred and his family spent
monastic observances. With the a total of six pilgrimages to Rome where
coronation in England, Offa’s son Ecgfrith was consecrated several years in exile in Normandy whilst England was ruled
approval of his Abbot, Finan, Wilfrid set he acquired books, vestments and
in 787 during Offa’s lifetime in an attempt to secure the by Cnut. After Cnut’s death in 1035 Ethelred’s son Edward
out for Canterbury armed with a letter liturgical objects for his monastery.
succession. However, Ecgfrith died childless, months after the Confessor tried to take the crown of England but failed.
of commendation from Queen Eanfled,
The Northumbrian historian Bede Offa. Offa’s success in building a strong unified kingdom He made a vow that he would make a pilgrimage to Rome
wife of King Oswy of Northumbria to
wrote circa 730 that the Anglo-Saxons caused resistance in other kingdoms. The Mercians’ defeat if he managed to return safely to his kingdom.
her cousin Erconbert of Kent. Wilfrid
England, as divided into kingdoms regarded themselves as being one at the hands of Egbert of Wessex at the battle of Ellendun in
spent a year in the Kentish city studying In 1042 Edward’s dream became a reality when he
and territories people. There was even a title for the 825 meant that supremacy passed to Wessex.
the customs of the Roman colony there. succeeded Cnut’s son on the throne of England, but he
paramount ruler, Bretwalda, with a
In 798 Sigeric, king of the East Saxons, made a pilgrimage found it impossible to leave his subjects to make the
A companion was found for him in the person of vague primacy which was largely personal. Roughly, the
to Rome and entered a Roman monastery. In the year 874, pilgrimage to Rome. The Pope released him from the vow
Benedict Biscop, a young thane of 25 years, who decided settlement in Kent emerged as the strongest kingdom by the
when the Danes entered the valley of the Trent and burned on condition that he founded a monastery at Westminster
to renounce his considerable possessions and embrace late sixth century, the Northumbrians and East Angles in the
the minster at Repton that had become the burial-place of the and dedicated it to St Peter. A church had been built on
the religious life. In September 655 Wilfrid and Benedict seventh, the Mercians of middle England in the course of
Mercian kings, King Burhed fled to Rome, where he died soon Thorney Island by St Mellitus, bishop of London in the 7th
Biscop left Britain for Rome. Wilfrid stayed a while in the eighth, while the ninth century was dominated by the
after arrival. He was century. In accordance
Lyons but Benedict Biscop pressed on, arriving in Rome kingdom of Wessex.
buried in the Schola with the Pope’s wishes,
before Wilfrid, and was therefore the first Anglo-Saxon to
The first Anglo-Saxon monarch to set foot in Rome was Saxonum, the territory Edward built a new
complete the pilgrimage. Wilfrid stayed in Rome many
Caedwalla, King of the West Saxons, in 689. Bede tells us that between St Peter’s and cathedral on the site
months making friends with a learned deacon named
having most vigorously governed his nation for two years, he the Ponte Sant’Angelo in the Norman style to
Boniface, who taught him the disciplines of the Church. He
quitted his crown for the sake of the Lord and an everlasting where there was a replace the old Saxon
returned to Britain about 660.
kingdom, and went to Rome when Sergius was Pope. He was settlement of houses, church, to be known as
In about 665 Benedict Biscop began his second baptized on Holy Saturday 689 and being still in his white a hospice and church the Collegiate Church
pilgrimage to Rome remaining there for several months. baptismal garments he fell sick, and died on 20 April. He was dedicated to the Virgin of St Peter but which
First he went to the monastery of Lerins near Nice, staying only 30, and in baptism had taken the name Peter. Mary that is still there later became known
there for two years as a member of the community. From but has been rebuilt as Westminster Abbey.
Ina succeeded Caedwalla as King of the West Saxons.
there he discovered a merchant ship that took him to Ostia, many times. St Peter’s, Westminster
He reigned for 38 years before following the example of his
arriving in Rome at the same time as his compatriot Wighart, is depicted on the
predecessor and, with his Queen, Ethelberga, went off to The most important
Archbishop-elect of Canterbury who had come to Rome Bayeux tapestry in
Rome in 726. The holy couple lived unrecognised, serving city in Wessex was On the Bayeux Tapestry: Hic portatur corpus Eadwardi regis ad
for consecration at the instance of Kings Egbert of Kent and the poor and waiting on pilgrims. Realising that many of Winchester, a day’s ecclesiam sti Petri – Here the body of Edward the King is carried to the illustration of Edward
Oswy of Northumbria. The plague was raging in Rome at the his fellow countrymen were lodging near St Peter’s, Ina march inland from church of St Peter the Confessor’s funeral.
time and Wighard and most of his companions contracted
established a hospice for them there and bought a piece the south coast. King Pilgrimages after
it and died there. Pope Vitalian then chose Theodore of
of land where they could own property and help one Alfred’s grandfather, Egbert, entrusted the education of his this time became hazardous, with the presence of hostile
Tarsus as the next Archbishop of Canterbury and it was at
another. This has always been known as the Saxon Borgo. son and heir, Ethelwulf, to Swithin, Bishop of Winchester. Saracens who controlled the land routes to Rome. Efforts
the express command of Pope Vitalian that Benedict Biscop The Hospital of the Holy Spirit now stands on the site of the Ethelwulf was deeply religious and had a particular were concentrated on recapturing the Holy Places in
accompanied Theodore as his guide and interpreter on Saxon hospice and the nearby church of St Maria in Sassia devotion to the Holy See and his sons grew up in this Palestine with the advent of the Crusades; and the royal
his journey to Britain. The party went by sea to Marseilles, stands on the site of the first church where King Ina and his atmosphere. Ethelwulf ’s youngest son, Alfred, was born pilgrimages to Rome came to an end.
by land to Arles then continued to Paris, where they were
Queen are buried. Furthermore, Ina started ‘Peter’s Pence’, at a royal residence at the foot of the Berkshire Downs at
welcomed by Archbishop Agilbert before travelling on to
the annual gift from every household to the Pope that has Wantage. In 853 King Ethelwulf of Mercia sent his infant
England where they arrived on 27 May 669.
survived to the present day. Ina is depicted in the glass son Alfred to Rome with an honourable escort of nobles This article was first published in Petrus, the newsletter
Benedict Biscop built a monastery at Wearmouth in window at Church at Curry Rivel examining the architect’s and commoners. Two years later the royal party with Alfred of the Friends of the Holy Father.
Northumberland which was to become the cradle of culture, plans for the new Minster at Glastonbury. returned to England, whereupon Ethelwulf himself set out Photos: © Friends of the Holy Father
Oremus April 2018 April 2018 Oremus
8 9
LOVE IN ACTION PLANNING AND GIVING
The Practice of Love Our Cathedral STILL needs your help!
An update on the Lent Planned Giving Campaign
BI John Henry Newman
Linda McHugh
It is obviously impossible to love all men in the world – feelings and nothing more –
any strict and true sense. What is meant by nothing more than unstable feelings, the mere
After three weeks of appeals and the I am pleased to report that we or occasionally attends Mass at the
loving all men, is to feel well-disposed to all offspring of an indulged imagination, which
distribution of thousands of leaflets, the have seen an increase in the number Cathedral and wants to support us in
men, to be ready to assist them, and to act exist only when their minds are wrought main part of the Cathedral’s Planned of people giving by Standing Order a tax-efficient way, whether through
towards those who come in our way, as if upon, and are sure to fail them in their hour Giving Campaign is over, but there is and many more people have signed the envelope scheme or via their bank.
we loved them. We cannot love those about of need. This is not to love men, it is but to still much to be done. We shared details up for Gift Aid. We have also Forms will be available for the next
whom we know nothing; except indeed we talk about love. about the Cathedral’s financial problems been encouraged by existing and few weeks from the Information Desk
view them in Christ, as the objects of his and appealed to all those who attend new donors who have responded
The real love of man must depend on in the Cathedral or from Clergy House
Alotvoen. ement, that is, rather in faith than in pexraecrctiicsein, ga nitdse tlhf eorne foourer, fmrieunsdt sb eagroinu nbdy us, Mreflasesc ht eprrea yfoerrf uyolluyr o hne:lp, asking you to gite ins enrootu asllyl gtoo othde n aepwpse aasl. tHheo wtoetavle r, Rsheocuelpdt iboen ;r ewtuhrenne cdo tmo pClleetregdy, Hthoeuys e
number of promise forms returned –
• I ncreasing the amount that you Reception or posted to Anne-Marie
And love, besides, is a habit, and cannot otherwise it will have no existence. By
give the Cathedral about 300 – represents less than 10% Micallef, Cathedral Clergy House, 42
be obtained without actual practice, which trying to love our relations and friends, by of those who attended the Masses in
on so large a scale is impossible. We see submitting to their wishes, though contrary • C ommitting to giving on a regular question and probably only about Francis Street SW1P 1QW. There will
then how absurd it is when writers (as is the to our own, by bearing with their infirmities, basis 20% of our regular parishioners. There be further updates in future editions
manner of some who slight the Gospel) talk © Babouba by overcoming their occasional waywardness • S igning up for Gift Aid if you are may be good reasons for this but it is of Oremus when we are in a position
to report on the financial impact of
magnificently about loving the whole human race with a by kindness, by dwelling on their excellences, and trying to eligible to do so. a disappointing response overall at a
comprehensive affection, of being the friends of all mankind copy them, thus it is that we form in our hearts that root of time when we urgently need to secure the Planned Giving Campaign. In the
and such like. Such vaunting professions, what do they come charity which, though small at first, may, like the mustard During Weekend 3, everyone, the future of the Cathedral. meantime, do please complete and
whether or not they were already return a Promise Form, if you have not
to? that such men have certain benevolent feelings towards seed, at last even overshadow the earth. registered as a regular donor, was asked If you have not yet filled in a
already done so.
to make a pledge on a Promise Form, Promise Form, may I ask you to do
Caritas Christi Urget Nos: entitled My Parish Commitment, which so as soon as possible? The forms are Linda is Chair of the Cathedral’s
was distributed during Mass. designed for everyone who regularly Finance and Planning Committee
The Love of Christ Compels Us
Law enforcement officers, Bishops, Religious Sisters and human trafficking, such as slavery within seafaring, were
international organisations from across the world gathered also discussed.
in the Vatican for the fifth Santa Marta Group conference to
A challenge to the group was to increase their
update and share good practice in the fight against human
accountability through greater transparency with the media,
trafficking and modern slavery. This year's conference
both on work done and long term strategy. An example was
focused on regional realities with tailored solutions to
shared from the UK, where Church and Law Enforcement
human trafficking in each continent. With input from
partnered with a media outlet (the Evening Standard) to raise
every continent, each region discussed their experiences,
awareness of human trafficking, investigate cases of modern
both the successes and challenges they face, with growing
slavery and propose solutions through a round table chaired
collaboration identified as a priority in neighbouring
by Cardinal Vincent.
countries where the challenges are similar.
In an address to Pope Francis, the Cardinal drew attention
Education and economic opportunity is the focus on the
to the need to always remember the victim at the centre of
supply side from countries of origin and the need for a strong
legal framework, accountability and active citizenship on this evil crime: the enslaved person who demands our action
the demand side in countries of destination. While there are in combating trafficking. He said: ‘Our Santa Marta Group
significant similarities in approaches to combating human meeting has been a hard look at one of the dark faces of
trafficking across regions, the need for local action was globalisation: the scourge of human trafficking and modern
emphasised, recognising the significant levels of internal slavery. In contrast, Holy Father, we thank you for the many
trafficking taking place. The conference also featured ways in which you make visible the truly human face of
contributions from international agencies, introducing the our world. Constantly you remind us that the well-being
role of the private sector and the importance of transparency of the human person must always be at the centre of every
in supply chains. Practical ways to address difficult to track endeavour’.
Oremus April 2018 April 2018 Oremus
10 11
CATHOLIC SUFFRAGETTES CATHOLIC SUFFRAGETTES
became that city’s first suffragette prisoner in 1907. Patricia Cardinal Bourne chose not to take sides in the on-
Woodlock, another Liverpudlian, endured three prison terms. going debate. Catholics, he said in a Pastoral Letter of
Bertha Quinn of Leeds was the first Catholic to use the tactic 1913, were at liberty ‘to admit or deny the expediency
of the hunger strike in prison, like many other suffragettes, of allowing women to vote at Parliamentary elections’,
and endured the horrors of force feeding. Violet Bryant of though he warned against ‘the excess and possible moral
Newcastle was handcuffed, forcibly fed and placed in a faults’ of militant tactics. The Society never gained his full
solitary punishment cell for seventeen days. She started to support, however, not because of the cause it campaigned
relent, though, ‘when she was forbidden to go to Mass unless for, but because of a disagreement over its affiliation with
she took some food.’ There were other examples too; to non-Catholic groups and its refusal to take a spiritual
commemorate this month’s centenary St Augustine’s Priory, a advisor. It later dropped the word ‘Catholic’ and renamed
Catholic girls’ school in Ealing, has been remembering Mother itself as ‘St Joan’s Social and Political Alliance’, which still
Mary Francis, a member of the Augustinian community that campaigns for the rights of women. One member of the
once ran the school. Acting at one stage as Headmistress and
Society, however, managed to get encouragement from the
Latin teacher, she was known to chain herself to railings and
highest quarters. Elizabeth Christitch had a brief audience
arrested several times for breaking windows!
with Benedict XV at the Vatican in 1919, who told her: ‘we
Catholic churches themselves were sometimes the targets should like to see women electors everywhere’. His words
of demonstrators. On 7 June 1914, just before the outbreak were reported widely.
of war, a well-dressed woman stepped into the centre aisle
As the centenary of votes for women is commemorated,
of the London Oratory during Mass and shouted: ‘For Christ’s
it is important to remember the Catholic contribution to the
sake stop forcible feeding’. As she was being removed from
debate and to remember that the first Catholic organisation
the church, 12 other women chanted: ‘O God, save Emmeline
anywhere in the world dedicated to promoting women’s
Pankhurst and all our noble prisoners. Be with them in the
suffrage (CWSS) originated in England.
hour of pain. O rouse this church and its priests to put an end
Votes for Women! The Catholic Contribution to torture in the name of Blessed Joan of Arc’. That same day Fr Nicholas is the Diocesan Archivist. This article first
a woman ascended the pulpit of Westminster Cathedral and appeared in the Catholic Times and is reproduced by kind
cried: ‘In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament I protest the permission.
forcible feeding of women’. None of these protestors seem to
have been Catholics themselves.
Fr Nicholas Schofield Not all those who campaigned for women’s votes used
such tactics. On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
It was in February a century ago that women – or at least ‘resist by a stern moral refusal, the immodesty which would 1910 two Catholics, Gabrielle Jeffery and Mary Kendall, were
some women – were granted the right to vote in this country. thrust women from their private life of dignity and supremacy among the crowd outside Holloway Gaol to celebrate the
The Representation of the People Act gained the royal assent into the public conflicts of men.’ Such views might appear, release of suffragettes. They discussed the suffrage movement
on 6 February 1918 and brought sweeping changes to our in the words of one historian, as a curious mix of misogyny among the Catholic community and decided that a society
electoral system. It was not simply about women’s suffrage. and chivalry. Misogyny because they denied women a voice; was needed to promote the cause. Appeals were made in
Most property qualifications for men were abolished, so that chivalry because they spoke of defending the home and the Catholic and suffragist press and the first meeting of the
all males over 21 and resident in their constituencies were keeping women out of the squalid world of male politics. new Catholic Women’s Suffrage Society (CWSS) was held at
able to vote. Only women over the age of 30 who met the There were fears, too, of how the opening up of the electorate Kensington Town Hall on the Feast of the Annunciation 1911.
minimum property qualifications could vote but it was a would affect politics. It was argued that votes for women It aimed ‘to band together Catholics of both sexes, in order to
significant change and the fruit both of wartime conditions would effectively mean that the husband had an extra vote. secure for women the Parliamentary Vote on the same term as
it is, or may be, granted to men.’ Its patron was Joan of Arc,
and years of campaigning by suffragists and the more militant Some anti-Catholics even suggested that votes for women
who had only been beatified two years previously and was a
suffragettes. meant giving the power to their priest!
popular icon of the suffragists. By June the CWSS was able to
What, though, was the attitude of the Catholic Church to Manning’s successor at Westminster, Cardinal Vaughan, carry its banner in the ‘Coronation Procession’ involving 28
the suffrage movement? Normally it is cast in a negative light, had more progressive leanings: ‘I believe that the extension suffrage organisations.
although it could be argued that for many centuries the only of the Parliamentary Franchise to women upon the same
The founding members of the Society included some
example of women voting was provided by religious orders, conditions as it is held by men would be a just and beneficial
remarkable individuals. Alice Meynell was a well-known poet;
where the female sisters gathered to elect their superior and measure, tending to raise rather than to lower the course of
Elisabeth Christitch, who had been born of an Irish mother
have their say on other important decisions. Indeed, in the national legislation.’ The debate raged on and voices in favour
and Serbian father in Belgrade, wrote on Serbian affairs for
Holy Roman Empire such was the power of certain abbesses, of women’s suffrage included The Tablet and (it is pleasing
The Times and, with her mother, had served as a nurse on the
including those of Quedimburg, Gandersheim, Lindau, to note) the Catholic Times. By the 1910s prominent church
Serbian battlefields during the First World War; Leonora De
Buchau and Obermünster, that they ranked as princes and sat figures were supporting the cause, including the Archbishops
Alberti, who served as editor for the Society’s publication,
as voting members of the Diet (or parliament). of Birmingham, Glasgow and Liverpool, the Bishop of
the Catholic Suffragist, was an archivist and published
Northampton, the Dominican Bede Jarrett and the Master of
In Victorian Britain, however, many Catholics – along historian. The members were largely middle-class and,
the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom, Fr Philip Fletcher.
with many of their fellow citizens – were suspicious of the despite the peaceful approach adopted by the Society, much
arguments in favour of universal suffrage; some were outright Among the suffragettes were Catholic women. Alice of its leadership had previously been involved in the WSPU.
opposed. Cardinal Manning told an audience at St Mary Morrissey was one of the founders of the Liverpool branch Members, though, were forbidden to wear CWSS badges at
Moorfields in 1871 that he hoped English womanhood would of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) and militant rallies.
Oremus April 2018 April 2018 Oremus
12 13
A REFLECTION ON THE ANNUNCIATION A REFLECTION ON THE ANNUNCIATION
Saying Yes But with Mary, there is no such myself completely, of the fear that I life but which are now opened up for
change. When the angel Gabriel greets might be called to give up something us in the life of grace in Christ. This
Mary, he greets her with a title, ʹHail, of great value in the act of saying ʹyesʹ is how we are fortified and prompted
full of graceʹ, he tells us something without reservation. to make Maryʹs ʹyesʹ our own. It is
about who she is. No change of heart is with the Incarnation that the ultimate
Br Toby Lees OP I donʹt think I'm alone in this.
required for Mary to act in accordance dimension of human existence - life
There's a tragic tendency to oppose
with God's will at the Incarnation, in Christ - is opened up to us. This
‘What made you become a because her ʹyesʹ is in accordance our being truly free and our living out is what a love that took Him to the
Dominican?’ Irrespective of whatever I with her whole life. Maryʹs ʹyesʹ at the of God's will. We become convinced Cross and beyond has won for us, but
speak about at schools – and no matter Annunciation is a defining moment in that being free to love means being it won't be of any effect in our lives,
how compelling I think I have made the her life, because it shows us who she free to love whatever we want unless we join our ʹyesʹ to Christʹs
subject at hand – this question always really is; that ʹyesʹ is the very definition whenever we want; but, in fact, the and to Maryʹs, and make it a ʹyesʹ that
comes up. It is asked in a tone which of who she is. real freedom is in committing over
endures.
suggests in equal measure fascination and over to loving what is best. And
In this, as in so many other things,
and bewilderment! It’s a perfectly to love what is best is to love God Br Toby is a Dominican of the English
Mary is a model for us. We ought
understandable question, and one you and then to love our neighbour as Province and currently studying
to aspire to be the sort of people for
get used to answering. I tend to frame God shows us how to do this in the Theology in Rome. This reflection was
whom saying ʹyesʹ to God is our basic
my answer around various pivotal life of Jesus. This is easier to write published in the Lent/Easter edition
disposition. This may mean we find
points in my life: moments of change of The Dominicans magazine and is
than do! Yet, that's when we need to
ourselves saying ʹyesʹ in surprising
that mark a new direction and a greater reproduced by kind permission.
situations, but the fact of our saying remember the other crucial fact about
openness to God than I
ʹyesʹ should cease to be surprising. the ʹyesʹ we celebrate when we mark The Solemnity of the Annunciation
had before.
When Iʹm asked that question of the Annunciation. For, there are two properly falls on 25 March. That day
One such pivot was World Youth ʹWhy did you become a Dominican?ʹ, sides to this Feast: first, the example was Palm Sunday this year and the
Day in Sydney 2008. The atmosphere I become painfully aware of many of Maryʹs ʹyesʹ itself; and, second, the Annunciation is therefore transferred
was astonishing. Iʹd never felt the 'noʹsʹ there have been along the way, Incarnation it announces - the fruits to Monday 9 April, the first available
excitement and the joy of so many of ways in which I still resist giving of which are already active in Mary's liturgical day after Easter.
people from so many nations coming
together to learn more about and to
deepen our faith. And we had the most
wonderful teacher. Pope Benedict's
addresses left an indelible impression
on me. There was one in particular; it
was the morning after an all-night vigil drid
at Randwick racecourse and he gave a Ma
rpoerffl atyheecedt if oethanre o tAhnna ttgh eMel uAasrn ytn omugneuctshita ehtria.o vHne e ah ssa pwdo ek e © JJebulondo Museum,
when the angel first appeared; and then The Annunciation by El Greco © Pra
came the phrase that sticks: he spoke
of Maryʹs ʹYesʹ, her resounding ʹFiatʹ, as moment of assent to the will of God: Maryʹs ʹyesʹ is a wonderful example
being ʹthe pivotal moment in the history a ‘yes’ that we're called to replicate in of how God works out our salvation
of God’s relationship with his people.ʹ our own lives. If we were asked to talk through His human instruments. It is
He went on to say that as ʹAs Mary about the pivotal moments in Maryʹs a mark of the dignity He has given us
stood before the Lord, she represented life, we might be tempted to say that that He doesnʹt save us without us.
the whole of humanity. In the angel’s the Annunciation was the central one. When we look back through salvation
message, it was as if God made a But Iʹd argue that whilst it's a moment history, we can think of many other
marriage proposal to the human race. that transformed our lives, we would crucial figures. However, when
And in our name, Mary said yes.ʹ I left be wrong to describe it as a turning reflecting on some of those who came
Sydney knowing that I wouldnʹt remain point in Maryʹs life. This would be to mind, it struck me that many have
a lawyer, but not yet sure to what I to misunderstand who Mary is, what something in common, which Mary
would say ʹyesʹ. she was made for, and what God does not share: Peter, Paul, Abraham,
All of history turns on the intended for her before all time. For, Sarah, Israel ... the names by which we
Annunciation and the Incarnation Mary's whole life was a ʹyesʹ to God. venerate them are not the names they
that follows. Most obviously, our very Her fidelity to God didn't begin at the grew up with: Simon, Saul, Abram,
marking of time is by reference to Annunciation and it doesnʹt end there; Sarai, Jacob. Their lives are marked by
that small voice that uttered the most as if she had assented to the Incarnation a clear before and after, and God marks
significant ʹyesʹ that ever was uttered. and now her work was over. In fact, her this ʹafterʹ with a new name, signaling
Yet more profoundly, my life, your life, work extends to the Cross and beyond, a new identity in living according to
each of our lives is transformed by that to her mediation in heaven. His will.
Oremus April 2018 April 2018 Oremus
14 15
CATHEDRAL HISTORY CATHEDRAL HISTORY
St Gregory and St Augustine: If you look at the head St Cuthbert is carrying, and
then at the figure on the opposite wall, you should see the
resemblance. St Oswald, Christian King of Northumbria,
was slain by the pagan King Penda of Mercia in 642 and
The Chapel Mosaics
carries the red sword of his martyrdom. His head was taken
to Lindisfarne monastery and, when the Danes invaded
in 875, hurriedly borne away by the monks in the coffin
containing St Cuthbert. At the other end of the entrance wall
is another Christian King, St Edmund of East Anglia, killed
by Danish archers in 870. Between them is St Bede the
Patrick Rogers Venerable, father of English history, without whom we would
have known almost nothing of the great events occurring in
England up to his death in 735.
This chapel tells the story of the evangelisation of England Up above we have Pope Gregory again, this time The chapel was restored in 1996, having been the first to
from Rome. It starts with the determination of one man, enthroned, sending St Augustine and his companions off be decorated in the Cathedral, from 1902 to 1904. Twenty
Pope Gregory the Great, to bring this about. It continues on their mission, while higher still they are shown meeting different marbles came from six countries and were chosen P
O
wmiitshsi othne, tshuecnc ewssi tohf tShte A suugbusestqinuee natn dde hfeisn cceo mofp tahnei onnesw in f atihtihs EOthne elbitehret,r Ksiidneg aorfe K menetd, aalnlido nhsi sc oCnhtraisintiianng wthiofes eB eortthhear. g reat bthye t hfiers tC gaoth uepd rjauls at rbcehfioterec th, iJs F d Beaetnht lieny ,1 w90h2o. wBaust wthaet cmhoinsga ics nce Lew
against both British and foreign non-believers. It concludes apostles, Ss Peter and Paul. Opposite, above the baptistery and the opus sectile work – cut and painted pieces of marble wre
with a man who did much to keep Catholicism alive in arch, is Augustine together with John the Baptist, reminding put together to form a picture – were designed by the firm © La
another dark age. of Clayton and Bell. Unlike the Holy Souls chapel across The monk Augustine receives from Pope Gregory the
us of the link between baptism and conversion. On each
the nave, where the mosaic was laid piece by piece, here it mandate to travel to England and preach the gospel
side of them the waters of baptism flow down while in the
was laid in blocks and hammered flat with mallets. Although
archway, angels bear the names of the four rivers of Paradise It seems fitting that the donor should be remembered
put in place by the same team of mosaicists, the style of
– Euphrates, Gihon, Pishon and Tigris. simply in a panel showing a just judge, a panel given by
decoration is very different.
others. An ornate tomb would be out of place. Only one
And so we move on in time to saints who helped to
A fine example of opus sectile is to the left of the layman is buried in the Cathedral, in the crypt – Czar
keep Christianity alive in England after St Augustine and
entrance. In it King Solomon is shown as the Just Judge. Nicholas II’s Ambassador to England – and he had nowhere
his companions. On the wall facing the entrance are
Faced with two women claiming the same baby, so the Bible else to go. Where the Brampton tombs would have been,
Wilfrid, Bishop of York, and Benedict Biscop, founder of a story goes, Solomon threatened to divide it between them so a gentle and devout man lies. Bishop Challoner, Vicar
monastery at Wearmouth. Between them they consolidated as to discover the true mother by their reactions. The piece Apostolic of the London District, did much to keep the Faith
the link with Rome, a link ratified by the Synod of Whitby was given by Clayton and Bell as a tribute to the judge Lord alive when the task seemed hopeless. He died in 1781, just
OP in 664. Another 7th century saint is next – Cuthbert, the Brampton, who had donated £8,500 to decorate the chapel. when the tide of intolerance towards English Catholicism
nce Lew ‘oAf pLoinstdleis ftaor nthee. HLoisw elavniddesn’ ta hnodl ilnateesrs aa nvedr yh uremluilcittya natt tBraicshteodp Ograringdin taolmly bths es ujurmdgoeu natnedd hbiys wefififeg iwese. rBeu tto w lihee hne trhee iyn dvieerdy in wSparsi nagt ’l.a Hste t uisr nreinmge, mlebaderinedg tpoa rEtmicaunlacrilpya ftoior nh iasn hdu tmheil i‘tSye, cond
wre many Northerners to Christianity, and he now lies in 1907 their wills mentioned only a hospital associated with that virtue of the need for which St Gregory memorably
© La Durham Cathedral under a slab inscribed simply Cuthbertus. the Cathedral, so that is where the money went. reminded St Augustine.
Gregory sees in the enslaved Angle boys the potential to be
good Christians
GOOD THINGS
The story starts with the panel on the right of the
entrance, given by the Cathedral Choir School with money
raised from performances of a Nativity play. Here is of GOOD MEN
St Gregory the Great, then a monk in about the year 587,
talking to three English children in the Roman slave market
and remarking: ‘Not Angles but angels, if only Christian’. by Sharon Jennings
It is said that it was then that he conceived the idea of the
evangelisation of England, an idea brought to fruition
10 years later. Not long before her untimely death last year, the late
Next we move to the altarpiece where Pope Gregory, as Sharon Jennings completed an illustrated book based
he had become, appears with a dove. The story behind this on the Chapel of Ss Gregory and Augustine and giving
is that his secretary once pulled back a curtain and saw the an account of the history of the saints commemorated.
dove of the Holy Spirit guiding him as he wrote. Beside him OP Inspired by the writings of St Bede the Venerable, the book
in black is St Augustine carrying the picture of Christ which w
hsied ea nadre h sios mcoem opf athneiosen sc obmropuagnhito tnos E. nThgleayn adr;e a Snsd Poanu leinituhse r wrence Le Ois raevmaiulas bolfefi pceri.ced £5 from the Cathedral Gift Shop or the
(Bishop of York), Justus (Bishop of Rochester), Mellitus © La
(Bishop of London) and Laurence (successor to Augustine On the west wall of the chapel St John the Baptist and
as Archbishop of Canterbury). Both Mellitus and Justus also St Augustine both hold and pour out the waters of baptism,
subsequently held this position. of the Old and New Covenants
Oremus April 2018 April 2018 Oremus
16 17
OUR LADY’S YOUNG AMERICANS THE FRIENDS OF WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
Kings, Queens, Rhymes and Walks Malarkey in the Hall
Joanna Bogle
And a happy end to a rather tired
America’s famous Notre Dame University has a London
Monday: Paul Pickering popped into the
home – students come here to study for part of the
office for a cup of tea and a catch-up.
academic year under the strapline ‘London: Global
He has proposed a day in Greenwich
Gateway’. It is based just off Trafalgar Square, in a splendid
for Thursday 10 May with a visit to the
house in Suffolk Street that was once the home of the
newly restored Queen’s House and
Oxford and Cambridge Club (which itself later moved
also the Fan Museum. We are trying to
to Pall Mall). The building is familiar to many London
arrange a lunchtime Mass in the very
Catholics, as it is used by the Catholic Union for occasional
pretty church in Greenwich and a cream
public lectures.
tea will be on the schedule. Details
I was delighted to lead some Notre Dame students on a of this and all forthcoming events
ht
Catholic History Walk around London recently, and again nig will be in the Newsletter. And please
K
it opened my eyes to the way we who live here too often Garry don’t forget our lovely trip to Oxford
take our history for granted. The students were a friendly and © on 17 April. Canon Christopher will
interested group and it was fun to see how, as we walked, Not quite the Friends’ choice of headgear be celebrating Mass in Christ Church
they were increasingly able to ‘read’ the history in the Cathedral and we have lunch booked at
buildings, place-names and general geography, once some Christina White I was delighted to secure the services The Trout – a favourite watering-hole of
basics had been learned. People sometimes tell me: ‘Oh, of the wonderful Jan – an Irish dancing Inspector Morse – before travelling on to
I always found history difficult at school’ or ‘I don’t really ndes world champion no less – who dazzled C S Lewis’ house in Headington. This is
na I am writing this not quite the
kAmnmaokeweri camwaunkcswh w aheridrse teo uxrync’ue amsesb sw;a hrere agrsaest ehthdee ray fn owdr edar iewd iannlo kLt. o fTenhedelo stenh ,ey a onnuedne gtdh etoy Michael Fer mceorrtaniinnlgy afefteelrs Slitk Pea ittr.i cAk m’s,e trhroy ubgahn dit of tWdhoeew rhnoa otdhm el e wmfti itadh fd atlhiere loy b fl ratihlrlgeiae Hn ccaeelnl otarfna hld ig shu seltl eepys . aayo rveue brtyyh esa ppbeplecosiaisniln tvmgissei nto,t f a otshn etlo yEu. arMss taoeyrf tSIh ewea ishsohon u se
© Friends turned out for our St Patrick’s
simply wanted to know about it. used this to great effect with wonderful and let us pray for some decent weather
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, at the centre of the campus Celebration which coincided with
kicks and flicks. A special mention must
to brighten our spring/summer events.
The first thing that should be grasped in understanding of Notre Dame University, Indiana a return of the Beast from the East. go to Dionne who gamely took on the
Happy Easter!
London’s history is that place-names tell the story. Names Snow was falling as I made my way challenge of dancing with the maestro.
like Chelsea, Clerkenwell, Kensington, Westminster, our young people shockingly short by not teaching them into work at 8.30am and indeed it was
their own history. I found the young Americans reasonably A deflating red helium balloon Forthcoming Events
Southwark, or Borough have a meaning. They were not still falling as a very tired group of
knowledgeable about their own – admittedly much shorter heart is still floating in the upper
invented by a committee, but emerged over time because helpers headed for the tube at 11pm.
reaches of the hall – a forgotten trophy
– story. British children are currently made to learn random
they described what and where that place was. Thus Chelsea Luckily the Irish rugby team had no Tuesday 17 April 2018: Christ Church
of February – and we mused that this
means a chalk-wharf; like the famous White Cliffs of Dover, bits of history in chaotic ‘themes’, looking at things like qualms about the weather and pulled and the C S Lewis House in Oxford.
was probably reflective of English
much of London is on chalk. Southwark is – yes, you ‘women’ or ‘conflict’. This offers nothing but confusion; they off a sterling performance in the The coach will depart from outside
broken hearts as our revellers arrived,
guessed – the wharf on the southern bank of the Thames. need a linear map, and a sense of their own involvement in afternoon to give Ireland the joy of a bedecked in various shades of green. It Clergy House, 42 Francis Street at
Clerkenwell is a place where clerks – clergy – lived and the story. Grand Slam. was a lot of hard work but an enjoyable 8am prompt. Lunch is included;
had, yes, a well. Meanwhile the Saxon word ending -ton, London offers a wonderful walk through history. Simply evening for those who braved the cold. please ask for the options when
We would still have enjoyed the
as in Kensington, Beddington, Wallington, Carshalton, and walking along the Thames, starting perhaps near our own Our band for the evening ‘Black Velvet’ booking. Numbers are limited, so
evening if Ireland had capitulated to
indeed Washington, simply means an area of land. General Westminster Cathedral, and taking the occasional shortcut has now become ‘Malarkey’. Kathleen early booking is recommended to
Washington’s family name, and hence the name of America’s to avoid the river’s big loops, is a glorious way to understand the English at Twickenham but merely O’Shea explained that they had lost avoid disappointment. Tickets £52
winning the Six Nations would not
capital city, comes from this Saxon base. the story. Roman Empire, Saxon invasions, Vikings, Normans, some musicians but gained others, Thursday 10 May: A Day in
have had quite the same allure. Kevin
Middle Ages, Tudors, Stuarts, and on to modern times – it so a change of moniker was needed. Greenwich to include the The
One basic guide to history is learning the names of our Greenan took every opportunity to grab
They were particularly effective in the
is all there. And it is Catholic history: the Faith first reached Queenʹs House and the Fan Museum.
kings and queens in the right order. There is a useful rhyme the microphone and remind the room second half of the evening encouraging
these shores in Roman times – we were part of that same Please keep the date
that takes you right through, starting with the Norman that Ireland had won the GS, though it an increasingly enthusiastic number of
Roman Empire into which Christ was born, and the Faith
Conquest: ‘William, William, Harry, Ste, Harry, Dick, Jack, must be said that the failing PA system dancers to the floor.
travelled its routes across the land and seas to us. When
Harry Three ...’ and so onwards. The Americans were in the Hall was yet another reminder Contact us
the pagan Saxons invaded as the Roman Empire fell, these We are still putting the final touches
amused by this as they shared with most British younger of why the Friends’ Anniversary Project
were evangelised in turn as a fine mosaic in Westminster together for our Spring Newsletter,
people a complete inability to name most of our monarchs to refurbish the Hall is so necessary. • Write to: Friends’ Office,
Cathedral reminds us. The Vikings too came to the Faith, and which realistically will need to be
in any sort of order. I have found that with British people it The English in the room could very 42 Francis Street,
St Olave’s church stands by the Thames in testimony. And the posted post-Easter. The programme runs
sometimes helps to start with our present queen and then story continues. reasonably say that they couldn’t hear up until 23 October – this is the new London SW1P 1QW
work backwards – most can, with a little pushing, get to what ‘he’ was saying. Various whistles date for our Speaker’s House event and • Call: 020 7798 9059
Queen Victoria and then it’s a short romp via William IV You don’t have to be American – or a student – to enjoy and beeps from the speakers merely details of how to book will be in the
• Email: friends@
to the Georges, and thence with long pauses and much learning, or re-learning, London’s Catholic history. Come added to our conviction that a decent mailing. This is a Friends’ Only event. If
westminstercathedral.org.uk
consultation, we can work back through the Stuarts to the and join us on a Catholic History Walk, whose dates and audio-visual system is an absolute you have been thinking of joining up,
Tudors and plunge into the Middle Ages. We are selling times are on this website: www.catholichistorywalks.org. priority. please do so! Registered Charity number 272899
Oremus April 2018 April 2018 Oremus
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