Newyddiadur Swyddogol Esgobaeth Caerdydd Issue 286 October 2020 Official Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Cardiff Pick up your FREE Catholic People copy today COMMEMORATION OF THE FORTY MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES By the MOST REVEREND ARCHBISHOP GEORGE countenance, with a brow ‘always free from furrows’. STACK John Lloyd, born in Brecknockshirshire, was arrested at the same time as Philip Evans during the madness On 25 October 1970 I was privileged to be in St. of the Titus Oates plot. They were imprisoned in the Peter’s Basilica in Rome for the celebration of the same cell in Cardiff Castle and were executed on the Canonization of the Forty Martyrs of England and same day, 22 July 1679. John Lloyd had to watch Wales by Pope Paul VI. whilst his friend and fellow martyr was hanged, drawn It was an awe-inspiring occasion, not least to see and quartered knowing that this would be his own fate and hear that great church filled with English-speaking too. people from all over the world. The liturgy was solemn Speaking of the witness of Philip Evans, John Lloyd and splendid. In something that was unique all those said to the crowd: “My fellow sufferer has declared the years ago, the music was not sung by the Papal Choir cause of our death, therefore I need not repeat it. of the Sistine chapel but by the choir of our own Besides, I never was a good speaker in my life. I shall Westminster Cathedral. only say that I die in the true Catholic and apostolic Little did I know that thirty years later I would be faith, according to these words in the Creed, I believe responsible for them during my time as Administrator in the holy Catholic Church; and with those three of Westminster Cathedral! virtues: faith, hope and charity”. The cover of the souvenir booklet marking that historic occasion is reproduced on this page. All the The Blood of the Martyrs bishops of England and Wales were present, led by Cardinal John Carmel Heenan. Greeting them at the Although the cell of Philip Evans and John Lloyd is not beginning of his homily, Pope Paul said: “We greet our generally open to the public, the authorities at Cardiff brother bishops of England and Wales and of all the Castle are allowing me to celebrate Mass there on 25 other countries who have come here for this great October in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of ceremony. their canonization. Since the cell is small, the congregation will be small as well with representatives Christ’s glory of the parishes dedicated to their name as well as pupils from the two schools named after them. “We extend our greetings also to the priests, religious, I profess my faith Together, we shall remember the words of the great students and faithful. We are filled with joy and saint of the 2nd century “The Blood of the Martyrs is happiness to have them near us today. Thanks to Before being hanged he said to the onlookers: ”This is the seedbed of the Church”. them, we are celebrating Christ’s glory made manifest the third time I have been apprehended and now in the holy Martyrs of England and Wales”. being to die, I would gladly witness and profess openly See pages 4,5, 6 and 7 for our tribute to our All through my student days, and still today, I had a my faith for which I suffer”. Then, looking up at the martyrs great devotion to St. Edmund Campion and St. gallows he said “This gallows I look on as His cross Margaret Clitherow. Having the privilege of the shrine which I gladly take to follow my dear Saviour”. to St. John Southworth at Westminster Cathedral INTERCESSORY PRAYER FOR THE Here in Wales we have our own members of those CANONISATION OF THE FORTY added another devotion. Campion, a Jesuit priest, was “Glorious Martyrs who surround Thy Throne, O Lord”. the outstanding scholar of his age and a favourite of They are Richard Gwyn, John Jones, John Roberts, MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES Queen Elizabeth 1. Philip Evans, John Lloyd and David Lewis. I cannot omit He sealed his fate by the publication of “Camion’s a seventh name, that of John Kemble whose relics are GRANT WE BESEECH THEE ALMIGHTY GOD Brag”. In an open letter to the Government he wrote: honoured in shrines at our churches in Hereford and The expense is reckoned; The enterprise is begun. It is THAT WE WHO ADMIRE IN THY MARTYRS THE Monmouth. The grave of St. David Lewis is in the COURAGE OF THEIR GLORIOUS CONFESSION MAY of God. It cannot be withstood. So the Faith was Anglican churchyard at Usk, and a beautiful new shrine planted, so it must be restored”. WITNESS IN OURSELVES THE POWER OF THEIR has just been created in his memory in the Catholic LOVING INTERCESSION. church at Usk. Sheltering Catholic priests O GOD,WHO DOST GLORIFY THOSE WHO GLORIFY Our two local heroes Margaret Clitherow, a Yorkshire wife and mother, was THEE, AND WHO ART HONOURED IN THE HONOURS OF sentenced to death by being crushed with stones for There is a particular devotion in Cardiff and the the crime of sheltering Catholic priests. She wrote “If THYS SAINTS, surrounding area to the memory of two ‘local heroes’ VOUCHSAFE WE BESEECH THEE, BY THE SOLEMN God’s priests dare venture themselves into my house, I who were martyred at Gallows Field which is now will never refuse them”. Her house still stands in a JUDGMENT better known as the northern end of Richmond Road in OF THYS CHURCH TO GLORIFY THE BLOOD OF THE street called The Shambles in York. It is now a chapel the city. A blue plaque marks the site of their and is a great place of pilgrimage. MARTYRS execution. Philip Evans was the jolliest of all the Welsh WHO DIED IN ENGLAND AND WALES FOR THEIR John Southworth came from Lancashire, but for martyrs. He was playing tennis when told of his many years he ministered as a priest in plague-ridden TESTIMONY execution the next day. So happy did the news make TO JESUS. London. He was arrested on three occasions and him that he went on with the game. His Jesuit imprisoned for many years. Finally, he was executed at THROUGH THE SAME CHRIST OUR LORD provincial wrote “He possessed a wonderful frankness AMEN Tyburn in London the age of 62 in the year 1654. of disposition, and a pleasant, unclouded 2 CATHOLIC PEOPLE Let Biblical Inspiration Fire Your Imagination! “I will meditate on all Thy work, and muse on Thy mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:12 IS BIBLE READING YOUR ‘NEW – if it isn’t already - making this 5. When you are 3 minute reading and meditation with NORMAL’? exploration the centre of your “new ready breathe in and Teresa O’Driscoll normal”. I hope the short meditation out deeply as before. Email: [email protected] That the year of the God Who Speaks below helps your resolve. Then open your eyes You will need will be extended into 2021 is not a 1. Read Psalm 77:11-13 and have a big a bible, a surprise, given what 2020 turned into! 2. Sit up straight and close your eyes. stretch. chair, and few Viewed objectively, and with faith, it Breathe in deeply through the nose. minutes alone could well be said that God is Hold a few seconds. Breathe out I hope that reading speaking eloquently to the whole through the mouth and as you do so the Bible daily empowers you to help “Do not worry world. And what is He saying? Well, for feel the whole of your body relax. others to draw closer to Christ. about us His message remains the same: 3. Now meditate for a few moments God bless tomorrow: He wants you to remember that He on the fact that God wants you to draw Teresa tomorrow will made you, He loves you, He wants ever closer. For more on the above topic please take care of your love, and He wants you to live 4. Now say this prayer – or one of your see Teresa’s blog: itself.” with Him for eternity. Also, He wants own – ‘Dear Lord, now, more than ever, http://teresaodriscoll.blogspot.co.uk/ Matthew 6:34 you to recollect that He is always with I want to know You better. So please Teresa O’Driscoll you – in the testing times and the will you remind me daily to seek You is the author of 9 Days to Heaven, happy times too. You can read the through reading the Bible. I ask this in How to make everlasting meaning of details for yourself in the Bible, maybe the name of Jesus Christ. Amen’ your life. Caritas Calling! - October / November 2020 Pope Francis General Audience catechesis creates a harmonious unity in diversity on Church's social teaching - “To heal the for the true building up of society. May world” the Spirit grant us the wisdom and creativity to find those forms of Summary of the Holy Father's words: solidarity needed in our post-Covid Dear Brothers and Sisters, in our continuing world, for the healing of interpersonal reflection on the current pandemic, we have and social ills, and the growth of the seen how closely connected we are, human family in fraternity, justice and dependent on one another precisely because peace. role played by the many people who Integral Ecology – ‘some operative we were created by God and share a common generously care for others, especially guidelines’ home.