Friends,
I call you all to join with me in praying for the will of God to be done, with regard to the ultimatum which Rome has sent to his Exellency Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X.
It is a tense moment for us all, however, adding to the countless prayers which are being offered by the faithful- the perpetual Rosary crusade- we place the entire situation in our Good Mothers Hands.
Pater Noster, fiat voluntuas tua!
Sancte Mariae, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
A Lost Heritage - A personal historiography
This is a snap of my aunt’s First communion, which she recievied on the feast of Christ the King 1956. The Priest seen distributing the Blessed Sacrament is the late Fr. P. Hogan O.M.I. This is the parish from which our family originally originates. My Grandfather being associated with the Parish for well over 50 years, he and his elder sister- and duly both of his younger siblings, ‘converted’, or as he puts it as due to‘ conviction’ rather for the Catholic faith, from Anglicanism, when he was 19years old in 1954.
Since this time my family has had an intricate history with the parish, up until recently when we decided that the Novus ordo reforms had been taken to the extremes, most especially with the frequent occurrence of what our fellow parishioners deem “charismatic masses” – the night that I decided to leave was during the celebration of one of these masses in which the visiting priest equated the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, to that of his presence sacred scripture. I was the last of my family to receive baptism at the parish, a month following my birth on the 6th March 1987, thankfully by a relatively well minded O.M.I priest, Fr. B. Connelly who celebrated my mother and fathers nuptial mass at the parish on the 1st September 1984.
The original church, as seen above was once deemed to be the “model” parish in the diocese at the time, a title which was understandably deserved, considering the fervor and devotion of the various members of the parish, the period in question could be said to be the heyday of catholic culture in the city of Johannesburg. It is during this period of the 1950’s when such things as the Corpus Christi Procession would take place annually, St. Patrick’s hosting the event due to its close proximity to the Rand Show Grounds, where such ceremonies took place. Also seen in the parishes jurisdiction was the visit of the world renowned Fr. P. Peyton, apostle of the Rosary. I am privileged to say that my grandfather possesses a rosary blessed by him at the time of his visit. Such was the life of catholic people who lived in these Southern Suburbs.
This same ‘catholic culture’ was further enhanced by various other aspects. Firstly, by the large catholic population living in the area and its surrounds, in the early years of the parish its jurisdiction covered all the areas south of Johannesburg; one relates the story of one of its Parish priests, the well known Fr. L. Peron who would ride his bicycle from the parish in La Rochelle to Heidelburg, a town some 50km + away in order to carry out his parochial visits as well as to celebrate Mass for those Catholics resident there. The likes of such zealous priests have yet to be seen!
Those other aspects which influenced the vibrant catholic culture found in these suburbs are seen in the effects of Catholic Schooling in the area. The King Williams Town Dominican sisters established residence in the area since its first settlement in 1906, a small two bed roomed cottage which stood adjacent to the first tin and iron church in 6th Street served as the first ‘ St. Roses’ convent. The church at this time served two purposes, namely during the week as the convent school house and on the weekends and holydays as the parish church. The first priests were supplied by the then Pro- Cathedral in Kerk St. Doornfontein.
The parish grew drastically and soon gave reason for a new church to be built, however in the final attainment of this objective the admirable characteristics of the once ‘model’ parish have been seemingly lost to history. ( to be continued)
Since this time my family has had an intricate history with the parish, up until recently when we decided that the Novus ordo reforms had been taken to the extremes, most especially with the frequent occurrence of what our fellow parishioners deem “charismatic masses” – the night that I decided to leave was during the celebration of one of these masses in which the visiting priest equated the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, to that of his presence sacred scripture. I was the last of my family to receive baptism at the parish, a month following my birth on the 6th March 1987, thankfully by a relatively well minded O.M.I priest, Fr. B. Connelly who celebrated my mother and fathers nuptial mass at the parish on the 1st September 1984.
The original church, as seen above was once deemed to be the “model” parish in the diocese at the time, a title which was understandably deserved, considering the fervor and devotion of the various members of the parish, the period in question could be said to be the heyday of catholic culture in the city of Johannesburg. It is during this period of the 1950’s when such things as the Corpus Christi Procession would take place annually, St. Patrick’s hosting the event due to its close proximity to the Rand Show Grounds, where such ceremonies took place. Also seen in the parishes jurisdiction was the visit of the world renowned Fr. P. Peyton, apostle of the Rosary. I am privileged to say that my grandfather possesses a rosary blessed by him at the time of his visit. Such was the life of catholic people who lived in these Southern Suburbs.
This same ‘catholic culture’ was further enhanced by various other aspects. Firstly, by the large catholic population living in the area and its surrounds, in the early years of the parish its jurisdiction covered all the areas south of Johannesburg; one relates the story of one of its Parish priests, the well known Fr. L. Peron who would ride his bicycle from the parish in La Rochelle to Heidelburg, a town some 50km + away in order to carry out his parochial visits as well as to celebrate Mass for those Catholics resident there. The likes of such zealous priests have yet to be seen!
Those other aspects which influenced the vibrant catholic culture found in these suburbs are seen in the effects of Catholic Schooling in the area. The King Williams Town Dominican sisters established residence in the area since its first settlement in 1906, a small two bed roomed cottage which stood adjacent to the first tin and iron church in 6th Street served as the first ‘ St. Roses’ convent. The church at this time served two purposes, namely during the week as the convent school house and on the weekends and holydays as the parish church. The first priests were supplied by the then Pro- Cathedral in Kerk St. Doornfontein.
The parish grew drastically and soon gave reason for a new church to be built, however in the final attainment of this objective the admirable characteristics of the once ‘model’ parish have been seemingly lost to history. ( to be continued)
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Tuesday, June 10, 2008
JOHANNESBURG CATHOLICS TO HAVE THE EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE ROMAN RITE ONCE AGAIN
The extraordinary form of the Roman Rite - the traditional Latin mass -is set to make an official reappearance in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, once again after a period of nearly forty years.
A Priest of the Archdiocese has graciously taken it upon himself to learn how to offer the TLM and sacraments, so as to provide the Catholics of the Archdiocese with the the liturgy according to the 1962 Roman Missal.
We, pray in thanksgiving ,that God in his infinite goodness, has seen fit to answer the prayers of the faithful in providing them with someone who can attend to their specific spiritual needs.
No final arrangements have been made as to the final date on which the Mass will make its reappearance, however as soon as any decisions are made they will be posted on this blog.
Your continued prayers are asked in respect of this cause, Father needs all the spiritual strength he can find in setting forth on this particualr apostolate.
We once again thank God and our Bleesed Mother in attending to the prayers of so many of the faithful.
In Christ and our Good Mother
The Editor
A Priest of the Archdiocese has graciously taken it upon himself to learn how to offer the TLM and sacraments, so as to provide the Catholics of the Archdiocese with the the liturgy according to the 1962 Roman Missal.
We, pray in thanksgiving ,that God in his infinite goodness, has seen fit to answer the prayers of the faithful in providing them with someone who can attend to their specific spiritual needs.
No final arrangements have been made as to the final date on which the Mass will make its reappearance, however as soon as any decisions are made they will be posted on this blog.
Your continued prayers are asked in respect of this cause, Father needs all the spiritual strength he can find in setting forth on this particualr apostolate.
We once again thank God and our Bleesed Mother in attending to the prayers of so many of the faithful.
In Christ and our Good Mother
The Editor
CALL TO TRADITIONAL CATHOLICS HERE IN THE ARCHDIOCESE
TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS AND SACRAMENTS JOHANNESBURG
Any Catholic residing here in the Archdiocese who wishes to join our cause
is invited to contact me please with your relevant details. This is imperative so as to allow us to provide the Archbishop with something substantial in making our rightful request.
The contact details are to be found on the blog itself.
Many thanks
Editior
Any Catholic residing here in the Archdiocese who wishes to join our cause
is invited to contact me please with your relevant details. This is imperative so as to allow us to provide the Archbishop with something substantial in making our rightful request.
The contact details are to be found on the blog itself.
Many thanks
Editior
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Altar of Africa
Fr. Desmond Murray, O.P.
‘It is only the eyes of those who have a deep and vivid faith who can read the signs in the firmament or on the face of the earth. Indeed, it was the Portuguese and Spaniards with their deep faith and traditions who gave sacred names to countries, ports, bays islands and towns at which their ships touched. The world is strewn with such beautiful names: San Salvador, S. Crux, Ascension, S. Maria, Rosario, San Pedro, S. Paulo, S. Domingo, S. Ignacio and the rest, a whole calendar of saints’ names can be found in any good geographical index. These men did not paint the map red, they touched it with more precious colours, they left relic-names that have come down to us from ages of faith to the present age of infidelity.
When these wonderful sea travelers eventually reached the Cape they saw before them, from the helms of their ships, so tradition says, not only the great mountain we see to-day, not merely a flat table top of stone, but a mighty stone altar – the altar of Africa.
Across it was stretched a dazzling white altar-cloth of cloud. Like luminous candles the fading stars hung in the sky and the jewelled cross above. Down the sides of the altar ran silver streams of water, darkened to the colour of blood by quartz or sandstone rock over which they flowed; precious streams as the saving blood of Christ. The dawn radiantly holy, lit up the great altar table of rock with flames of sacrifice. The clear blue sky above might be Mary’s robe, as she adored before so befitting an altar, the sun arose to give more light to the glassy waters of the bay, slate-grey in colour, like the breast of a dove.
Then appeared the masses of verdure on the lower slopes of the mountain. In the clear crystal air one could pick out the tree tops where the falling waters seemed to disappear into the depths below. Birds of many rich colours passed swiftly to and fro; delicate insects of every shape and form filled the sunbeams, where aromatic scents of the flowers pervaded the air. All this made, and still makes, a perfect setting for so sacred a place – the Altar of Africa.’
‘It is only the eyes of those who have a deep and vivid faith who can read the signs in the firmament or on the face of the earth. Indeed, it was the Portuguese and Spaniards with their deep faith and traditions who gave sacred names to countries, ports, bays islands and towns at which their ships touched. The world is strewn with such beautiful names: San Salvador, S. Crux, Ascension, S. Maria, Rosario, San Pedro, S. Paulo, S. Domingo, S. Ignacio and the rest, a whole calendar of saints’ names can be found in any good geographical index. These men did not paint the map red, they touched it with more precious colours, they left relic-names that have come down to us from ages of faith to the present age of infidelity.
When these wonderful sea travelers eventually reached the Cape they saw before them, from the helms of their ships, so tradition says, not only the great mountain we see to-day, not merely a flat table top of stone, but a mighty stone altar – the altar of Africa.
Across it was stretched a dazzling white altar-cloth of cloud. Like luminous candles the fading stars hung in the sky and the jewelled cross above. Down the sides of the altar ran silver streams of water, darkened to the colour of blood by quartz or sandstone rock over which they flowed; precious streams as the saving blood of Christ. The dawn radiantly holy, lit up the great altar table of rock with flames of sacrifice. The clear blue sky above might be Mary’s robe, as she adored before so befitting an altar, the sun arose to give more light to the glassy waters of the bay, slate-grey in colour, like the breast of a dove.
Then appeared the masses of verdure on the lower slopes of the mountain. In the clear crystal air one could pick out the tree tops where the falling waters seemed to disappear into the depths below. Birds of many rich colours passed swiftly to and fro; delicate insects of every shape and form filled the sunbeams, where aromatic scents of the flowers pervaded the air. All this made, and still makes, a perfect setting for so sacred a place – the Altar of Africa.’
This is what we seek to restore
This is a pic of my home parish as it was in 1956, the mass being celebrated here is that of first communions on the feast of Christ the King. With the help of God and our Blessed Mother, may this Archdiocese one day see the like.
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