ÑContra MundumÑ Volume VII, Issue 10 May 2005 The Congregation of St. Athanasius A Congregation of the Pastoral Provision of Pope John Paul II for the Anglican Usage of the Roman Rite http://www.locutor.net/ Page 66 Contra Mundum NOTES were three years ago?” Put another the inevitable conclusion to an eccle- way, is the Risen Christ more real to siological syllogism that was flawed FROM THE you this Easter Octave than in previ- from the outset. Since then, Peter’s ous times? successor has confirmed you in the CHAPLAIN You opened the door for Peter Catholic Faith personally and through and discovered him to be the great his universal magisterium exercised Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas fisher of men [cf. Lk 5; Jn 21], haul- as the confessor of the true Faith [cf. preached the following sermon at ing you into and in the net of the Mt 16:17-18] and its guardian [cf. Solemn Evensong in the Congrega- Catholic Church, along with one 2 Pt 12-19]. Just as the Fathers of tion of Saint Athanasius in April, billion other believers from “every Chalcedon exclaimed fifteen centu- 1998. He refers to a previous visit tribe and tongue, people and nation” ries ago, “Peter has spoken through made to us when most of us were still [Rev 5:9]. St. Jerome tells us that the Leo,” you find yourselves hearing Episcopalians, on St. Matthias’ Day, 153 fish caught in that net on Easter the faith of the Church enunciated May 13th, three years earlier. Fr. morning represent the full comple- boldly and proudly, leading you to Stravinskas is editor of Catholic Re- ment of every kind of fish known echo that ancient formula, “Peter has sponse magazine, has written many at the time. In other words, from spoken through John Paul.” And the books, and was our parish retreat the very beginning, Christ’s Church Holy Scriptures inform us that Peter conductor in 2001. boasted of diversity—not a “one-size will continue to speak through John UST a few weeks shy of three fits all” approach to ecclesial life; Paul’s successor and his, and the one Jyears ago, on the Feast of St. Mat- rather, 153 different species of fish, after him—until the end of time [cf. thias, I had the joy of being with you of different sizes, shapes, colors and Mt 28:20]. for the first time, when I encouraged tastes. Your entrance into Catholic You opened the door for Peter you to “swim the Tiber.” After some unity has added something new to the and discovered him to be the one who serious intellectual engagement of Catholic net; your presence has been precedes you into the empty tomb issues, I then enlisted the help of appreciated and encouraged. And and invites you to enter, so as to see Monsignor Ronald Knox through just as St. Peter didn’t try to make and to believe [Jn 20]. The beloved his moving sermon which decades a salmon into a trout, his successor disciple may well have excelled Peter earlier had sought to bring other hasn’t attempted to make you forego in love and perhaps even in faith but, Anglicans into the communion of the your Anglo-Catholic spirituality for through the plan of God, he had to Church of Rome. The predominant a homogenized substitute. wait humbly outside while the Prince image, you will recall, came from You opened the door for Peter of the Apostles went in to examine Acts 12, with Peter knocking on the and discovered him to be the one the evidence. Peter’s discernment door, awaiting a response from the who would confirm you in your faith, was critical. We see the same pattern Christians inside the house of John just as the Lord had promised would with the women at the tomb and the Mark. happen [cf. Lk 22:31]. Like Cardinal disciples on the road to Emmaus; You answered the door; you rec- Newman, like Mother Seton—and their personal religious experience ognized the one knocking as Peter; so many others—you did not learn had to be submitted to Peter for vali- you let him in. With what results? a new faith when you entered the dation. When it was deemed to be in Let me put it more pragmatically. Catholic fold. Through the grace consonance with his understanding, Ronald Reagan, we are told, won and mercies of Almighty God’s we hear the joyful acclamation: “The the election of 1980 by asking the Holy Spirit, you had already been Lord has risen indeed and has ap- American people one very simple but introduced to Catholic doctrine and peared to Simon!” [Lk 24:34]. Hasn’t telling question: “Are you any better had indeed been living it long before. it been exhilarating to have your long off today than you were four years In the latter days of your Anglican pilgrimage of faith and discernment ago?" We can modify that question sojourn, however, those truths were validated by Peter’s successor? for our purposes this evening: “Are becoming more and more obscured, You opened the door for Peter you any better off today than you forcing you to wonder if that was not and discovered him to have the Contra Mundum Page 67

solicitude of the Good Shepherd Catholics, which is to say, “beloved Himself. When the Risen Christ disciples”? Love for the Eucharist, conferred the primacy on Peter, it is devotion to Our Lady, and fidelity to significant that He did so, precisely the successor of Peter have been the by using images of feeding and tend- hallmarks of Catholic discipleship ing His little flock. Peter was to throughout the ages. They must con- continue throughout his own life and tinue to be the identifying marks for ministry and throughout the ages by this congregation, both individually means of his successors the tender and collectively. shepherding of the Lord Jesus. You So, are you any better off than have known this in a most powerful you were three years ago? I trust way as the Universal Pastor of the the answer is “yes”; I hope it is a Church has been so kind, so gracious, resounding “yes”. When I assist at so welcoming, so concerned. And the renewal of the marriage vows of those same sentiments have been couples on their wedding anniver- demonstrated by the shepherd of this Monday, May 2, 2005 saries, I always ask them, “Do you local Church of Boston, His Emi- PATRONAL FEAST have any regrets? Would you do it nence, Cardinal Law, and through all over again?” The exhortation to SAINT ATHANASIUS, his representative, Father Lennon. the couple in the old marriage ritual Bishop and Doctor So much of your reticence, so many had a lovely line: “Sacrifice is usu- Solemn Mass & Sermon at 7:30pm of your fears, have proved unfounded ally difficult and irksome; love can Preacher: Fr. Philip E. Merdinger, because Peter has been such a kindly make it easy; perfect love can make BH shepherd. it a joy.” Do you have any regrets? Chapel of St. Theresa of Ávila You opened the door for Peter Would you do it all over again? Have and discovered him to be a martyr. Parish, West Roxbury the sacrifices been worth it? Have When Jesus made Peter that substi- religious family; losing friends; be- they been made easy by the knowl- tute shepherd for His tiny flock, He ing misunderstood, perhaps even edge and experience of belonging likewise warned him that it would alienating family members—these to the historical embodiment of the constitute a martyrdom. From the in- have been some of your crosses from Church of the Apostles and Martyrs? side, you have seen Peter’s successor one side. However, even within the Have they been made into a joy by suffer physically and emotionally, Catholic community, you have not living “sub umbra Petri” [under the to maintain the unity of the Church. always been completely appreciated; shadow of Peter]? But the truth of the matter is that ev- the time has seemed long; the hoops One of the most evocative images ery believer must have a share in the through which to jump may have in the New Testament is that of the Lord’s suffering, if he truly wishes appeared excessive. But today we crowds trying to make contact with to experience the Paschal Mystery see all in the full light of Easter. The Peter, as they had with our Blessed in its fullness: “No crown without a cross has brought the crown. Lord, for no other reason than to be cross.” “No Easter Sunday without A few minutes ago, I spoke of cured by him or, St. Luke tells us, a Good Friday.” “Post crucem, St. John as the “beloved disciple." even by his shadow [cf. Acts 5:15]. lucem” [After the cross, the light]. What made him so? I would sug- Cardinal Newman, however, was not And that has been the case for all gest three things: He rested on the content with shadows, as the motto of you as well. Of course, you will bosom of the Lord during that first on his memorial stone makes clear: remember that I did not engage in Eucharist; he made room in his life “Ex umbris et imaginibus in verita- deceptive advertising when I made for the Mother of Jesus; he had a tem “ [From shadows and types into my “pitch” to you; I clearly promised deep respect and an undying loyalty the truth]. May your living “under you both great joys and great suffer- to St. Peter. Aren’t those the very the shadow of Peter’, in the Church ings. Having to leave your ancestral characteristics that have made you on earth lead you to the full truth, Page 68 Contra Mundum

which is the joy of the Church in is always to communicate that joy heaven, there to reign with Our Risen and peace felt long ago by Blessed Lord, His holy Mother, St. Peter and Mary, her cousin Elizabeth, and John all the saints. the Baptist. Amen. ¶ from a sermon by Father Bradford. The Feast of the Visitation is Tues- day, May 31st.

. ASCENSION No one has ever ascended into heaven except the one who descend- ed from heaven ODAY our Lord Jesus Christ Tascended into heaven; let our THE DAY OF hearts ascend with him. Listen to the words of the Apostle: If you have PENTECOST: risen with Christ, set your hearts WHITSUNDAY on the things that are above where Sunday, May 15, 2005 Christ is, seated at the right hand of Procession, Solemn Mass & God; seek the things that are above, not the things that are on earth. For Sermon just as he remained with us even after ASCENSION DAY Lessons read in foreign his ascension, so we too are already Thursday, May 5, 2005 languages in heaven with him, even though Convent Chapel 10:30am what is promised us has not yet been Holy Day of Obligation fulfilled in our bodies. Procession, Solemn Mass & wear RED to Mass on Pentecost! Christ is now exalted above the Sermon heavens, but he still suffers on earth yes, God is Incarnate. And we who Convent Chapel, 7:30pm all the pain that we, the members of partake of the Holy Food of His Body his body, have to bear. He showed and Blood carry Jesus into our daily this when he cried out from above: lives where He also makes no sign of GOD WORKING IN US Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? His presence but for the examples of Well indeed is the Visitation and when he said: I was hungry and the faith that is in us. counted among the joyful mysteries. you gave me food. The way God worked in the Visi- And the cause of joy is the unseen, Why do we on earth not strive tation is the way He works still. If yet present, Lord Jesus. Lying hid- to find rest with him in heaven even we are conscious that God is in us, den in Mary’s womb, Jesus is the au- now, through the faith, hope and love if our spirit rejoices, like Mary’s, if thor of the happiness in these souls, that unites us to him? While in heav- in humility we give thanks for His John included. It is Jesus Who makes en he is also with us; and we while on loving kindness to us, then Jesus all the difference in their lives. That earth are with him. He is here with unseen will continue to make His is the good news. us by his divinity, his power and his presence felt, and hearts will rejoice The even better news for us is love. We cannot be in heaven, as he wherever we go. that this is the way God works as a is on earth, by divinity, but in him, result of the Incarnation. It is the way Coming as we do from the Lord’s we can be there by love. table, we cannot help bearing Jesus He works now. Ever since Mary said He did not leave heaven when he with us. Remember that His nature Contra Mundum Page 69

came down to us, nor did he with- was Anne Johannsen. A reception draw from us when he went up again after Mass honored this happy oc- into heaven. The fact that he was in casion. Congratulations from us all heaven even while he was on earth is to Eva. borne out by his own statement: No There are a few extra memorial one has ever ascended into heaven cards for Pope John Paul II in the except the one who descended from tract case at the rear of the chapel. heaven, the Son of Man, who is in Also to be found there are a few heaven. copies of the sermons Fr. Bradford These words are explained by preached on April 3 and 10. These our oneness with Christ, for he is our sermons (and the card) were mailed head and we are his body. No one to Boston area parishioners but not to ascended into heaven except Christ the general mailing list. If you would because we also are Christ: he is the like copies of these please write or Son of Man by his union with us, and THANKSGIVING FOR THE IN- call us. (But also see the next item.) we by our union with him are sons STITUTION OF THE BLESSED David Burt has been recording of God. So the Apostle says: Just SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR sermons for our internet site. He as the human body, which has many COMMONLY CALLED has sermons by Father Bradford, members, is a unity, because all the Deacon Michael Connolly, and Fr. different members make one body, Corpus Christi John Farren, OP. You might check so is it also with Christ. He too has the site or contact David for more many members, but one body. Sunday, May 29, 2005 information. Out of compassion for us he de- Solemn Mass & Sermon Our good friend Father George scended from heaven, and although Convent Chapel 10:30am Greenway is preparing to move to he ascended alone, we also ascend, Georgia. He has bought a place in because we are in him by grace. SOLEMN EVENSONG the Sea Islands area where he has Thus, no one but Christ descended & BENEDICTION spent recent winters and is marketing and no one but Christ ascended; 6:00PM his house in the Springfield area. Fr. not because there is no distinction Preacher: Fr. Timothy Gallagher, Greenway has been a great supporter between the head and the body, but OMV of our work and a much appreciated because the body as a unity cannot Chapel of St. Theresa of Ávila guest celebrant on many occasions. be separated from the head. Parish We wish him a long and healthy From a sermon by Saint Augus- West Roxbury continued retirement. tine, bishop Another, and more recent, visitor ¶ One of the four Latin Doctors of SHORT NOTES to us is Fr. John Grennon, OCD, who the Church, St Augustine was bishop Many thanks to those whose is assigned to the Order of Discalced of Hippo Regius in Numidia, North contributions made possible the Carmelites in Brighton. Fr John was Africa from 396-430. He is consid- decoration of the chapel for Easter. most recently con-celebrant at Mass ered by some to be the greatest man Several people commented on how on Lady Day. who ever wrote Latin. especially lovely it looked this year. May is Mary’s month and a book Memorial gifts were listed in the that would make great reading, (or TRINITY SUNDAY Easter service leaflet. a great gift) is The Catholic Answer Sunday, May 22, 2005 Miss Eva Murphy was received Book of Mary. It contains two hun- Procession, Solemn Mass & Sermon into the full communion of the Cath- dred pages of the best articles and olic Church and confirmed at Mass ATHANASIAN CREED sermons to appear in The Catholic on Sunday, April 24th. Her sponsor Convent Chapel, 10:30am Answer while Fr. Peter Stravinskas Page 70 Contra Mundum

was editor. Contributors include Fr. Shert returned to England in August children of the captain who had ar- Romanus Cessario, OP, Fr. Stravin- of 1578 to minister to his fellow rested him. He in turn entertained the skas, Dr. Donald Lacy, and Fr. Catholics persecuted under Queen Scudamore children by giving them Bradford. Elizabeth I. In July of 1581 he was as presents various items that the Fr. Bradford appeared on ABC captured by the Elizabethan authori- Catholic faithful had sent him. Fa- Television World News Tonight on ties and in November was sentenced ther Kemble was condemned to death Saturday, April 16th in a discussion to death. The execution was deferred for being a priest. At his execution, about married priests. until May of 1582. Father Shert and he told the onlookers, “I die only for two other priests (Blesseds Thomas professing the old Roman Catholic Please remember to wear RED Ford and Robert Johnson) were religion, which was the religion that clothing to Mass on Pentecost, May dragged to London’s scaffold at Ty- first made this kingdom Christian.” 15th. This is the great Feast of the burn on May 28. Forced to watch After Father Kemble’s death, a Holy Ghost. And we need parishio- the drawing and quartering of Father daughter of Captain Scudamore (one ners to read the Acts 2:1-11 lesson in Ford before his own execution, Fa- of the children who had visited him a foreign language that day. David ther Shert cried out to his now dead in prison) was miraculously healed of Burt is coordinating this project and companion, “O blessed soul, pray for a throat ailment after the rope used even has copies of the lesson in many me,” and added, “O blessed Lady, in the priest’s hanging was applied foreign languages. No grades will Mother of God, pray for me, and all to the girl’s throat. be given out, but we all do appreci- the saints of heaven, pray for me.” Reprinted from Magnificat, August, 2003, Vol. 5 ate observing Pentecost as the very Questioned one final time, Father No. 6, Page 315 With permission of Magnificat® special day that it is. USA, LLC, Dunwoodie - 201 Seminary Avenue, Shert refused to profess Queen Eliz- Yonkers, New York 10704 or Web site: www. The Bradford family thanks all abeth’s supremacy over the Church magnificat.net. All rights reserved. those parishioners who remembered in England. Before dying, he prayed them with cards and gifts at Easter. aloud, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Your kindness is much appreciated! living God, place your passion, cross, The May Magnificat and death between your justice and my soul.” May is Mary’s month, and I Reprinted from Magnificat, May, 2004, Vol. 6 Muse at that and wonder why: THE BRITISH No. 3, Page 385 With permission of Magnificat® USA, LLC, Dunwoodie - 201 Seminary Avenue, Her feasts follow reason, MARTYRS Yonkers, New York 10704 or Web site: www. Dated due to season— magnificat.net. All rights reserved. VER the years 200 men and Owomen have been beatified for Candlemas, Lady Day; their heroic witness to the Catholic SAINT JOHN KEMBLE But the Lady Month, May, Faith in the British Isles during and Priest and Martyr (1599-1679) Why fasten that upon her, after the Protestant Reformation. A native of Herefordshire, Eng- With a feasting in her honour? Here we continue brief mention of land, John Kemble was ordained a some of these individual martyrs. priest in 1625 at the English College Is it only its being brighter of Douai, France. He spent the next Than the most are must delight BLESSED JOHN SHERT fifty-three years serving the perse- her? Priest and Martyr († 1582) cuted English Catholics of his native Is it opportunest Herefordshire. When he was nearly Having served as a respected And flowers finds soonest? eighty, he was captured and dragged London schoolteacher, John Shert, to prison by the Protestant captain, of Cheshire, England, converted to John Scudamore, whose own wife Ask of her, the mighty mother: the Catholic faith and journeyed to and children were Catholics. While Her reply puts this other Douai, France, to study for the priest- awaiting his trial, Father Kemble was Question: What is Spring? hood. Ordained in Rome, Father frequently visited in prison by the Growth in every thing— Contra Mundum Page 71

in God who was her salvation. cation. Flesh and fleece, fur and feather, ¶ Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-89) Although this saint would seem Grass and greenworld all together; was an English poet, convert, and Je- to have primarily a local interest con- Star-eyed strawberry-breasted suit priest. His poetry was published fined to Madrid, Spain, is included in Throstle above her nested posthumously after 1918. the Calendar in the United States as Saint Isidore the Farmer. Cluster of bugle blue eggs thin Saint of the The Madrileños have taken Forms and warms the life within; the somewhat saintly story of San And bird and blossom swell Isidro and turned it into giant fiesta. In sod or sheath or shell. Month Legend has it that the saint was an impoverished farm worker who, along with his wife Santa Maria de All things rising, all things sizing la Cabeza, became famous for giving Mary sees, sympathizing food to the poor. On another occa- With that world of good, sion during a drought he broke the Nature’s motherhood. earth with a scythe which brought forth a spring of water which gave Their magnifying of each its kind sufficient water to supply all of With delight calls to mind Madrid. The pious couple, who first How she did in her stored made their appearance in the Middle Magnify the Lord. Ages, also became associated with various miraculous works which led to their joint beatification. Well but there was more than this: These days San Isidro stands for Spring’s universal bliss fun, with the official festival - which Much, had much to say dates from 1947 -running from about To offering Mary May. May 8-15, but with events often spilling over for much longer. When drop-of-blood-and-foam- dapple The Congregation of Bloom lights the orchard-apple St. Isidro of Madrid Saint Athanasius, And thicket and thorp are merry Feast Day 15 May The Revd. Richard Sterling Bradford, With silver-surféd cherry. The festival of San Isidro, Saint Chaplain Isidore, one of Madrid’s patron saints, takes place during the month Sunday Mass 10:30am And azuring-over greybell makes of May. The San Isidro festival is the Saint Theresa Convent Wood banks and brakes wash wet most important bullfighting festival like lakes Chapel in the world, but offers other cel- 10 St. Theresa Ave. And magic cuckoo call ebrations as well that include fairs, West Roxbury, Mass. Caps, clears, and clinches all— concerts, dances and the romeria, a kind of pilgrimage, to the ermita de Rectory: 192 Foster Street, This ecstasy all through mothering San Isidro. The ermita de San Isidro Brighton, MA 02135-4620 earth is an early eighteenth-century chapel, Tells Mary her mirth till Christ’s where, out of tradition or belief, the Tel/Fax: (617) 787-0553 birth faithful partake of the miraculous To remember and exultation water looking for health or purifi- Web: http://www.locutor.net Page 72 Contra Mundum

St.. Theresa Church and Convent Chapel, West Roxbury, MA 02132 Pine Lodge Road (off St.. Theresa Avenue) Park either in the church parking lot or on Pine Lodge Road. The side door of the convent is open during the time of our services. Directions by Car: From the North: Route 128 to Route 109, which becomes Spring Street in West Roxbury. Spring Street ends at a traffic light at Centre Street in sight of the church. At this light bear left onto Centre St.. and immediately turn right at the next light onto St.. Theresa Ave. From the South: Route 1 north through Dedham to Spring Street. Turn right onto Spring Street then follow the directions above. From Dorchester and Mattapan: Cummins High- way to Belgrade Avenue to Centre Street left on St.. Theresa Ave. From Boston: VFW Parkway to LaGrange Street. Turn left onto LaGrange Street, crossing Centre Street and turn right onto Landseer Street. Turn left into the church parking lot. Directions by Public Transportation: Orange line to Forest Hills terminal. Bus to West Roxbury. #35 bus to Dedham Mall. #36, #37, and #38 also stop at St.. Theresa’s. Commuter train to West Roxbury Station is a short walk to St.. Theresa’s. Departs from South Sta- tion, but no Sunday service is available.

Contra Mundum The Congregation of St. Athanasius 10 St.. Theresa Avenue West Roxbury, MA 02132