Issue 91 April 2020

Mass, Catholic TV Monks can Books to and radio, spiritual teach us about inspire in resources, go online how to live self isolation Pages 3 & 4 Pages 6 & 7 Page 12 We are never isolated from the love of Christ Greg Watts the ‘hope of glory,’ alive within us (cf. Col 1:27).” Pope Francis raises the Although we are socially isolated The Prime Minster also stated that Blessed Sacrament from from each other, we are not isolated all social events, including the steps of St Peter’s from Christ, John has weddings, baptisms and other after delivering his Urbi et said. ceremonies, but excluding funerals, Orbi message to the world He was speaking after the must cease. The Catholic Bishops’ archdiocese has, until further Conference of England and notice, closed to the public all its has already put in place restrictive churches and chapels together with measures in relation to baptisms, their associated halls. marriages and funerals, which must The decision was made following continue to be followed. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s The Bishops’ Conference has address to the nation in which he issued guidelines to priests for the outlined a series of emergency administration of the Sacrament of restrictions on public life to combat the Anointing of the Sick to those the spread of the coronavirus. suffering from coronavirus, either in Stay at home to protect the NHS hospital or at home. Extraordinary was his key message. Ministers of Holy Communion are Priests will continue to celebrate encouraged to make regular Mass each day, but behind closed telephone contact with the doors with no one else present. The housebound and to offer prayers, doors to all churches and chapels in but should refrain from visiting the the archdiocese will remain sick in person in keeping with the permanently locked until the current social-distancing policy restrictions are lifted. Archbishop John said: “Let us “Now is a time to strengthen our pray for all those working to spiritual bonds of connection overcome the effects of the through personal prayer and the coronavirus and all those affected intensification of our inner by it. Please also be sure of my relationship with Christ,” said prayers for you, for your families Archbishop John. and for your loved ones. “We will continue to use social “And, please, pray for me and all media to sustain our communal your bishops, priests, and deacons, online presence, with the live- who hold you in their hearts and streaming of Mass and devotions prayers.” from different churches within our archdiocese and beyond. For the time being, our buildings must close; but our hearts must open Pope’s message to the world: Do not be afraid wider, expanding with love for Christ and others. In a message broadcast live to the world, disoriented, but at the same time important to choose what matters and what passes away, “Dear friends, the yearning in our Pope Francis has said that the coronavirus and needed, all of us called to row together, a time to separate what is necessary from what hearts for the Eucharist and for pandemic should not cause us to fear but each of us in need of comforting the other. is not. It is a time to get our lives back on track fellowship with one another must instead turn our hearts to God and put him at “The storm exposes our vulnerability and with regard to you, Lord, and to others.” sustain us until we come, once the centre of our lives. uncovers those false and superfluous certainties Pope Francis highlighted how our lives are more, to gather at the altar to offer Speaking from the steps of St Peter’s Basilica, around which we have constructed our daily dependent on people who are often forgotten, together the Holy Sacrifice of the Pope Francis gave a meditation on the story of schedules, our projects, our habits and priorities. such as doctors, nurses, supermarket Mass. the calming of the storm in Mark’s gospel. It shows us how we have allowed to become dull employees, cleaners, carers, those who provide “We take inspiration from the Afterwards, the Blessed Sacrament was and feeble the very things that nourish, sustain transport, and volunteers. Apostle St Paul writing to the first brought to a special altar for Adoration and the and strengthen our lives and our communities. “We are not self-sufficient; by ourselves we Christians in Rome: ‘…hardship pope than gave a blessing to the world. He did “‘Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?’ founder: we need the Lord, like ancient develops perseverance, this in the presence of the ancient icon of Lord, you are calling to us, calling us to faith. navigators needed the stars. Let us invite Jesus perseverance develops character, Mary Salus Populi Romani from the Basilica of St Which is not so much believing that you exist, into the boats of our lives. Let us hand over our character produces hope and hope Mary Major and the miraculous crucifix kept in but coming to you and trusting in you. This Lent fears to him so that he can conquer them. does not disappoint, since the love the Church of San Marcello. your call reverberates urgently: ‘Be “In the midst of isolation when we are of God has been poured into our Pope Francis said: “We find ourselves afraid converted!’, ‘Return to me with all your heart’ suffering from a lack of tenderness and chances hearts by the Holy Spirit given to and lost. Like the disciples in the Gospel we [Joel 2:12]. to meet up, and we experience the loss of so us.’ (Rom 5:3-5). were caught off guard by an unexpected, “You are calling on us to seize this time of many things, let us once again listen to the “We are people of profound hope. turbulent storm. We have realised that we are trial as a time of choosing. It is not the time of proclamation that saves us: He is risen and is We will remain firm in faith and on the same boat, all of us fragile and your judgement, but of our judgement: a time living by our side.” generous in charity, through Christ Editorial The Pilgrim April 2020 Let these strangest of days bring us together in prayer

Bishop Paul Hendricks

“These are very strange times,” I’ve often heard people say. So many of the things we normally do and take for granted, are no longer possible. For those not doing essential work, the prospect of being stuck at home for days and weeks is a daunting prospect. What do you do when you’ve had about as much as you can take of TV and streamed video? Many years ago, I was asked to teach philosophy to some students at the Carthusian monastery of Parkminster in West , where the monks live a very solitary life. The Prior explained: “You may wonder why we spend so much time studying, when we aren’t going to use it in any public way, like teaching or preaching.” He said very simply, “We do it to help us to Archbishop Peter pray better.’” He and his monks choose a solitary way A Mass in memoriam for Emeritus Archbishop of life — but for the rest of us, being on will be held when the current public our own for any length of time is unusual health restrictions are lifted and difficult to handle. Now that this is Archbishop Peter died on March 6 at the Royal forced upon us, can we take it as an Marsden Hospital in Chelsea. He had received the opportunity for spiritual growth, for doing sacraments and prayers of the Church, and his some of the things that we normally don’t former secretary, Fr Philip Glandfield, was with have time for? Can we open ourselves to a him when he died. deeper relationship with God, now that Archbishop John was able to visit him earlier many of the things that normally occupy that evening, together with the vicar general, our attention are no longer available? Mgr Matthew Dickens, and the hospital chaplain, Well, we can always make more use of Fr Joseph McCullough. the Bible. As well as reading it, I enjoy John Toryusen, the director of the Archdiocese listening to it, which I can also do when of Southwark Youth Service, accompanied I’m out walking. I use the audiobook Archbishop Peter during his illness and his time version by David Suchet, which like many Christ on the Mount of Olives, in hospital. Archbishop Peter was visited in others is also available as a download and by Josef Untersberger hospital by family and friends, and by Cardinal can be played on your phone. , the Archbishop of Westminster. I suggest taking one chapter at a time, Archbishop Peter’s illness progressed very allowing space for the words to sink in. This can be summed up in the words: Guides on prayer by the quickly following his diagnosis of cancer just a Another option is what they call Lectio read, reflect, pray, contemplate. few weeks ago. He was a much-loved brother, Divina or “Sacred Reading”. Here you take There are many other ways of praying, diocesan Spirituality uncle, and friend; a priest of the Archdiocese of a short text from the Bible, such as one of and this may be a good time to try Commission can be found at Southwark, of St John’s Seminary, the readings from Mass. You read it slowly something new — and there are many more Wonersh, Bishop of East Anglia, Archbishop of and prayerfully. ways of praying than most people realise. www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/ Cardiff and until his Then you think over what you’ve read; The diocesan Spirituality Commission has ways-into-prayer. retirement in July 2019. let it speak to you; perhaps focus on a prepared some guides, which can be found While Archbishop of Southwark, he also served particular word or phrase. Then you bring at www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/ways-into- from 2014-2015 as Apostolic Administrator of the it to God in prayer; tell God what is in your prayer. These were written with small Diocese o f Arundel and Brighton. So many good heart. groups in mind, but they can also be used the Rosary, with the children taking it in wishes have been passed to him in the past few Finally, spend a while in silence, not by people individually. turn to lead a decade. Or you could read weeks, and prayers and Masses offered. focusing on anything in particular, but Bishop Robert Barron has produced an the Bible together, perhaps starting with In a ministry that spanned almost 50 years, opening yourself to whatever God may be excellent video to show how this time of one of the Gospels. Archbishop Peter made an outstanding saying to you. self isolation can also be an opportunity Coming together to pray, and contribution to the across three for spiritual growth. It can be viewed at particularly to celebrate Mass and the dioceses, and nationally through his service on The Pilgrim is now online, making www.wordonfire.org. Sacraments, is a wonderful gift and the the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and it possible to read all the editions I’m aware that the situation is rather high-point of our Christian life. Wales. since it was launched in 2011. different in a family home, particularly Still, there remains a lot we can do, Archbishop Peter was born in in with young children. Here, it may be more even when we are more isolated. If we 1943. difficult to find time alone, even in today’s take the opportunities that are open to us To view it, visit the diocesan website He com pleted his secondary education at unusual circumstances. at this time, I’m sure we will eventually Clapham College and gained his degree (LLB) and click on a lick on the left hand Perhaps you could take the opportunity return to our normal patterns of worship, side of the page. from Exeter University in 1966. He studied for to pray together — something simple like with our faith strengthened and deepened. the priesthood at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, and was ordained Priest on 5th July 1972. He gained a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas in The Archdiocese of Southwark South-West London the Rome and was Professor of Canon Law at St Archbishop Bishop Paul Hendricks 50p John’s Seminary from 1977 - 1984. 020 7928 2495 020 8643 8007 December 2011/ January 2012PilgrimThe newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark, covering south London He was appointed as Bishop of East Anglia in [email protected] [email protected] 1995 and in 2001. On 30th www.rcsouthwark.co.uk South-East London Advertising: April 2010, the Holy Father announced that he Andrea Black Area bishops Bishop Patrick Lynch would succeed Archbishop Kevin McDonald as the [email protected] 10th Archbishop of Southwark. 020 8297 6540 [email protected] 0161 820 5722 After nine years, having reached the age of 75, The Kent pastoral area is awaiting the his resignation from office was accepted by Pope appointment of a new bishop. In the Distribution: The Pilgrim, Michelle Jones Francis on 10th June 2019; he was appointed meantime, matters concerning it Archbishop’s House, 150 St George’s Road apostolic administrator for Southwark the same should be directed to its episcopal vicar, 0161 820 5722 London SE1 6HX [email protected] day to oversee the transition period until the Canon John O’Toole. installation of his successor, Archbishop John 01732 845486 Editor: Greg Watts Print management, design and Wilson, on the 25th July 2019. [email protected] [email protected] distribution by The Universe A full obituary of Archbishop Peter will follow 0208 776 9250 Media Group Ltd at a later date.

Page 2 The Pilgrim April 2020 News

Home schooling: Bringing Mass to you some ideas as parents become teachers How you can participate Archbishop John and the priests of the diocese will continue to With schools only open to children whose in Masses across the celebrate Mass each day, behind parents are key workers, or who are closed doors vulnerable, because of the coronavirus, parents Archdiocese of Southwark, are going to have to teach children at home. Here is a list of web sites with lots of lesson streamed live online ideas and resources to help make learning stimulating and fun in what is likely to be a The following Southwark parishes broadcast stressful time for parents. Mass via a live stream on the internet. You will be able to view these streams on a Catholic number of devices and they can be www.missiontogether.org.uk accessed via the links below. Also, you can www.catholiccurriculumonashoestring. stay connected to your through its weebly. com website, any social media it might have and, of course, the telephone. General Please check individual Mass times, which www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize may change according to circumstances. www.bbc.co.uk/teach/live-lessons www.khanacademy.org Beckenham: St Edmund of Canterbury www.artfulparent.com http://saintedmunds.net/index.php/ www.literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/ webcam/ www.uk.ixl.com Camberwell: Sacred Heart www.futurelearn.com https://www.sacredheartchurch camberwell.co.uk/livestream.php Left, Walsingham will be streaming Languages Carshalton: Holy Cross Mass three times daily www.duolingo.com https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/holy- cross-roman-catholic-church-carshalton Maths videos Clapham Park: St Bede’s www.youtube.com/channel/UCob4tkfOSXy6yav https://vimeo.com/399357666 Walsingham 9Y54SKIQ?app=desktop Croydon West: Our Lady of Reparation The National Shrine of Our Lady of https://www.mcnmedia.tv/cameras/ Walsingham is streaming Mass each day at National Geographic Kids st-marys-catholic-church-our-lady-of- 9.30 am, 12 Noon and 6pm (Latin) alongside www.natgeokids.com/uk/ reparation-croydon the Divine Office, Adoration of the Blessed Dartford: St Anselm’s Sacrament, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Activities and quizzes for younger kids. https://www.churchservices.tv/dartford spiritual reading, talks etc. Free audio stories Eltham: Christ Church www.walsingham.org.uk This Amazon initiative provides hundreds of https://www.churchservices.tv/eltham free audio stories for children. No accounts or Petts Wood: St James The Holy Land password are needed. Just click, stream and https://www.churchservices.tv/pettswood https://www.churchservices.tv/wimbledon The Christian Media Centre, based in listen. Pollards Hill: St Michael’s Woolwich: St Peter’s Jerusalem and Nazareth, also provides live stories.audible.com/start-listen https://www.stmichaelspollardshill.com/ http://www.stpeterswoolwich.church/ streaming, as well as current updates about live.htm parish-life/parish-times the situation in the Holy Land. Sidcup: St Lawrence www.cmc-terrasanta.org/en http://www.stlsidcup.org/cs_sermons/ The Vatican live-mass/ Daily Mass from the chapel at Casa Santa More information Westerham: St John the Baptist Marta with Pope Francis. To discover more churches streaming Mass https://www.churchservices.tv/westerham www.youtube.com/channel/UCxIsefyl9g9A live, visit www.churchservices.tv, Wimbledon: Sacred Heart 5SGWA4FvGIA/videos www.catholictv.org or www.mcnmedia.tv. Wintershall Passion Although Wintershall will not perform its annual outdoor Passion of Jesus in London or Guildford this April, it is planning to livestream a documentary featuring video clips, Liturgy for children interviews, and much more, Cafod is holding a children’s Liturgy of the on its Facebook page on Word, via a webinar, each Sunday between Good Friday at 10.00 am - 10.15 am. 12 noon and again at 3 pm. For more information, visit It will be followed by a www.cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s- repeat showing of last liturgy year’s performance. A scene from last’s You can find the films at year Passion of Jesus For ways to help children make a spiritual www.wintershall.org.uk communion, visit www.catholicicing.com/ spiritual-communion-for-kids/ Caring for the vulnerable in the crisis • More spiritual links: see pg 4 Parishes and organisations across the diocese plan is that volunteers will offer help with At the time of writing, The Manna Society Food banks are meeting the challenge of how to care for grocery shopping and running local errands Day Centre near London Bridge is continuing Food banks are still operating, and for the vulnerable though this time of crisis. such as prescription collection. to feed and support those who are homeless. information on those in your area, visit St Edmund’s in Beckenham has been The Church of the Most Precious Blood in Its volunteers are providing takeaway dinners www.trusselltrust.org. gathering names of people who are keen to Borough has set up a support group of from 11 am to 1 pm, seven days a week. help out by collecting and delivering shopping parishioners willing to do shopping, make daily Caritas Social Action and the Society of St or prescriptions for those self isolating or check-up calls or have a chat with vulnerable Vincent de Paul have produced a simple unwell, or offering a regular phone call to parishioners, or walk a dog. pandemic planning template for parishes. If you have any news someone lonely. Elsewhere, Our Lady of the Cray in St Mary’s If you have any news on how your parish In Canterbury, the parish of St Thomas of Cray is aiming to ensure that vulnerable • More information at www.cbcew.org.uk/ handled the Covid-19 crisis, send your Canterbury is working with the local SVP parishioners without internet access are bishop-catholic-charities-need-our-support- stories to [email protected] group to respond to those in need of help. The contacted by phone or other means. through-the-pandemic/ Page 3 News The Pilgrim April 2020 There’s online help to support your faith

Despite the closure of churches during the current public health crisis, there are many resources online to help to you in your faith. Below is a selection covering liturgical, biblical and other information, Catholic and ecumenical TV and radio stations, podcasts, and aids to prayer and reflection. Some include apps that can be downloaded to your mobile phone. Explore world’s I The Catholic Church Pope Francis greatest art – from www.vatican.va

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem your own home www.lpj.org This challenging time can be an opportunity to learn about some of the world’s great culture - Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and without having to queue. Many art and Wales galleries, museums, and theatres offer virtual www.cbcew.org.uk tours. Here are a few suggestions. The Bishops’ Conference has produced a downloadable prayer sheet for spiritual I Museums and art galleries communion when participating in Mass Vatican museums online. www.museivaticani.va The British Museum Southwark archdiocese www.britishmuseum.org www.rcsouthwark.co.uk The Science Museum The archdiocese will be sharing daily www.sciencemuseum.org.uk readings, Gospel passages and reflections on T he Natural History Museum the diocesan Facebook page and highlighting www.nhm.ac.uk various resources, opportunities and news Bishop Robert Barron has some inspiring Tyburn Convent The National Gallery about life in the diocese on Twitter and videos on www.wordonfire.org Live streamed perpetual adoration with the www.nationalgallery.org.uk Instagram. You may also like to visit our You nuns at Tyburn convent The Courtauld Institute of Art Tube page to revisit some homilies from https://adoration.tyburnconvent.org.uk www.courtauld.ac.uk various services throughout the past year. The British Library A range of resources, including online www.bl.uk I Radio videos, podcasts, homilies, and daily Mass The Bible Lands Museum, Jerusalem www.heavensroadfm.com (broadcasting at 12.15pm (GMT) from Bishop Robert www.blmj.org from St John’s Seminary, Wonersh). Barron’s chapel. The Uffizi Galleries, Florence www.premier.org.uk (ecumenical station in www.wordonfire.org www.uffizi.it London). The Louvre, Paris www.spiritradio.ie (ecumenical station in The Taize community are broadcasting www.louvre.fr Ireland). Evening Prayer live each day at 7.30 pm en.radiovaticana.va (broadcasting from the (GMT) on its Facebook page: I Cathedrals and churches Vatican in 47 languages) www.facebook.com/taize/ St Peter’s Basilica, Rome www.bustedhalo.com (USA) www.taize.fr www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/v r_tour/index-en.html I TV Live streaming of the Divine Office in St Geo rge’s Cathedral www.ewtn.com (USA). Latin from the monks of the Abbey of www.stgeorgescathedral.org.uk/about/ www.relevantradio.com (USA). Barroux in France. virtual-tour/ www. saltandlighttv.org (USA) Southwark Catholic Youth Service www.barroux.org www.facebook.com/scys.uk/ Westminster Cathedral www.catholictv.org (USA) www.eyerevolution.co.uk/virtual- A Catholic social network of prayer around tours/westminster_cathedral/ I The Bible, liturgy and catechesis Lifeteen for young Catholics the world. www.lifeteen.com Canterbury Cathedral The God Who Speaks www.hozana.org www.canterbury- www.cbcew.org.uk/home/events/the-god- I Prayer cathedral.org/visit/information/tour who-speaks Daily prayers and reflections from the Irish Westminster Abbey Lectio Divina. Jesuits. www.lectio-divina.org www.westminster-abbey.org/learning/ The Bible Society (resources for Catholics) www.sacredspace.ie virtual-tours www.biblesociety.org.uk/explore-the- Twelve churches in the world, including the bible/word-on-the-go/ Daily prayers for Lent Gerard van Honthorst’s ‘Christ www.lentinisolation.com Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and before the High Priest can be the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The late Raymond E. Brown, leading viewed online at London’s https://churchpop.com/2014/08/10/12-amazing- Catholic biblical scholar Bible readings, Bible resources, prayers National Gallery. during Lent, and saints of the day. virtual-tours-of-the-worlds-most-spectacular- www.raymondebrownss.weebly.com See www.nationalgallery.org.uk www.catholic.org churches/ Crossroads Initiative, evangelisation I Theatre www.crossroadsinitiative.com Spiritual reflections for Lent, sent by email from the Southwark Spirituality Globe Theatre Commission and the stewardship Paid-for filmed performances online of its Franciscan Media Shakespeare productions from past 10 years. info.franciscanmedia.org programme. http://eepurl.com/dcNmsv www.globeplayer.tv The National Theatre Scott Hahn, popular Catholic author www.nationaltheatre.org.uk www.scotthahn.com Pray the rosary online with people around the world. I www.comepraytherosary.org Film Liturgy office of the Bishops’ Conference The British Film Institute has a lot of short www.liturgyoffice.org.uk Pray the Divine Office each day. films available for free online. www.bfi.org.uk Centre for Catholic Formation www.universalis.com www.ccftootingbec.org.uk I A daily prayer podcast from Jesuit Media Opera Initiatives featuring readings and music. The Royal Opera House is providing free online Catholic Charismatic Renewal broadcasts and masterclasses. www.roh.org.uk www.ccr. org.uk www.pray-as-you-go.org Page 4 The Pilgrim April 2020 Feature Challenges ahead – but we will get through this This is an edited version of an article published on the website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales by its coronavirus (COVID-19) advisor, Jim McManus, director of Public Health for Hertfordshire. We are facing some momentous of a civilised society how well we changes over the next few weeks, take that seriously. So we need to possibly months. We are also facing make sure that the NHS capacity is two epidemics in the UK. The first is kept for those who really need it. COVID-19, and the second is fear Slowing the spread of the virus and panic. And it is entirely possible means we won’t over-top the NHS that the latter will hamper our capacity, we will end up with fewer response to slow and delay the infections overall and we won’t end impact of the former. up with vulnerable people being The fact that it is difficult to unable to get the best care. detect the signal of the science and And it’s important that those of us trustworthy advice when there is so with mild illness – when and if we much noise from social media and get COVID-19 – look after ourselves other media makes the job of and each other as much as we can. leadership in these times more Never mind about herd immunity complicated. for now. And never mind about The fact that the science has some of the self-proclaimed experts changed, more than once, and who claim they know best but don’t abruptly changed (to protect us) has produce any evidence for it. We will also added to that complexity and get through this. The vast majority the need to explain that science of us who get it will recover, and if clearly and consistently to maintain we take the steps recommended by trust. I do trust the science, the Government, such as washing because I have read as much of it as hands frequently and well and I can. Were my only sources the staying two metres away from other news media, I may have taken a people, the most vulnerable who different view. get it will be given the best chance We are dealing with COVID-19, a of recovery. coronavirus, a virus from a family of Nobody has stopped this virus. viruses that causes illness in humans People have slowed it down. But of varying kinds. The virus is likely nobody has stopped it. It is to have jumped species from an dangerous to make comparisons animal to a human (and to be with other countries because they honest, unless you’re involved in test people at different rates and sequencing the genetic code to stages and they responded at make a vaccine or stop it happening different stages. The type of again, it’s pretty irrelevant which testing, reliability of tracing people animal species it jumped from.) It who’ve been in contact with was first notified on December 31 in infected people all varies. China. Timing of what we do is The virus has spread rapidly, everything, and an awful lot of what largely by droplet spread. 81 per you have seen on social media is cent of us will get mild illness misleading and inaccurate. Go into similar to bad flu,14 per cent of us “lockdown” too soon, and when you more severe, five per cent may all come back out, the virus will need hospital care and fewer than spread again. two per cent will die. Most people Rather, we need to promote the recover. But you don’t read about care and love of the most that in the media. vulnerable. Are we ensuring food It’s new. And while there are banks have enough to distribute so some things we know, there are nobody goes hungry, are volunteers other things we don’t. We don’t yet able to check on the most have a vaccine. We don’t yet have vulnerable and isolated? Can you do antiviral drugs so treatment is for befriending of people by phone? the symptoms and problems caused Actively challenge selfish and by the virus. And we can’t stop it panic behaviour and panic buying. altogether. And some of us can’t Can you create a pro-social campaign work from home. to help others and channel energy The Government has recognised and anxiety into that? that we cannot stop this virus. It has Together we can slow the also recognised that those who are epidemic of COVID-19 and protect older (over 60 or 70) and folk with our most vulnerable. serious underlying health conditions And we can stop the epidemic of such as weakened immune systems, fear and panic which is making it diabetes and lung disease, will have worse for everyone, and which, if more severe disease. They have unchecked, will linger with ill effect taken a very precautionary approach long after we have better treatment to self-isolation and social and prevention strategies for COVID- distancing, which will have business 19. continuity implications. Our priority has to be to protect • For the latest updates from the the vulnerable from the worst Bishops’ Conference about consequences of disease. It is a sign COVID-19, see www.cbcew.org.uk. “Never mind about some of the self-proclaimed experts who claim they know best but don’t produce any evidence for it. We will get through this. The vast majority of us who get it will recover...” Page 5 Feature The Pilgrim April 2020

Monks can teach us about how to live Greg Watts talks to Nick Hamer, whose powerful and moving documentary film Outside the City gives viewers an insight into the lives and faith of the Cistercian monks at Mount St Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire.

When did you first become aware of Mount spirituality at their heart. Whenever I find St Bernard Abbey? something interesting I wonder if this could be I discovered Mount St Bernard Abbey during my next documentary. the production of my last feature But it’s never my decision alone; making a documentary, Dear Albert (2014), which is documentary like this is always a collaborative about recovery from addiction. decision between filmmaker and subject. I Several of the characters in Dear Albert found in approaching the monastery a were staying clean and sober by following the warmth, a welcoming attitude, the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous community wanted to do this too. culture of consumerism, materialism, to the watching list: Andre Louf, Thomas Merton, and Narcotics Anonymous, and some of the The commercial appeal is not a direct complexity of our lives, to the decline of the Philip Groening, among others. members of these groups have retreats at consideration.I suppose as a filmmaker ancient religions in this country, to our taboos Eventually I started drafting a treatment (a Mount St Bernard Abbey. intuitively I know if it interests me then around death, and our denial of our mortality. document describing the type of film I would Mount St Bernard Abbey is not actually there’s an audience. Because that’s what makes these men like to make). We went through numerous featured in Dear Albert, but after hearing interesting: they represent a counter cultural drafts until we were both happy. This was about it I spent some time there and became Why Mount St Bernard Abbey? perspective, a different way of living. Of shared with the community. I was then invited intrigued. I live in Leicester, which is quite close to course the monastic life is not for everyone, to spend seven days living with the monks, not the monastery, and that’s key, because this but there’s certainly something we can all in the guesthouse, in the novitiate, something When you decided you wanted to make a film was not funded in any way by the film learn from these monks. usually only reserved from priestly or film about the monks, what did you think its industry. I tried to attract the finance to make monastic visitors. After my visit the commercial appeal might be? the film, but really this project was never How do you think you managed to persuade community unanimously voted to allow me to It’s wonderful being an independent compatible with the commercial imperative, the community to let you film? Did the film for 12 months. documentary filmmaker; the task is essentially so I financed it myself. I work on corporate abbot like the idea from the start? What do you think was the reason the to follow my interests and curiosity, and to be and commercial films for about half of my I spent 18 months developing access with monks allowed you in? committed and passionate about what I time, which makes this whole thing possible. the monastery. These monks have a tradition I think when they found me to be discover. These are often long journeys; films Any good filmmaking is essentially a of hospitality, so I was warmly received. trustworthy, respectful of their way of life, can take several years to complete. I’m reaction or a response to the social context. Abbot Fr Erik gave me a lot of time, getting and passionate and committed to doing a good particularly interested in stories that have This film is my response to our context, to our to know each other. He gave me a reading and job, they were naturally open to the idea, Page 6 The Pilgrim April 2020 Feature

almost like an act of service to an outsider. It’s important for the monks to reach out to the wider community, but at the same time to protect their cloistered lives. Somehow there was a synchronicity here. The most important thing that enabled the film to happen is the context. The monks are in a period of transition, it’s a historic moment in the life of the community, a change is taking place. This attracts me as a filmmaker, because it’s a story to tell, but also it’s important for the monks to document this defining moment.

How long did it take from idea to agreement through to actual shoot? Give me some idea of a timescale? The whole project has lasted four years, that’s older than my youngest son.

Is there anything in particular that you felt you really learned about the contemplative life during that time? There’s a common misconception that a monk is someone who has run away from the city to find a place of solitude to encounter God. That in escaping the city, the monk leaves behind the sins of the world: envy, gluttony, anger, greed, and so on. In fact, it is in the silence and solitude of the contemplative life that the monk truly discovers the sin of the world, on a much more profound level than in the city. Turning his attention interiorly, the monk discovers the sin of the world in his own heart, and at provides their income, they don’t receive any these monks in many ways represents a independently wealthy, giving them the the same time as encountering the self he outside sources of finances from Church counter-cultural perspective to my own freedom to pursue this artistic and social encounters the divine, and this is the place of institutions. They make their own money and religious context: a busy, noisy, full of endeavor. I’m not against that, but I’m not transformation. pay their own way, work is an essential part of certainty way of expressing the faith. I’m not from that kind of background, and I have not their way of life. looking for the right answer anymore, rather received funding during the production of my What impressed you most about the monks? an authentic experience. I’ve certainly found two feature documentaries. Instead I made I once asked Fr Erik what was his true What do you think the audience might learn that at Mount St Bernard Abbey. money doing commercial filmmaking which purpose for being here. He told me it is to from the film? financed both my life and the films. encounter God. I asked him how it was going. I’m trying to give the audience an experience What was the hardest part to film? I’ve been a professional filmmaker for 16 He chuckled and told me, yes, it is going. He of encounter with this community, rather than It’s always hard to film when nothing is years. My first film was a short documentary went on to explain, there’s a tendency in our teach them something specific. I spent a year happening. The subject becomes really aware for ITV in 2004 about exorcist priests in the culture to imagine the spiritual life as a with the monks, and it’s difficult for me to say of the camera and the truth of the situation Church of England, called Deliver Us from journey of acquisition, whereby we add to what I learnt, but I’ve certainly changed as a becomes hard to find. Fortunately, the monks Evil. Since then I’ve worked all over the world ourselves, virtues, knowledge, experience, result. The film is never finished until the are always engaged in doing something. It’s for corporate clients, and NGOs, producing but, in fact, it’s much more of a shedding, a audience receives it; they bring their own part of their commitment to live in the commissioned films. stripping away. context to the story and respond accordingly. present tense. Their contemplative life, means If I ever doubt Fr Erik’s perspective on this, The scenes of death will be particularly that most of the time they are engaged, even What was the monk’s reaction to the film? I just remind myself where we’re headed. confronting for most of the audience, and I when they’re doing nothing at all. The monks love the film. They laugh a lot – We’re all on the same trajectory, to the expect this to be a place of spiritual growth interestingly, in places where other audiences grave. And we’re not taking anything with us. for them. How did you become a documentary maker? wouldn’t laugh. This is testament to my Either you’re ready for that or you’re not. I became a filmmaker firstly through success in capturing their unique characters. I imagine myself waking up on the other What about your own religious/spiritual training, inspiration, ambition and The look at each other and say, “Oh, Br side and wondering if I really exist, because of background? How would you describe it? determination. But ultimately, and most Martin would say that” or “Well, of course, Fr course I largely define my sense of self by my My own religious background is in the importantly defining myself as a filmmaker by Hilary wants to talk on that subject.” patterns of consumption, the things I own, Protestant, evangelical, charismatic Church. I making films. It’s difficult; there are no real They laugh with delight at each other. what everyone else thinks of me. But who am was raised as a Christian in this way. I’ve just professional qualifications in filmmaking in I if all of this is stripped away, do I even exist? turned 40, and over the past 10 years I’ve this country, and it’s an elitist industry. Most • For more information about Nick Hamer, Well, of course I do, there’s an essential me become hungry for a different kind of spirituality. documentary filmmakers went to public or to view the trailer for Outside the City, beneath it all, but do I ever encounter him? The mysticism and contemplative life of schools, red brick universities and are visit www.intrepidmedia.co.uk. Not often. The monks understand this, and they believe that the direction to knowing yourself is the same direction as encountering the divine. They’re ready for the grave, and are ultimately buried without even a casket, just in their cowl.

How easy was it to get the monks to open up about the life they live – and perhaps on the struggles they might have or have had? As you watch Outside the City you’ll sense an openness and intimacy. The monks speak freely about their lives and experiences. This is real. But in fact, the relationship between the filmmaker and the subject in documentary filmmaking is quite unique. We get to the heart of the matter quickly, the permission is there, no small talk. What’s the point? The stage is set, it’s the subjects’ opportunity to be heard, and the filmmaker is working to make the subject comfortable. The monks switched from running a farm to brewing beer. How important is this to the future of the community? Brewing beer is essential to the monks, it

Page 7 Parishes/Family The Pilgrim April 2020 My Parish: St Joseph’s, New Malden

Joanna Bogle people from many nations and races including Polish, Goan, Irish, African There wasn’t much at New Malden and West Indian. until the railway arrived. It was Our priest, Fr Usche, comes from fields and farms, the Nigeria. He is a popular, dedicated countryside between Kingston and and hard-working pastor and there Wimbledon. is a strong sense of community and There are ancient records giving welcome at St Joseph’s. information about Old Malden – and The 10am Mass on a weekday has Kingston is of huge importance as a good-sized congregation that the coronation site of our Saxon would not disgrace many a church kings. But New Malden owes its on a Sunday. Fr Usche preaches existence to the spread of the well: the scriptures come alive. suburbs when the railway could take There is reverence at Communion commuters up to London. It thrived. and a sense of quiet purposefulness In the 1890s and into the 20th about the way the liturgy is done. century, New Malden High Street At weekends, starting on Saturday was a bustling place, with busy with the Vigil, and moving busily shops and some notable buildings through Sunday, the church is filled including a large red-brick police and re-filled for the various Masses. station and, in due course, a town The parish newsletter is crammed hall. with information: news, events, The inter-war period would see celebrations, anniversaries, even more growth – and it was in invitations to be involved with all those years that St Joseph’s church sorts of local projects. was built. Red brick again, and The most notable feature of St facing on to the busy Kingston ad,Ro Joseph’s – and the one that makes with buses going by. By now London most impact on local people – is the suburbia – the farms and fields have Mary Garden at the front of the vanished. church, facing on to the Kingston But in the 1930s this was still an Road. It has flowers, plants and area where there was not too much shrubs linked to Our Lady, with a traffic, and many – indeed, most – small marker beside each one, families did their shopping on foot, giving the Medieval Marian names and life had a measured pace. St for the various flowers. Joseph’s was built when there was All have been donated by no TV, when most people didn’t parishioners and their markers tell It was Fr Usche’s predecessor, Fr parish centre are named after saints or Westminster Cathedral. And New have telephones, when few married the story of so many families in the Peter Edwards, who developed the – the stock cupboard is named after Malden isn’t a famous place. It’s on women went out to work and when parish. It is rather touching to read big parish centre alongside the St Simon Stock! the railway line to Waterloo, and foreign holidays were rare. the little plaques and recall some of church. It was badly-needed – I Upstairs, the St John Paul Room is near the A3 motorway. The parish thrived. And in the the people named. remember the old, damp, smelly excellent for talks and seminars – It has less of a sense of identity very different Britain of today, it The garden is the work of Malcolm parish hall, with its leaking roof and and Fr Usche is happy for me and a than it had in its 20th century days: still thrives. St Joseph’s has a and Felicity Surridge, and their horrible loos. team of volunteers to use it for days the police station is now a pub (The congregation of over a thousand, lovely book on how to create a Mary Parishioners were invited to make of packing-and-posting for a schools Watchman, appropriately) and the and a large number of parish Garden is warmly recommended. (A gifts and interest-free loans, and the Bible project every summer. Town Hall is a supermarket. But it’s groups, ranging from young people Garden for Mary, Gracewing Books). new parish centre is magnificent. When you enter St Joseph’s you a cheery suburb, and St Joseph’s has preparing for Confirmation to Local people love the garden, and The large hall with its fine crucifix is have a strong immediate sense that its own story as part of it. choirs, Catenians and the Union of leave their own small posies of filled for coffee-and-chat after Mass this is a place of prayer. And people If a Saxon making his way to Catholic Mothers. flowers, and sometimes notes on Sundays, and on weekday drop in all the time: the tabernacle Kingston long ago were to be able to In recent decades, large numbers requesting prayers. It is not unusual evenings for all sorts of events and stands at the centre of the drop in, and see us all at Mass, he of Korean families have settled in to see someone standing or kneeling meetings. sanctuary beneath a great crucifix, would feel very much at home, and the area, and the High Street now in front of the statue of Mary, There are parish lunches and and you are aware of Christ’s would kneel down at once and know has many Korean shops and praying. And it is all right by a bus social gatherings. The large well- presence. what was going on. restaurants. Many of these families stop - the 131 route from Kingston equipped kitchen is clean, busy and St Joseph’s isn’t a notable church St Joseph’s binds us all together: are members of St Joseph’s – joining to Tooting Broadway. pleasant to use. All the rooms in the or basilica: it isn’t Brompton Oratory God is here, in New Malden. Have faith in God in times of crisis

Lucy Russell Annunciation. I’ve been asked to now and then, there is a concern say “all”, but actually, that simple write a short piece on this for that many will feel lonely and admission is an incredibly powerful I’m writing this in the garden, Redemptorist Publications. isolated. Support is already one. praying for wonderful warm The theme is: alone but not springing up in communities. E. M. Bounds was an American weather this April. I’ve left Classic lonely. Mary was alone in her home I remind myself frequently that, author, attorney and member of FM playing in the kitchen. I can just when the angel Gabriel appeared to as I tell the children in the liturgy the Methodist Episcopal Church hear the radio beneath the her. “Do not be afraid,” says the group at St Thomas’, things change South clergy. He is known for chirruping of the birds. There is a angel. These are words repeated and sometimes awful things writing 11 books, nine of which robin building a nest in my numerous times in the Bible – an happen, but the one thing they can focused on the subject of prayer. neighbour’s conifer tree. internet search will tell you that always rely on is that Jesus loves He wrote: ‘Faith does the When life seems uncertain, I tend we are told not be afraid 365 them very much. impossible because it lets God to retreat into creation. Even when times. That’s once for every day of At the Annunciation we begin our undertake for us, and nothing is I am alone, I don’t feel lonely in the year. journey towards the celebration of impossible for God… Prayer throws the garden, especially with the Mary was alone when Gabriel the Incarnation. At the Epiphany faith on God and God on the world. birds singing and insects flying left, but she wasn’t lonely. God was the wise men visit baby Jesus. This Only God can move mountains, but about. with her. The piece I am writing is the beginning of Jesus’ story and faith and prayer can move God.’ The first bee I have seen this will appear in a December news his journey to the cross, which we Dear Lord, help me to trust you year has just settled on the sheet, by which time I pray life will remember this month. with my life and the adversity I am rosemary, which is flowering. There have returned to something more In T S Eliot’s poem, The Journey facing. were a dozen ants by my feet a like we are used to. of the Magi, the wise men trust in Help me to make the most out of moment ago, I’ve just looked down It may even have recalibrated a God and follow the star, but they God like the Magi? The control we this difficulty and say not my will to find them gone. I wonder where little. We may perhaps be more are unsettled by the baby they think we have over our lives is an but yours. I thank you that you are to? They will be back. unified and less focused on the discover in the crib. illusion. At the times when we my sanctuary. At the end of March, we differences between us and more Are current events making you realise this, all we can do is You are my rock and my refuge. celebrated the Feast of the focused on what we share. Between feel unsettled? Are you able to trust confess our dependence on God. I Amen.

Page 8 The Pilgrim April 2020 Viewpoint The Bible’s first five books

Father Ashley Beck of the next book, Exodus. This We also see how God has not only depicts the plight of the Hebrews revealed himself to humanity in the The best way to form an overall who had come to join Joseph, person of Jesus, but also in his view of the books of the Bible is to introducing the dominant figure of moral law. Of course, we don’t keep look at them in groups according to Moses, and shows their passage out all the provisions of the law of type. So let’s look at the first five of Egypt and their wanderings in the Moses shown in these books; but the books of the Old Testament: desert, also showing us the idea of morality being in some way Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers beginning of God’s moral law for his related to God’s revelation of himself and Deuteronomy. people in the Ten Commandments. is fundamental to Christianity. For the Jewish people, these It also puts before us the And there is more here for us than books have always been the core of beginning of the feast of Passover we sometimes think: much of the scripture – indeed, in the time of and is a key Lent and Easter text. Church’s strong opposition to anti- Jesus, for some (the Sadducees and Leviticus is probably not the most migrant policies of western the Samaritans) these books were popular book of the Bible, as much governments can be traced to what the sum of scripture. They are of it is taken up with liturgical is in Leviticus, about seeing the referred to as Torah, the regulations and rules over diet and stranger as your neighbour to whom “instruction” of the people of Israel. ritual cleanliness. But it does also you are obliged to show love: “You They are also sometimes called show us a community with laws shall treat resident foreigners just the Pentateuch, meaning simply protect the stranger and those most like citizens, and love them as “five-fold.” They set out a vision of vulnerable. yourself – for you yourselves were God’s creation of the world and The book of Numbers carries on once foreigners in Egypt.” humanity, and his choice of a single the same themes to do with the life We’re not made as human beings family and tribe to be his chosen of the community, centred on the stumbling around in the dark, not people, for whom he lays down people’s continuing passage through knowing how to live. Rather, we norms for behaviour as a sign of his the desert, and the last book, have through faith and reason the love for them. Deuteronomy, concludes this as the ability to know the difference Traditionally, both Jews and associated with different groups. “beginning”, giving a certain picture people reach their destination and between right and wrong, partly Christians have also seen them as Two of these are identified by the of the origins of the human race. are on the verge of entering the because of what we see in the Ten “books of Moses”, written by him as use of different words to apply to Perhaps for this reason some of its promised land, when Moses dies. Commandments and other examples one of the central characters in God; another is associated with the stories are well known: Adam and What is the value and importance of the moral law in the first five what is described. We know now priests of the people of Israel after Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, of these five books for Catholic books of the Old Testament. that they came into their present the building of the Temple, and Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. These Christians? They show us the roots of form over many centuries, another is linked to the subsequent stories are not what we would our faith in that of the people of • Fr Ashley Beck is assistant priest reflecting both oral and written historical books about Israel and consider literal historical truth; Israel as shown in these texts: God’s of St Edmund’s, Beckenham, and traditions. Judah. sometimes they account for the action in history reaches its teaches at St Mary’s University, Across the books we can identify Sometimes, when people resolve origins or particular peoples, or they culmination in what we will be Twickenham. If you are interested four distinct traditions or sources, to read the Bible, they understandably have a moral message. celebrating this month in the Easter in the new MA degree in Catholic some of which are interwoven, from begin with the first book, Genesis. The story of Joseph brings God’s Triduum, the death and resurrection social teaching, email different historical periods and This Greek word simply means chosen people to Egypt, the setting of Jesus Christ. [email protected]. Rising above coronavirus

Sister Janet Fearns medical practitioners and emergency and The Wednesday General Audience and public services; but now more than any time Sunday Angelus Message receive the same “I have performed at the Liceu (Gran Teatre in our recent past, we all have a vitally treatment – and Pope Francis is thinking on del Liceu in Barcelona) 273 times and now it important part to play as individuals - today his feet, so to speak, because he has added seems I have become famous for singing at and in the coming days, weeks and months.” a ten-minute Exposition of the Blessed my window.” It all goes to show, doesn’t it, that Sacrament to his celebration of Mass. Fifty-six-year-old Spanish soprano, Begoña whatever happens, people rise above life’s Even the Holy Week ceremonies, although Alberdi, self-isolating with her husband in challenges – including coronavirus. to be celebrated without the customary their Barcelona apartment, is only one of an Take Italy, for instance, where a parish crowds in St Peter’s Square, will be available amazing variety of some of the world’s most priest, unable to offer public Masses, from the Casa Santa Marta – and these are famous musicians and singers who have tried donned a mask and suitable protective gear, only some of his initiatives. to cheer up their neighbours with free fixed a large statue of Our Lady on the back Not everyone in their isolation can receive performances, often from the balcony of of a trailer and drove through the streets, the sacrament of reconciliation or attend a their home. blessing the homes that he passed. Lenten penitential service – or can they? An Italian tenor’s self-recording of Nessun And this is only one example of the Suddenly we heard that the Pope would lead Dorma went viral as Maurizio Marchini Church thinking outside the proverbial box a prayer service from the steps of S t Peter’s became yet another world-class opera singer in an effort to support people across the – without the customary huge congregation – who used his voice to raise the spirits of the world. Suddenly there are lists of and, at the end, will include his Urbi et Orbi people around him. opportunities for live-streamed Masses. blessing to the city of Rome and the world. Texas-based cellist Rylie Harrod Corral Parish priests are emailing their homilies There would also be the possibility of played The Swan from Saint-Saëns’ The and, as one wrote, “Much has been said, and gaining a plenary indulgence. After all, “I’m Carnival of the Animals – using a toilet roll. rightly, about the practical measure that we a parish priest”, he is reported to have said. A group of violinists performed Nearer my should take to help lessen the impact of the The only difference is that his parish is global. God to thee from the deserted and stripped Gareth Malone Coronavirus... Throughout human history, In an interview with the Italian newspaper bare supermarket aisle normally reserved men and women have prayed to God in their La Stampa, Pope Francis said, “The current for toilet rolls and other kitchen and As 102-year-old Dame Vera Lynn declared, need. And if there are fewer now who do so crisis will help to remind us “once and for bathroom necessities. “I am reminded of World War Two, when our it only highlights our particular calling from all, that humanity is a single community. It Across the world, famous orchestras, country faced the darkest of times and yet, God to share in Jesus’ work of praying for will teach us that universal kinship is important unable to play for live audiences, have despite our struggles, pulled together for the world.” and critical. We should think about it like a instead performed before a camera and live- the common good and we faced the common Of course, Pope Francis set the scene for ‘post-war’ phenomenon: it will no longer be streamed classical music concerts which threat together as a country, and as a the whole world. His daily Mass is now ‘them’. It will be ‘us’ because we can only would normally require the payment of high community of countries that joined as one streamed live from the chapel in the Casa come out of this situation together”. ticket prices... right across the world.” Santa Marta, with an English commentary, And so the Church community has come And now choirmaster Gareth Malone has The Queen herself pointed out, “At times on the Vatican Media app, YouTube, together. The coronavirus has caused great created an online choir. such as these, I am reminded that our Facebook and online. It’s at 6am (BST). anxiety for millions of people who, without Refusing to be defeated, those who are nation’s history has been forged by people But don’t worry if you aren’t up and prior warning, have had to make massive quarantined, self-isolating or working from and communities coming together to work about: it’s also on demand – as is the changes to their lives and those of their home are showing an amazing level of as one, concentrating our combined efforts Angelus and Rosary, at 11am (again BST) families and workplaces. ingenuity and skill as they communicate with a focus on the common goal. from inside St Peter’s, led by Cardinal However, it has also been a cloud with a non-stop with each other via social media, “We are enormously thankful for the Angelo Comastri, Archpriest of St Peter’s silver lining, one which has shown us our sending laugh-out-loud images and videos. expertise and commitment of our scientists, Basilica, Vicar General for the Vatican City. real priorities.

Page 9 Feature The Pilgrim April 2020 England is ready to be Our Lady’s dowry again

On March 29th, in a timely moment, the bishops of England and Wales formally rededicated the country to Our Lady. Kent artist Amanda de Pulford, whose specially commissioned icon to mark the event was blessed by Pope Francis, explains what is meant by England’s title of dowry of Mary.

Six hundred and thirty-nine years of Walsingham, was obedient to the ago, in a ceremony at Westminster request. The rest, as they say, is Abbey on the feast of Corpus history. Since that time, Walsingham Christi, King Richard II dedicated has remained fixed in English hearts England to Our Lady. and minds as a place of Marian This year, England will be re- pilgrimage, with a tradition dedicated as Our Lady’s Dowry, somehow surviving the depredations beginning on the Feast of the of the Reformation to enjoy a Annunciation. It’s a significant time revival which began in the 19th in the spiritual life of our country. century and continued to grow Some time back, Monsignor John throughout the 20th century until Armitage, rector of the Basilica of the present day. Our Lady of Walsingham, contacted How then should we understand place of shelter, nurture, peace and marriage, but it can also mean and place. One political upheaval me to commission two icons to help the Holy House of Walsingham, and protection, and also a place of property set aside for the security succeeds another throughout mark the occasion. He expressed a how should I represent it? Not as a ultimate holiness, where God and support of the bride. history, but Our Lady sits, calm and clear intention that the image replica of the house in Nazareth became man. A theme was beginning to stable, holding out the Babe to us. should resemble the well-known where Our Lady grew up, that was Pursuing that thought drew me on emerge. Mary is herself the This, she says, is the answer, the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham – certain. In my research, admittedly to reflect that Our Lady was herself inestimable treasure, the dowry, refuge, the resolution of all conflict but with a difference. He asked that not very scholarly and mostly a holy house: the place of nurture brought to England by Richeldis. But and the replacement of all loss. the Holy House should be included. internet based, it became obvious and protection for the Child Jesus. the other meaning is also This, for me, is the meaning of the I imagine that most people that the original Anglo-Saxon/ This was the starting place for my significant. England is set aside, Holy House. reading this article will know the Norman Holy House bore little meditation when making the designated as a place of shelter and In England we have a saying that story of the Holy House of physical resemblance to buildings in drawings for the icon, now known as nurture, the refuge of Our Lady. A home is where the heart is. There is Walsingham, but just in case, the First Century Nazareth. the dowry painting. house is to be built for her. a tradition in iconography that an essence is that Our Lady appeared Pilgrim medals of the 13th The icon was to have the It is a poignant image. The date iconographer dedicates herself or to an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman century show a fairly basic small inscription Anglia dos Mariae, for the apparition of Our Lady to himself to the lifelong attempt to called Richeldis and took her to visit wooden split log structure. Within, translated as England, Mary’s dowry. Richeldis is controversial, but the portray the face of God in his work. the site of the Annunciation in the angel Gabriel announces the This is a time-honoured title from Pynson Ballad puts it at 1061. Very As we strive and struggle to Nazareth. She then asked Richeldis Incarnation to Our Lady. This rough medieval times, but it too needed shortly, in five short years, Anglo- depict this saint or that event of to build the Holy House of Nazareth little image holds great tenderness. some thought. Saxon England would be subject to salvation history, God reveals in England. It ties together two ideas about the We most often think of dowry as Norman invasion and conquer. Himself and we draw ever closer to Richeldis, lady of the then manor Holy House; that it is both a homely wealth brought by the bride to the Many would experience sudden Him, until at last that which we dispossession, violence and loss. faithfully seek, His Face, is written Many would be driven to seek on our hearts. refuge. And here was the Mother of And so our hearts too become the God herself, in the refuge she Holy House: where the Mother of sought in the Holy House of God and Christ Child are honoured Walsingham, throwing open her and offered a home. doors to those in need and saying, As the dowry painting tours the “Whoever seeks my help will not go parishes of England throughout away empty-handed.” 2020, it is my hope that those who No wonder that by the middle of see it will feel something of all this. the 14th century, devotion to Our I hope that the image of Mary and Lady had become engrained in the infant Jesus enthroned before English prayer and practice and her the open doors of the Holy House, intercession was sought as mother offering protection and refuge to all and protectress of her dower, not who seek it, will become the habit least on the eve of the Battle of of our own hearts and minds and Agincourt. practice. Of course, devotion to Our Lady Then we can truly deserve the and the Holy Child transcend time inscription Anglia dos Mariae. “One political upheaval succeeds another throughout history, but Our Lady sits, calm and stable, holding out the Babe to us”

Page 10 The Pilgrim April 2020 Feature/Diary

Jamie Oliver: His Food Tube channel is full of simple Cheap and and tasty recipes easy ways to cook at home

Greg Watts cheese toastie, or cheese and ham toastie. In these unusual times, it’s Vegetables. Have you tried important to be imaginative when it roasting them in the oven? You can comes to food. And even if you roast any vegetable.Just dribble don’t consider yourself a competent over olive oil and sprinkle some sea cook, you’d be surprised at what salt, if you have any. If you’ve never delicious meals you can make tried roasted cabbage or broccoli, quickly and with a few simple and you’re in for a treat – and you’ll inexpensive ingredients you might never boil veg again! have in the kitchen cupboard. Potatoes are such a versatile Here’s a few general ideas, based vegetable. They can be chipped, on my own experience as a keen roasted, baked, mashed. To make a home cook. tasty mashed potato, add butter, At the end of the article, I’ve milk, salt and pepper. Try mashed listed some places to go for easy to potato topped with cheese and follow recipes that work, and tomato. Or try baked potato with inspiration. tuna and cheese. Pasta: For example, if you have a Rice: Fancy egg fried rice? Just tin of sardines, then you have a boil some rice, strain, and leave it great pasta dish. Simply add in the fridge for an hour or so. Then tomatoes and top with cheese. Tuna fry it in a little oil and butter, break also goes brilliantly with pasta. Just in a couple of eggs, and add pepper. substance of a dish. If you’ve never then egg, and then cooked in the And if you’re wondering how to mix it with some mayonnaise and a Turn it into a full meal by adding used couscous, all you do is add an oven to make a lovely chicken make the most of leftover ingredients squeeze of fresh lemon juice. cooked peppers and chicken strips. equal amount of boiling water or schnitzel. rather than throw them away, you’ll A cheese pasta couldn’t be You could also add a splash of soya stock to it and let it sit for a couple Sweet stuff: For desserts, try find lots of amazing tips on YouTube. simpler. Boil your pasta, mix in some sauce, if you like. of minutes.Then you can mix in stewing apples and then add a When it comes to cookery books, butter and season with salt and Eggs: Like potatoes, eggs are also anything you like. dollop of ice cream. Or if you have a the market is saturated with them, pepper, and then the cheese. versatile. They can be boiled, Salad days: With the warmer tin of rice pudding, just mix in a but Nigel Slater knows how to keep Parmesan’s best, but you can use scrambled, fried, or poached. Or weather coming, this is salad time. spoon of your favourite jam. things simple. I’d recommend his cheddar. you can make an omelette – try Salads aren’t complicated. For a And never overlook the usefulness paperbacks, Real Fast Food or The Tins of tomato make a good pasta adding cheese, ham and basic dressing, you only need olive of the humble banana! Little Book of Fast Food. sauce (you can also use a tin of mushrooms, all of which especially oil and lemon juice or vinegar Find out more: On You Tube For further inspiration and up-to- tomato soup instead). For extra well in an omelette. (balsamic, red wine or white wine you’ll find loads of brilliant, easy to date news about food and cooking, flavour, gently fry some onions and Adding flavour: Packets of work best). follow recipes from well-known tune into BBC 1’s Saturday Kitchen garlic, then pour in the tomatoes or chicken, beef, fish, and vegetable You can add nuts or chunks of chefs. Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube Live, or Kitchen Cabinet on Radio 4, soup, season well with salt and stock are great for adding flavour to cheese to your salad, or even channel is particularly good. Rick or catch episodes on iPlayer. papper and let it simmer. Add a sauces. So do small jars of spices crutons made with stale bread; Stein, Mary Berry, Gordon Ramsey, So don’t worry if you find cooking pinch of chilli to provide a spot of and herbs, such as fennel, seeds, drizzle first with olive oil and then and Marco Pierre White are also daunting. There’s lots of practical heat, if preferred. cumin, chilli flakes, dried rosemary, roast for a short time in the oven. worth a mention. help out there. Fish: Another option are tins of parsley, and coriander. Waste not, want not: And don’t In addition, check out videos by And you never know, you might mackerel and John West kipper And we mustn’t forget those old throw away any stale bread. Whizz BBC Good Food and Tesco, and have actually enjoy being in the kitchen – fillets, which are perfect on toast. favourites, Worcester Sauce and it up in the food processor to make a look at www.allrecipes.com and you might even start to think about Cheese: And what could be easier mustard. breadcrumbs, which are then ideal www.greatbritishchefs.com. You’ll applying for the next series of than cheese on toast? Or, if you have Pulses: As well as pasta and rice, for coating battened out chicken also find plenty of videos on cooking MasterChef. one of those sandwich toasters, a couscous and lentils can provide the breasts first dipped in flour and for children and with children. Enjoy your cooking! Diary dates - April

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Page 11 The Pilgrim April 2020 Focus on faith Self-isolating? Then find inspiration and joy in a good book

To help you find spiritual nourishment and inspiration during this difficult time, some of our regular writers offer suggestions of their favourite works Bishop Paul Hendricks The Lion’s World by Rowan Williams. We’re familiar with the idea that C S Lewis’ Narnia books contain Christian symbolism, but Williams’ book makes it clear that they’re much more than just an argument for Christianity, dressed up as a story. In areas of life such as self- knowledge, responsibility and spiritual growth, he shows us that the books are both more challenging and more inspirational than we might have supposed. book recalls the heroism and self- Before the Living God by Ruth sacrifice of a Trappist community, B urrows. Written after she became a A Father Who Keeps His Promises abducted one night in March 1996 Carmelite nun (she is now over 90 by Scott Hahn. I first came across and subsequently martyred. You’ll years old), this is her autobiography Hahn by reading The Lamb’s Supper, think and perhaps a lump will also in which she writes about prayer, her which gives fresh perspectives on the rise in your throat. family and her relationship with Mass. This earlier book does other members of her community. something similar for the Bible, seen Tattoos on the Heart: The Power Ruth Burrows has a reputation as one as the story of God’s reaching out to of Boundless Compassion by Gregory of the finest spiritual writers of our us despite our faults and limitations. Boyle SJ. Fr Gregory Boyle asked to times and I would recommend any of Easy to read but very profound. go to a deprived parish: he just her books if you can get hold of didn’t expect to be assigned to one them. Alive in God by Timothy Radcliffe. with the biggest gang problem in the It is sometimes said that the entire USA. The Seven Storey Mountain by challenge to faith is not today’s Yet he found a simple way to reach Thomas Merton. An odyssey in the secularism but its banality. Politics out to gang members: he started a grand . Merton grew up in conducted via Twitter and a popular bakery and taught them to make France and after dropping out of culture dominated by celebrities. bread. This book is unforgettable. university made his way to the US, Timothy Radcliffe presents what he where he wound up by becoming a calls “a Christian imagination”, Lucy Russell Trappist monk and a writer on the exploring what it means for us to be In terms of inspirational spiritual spiritual life. fully alive in all the dimensions of reading, my first go to is actually a Regarded as something of a our existence. Wide-ranging and work of children’s fiction, The Secret classic, this is a meaty work that thought-provoking, like all his books. Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. charts the journey of a young man I find this a very beautiful and whose search for meaning and truth Real Presence, by Sister Wendy inspiring read with themes of renewal leads him into the most unexpected Beckett. Over the years, we western overcoming isolation through nature. places. Christians have come to appreciate icons as a sort of gateway to God in In 2013 I edited the Lent Mowbray Joanna Bogle prayer. I found that joining Sister Book, Journeying with Jesus. This Witness to Hope, The Biography of Wendy in this exploration of the collection of personal reflections on St John Paul II by George Weigel. earliest icons helped me to deepen the Stations of the Cross and This is a magnificent read. It my understanding and appreciation. I Resurrection are a beautiful reminder doesn’t just tell the story of a look forward to reading her previous that Jesus is walking with us as we fascinating life – a priest trained in a book Encounters with God, on early make our journey through life, secret seminary in occupied Poland icons of Our Lady. whatever the ups and the downs. in WWII, a Pope who survived an assassin’s bullet – it tells the inside Sister Janet Fearns The Road to Emmaus and Beyond story, the spiritual journey. Hugely The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and by Denis McBride is a great book recommended. the Horse by Charlie Makesy. This providing spiritual stretch and book is a sheer delight, perhaps challenge. It’s a book which makes Meditations and Devotions, John reminiscent of The Little Prince, me think about community and how Henry Newman. Thoughts and deceptively filled with simple but we can be witnesses to Christ in this prayers from a great saint. profound wisdom. It can be read by unsettled time. children and ceaselessly pondered by Jesus of Nazareth, the three- adults. John Bateson volume life of Our Lord by Joseph It’s unusual for its handwritten Saying Yes to Life by Ruth Valerio. Ratzinger (Pope Emeritus Benedict text, sketches and the way in which Is climate change something that XVI). Worth getting all three books, the author uses coffee cup stain and feels too big to deal with? Or maybe but in this Lent/Easter obviously the his dog’s unsought pawprint on the you are struggling to find the final one, from the entrance into page in order to bring out yet connection between your Catholic Jerusalem to the Resurrection is another insight. faith and environmental issues. If so, specially recommended. this book is an excellent starting Readable, and deeply interesting: The Monks of Tibhirine: Faith, point. the books open up insights into the Love and Terror in Algeria by Designated as the Archbishop of reality of Christ, revealing him in John W. Kiser. This book gave rise to Canterbury’s Lent book 2020, Valerio fullness as God the Son, who became the film Of Gods and Men. At a time explores a subject that concerns us man for us and died for us and rose when the world is living in anxiety all in a way that is both urgent and again...the essence and core of our and fear from an unseen foe, this easy to grasp. faith.

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