@Contra Mundum@ Volume XI, Issue 3 October 2008 The Congregation of St. Athanasius A Congregation of the Pastoral Provision of John Paul II for the Anglican Usage of the Roman Rite http://www.locutor.net vative. Freedom isn’t an end in itself. NOTES It is just an opportunity to do good FROM THE or bad. Dialogue isn’t endless. It is directed towards truth. Democratic CHAPLAIN government is for what end? John Remembering a Giant Paul II is constantly taking us out of the comfort zones of small thinking wenty-five years ago, it was a toward ultimate issues. And he insists Monday evening when the white T that we cannot talk about politics or smoke rising from a smoke stack in economics, or philosophy or war the Sistine Chapel announced that while at the same time avoiding the the conclave of cardinals had elected “God” word and ultimate truth. a new Pope, Karol Wojtyla. We had As a fairly recent convert to Ca- to learn to pronounce his name. the frontiers of the States, the politi- tholicism, I am amazed and dis- Cardinal Law, then a bishop in Mis- cal and economic systems—do not gusted at the contempt shown to souri, thought he must be one of the be afraid! Christ knows what is in the Holy Father by the lightweight African cardinals. Twenty-five years man, and He alone knows it.” faculty members of our seminaries have passed, and it is safe to say no Technology, science, politics, and and so-called Catholic colleges, and one person has had a more profound sociology all combined to try to even staff persons in our chanceries. influence on more people and the crush the fundamental uniqueness John Paul II is the moral giant of our course of human events in that time, of each person. And thereby crush age. There is no close second. His than the Holy Father. And he had this search for truth, which leads to encyclicals and apostolic letters are dedicated his life, and his pontificate, the One Who created truth. The Pope pure gold, and they should have been to the defense of the dignity of each said, “the exclusion of Christ from incorporated into a continuing educa- person, and the moral need in each the history of man is an act against tion program for all Catholics long person to seek truth. In his sermon man.” And the battle is ongoing. His ago. After the Mass inaugurating his at the Mass inaugurating his pontifi- defending of the dignity of person- pontificate twenty-five years ago, in cate, the Holy Father said, “Do not hood has made the Holy Father larger the procession in front of St. Peter’s be afraid! Open wide the doors to than any ordinary political catego- Basilica, John Paul II lifted his staff Christ, to His saving power—open ries. He is neither liberal nor conser- that bears the Crucified Christ. He Page 18 Contra Mundum was adding gesture to the theme of his reign, in Christ alone do we all find happiness and salvation. He is old and frail now. He can no longer lift high the cross. But he clings to it still, because it is his one reliance and the anchor of his life. Which is why John Paul’s life has been such a blessing to us all. ¶ A sermon preached by Father Brad- ford on 16 October 2003, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the accession of Pope John Paul II The Holy Father went to God on April 2, 2005. Once the Pharisees asked Our Lord: “Is it that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?” Our are God’s.” Keep the Pedagogical Lord asked for a coin and then inquired, Thus we are taught to give both the State and Advantage “Whose image and inscription does it bear?” the Church what is due to each, in accordance They answered, “Caesar’s.” And Our Lord with the end that each pursues. ublic opinon on abortion has said: “Render, therefore, to Caesar the things Pbeen remarkably stable since Roe vs. Wade. (Most Americans ¶ During October the Congregation will conduct an Every Member Canvass for the financial support of its programs in 2009. reject legal abortion except in cir- cumstances of rape, incest and pre- gotten. The more they fought to keep abortions to earlier ones, and from serving the mother’s physical life it legal, the more people rejected the partially-delivered babies to embry- and health.) Movement in public “pro-choice” mindset. Now that the onic stem cells. Of course, the earlier opinion has been in the pro-life direc- Supreme Court has agreed to hear in pregnancy an abortion occurs, the tion, and the most visible movement the partial-birth abortion case again, smaller and less visible the baby is, came when the reality of partial-birth to determine if the federal law that the more people are willing to allow abortion first came to public light just President Bush signed to ban it is abortion. The pedagogical advantage over a decade ago. In that debate, constitutional, we are poised for we have in talking about partial-birth what actually happens to the baby another burst of news coverage that abortion is that people learn when was the focus, rather than abstract can only be helpful to the pro-life they are led from the more obvious argument about “freedom of choice” cause. to the less obvious, from the concrete and “Constitutional rights.” to the abstract, and from what is self- Now that it’s too late to hide partial- evident to what is reached only after Abortion supporters would have birth abortion, pro-abortion groups a process of reasoning. been well-advised to just let us ban want to do the next best thing: shift partial-birth abortion and let it be for- the focus of the argument from later Notice how much of the pro-life Contra Mundum Page 19

Saint

very day Jesus humbles himself just as he did when he came from his heavenly throne into the ’s womb; every day he comes to“E us and lets us see him in abjection, when he descends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the priest at the altar. He shows himself to us in this sacred bread just as he once appeared to his apostles in real flesh. With their own eyes they saw only his flesh, but they believed that he was God, because they contemplated him with eyes of the spirit. We too, with our own eyes, see only bread and wine; but we must see further and firmly believe that this is his most holy Body and Blood, living and true.” Francis of Assisi ¶ St. Francis’ Day is Saturday, October 4th.

conversation in our day is about stem Let’s be perfectly clear: The de- cells, cloning and morning-after pills. struction of the tiniest zygote is just Don’t misunderstand me—these as wrong as putting scissors in the things must be addressed, and we at neck of a partially-born baby. But Priests for Life are addressing them. it is not just as obvious. If we want But don’t think that the shifting of to rouse the public to action and the conversation is by accident or change public policy, we must keep totally by the decision of pro-life the primary focus where we have the leaders. The pro-abortion movement pychological and pedagogical advan- would much prefer that we talk tage—partial-birth abortion—and Saint [October 18] about stem cells than partial-birth move from there to the less obvious The Collect abortion, and we must not let them issues. Almighty God, who didst inspire thy succeed in making the public forget servant Luke the physician to set forth Fr. Frank Pavone in the Gospel the love and healing power that partial-birth abortion is still of thy Son: Graciously continue in thy being performed without criminal ¶ Fr. Pavone is National Director, Priests for Church the like love and power to heal, Life. This editorial appeared in the July-Au- penalties. The upcoming Supreme to the praise and glory of thy Name; gust 2006 issue of the organization’s news- through the same thy Son Jesus Christ Court case on this procedure should letter. You may subscribe free of charge at our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with propel us into action, talking about [email protected]. The Supreme thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. it constantly and demanding that Court upheld the constitutionality of the federal law banning partial-birth abortion candidates for public office declare ¶ Saint Luke’s Day is Saturday, October on April 18, 2007. th where they stand on it. 18 . Low Mass at 9 a.m. in the Convent th ¶ Respect Life Sunday is October 5 . Chapel. Page 20 Contra Mundum

MORAL DECLINE Then, there is this matter of sex, Saint Simon and or should we say “sexual deprav- t seems wherever I go and with Saint Jude ity”? The sacramental nature of whomever I converse, there are I marriage appears to be a thing of The Apostles those deeply concerned about the the past. Adultery in some circles [October 28] moral decline in this country. This is is even expected and has become a The Collect especially true on my book signing way of life. Abortions are common. God, we thank thee for the glo- tours and comes from people I have Pre-marital sex for both genders is at rious company of the apostles, never seen before. Is it really that big O levels some of us can hardly believe, and especially on this day for Simon of a deal? Yes, it is! Will this strong and Jude; and we pray that, as they especially among teenagers. Has the sense of moral failure lead to im- were faithful and zealous in their drive for legal equality, with radical mission, so we may with ardent provement in our private and public feminists at the forefront, given us devotion make known the love and living? By the grace of the Almighty an open door for equal fornication mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus God I hope and pray that is the Christ; who liveth and reigneth with and adultery? case. Is it true “never have so many thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. people had so much and never have Indeed, the Mother of our Lord, so many people been so unhappy?” the Blessed Virgin Mary, is trying to Pope John Paul II warned the USA communicate something imperative long ago about consumerism. When to this nation! Indeed, how many is enough…enough? Roman Catholics fell by the way- side because they no longer fully In this arena of discourse, where- honored her and pushed her off to ever and whomever, two areas are the side? We are beginning to pay a brought up: greed and sex. We don’t horrendous price for all of this. Col- have to look very far to discover the lege-aged youth need reminding that attitude “I need more” and “I am go- careers come and go, but morality ing to get it”. Let’s ask the question is a constant that does not go away. no one seems to want to ask: Has the So, what does all of this have to do wrong use of the capitalistic system t is important to periodically con- with ecumenical and interreligious sider why the Apostles are com- given us this pervasive malady? Is I concerns? In breadth and depth, dear memorated separately or in pairs “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God” associates, everything! throughout the year. There is about outdated, even among those claiming one such feast in every month. Why to be seriously religious? Our culture Donald Charles Lacy not rather lump them all together on ¶ Dr. Lacy is a Methodist minister and the Feast of All ? And why has tried to put a price tag on all of author, long active in ecumenical affairs. ever commemorate these men singly, us. Surely there is more to life than Both Fr. Bradford and Fr. Stravinskas are about most of whom, like today’s SS having more and more “things.” The among the Catholics who are associates of Simon and Jude, we know almost building of storage structures for the Lacy Institute for Ecumenism. Dr. Lacy nothing certain. personal use is one way of making a has been preacher in two of Fr. Bradford’s congregations. continued on page 22 quick fortune! Contra Mundum Page 21

THE PEACE OF order capable of restoring peace in brought it back to God. When we say the midst of all this turmoil, and that to God, we do not mean to that inert GOD is the party of God. It is this party, being heedless of all things human he desire for peace is certainly therefore, that we must advance, which the dream of materialists has Tharbored in every breast, and and to it attract as many as possible, imagined, but to the true and living there is no one who does not ar- if we are really urged by the love God, one in nature, triple in person, dently invoke it. But to want peace of peace. We shall never, however Creator of the world, most wise Or- without God is an absurdity, seeing much we exert ourselves, succeed in dainer of all things, Lawgiver most that where God is absent thence too calling men back to the majesty and just, who punishes the wicked and justice flies, and when justice is taken empire of God, except by means of has reward in store for virtue. away it is vain to cherish the hope of Jesus Christ. Hence it follows that to St. Pius X peace. There are many who, in their restore all things in Christ and to lead ¶ This extract from the encyclical E Su- yearning for peace, that is, for the men back to submission to God is premi (On the Restoration of All Things ) is dated October 4, 1903. Pope tranquility of order, band themselves one and the same aim. To this, then, in Christ Pius X reigned from 1903 to 1914 and into societies and parties, which they it behooves us to devote our care—to was canonized in 1954. style parties of order. Hope and labor lead back mankind under the domin- lost. For there is but one party of ion of Christ; this done, we shall have

Anglican Use Solemn Evensong & Benediction Monday, October 20, 2008 6:00 p.m. Saint Mary’s Chapel Boston College

¶ This service is under the auspic- es of the Saint Soci- ety at Boston College. Fr. Bradford will be the preacher. Page 22 Contra Mundum

SS Simon & Jude, continued from page 20 Short Notes on Sunday, November 2nd. Set your clocks BACK one hour before going The reason lies in a fundamental to bed Saturday night. @ concept of Christianity to which The Magnificat Pilgrimage of you and I witness. In the Creed, and Hope—Boston 2008 will take place @ Fr. Romanus Cessario, O.P., was at Christmas, and in the daily Ange- October 11–12. Registration and our preacher at Evensong on Holy lus, we proclaim that “the Word was program materials are available in Cross Day and reminded the con- made flesh and dwelt among us.” The the convent. gregation of the great connection between the Holy Cross and the Church, you see, is a living organism, @ carrying down history a living tradi- We regret the death of the Revd. Archdiocese of Boston, principally tion of faith. The Truth we proclaim Howard S. Hane, a priest of the through the early North American is not a discovery made by you or me Archdiocese of Boston who lived in missionaries and our first bishop from our Bible reading! It is rather retirement in Chicago. Fr. Hane was Jean Louis Anne Madelain Lefebvre a revelation of a Living Lord given a former Episcopal priest who had de Cheverus. North America was to the Apostles and received from been attached to Fr. Bradford’s All dedicated to the Holy Cross, and the them and handed on to the succeed- Saints Ashmont parish in the 1950s cathedrals of the (arch)diocese have ing generations. and who said his first Mass as a been named in honor of the Holy Catholic priest in St. Mary’s Church, Cross. Many thanks to Fr. Cessario. In the early Church, and in the New Dedham (where Fr. Bradford also Testament itself, when the interpre- said his first Mass). Fr. Hane always @ Names of departed souls may be tation of Christian doctrine required followed the affairs of the Anglican submitted for remembrance at the All authority, the credential for teaching Use in Boston with great interest. Souls’ Day Requiem. Send by mail, was not “well, it seems to me from May he rest in peace. place in the alms basin, or use the my reading of the Bible” but rather forms now available in the chapel. @ Many thanks to Fr. James O’Driscoll the teacher appealed to apostolic @ Fr. Stravinskas, who is well-known tradition. Time and again the appeal for being our Sunday Mass priest on st th throughout the Church as an author, was “this truth I received from the August 31 and September 7 . Fr. O’Driscoll is known to all the mem- preacher, and teacher, will be with bishop who was before me, and he us for All Souls’ Day, November 2nd. received it.” bers of the congregation for his fre- quent assistance at Holy Day Masses He first visited the Congregation in 1997, has been our retreat conductor, Our Lord Jesus Christ did not write and Evensongs. He is parochial vicar and his most recent visit was during a book. He founded a Church. And in Holy Family Parish, Rockland. Advent 2006. He is editor of The St. Paul says that Church is “built @ Catholic Response magazine. upon the foundation of the apostles.” Thanks also to Burt, who This law of transmission, a transmis- arranged for Evensong & Benedic- sion both of truth and grace, is not tion at St. ’s Church, Woods th frosting on the cake! Apostolic order Hole, on August 17 . David hosted and witness is an essential feature members of the congregation and of the Church’s oneness with her other participants at a luncheon at his Lord. It is the way Our Lord Jesus home in Teaticket prior to the service. provided for the revealing of God’s About sixty people attended. will for us. @ Many thanks also to Bob Molloy ¶ A sermon preached by Father Brad- for his help in preparing the Sep- ford on the Feast of SS. Simon & Jude, tember edition of the parish paper October 28, 1998. The Feast falls on a for mailing. Tuesday this year. Low Mass at 9 a.m. in the Convent Chapel. @ Eastern Standard Time returns Contra Mundum Page 23

Reprinted from Magnificat, July 2005, Vol. 7, British No. 5, Page 366. With permission of Magni­ ficat® USA, LLC, Dunwoodie - 201 Seminary Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10704 or Web site: Martyrs www.magnificat.net. All rights reserved.

VER the years 200 men and women Blessed John Lowe have been beatified for their heroic Priest and Martyr (c. 1553–1586) witnessO to the Catholic Faith in the Brit- ish Isles during and after the Protestant ormerly a Protestant minister, Reformation. Here we continue brief John Lowe, a native of London, Sunday, November 2, 2008 mention of some of these individual F journeyed to the continent to study Solemn Requiem Mass & Sermon martyrs. for the priesthood following his 10:30 a.m. conversion to the Catholic faith. He Convent Chapel Blesseds Thomas Hunt and prepared for his ordination in Rome Preacher: Thomas Sprott of 1582 by completing the Ignatian The Revd. Peter M. J. Stravinskas Priests and Martyrs († 1600) retreat of the Spiritual Exercises. Vespers of the Dead & Benediction A year later, shortly before leaving fter escaping from an Eliza- 5:00 p.m. bethan prison, the English for England, Father Lowe went to Chapel of priestsA Thomas Hunt, of Norfolk, see Pope Gregory XIII, kissing the St. Theresa of Avila Church and Thomas Sprott, of Skelsmergh, pontiff’s feet out of reverence for Preacher: Fr. Stravinskas resumed their secret apostolate to the Petrine office. After reaching the country’s persecuted Catholics. England in the autumn of 1583, the But soon afterward, the inn where young priest proved to be a gifted Fathers Hunt and Sprott were staying exorcist. The extraordinary suc- The Congregation was raided by officers looking for cess of Father Lowe and his fellow of Saint Athanasius robbers. Upon searching the two fu- priests in expelling demons from the gitives’ belongings, the officials dis- possessed impressed many, prompt- The Revd. Richard Sterling Bradford, Chaplain covered two breviaries and holy oils, ing the conversions of at least five arousing the suspicion that the two hundred people to the Catholic faith Saint Theresa Convent were priests. Fathers Hunt and Sportt within half a year. The total number of conversions may have been as Chapel admitted to having been Catholics 10 St. Theresa Ave. since their infancy, but refused to high as four thousand. Determined say whether they were priests. Their to put a stop to what was happening, West Roxbury, Mass. profession of papal primacy led to agents of Queen Elizabeth I’s Protes- (Enter through the side door.) their arrest. At their trial, where they tant regime captured Father Lowe in Sundays 10:30 a.m. were summarily condemned to death late summer of 1586. The priest was for being priests, Fathers Hunt and condemned to death by drawing and Sung Mass Sprott were subjected to a barrage of quartering on October 8, 1586, for Fellowship and Coffee in the polemics from Protestant ministers. the exorcisms he had carried out. Lounge after Mass The priests refuted the ministers’ Reprinted from Magnificat, October 2007, Vol. arguments so ably that they began to 9, No. 8, Page 135. With permission of Magni­ Rectory: win the sympathy of the onlookers, ficat® USA, LLC, Dunwoodie - 201 Seminary 767 West Roxbury Pkwy. leading the magistrates to order an Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10704 or Web site: end to the debate. Both priests were www.magnificat.net. All rights reserved. Boston, MA 02132-2121 executed by drawing and quarter- Tel/Fax: (617) 325-5232 ing. http://www.locutor.net Page 24 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 Cen­ tre 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 Station, but no Sunday service is available.

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