Must-Reads
K. V. Turley examines the role that crime-writer Agatha Christie played in preserving the traditional Latin Mass in this feature article for National Catholic Register.
Fr Lawrence’s Lew’s recent book Mysteries Made Visible: Praying the Rosary with Sacred Art, which has been endorsed by Bishop Robert Barron and Fr. Donald Calloway.
One of our readers has been enjoying Fr James Martin’s book Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone, which came out earlier this year. He described it as “the excellent introduction for the mystic in all of us.” I have been reading it myself and have certainly found it to be very helpful.
Another recommendation from one of our readers is Jim Manney’s book on the examen, A Simple, Life-changing Prayer: Discovering the Power of St. Ignatius Loyola's Examen. He described it as “a good, practical take on what I've always found too be one of the most practical prayers.” I have provided a helpful extract from the book below under the heading Examen.
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What are you reading?
I’d be very keen to hear from you, my readers, as to what you are reading at the moment or if you have any suggested spiritual reading. Please let me know and if you like I can even feature a comment from you and a link to the book in my next newsletter.
Young Adults Adoration
There is Eucharistic Adoration and a social for young adults at 7pm on Monday 8th November 2021 at St Mary’s Church, Clapham. The social begins at 7.45pm.
Order of Malta Carol Service
The Order of Malta are hosting their annual candlelit Carol Service and Benediction at 7pm on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Wednesday 8th December, at St James’s Church, Spanish Place. The service will be followed by a festive reception. Tickets available here.
White Knights Ball 2022
The White Knights Ball will take place on Saturday 15th January 2022 in the Great Room of the Grosvenor House Hotel to raise money for the work of the Order of Malta Volunteers. The evening will involve a champagne reception, three course meal, and dancing until carriages at 2.30am including opening the ball with a waltz. Tickets are available here; buy your ticket before the 6th December to benefit from the early bird rate!
Gaudete - Francophone young adults
Gaudete est destiné aux jeunes professionnels francophones et aux étudiants qui souhaitent vivre, partager et développer leur foi. Leur prochaine réunion aura lieu le lundi 15 novembre à partir de 20h à Notre Dame de France, 5 Leicester Place, Londres, WC2H 7BX. La réunion commence par une période de prière et de louange, puis à 20h30, il y a temps d’enseignement suivi d’un échange en petits groupes. La réunion se termine à 21h30. Les réunions ont lieu les premier et troisième du lundi du mois.
Gaudete is aimed at French-speaking young professionals and students who wish to live, share and grow their faith. Their next meeting will take place on Monday 15th November from 8pm at Notre Dame de France, 5 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BX. The meeting begins with a period of prayer in the church, then at 8.30pm there is a talk followed by small-group discussion. The meeting ends at 9.30pm. Meetings take place on the first and third Mondays of the month.
Institute of St John
The Institute of St John are running a series of classes every Tuesday morning from 10.30 to 12.30 in the downstairs hall of St Patrick’s Soho. The next one will take place on Tuesday November 9th and will given by Br Michael Paul CSJ on Thomas Aquinas on the Life of Christ. For those unable to make it in person a Zoom link can be acquired from Claire Bruce on claire.bruce@gmail.com.
Effatha initiative - 40 days of perpetual adoration
I would like to invite you to take part in the Effatha initiative - 40 days of perpetual adoration that will start on 2nd of November till 12th December. Please check it out here and share with the whole world. They have flyers in 20 languages and want to spread it as far as they can and create an intercessory chain with people praying 24/7 for 40 days. People can adore in any church in the world (or online if not possible in person), they just ask people to sign in on their website for a specific hour/day you are available to adore, so they can ensure continuous prayer 24/7 over the 40 days. They have people from more than 20 countries participating (China, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Russia, African Countries, Ukraine).
Men’s Circle - Opus Dei
“Opus Dei’s main activity consists in offering its members, and other people, the spiritual means they need to live as good Christians in the midst of the world,” explained its founder St Josemaria Escriva (Conversations, 27). That is why each month they organise a monthly men’s meeting (called a “circle”) for those wanting to grow in the spiritual life which will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 10th November at 8 Orme Court, London, W2 4RQ. The circle will consist of a reading from the Gospel of the day and a formational talk on a doctrinal or ascetical topic before concluding with a social. Whilst this is a men’s group, there are similar formational activities on offer for women. For more information contact the Opus Dei Information Office at info@opusdei.org.uk or call (020) 7221 9176.
Rosary Group
Jesuit Young Adult Ministries host an online group recitation of the Rosary for young adults every Thursday at 9pm. If you wish to join email yam@jesuit.org.uk.
Loretto Worship Nights
Praise and worship every Sunday night from 7pm in the crypt of St Mary’s University Chapel in Twickenham.
Retreat for Men
From 8.30pm on Thursday 11th November till 3.30pm on Sunday 14th November Thornycroft Hall are hosting a residential retreat for men. If you wish to book a place please do so here.
Theology of the Body Conference
On Saturday 13th November TOB Network UK are hosting a Theology of the Body Conference at St Patrick’s Soho from 9am till 4.30pm. The Conference includes Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, keynote talks, and a discussion panel. Tea and coffee will be provided, but you will have to bring a packed lunch. Book your tickets here.
Nightfever
On Saturday 13th November St Patrick’s Soho will host Nightfever from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Nightfever is a night of music, adoration and personal prayer. Volunteers stand on the street inviting passers-by to come into the church and light a candle. For more information have a read of this article which appeared in the Big Issue a couple of years ago.
Fra’ Angelico Art Group
The Fra’ Angelico Art Group will meet at St Patrick’s Studios in Wapping at 10.30am on Saturday 20th November for a day of creativity and companionship. Please bring your own materials and lunch. For more information please contact Irene Novelli at irenenovelli@hotmail.com or call 07481 763845.
Looking for flatmate
Flat on Kew Road (with balcony!) and only a 10 minute walk to Richmond station. Rent is £800pcm including council tax, but excluding utilities. Available from 4th January. Let me know if you are interested or know anyone who might be.
Year of St Joseph
It being the year of St Joseph and the month of the Most Holy Rosary you may want to finish your daily recital of the Rosary with this prayer:
To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness.
As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.
Amen.
Plenary indulgences can also be obtained for the following devotions this year:
Contemplation of the Lord’s Prayer for at least 30 minutes, or participation in a spiritual retreat of at least one day which involves meditation on St Joseph.
Fulfillment of a corporal or spiritual work of mercy, after the example of St Joseph.
Recitation of the Rosary in families and between engaged couples.
Daily entrustment to the protection of St Joseph, and invoking his intercession so that job-seekers may find employment.
Recitation of the Litanies to St Joseph or Akathistos to St Joseph, or some other prayer to St Joseph, for the relief of Christians suffering from persecution.
Recitation of any prayer legitimately approved in honour of St Joseph on the 19th of every month and every Wednesday.
Examen
The examen is a method of reviewing your day in the presence of God. It’s actually an attitude more than a method, a time set aside for thankful reflection on where God is in your everyday life. It has five steps, which most people take more or less in order, and it usually takes 15 to 20 minutes per day. Here it is in a nutshell:
Ask God for light. I want to look at my day with God’s eyes, not merely my own.
Give thanks. The day I have just lived is a gift from God. Be grateful for it.
Review the day. I carefully look back on the day just completed, being guided by the Holy Spirit.
Face your shortcomings. I face up to what is wrong - in my life and in me.
Look toward the day to come. I ask where I need God in the day to come.
Source: A Simple, Life-changing Prayer: Discovering the Power of St. Ignatius Loyola’s Examen, Jim Manney (2011).
Novena for Work
This novena for work has recently come to my attention and seems particularly apt this year as St Joseph (whose year it is) is the patron saint of workers. It may be of particular interest to those who are job-hunting or for those who are keen to sanctify their work.
Tuition
I have been giving private tuition since May this year (having worked in educational settings prior to that) and am offering tuition in History, English, Religious Studies, and Politics. I can provide tuition online or in-person (so long as you are in reasonable distance). Let me know if you or anyone you know might be interested, and please spread the word.
London Shrines
Westminster Cathedral (shrine of St John Southworth)
Rosary Shrine (diocesan shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary)
Corpus Christi Maiden Lane (diocesan shrine of the Blessed Sacrament)
Tyburn Convent (Shrine of the Martyrs at Tyburn)
Volunteering Opportunities
Accommodation
Netherhall House (male)
Ashwell House (female)
Quote of the Week
“Love your own country: it is a Christian virtue to be patriotic. But if patriotism becomes nationalism, which leads you to look at other people, at other countries, with indifference, with scorn, without Christian charity and justice, then it is a sin.”
St Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, 315
Pope’s Prayer Intention for November 2021
People who suffer from depression
We pray that people who suffer from depression or burn-out will find support and a light that opens them up to life.
Postscript
Inevitably I will have left out events, prayer groups, and volunteering opportunities so please feel free to get in touch with me at edwardckendall@gmail.com if you know of anything worthy of inclusion in this newsletter. And please subscribe and share this newsletter with all your friends and anybody who you think might be interested by clicking the buttons below.