Duns Scotus Should be Saint & Doctor

Blessed John Duns Scotus Church, Glasgow

Gorbals Chapel open again

September 14, 2010

The Blessed John Duns Scotus Chapel in the Gorbals has re-opened for worship, five years after a fallen candle sent it up in flames.

The blaze started on 7 July 2005, the same day London’s transport system was targeted by suicide bombers. In the interim five years, the congregation have had to pray and take Mass in the adjoining church hall.

November 8
Blessed John Duns Scotus
(c. 1266-1308)

http://saints.sqpn.com/saintj55.htm

Beatified

20 March 1993 by John Paul II (cultus confirmed)

John Duns Scotus, Saint and Doctor of the Church

Catholic Plane twww.catholicplanet.com

John Duns Scotus should be canonized a Saint and declared a Doctor of the Church for the following reasons: 

1. He led a holy life and was a devout Catholic. 

2. By God's Grace and Providence, he understood the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception before most theologians, Bishops, priests, and laypersons. 

3. He taught, clarified, and upheld the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception even when the idea was rejected by those around him. It is difficult to understand and believe a doctrine which is rejected by one's peers. John Duns Scotus not only understood and believed, but also stood nearly alone in arguing strongly for this doctrine. 

4. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is one of the most important teachings about the Virgin Mary. The Immaculate Conception both defines the beginning of her life and conditions the remainder of her life. Without the Immaculate Conception, the Virgin Mary would not be herself. God chose to teach the Church the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception through John Duns Scotus, therefore he is a Doctor of the Church. 

The requirements for canonization should be adjusted in this extraordinary case. There are many Saints and Blesseds in the Church, but few have contributed to the understanding of a fundamental doctrine in the same manner and degree as John Duns Scotus. No verification of a miracle should be required for the canonization of Duns Scotus because of his exemplary efforts to advance the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception before it was widely accepted by Bishops, theologians, and the faithful. 

by Ronald L. Conte Jr.

Comment:
Drawing on the work of John Duns Scotus, Pope Pius IX solemnly defined the Immaculate Conception of Mary in 1854. John Duns Scotus, the "Subtle Doctor," was beatified in 1993.
Father Charles Balic, O.F.M., the foremost 20th-century authority on Scotus, has written: "The whole of Scotus's theology is dominated by the notion of love. The characteristic note of this love is its absolute freedom. As love becomes more perfect and intense, freedom becomes more noble and integral both in God and in man" (New Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 1105).

Quote:
Intelligence hardly guarantees holiness. But John Duns Scotus was not only brilliant, he was also humble and prayerful—the exact combination St. Francis wanted in any friar who studied. In a day when French nationalism threatened the rights of the pope, Scotus sided with the papacy and paid the price. He also defended human freedom against those who would compromise it by determinism.Ideas are important. John Duns Scotus placed his best thinking at the service of the human family and of the Church.

Pope in Spain Barcelona

Courtesy of: http://saltandlighttv.org/blog/?page_id=2

Pope in Spain: Consecration of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia ChurchNovember 7th, 2010

It was an event over 120 years in the making. A day that Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi had always dreamed about. The day that the greatest work of his life and career would be consecrated by the leader of the Catholic Church.

The Sagrada Familia Church garners over 4 million visitors a year, but up until today it was not considered to be a legitimate place of worship due to its incomplete construction. Many factors have delayed the construction of the Church; the untimely death of Antoni Gaudi, its primary architect, the obstacles for various architects in attempting to achieve Gaudi’s vision for the Church, funding and resources. The Church is expected to be completely finished for 2026. The current chief architect, Jordi Bonet Armengo said he hopes the Pope’s visit will boost funding for the Church’s completion which comes from private donors and tourists. Sagrada Familia will be the tallest Church in the world once its construction is complete.

Today’s Mass and Consecration ceremony began with opening addresses from the Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Lluis Martinez Sistach and the current architect Jordi Bonet Armengo. The ceremony was one of great reverence, accounting for the solemnity of the Consecration and its historical significance for the Church.  The Pope spread holy oil along the Church altar thus performing the rite of Consecration. Over 6,500 people were present inside the Church, with tens of thousands watching the Mass outdoors on a large screen in the square.

A repeat of the Mass will air TONIGHT at 8:30 pm ET, 9:30 PT

CLICK HERE for programming details.

The Pope’s Homily recalled the role and history of the Church structure as well as the significance of the Sagrada Familia Church. He praised the architect Antoni Gaudi for his ability to bring the realms of man and God together in his work.  he described Gaudi’s use ofthe elements of nature throughout the Sagrada Familia combined together with the sacred images of Jesus’ birth, passion, death and resurrection. An interesting parallel between Saint André of Montreal and Antoni Gaudi arose in the homily. The Pope remarked that Gaudi dedicated the Church to St. Joseph and would not live to see its completion, just as Br. André dedicated the Oratory in Montreal to St. Joseph and did not live to see its completion. Both Saint André and Gaudi are interred in their respective projects. Pope Benedict also said it was particularly significant that he is the Pope performing the dedication of the Basilica, because his baptismal name is after all, Joseph.   

Read the FULL TEXT of the Pope’s Homily below:  

Pope in Spain Nov 6th 2010

Pope in Spain: Mass in the Plaza del Obradoiro

The first Mass of the Pope’s Apostolic Visit to Spain took place in Obradoiro Square next to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The square was filled to capacity with over 7,000 people  present, including an estimated 600 priests and 100 Cardinals and Bishops. Another 20,000 people were in the vicinity for the event.

The Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela welcomed the Holy Father in the local Galician language.  In his address, the Archbishop warmly thanked the Pope for his visit, saying that their desire to have him join them had finally come true. He called Pope Benedict a pilgrim of faith and witness of the risen Christ.  He reflected on some of the oldest Christian pilgrimages in our history. He said Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago are routes for the man who refuses to choke on materialism. He reiterated Pope Benedict’s earlier remarks inside the Cathedral; that the country of Spain needs  a revitalization of its faith. He says the Church is Spain must find the strength to go on a pilgrimage to re-evangelize.

The music throughout the Mass was performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Galicia, accompanied by the Choir of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The music was all performed in a classical style, known to be the Pope’s favourite type of music. One of their pieces was a beautiful rendition of Mozart’s Kyrie Eleison.

Pope Benedict’s Homily focused on the Christian roots of European Continent. He called for a return to faith and a rejection of Western secularism.  The Pope once again called himself a pilgrim among pilgrims who are thirsting for faith. The pilgrim symbol resonated throughout the Pope’s Homily. Find the full text below:

Mass, Plaza del Obradoiro, Santiago de Compostela

Homily of the Holy Father

6 November 2010

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,

I give thanks to God for the gift of being here in this splendid square filled with artistic, cultural and spiritual significance.  During this Holy Year, I come among you as a pilgrim among pilgrims, in the company of all those who come here thirsting for faith in the Risen Christ, a faith proclaimed and transmitted with fidelity by the apostles, among whom was James the Great, who has been venerated at Compostela from time immemorial.

I extend my gratitude to the Most Reverend Julián Barrio Barrio, Archbishop of this local church, for his words of welcome, to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Asturias for the kind presence, and likewise to the Cardinals and to my many Brother Bishops and priests here today.  My greeting also goes to members of the Camino de Santiago group of the European Parliament, as well as to the national, regional and local authorities who are attending this celebration.   

Basilica of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona,

   Thank you,

                 Fr. Patrick.
It is new to me and the amazing Basilica of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and
it deserves the Net pictures.
It is well that the Pope keeps well.
We have the Autumn influenza knocking us out for six.
God bless.
Donald

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: father patrick
Sent: Thu, 4 November, 2010 22:22:10
Subject: Pope to Spain

 

My dear Friend in Christ:

We need your prayers for Pope Benedict XV1.

This coming Saturday and Sunday

the Holy Father goes

to SanDiego Compestello

and

to Barcelona, Spain.

Pray for his Pilgrimage:

to the Shrine of St. James

and

to Bless the Basilica of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona,

created by the wonderful Barcelona architect Antonio Gaudit

Love and Peace

in this season to remember our departed loved ones

 

   father patrick

  

Nivard Kinsella Roscrea

We remember  Fr. Nivard Kinsella OCSU  of Mount Saint Joesph Abbey,     whose funeral took place    at Roscrea this Friday afternoon.      May he rest in peace.   Saturday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time Letter to the Philippians 4:10-19. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 16:9-15.Mass Intro: Fr. Nivard McGlynn (Bamenda). God loves generosity.  He gives generously and liberally to those who share his gifts with others.  The Pharisees, however, had no room in their hearts for God. The gospel says they were lovers of money.  Love of money and wealth crowd out love of God and love of neighbour.  Jesus makes clear that our heart must either be possessed by God's love or our heart will be possessed by the love of something else.        God was already in the heart of Our Lady.  When the angel Gabriel appeared to her she responded with the gift of herself.  She pondered these things in her heart.  She gave each one of us the gift of her divine Son.  He is our most precious treasure if we respond with our whole heart.  Let us give Him to our brothers and sisters, as did Our Blessed Mother, Mary.  Let us pray.    Lord God, give to your people the joy of continual health in mind and body. With the prayers of the Virgin Mary to help us, guide us through the sorrows of this life to eternal happiness in the life to come.    Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who live and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen Bidding Prayer:               Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son and his Mother. May the fire of your love burn in our hearts that we may be wholly devoted to you above material things and all else, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Prayer after Communion,  Let us pray.     Lord, we rejoice in your sacraments and ask your mercy as we honour the memory of the Virgin Mary. May her faith and love inspire us to serve you more faithfully in the work of salvation.  Grant this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

St Charles Borromeo, 4 Nov, 2010

Abbot Mark: Introduction to Mass    

Intercession of Charles Borromeo supported by the Virgin Mary by Rottmayr (Karlskirche, Vienna)

                        

St Charles Borromeo spent a full and energetic life in a few short years.  He lived in 16 century Italy after the time of the Council of Trent.  His life-work was to help purify the Church from the abuses of the time and to reform his archdiocese of Milan.  His efforts did not go without opposition but they did renew the life in the parishes of his archdiocese and influenced the Church beyond the See of Milan.

As we come to celebrate our Eucharist in honour of St Charles, let us call to mind our own need of renewal.

1.       Lord you send messengers to instruct and lead us in the way of the Gospel.             Lord, have mercy.

2.       You open the eyes of those who have fallen away from your truth.                           Christ, have mercy.

3.       Lord, You give us your Spirit to fill our hearts with your love.                                  Lord, have mercy.

Prayer of the Faithful/ Conclusion.

God our Father, in your love you give us our needs.
May our lives grow in the strength of your gifts.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preceptory of St Bernard of Clairvaux, Temple, Scotland

The Berwickshire News, Thurs, October 07 2010        www.berwickshirenews.co.uk.

Picture: Knight Templar, Achie Shiels from Ayton is
welcomed to Spain by the Mayor of Teba 

 

Ayton’s Knight Templar’s pilgrimage to Spain.

AN AYTON man led a special visit to Spain recently to remember a crucial battle that took place back in 1330.

A group of Knight Templars from the Preceptory of St Bernard of Clairvaux, fronted by Archie Shields travelled to Teba on September 19 to take part in a day of events in memory of Sir James Douglas and other Scots . that fell in battle well over 600 years ago.

History states that Sir lames, friend and lieutenant of Robert the Bruce, was asked by Bruce on his death bed to take his heart on a crusade to the Holy Land

Douglas set out bearing Bruce's heart in a silver casket. The party stopped first at Sluys in Flanders. There they received confirmation that Alfonso XI of Castile was preparing a campaign against the Muslims of the kingdom of Granada. Accordingly, they sailed on to Seville, where Sir James and his solemn relic were received by Alfonso with great honour.

Teba Castle

Douglas and his company joined Alfonso's army, which was then setting out for the frontier of Granada to besiege the castle· of Teba, but unfortunately at some point during the stage, Douglas was killed

His body and Bruce's heart were later recovered and eventually both Sir James and Robert the Bruce's remains returned to Scotland

On arrival in Teba, Archie and the rest of the Knight Templars were greeted with a warm reception from locals and were welcomed at the village's town hall by the mayor, after which a memorial took place in the council chambers.

The service was conducted by the Rt Rev Peter Miln and a passage was read by David Bruce Lochart, whose ancestor, Sir Simon Lochart, fought at the battle of Teba.

The service was followed by a civic reception where gifts were exchanged and the Order presented letters of good will from Andrew Bruce, The Earl of Elgin and David Niven, Grand Master of the Order of Scotland A letter was also handed over on behalf of the Abbot and monks of the Cistercian Abbey of Nunraw, East Lothian.

From the town hall, a procession took place to the Bruce/Douglas memorial where floral tributes were laid on behalf of The Great Priory of Scotland, The District Grand Priory of South East Scotland and The Preceptory of St Bernard of Clairvaux in memory of those Scots that fell on the plains of Teba on the 1330.

A piper played The Flowers of the Forest, and at the end of the ceremony a crowd of several hundred villagers Simultaneously gave a rousing round of applause.

Then the knights returned back to the town hall where they were dismissed.

Later, a formal dinner took place near to the Castle De La Estrella (the castle of the stars) were the large part of the action took place during the battle of Teba.

Archie said the trip would be something he'd never forget and felt immensely proud to have been at the helm of the Templars for the occasion.

He. commented: "Our visit fell in line with Teba's own memorial days and the response we got from the villagers who turned out on the streets on hearing of our coming, was fantastic.

"There were 40 of us Scots went .across and then there was also the equivalent of Spanish knights. To my knowledge it was the first time so many Scots had made the memorial trip.

"The village itself was decked out terrifically with St Andrew's crosses everywhere which made the occasion seem even more special.

"Some representatives from a Scottish living history group just so happened to be over there the same time as us, so we had people dressed up as Robert the Bruce and Sir James Douglas in our parade.

"I grew up in Lanarkshlre, not too far from the Douglas Estate. As a child I read about James Douglas and his involvement in the Battle of Bannockburn and after I heard the story of Teba at the age of eight, I made a promise to myself that I would one day visit the place.

"The opportunity came to me as a member of the Preceptory and I put it to them about doing a pilgrimage to the village.

‘They were keen and as they say the rest is history so I’ve now fulfilled my ambition.”

Teba Procession

Bunting of Saltire (St Andrew) Flags by the Teba community

Cistercians Ireland

 

Roscrea Abbey

Tuesday, 02 November 2010 17:26

November 2, 2010 : Father Nivard Kinsella. Born in 1927 in Dublin (Ireland), he entered Roscrea in 1944 and made his solemn profession in 1949. He was ordained a priest in 1951. Father was 83 years old, had been in monastic vows for 64 years and was a priest  for 59 years when the Lord called him.

Funeral Mass on

Friday, 5^th Novemnber 2010

2PM

+ + +

 

Election at Mount Melleray

Wednesday, 03 November 2010 12:56

On November 3, 2010, the community of Mount Melleray (Ireland) elected as Abbot for a six year term Dom Augustine McGregor, who was Superior ad nutumof Mount Melleray at the time of the election. He had been Abbot of Mellifont from 2004 to 2010.

Mount Melleray

Syrian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad

Pope condemns Baghdad church attack

Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 10:29 pm

Pope Benedict during yesterday's Angelus Politicians and church leaders around the world have expressed their shock at  the siege at the Syrian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad on Sunday, which ended with at least 39 people being killed and dozens injured. On All Saints Day, Pope Benedict told pilgrims in St Peter's Square: "I pray for the victims of this absurd violence, all the more ferocious in that it struck defenceless people united in the house of God, which is a place of love and reconciliation." The pontiff said he wanted to renew his call for peace in the Middle East. "Confronted with atrocious episodes of violence which continues to tear apart the populations of the Middle East, I want to renew my call for peace," he said. Armed militants wearing explosives stormed the church on Sunday while at least 100 parishioners were celebrating evening Mass, news reports said. The terrorists first set off a car bomb across the street in front of the Baghdad Stock Exchange, which left at least two people dead. Then they stormed the church, killing another two people, according to reports. Associated Press reported today that at least 39 people were killed, including hostages, Iraqi security forces and suspected militants. Other agencies have said 52 people dead and 56 people wounded. One report said Iraqi church sources included three young priests among those dead. The Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan was in Canada when the attack happened. In a statement, he criticized the lack of security for Christian places of worship and called on "Iraqi parties to overcome their personal and confessional interests and look for the good of the Iraqi people who have elected them."

All Souls

Mass Intro: Fr. S… .

May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace

Book of Wisdom 3:1-9.
Letter to the Romans 6:3-9.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 6:37-40.

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

2^nd Nov 2010

Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of all saints. Some of them are extraordinary and famous and others are ordinary including our loved ones who lived their Christian life according to the ideals which Christ set before us in the beatitudes and have entered the glory of heaven.

                 Today, the Church commemorates all the faithful departed focussing mainly on the souls in purgatory still awaiting the fullness of life they will enjoy in heaven when purified of all their sins. They suffer in purgatory as they cannot see the vision of God. We can help them by our prayers, offering sacrifice of the Mass and almsgiving so that thus purified from their sins they may attain the beatific vision of God.

                  Today, we rejoice in our own salvation which has been achieved by Jesus’ passion and death. The Lord has risen from dead and thus he conquered sin and death. Now we have the opportunity   to share with the risen life of Christ and look forward to life after death with him in heaven. This is our Christian hope.             

All Saints Solemnity

Community Sermon after Lauds by Br. Barry

ALL SAINTS 2010.

‘Give us a place among your saints in glory that will never end’.

While we are on this earth we are always in a place, a location. The words just quoted from the Te Deum tell us that in the next life too there are places, places occupied by the saints. On the surface of the earth, there are many spots where the two places, a place on earth and a place in heaven, correspond. These are the places of pilgrimage, holy places.

Firstly, the place of a saint’s mortal remains will become a holy place, Assisi for St. Francis and St. Clare, for example. If there are no mortal remains, anywhere associated with a saint suffices: the place of his or her birth or somewhere to do with their life’s work: Whithorn for St. Ninian, Monte Cassino or Subiaco or Norcia for St. Benedict.Then there is the spot where a martyr was killed or a place of apparition maybe.

 A place may also be linked to a saint not so much as a place of pilgrimage but as falling under a saint’s protection and this applies of course to whole countries and even whole continents. A clear illustration, on a slightly smaller scale than continents, can be found not far away from here.

The small Borders town of Innerleithen, population two and a half thousand, lies six miles east of Peebles. In the town and surrounding area there are street names, landmarks, a school, a silver band and an hotel all named after St. Ronan, a Celtic saint who died in the eighth century. The badge of the local football team depicts St. Ronan sailing in his coracle, crook or crozier in his hand. The nature of the link between the Saint and the district in the local tradition is quite simple, he protects the town from the devil.

Saint Ronan

Now, it is perfectly true that the connection between the town and the saint was formalised or firmed up by the novel of Sir Walter Scott entitled ‘St. Ronan’s Well’. But the tradition was already there in his childhood towards the end of the eighteenth century and this, remember, over two hundred years after the Reformation. Such is the strength of the bonds forged between saints and places.

 For many people, a monastery can be one of those places of pilgrimage or at least a holy place or a special place. Yet, you will not necessarily find saints in a monastery. All the same, a monastery of any duration whatever will have built up a momentum of prayer through the years so as to make an atmosphere of prayer. All the monastery’s prayer is prayer seeking its place in heaven and if the monastery is one of those places especially open to grace then this must be due in part to the influence of its own saints – its patrons, the founder of its Order maybe, the author of its Rule.

So this little corner on the face of the globe, here on the northern slopes of the Lammermuir hills, has a direct link with that place in heaven occupied by St. Mary; with St. Aelred’s place in glory, with the places of Ss. Robert, Alberic and Stephen and with that of St. Benedict.

The monk in his monastery has found his place on earth, according to his vow of stability. From there he might catch a glimpse from time to time of his place in heaven. It is not certain that he will get there but we live in hope.

That liturgical expert, Dom Prosper Gueranger wrote of today, ‘ the West celebrates at the close of the year a feast which represents the gathering of the harvest into our heavenly Father’s granary’.

 The feast of All Saints, occurring as it does at the end of the autumn season and the beginning of winter, replaced in this part of the world the ancient pagan feast of Samhain. This was a feast of fire and light to protect the people from the increasing dark and cold and the powers of death that lurked behind them. During Samhain, the veil separating this world from the Otherworld became very thin. It is this festival that lies behind the customs of Halloween, Bonfire Night and November as the month of the dead.

The light of All Hallows, however, comes from the fire of the Easter Vigil and the light of the Paschal candle. It is the light of Christ reflected by the saints. There is another link with Easter night. The Exultet describes how on Easter night ‘ heaven is wedded to earth’. On All Saints too, heaven and earth come very close, caused by the intercession of all the saints for believers and for non–believers. The connection between a particular spot on earth with a particular saint and his or her place in heaven, today becomes a meeting of the whole earth with all of heaven.

Autumn 2010 Lothians Forth & Fife