Contra Mundum Volume IV, Issue 10 May 2002

The Congregation of St. Athanasius - Roman Catholic, Anglican Use http://www.locutor.net What can we say about the Chris- NOTES tian Day of Pentecost? It is easier to say what is not true. John Keble got many things right, but his descrip- FROM THE tion of the phenomena of Pentecost (as “softer than gale at morning CHAPLAIN prime” and fires that “gently light, a glorious crown, on every sainted OST of us assume that the head”) was off the mark. When you M great events of Pentecost oc- read Acts 2:1-11, it seems that Pen- curred in the same Upper Room as tecost to the apostles was almost as the Last Supper. But the Scriptures frightening as the giving of the Law do not say. What they DO say is that on Sinai. There it was flashes of the first Christians often met in the lightning and peals of thunder. Here Temple (Luke 24.53). This might a sound from Heaven only to be de- explain the speed with which the scribed as a roaring deafening wind, crowd gathered. It is recorded that and cloven tongues like as flames of these men were not city residents but fire licking over them. Both Mt. Sinai from all over the world. It makes and the Day of Pentecost describe more sense to understand this crowd scenes of holy violence. Both at close by a Pentecost event in the Sinai and at Pentecost, this holy phe- Temple than at or nearby the Upper prophecy in Jeremiah 31: “I will nomena was objectively noticed. At Room, which was probably in a resi- make a new covenant with the house Sinai the people of Israel saw how dential neighborhood. of Israel not according to the cov- Moses’ face shone with the glory of It is important to remember that enant that I made with their fathers God. At Pentecost it was because of the Day of Pentecost was a signifi- but I will put My Law in their in- the sound of the raging wind that cant Jewish festival, originally a ward parts, and write it in their people started converging upon the thanksgiving for the wheat harvest, hearts.” Christians. Even outsiders became but over the years came to celebrate Because of the season of the year, aware of some strange force, and the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai. the Festival of Pentecost was the rushed to investigate. It was therefore the deliberate choice “holy day of obligation” which The second great experience of of Jesus that He gave His waiting brought the largest number of foreign Pentecost was the abnormal language Church the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. Jews and converts to Jerusalem. By the crowd heard when they gathered. (Acts 1:4) The plain purpose of Al- choosing Pentecost for the coming of This was not described as “speaking mighty God was that the Jewish fes- the Holy Spirit, Christ was intend- in tongues.” St. Luke was no doubt tival of the Law should give way to ing His Gospel for all, and making acquainted with this practice. But he the Christian festival of the Holy this obvious right from the start by expressly describes on the occasion Spirit. It was the fulfillment of the the choice of this day. of Pentecost the using of foreign lan- Page 54 Contra Mundum guages, which both astonished the turned now. Proceeds benefit Catho- and after the Protestant Reformation. hearers and convinced many. So here lic Charities. You might consider an Here we continue brief mention of again it is a word from the Lord: extra gift to Catholic Charities right some of these individual martyrs. Christ’s Church is catholic, and from now as their income is down a bit. SAINTS , the beginning she speaks to each in- Father Bradford visited the group , AND AU- dividual in his own idiom. interested in Anglican use in Roch- GUSTINE WEBER Priests, Reli- And what can we say about the ester, New York at the end of April. gious and Martyrs (†1535) Holy Ghost Who came to the Church He celebrated Mass and officiated at With parliament’s passing of an in the unique gifts St. Luke de- Evensong in St. Anne’s Church, edict requiring all in England to rec- scribes? Well, He is invisible! Rochester, and met with lay people ognize King Henry VIII as sole head When we think of God’s Son we and clergy. This is his fifth visit to of the English Church, the Carthusian rightly see Jesus. And Jesus once Rochester. monks of London’s Charterhouse said to Philip “He who has seen Me The League of Catholic Women monastery realized that they were has seen the Father.” (John 14.9) But holds its 66th Diocesan Congress on soon to be put to the test. In prepa- the Holy Ghost is only LIKE a dove. Thursday, May 9th (which is also ration the , led by their His presence was associated with the Ascension Day) at the Dedham Holi- prior Father John Houghton, made a “sound of Heaven” AS OF “a rush- day Inn. The League was founded three-day retreat. At the conclusion, ing mighty wind” and “cloven in 1910 to unite Catholic women for a Mass in honor of the Holy Spirit tongues” LIKE AS OF fire. It is be- the promotion of religious, cultural was celebrated during which a gentle cause the Holy Ghost is invisible that and charitable work. For reserva- wind was witnessed in the chapel, Our Lord said “the world cannot re- tions call Rose Sullivan at 617-734- believed by all to be a sign that the ceive Him.” But Christians know the 5383. Holy Spirit would strengthen them Holy Ghost “for He dwelleth with Father Peter Stravinskas will ob- for the trial to come. Only days later you and shall be in you.” (John serve his 25th anniversary of ordi- Father Houghton along with the pri- 14:17). Faith enables you to detect nation with a Jubilee Mass in New ors of two other Carthusian houses, the presence of the Holy Ghost in York City on May 28th. Congratu- Fathers Robert Lawrence and Augus- your heart. This again recalls the old lations! He is, among many other tine Weber, were arrested and sent to prophecy of Jeremiah. things, editor of The Catholic An- the Tower of London after refusing And because He dwells in our swer, and has been both a preacher to assent to Henry’s takeover of the hearts, the Holy Ghost is “seen” in and retreat leader for our congrega- Church. As the priors were led away His effects: “The fruit of the Spirit tion. to their execution by drawing and quartering on May 4, 1535, Saint is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, Many thanks to Father Robert Thomas More, also imprisoned in the gentleness, goodness, faith, meek- McMillan, S.J., for being celebrant Tower, watched them pass. He com- ness, temperance.” It is that Holy and preacher at our Sunday Mass on mented to his daughter that “these Ghost which St. Peter said Christ April 28th. He is Director of Devel- blessed fathers be now as cheerfully “hath shed forth” on the Church on opment for the Archdiocese of Bos- going to their death as bridegrooms the great Feast of Pentecost. ton. to their marriage.” FATHER BRADFORD Most holy Lord Jesus, have THE BRITISH mercy on me in this hour. SHORT NOTES Final words, Saint John Houghton

Reprinted from MAGNIFICAT, May 2001 Vol. 3, issue, No. 3, Page 83 With Many thanks to those who re- MARTYRS permission of MAGNIFICAT® USA, LLC, Dunwoodie - 201 Seminary Av- membered the Bradfords with cards enue, Yonkers, New York 10704 or Web site: www.magnificat.net. All VER the years 200 men and rights reserved. and gifts at Easter. Your kindness is women have been beatified always much appreciated. O BLESSEDS JOHN ROCHESTER for their heroic witness to the Catho- AND JAMES WALWORTH Priests, Lenten coin folders may be re- lic Faith in the British Isles during Religious, and Martyrs († 1537) Contra Mundum Page 55 Following the execution of three AINT Dunstan, Archbishop of According to another legend, Carthusians on May 4, 1535, the re- S Canterbury, received his early Satan returned again as a weary trav- gime of King Henry VIII resorted to education from the Irish monks at eller in need of a horseshoe. Dunstan tactics of intimidation in an effort to Glastonbury, where he received the saw through the disguise once again make the other monks of this order tonsure and later became a and beat the devil until he pleaded in London’s Charterhouse assent to Benedictine monk. He was chosen for mercy, and swore never to enter the royal takeover of the Church in abbot in 940 and is remembered for any house with a horseshoe above the England. The silence in the clois- his reforms of the monastery where door. tered monastery and the recitation of he restored full observance of the In his old age Dunstan retired to the Divine Office were disrupted, the Benedictine Rule. The monastery Canterbury and gave himself over to monks’ cells were invaded and books became famous for its learning and private prayer, besides his regular at- were confiscated. Ruffians wandered hospitality to scholars. Monastic life tendance at Mass and the Office. about within the Charterhouse jeer- had become almost extinct in En- Often he would visit the shrines of th ing at the monks and striking them. gland by the middle of the 10 cen- St. Augustine and St. Ethelbert, and Two of the Carthusians, Fathers John tury; its restoration was almost en- we are told of a vision of angels who Rochester and James Walworth, were tirely to Dunstan’s credit. sang to him heavenly canticles. He forcibly taken to another Carthusian He was important in national po- worked ever for the spiritual and tem- monastery in Hull that had submit- litical life as a supporter of King poral improvement of his people, ted to Henry’s demands but the two Edgar. He became Archbishop of building and restoring churches, es- priests remained steadfast, refusing Canterbury in 960. Amongst all tablishing schools, judging suits, de- to recognize Henry as head of the those who have directed the govern- fending the widow and the orphan, Church. They were executed by ment of the Church in England, promoting peace, enforcing respect hanging in York on May 11, 1537. whilst holding the highest office in for purity. He practised, also, his Reprinted from MAGNIFICAT, May 2001 Vol. 3, issue, No. 3, Page 162 With permission of MAGNIFICAT® USA, LLC, Dunwoodie - 201 Semi- the Church, Dunstan is entitled to a handicrafts, making bells and organs nary Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10704 or Web site: www.magnificat.net. All rights reserved. place of honor. He labored with no and correcting the books in the ca- small success to establish peace thedral library. He encouraged and Saint of the amongst the different peoples settled protected scholars of all lands who in England. Together he and King came to England, and was unwearied Edgar carried out thorough and far- as a teacher of the boys in the cathe- Month reaching reforms both of the Church dral school. and the state. There is a sentence in the earli- While a young monk he became est biography, written by his friend, a skilled metalworker and a master that shows us the old man sitting of bell making and organ building. among the lads, whom he treated so There are hints of dark stories that gently, and telling them stories of his he was an alchemist. According to early days and of his forebears. And legend, he was twice visited at his long after his death we are told of forge by the devil, and he got the children who prayed to him for pro- better of the devil both times. tection against harsher teachers, and While Dunstan was at work the whose prayers were answered. On devil paid him a visit, disguised as a the vigil of Ascension Day, 988 he beautiful woman, with a view to was warned by a vision of angels that leading him astray. However St. he had but three days to live. On the Dunstan spotted the cloven hooves feast itself he pontificated at Mass St. Dunstan beneath the dress, and grabbed the and preached three times to the people: once at the Gospel, a second (c. 909-988) devil’s nose with his red hot pincers, foiling Satan’s evil intentions. time at the benediction (then given Feast Day 19 May Page 56 Contra Mundum after the Pater Noster), and a third time after the Agnus Dei. In this last address he announced his impending death and bade them farewell. That afternoon he chose the spot for his tomb, then took to his bed. His strength failed rapidly, and on Satur- day morning (19 May), after the AY IS MARY’S MONTH. hymn at Matins, he caused the clergy You might read a book about to assemble. Mass was celebrated M Our Lady during the month. A sug- in his presence, then he received gestion is The Book of Mary pub- Extreme Unction and the Holy Vi- lished by Our Sunday Visitor (and aticum, and expired as he uttered the containing 29 articles by various au- words of thanksgiving: “He hath thors including Fr. Stravinskas, Fr. made a remembrance of his wonder- Cessario, Fr. Bradford, and Dr. ful works, being a merciful and gra- Donald Lacy. Until Trinity Sunday, cious Lord: He hath given food to recite the Regina CÏli at noon in them that fear Him.” They buried place of the Angelus. him in his cathedral; and when that was burnt down in 1074, his relics ¦ On the Feast of the Visitation, Fri- were translated with great honor by day, May 31st, Mass will be offered Lanfranc to a tomb on the south side at 12:00 noon in the Convent Chapel. of the high altar in the new church. The monks of Glastonbury used to Regina CÏli claim that during the sack of Canter- bury by the Danes in 1012, the saint’s body had been carried for safety to Joy to thee, O Queen of their abbey; but this claim was dis- heaven, alleluia; proved by Archbishop Warham, by He whom thou wast meet to whom the tomb at Canterbury was PATRONAL FEAST bear, alleluia, opened in 1508 and the holy relics As he promised, hath arisen, found. At the Synod of Winchester Saint Athanasius, alleluia: Pour for us to him thy prayer, in 1029, St. Dunstan’s feast was or- bishop and doctor dered to be kept solemnly through- alleluia. out England on 19 May. Until his Solemn Mass & Sermon Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin fame was overshadowed by that of Thursday, May 2, 2002 Mary, alleluia, St. Thomas the Martyr, he was the For the Lord hath arisen favorite saint of the English people. 7:30pm indeed, alleluia. His shrine was destroyed at the Ref- Saint Theresa of Ávila Chapel GOD, who by the resur- ormation. Throughout the Middle rection of thy Son our Ages he was the patron of the gold- The Revd. Joseph F. Wilson, O celebrant and preacher Lord Jesus Christ hast brought smiths’ guild. He is most often rep- joy to the whole world; grant resented holding a pair of smith’s The Revd. James O’Driscoll, that through his Mother the Vir- tongs; sometimes, in reference to his assisting gin Mary we may obtain the joys visions, he is shown with a dove hov- Deacon Michael Connolly, of life everlasting. Through ering near him, or with a troop of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. angels before him. assisting Contra Mundum Page 57 The Congregation of Saint Athanasius, The Revd. Richard Sterling Bradford, Chaplain

worshiping at Saint Theresa Convent Chapel 10 St. Theresa Ave. West Roxbury, Mass. Rectory: 192 Foster Street, ceived from the Episcopal Church ASCENSION and confirmed into the full commun- Brighton, MA 02135-4620 ion of the at this Tel/Fax: (617) 787-0553 DAY Mass. Sally is a native of Richmond, Thursday, Virginia, and is completing a gradu- Web: http://www.locutor.net ate degree in sacred music at Boston May 9, 2002 Sundays 10:30am. Sung Mass, fol- University. A Sunday morning job lowed by coffee and fellowship in the Holy Day of Obligation as organist has prevented her from convent solarium. Adult Christian attending our regular Sunday Procession and Solemn Mass Education two Sundays a month. Masses, and she gave her degree re- Saint Theresa Convent Chapel cital in Marsh Chapel on April 13th. May 12 & 26, Christian Life: 7:30pm Sally began receiving instruction Educating Children. Lost Boys early last fall and has this year been of Sudan. joined by Miss Corinne Davis in June 9 & 23, Worship and weekly classes. Please remember Liturgy: The History of the them both in your prayers. The cof- Divine Office. Deacon Michael fee hour after Mass on May l9th will Connolly. be in honor of our confirmand! July 14 & 28, Old Testament: ¶ SOLEMN EVENSONG & BENE- The Prophets. DICTION on the Feast of Pentecost, August 11 & 25, New Testament: PENTECOST at 5:00pm in the Saint Theresa of The Pauline Epistles. Sunday, May 19, 2002 Ávila Chapel. September 8 & 22, English Procession, Confirmation, and Monasticism. Solemn Mass 10:30am Four Day Penn. Dutch & October 12 & 20, Church Gettysburg Tour, August 30 - Sep- Architecture. ¶ We need readers of the Acts 2:1- tember 2, 2002 $419.00 pp TWIN 11 lesson in foreign languages at November 10 & 17, Heroic / $409.00 pp TRIPLE / $519.00 Saints and Martyrs. Mass. Volunteers are asked to con- pp SINGLE. Your motorcoach tact David Burt. Also, all members will depart from: Salem Temple, December 8 & 22, Great Angli- of the congregation are encouraged 220 Woodrow Avenue, can Figures. to wear RED clothing to Mass on Dorchester, MA 7:30 AM. This January 13 & 27, Eastern Pentecost! is a benefit for the parish. A pro- Religions. ¶ One of our candidates for recep- spectus is available at the back of tion, Miss Sally Micks, will be re- the chapel. Page 58 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 Strect 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 Highway 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 Transponation: 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 Roxhury 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