Must Watch Videos
In this lecture the late Sir Roger Scruton gives his perspective on the power of beauty in today’s world. Skip to 09:45 to hear him speak as the introduction is rather long.
Must-Reads
As the Epiphany is fast approaching (January 6th), I strongly recommend reading this homily by St Josemaria Escriva which he delivered on that feast day in 1956.
My spiritual director has suggested the following list as a good program of basic spiritual reading to follow:
To Know Christ Jesus, by Frank Sheed
Jesus as Friend, by Salvatore Canals
Story of a Soul, by St Therese of Lisieux
Interior Freedom, by Jacques Philippe
This Tremendous Lover, by Dom Eugene Boylan
In Silence with God, by Benedict Baur
Mary of Nazareth, by Federico Suarez
Simon Peter, by Georges Chevrot
Confessions, by St Augustine of Hippo
Difficulties in Mental Prayer, by Eugene Boylan
Frequent Confession, by Benedict Baur
Theology for Beginners, by Frank Sheed
About the Holy Spirit, by Francisca Javiera del Valle
Introduction to the Devout Life, by St Francis de Sales
The Soul of the Apostolate, by Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard
The Life and The Foundations, by St Teresa of Avila
Opus Dei in the Church, by Monsignor Ocariz and others
The Sacrifice of the Altar, by Federico Suarez
The Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by Alban Goodier
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.
Adamah Young Writers Competition
Adamah Media are hosting a writing competition aimed at budding journalists and writers aged 18-28, offering a cash prize and further opportunities for their development as writers. Further details can be found here.
Monthly Recollections for Men
Monday 3rd January from 7.30pm-9.30pm and Saturday 8th January from 4.30pm-6.30pm at Edenbrook, 107 South Eden Park Road, Beckenham BR3 3AX. Tel: 020 8650 4354.
Wednesday 12th January from 7.15pm-9.15pm at Kelston, 159 Nightingale Lane, London SW12 8NQ. Tel: 020 8673 2242.
Saturday 15th January from 9am-11.30am at Kelston, 159 Nightingale Lane, London SW12 8NQ. Starts with Mass at 9am. Tel: 020 8673 2242.
Monday 17th January 6.30pm for 7pm at Crosmore, Flat 3, 12a Finsbury Square, EC2A 1AN; from 7.30pm-9pm at St Mary Moorfields church, 4-5 Eldon St, EC2M 7LS. Tel: 020 7472 5730.
Tuesday 18th January from 7.30-9.20pm at Elmore, 8 Orme Court, London W2 4RL. Tel: 020 7243 9411.
Wednesday 19th January from 7pm-9pm at Netherhall House, Nutley Terrace, NW3 5SA. Tel: 020 7472 5730.
Juventutem London - Mass and Social
On Friday 14th January 2022 Juventutem London are hosting a Mass and social at St Mary Magdalen’s in Wandsworth. Confessions will be heard from 6pm till 6.50pm, then a Latin Mass (1962 missal) will be celebrated at 8pm, followed by a social for young Catholic adults aged 18-35.
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, but the deadline is 3rd January so you’ll have to be quick!
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 5th February. Let me know if you are interested or know anyone who might be.
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 may be of particular interest to those who are job-hunting or for those who are keen to sanctify their work.
Three-Day Residential Retreats
Silent retreats are run by Opus Dei in the following locations:
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)
Church of Our Lady of Willesden (visited by St Thomas More, St Josemaria Escriva, and Blessed Alvaro del Portillo)
Tyburn Convent (Shrine of the Martyrs at Tyburn)
Volunteering Opportunities
Accommodation
Netherhall House (male)
Ashwell House (female)
Tuition
I offer private tuition online in History, Politics, Religious Studies, and English for people preparing for their Common Entrance examinations, their GCSEs, or their A-Levels. I can also teach English as a foreign language to those who wish to improve their English. I charge £30 per hour.
Quote of the Month
“We do not live for the world, or for our own honour, but for the honour of God, for the glory of God, for the service of God. It is this that should be our motive!”
St Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, 851
Pope’s Prayer Intention for January 2022
For all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution; may their own rights and dignity be recognised, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family.
Postscript
Inevitably I will have left out events, retreats, workshops, 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.