Must-Reads
Edward Pentin interviews Cardinal Mario Grech about the upcoming Synod on Synodality: https://www.ncregister.com/news/synod-s-chief-organizer-a-more-synodal-church-is-a-missionary-church
In this article for Adamah I draw on Catholic social teaching to make the case for free speech: https://adamah.media/the-essential-right-to-be-objectionable/. Regardless of my writing for it, I commend Adamah to you as a growing online journal which seeks to provide thoughtful and informative content on social and cultural issues whilst avoiding the maelstrom of culture warfare.
If you wish to spend more time reading about free speech then I commend to you this report by barrister Francis Hoar who reminds us that “it was for his speech that Jesus Christ was given up to the authorities to be crucified” (p. 9), thus giving a spiritual edge to his argument for protecting free speech.
Move For Trees
I shall be walking 50km between 1-31 October to raise money for the National Trust to fulfil their pledge to plant and establish 20 million trees by 2030.
Trees provide homes for wildlife, reduce flooding and clean our air. Today the UK is the least wooded country in Europe, and 41% of UK wildlife species have been in decline since 1970. When you plant a tree, you contribute to reducing emissions, as these hardy plants work hard to lock up carbon. These trees will also open up new habitats for wildlife such as the red squirrel, the hazel dormouse, the greater spotted woodpecker and other birds like the song thrush and the red kite. Trees are good for nature. They're good for the climate. And they're good for people. It costs just £5 to plant one sapling and help grow the woodland of the future.
Pope Francis, in his encyclical Laudato Si’, speaks of “a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions” amongst which he includes planting trees. In response to the Pope’s call let’s see if we can get one tree planted on behalf of every Catholic in the country! That would equate to over 4 million trees!
If you wish to support this cause and contribute to my fundraiser please click here.
Walking Pilgrimage to Priory Ruins
On Saturday 16th October I intend to walk from Wraysbury Station to the ruins of the 12th century priory at Ankerwycke dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. This walking pilgrimage will also count towards my 50 kilometres of walking to raise funds for the National Trust’s tree-planting project.
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 October 12th and will given by Fr Benedict CSJ on Fides et Ratio: John Paul II on Faith and Reason. For those unable to make it in person a Zoom link can be acquired from Claire Bruce on claire.bruce@gmail.com.
Men’s Prayer Group - 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 13th October 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. 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.
Prayer Course
An eight-week course beginning on Thursday 14th October, delivered by Peter Asprey, that explores Catholic tradition in order to give participants a firm foundation in their interior life. Participants learn to grow closer to Christ, listen to His voice, and grow in contemplation. Each week focuses on a different aspect of prayer, offering theological insight rooted in Scripture and Church tradition. Foundational teaching then leads on to practical application. Register here if you wish to attend.
Rosary Processions
The Rosary Shrine will also be holding candlelit Rosary processions at 7pm on all the Saturdays of October.
Loretto Worship Nights
Praise and worship every Sunday night from 7pm in the crypt of St Mary’s University Chapel in Twickenham.
A Day with Mary
On Saturday 16th October Westminster Cathedral are hosting A Day with Mary, starting at 9.45am with the entry procession and crowning of Our Lady of Fatima. At 10.30am there will be Mass celebrated by Fr Slawomir Witon, Cathedral Administrator, and at 11.30am the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary will be recited. From 1.20pm there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a sermon on Our Lady given by Fr Antonio Ritaccio, recital of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, Benediction, and enrolments in the Brown Scapular and Miraculous Medal. The day will end at approximately 4pm.
Monthly Recollection
On Friday 22nd October from 7.30pm Opus Dei are organising an evening recollection for men at 8 Orme Court, London, W2 4RQ. The recollection will consist of Eucharistic Adoration, two meditations given by a priest, a catechetical or formational talk, Benediction, an examination of conscience, and opportunity for confession. The recollection will be followed by a social.
Nightfever
On Saturday 23rd October 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. Should you miss this, don’t worry for Nightfever will reoccur on Saturday 13th November and Saturday 11th December.
Rosary Vigil
The Rosary Shrine will host a Rosary Vigil at 7pm on Saturday 30th October. The Vigil will include Adoration and readings from the saints, a Eucharistic Rosary Procession, and music composed and conducted by Pawel Bebenek.
Theology of the Body Conference
TOB Network UK are hosting a Theology of the Body Conference at St Patrick’s Soho on 13th November 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.
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 November. 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.
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, like me, are job-hunting or for those who are keen to sanctify their work.
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
“I have been much impressed with the propriety of saying Mass in Latin… It appears to me not only expedient because the faith is one, and notions are many, but also beautifully symbolical of the Church’s conquest over the great pagan empire whose language it was.”
Edward Heneage Dering, Sherborne; or, The House at Four Ways (1875), Volume 3, p. 16
Pope’s Prayer Intention for October 2021
Missionary Disciples
We pray that every baptised person may be engaged in evangelisation, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavour of the Gospel.
Spiritual Reading
The Consolation of the Devout Soul
Chapter 2, Shows that Christian perfection is not a thing too difficult to be acquired.
Since, for the fulfilment of Christian perfection, we only require perfect union with the Divine Will, and in order to have this union we need do nothing more than avoid sin, even venial ones, and endeavour in all things neither prohibited nor enjoined to do what is most pleasing to God, it is necessary for me to show you that it is not too difficult to avoid even venial sins, and to seek in all things that which is most pleasing to God. But with regard to venial sins I must first lay down a most necessary distinction.
Chapter 2, Section 1: Distinguishes two kinds of venial sins.
We should notice that there are venial sins of which we are fully conscious - that is, those which we commit with open eyes, knowing clearly that we are doing wrong at the moment; as, for instance, if we are aware that we tell a falsehood in order to excuse some ill-advised action, and in the mean time we tell it, knowing the malice of that falsehood; or if we are aware that such and such a recital may even lightly injure the good fame of our neighbour, and yet, knowing the malice of mentioning it, we do not refrain from doing so. On the other hand, there are venial sins of which we are not fully aware, and which we commit more from weakness than malice, such as certain distractions in prayer, or some useless words or impatient actions, and similar errors into which we fall without being well aware of them.
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.