More than 60 Christmas Masses in the Extraordinary Form will be celebrated throughout England and Wales this year, marking a significant rise compared with previous years.
In 2012, 44 Christmas Masses were advertised by the Latin Mass Society, followed by 50 Masses in both 2013 and 2014.But this year, 61 Masses in the Extraordinary Form will be available throughout England and Wales.
Dr Joseph Shaw, chairman of the Latin Mass Society, said: “We are delighted to be able to report so many Masses to be celebrated in the traditional form at Christmas, in these and in many other places, demonstrating the growing appreciation of our ancient Catholic liturgy.”
He added: “Pope Francis’s pontificate has seen the coming to fruition of a good many long-term projects and trends relating to the Extraordinary Form, including two new regular Sunday EF venues in London, new apostolates for both the Institute of Christ the King and the Fraternity of St Peter in the north of England, a new Oratory in York, and the establishment of the friars at Gosport on the south coast.”
Latin Mass Society general manager Stephen Moseling said: “This year there are more traditional Latin Masses over Christmas in England and Wales than there have ever been since the Latin Mass Society was formed 50 years ago. This is welcome news as our 50th anniversary year draws to a close.”
Mr Moseling said there was a broad geographical spread of Masses. He noted: “Masses are held as far north as York, Scunthorpe and Liverpool, and as far south as Newquay and Margate.
“Those spending Christmas in the capital have a choice between Midnight Mass at St Mary Moorfields in the City of London, and the Brompton Oratory or St James’s, Spanish Place on Christmas Day.”
Terminally ill pilgrim fulfils wish to meet Pope
A Scottish woman who may have only months to live has fulfilled her wish to meet Pope Francis in Rome, thanks to online donations.
Corinne Barber, 42, from Leith, Edinburgh, also received a blessing from the Pope during a general audience. Miss Barber, who has a complex congenital heart defect, described it as the “journey of a lifetime”. She said: “I feel more energised and more focused than I have done in years.”
She made the pilgrimage with her mother Irene Barber and her husband Andrew Wynne. The trip, which was made possible by well-wishers from her GoFundMe page and the office of the Archbishop of Edinburgh, included a private tour of the Vatican.
Miss Barber said: “The whole experience has been beautiful and extremely emotional. I have had the honour of seeing the Sistine Chapel, the Apostolic Palace and have been brought to tears visiting the chambers under the Basilica and seeing the bones of St Peter. But, of course, the highlight of my trip was receiving the blessing from Pope Francis.
“The walk through the Vatican and into the general audience was like a journey back in time. It was almost as though the scene may have been trapped in amber for hundreds of years.
“Towards the end of the service Pope Francis descended and moved to meet those in wheelchairs personally. He walked among us – greeting and touching the hands of many. Then he stopped in front of me and touched my head and blessed me. It was the most wonderful experience imaginable. Afterwards, I went back to my hotel and slept solidly for six hours.”
Miss Barber’s brother Darren, who set up the fundraising page, said: “The whole family would like to thank everyone who has supported the GoFundMe campaign and made this trip a reality for Corinne.”
Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh said: “We are thrilled that Corinne finally made a pilgrimage to the Vatican … It’s a dream come true – or, rather, a prayer answered – and we were delighted to play our part.”
Nuncio makes historic visit to Royal Navy
Archbishop Antonio Mennini has become the first Apostolic Nuncio to Britain to make an official visit to the Royal Navy.
Archbishop Mennini was greeted by the Second Sea Lord, Admiral Jonathan Woodcock, and Mgr Andrew McFadden, the principal Catholic Chaplain to the Royal Navy, at Admiralty House in the historic naval base at Portsmouth.
Archbishop Mennini attended morning prayers with the naval community at St Ann’s, the naval church in the dockyard. He also went to sea to join the crew of HMS Cattistock, which hoisted the yellow and white papal flag to mark the occasion.
The ship was then anchored at Spithead, off the Isle of Wight, before the archbishop was taken to the Maritime Warfare School at HMS Collingwood for Mass and a special lunch.
Mgr Andrew McFadden said: “The Royal Navy did the nuncio proud. He really was treated as a VIP visitor. As well as meeting chaplains and senior officers, he had plenty of time to chat with sailors including the ship’s company of HMS Cattistock. The Naval Chaplaincy Service was truly honoured by the visit.”
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