Sacred Heart

---- Forwarded Message ----
From: father patrick ...
Sent: Thu, 10 June, 2010 15:13:11
Subject: Closing of "The Year of the Priest"

Greetings and Peace in the Lord Jesus Christ!

As "the Year of the Priest"

comes to a close tomorrow,

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,

we give thanks to God

for the Blessings of this special year.

Tomorrow 10,000 priests will gather with

Pope Benedict

to thank God for the Priesthood

and

to Renew their commitment to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ

We join them in spirit and in prayer.

We thank God for this opportunity

for priests to grow spiritually

during this special year of Grace.

Sincerely in the Lord,

Father Patrick

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Sacred Heart - 2010

Solemnity Homily

This is a short account of what the doctrine and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus meant for St Gertrude.

Our Lord is Gertrude's spouse. He is the king, and she the queen. We need not see a reference to worldly court life in comparisons. Her references to it are always very vague. The thought behind them is more biblical than secular. It is simply intended to stress the natural majesty of God and the supernatural majesty which he has chosen to bestow upon his creature.

The relationship is not an equal one. God first loved us. Gertrude concentrates on his love and not hers. Thinking of his love, she thinks of what is traditionally the seat of love, the heart.

Gertrude and Mechthild of Hackeborn are known for their part in the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They did not invent it. They were instrumental in giving it form and making it ex­plicit. This is a devotion to the actual physical heart of the incarnate Son of God. This heart is part not only of his humanity. It is also part of his divinity. The two natures are united in a single person. It therefore contains the love not only of the man Jesus of Nazareth but also the love of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. The two cannot be separated.

Gertrude speaks of "the wound of your divine heart, tabernacle of divine faithful­ness and infallible truth." The litany of the Sacred Heart is not just a beautiful devotional composition. It is theologically accurate and informative. To a large extent, the Litany was taken from the writings of Gertrude and Mechthild. The Heart of Jesus was formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, certainly. It is a created thing, but it is "substantially united to the Word of God," that is, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

It is in speaking of the Sacred Heart that Gertrude most clearly expresses her deep awareness of the humanity and divinity of her beloved. When she sees her soul as a tree fixed in the wound in his side, the sap she draws from his heart is "the power of the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ." When her soul is drawn like wax into his heart, it emerges marked with the seal of the whole Trinity. She gives us a lovely image in which a crystalline stream flows from the Sacred Heart, coloured in gold and rose, This represents the divinity and the humanity. They are distinct but inseparable.

The essential point about the Sacred Heart is that it is the instrument of the union between God and humankind. It is not just God the Son but the whole Trinity. It is the harp of the Trinity, its instrument of communication within itself and to creatures. It is the Sacred Heart which draws creatures to God:

It is a reciprocal action; we are drawn into the heart of God, and from that heart we draw all divine virtues. Gertrude shows this by depicting it as a two-way flow through a golden tube, which is our free will. We are used to the concept of indwelling. God dwells in the soul of Gertrude. But this too is reciprocal. The Lord invites her into his heart and depicts his body as her monastery. One of Gertrude's notable spiritual experiences was the exchange of hearts, another was the piercing of her heart, but she also pierced his: "Each word that she sang appeared like the sharpest spear, thrown from her to pierce the heart of Jesus Christ, and filling it with ineffably sweet delight."

Ending

When we sing in choir we are not singing to an earthly audience. We are piercing the Heart of Jesus, provided our mind is in harmony with our voices. Gertrude had a beautiful voice. Fancy having a Susan Boyle in our choir!

Fr. Nivard - Community Chapter

Of Gods And Men?

COMMENTS

----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Donald Nunraw … To: William J … Sent: Wed, 9 June, 2010 21:15:15 Subject: Fw: [Blog] The title of the film of Tibhirine Dear, William, Thank you for clear my theology channels. My thoughts on the title, 'Of Gods and Men', strained my straightjacket of Thomist theolgy. It became even more difficult finding the the title is on the popuale series of 'Star Trek'. Your response looks into the scenario of the monks in Algeria. The depth of your thoughts seem to echo the outlook we have been learning from Mgr Teisier regarding reconciliation of Christian and Muslim people. To my amazement I have just read the long Review from SCREEN DAILY. It will speaks for itself. (following). Donald. + + + + + + + + + + + + http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-latest/of-gods-and-men-des-hommes-et-des-dieux/5014095.article Of Gods And Men (Des Hommes Et Des Dieux) 18 May, 2010 | By Jonathan Romney Dir: Xavier Beauvois. France 2010. 120mins One-time enfant terrible Xavier Beauvois has long been a respected presence on the French scene, making his name with dramas such as Don’t Forget You’re Going To Die (1995) and the police story Le Petit Lieutenant(2005). With Of Gods and Men, his time for wider recognition has surely come, this thoughtful but urgent piece showing that Beauvois has matured into a masterly director with tight, calm control of his material. Miles from the edgy, confrontational tenor of Don’t Forget…, Beauvois’s new film muses on the meaning of religious vocation in a violent world, and tackles its difficult subject with authoritative, non-sensationalist forcefulness. Timely themes - the dialogue between Islam and Christianity, questions of fundamentalist violence – make for a newsworthiness that will boost the film’s visibility in France, where it is released in September. The religious milieu might seem a drawback for wider sales appeal, but given the surprise niche success ofInto Great Silence, the 2005 German documentary about Trappist monks, this accessible and soberly life-affirming film should find solid uptake among buyers of material for discerning art-house audiences. Festivals will pledge their faith big-time. The film is inspired by real events, the still not entirely explained kidnap and murder of seven monks in Algeria in 1996 – but the narrative leads slowly round to the tragedy, which happens only at the very end, and largely off-screen. In a Cistercian monastery in North Africa in the 90s, eight monks live in cordial harmony with the local population. Brother Luc (Lonsdale) is the resident doctor, dispensing tender care and good advice, while the monastery’s head Brother Christian (Wilson) is as much versed in the Koran as in the Bible, giving him a special insight into, and respect for, the Islamic nation he has chosen to work in. But the country is increasingly in the grip of fundamentalist violence: early on, the film’s one piece of explicit brutality, the murder of some Croatian workers, is handled with discreet but arresting effect. As tension mounts, the brothers must decide whether to stay or leave, Christian coming under pressure from the friendly but increasingly impatient mayor to close the monastery, causing much soul-searching among the brothers, some of them contending with crises of faith. When a fundamentalist militia group turns up at the monastery, Christian trades Koranic quotes with their leader, and a détente is produced – but it clearly can’t last. Despite the not inconsiderable drama, Beauvois never attempts to make this a thriller à la Costa-Gavras. Rather, he carefully builds up a sense of the coherence and rhythms of the monastic life, interspersing the narrative with scenes showing the monks’ services (the cast contributing some well-tuned Cistercian chanting). Scripted by Etienne Comar with Beauvois, the film is especially compelling in its balancing of theological and political dimensions, showing that its heroes are not living in an ivory tower but are deeply involved in the meaning of their calling in relation to the outside world. The film is very timely, especially in France, where debate on Islam and the secular domain continues to be a political hot potato. What’s at stake is reconciliation between Islam and Christianity, with both French and Arab characters attacking fundamentalism: the film’s bottom line is that the two religions share a common respect for humanity. Key moments include a scene in which the monks resist the menacing presence of an army helicopter by effectively chanting it away; and a sort of Last Supper, as the monks enjoy each other’s company to the strains of ‘Swan Lake’. In this scene, cinematographer Caroline Champetier shows a wonderful sensitivity to the actors’ faces, mapping their emotional nuances in intimate close-up. Visually, the film is in a mode of low-key realism, with imposing but sparely composed landscapes firming up the sense of place. Viewers may detect echoes of Bresson and Pialat, but while Beauvois downplays the flourishes, this shouldn’t blind us to just how much directorial individuality there is here. The ending especially is all the more powerful for being, against expectations, intensely restrained. The ensemble cast downplay superbly, Lonsdale contributing his usual magisterial warmth and Wilson registering intellectual and spiritual conflict with great subtlety. Jacques Herlin also makes a strong impression as the monastery’s wizened but impish doyen. + + + + + + + + + + + ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: William J … To: Fr Donald … Sent: Wed, 9 June, 2010 18:33:55 Subject: Re: [Blog] The title of the film of Tibhirine Dear Father Donald, You kindly ask for my thoughts on the title chosen for the film depicting the life of the Atlas Martyrs, "Of Gods and Men". I believe that the title is telling of the Algerian crisis, indeed of radicalism itself... In the Catholic Church understanding, acceptance, and even where these fail, tolerance is shown for all faiths, for we believe that there is One God who embraces all mankind and who is honoured by all religions in their own way. I do not know what the radicals believe, their actions are so foreign to belief in the God of love, but their fanatiscism suggests to me that they must believe in God in a totally different way. And thus the film charts the life of 'Men' and of more than one god... Those who watch the film will judge the 'Men' of either side, and, I believe, will know beyond doubt the God (singular) who reigns in the hearts of the Atlas brothers and who is witnessed to by their actions. … in Our Lord, William.

St Columba Abbot

9 June 2010
We celebrate the day of Saint Columba (Colmcille) as a Feastday.
At the celebrant this morning gave us thumbnail sketch of the Saint of Iona
He is more accurate with the details than we find in Sunday Mail about a Movie projected of the Life of Columba. The Press Cilip ended as, "He is buried in Iona Abbey." Instead we learned at the Mass Inroduction the correct deatail that because of the Viking raids the remains of St. Columba were removed to Dunkeld where his relics were at the centre of a shrine.


MOVIE NEWS

Exclusive: Jeremy Irons to star in new film about St Columba

Nov 8 2009 Mike Merritt, Sunday Mail

OSCAR winner Jeremy Irons is to star in a major new movie about the saint who brought Christianity to Scotland.

The film on the life of St Columba by Shadowlands director Norman Stone will be shot either in Northern Ireland or the west of Scotland.

Producers are also in talks with another A-list Hollywood star said to be interested in the project - but Jeremy is already signed up to play the saint, who came to Scotland from Ireland.

Bafta-winner Stone, whose films include Florence Nightingale and CS Lewis - Beyond Narnia, said: "Jeremy is perfect for the role. He is fascinated by Columba, especially given his Irish ancestry and connections.

"He just can't wait to get started. This will be a wartsand-all portrayal.

"I see Columba as a man of incredible faith, integrity and strength - but at times flawed.

"He struggled with hunger for power. He was cunning, brave and an independent spirit which sometimes he found difficult to fit into his holy orders.

"But he was a gifted man who changed the religious and social map of Scotland and Britain.

"He was not a saintly saint and this film will be more of a character study and a political thriller than a Christian epic.

"Columba will not wear a halo. It needs big-screen treatment and in Jeremy we have the right person to deliver the performance we are looking for."

The movie, The End Time, will be shot either in the spring or autumn of next year, with screening six months later.

Jeremy, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for Reversal Of Fortune in 1990, worked with Stone on BBC drama The Dream in 1993.

A source close to the actor said: "He is delighted to be involved and looking forward to working with Norman."

Columba arrived in Scotland from Ireland and established a monastery on the island of Iona in 563AD.

He began converting the pagan Scots to Christianity and built several churches across the Outer Hebrides before his death at the age of 75. He is buried in Iona Abbey.

reporters@sundaymail.co.uk

_________________________________________________________

DERRY JOURNAL

Irons to star in St Columba film

Published Date: 29 January 2010

The life of Derry's patron saint is set to receive the big screen treatment starring Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons.

• The story of St Columba will be brought to life by Bafta award-winning director Norman Stone and could be shot in the north west.
• It is believed the film, called 'The End Time,' will focus on the Gartan-born saint's political involvement as wellas his faith.
• As a member of a noble family, Columba could have become a king if he had not chosen a religious life and become involved in attempts to resolve a number of the political disputes of his time.
• Jeremy Irons, who won an Oscar for his performance in 'Reversal of Fortune' in 1990, has already signed up to play the saint, who established a monastery in Derry in 546 AD where the Long Tower Church now stands.
• Norman Stone says the English actor - who lives in Ireland - is ideally suited to play the saint.
• "Jeremy is perfect for the role. He is fascinated by Columba, especially given his Irish ancestry and connections. He just can't wait to get started."
• Mr Stone says the film will focus on all aspects of Columba's life. "I see Columba as an man of incredible faith, integrity and strength, but, at time, flawed.
• "He struggled with hunger for power. He was cunning, brave and an independent spirit which sometimes he found it difficult to fit into his holy orders. But he was a gifted man who changed the religious and social map of Scotland and Britain."
• Tradition states that Columba's actions led to a major battle in which hundreds were killed and this may have influenced his decision to leave Ireland for Iona.
• Norman Stone adds: "He was not a saintly saint and this film will be more a character study and a political thriller than a Christian epic. Columba will not wear a halo. It needs big-screen treatment and, in Jeremy, we have the right person to deliver the performance we are looking for."

COMMENT Cannnes Festival

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: William J ...
To: Fr Donald ...
Sent: Tue, 8 June, 2010 18:52:52
Subject: Re: [Dom Donald's Blog] Tibhirine

Dear Father Donald,

That is fascinating (how you obtain such news!). I have studied the preamble, and feel that this can only extend their witness to Christ, to the Order faithful within the decimated Church of Algeria, and to humanity through the fidelity of their love, and that it will have a deep influence worldwide. I see it is to be released in France 8th September - perhaps the Order could obtain an early report from attendees from monasteries in France. The insight into their daily life admist the circumstances that surrounded them, and their faith and fidelity in the face of the advancing terror, will be fascinating, and Fr. Christian's testimony is sure to feature strongly - I should love to see how the circumstances of his writing is portrayed. Passing over any commercial drama aspects, I am very excited that such a tribute should stand to their memory.

I shall think about this constantly.

... in Our Lord,

William

+ + + + + + + + + + +
Thank you, William.
May I ask your thoughts on the Film title,
"Des Hommes et des Dieux"?

Movie - Monks of Tibhirine

Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance

(Trappists)

---

Movie about

our brothers of Atlas

On 23 May the Cannes Film Festival awarded the Grand Prix (2nd prize) to the film Des hommes et des Dieux (Of Men and Gods), a movie based on the story of our brothers of Atlas, martyred in 1996.

For more information, see

the Cannes Festival site:

www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/11023154.html

the Catholic News Agency:

www.catholicnewsagency.com/archive/2010/05/25/

Solemnity Corpus Christi

Sunday, June 6 The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ CORPUS CHRISTI 2010 Homily: Fr. Raymond Each and every one of the seven Sacraments of our faith is described by the old catechism formula of: “An outward sign of inward grace”. In the case of the Eucharist the outward sign is simple and obvious: it is the outward appearances of the bread and wine; but the inward grace is a much more complex matter. The outward signs of bread and wine would convey to us the great truth that just as natural bread and wine are food and drink for the body, so the sacramental bread and wine are spiritual food and drink for the soul; and this of course is true as far as it goes. In other words, just as natural food and drink give nourishment and growth to the body, so do the sacramental bread and wine give spiritual nourishment and growth to the soul. Likewise, natural food maintains our physical strength for the business and hardships of life and this reminds us of the story of the angel telling Elijah to rise and partake of the miraculous bread and drink or the journey to the meeting place with God would be too much for him. So here we have some of the effects of the Eucharist brought home to us by the outward signs of bread and wine. We are taught by these signs that in the Eucharist we gain not only growth and nourishment and strength, but also stamina, that is to say the virtue of perseverance. But there remains one other outward sign whose significance is so great that we can hardly dare to imagine it: this is the outward sign of the actual eating of the elements. By our consumption of the natural elements of bread and wine we turn these elements into our very own substance. They become part of our very life, our very being, we live by them. So, by our consumption of the sacred elements of the Eucharist we have another, and unique meaning to the outward sign of the Eucharist: it conveys the incredible truth that we live in intimate communion with the Lord. “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I in him.” “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” Thus the Eucharist ensures that the essential meaning of what it is to be a Christian is unmistakenly brought home to us. Our religion is one not just of belief in God; it is not just one of worship of God, nor is it just one of obedience to God. It is, in fact, a religion of intimate communion of love with God and it is impossible to partake of this wondrous sacrament without being made aware of this. Such is the loving wisdom of God in instituting this sacrament of sacraments.

Northern Cross St. Robert of Newminster

Br. Aidan, of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, received the June Issue of the Norhtern Star, Newcastle Catholic Newspaper, this morning (Monday).

The News completes the St. Robert Year.

The Saint Robert of Newminster Year of celebration draws to a close PARISHIONERS of St Robert's, Morpeth, will walk from church to the grounds of the ruined Newminster Abbey on the eve of the feast of St Robert of Newminster. Parishioners of St Robert's, Fenham will join their Morpeth friends for the walk, on June 6, which culminates with Vespers at the Abbey. This will mark the end of the year of celebration marking the 850tb anniversary of the death of Saint Robert in 1159. The walk starts at 3pm. and on return to the Church there will be refreshments in the church hall. On the feast day June 7 there will be Mass at St Robert's at 6pm followed by a family ceilidh and pie and pea supper at the Riverside Lodge. Parish priest Fr Lawrence Jones will lead the walk and offer the next day’s Mass, and will be accompanied by Fr James Doherty. who lives in retirement in the presbytery at Morpeth,

_______________________________________________________________________

Earlier (Sunday):

Last year we marked the 850th Anniversary. This eveing I got in contact with George ... of Morpeth and Fenham. He tells me that, in fact, today a good attendance were present to visit the site of Minster Abbey and return to gather at St. Roberts of Minster at Morpeth Church, and on to the Hall for the traditional hospitality.

We learned from George of one shadow on the occasion by the death of Fr. Kevin Gallagher at the age of 62 -the funeral to be at Our Lady of the Sea on Tuesday.

See the POST as from last year 2009.

POSTED BY FR DONALD AT 10:55 3 COMMENTS LINKS TO THIS POST

SUNDAY, 7 JUNE 2009

St Robert of Newminster (June 7) 850th Anniversary

George Thornton, author of Newminster Abbey writes, On 7 June the feast of our patron, the Cistercian, St. Robert, our two parishes in Fenham and Morpeth, celebrated the 850th. Anniversary of the saint by meeting at his Church in Morpeth. ....

_________________________________

Monday, 07 June 2010 ST. ROBERT OF NEWMINSTER (12th century)

In 1132 Robert was a monk at Whitby, England, when news arrived that thirteen religious had been violently expelled from the Abbey of St. Mary, in York, for having proposed to restore the strict Benedictine rule. He at once set out to join them, and found them on the banks of the Skeld, near Ripon, living in the midst of winter in a hut made of hurdles and roofed with turf. In the spring they affiliated themselves to St. Bernard's reform at Clairvaux, and for two years struggled on in extreme poverty. At length the fame of their sanctity brought another novice, Hugh, Dean of York, who endowed the community with all his wealth, and thus laid the foundation of Fountains Abbey. In 1137 Raynulph, Baron of Morpeth, was so edified by the example of the monks at Fountains that he built them a monastery in Northumberland, called Newminster, of which St. Robert became abbot.

The holiness of his life, even more than his words, guided his brethren to perfection, and within the next ten years three new communities went forth from this one house to become centres of holiness in other parts. The abstinence of St. Robert in refectory alone sufficed to maintain the mortified spirit of the community. One Easter Day, his stomach, weakened by the fast of Lent, could take no food, and he at last consented to try to eat some bread sweetened with honey. Before it was brought, he felt this relaxation would be a dangerous example for his subjects, and sent the food untouched to the poor at the gate. The plate was received by a young man of shining countenance, who straightway disappeared. At the next meal the plate descended empty, and by itself, to the abbot's place in the refectory, proving that what the Saint sacrificed for his brethren had been accepted by Christ.

At the moment of Robert's death, in 1159, St. Godric, the hermit of Finchale, saw his soul, like a globe of fire, borne up by the angels in a pathway of light; and as the gates of heaven opened before them, a voice repeated twice, "Enter now, my friends."

Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. [1894]

The reprint of George Thornton’s book “Gods, Saints and a Scholar: The Early Northumbrian Experience”, (St. Robert of Minster of major interest), is expected.

Corpus Christi - spiritual communion

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: William J ...
To: Donald ...
Sent: Sun, 6 June, 2010 11:50:17
Subject: The Body and Blood of Christ - spiritual communion

Dear Father Donald,

Out in the world, it is sadly most often that I am unable to attend Mass each day, and thus each day I unite with you at Nunraw in your celebration and reception of the Eucharist as dawn is breaking. Each of us has a favourite treasured 'formula' for spiritual communion, but there is one that may be so easily adapted from the prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas, as given for the commentary on this feast day at a web link you gave us http://dailygospel.org

What a wonderful feast day this is in the life of the Church.

What a feast of fascinating articles to inspire and encourage you have given us these recent days on your Blog - thank you!

... in Our Lord,

William

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) - Solemnity : Lc 9,11-17

Commentary of the day
Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Dominican theologian, Doctor of the Church
Prayers

“The bread of angels becomes food for pilgrims, true bread of God’s children” (Sequence of the feast)

Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the sacrament of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I come sick to the doctor of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the radiance of eternal light, and poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth.

Lord, in your great generosity, heal my infirmity, wash away my defilement, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I receive the bread of angels (Ps 78:25), the King of kings and Lord of lords (1Tm 6:15), with humble reverence, with the purity and faith, the repentance and love, and the determined purpose that will help to bring me to salvation.

May I receive the sacrament of the Lord's Body and Blood, and its reality and power. Kind God, may I so receive the Body of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which was born from the womb of the Virgin Mary, that I be received into his mystical Body and numbered among his members.

Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage I now receive your beloved Son under the veil of a sacrament, may I one day see him Face to face in glory, who lives and reigns with you for ever. Amen.