Friday, September 23, 2011

Communion under both species

The diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, USA has reportedly reverted back to Communion only in the form of bread as the norm. In certain specific instances Communion under both species may be administered but it will no longer be accepted as the norm.
The reasoning behind this decision is that a 'temporary' permission for Communion under both species was granted to the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Oceania in 1975. This permission was granted until 2005 at which time it was not renewed by the Holy See.
One asks how and why we in the UK accept the reception under both species when it is, clearly, illicit and has been since 2005.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Brinkburn Mass

Today we celebrated the annual EF Solemn High Mass at Brinkburn priory in Northumberland. The celebrant was Fr Shaun Swales with Fr David Phillips as deacon and Fr Michael Brown as subdeacon. The Rudgate Singers sang the Ordinary of the Mass while the Proper was sung by the Schola Sancti Baedae.

It was sad to note that the numbers attending was well down on previous years possibly due to a forecast of wet and very windy weather. Happily this did not occur and we enjoyed warm sunny weather both during and after Mass. We did, however, run into some very wet weather on the journey homeward.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Solemn High Mass at Brinkburn Priory, Northumberland

A last reminder about the EF annual Solemn High Mass at Brinkburn Priory near Rothbury on Saturday 10th September 2011 at 12 noon. The celebrant will be Fr Shaun Swales, deacon Fr David Phillips and subdeacon Fr Michael Brown. All interested priests have been invited to be there in choir.

The music will be Hassler's "Missa Secunda" sung by The Rudgate Singers of York and the Proper will be sung by the Schola Sancti Baedae in plainchant.

After Mass there will be a shared table in the priory house adjacent to the church and those wishing to take part are reminded to bring food and drink and, most importantly, chairs as these are non-existent in the house.

The priory is situated on the banks of the beautiful and peaceful River Wansbeck. You can imagine the idyllic surroundings enjoyed by the Augustinian monks in the heyday of the priory.