Mary in Monmouth: NEW SAINT DAVID MOSAIC FOR WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL

PODCAST IMMINENT OF THE VISIT OF THE RELICS TO CARDIFF

I took recordings of the various Masses and liturgies in the Church as the relics were being received in Cardiff on Tueday and have only lightly edited them. I was doubly glad so many people, who were not able to get in and hear the service of reception and so forth will have the possibility of listening to the Masses for Priests and Vocations, Evangelisation, and personal sanctity, Angelus, Rosary , Litany and Benediction. It was extremely crowded, but I think it captures all the excitement of that day when thousands descended on Cardiff, clapped the little saint for her Christian witness and brought her candles, red roses and many other flowers, incense and beautiful music at the evening Mass.People streamed in until the Cathedral closed at Midnight, and devotions continued all evening, with people praying for conversion of sinners, confessions, praying for priests and praying that all would accept Jesus as their personal friend and Saviour. A Mediaeval style day none will forget. And Bravo to the superb organist!

DO YOU KNOW WHY BISHOPS WEAR POINTY HATS CALLED MITRES?

Truth about Relics

Relics have often been a stumbling block for people trying to understand the church. It is no different than keeping a special photo, item or clothing etc from a loved one when they have passed on. Kissing a picture or reverencing it, lighting a candle next to it or putting a poppy by it on remembrance day, just brings them alive again to you, shows them honour and respect. In the case of relics, if you can ask a living person to pray for you, then we can ask the souls who have made it to heaven to pray for us too, Having a small item which has actually touched their body or even a part of that body brings them especially close to them. The Holy Spirit has completely infused their body, So you ask this person to add their prayers to yours up above, and sometimes there are miracles as a result, although it is the prayer to Almighty God that works the miracle if there is to be one and it is his Will.

Hello! The first ten pictures

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

NEW SAINT DAVID MOSAIC FOR WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL

The new mosaic has been unveiled and the following a brief report from the 'Papal Blog'.
The mosaic is wonderfully bright and full of gold and silver that really bring the wall outside St Paul’s Chapel alive. In the centre is a depiction of St David, the patron saint of Wales, standing on the mound at Llandewi Brefi, defending the church's teaching against the Pelagian heresy.
In the mosaic of the mound is an actual piece of rock from Llandewy Brevie in Wales, where it was said that the ground rose beneath St David as he was preaching to allow people to hear him better. Around his head is written 'Dewi Sant', his name in Welsh, and just above is a small red, sixth century bishops mitre recognising that Saint David was made a bishop of the Roman province of Menevia.

The final product has been thanks to two people in particular – Ifor Davies, the Welsh artist who designed and painted the original image, and Tessa Hunkin who created the mosaic itself - both of whom had to work to a very tight deadline to have the mosaic completed.

Ifor Davies revealed at the unveiling of the St David mosaic that he considered this mosaic one of his greatest achievements. He told the small audience gathered for the official unveiling: “This has been the most exciting thing that I could ever imagine doing”. We imagine that having Pope Benedict come to bless the mosaic can only make it even more exciting!

Bishop Edwin of Wrexham

Bishop Edwin of Wrexham is addressing the pope, greeting him from the People of Wales and Pope Benedict will light the taper on the statue of Our Lady of the Taper (Mair o Aberteifi) This is a replica of the very old statue found on the beach at Cardigan and brought into the church. It was destroyed at the 'reformation' by Henry VIII but was the focus for many people's prayer requests to Our Lady. This statue has been restored at the beginning of the last century and be brought to Westminster Cathedral from Cardigan, resting at Bristol Cathedral for a vigil ..