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Nothing Dearer than Christ Oblate letter of the Pluscarden Benedictines, Elgin ,Moray, Scotland. IV30 8UA. Ph. (01343) 890257 fax 890258 Email [email protected] and [email protected] Website www.pluscardenabbey.org DMB series No 39 Autumn Our Lady of Sorrows 2018 Non-Monastic Voice

Mgr. Ronald Knox “The Creed in Slow Motion”—“I believe in the holy Catholic Church”-extracts:-

Now when we refer in the Credo to the holy Catholic Church, is that word holy just an unnecessary flourish put in out of politeness, like "Almighty" and "reverend" and "good"? Or does it really tell us something; is it something extra that the Credo pledges us to believe in?

Well, the answer to that is that the word "holy" isn't just put in for fun; the Credo doesn't waste words. The holiness of the Church is something you and I have got to believe in; and it isn't, after all, so obvious as you might suppose. When St. Paul, as I was telling you the Sunday before last, talks about the Church as the Bride of Christ, he tells us that our Lord wants to present it before himself " not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing ". That glorious bride whom he means to unite to himself, in heaven, is the perfect Church, the total body of souls who are to be redeemed and are to enjoy everlasting life in heaven. But that, if you come to think of it, is not the Church as we know it, and for two reasons.

In the first place, being a Catholic doesn't necessarily mean that you will go to heaven. It would be all right if it did, wouldn't it? It would save us all a lot of trouble and anxiety. No, the Church as we know it, the Church on earth, is a very mixed lot.

…………. I remember long ago saying in a sermon that it's probably safer to leave your umbrella at the door of a Wesleyan chapel than to leave it at the door of a Catholic church. Every now and then I hear of that remark being quoted with great satisfaction by Wesleyans. But I don't think they quite got my point; my point was that the Catholic Church is a mixed lot, and that proves that it is the Church which our Lord Jesus Christ came to found. Because he told us, quite unmistakably, that his Church on earth would be a mixed lot. That is the point of the parable about the farmer who sowed good seed in his field, and then somebody who didn't like him came along at night and sowed cockle on the top of it, so that the whole thing was a glorious mess. And you'll remember that the farm servants, while the crop was still young, asked the farmer whether they should settle down to weed it; but the farmer said, " No; that would be waste of a lot of time; the thing to do is to wait till the harvest, gather all the crop together, and sort it out afterwards ". I don't know whether that would be considered good farming nowadays; but that is evidently what they would have done in our Lord's time. And it is the same, our Lord says, with the kingdom of heaven-by which, as usual, he means his Church. Bad Christians and good Christians will go on side by side till the harvest; bad Christians going to church with the good Christians, and getting buried in the same church-yard as the good Christians, but it doesn't mean they'll go to heaven with the good Christians. And there's Page 2 of 8

another parable of the same kind, about a net let down into the sea and enclosing all kinds of different fish, some fit to eat, some not.

What did the fishermen do? Drop the net and say, " What's the use of loading up with all these dog- fish and conger-eels ? " No, they pulled the whole lot in to shore, and sorted them out when they got there. And that, our Lord tells us, is what the angels do. The net is the Church; it contains all sorts; it's only on the other side of death, when we meet our judgement, that the mess will be tidied up. Our Church is the Church of Judas Iscariot.

That's one reason why the Church as we know it is not the same as that perfect Church which our Lord will espouse to himself in heaven. There is another reason, and a more cheering one. There are some Catholics who will not go to heaven; but, to make up, there are some people who will go to heaven although they are not Catholics.

………………………………………………………….. There you are, then; the Church of Christ on earth isn't exactly the same lot of people that will be Christ's Church in heaven. Christ's Church in heaven will be a hundred per cent saved; Christ's Church on earth, if we may use what is more or less his own metaphor, is a mixed bag. And yet it is of this mixed bag that we say, "I believe the Catholic Church to be holy". Judas betrays his Master-Judas, the Catholic; and we still say, "The Church is holy ".

Cardinals poison one another, in the history books we read, and we say, "The Church is holy ". We go to Mass at Farm Street, and there's such a pious-looking man saying his rosary just behind us, and when we come back from making our Communion the pious-looking man has disappeared, and our bag has disappeared, too, and we still say, "The Church is holy ". What is it that leaves our faith quite undisturbed after all these uncomfortable incidents?

It's worth mentioning that point, because it is a point which is constantly coming up in argument.

Even if it were possible for our Protestant friends to say, "You call your Church holy; but I don't see that you are any better than other people ", it would be bad enough. But it's worse than that-our Protestant friends have generally got the impression that we are worse than other people. And it is extraordinary, if you follow the reports of criminal trials in the newspapers, what a lot of Joseph Antonies and Patrick Aloysiuses seem to figure in the murder cases, or at any rate to have both feet in the black market

…………………………………………………….. When we have said that, I think it's perhaps as well to remind ourselves that if we want to impress people outside with the holiness of the Church there is only one way to do it, and that is to be holy. By which I don't simply mean that we should try, if possible, to keep out of prison. I mean that we should be really generous in our love of God, really honest in our ambition to follow Jesus Christ. What holds up the conversion of England,(Scotland!) I always think, is not so much the wickedness of a few Catholics, as the dreadful ordinariness of most Catholics. There is a temptation for us, simply because we belong to a holy Church, just to sit back and be passengers, and say, "I'm not going to bother about being anything above the average; I leave the Church to do the holiness for me". But we have got to match the Church, you and I, to wear her colours. And when we say, "I believe in the holy Catholic Church ", we mean among other things, "I believe that holiness is a good thing; that holiness would be a good thing for me ".

FROM THE OBLATEMASTER’S DESK Page 3 of 8

Perhaps there is a feeling amongst us at present that society at large would like to place us all in convicts’ suits; we begin to feel what it is like to be put in a ghetto, even a psychological ghetto. We experience the temptation to say “I’m not with them”, like Peter, rather than be crucified along with our Lord.

As St. Paul says we Christians have been put at the end of the parade together with the convicted criminals—but elsewhere he says that some have been doing things even unheard of among the pagans------and to one another!

Nevertheless the Creed reminds us that the Church IS holy and that that is a matter of faith and despite all appearances to the contrary.

Fr Maurus Deegan O.S.B., of happy memory in our monastery, was fond of pointing out how people said “Look at all that is wrong with the world” and then bringing out a catalogue of current woes and scandals as counter indications of faith hope and love. His answer was “ What’s wrong with the world?---I’m what’s wrong with the world “Confiteor Deo omnipotenti et vobis fratres quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo, opera et omissione, mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa……”

I am what’s wrong with the world and therefore the putting right of the world is in my hands through my own reformation by the power of God’s Holy Spirit—conversion of life according to the Rule of St. Benedict. Also I am also irreducibly what is right with the world (hence no death penalty as our Holy Father points out) because I come from the hands of the Maker. Through sin I may try to annihilate myself but society at large shows a final act of irreligion by trying to annihilate its members------especially the smallest.

So we want that the Church should not only be holy but appear to us and everybody else irrefutably holy? The answer is in our own hands. So often Our Lady has called us all to prayer and penance at Lourdes and Fatima and around the world, and now the Holy Father is calling us all to prayer and penance for our own sins and the sins of all the Church and her members.

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of God, who endured a martyrdom of love and grief, beholding the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus! You cooperated in my redemption by your innumerable afflictions and by offering to the eternal Father His only-begotten Son as a holocaust and propitiation for my sins. I thank you for the unspeakable love which led you to relinquish the fruit of your womb, Jesus , true God and true man, to save me a sinner. Oh! Make use of the unfailing intercession of your sorrows with the Father and the Son that your Church crucified by sin may steadfastly amend its life and never again crucify her loving Redeemer by new sins and persevering through death to Resurrection may she live in holiness of life through the merits of our Saviour’s Cross and Passion. Amen Page 4 of 8

• We thank Abbot Anselm for kindly preaching our quiet, meditative Lenten retreat--treasuring things in the heart even if not understood with our Lady as the model this year and he has kindly agreed to do the same again Lent 2019-- the(“quiet”) Lenten Retreat 8th -11th March 2019— you can give me your name if booking in for that (“non-shared meals” as in Lent this year).

• We thank Bishop Richard Moth for kindly preaching our summer oblate weekend retreat this year which all found inspiring and beneficial. He has kindly agreed to do the same again ( different theme) next year. Again, you can send me your name if you want to book in for next year 2019 16th-19th August( shared meals as this year).

Also before that there is

Eighth National Retreat for Benedictine Oblates – Organised by the UK Oblates Team October 15 – 18 , 2018 at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, Leicester, LE67 5UL To be led by Abbot Erik Varden, OCSO,Abbot of Mount St Bernard and Revd Sr Mary Philippa OC, Bernadine Sister, Brownhill Theme “Look to him and be radiant” For further details and information on how to book a place on this Retreat contact Frances Bailess on [email protected] or 0116 241 9611

4th National Convention of Polish Benedictine Oblates

November 16 – 18 , 2018

The Community of Benedictine Oblates at St. Peter and Paul Abbey in Tyniec, Poland invite UK Oblates to their Fourth National Convention! Invitation and enrolment online.

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BOOKS AND MEDIA Page 5 of 8

Mgr. Ronald Knox born 1888, died , 1957 best known for his translation of the Bible. Born into an Anglican family, he was educated at Balliol College, Oxford, and in 1912 was appointed chaplain of Trinity College, Oxford. He became a Roman Catholic in 1917. From 1926 to 1939 he served as Roman Catholic chaplain to the university. Mgr. Knox gave witty expression to the perplexities that bedevilled him between his graduation and conversion in Some Loose Stones (1913) and in Reunion All Round (1914). He chronicled his struggle and its resolution in A Spiritual Aeneid (1918). The final expression of his position appeared in The Belief of Catholics (1927). Six volumes of Knox’s sermons were published, including Heaven and Charing Cross (1935) and Captive Flames (1940). Knox also wrote inventive and complex detective novels; Still Dead (1934) is generally considered the best among them. His version of the New Testament appeared in 1945. His Old Testament and On Englishing the Bible, a penetrating examination of the problems of a translator, were published in 1949. These were followed by his New Testament Commentaries in 1953, 1954, and 1956.

At one time chaplain of a girls' school where students were being sheltered in wartime when his existing homilies were exhausted, Mgr. Knox began to write new ones for his students based on the Apostles' Creed. The homilies were so well-received that they were later published as 'The Creed in Slow Motion' ISBN 9780870612503 cost about £10--It takes genius to write so profoundly and lucidly.

------Are you a subscriber to the Pluscarden Abbey Magazine "Pluscarden Benedictines"? If not write the Editor Fr. Benedict to be put on the PB mailing list.

PRAYER INTENTIONS For the repose of the soul of Br. Cyprian's mother Shashikala Bampton For the repose of the soul of Oblate James Timoney For Abbot Anselm's and Bishop Hugh's intentions. Fr. Stuart Chalmers ( Oblate) new spiritual director of the Scots College in Spain. For Prior Bede. For Fr. Ambrose Flavell in charge of the Shetlands. For Br. Cyprian-Prosper returning to Kristo Buase Priory, Ghana via Prinknash having completed his monastic studies. For vocations to Pluscarden especially Brs. Innocent and Benedict Joseph, to St Mary's and St. Scholastica's, Petersham, U.S.A and Kristo Buase Priory, Ghana. For new novice Oblates Mrs. Margaret Johnston and Brian Mackenzie and their families. For all our novice and postulant Oblates.

Please pray for the health of Fr. Matthew, Br. Cyprian, Br Finbar & of the Very Rev Mgr. Robert Provost McDonald, Rev. Christopher Mayo, Fr. Bob Halshaw, for Gail Schmitz, , and for Albert Paterson. For Siobhan Gilmour's husband, for Mrs. Allie Brien, Mrs. Alice Sullivan lost the sight of one eye, Mrs. Janet Fraile, Gitte Mackay, Martin Farrelly, Kay Fernandez, Leonora Duson and her daughter, and Margaret Rawcliffe, Robert Cantafio’s mother Margharita, Joe Barrett, Maureen Woodhead, Bob Barr, Brian Milne, Fiona Sellar, Johan(Joy) Page 6 of 8

Baillie, Graham Dunbar, Nick MaCrae’s son, Martin MaCrae battling illness, Dr. David Paterson and his wife Angela, Bryan Miller, Jacqui Heath-Anderson and daughter Sally and grand-daughter Iris, Hester du Plessis, Poppy Sinclair, Ian and especially Frederick Brodie-- the twins, for Pat Foster very poorly, Pam Woodhead poorly, Carolyn Boardman, Malcolm Boardman & all the family, , and also for Peter Wynne, Susan Stephen, Cindy’s husband, Danielle & her son Osyp, Evelyn, Violet and Sheila, Bernadette Harris and all friends of the Abbey and for all Oblates, and for ALL the sick and those who care for them--and for ALL our sponsored seminarians.

Our sponsored seminarians

As you the know the Oblates are now supporting 3 seminarians – Josaphat, Charles and Okomgo. Please continue to pray for them. They are all making good steady progress. Charles has just completed St. Peters College - junior seminary (his grades are in the top 10 in the class) and he is going into the Order of the Servants of Mary, before heading to Major Seminary. He plays the organ at Uganda Martyrs Cathedral in Tororo (as does Josaphat) and is the leader of the Mass servers there too.

Please pray for Sr. Catherine (of the Benedictine Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar) who is our excellent link with the seminarians.

If you would like to support the seminarians financially (typical donations are between £10/£20 monthly direct debit) please contact Campbell Murdoch on 07810 350006 or email [email protected]

CHAPTERS

St Mungo's chapter, Glasgow:-We meet on the second Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. Contact can be made via Peter Aitken. Tel. 0141 427 2084, or via Graham Dunbar at 0141 558 4323 as group Secretary and Treasurer.

St Margaret’s Chapter, Dunfermline monthly meetings as announced, All details contact Deacon Pat Carrigan [email protected]

St. Monica’s Chapter, Thurso. Contact Jane Coll. "Scaraben”, Westside, Dunnet, Thurso, Caithness, KY14 8YD. Phone 01847 851467 and as announced. Jane had double cataract ops last year.

Shetland Chapter Contact Fr. Ambrose for details. Page 7 of 8

St. Peter's chapter Meetings of this Chapter may also be resuming --if interested contact Mr. Robert Ian Johnston, 31, Tay Road, Mastrick, ABERDEEN AB16 5LA

St Meinrad’s Chapter—A new chapter meeting monthly at Dysart Carmel—for details contact Mary Murphy [email protected]

St. Mirin’s Chapter. Paisley. Date: 1st Saturday each month. Time 2-4 pm. Venue: Hall 2, St Mirin’s Cathedral, Cathedral Precincts, Incle Street Paisley, PA1 1HR—secure parking there within Cathedral enclosure. Farther information: St Mirin Chapter, Benedictine Oblate Group, c/o Campbell Murdoch, Fircroft, Knockbuckle Road, Kilmacolm, PA13 4JT

"St Andrew's Chapter"?( not yet named!!) Pluscarden Abbey-- next Quarterly meeting ( the second) 2.00 to 3.30 Saturday 15th September in St Benedict's parlour no 1. No prep just arrive-- tea and biscuits during.

"St Columba's Chapter" in Dundee -- if interested please contact Mrs. Georgina Quinn

2D, Church Street, Broughty Ferry DUNDEE Fife DD5 1EZ

E-CHAPTER--St. Peter's Catholic Church, Castlegate, Aberdeen e-mail [email protected] Brian Milne convener phone 01224 485781 mobile 07443032289 -- due to poor health Brian is encouraging this chapter and any of our Oblates in a similar position or living far from other oblates to join an e-chapter – that of Oblate John McKinlay—the “Benedictine Prayer Circle "The idea is to help oblates who might feel lonely or isolated to connect, through prayer, with their brother and sister oblates If interested please contact John G McKinlay by email for further details, and/or a copy of the prayer schedule: [email protected]

OUR LADY OF SORROWS (prayer by St. Bridget) O Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of God, who didst endure a martyrdom of love and grief, beholding the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus! Thou didst co-operate in the benefit of my redemption by thy innumerable afflictions and by offering to the Eternal Father His only-begotten Son as a holocaust and victim of propitiation for my sins. I thank thee for the unspeakable love Page 8 of 8 which led thee to deprive thyself of the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, true God and true Man, to save me, a sinner. Oh! make use of the unfailing intercession of thy sorrows with the Father and the Son, that I may steadfastly amend my life and never again crucify my loving Redeemer by new sins; and that, persevering till death in His grace, I may obtain eternal life through the merits of His Cross and Passion.

Amen.

Mother of love, of sorrow, and of mercy, pray for us.

In the love of Christ with blessings , Fr. Martin

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