tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67867211814396648472024-03-12T23:24:41.416-07:00Mary in MonmouthA site tracing the Catholic life and history of the Ancient Kingdom of Gwent, now known as Monmouthshire,UK from Silurian times. Linked to Mary in Monmouth download free from iTunes Store or RSS feed at end of this blog.Also MaryinMonmouth Group of Face book. Photographs of interesting places. Some Catechesis.Strength of site is in tracing obscure Gwentian saints and martyrs and digging out gems from forgotten sites.Some photographs by Chris Tottle are copyright. Sites in Welsh Marches.Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.comBlogger322125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-81440918808698052762023-12-14T00:35:00.000-08:002023-12-14T00:35:50.630-08:00<p> </p><p>THE BRITISH PILGRIMAGE TRUST</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfxvSlk0q7kQlL-rlZd2cso9959gRGxCD2nqpLx5_54UHxdi5hvwbKGOCR7GYMxfR0saYxVHtkBw_XhdBSqih0TEjylk00LoMkEne103dDFMvtTi2ITfdhFG5NKEOkQgJbxX2aL_Ss5xjZFoRi7xa4s_FCkPvb_CKrmQvu237B1eOHTvQ1l726WwGMDHh/s1024/Partrishow-Rood-Screen-1024x683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfxvSlk0q7kQlL-rlZd2cso9959gRGxCD2nqpLx5_54UHxdi5hvwbKGOCR7GYMxfR0saYxVHtkBw_XhdBSqih0TEjylk00LoMkEne103dDFMvtTi2ITfdhFG5NKEOkQgJbxX2aL_Ss5xjZFoRi7xa4s_FCkPvb_CKrmQvu237B1eOHTvQ1l726WwGMDHh/s320/Partrishow-Rood-Screen-1024x683.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>PILGRIMAGE on the Hereford Border. Excellent pictures, but there is a "<i>Bring your </i><i>own beliefs</i> "policy from the Trust- not especially Catholic unless you bring a priest and your beads. Nevertheless it advertises a number of ancient Catholic Sites. St Issui's Well and Church at Patrishow (Pater Issui-Fr Esau the Martyr) Llanthony Priory, Craswell Priory,St Mary's Church, and Cwmyoy Church,mostly medieval buildings or ruins. Pictures of the amazing medieval rood screen at Patrishow (off the road to Hereford from Abergavenny. Click on the link for the pictures. The countryside is simply stunning and there is accommodation at Llanthony. </p><p>At Capel y Ffin, up the hill from the ancient Church is the ancient site of Father Ignatius' Lyne's monastery and statue of BVM, which was claimed there in the 19th century. There is documentation for this and another "sighting" by a Norman lady back in the eleventh century, which led to St Marys Church church being built.(now Anglican) This is the site of an annual pilgrimage. This is however, <i>private land</i>, so it is essential to ask permission from the owners, or by perhaps (better) contacting them in advance. They do, I believe rent out holiday self catering accommodation, but you would need to check, if you require it. I believe the owners also have horseriding buisiness.</p><p>The Trust also have a couple of jobs available.</p><p>https://britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/ewyas-olchon-monnow-valleys-way/? mc_cid=8379b5e8cc&mc_eid=b79526752c</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JaD6_i2_xSxFsVER64H7TOnVddxv4ODXILPpPXzhg0OrEuJ4GsmllE3E7-k2wiml6ND-7fmb8pDnkA3IWVYPSlVw7NIe8iIN9cwxR7BmQo6vENhyxJh7lH83CDeaffCz9OmQOcq-dNA0JMu04Spw9qvaxIDeE-yhArK_Wb_ayE32WjrxIwn8EswjiVc5/s2500/Cwmyoy-Church-Valley-web-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="2500" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JaD6_i2_xSxFsVER64H7TOnVddxv4ODXILPpPXzhg0OrEuJ4GsmllE3E7-k2wiml6ND-7fmb8pDnkA3IWVYPSlVw7NIe8iIN9cwxR7BmQo6vENhyxJh7lH83CDeaffCz9OmQOcq-dNA0JMu04Spw9qvaxIDeE-yhArK_Wb_ayE32WjrxIwn8EswjiVc5/w415-h195/Cwmyoy-Church-Valley-web-crop.jpg" width="415" /></a></div><p></p>Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-74830601307680023922017-04-01T10:08:00.000-07:002017-04-01T10:08:19.456-07:00<h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="color: red;">The Gunter House at Abergavenny with its Secret Catholic Chapel. Fundraising group to restore and tell the story of this remarkable House. From the South Wales Argus</span></h2>
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The Welsh Georgian Trust has been in negotiations with a Monmouth-based company to buy the Grade II*Listed Gunter Mansion in Cross Street and an agreement has been reached to acquire it if the funds can be raised.</div>
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The Monmouth-based trust, which specialises in rescuing endangered treasurers, aims to restore the building which boasts one of the best preserved recusant chapels in the UK and the only one in Wales.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Saint David Lewis, an Abergavenny man executed for High Treason, built a secret chapel in the attic to hold services for Catholics when the religion was outlawed. He was born in 1616 and raised a Protestant, but later converted to Catholicism and became a priest. He was convicted of high treason and executed in Usk in 1679, and was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970 and the secret chapel, measuring 23ft by 10ft, remained undiscovered until 1907.</span></div>
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At the time the property was owned by Thomas Gunter, a local attorney and ardent supporter of the Catholic faith.</div>
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A number of retail units now occupy the ground floor of the mansion which once contained the chapel in its attic.</div>
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The trust needs to raise £200,000 to buy the building from The Cardiff Exchange and Office Company Ltd and to carry out immediate urgent repairs. A bid will then be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for major restoration.</div>
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Once the restoration work is complete, the bulk of the building will remain retail to ensure it has a viable economic future which, it is hoped, will be an opportunity to help in the regeneration of that part of the town centre.<iframe class="teads-resize" style="border-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: block !important; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px !important; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: baseline; width: 608.664px;"></iframe></div>
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A public meeting, hosted by the Trust’s chairman, Andrew Becket, was held in the town last week.</div>
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Mr Becket said there was ‘tremendous support shown’ and a wealth of ideas put forward. A steering group is due to meet and several groups formed to look at areas of the project such as the lottery bid, fundraising and research of the building.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">He said: “Although the building has been altered since the time of St David Lewis, it retains many of its 17th century and 18th century features and detailing.”</span></div>
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“It is II*Listed for its ‘special interest as a late 16th century house with fine features and an important history.”</div>
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An altar piece, The Adoration of the Magi by an unknown artist is now on display in Abergavenny Museum.(See above) St David Lewis would have offered Mass in this building.</div>
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The trust wants to see the chapel opened up to the public, and one possibility is to create a small centre celebrating the history of the Catholicism in Wales.</div>
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Former Torfaen MP Paul Murphy who is a prominent Catholic, the local history society and Civic society have pledged their support for the project.</div>
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Mr Becket said: “Whatever happens, this will be a community project. We have no fixed ideas at the moment but we will keep it within the realms of what is achievable.”</div>
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It has until the end of 2016 to raise the funds.More anon.</div>
Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-54005777629716492382014-01-27T11:49:00.000-08:002014-01-27T11:49:24.687-08:00The Cambrai Homily and Three Gwentian Saints...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoLd-vxcCcyb25Ukh7irKha4I4sPoVmNdSZC3m1sQQT1-m_IjlfUtK6ZSub_bFlZFPzRUO8RKYEyzUd3eQOlY_rg1FviwAnDe-mJYK0rPESegqxIut14Uk9XQgWVcEOSM27i5xCtm0Z9u/s1600/women13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoLd-vxcCcyb25Ukh7irKha4I4sPoVmNdSZC3m1sQQT1-m_IjlfUtK6ZSub_bFlZFPzRUO8RKYEyzUd3eQOlY_rg1FviwAnDe-mJYK0rPESegqxIut14Uk9XQgWVcEOSM27i5xCtm0Z9u/s1600/women13.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">This
study considers the concept of spiritual martyrdom as it came via the ‘Desert
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Fathers of Africa, via the Church in Gaul <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> to Wales and Ireland</span><o:p></o:p></span>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> It argues that <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">spiritual martyrdom existed as a practice We consider three Gwentian saints who <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">show the characteristics of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>spiritual </em>martyrdom, even though the exact sequence of <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">events in their lives cannot<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be accurately verified<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">.I hope to <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">show that the 'White Martyrdom' of St Augustine was <span style="background-color: white;">an early practice</span>, involving penance and deprivation,that the ‘glas’ or blue martyrdom was a particularly British and Irish penance, involving <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tears</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">atonement</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
Greek word ‘martyr’ </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">μάρτυς,=<i>mártys</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘witness’</i>.
The saints are ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shining like the sun’</i>
for Jesus Christ lived again in their deeds and being. Such were St Tecla, working
on an island near Chepstow and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St Tegfedd,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>both <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>killed ‘by Saxons’ or more likely bandits. It
was considered martyrdom, because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sacrilege</i>
had occurred. On the death of her husband, in continental practice of the time,
widows often consecrated their lives to God and took the veil. They were on a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spiritual</i> martyrdom but had shed their
blood<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Spiritual
martyrdoms were observed in different <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">colours</i>,
practised by the Desert monks, brought via Gaul, and promoted by St Martin of
Tours and the Spanish monk Bachiarius, who combined the concept of penitence,
austerity and atonement for these working with the poor and praying for the
dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
Cambrai Homily ‘summarise’ these teachings from the early church,so that
sinners can offer their sufferings and penances as ‘living martyrdoms’. We know
what ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">red</i>’ martyrdom is<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they endure a cross or destruction for
Christ’s sake, as happened in the Apostles when they persecuted the wicked and
taught the law of God’</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurT7EeujCW0FZXds_wrUlDWZFfb6drPOaEJiBnHZdA5TIJ6R1EwGTEoHC4bPTnZajorO23wtk5TMbuZsMFXUOchrCFcheQsX9M3eu500I0HewJZq6B2lPCv0LDx1EfIevvjGFS363-iY9/s1600/celtic-queen++St+Tegfedd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurT7EeujCW0FZXds_wrUlDWZFfb6drPOaEJiBnHZdA5TIJ6R1EwGTEoHC4bPTnZajorO23wtk5TMbuZsMFXUOchrCFcheQsX9M3eu500I0HewJZq6B2lPCv0LDx1EfIevvjGFS363-iY9/s1600/celtic-queen++St+Tegfedd.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is possible Tegfedd’s quiet estate(podum,villa),
where the consecrated widow retired to end her days seeking salvation in
penance, was polluted by an attack by bandits, possibly Saxons only out of
greed for the treasures which may have been in her chapel. Her spiritual
martyrdom of tears-her ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">glas’</i> or blue
martyrdom thus became a ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">red(bloody)</i>’
martyrdom, when her life was taken . It has been claimed by Bradney that her
body was kept as a relic, as a bone was found walled up, when the Church was
restored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">St
Derfel, seems to have spent most of his life and a charismatic and powerful
soldier. It should be remembered he and his brothers<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"> </span>were taught by one of the greatest Christian
abbots in Wales, St Illtyd at Llantwit Major. He may indeed have been a warrior
monk, or priest, and since Illtyd himself had been both of Breton extraction
and a soldier and may have encouraged Derfel to literally fight the pagans, who
had destroyed all churches in their wake in the Borderlands of Wales. The story
of Camlan is well known, although its location is uncertain. Tristran Grey
Hulse believes it took place at North Wales at the River Camlan in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eifionydd" title="Eifionydd"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Eifionydd</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">,
now part of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwynedd" title="Gwynedd"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Gwynedd</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">. We
know the story of Gwynhwyfar’s adultery, not with Geoffrey’s fanciful<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>French ‘Lancelot’, but his own nephew, (or
possibly even<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>own son,) Medrot.(Meuddredd
or Mordred) The Battle of Camlan seems to have been victorious, but nothing was
solved. No </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">vita</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> has survived for Derfel, but he appears in the Bonedd ,and the bards
kept his deeds in memory with stirring poems about his ‘red hand’..There is a
reference to ‘Dorfil’ in the hills around Camlan, which may have been a
residence, and of course he did spend time in Llandderfel, Merionethshire,
North Wales, but we have no way of knowing the sequence of the chronology of
his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">According to Bartrum <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Llydaw" may also be a nickname for
SE Gwent , because of immigration so these saints may have been born in Gwent
with Breton ancestry. In fact his aunt Dervella (Deruil)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was later Queen of Gwent and his father,
‘Llowell’ may have been the founder of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Llanllowell near Usk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Derfyl’s
surviving friend at Camlann, Petroc was also from South Wales, the Royal House
of Glywys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was preserved ‘by his
spear’. We do not know when he came to the Llandderfel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>site on the Mynydd Maen, but we do know he
was driven into a life of penitence and atonement there at one time. He had
perceived the effect of the sin of adultery rising up and causing the widespread
slaughter of Camlann and the death of all his companions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Church, as the Body of Christ, had to
pray for sinners, so it appears Derfel would have dedicated his life to a ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Glas</i>’ (blue) Martyrdom’, defined in the
Cambrai Homily as<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> ‘when through fasting
and hard work, they control their desire or struggle in penance and repentence’</i>
Derfel was known as ‘Derfel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gadarn</i>’
and it was now with his spiritual ‘might’ he approached martyrdom. Like the Druid
deity Hu he ‘dragged souls from Hell’. It was a powerful accolade that lasted
nearly a thousand years until his memory became extinguished when his statue
burnt in 1536. His penance of tears in his ‘glas’ martyrdom, was probably in
fasting, and praying for the souls of dead comrades. Such ‘spiritual martyrs’
gained heaven through suffering and penance and fierce ascetic penances, in
addition they had to see to works of mercy and shrive others, because <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">‘</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Elwynt e lanneu e benýdýaw</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">They went to the llan to do penance’.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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it might have been the reason his life was spared at Camlan, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we do not know but he was certainly educated
to this level at Llantwit Major.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were late night vigils and prayers and a strict ascetic penitential like that
of Gildas and Cummean<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">’Glas’</i>, we are told was the ‘hyacinth’ the
colour of heaven. Derfel had ‘washed his robe ’ not in his blood, but ‘in
tears’ for his companions and devoted his whole life to atonement and penitence,
for his companions and leader and hence improved the lives of all around him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Yesterday we left Madrun married happily to Ynyr Gwent (Honorius in Latin) in the town of Venta Silurum or Caerwent. The life of a queen, overseeing the affairs of the palace and the raising of her eldest son, Ceidio was also combined in the production of two more sons for Ynyr, the famous Iddon, one of the most celebrated of the Gwentian Kings and Caradoc, who married Caradoc . She also gave birth to a daughter Cynheiddon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ku5hEHeBaOhTRN_6bRwr2yV69lL8l_IHBeFjrvF_BbD3OU4Au8l1qYHucWFIERL-KFGhnk2otFBirMyuJwoMs901GZZrs9PZH5qOvjq6sLyR4nclGAOMctM7MOb1UWuL00YTBQgNMMS3/s1600/TINTAGEL%252C+BOSCASTLE+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ku5hEHeBaOhTRN_6bRwr2yV69lL8l_IHBeFjrvF_BbD3OU4Au8l1qYHucWFIERL-KFGhnk2otFBirMyuJwoMs901GZZrs9PZH5qOvjq6sLyR4nclGAOMctM7MOb1UWuL00YTBQgNMMS3/s320/TINTAGEL%252C+BOSCASTLE+022.JPG" width="225" /></a>Venta was a large and beautiful Roman city as was Caerleon, but the latter was a fort and not a Roman city, totally different to most other town dwellings or 'Trefs' in Gwent.<br />
Their way of life was as the court was, Christian and the Irish priest Tathyws who was brought to Sudbrook on a small boat with twelve of his disciples, was the core of the Christian life and pattern of festivals and holidays. Tathyws was responsible for educating the royal princes of Glysyssing, Cadoc, Cyfyw, Cynydr and also their sister Maches who was foully murdered while tending the sheep.<br />
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Madrun must have gravitated towards Tathyws. Kindly and holy, he was a gifted teacher and priest. She was especially drawn to the teaching of St Augustine, the teaching which said that after their husbands death, widows could take the veil and become consecrated Widows as well as women, who were elderly and past child bearing age, who could also take the place of holy matrons. In this way they could embrace martyrdom, not of the 'red' or bloody type. This was called a White Martyrdom, where the Christian leaves all their security and all they hold dear and puts themselves outside the security system of the llan. The White Martyrdom was also usually preceded by a <em>pellegrinatio ,</em>where the would be Martyr (Welsh <em>'Merthyr'</em>) would embark on some sort of test, often by setting off on a boat on the sea to see where the boat would take him, should the Christian be worthy to be spared death of the sea, that was where God wanted him or her to be. Sometimes this journey would take place on land, until a sign from God would come and a new <em>llan</em> would be set up. It was often royal people who took the lead in this, having the means and the manpower to set about something like this. The gifts of land and farms necessary to support such <em>llans</em> could only be realised by people with some wealth. In the case of Ynyr, he granted land and a monastery to St Tathyws.<br />
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Having a monastery in the Roman town was a kind of social services. The Vita Tathei says that Ynyr provided part of his own palace for the monks to reside in and moved elsewhere. Although the monks main job was to pray for the world, they worked hard in manual labour in the field, and provided a school , counsel and wrote records for the King and Queen, and writing letters and deeds.They often took in orphans and fed the poor in harsh winters and famines.<br />
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In particular, Tathyws was the kindly father Abbot, who replaced her own beloved father Vortimer the Blessed and he was a big support to the traumatised woman and a wise spiritual counsellor.<br />
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Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-88528374507606254092013-06-17T13:12:00.000-07:002013-06-17T13:44:51.222-07:00Madrun, Queen of Gwent and Saint of a heavenly valley in Cornwall Part One In North Wales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been a while, since I have visited the topic of Queen Madrun of Gwent, wife of Ynyr.She is far from the 'legendary figure' in the guide books of the church, nor is she obscure.After doing some considerable study on the Queen as part of a degree in this period of history, I new have some new information, which I am sharing with my blog readers.<br />
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Madrun was born into a pagan family. The name Madrun itself is similar to the Roman goddess Matrona. Her grandfather was the pagan king named in English as Vortigern, at first married to the Roman Sevira, who was descended from the British Roman Emperor and pretender, Maximus or Macsen Wledig. Their child , Vortimer came to greatly disagree with his father's way of dealing with the Picts-that is, by inviting in Saxon mercenaries. This was a disastrous policy and as the young child Vortimer (Gwytherin Fendigaid in Welsh) grew up, he counselled his father against this policy. His mother brought him up in the universal Christian faith, and Vortimer started to join his fathers' opponants fighting against the Saxons. He married, though we don't have the name of his wife, yet his Children were two girls Madrun and Anna, who were brought up on the Lleyn peninsula near Nefyn in North Wales.<br />
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The scenery at Lleyn is wonderful, especially with Bardsey Island, the 'Island of Twenty Thousand Saints' before them. In fact she and her maid Annwn visited the island, and whilst they were there, they had a dream, in which the Virgin told them both to build a church on the mainland, when they slept on the Island overnight.<br />
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This church was founded by the teenage girl at Trawsfynydd and later became the church of Father John Roberts a Catholic priest and saint, who was executed in the time of persecution.<br />
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Vortimer, Madrun's father was blessed by St German and was always called 'Gwytheryn Fendigaid) Vortimer the Blessed after that. When the ageing Vortigern married his second wife, he chose Rowena, daughter of Hengist as his bride and she is reputed to have poisoned the saint. The British were furious and rose up in rebellion. Vortigern and his family fled to Tre'er Ceiri, a hillfort near Neven, and Madrun, by now married Baring Gould and Fisher allege a first marriage of Madrun to Gwgon Gwron ab Peredur ab Eiffer Gosgorgg fawr(!!) However we hear no more of him. Aurelius a war commander of Roman extraction, possibly the true identity of 'Artur' as he ticks all the boxes.<br />
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Vortigern was also very unpopular with Saint German, Bishop of Auxerre, because he had committed incest before marrying Sevira and 'marrying' his own daughter, Catteryn. This child, who went on to be the saint Faustus, was taken back to Brittany with St German to be a monk. Vortimer was furious, refused to confess and all the clergy of Britain took against him for this evil. In fact, it is believed St German himself was behind <br />
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the attack on Tre'r Ceiri, the hillfort near Neven, where Madrun and Anna lived. St German did pray for the soul of Vortigern for forty days and nights, but Vortigern would not relent.<br />
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Aurealanus attacked the fortress with a combination of Britons, from Ynyr Gwent to a variety of Vortigern's friends, anxious to avenge him. Vortigern Rowena, Hengist and Horsa were all killed and seemingly also Madrun's husband. She fled from the burning hill fort with Madryn and her son Ceidio and took refuge in different places. Because of the Pictish ancestry of the Vortigern Family, it was Madrun and Anna who became the heiresses of the lands of Vortigern. His property in Powys was seized by the Usurper Benadyl and land in Ceridigion (Carmarthen) went to Anna, and the lands in Gwent and Glamorgan went to Madrun. Knowing she was a Christian princess and that Ynyr Gwent was a strong warrior, St German brokered a marriage between Madryn and Ynyr which turned into a successful love story. Both welcomed St Tathyws from Ireland when his boat landed on the beach at Sudbrook (Porth Esgewin) and helped him to build his monastery .<br />
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Tomorrow the story goes on about her family life in Caerwent.<br />
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This is St Merthiana's Church in Minster, Boscastle.Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-26005446992429604952013-06-10T01:57:00.000-07:002013-06-10T01:59:12.928-07:00WALES-THE GOLDEN THREAD OF FAITH-TONIGHT!!!! 10th June EWTNI have tried to post some pictures, but it clicking the 'add photos' page just brings up some trashy scratchcard game. Yet another glitsch. Everytime the BlogSpot becomes 'new' there are more problems.<br />
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So no pics, sorry unless you click onto EWTN and 'pininterest' which gives you wonderful stills from the video. Monks, ancient abbeys and St Winifride's well. Plenty of pictures of all these things on my own blog.<br />
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This is truly the amazing story of the Catholic Faith in Wales. EWTN on<br />
UK<br />
MONDAY 10th June at 9pm- Romans to Age of Saints<br />
TUESDAY 11th June at 9pm- Age of Saints to Henry VIII<br />
WEDNESDAY 12th June at 9pm- Henry VIII to present times<br />
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USA:(Airs 3 a.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. ET, and 11 p.m. ET, Monday through Wednesday, June 10-12.)<br />
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Steffano Mazzeo, who made these films is speaking at the History Day on Saturday in Cardiff for the Wales and Marches Catholic History Society. (Look at Diocese of Cardiff Website or email me <a href="mailto:'maryinmonmouth@gmail.com'">'maryinmonmouth@gmail.com'</a> if you would like to order tickets. It is a day of lectures with lunch included.<br />
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Underlines the survival of the church throughout penal times and how this can be useful to us today in the world to come and how to survive.<br />
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FILMED ON LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT WALES, much of it in Monmouthshire.<br />
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<div align="center" class="TableContents" style="-ms-layout-grid-mode: char; margin: 0cm 0cm 14.15pt; text-align: center;">
When speaking of Catholic repression and
persecution, Wales is not always a country that comes to mind – yet Catholics
in Wales endured repression and persecution from the time of the Roman Empire
through the time of Henry VIII and the Protestant Reformation. Fortunately,
their faith remained strong. How is that possible – and what can we, as 21st
Century Catholics, learn from them?<br />
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To find out, tune in to EWTN's original three-part documentary mini-series
"Wales – The Golden Thread of Faith." (Airs 3 a.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. ET,
and 11 p.m. ET, Monday through Wednesday, June 10-12.) 9pm for Welsh, Irish, Scottish an English.</div>
<div align="center" class="TableContents" style="-ms-layout-grid-mode: char; margin: 0cm 0cm 14.15pt; text-align: center;">
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Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-65327027881597744202012-12-29T16:15:00.007-08:002012-12-29T16:17:55.673-08:00Dom Edwin Echeandia Loro-Our new Deacon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrkFD_LPn9ko5g0FwVNsFszT1i527l7CqixS8Tzujh-tDbkYnKminqEZ-Gn64BxHucOT9Voc-_iuidiQU-5aPg8FmfrT3SnasqV8MnNVLJDoTmdCj72KW1fDYC2WFlr8uenIas4BdPpjF/s1600/TREDEGAR+HOUSE+BELMONT+ORDINATION+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrkFD_LPn9ko5g0FwVNsFszT1i527l7CqixS8Tzujh-tDbkYnKminqEZ-Gn64BxHucOT9Voc-_iuidiQU-5aPg8FmfrT3SnasqV8MnNVLJDoTmdCj72KW1fDYC2WFlr8uenIas4BdPpjF/s320/TREDEGAR+HOUSE+BELMONT+ORDINATION+004.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> December,is the feast day of
several early Roman Martyrs and some very holy saints. <strong>St Zeno</strong> who died in the same year as St Julius and
Aaron,who was a martyred soldier at Nicomedia(Turkey) After watching Diocletian
(284-405) offering a sacrifice to the Roman deity Ceres, he burst out laughing,
but was seized tortured and condemned to death. St <strong>Amaswinthus</strong>, <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Abbot of
the </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Andalusian
monastery of Silva de Malaga for forty four years, was a good and holy man who died
much later in 982AD.St Chaeromon was Bishop of Nilopolis in Egypt during
Trajanus Decius’ persecution, and was quite elderly when he and his friends
fled into the desert and vanished. He is listed as a martyr and died in 250AD.St
Flavian was another early saint who died in December 262. He was branded on the
forehead and exiled to Tuscany, where he died in prayer. St Demetrius was a </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martyr with <strong>Honoratus</strong> and <strong>Flaviun.</strong> They died at
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ostia,
Italy. Possibly the same as Sts. </span></span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=3748"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Demetrius</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and
Honorius on November 21. </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <strong>St
Hunger</strong> was Bishop of Utrecht in the Netherlans=ds and fled the diocese during
th invasion of the Nortmans who died in Prum Germnanyi. All these men,
whichever theoir epocht, their period lived out good and holy lives. However gruesome some of the stories, a young man giving his life to the service of</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7bja5tNmus04frcQtd2P1Gk7kwfljoLkCFLbweIc41pWCc7LxLUxsHWDgwf_rVCorbyATBECdJ3Q_Zk3JWLNjxgLANTz-SaP4X8ZQABEntYEqDWUErth0jjDQf7UomihquGL7dfWb6M5/s1600/TREDEGAR+HOUSE+BELMONT+ORDINATION+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7bja5tNmus04frcQtd2P1Gk7kwfljoLkCFLbweIc41pWCc7LxLUxsHWDgwf_rVCorbyATBECdJ3Q_Zk3JWLNjxgLANTz-SaP4X8ZQABEntYEqDWUErth0jjDQf7UomihquGL7dfWb6M5/s320/TREDEGAR+HOUSE+BELMONT+ORDINATION+007.JPG" width="320" /></a>God is heartwarming, especially in the beautiful setting of the Abbey Church of St Michael and All Angels Belmont, where Dom Edwin Echeander Loro was made a Deacon by the Most Reverend Kevin Macdonald, Archbishop Emeritus of Southwark. The Mass, which had a beautiful liturgy began with Venantius Fortunatus (530-609AD) beautiful hymn <em>Quem</em> <em>Terra pontus aethera </em><a href="file://(the/"><em>\\(The</em></a><em> Lord, whom earth and sea and sky adore and praise and magnify) </em>followed by the Advent prose-the <em>Rorate Caeli</em> <em>desuper </em>sung in plainchant, led by their cantor, Abbot Paul Stoneham..<br />
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The Scriptures were from Samuel, when Hannah takes Samuel to Eli to give him to the Lord (I:24-25) The Psalm was <em>'My heart exults in God my Saviour' </em>and was the canticle Mary's<em> Magnificat</em>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U04tDrOLSwd0S18rqU8TeDIsr29xphqkTKXLa68UqzwU8Anqm1JFHhPEhcJ8USu7s0qEC2NEXQVqLDgN56Claq-AP6VaYlLaxOhYD5K7eyDYKmBPuVxd5CmepFm9hCZOMcrLgV-5BO4u/s1600/TREDEGAR+HOUSE+BELMONT+ORDINATION+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U04tDrOLSwd0S18rqU8TeDIsr29xphqkTKXLa68UqzwU8Anqm1JFHhPEhcJ8USu7s0qEC2NEXQVqLDgN56Claq-AP6VaYlLaxOhYD5K7eyDYKmBPuVxd5CmepFm9hCZOMcrLgV-5BO4u/s320/TREDEGAR+HOUSE+BELMONT+ORDINATION+013.JPG" width="320" /></a>The second reading from the Act of the Apostles explains how the seven disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit (6:1-7)St Stephen was one of these disciples and he and the other disciples Philip, Prochurus,Nicanor, Timon Parmenas and Nicklaus of Antioch all had hands laid on them and they became deacons and the Apostles prayed for them. Stephen, as we know was one <br />
of the first deacons to be martyred and is commemorated on 26th December.<br />
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Following the <em>Alleluia</em> and the 'O Antiphon' <em>O rex Gentium </em>was sung before the reading of Lukes gospel from the <em>Magnificat.</em> (1:46-56)Brother Edwin was then called forward and presented for ordination by Father Abbot,He was accepted, called to celibacy, obedience and prayer and there followed the Litany of the Saints.during which Brother Edwin prostrated himself before the altar., Then, as in the Acts of the Aspotles, Archbishop Kevin laid hands on Edwin and made him a deacon and then prayed the prayer or consecration and invested him the the stole and dalmatic. There followed the presentation of the Books of the Gospel, the Kiss of Peace, and the Ave Maria.<br />
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After that we went into the Sanctus and the Mass followed as usual. The Communion hymn was the Liturgy of St James translated by Gerard Moultrie.<em>Let all mortal flesh keep silence.,</em>There followed <em>Ecce Virgo Concipiet and Alma redemptoris Mater..</em> This was a very beautiful singing and Deacon Edwin looked as if he had been assisting at Mass for ever.The guests were invited to Hedley Lodge for teas and refreshments, which were delicious and I met some very interesting people. Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-18126813846581497502012-12-11T05:16:00.002-08:002012-12-11T05:16:39.970-08:00HOLY ADVENT and preparation for CHRISTMAS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/evelynnicholson" target="_blank">http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/evelynnicholson</a><br />
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For all your favourite Christian Songs Ave Maria, Schubert, Bach, Panis Angelicus, Our Father. Also available on iTunes!! Buy a track and give me a small Christmas Present!!!<br />
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This time of year is often one of reflection, looking back over the year and remembering the events and the people who have shaped the year.<br />
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Life is full of blessings and full of tragedies, looking at the terrible tragedy of the last week, the death of a 22 year old in a car crash. Hope in Salvation is a powerful joy, and all the things that make our lives worth living-family, our parents-even like my mother in a home with Dementia, to hold her hand and stroke her hair and see her smile is a powerful blessing. My sisters, my family and a growing list of good friends , old friends who have sent me Christmas cards and a good and loving husband and son! In fact life itself, its meaning is all wrapped up in whom we love and those who love us, a powerful gift of God, the God of Love and Christ, his love itself.<br />
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<strong><u>Wells</u></strong><br />
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This year has seen several holy wells rediscovered and actively being refurbished. St Ffraed's at Skenfrith has yet to be dealt with. It has its own brown sign and pathway, but more of that in the new year. The Cope at Skenfrith, which was being used as a table cloth for a long time, has been sent to London for authenticating and and provenance and the unfortunate Marian Priest John Aynsworth has been traced, who was martyred at the Priest's Well, now at the Sandhouse in Skenfrith. Piuctures are in the archive under Skenfrith. However BRYNGWYN -St Peter's Well has been found and will be restored as is St Teilos Well. Distinguished authoress on folk customs, Janet Bord asked me if I had ever found it and the Vicar Father John Humphries found iut after talking to an 80 year old parishioner. Incidentally the head of the preaching cross at Llanarth, destroyed by Puritans was found in another well further down the road and was retrieved by Catholics in Llanarth, Paddy and Celia Nash and put on another plinth outside the Catholic Church. So interesting things going on there.<br />
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I also managed to find St Gwladys Well which was supposed to have been destroyed, It has not not been sensitively managed, in that the current owners did not know what it was. Finding St Gwladys Chapel (the mediaeval one on the site) was also very exciting. This was extremely strong as a string and was bath shaped, but now lined with black plastic pool liner and held down with two little pixies. Still I like to think St Gwladys would have approved!<br />
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Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-60321032838890261082012-11-27T02:02:00.000-08:002012-11-27T02:02:33.631-08:00'Popish' Rituals and Practices at Holy Wells'<span style="font-family: Times;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><strong>Yesterday I talked about the 'popish practices' claimed by Protestants of the Faithful after the Reformation, watching Catholics gathering together at Holy Sites in God's Creation-Holy wells, Holy Mountains and Shrines. You are led to believe their devotion is 'mumbo jumbo or magic spells', but they are actually straightforward the Catholic devotions we know today. We have not cut 'cut off ' the life of the spirit, God and Christ from our worship, because we still live in God and the spirit. This second post is concerning these 'popish' devotions we still have as sacred today.</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Times;">Of course in the 'stations' described as sacred places where the penitents would pray, there would be other things-Easter Sepulchres in Churches or even crawling under the saints' altar</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><strong>The Mass </strong>is for Christians the source and summit of their Christian Faith. It kept the people together, even when they outwardly performed what they needed to to escape the terrible fines and attended the local parish church , not taking the Communion offered there. The Mass, the same as today, consists of the Liturgy of the Word (Biblical readings and teaching from the OT, The Psalms, the Epistle and the Gospel for which the people all turn to the readers and the preacher signing the cross on the foerehead (God be in my Head and in my Understanding) on the lips (God be on my mouth and on my speaking) and on the heart (God be in my heart and in my thinking).This is in respect of the Words of the Gospel. The glory of the Word of the Lord is welcomed by the people who acclaim 'Alleliua! three times, at the end of the reading and the three fold Alleluia is the Homily, the teaching. The priest surrenders his voice to that of Christ to tie together the readings and psalms. The people rise and sing the beliefs of the Christians present in the Nicean Creed. Jesus shares fully in the Divinity of the Father-'God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father) Those who profess the one God, are standing firmly against idolatry ancient or modern) There follow the prayers to God...the Faithful call out 'Christe Audi nos'-Lord hear us and the response 'Lord graciously hear us'. The prayers are for the living and the dead saints of the Church and then the first part of the Mass-the Liturgy of the Word-where God speaks to us finishes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"> The wine and bread and water which will become Christ's body are offered to the altar with a hymn. Bread and Wine are 'Wheat and Vine' and this implies Earth, Fire,Water Air Soil Wind and Sunshine-indeed the Cosmos itself. The small gifts are therefore representative of the Creation of the God of the Universe. There follows the Liturgy of the Eucharist.(Thanksgiving in English)In songs and responses we speak to him. There follows the Meal, which he himself prepares for us, the High Priest and the victim draws us to himself.In a world gone wrong, there is no intimacy without sacrifice, because sin has twisted us out of shape and so intimacy with God will mean a painful 'twisting back' -a sacrifice. In an animal sacrifice someone took one small aspect of God's creation and returned it to its source as an act of gratitude for the gift of his own existence. God has no need of these sacrifices - He does not need anything at all, but <strong><em>we</em></strong> need sacrifices (He knows our need)in order to reorder things with us and restore union with God , What is given back to God and sacrificed to Him breaks against the rock of Divine Self Sufficiency and returns for the benefit of the one who has made the Offering. Sacrifice produces Communion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">This is the distinctive meaning under the Liturgy of the Eucharist. All the angels and saints are called to be present.The Priest then begins the process of confecting the Communion as the Faithful sing the beatiful words of Isaiah 6: 'Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Sabaoth. Heaven and Earth are full of your glory! Hosanna in the Highest! and our Christian addition 'Blessed is He , who comes in the Name of the Lord'. Hosanna in the Highest. The people join themselves with the Angels and Saints .There follows the Eucharistic Prayer and the priest speaks the words of Jesus over the gifts and they become-as the Faithful stand there asks God to send down the Holy Spirit and transform the Bread and the Wine. The very words of Jesus are spoken: 'This is my Body', This is the Chalice of the new and Everlasting Covenant-the bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of the Lord. -the whole Church organism around the world, sing AMEN with the angels and saints in heaven, and Christ becomes present in the Eucharist and every Communicant is fed by Him, who will be with us till the end of time. The Body of Christ is present actually on the altar. (Unless you eat (troge-gnawing in Greek) my Body and drink my blood you will have no life in you-St John Ch 6 v 53-58)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">The vessels used in the feast are then cleaned while the Faithful enjoy their encounter with the Lord and finally the priest takes his leave from his people 'The Mass is Ended' ,'Go in Peace!' and the priest and deacons, altar servers, and others process out.People remain to pray, 'talk' to the saints or ask Our Lady for her prayers to her Son for something, and there is usually a gathering for refreshments and chat. What appears to be Bread and Wine have changed in its reality.God's work effects what it says: whether 'Let there be Light' or 'This is my Body'. What Jesus says -<strong><em>is</em></strong>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><strong>Benediction</strong> usually follows thr<strong> Rosary</strong>, and</span> is a thanksgiving for the Eucharist, which is placed in a beautifully decorated <strong>monstrance </strong>and with the consecrated Host (Sacrifice) inside, the people are blessed . The<em> Tantum Ergo and O Salutaris Hostia</em> , two beautiful ancient hymns are sung. <br />
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<strong>The Rosary </strong>(sometimes called <em>Mary's Psalter</em> in Wales) was a collection of Meditations on the life of Christ-Joyful ones Sorrowful Ones, Glorious Ones) as seen through the eyes of His earthly mother-little Mary of Nazareth.Like us, a small specimen of God's Creatures, raised by Him because of her obedience and freely given co-operation-to great things. Originally the Rosary were the 150 psalms, which could be said in turn by monks in a monastery. Ordinary non reading people had a rosary and in the time it took to say 10 Hail Mary prayers-(the address of the Angel Gabriel to Mary) the petitioner would reflect on and recall the visit of the Angel and her words to Mary-the use of the word 'Overshadowed' -his Divinity and so on. They would reflect this world had been used with reference to the Spirit of God entering the Tabernacle of David on Mt Zion in Jesusalem, where the Ark of the Covenant had been placed. All this would be contemplated. There would follow contemplations on the Visit to Elizabeth and the Magnificat, the Nativity itself and visit of the Shepherds and Wise Men, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple to Simeon and the Finding ot the Child Jesus in the Temple. Whatever else, these were an illiterate person's prayer book and Bible and not a sheaf of 'magical mumbled prayers'. <br />
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<strong>'Stations' </strong>The devotion of the Stations of the Cross , popular across Christendom during lent had its origins in the 'stations' around the churches. The stations of the Cross follows the final walk of Jesus to the Cross in nthe local parish church rather than by actual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Pilgrims would be there in spirit if not physically. Pilgrims in Catholic times, possibly en route to some famous pilgrimage site would often take in the Holy wells on the route and pray for strength. The Holy Well was often the last 'Station'. Other stations could be some site of special significance in the Llan or church, the memorial of the buried saint or statue, another smaller Church or chapel, a Celtic style Cross, a nun's house or Convent.Sometimes Station 1 would be the altar of the Church, Station 2 perhaps a small cairn of stones, and more stones would be deposited on it as a sumbol of the sorrow for sin. In Ireland there were often the 'grave beds' (there was one at Bassaleg Priory in the Middle Ages, dedicated to St Gwladys of Newport, wife of St Gwynlliw who was buried there'.Each community would work out its hallowed stations where prayers would be said and generally, the Our Father was said reverentially five times, the Hail Mary prayer also five times and the Nicean or Apostolic Creed (mentioned above) (This is about half a decade of the rosary for each station-although the Crees was only said once, usually before moving off) The Faithful would trace out the circle around these stations, and finally the well would be reached and would be also walked around ,and water drunk, cures implored, penance completed etc.They would kneel to pray after walking once around the 'station', whatever it was.<br />
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<strong>Pilgrimages</strong><br />
Such a pilgrimage also took place at Good Friday in some places and certainly on the Patronal Festival or 'Pattern' of the saints. There was often feasting and -in some lamentable occasions because of over indulgence of alcohol-fights.Some people felt every 'Pattern' had to have a fight and indeed at Welsh Weddings, this often appeared to be the case! This was not ideal. Unfortunately there are problems with popular piety and the twentieth century views of these things:<br />
a)Abuse of the Holy Wells by superstitions and by pagans, witches and other such beliefs, which came out of the closet, and in large part re-invented rites with no ancient significance.Many clergy, Carroll believe actively discouraged the worship of the Trinity at Holy Wells during the late 19th and 20th centuries-as witness the number of holy wells fallen into disuse.They said less Masses there and also led less pilgrimages around stations.<br />
b) More faith in scientific remedies than in the water cures which are reserved for the illnesses science has problems with.<br />
c)Loss of faith because of bad catechesis-family breakdowns and loss of identity of some Catholic parishes displaced by other incoming faiths.<br />
d) No teaching of local history in schools or even of the lives of the very saints who have given their names to the dedication of their church being given. Protestant insistance and criticism of statues and Communion of Saints making this unfashionable <br />
e) Children addicted to the virtual computers, iphones, iPads etc. They have a feeling of being invincible with all these tinsels of the world. Children isolated ,in some cases, having no 'real' friends just virtual ones.When the real world crashes in, there is no fall back position, especially if the family is not strong.<br />
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Whilst The Mass itself connects us with the Triune God, I believe that local worship around the church (in an age rapidly becoming less analytical, and with less fluent readers for a long time) could benefit the young by reenforcing what the Mass is, as well as informing the Faithful about the life lived in God of their forgotten saint. It could breathe new life into penance and the patronal festival and make all of us more grateful for all the gifts and blessings of our creation in life giving springs and the 'real things of the earth in God's Creation''in which we are grown, whilst looking heavenward for our future. I would like to see parishes taking Children-especially out of urban areas for enjoyable days of contemplation and fun and doing some of these rounds and discussions of some of these things. They are the Real Gifts and Blessings of God's Creation not fake ones .<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"></span><br />Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-1926416545904023832012-11-26T04:12:00.001-08:002012-11-26T04:14:30.442-08:00Popular Piety!. Can our ancient holy places bring us even closer to God?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>The video explores the finding of Ffynnon Bedr recently (St Peter's Well) and ancient Healing Well at Bryngwyn near Abergavenny, after many many years. The farmer and local churchwarden of the local Anglican Church are with me. We started to clear what looked like a muddy swamp and suddenly with a dressed stone-the water came through in a strong stream, every bot as strong as St Winifrides. The well will be restored in the spring and the community are very excited! The local Church is still dedicated to St Peter since pre Anglican times.</strong><br />
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Michael P Carroll , in his book 'Irish Pilgrimage' <em>Holy Wells and Popular Catholic Devotion</em>, an excellently researched and thought provoking book-leaving aside perhaps the last chapter (Freudian theories) maintains that the practice of visiting holy wells and mountains was a Catholic devotion, based around the cult of a saint-usually and in Wales we had plenty. He said observances at Holy Wells and groves were a particularly Catholic idea and had various reasons and evolved throughout the ages of the church from the time of the earliest saints.He is deeply sceptical about these devotions having anything to do with Celtic observances, mainly because the evidence for that is thin (and you will have to read the bookto see how thin it is) However we do know that many ancient sites were Christianised at one point or another, but as Carroll points out, that other places <em>became</em> holy wells long after this time and can become so at any time in God's time. St Augustine, likewise was told to tear down idols and statues which might have appeared at these places, and many of the Yew trees associated with these sites still exist today. <br />
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The main question is-how were these holy wells used? Were they a kind of Welsh voodoo, a hybrid of Catholicism and a secret Celtic past? There are traditions that a 'sacred bath' was part of the inauguration ceremony of a Druid into the next stage of Enlightenment , but this 'bath' took place by royal persons and those joining the Druid movement at a secret site in a cave in Snowdonia, and had little to do with local wells. Of course the first function of a well is to provide water, neccessary for everyone, and in fact, part of the early fascination was of water bubbling up from the ground, especially with the purity and clarity of so many Welsh springs. Michael Carroll is talking of Irish Wells and pilgrimages to them, but the Welsh interest in Wells is as early,although four centuries of Roman rule had vastly changed the culture of Romano Britain. This was a country that spoke Latin as well as Welsh as the norm (as we speak English/Welsh today)The enterprising businessman had to speak Latin to advance his prospect and it was the language of the whole Empire. Caerleon was not a remote outpost of the Roman Empire. The grandeur of the Roman buildings at Caerleon were remarked on in 1188 AD when Gerald the Welshman accompanied Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury from Llanthony, Patrishow, Monmouth,Abergavenny, Usk, and Caerleon on the way to Newport and Cardiff to collect people to save the Holy Places in Jerusalem from those who had conquered it and closed it off for Christian pilgrims. <br />
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<strong>'Llechs, and crosses'</strong><br />
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Since Gerald was a Welsh speaker, he was able to help the Archbishop by speaking Welsh where needed and actually also commented on some of the low points of the faith of the Welsh. From his comments it can be seen that this Catholic faith, the older version of the Celtic saints, before the new mission sent by Pope Gregory via Augustine, was deeply embedded in the people. It was embedded in this earlier Catholic culture, which Carroll theorises about in Ireland. Many of the 'llechs' the 'special stones' often elaborately carved had been carved in Christian terms, and indeed many of the stones to be observed around Wales' whilst showing Ogham writings, also have Latin inscriptions, and some only Latin inscriptions, and many of Christian Faithful who had passed on. The incidence of large scale Crosses, elaborately carved to be seen throughout Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and Britanny as well as Scotland and other places witness the early faith of these brothers and sisters. Michael Carroll mentions the creativity of this ancient form of Catholicism. The Cross of Christ, carved with many symbols was joined together with the symbol of the sun, not now the sun as the dawning of the new day, but the 'Son of Righteousness'. Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead as the sun rises everyday. It did not make this pagan, it made it an interpretation.<br />
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<strong>The Skirryd</strong><br />
This mountain, one of the seven hills of Abergavenny, is climbed every year on the feast of St Michael and All Angels (Michaelmas) and on Good Friday, when the Cross is taken to the top. This devotion went on through two hundred years of terrible persecution of Catholics and Catholic priests, and the mountain is split in two -in legend at the very moment of the Crucifixion by the mighty sword of the Archangel Michael. The Priest climbs as well and sometimes Mass is held. The Welsh Shrine of Our Lady of Penrhys, is also on a high mountain and visited by thousands of pilgrims each year.<br />
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And what makes them all come?<br />
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<strong>Holy Wells</strong><br />
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1) The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains a great deal about Water.
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>CCC 1218</strong>:Since the beginning of the world, water, so humble and wonderful a creature, has been the source of life</span> and fruitfulness. Sacred Scripture sees it as 'overshadowed' by the spirit of God (Genesis 1:2)
<em>'At the very dawn of Creation, your spirit breathed on the waters, making them a wellspring of all holiness</em>.<br />
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2) SS David, Teilo, Cadoc and Illtyd and their priests all baptised their initiates into the Christian mysteries by baptising or Christening them in holy wells and more correctly 'Springs' fountains, or 'fontes'. Of course water later became brought into the church building into a specially carved 'font'. The reasons for this were obvious for wet and cold weather, and sanctification in the Church space.<br />
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3)Perhaps another clue to the veneration of a spring comes from the Catechism itself:<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">CCC 1220</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> If <em>water springing up from the earth symbolizes life,</em>
the water of the sea is a symbol of death and so can represent the mystery of
the cross. By this symbolism Baptism signifies communion with Christ's death.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-GB; line-height: normal; margin: 0pt 0in; mso-line-break-override: none; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Michael Carroll mentions how devotions at holy wells seem to have increased considerably after the Reformation. We know that Catholics continued to meet at these places, because Protestants have commented on their 'popish practices' and we can also get a real insight into devotion that went on there. Some such practices have continued and revived, for example at Walsingham. Being 'washed clean' in a holy site is part of the practical and tactile part of Catholicism, which I call 'Feeling' the gospel, being 'at one' with the faith, not in a purely cerebral, but in a physical way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-GB; line-height: normal; margin: 0pt 0in; mso-line-break-override: none; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Being Washed clean of Sin (the Sacrament of Healing and penance) is the means of trying to be holy, trying to achieve holiness and this sacrament, perhaps is the closest to the early usage of the wells apart from Baptism itself. Holy wells were local, often enclosed in the Llans (religious enclosures) and easy to get to now. Of course the demography is different now, so the wells seems to be in inaccessible areas. The parish priest could ask a penance from someone involving a pilgrimage to a saint's well, Now there is a 'Double' site of holiness, The well used by the deisgnated holy saint, plu the natural symbolism of the water. Very often there would be 'rounding rituals'. People would walk around the well. The monastic 'llan' itself was round and perhaps the old ritual of 'beating the bounds of a parish' may have some connection here. But by the sixteenth century people commented and wrote down what people were doing in Ireland. Such practices had to be secret at that time.</span></span></div>
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<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-GB; line-height: normal; margin: 0pt 0in; mso-line-break-override: none; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong>'Rounding Rituals' </strong>were well known around the world but in 1644, a French traveller commented on a visit : <em>There are many ruins of old churches...towards which the women have great reverence and come there in solomn procession</em>.(were these the churches destroyed by Cromwell?)<em>The Oldest march first and the others follow, then take three turns round the ruins , make a reverance to the remains , kneel and recommence theceremony many times, I notice them at this devotion for three or four hours' (carroll quotes Boulez le Gouz 1837 (1657) </em>At St Patrick's Purgatory, however, the rituals have been documented since the 12th century. In Ireland the Holy Well formed an important part of the Patronal Festival, and an important part of that, was not just the feasting and rejoicing but also the penitential rites.Physical pain of some sort enhanced these penitential rituals-like walking barefoot up a rocky mountain (a parallel with the walk from the slipper chapel to Walsingham barefoot along a tarmack road perhaps...)In many Catholic cultures, there is also walking on the knees and injuries instensified the pain of the sin and penance and more perfectly joined the penitent to the sufferings of Christ- 'feeling' his pain and being sorry for it at the same time.</span></span></div>
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<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-GB; line-height: normal; margin: 0pt 0in; mso-line-break-override: none; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong>2) Healing</strong> is another and perhaps better known use of the Holy Well at a time when there were less cures and certainly no cures at all in early times. Through the spa movement in the 18th century, we know now that many such wells actually contain minerals which are very good for you, often in high doses and bathing in them was probably a secular hangover from what went on in Holy Wells in the Catholic Community. Healing could mean salvation from sin or dis-ease with which a person was afflicted. There were reports from Llangattock in Powys, that at St Mary's Well, infants with the croup orother ailments were bathed.-a spring now diverted because of a Golf Course.(!) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><strong>So how did the pilgrims use the Water? Healing of Body or soul or both!</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><strong> </strong>Basically by drinking it, or if it was large enough , bathing in it.All sorts of things were found in wellsas prayers. Candles were expensive, but braided bits from the fringe of a shawl, crockery and sometimes people brought things to the well as an oath-or the result of a vow, I will make a pilgrimage to St X's Holy Well in return for a cure or in thanksgiving for a cure.They would leave objects there which was meant to visualise the concept they wanted to separate themselves from the ailment or to bring closer what they wanted to achieve. Hair loss, would make a petitioner leave a lock of hair. In a similar way, they would want to alienate themselves from their fall from grace.Michael Carroll actually gives the prayer said at these sites: 'p 34 <em>'Invoking this Lord, my ailments are deposited in this place'. </em>A rag from the petitioner's clothes or shawl could be torn off, dipped in the Holy Well and then rubbed on the affected body part and hung over the well. As this rag disintigrated, it was believed that the Saint would reverse the progress of the ailment.These were also called 'clouties'. Blessed Water was (as is now) collected from the spring and taken home to be used as required. Perhaps the reason for the crockery found in these sprinks was because the drank the water out of them. Deep down then, spiritual and corporeal ailments were deposited on those rags.Devotees separated themselves also by drinking and bathing in the water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><strong>'Popish Rituals' - a Catholic-hating term.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">These are recorded in Carroll's book by many people hostile to Catholicism in the 17th century. With so many Catholic Churches turned over to the new Anglican religion, and others left in ruins with statues etc smashed and Catholic priests threatened with instant execution, it is small wonder that many of the faithful, began to rediscover the ancient outdoor sacred places, which were often very secret. In fact one reason the faith carried on in Skenfrith because the people retired and went secretly to Coed Anghred for Mass, a legendary Druid site. In fact the sacred rituals performed at Holy Wells and places in early times were the Mass and/or Rosary and Benediction. The clergy supported this worship and at very bad penal times when the eyes of the authorities were there all the time, a visiting priest was a great joy and what kept secrets in the Abergavenny area was the fact the priests spoke Welsh and instructions for the gathering be kept in Welsh. The local nobility and judiciary (bar two families-Scudamore and Arnold) stayed loyal to the faith and protected local Faithful. The English vicars of the early years often accepted their livings but lived in England, thus the Faith never died out in some areas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">For Details of such rituals-see tomorrow's <em><strong>Mary in Monmouth.</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span> </div>
<br />Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-68954566505721642642012-11-03T10:45:00.000-07:002012-11-03T10:49:10.638-07:00THE AUSTIN FRIARS IN NEWPORT- Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKvNiKEnle1CElI1lgW96Ln0etmO5z1v5HjWMsroRVJQUkigLGHbLua92kMDnQEYFhYBVblOfcxqRuj7uNbWZxKH53jyJd-3tq7ANhc3LxYiBeIVK4GUVByZVCLRIPwi3DoZpafLVk14L/s1600/austin-friar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKvNiKEnle1CElI1lgW96Ln0etmO5z1v5HjWMsroRVJQUkigLGHbLua92kMDnQEYFhYBVblOfcxqRuj7uNbWZxKH53jyJd-3tq7ANhc3LxYiBeIVK4GUVByZVCLRIPwi3DoZpafLVk14L/s320/austin-friar.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipSdE4Cs9Dt0wD_nkiE7RG1f-QZdNOCb_ceprX5TgWsr-SmE1MVd7CX6EM7eNT8mhkVjymQf4kSs4XEdjdmn9dMAZRd2ouU3VbJw5ZFsy5LJiLEGXSuO0D2xskAWycPExMh5yVqBOSGGi/s1600/austinfriars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipSdE4Cs9Dt0wD_nkiE7RG1f-QZdNOCb_ceprX5TgWsr-SmE1MVd7CX6EM7eNT8mhkVjymQf4kSs4XEdjdmn9dMAZRd2ouU3VbJw5ZFsy5LJiLEGXSuO0D2xskAWycPExMh5yVqBOSGGi/s320/austinfriars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Friars were established by the Staffords early in the 14th century. I am wiring this as a 'follow up to my last post on Mediaeval Newport and thank James Matthews from Newport Public Library his limited edition book of 1910 'Historic Newport' with a chapter on The Friars.We probably never will know exactly which year, but 1347 would be a good date and would have been completed by December of that year, because St Augustine
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-UasJov4Rq0vy6zVsNiHCIyE3D0VpePktWi-RjiW3H4cQUO0fyAIlHQMWeykqyYsYDu0hetAD4dl9q81j_tOGt-sly6i_ggogvi1nfthXJ1rZ08CZyTFzotGZDKDm3-FaOBuRCOySTiM/s1600/Friars+Cottage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-UasJov4Rq0vy6zVsNiHCIyE3D0VpePktWi-RjiW3H4cQUO0fyAIlHQMWeykqyYsYDu0hetAD4dl9q81j_tOGt-sly6i_ggogvi1nfthXJ1rZ08CZyTFzotGZDKDm3-FaOBuRCOySTiM/s320/Friars+Cottage.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because their patron St Augustine of Hippo was consecrated
by Bishop Aurelius of Carthage as co-ajutor to Bishop Valerius of Hippo in that
month (Christmas 395AD) They dedicated their church to St Nicholas whose
charism was his charity, being also one of the saints of the month of December,
and honoured by seamen as their patron saint. So St Nicholas Churches are often
found in seaports, as here, near the harbour. 372 churches have been named in
his honour in Britain. The ‘Austin Friars Preachers’dedicated their first
chapel and monastery to St Nicholas and it became the first sailors church in
the port.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>Old possible Carmelite Priory</strong> <o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Old Priory in Belle View Lane (writing 1910) must not be
confused with the chapels of St Nicholas and the Chapel of St Thomas the reason
is they do not conform to the description being of by the ‘key (quay) beneath
the bridge’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the Carmelite Friars occupied this Friary, a thick
avenue of trees extended from the garden grounds to the present ‘Mountjoy Inn’(1910)and
from there it ran down in a crescent form down the late Poplar Row to the
precincts of the Friary near the River, to which those ancient religious wended
their way , at the hour of prayer to the lower chapel of the Austen Friars.The
planting of the sacred grove was the work of the Austen Friars, long before the
agreement in 1377.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>St Nicholas<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The little community of Augustinians, after working and
labouring among the indigent poor of Newport for upwards of thirty two years,
found their work flagging through lack of support, and so the order became less
and less efficient, for this reason alone.In addition, they were working in the aftermath of the most terrible placue ever to hit Britain, and the town needed a new lease of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Earl of Stafford gives Friars burgages and places it
under the governance of St Peter’s Gloucester<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Staffords were great patrons of the Austen Friars, and
it was about this time 1377, when their position was precarious, that Hugh the
son of Ralph who had succeeded his father in 1372 as second Earl of Stafford
and Lord of Newport and Wentllwch/Gwynllwch came to their assistance and gave
them 32 burgages of meadow land and the site to build a new church , the site
of their former building. Being aware the Brothers Hermits never accepted
money, houses nor lands , owing to their charism, and at the same time
understanding their function serving the poor had to be put on a sound
financial footing, he gave the deeds over to the Benedictines of St Peter’s
Abbey, Gloucester, in trust for them in the form of an agreement.The burgages
were in the Parish of St Woolos and hence in the parish of Gwynlliw’s Church
and the Abbot of St Peters was in charge of that Church.The Benedictines would
be under no misapprehensions as to what the loss of the tithes from the St
Woolos burgages would mean to the Church of which they were custodians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As judicious managers of property , the monks of the
Benedictine house had no equals . They were businesslike ,exact and prompt in
their dealings and they required from their tenants and servants a just and
faithful performance of their services and duties and at the same time were not
harsh and ungrateful masters. This document was found by Messrs Wakeman and
Morgan, and we mut be grateful to them for finding out this very early history,as
it proves beyond doubt that the Austin Friars were established in Newport and
existed as a free religious<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>body a
considerable period after the treaty, which was drawn up at the earnest request
, of Lord Hugh , Earl of Stafford .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Know all men, that it is settled and accordedand decreed
among the reverend and religious men, Thomas Horton, by the Grace of God, Abbot
of St Peter’s Abbey, Gloucester, and the Convent of the same place, appropriate
Records of the Parish Church, Newport, in the diocese of Llandaff in Wales, and
Brother Henry Tesdale Prior Provincial in England, of the Order of the Hermits
of St Augustine , and Brother Thomas Locke the Prior, and bretherein of the
same order at Newport’......</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An annual payment of 13s and 4p was to be paid by the
Brothers Hermits in quarterly instalments of 3s 4d to the Parish Church in
compensation of the tithes from the lost burgages and oblations. Also the Prior
and Brethren had to renounce all prescriptions, customs,papal rescripts of
their order, devices, frauds, nullities, indulgences, appeals and all other
abatements in law obtainable or to be obtained by which the agreement may be
evaded. Prior Thomas was sworn to keep all the conditions of the agreement and
undertook that his successor should take a like oath to the vicar for the time
being. This was ratified by Bishop Roger Craddock of Llandaff<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>July 2 1377.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>St Nicholas Friary</strong></u></span></div>
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The new Friary was constructed on the site of the old delapidated house of the friars and Benedictines were sent from Gloucester to facilitate matters but before eight years had passed (as seen in the Charter of 1385 the Brother Hermits were in trouble again, though their habit of giving everything away and possibly because of their improvidence and their lax discipline, in contract with the Benedictines, who had a stable rule and discipline.The Benedictines had to sort them out again and tried to institute a more rigid and economical management plan for them.</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Laxity in the Rule</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It is a recorded fact, that laxity among the
religious orders in the latter part of the fourteenth century and the Benedictines had to sort their hermits out again. That there was a fall off in the austerity of the rule, among
the Friars everywhere. Possibly people were becoming a little more affluent,
and the orders got used to their work and were given more gifts.Decay was in
many houses because of laxity. It is also possible that an eremitical lifestyle
was simply not compatable with urban living as Newport got larger, and no doubt
our own brothers suffered from this. The problem was so great, that there had
to be change and severe pressure was brought to bear on the bretheren sometime
between the years 1377 and 1385 , in order to save them from extinction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-58785380584008464482012-10-22T03:47:00.001-07:002012-10-22T03:51:42.376-07:00Unique Pre Reformation Catholic Chapel Longworth,in Herefordshire<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeBZtO3tM5loW3ejti96Y_m7NDA2rIOmI6Gc7d41uEe5-LnoV44rbT3KoxaZfbiZ4YJV3pV2g66eG2FwSDJ-QvFbDFNbzSlQBSwyIhlU4mAudaKfl8Khx7hyq09L3q6MjJ2JlGeQ6Uj3a/s1600/LONGWORTH+CHAPEL.LITTLE+DEWCHURCH,ACONBURY+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeBZtO3tM5loW3ejti96Y_m7NDA2rIOmI6Gc7d41uEe5-LnoV44rbT3KoxaZfbiZ4YJV3pV2g66eG2FwSDJ-QvFbDFNbzSlQBSwyIhlU4mAudaKfl8Khx7hyq09L3q6MjJ2JlGeQ6Uj3a/s320/LONGWORTH+CHAPEL.LITTLE+DEWCHURCH,ACONBURY+026.JPG" width="254" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11KFUXMWiHpz4qgONMy-mE30k5A7YFXuenQH3SaVwY98RUFnPIE48A9Mx0Swqr7zYAJdRP6zMj1z2H5bzuBLJp7hHtN1SmWUHJvyhd1jwzImyy0C7bJ1Jc0gkuxz8OoJwt7gheM-eWVl3/s1600/LONGWORTH+CHAPEL.LITTLE+DEWCHURCH,ACONBURY+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11KFUXMWiHpz4qgONMy-mE30k5A7YFXuenQH3SaVwY98RUFnPIE48A9Mx0Swqr7zYAJdRP6zMj1z2H5bzuBLJp7hHtN1SmWUHJvyhd1jwzImyy0C7bJ1Jc0gkuxz8OoJwt7gheM-eWVl3/s320/LONGWORTH+CHAPEL.LITTLE+DEWCHURCH,ACONBURY+012.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This chapel, dedicated to St James, but commonly known as
Longworth Chapel, was built in the late 1300’s and was used only for Catholic
worship over 600 years. This also may mean the family in the Old Longworth Manor
House (at the meeting of the rivers Frome and Lugg-not far away, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>continued to practise their religion
throughout penal times. So this ,like Holywell in North Wales is one of the few
chapels which never lost their Catholic identity, throughout the centuries.At
some time in the 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> century, however, it was replaced by the
present Longworth Hall and built on higher ground. During the time of the
recusancy-possibly-it suffered much, as it was dangerous to allow the
authorities to find a Catholic chapel, so it was as in so many other cases, it
was disguised and used as a barn, the gentry no doubt outwardly conforming to
the new faith, whilse secretly practising their own. However, the severity of
the laws at last broke through and forced the family into conformity, since no
Catholic could own property, and many recusants were impoverished and forced to
flee the country. No doubt some family member was more pragmatic. Emancipation
did not come until the mid nineteenth century.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In any case in 1832 with the Roman Catholic Relief Act ,
Catholics were at last allowed to openly practise their faith. The Oxford
Movement gave great respectability to the faith and many finally could come out
and join the church. One such was a Mr Robert Biddulph Philipps, who owned the
estate. In 1851, when the Hierarchy was being <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>re-established, and religious orders were
being invited in to help set it up. Robert began the refurbishment of the
chapel on its original site (where it had remained). His aim was to provide a
place of worship for his wife and family who had followed him into the church,
and to provide a grave chapel for them. Mass was publically celebrated again
150 years ago on 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> September 1859. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6vE0oKe5wKr3-9qOJus7zIP3yNU9rKZYIOI03JicDgyUCqLxZbBtkkeLmZbATUX6YcdshHg_7VuWAJj8Y5qRcA9zMp9EXrMuBgbGXEq_UEM2uziSTMgeQ4ItJa3TtDhmtc3-azNYAruK/s1600/LONGWORTH+CHAPEL.LITTLE+DEWCHURCH,ACONBURY+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6vE0oKe5wKr3-9qOJus7zIP3yNU9rKZYIOI03JicDgyUCqLxZbBtkkeLmZbATUX6YcdshHg_7VuWAJj8Y5qRcA9zMp9EXrMuBgbGXEq_UEM2uziSTMgeQ4ItJa3TtDhmtc3-azNYAruK/s320/LONGWORTH+CHAPEL.LITTLE+DEWCHURCH,ACONBURY+015.JPG" width="230" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No doubt local Catholics also
used it, since very few Mass centres existed when every thing was set up again.
Nicholas’ daughter had joined a religious order in France, the Sisters of Our
Lady of Charity of Refuge at Caen. It seems he then suffered a cruel blow, when
his daughter of 21 suddenly died. He now had no heir, and since he wanted to
give his goods to the church, he decided to build and provide for a Convent
nearby for the French Order of his daughter, but the nuns wanted higher ground
(the chapel stood on the original flood plain).Robert had wanted the Chapel to
be associated with the Convent and provided for it to be moved next to the
Convent, and desired to be buried in it, but died before anything could be
done. Indeed at the cost of £547 the Chapel was taken down and rebuilt next to
the convent. The Chapel was perhaps fortunate that the Convent was designed and
built 1862-4 by E W Pugin.In 1863, Elizabeth Biddulph (sister Mary of St Peter)
arrived from France to take up residence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The chapel is mediaeval in style, but blended with Pugin’s
work, very sensitively. The earthly bodies of Robert Philipps, his wife and
youngest daughter were removed from where they had originally been buried and
brought to lie in the chapel, where they rest.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumskD90JRjLUrjXYFKnr2SAG_v0rBHDSB8ESt07mPtcagvwmdARNYfoIKSpXAh6hGVBZ5is7StKHd7KA5Kf8SOeUYE4MbnXm2GoQfijfQcLpECdsk0xR53_BbKRNfMf-2RC-DJfRIq0gE/s1600/LONGWORTH+CHAPEL.LITTLE+DEWCHURCH,ACONBURY+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumskD90JRjLUrjXYFKnr2SAG_v0rBHDSB8ESt07mPtcagvwmdARNYfoIKSpXAh6hGVBZ5is7StKHd7KA5Kf8SOeUYE4MbnXm2GoQfijfQcLpECdsk0xR53_BbKRNfMf-2RC-DJfRIq0gE/s320/LONGWORTH+CHAPEL.LITTLE+DEWCHURCH,ACONBURY+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Convent remained for 130 years and their mission was as
a refuge for young girls, who were deprived, physically, socially and
spiritually. Sadly in 1993 the sisters had to sell . They had wanted to found a
care village, but all sorts of problems prevented this. Sunday Mass continued
to be offered and the St Richard’s Hospice also continued. Both St Anne’s
Convent Chapel and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St James had to be
closed in 1995 and the convent sold for development into luxury flats. In 1997,
the diocese wanted to sell the chapel for development for a nominal sum, but
this was not acceptable to the local congregation and the Charity Commission
and the Historic Chapels Trust became involved. It became a Grade II listed building
and it was recognised as a building of importance both on historical and on
Religious grounds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately, there was vandalism and arson in the chapel
and a great deal of damage was done, and a great deal of money needs to be
found to restore it.December 2002 for example it was set on fire and the fire
brigade were called. Half the floor was burnt out . An inner wall was built,
separating the St Ann’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Convent from the
Chapel, which has survived and is in urgent need of funds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Historic Chapels<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Trust, and English Heritage Grant and Severn Waste Grant, it can now be
opened now and again, although much more work needs to be done, dealing with
the nsmoke damage, badly damaged altar and reredos, work on the stained glass
windows. Hopefully the people who visit and those who come to the masses will
be able to eventually enjoy the vision of Pugin and the beauty of the Mediaeval
Chapel. It is closely connected with the Hospice-many come here to pray and
grieve, and will provide a quiet and peaceful place for the residents living
locally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Any donation towards the cost of the restoration of the
chapel will be gratefully received.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">OS Grid Reference:
SO5684540595<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Location:Longworth Chapel: 41 Frome Park, Bartestree, County of
Herefordshire HR1 4DX</span><br />
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p>Visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/6377571597/">http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/6377571597/</a> if you have a Facebook account for more Mary in Monmouth.</o:p></span></div>
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Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-12287880338216967912012-09-25T17:24:00.000-07:002012-09-25T17:24:22.712-07:00Kyneburgha,Daughter of Penda and Holy Abbess, or Gloucester Saint?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvgc7IFJcvSIZvPCK1ZZ1efjokfS8DDUN6j9IkV9Qp419lvh5EzjtOtBbIpA8yySzfZwLdofLnQ6F1479y2zfyq2dNBcs0OPmch-9uVCyITxI0SzgUzYZuOFiR1lmKLyvpAC3DuC_nu2f/s1600/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvgc7IFJcvSIZvPCK1ZZ1efjokfS8DDUN6j9IkV9Qp419lvh5EzjtOtBbIpA8yySzfZwLdofLnQ6F1479y2zfyq2dNBcs0OPmch-9uVCyITxI0SzgUzYZuOFiR1lmKLyvpAC3DuC_nu2f/s320/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+359.JPG" width="212" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">St Kyneburgha</span></span>
was a female 7th century Mercian saint, daughter of the pagan King
of Mercia called Penda. She married King Ealhfrith, co-regent of
Northumbria (who went to the Synod of Whitby in 664AD but then she left him to establish an abbey at Castor,near Peterborough, Northamptonshire, of which she
became the first abbess. She was buried in her church, but her remains were taken, before 972 to Peterborough Abbey. She had been
one of the signatories, together with her brother Wulfhere of the founding charter of Burh Abbey,
dated 664AD, according to Dugdales<i>Monasticon</i>.(Burh Abbey was later dedicated to St.
Peter, becoming "Peterborough"). She was venerated as a saint by
the monks of Peterborough, but there was another saint who was of Kyneburgha, the wife of King Oswald. A hymn to praise the life of Christ as lived in St Kyneburgha was found and restored in recent times along with her Festival.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQr2q5uKoghgHx-sEGkNu2KESDTu62FKYq_7Hu6LC5YNwQRJes_9rQmQw0f9u2boSgeUwJyouwNWNR8-eNuCi5Sr7jPkdWrSyKOQbME4_qLXiJkRAhnzpnY10yFet4bMwbUReE7tlqfKOm/s1600/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+373+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQr2q5uKoghgHx-sEGkNu2KESDTu62FKYq_7Hu6LC5YNwQRJes_9rQmQw0f9u2boSgeUwJyouwNWNR8-eNuCi5Sr7jPkdWrSyKOQbME4_qLXiJkRAhnzpnY10yFet4bMwbUReE7tlqfKOm/s320/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+373+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY16DXwSyC4jQTWAgQ4_jshW76hCr836UHiVJ7R5JxHBcK7Q4mWIG1L7Ju5r9NDeKwhLPkBOn250rQ98CUB1VX3-1LdlRQM2q7QgZmiLu4WVsqBvcThiw_Osto0gVtvXKxnhzH4Kab4XI4/s1600/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY16DXwSyC4jQTWAgQ4_jshW76hCr836UHiVJ7R5JxHBcK7Q4mWIG1L7Ju5r9NDeKwhLPkBOn250rQ98CUB1VX3-1LdlRQM2q7QgZmiLu4WVsqBvcThiw_Osto0gVtvXKxnhzH4Kab4XI4/s320/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+370.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Latin and English texts of the chants comes from the literature
accompanying a Compact Disc recording entitled “Chant in honour of Anglo Saxon
saints”. The singing was by a group called Magnificat, directed by Philip Cave
and recorded in Durham Cathedral in 1995. (CD ref is CGCD4004). The CD was
produced by a firm called Griffin of Church House, St Mary’s Gate, Lancaster
LA1 1TD. The music was transcribed from an original manuscript by David Hiley,
who also wrote the foreword above. The text was translated by Davis Norwood.
Philip Cave is a member of The Tallis Scholars and a layclerk at New College
Oxford<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Laudet dominum cum Petro sancto<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Burgensis ecclesia in claris<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">lampadibus Kyneburgha et <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Kyneswitha ac Tibba</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><em><strong>Let the Burgensian church praise the Lord,<o:p></o:p></strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><em><strong>together with St Peter, and, with their </strong></em></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><em><strong>bright torches,</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><em><strong> let Kyneburgha and </strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><em><strong>Kyneswitha and Tibba do likewise.<o:p></o:p></strong></em></span></div>
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKxwerrG7FgS2E5e6Lxj0XCND_4uIE26RIFj-4krJm1liTMXZCDX92LVXSrAXqkBIWE9sgU1JEB00UkdkZ7rp_JG0Vz6L9Z4V0HQ5LhRjJXMYBWefhAmE9FfQWWgJznglCNB6iWrw2GiE/s1600/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKxwerrG7FgS2E5e6Lxj0XCND_4uIE26RIFj-4krJm1liTMXZCDX92LVXSrAXqkBIWE9sgU1JEB00UkdkZ7rp_JG0Vz6L9Z4V0HQ5LhRjJXMYBWefhAmE9FfQWWgJznglCNB6iWrw2GiE/s400/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+363.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> In translatorem sanctarum<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8BvLBqbGi4_FWX7VeOPSJunkBpS45g-E3hxkpL-4ku2CVpe34d8ZIFHFsYR1Yir6WgNWjoBQl2pdR8LoFWTmZJocDDJyy7dH9_am8FDpCEH0ghAay8M6p6DyfOq4Up-hFUrRRjZcEVM_/s1600/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8BvLBqbGi4_FWX7VeOPSJunkBpS45g-E3hxkpL-4ku2CVpe34d8ZIFHFsYR1Yir6WgNWjoBQl2pdR8LoFWTmZJocDDJyy7dH9_am8FDpCEH0ghAay8M6p6DyfOq4Up-hFUrRRjZcEVM_/s400/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+366.JPG" width="310" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">reliquiarum exorta est regis et populi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">tempestas naufragosa sed mox<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">imperante domino facta est</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">tranquillitas magna. Nobis quoque<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">bene prosperetur trinitas benedicta<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">per nos, o beate Kyneburgha et <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Kyneswitha ac Tibba.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><strong><em>Against the remover of the sacred relics<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><strong><em>here arose a fierce storm from king and </em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><strong><em><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">people but, ere long, at the bidding of the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Lord,</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><strong><em> peace was fully restored</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gloriosa dispensatione dei interfector<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">regis et martyris Oswaldi, Rex Penda,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">protulit gemellas rosas Christo de sua<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">spina – Christianissimas filias Christo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">suscipiente de pagano parente. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gloria <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">patri et filio et spiritui sancto.<o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><strong><em>May we also</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><strong><em>find good fortune, o blessed Kyneburgha,<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><strong><em>Kyneswitha and Tibba, our blessed trinity.</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><strong><em>By the wondrous contrivance of God <o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><em>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">the slayer of Oswald, king and martyr, King <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Penda, fathered two roses for Christ from<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">his own thorny stock and Christ received<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">these devotedly Christian daughters from <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">their pagan father.</span></em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDM3jc23LtH1oy9HCi4_ixQcMXMvrjjYrMECH81TXFbTBxEn4Scco3NF7LPoLwZkoBtY6Ha9JZgSipf5sDpvjBzYVq1dkWgLIwTypurYNKqhpc-mPJW2_NwLqH7HVQdAqQi0mYldFu3LC/s1600/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDM3jc23LtH1oy9HCi4_ixQcMXMvrjjYrMECH81TXFbTBxEn4Scco3NF7LPoLwZkoBtY6Ha9JZgSipf5sDpvjBzYVq1dkWgLIwTypurYNKqhpc-mPJW2_NwLqH7HVQdAqQi0mYldFu3LC/s320/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+379.JPG" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> The Feast Of St Kyneburgha with St Kyneswitha and St
Tibba was of this type being transcribed from a medieval manuscript. St
Kyneburgha and her sister St Kyneswitha were daughters of the fearsome king
Penda of Mercia. They converted to Christianity, Kyneburgha founded the convent
of Castor in Northamptonshire and was succeeded as abbess by her sister. With
their kinswoman Tibba they were later buried at Peterborough.</span></div>
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</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">A later
abbess also became a popular saint under the name of St. Kyneburga of
Gloucester. Her date is uncertain, but her chapel was in use from 1147 until
the Reformation; her feast day was June 25th, and her death was celebrated on
April 10th. Her name survives in Kimbrose Way near Southgate Street in
Gloucester. During the Three Choirs Festival of 1992 a play was performed at
St. Mary le Crypt Church there entitled “Kyneburgh, Virgin of Gloucester”,
which combined her story with that of Kyneburga of Castor.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong>Or was it the Tragic Princess?</strong></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7J8BXxWFiHgBcs90CLFZIlsL0SfXq8IRHS2G88yYoHyvSrJWVG5YuE6eSNp-PDxUSKubEA0DkChfMGVAASNKi-OKKh12TNrV31wIziJ9EybuOSrXGIHVTLNAhVaxou2B8gGVc2MP1uh2/s1600/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7J8BXxWFiHgBcs90CLFZIlsL0SfXq8IRHS2G88yYoHyvSrJWVG5YuE6eSNp-PDxUSKubEA0DkChfMGVAASNKi-OKKh12TNrV31wIziJ9EybuOSrXGIHVTLNAhVaxou2B8gGVc2MP1uh2/s320/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+380.JPG" width="205" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In May 2010, following the discovery by workmen of two ancient buried
coffins containing skeletons near Kimbrose Way, Gloucester, the local press
published another version of the life of St Kyneburg - or possibly the story of
a different Kyneburg, known as the Virgin of Gloucester. This according to
William Hart's <i>Historia et cartularium Monasterii Sancti Petri Gloucestriae
i, pp. lxvi–lxviii</i></span></div>
</span> derives from a C15th manuscript, itself
itemised as No.387 of the Lansdown Papers held in the British Museum. It said
that she was a virgin of Royal Saxon descent who fled an arranged marriage by
becoming adopted by a Gloucester baker. <em>The baker's wife became jealous and
killed Kyneburg, then threw her down a well, on the site of which the chapel
was later built</em>.The bodies were discovered in the
vicinity of the chapel site on 4th.May 2010.This version may well
be apocryphal, and sounds like many a tale contained within a mediaeval <i>Lives
of the Saints</i>; though it is not the one given for St Kyneburg, nor is in
the Rev. Alban Butler's authoritative work <i>Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and
other Principal Saints</i> published in 1866. Butler in volume 2, under
"6th. March" relates the history of Kyneburg as a daughter of King
Penda, as above related.<o:p></o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14xmV-z23CiwAUINLNaP1_yAtEmE7a5apvOCLuhzXOe_a-rSwfAQxg15a_Dqfp_UafwoW6L1FB1JnJDiJs-v8ghx6M-dQ-G89QYS0MOTOT8rG3B5WdRlCOV0uu4OShyWJ5d1YUnDh_7FV/s1600/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14xmV-z23CiwAUINLNaP1_yAtEmE7a5apvOCLuhzXOe_a-rSwfAQxg15a_Dqfp_UafwoW6L1FB1JnJDiJs-v8ghx6M-dQ-G89QYS0MOTOT8rG3B5WdRlCOV0uu4OShyWJ5d1YUnDh_7FV/s320/GREECE.+FRANCE,GLOS+HISTORY+371.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><strong>Chapel of St. Kyneburg at
Gloucester<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A chapel was established in early times at Gloucester dedicated to this
saint, and was transferred with all its lands to Llanthony Secunda Priory by Roger Earl of
Hereford between 1143 and 1155. It was situated inside Gloucester's
city wall at the south gate.The chapel was eventually demolished and the effigy taken to the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene in Gloucester, the site of the former leper colony at <span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wooton also known as the Hospital of Dudstone, which had been founded in the early 11s when it was rife. It was probably founded by Walter of Gloucester and in the early 1150's it had support from Roger, Earl of Hereford. His family was closely connected with Llanthony Secunda Priory and the canons there cared for the lepers at Wooton, However then the Priories were taken by the King, the Crown had to assume reponsibility
for the hospital and the inmates, inmates being residents in the almshouses.1546 the revenue was £3.4s 8d and there is a record, that they had retained a reader and six poor men and women. By 1598 it was derelict. In 1614, however, the Governor was personally paying for 13 more incombents.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">St. Mary Magdalene's
(or Magdalen's) chapel is the chancel and Senctuary of the church which originally served the
inmates of the former St Mary Magdalene's almshouses. It was here that the lepers chapel was situated, the saint being very beloved of the lepers. The original road ran to
the north of the church but has been realigned on the south, cutting the church
off from the original almshouses (which are now buried). It is built in the
romanesque, or Norman, style of the 1100s. The rest of the church extended left
from the facade on the picture, and had to be demolished in 1861.</span> <span style="color: black;">Outside the chapel there are carvings on the wall, considered to be linked with St Mary Magdalene, a very popular saint and patron of lepers, and there may have been pilgrimages here in the Middle Ages. The date of the chapel could be perhaps dated to the carving of the Aragon Pineapple on one of the columns.There are crosses and floral motifs. In our sceptical age there are those who do not believe the small effigy held in the chapel is that of St Kyneburgha and, even though it was in her chapel, tend to believe it was one of the young daughters of Humphrey de Bohun, a patron of Llanthony Secunda. A new oak door was fitted at the entrance of the chapel, now only a chancel.to replace that which had been vandalised.Repairs were carried out to the leaded windows at the same time.I was fortunate Gloucester History Week allowed me to get in to photograph the St Mary Magdalene Chapel and the effigy. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;">St Anselm wrote this beautiful prayer to St Mary Magdalene</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaxYdD8v8pbuI6N5r6ouHi4c_25l-zxM-Wt3IFn3xIoBWH3phJWeUBmq3QQVPl3gNuVAcWBC2kHxN_BSzSv04y28mpTicC3XAb_k9kOWxlSJcx7sNXqJSFwJPJ21PVro1RGLq3uvwS4ZV/s1600/asmarymag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaxYdD8v8pbuI6N5r6ouHi4c_25l-zxM-Wt3IFn3xIoBWH3phJWeUBmq3QQVPl3gNuVAcWBC2kHxN_BSzSv04y28mpTicC3XAb_k9kOWxlSJcx7sNXqJSFwJPJ21PVro1RGLq3uvwS4ZV/s320/asmarymag.jpg" width="273" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Footlight MT Light; font-size: medium;">St Mary Magdalene, you
came with springing tears to the spring of mercy, Christ; from him your burning
thirst was abundantly refreshed through him your sins were forgiven; by him your
bitter sorrow was consoled.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Footlight MT Light; font-size: medium;">My dearest lady, well
you know by your own life how a sinful soul can be reconciled with its creator,
what counsel a soul in misery needs, what medicine will restore the sick to
health.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Footlight MT Light; font-size: medium;">It is enough for us to
understand, dear friend of God, to whom were many sins forgiven, because she
loved much. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Footlight MT Light; font-size: medium;">Most blessed lady, I who
am the most evil and sinful of men do not recall your sins as a reproach, but
call upon the boundless mercy by which they were blotted out.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Footlight MT Light; font-size: medium;">This is my reassurance,
so that I do not despair; this is my longing, so that I shall not
perish.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Footlight MT Light; font-size: medium;">I say this of myself,
miserably cast down into the depths of vice, bowed down with the weight of
crimes, thrust down by my own hand into a dark prison of sins, wrapped round
with the shadows of darkness.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Footlight MT Light; font-size: medium;">Therefore, since you are
now with the chosen because you are beloved and are beloved because you are
chosen of God, 1, in my misery, pray to you, in bliss; in my darkness, I ask for
light; in my sins, redemption; impure, I ask for purity.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Footlight MT Light; font-size: medium;">Recall in loving
kindness what you used to be, how much you needed mercy, and seek for me that
same forgiving love that you received when you were wanting it. Ask urgently
that I may have the love that pierces the heart; tears that are humble; desire
for the homeland of heaven; impatience with this earthly exile; searing
repentance; and a dread of torments in eternity.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Footlight MT Light; font-size: medium;">Turn to my good that
ready access that you once had and still have to the spring of mercy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Footlight MT Light; font-size: medium;">Draw me to him where I
may wash away my sins; bring me to him who can slake my thirst; pour over me
those waters that will make my dry places fresh. You will not find it hard to
gain all you desire from so loving and so kind a Lord, who is alive and reigns
and is your friend. St Mary Magdalene, Pray for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Footlight MT Light; font-size: medium;"><strong>St Anselm</strong> (Catholic) <em>Archbishop of Canterbury</em>, 1093-1109</span></div>
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Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-34488942223215497742012-09-10T04:39:00.000-07:002012-09-10T04:47:47.733-07:00Tintern Abbey Vespers...a magical afternoon and a debut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPLD_Z1roaE4vu3ou5SepoUr8oBhUbK2Zu2l6GzkNTcyOrhQyPHZhAVGDsy4Fu6Rwq324gl4XKOTcHiuOsdVGtCM4S7RVvxnHtyvaOEkFXEgkW8d67HumkXMxQitO6XAqiAe5r5w0ggLb/s1600/TINTERN++ABBEY+SEPT+2012+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPLD_Z1roaE4vu3ou5SepoUr8oBhUbK2Zu2l6GzkNTcyOrhQyPHZhAVGDsy4Fu6Rwq324gl4XKOTcHiuOsdVGtCM4S7RVvxnHtyvaOEkFXEgkW8d67HumkXMxQitO6XAqiAe5r5w0ggLb/s400/TINTERN++ABBEY+SEPT+2012+002.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexYt7DU8gfiEGpsQ3-v3D4D1qCfPgGVLGVueqv4w1q4x7Nt4hg7H0xxVY5rQt8oLrOioSHpVO1MzEhhWXSpEqs5MFyyO2eFFAUneO1CE9-20n53-EcIe8270kJzCEdfCX27qGHRH1bXI1/s1600/TINTERN++ABBEY+SEPT+2012+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexYt7DU8gfiEGpsQ3-v3D4D1qCfPgGVLGVueqv4w1q4x7Nt4hg7H0xxVY5rQt8oLrOioSHpVO1MzEhhWXSpEqs5MFyyO2eFFAUneO1CE9-20n53-EcIe8270kJzCEdfCX27qGHRH1bXI1/s320/TINTERN++ABBEY+SEPT+2012+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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September 8th is the day theat has been chosen by the Church to celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary. It was Mary who co-operated with God, who had chosen her, a little Jewish girl of about 15 years perhaps to take the almighty task of providing the Saviour of the World. A huge task for such a young woman. She acknowledges her stainless state by calling God her 'Saviour' and rejoices in the faith and honour God has shown her faith and honour which have been shown to her, now, as she, living enjoys the Presence of God and her Son Jesus. Since all Christians, after their baptism, are united, as adoptive sons and daughters of God (cf The Kings and Queens of Narnia are CS Lewis allegory in The Lion, the Witch and the Warderobe) Christ's mother is our Mother too, a mother we should call Blessed.....because the angel Gabriel said <em>'Blessed art Thou among Women'</em> and Mary herself says <em>'Behold all generations shall call me blessed'.</em><br />
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So we have an enormous debt to little Mary for bringing us the Redeemer, the Saviour, He who conquered death for us and brought us Salvation. She gave Christ the flesh, which hung , to her enormous pain, on the Cross at Calvary, when the sword pierced her heart. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBd5QcwV6SqcdvMn2Qva8GvDjXYJSFxei4cbqdqUiNIaiwI3hj4hGiSCsAQgFTr77rXb3YB5PqCZa3QydeO5BWDN0RqZtRF4drp9QqCjQhfvC7oHVjFm79Cn8aCAVJ5ox0t-XKW5znBgc/s1600/TINTERN++ABBEY+SEPT+2012+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBd5QcwV6SqcdvMn2Qva8GvDjXYJSFxei4cbqdqUiNIaiwI3hj4hGiSCsAQgFTr77rXb3YB5PqCZa3QydeO5BWDN0RqZtRF4drp9QqCjQhfvC7oHVjFm79Cn8aCAVJ5ox0t-XKW5znBgc/s320/TINTERN++ABBEY+SEPT+2012+008.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXv04M23H2w7jPp0_KqtiW93bBzDFKIQnghvnlxhogB2CQ5pZPoldnLpV9ktohmW4Z91DMVWEg16VB9fvDcapmMFEbWFnz5_zb2NeUd2aGj4-KW9CoXAQMGoH-TyBJv7uiQa1f93T7qQDC/s1600/TINTERN++ABBEY+SEPT+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXv04M23H2w7jPp0_KqtiW93bBzDFKIQnghvnlxhogB2CQ5pZPoldnLpV9ktohmW4Z91DMVWEg16VB9fvDcapmMFEbWFnz5_zb2NeUd2aGj4-KW9CoXAQMGoH-TyBJv7uiQa1f93T7qQDC/s320/TINTERN++ABBEY+SEPT+2012+014.JPG" width="320" /></a>had fashioned it, it has been 'returned'.<br />
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The stone was blessed, then the Sculptor and his tools in the traditional way by the Cistercian Abbot of Caldey, Daniel van Sandvoort and Philip worked out of doors in the Abbey for the next year.It was consecrated by clergy (this is an ecumenical event) and Revd Archbishop Peter Smith on the 500 anniversary of the dissolution of the Abbey.<br />
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On Sunday 9th September 2007 the statue was blessed and dedicated in a moving ceremony conducted jointly by the Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith, and by Bishop Dominic Walker of Monmouth, Church of Wales. A very large crowd gathered for the occasion – in the region of 800 people.<br />
The dedication followed the now annual ecumenical service of Sung Vespers, which first took place again at Tintern in 2000, to mark the Millennium. The procession at that dedication included the Mediaeval re-enacters, who brought a banner, and flowers, which had been brought by many of the ecumenical assembly of Christians.Merchandise was produced to help pay for the enterprise. I also arranged for and brought two candle stands for use with the statue at Tintern for the ceremony, which appear to have been mislaid yesterday, which was regrettable. <br />
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Nevertheless the event was well attended. The Music , provided by the Choir of the ancient Priory in Monmouth were in stirling voice.Archbishop Stack, our new Archbishop seemed to not have been informed about the procession, but once the Vespers were underway, the whole was wonderful. The programme made the point about RR Terry's compilation of the 'Westminster Hymnal' first brought out 100 years ago..Terry's tune for AVE MARIS STELLA was sung in Edward Caswall's English translation. The first hymn, 'Ye who own the faith of Jesus' was unknown to me, but sung to a well known tune 'Daily Daily sing to Mary'.The psalms had antiphons by Emma Joy and Susan Williams.Psalm 84 was preceded by <strong><em>'On this day we honour the Virgin Mary; chosen by God, beyond all others blest' .</em></strong>Psalm 85 with Let us celebrate the birth of Mary, who brought forth for us the Saviour of the World!' Psalm 113 had <strong><em>God has brought help to His people , O praise the Name of the Lord'</em></strong> and a canticle from Isaiah 61,10-11:62:1-2 was prefaced by <strong><em>'You shall be a crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord'</em></strong> The Scripture was from St Luke 1 v 39-56.<br />
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The new archbishop George Stack spoke strongly and firmly of the Tragedy of the building and what the stones would have said.He spoke well, and with a degree of emotion about the building, Tintern Abbey, mentioning how such buildings are magnets for tourists seeking something, and yet missing the inner unity possessed by the culture prior to the destruction of the abbey.In quiet measured tones using the excellent sound system provided, he alluded to how modern technology,and music can bring some of it back, for example, during the Jubilee Celebrations, seeing Buckingham Palace swathed in light and sound as '<em>Madness</em>' sang <em>'Our House'</em> and the Crown or Light around Durham Cathedral celebrating the Lindesfarne Gospels. In the Tintern pilgrimages, he explained we have Footprints in the Sands of time, showing a continuation of worship throughout Christian time, and such buildings being an offering <em>with</em> which we worship God.<br />
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He went on to say <em>'If these stones could speak, what would they say?' </em>Archbishop George remarked, the (original decapitated-) statue would speak of the turmoil of the time when political questions and allegiances were wrapped up in religious language. He said you only needed to watch the news to see no lessons had been learned in that direction.<br />
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He said Our Lady would speak of a stable, ordered Cistercian Community established around Wales,from Citeaux in 1098, a life centred in Prayer, orf WHOLE-ness, or HOL-iness, by extention going out to the good and well being of the surrounding parishes, contributing to the harmony of the life of the people, the building itself glorifying God in a beautiful God-given Creation in its surroundings. He quoted Eamon Duffy the historian, who in his excellent book <em>'The Voices of Morebath' </em>wrote of the social and political life of a small village in Devon called Morebath. He says the parish, the unity of the parish and by extension the Abbey was sophisticated and harmonious.<br />
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<em>'There is a church sheep flock cared for in common but it is not a single flock but several,the proceeds of which are dedicated to the different purposes of charities.'</em><br />
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The parish generally harmonious and sociable was gradually deconstructed throughout the Reformation and this social and religious life dismantled and its loss mourned. If the beautiful statue could speak, she would speak of the Rule of Benedict and the quiet rhythms of the days and years, the abbey its surroundings and parishes, a complete integrity of WHOLE-ness and HOL-iness. She would say you cannot separate the Grace of God from Nature , you can't see things in isolation, which is the tragedy of our present world, the lack of the inner UNITY at the Heart of Creation. Tintern Abbey was built, he said, as a reminder of that Unity of beautiful Creation and its heavenly Creator,the longing deep in the heart of every man and woman. <br />
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The Archbishop then turned to Beranrd of Clairvaux, the Cistercians' greatest saint, who meditated on Mary's role , undoing the evil of Eve. He called her 'Rosa Mystica'; and this title has been given her in the Litany of Loreto. He said :<em> 'Eve was a thorn, wounding , bringing death to all, in Mary we see a rose soothing people's hurts'.</em><br />
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<em>Mary is indeed a rose</em><br />
<em>White for Maidenhood</em><br />
<em>Red for Love</em><br />
<em>White in Body</em><br />
<em>Red in Soul</em><br />
<em>White in seeking Virtue</em><br />
<em>Red in turning down Vice</em><br />
<em>White in cleansing our affection</em><br />
<em>Red in mortifying her flesh</em><br />
<em>White in her Love of God</em><br />
<em>Red in her comjpassion for her neighbour.</em> <em>St Bernard</em><br />
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Finally he quoted Gerard Manley Hopkins the Jesuit poet, who saw the beauty of the Lord in' Dappled things.'<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Is Mary that Rose then? Mary, the tree?<br />
But the Blossom, the Blossom there, who can it be?<br />
Who can her Rose be? It could be but One:<br />
Christ Jesus, our Lord - her God and her Son.<br />
In the Gardens of God, in the daylight divine<br />
Shew me thy son, Mother, Mother of mine</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A hushed moving silence followed the beautifully crafted and delivered homily.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">There followed the 'Ave Maris Stella' in English of Edward Caswall, and the Magnificat,and prayers, the 'Our Father' in a modern English form did not seem known by many, and the Glory be, had a different ending is now and ever shall be, World without end' does not , to me mean the same as is now and shall be forever....'as it leaves out the New World without End of the Bride and the Lamb, but no doubt, it has been modernised here. The CENSING of the statue and beautiful floral display was evocative, the incense of the Orthodox monastery going up in clouds and swirling round the statue, giving honour to the Mater Dei , The Theotokos and the Panagia (All Holy).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The Monmouth Priory Choir (whose Music Director is not named in the programme)samg a beautiful rendition of Orlando di Lasso's motet <em>'Sancta Maria, Ora pro nobis'</em>. It is always difficult to mike so many singers, but the beauty of their singing greatly enhanced the procession to the statue.I especially liked this and the ensuing SALVE REGINA (Hail Holy Queen) sung with great gusto by the whole assembly of Christians with numbers in the hundreds. There followed a prayer and blessing and final hymn <em>'Alleluia sing to Jesus'</em> the old abbey ringing to the sounds of hundreds of voices upturned in praise.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Many people went up to venerate the statue and
light some candles, sadly the candlestands were no-where to be found. I was
just sad there was no rosary announced afterwards for those who wished it, and
no informal Marian hymns. I saw few priests I knew at this year’s Vespers, but
probably as they are all moving around this weekend to different parishes.Nevertheless on a sunny beautiful Autumn day, in a place of great beauty we once again gave thanks with equal beauty for Mary's gift to human kind in co-operation with God.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Pilgrims at the end stay to honour Mary .</span></span></div>
<br />Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-84111181829023545292012-08-30T01:47:00.001-07:002012-08-30T01:47:26.993-07:00VIDEO OF ST DVID LEWIS PILGRIMAGE 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thank you David for this wonderful video of the procession through Usk to St Mary's Priory Church. God is glorious in his saints and martyrs, St David Lewis, Pray for us.Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-2347673058506564382012-08-27T01:16:00.000-07:002012-08-27T01:16:35.960-07:00St David Lewis, Beautiful Weather Brought out the Usk Crowds<span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlzlhV0PV2FkT7mGJ-zDGaW9TMZmEn2YKG1zYU54lPNpjxNMpqBjBrl6sbBds77QhMWOuC68zF_nQcigz6P8yzbIaaEhDA9yTZ3K39JVALmHEEuguRgNlPNqyr4rl4zM4KQw-6S9Aosuz/s400/ST+DAVID+LEWIS+CHALICE,+1+(36).JPG" width="262" yda="true" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGpDhMN4AZR_wfqOlvuRkxu8SjepKrBrbxgmUWSE_WbYrARlok_kbf521LHkdg2BfX3CRzk5a4ow0Ot1A6J3QlOtvkyJTi2PqA1aIOZwRQqgnzYXhcs-eYN9xWsIw6Eli9lPcG77v976i/s1600/FRANCE+AND+GREECE+AND+ST+DAVID+LEWIS+310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGpDhMN4AZR_wfqOlvuRkxu8SjepKrBrbxgmUWSE_WbYrARlok_kbf521LHkdg2BfX3CRzk5a4ow0Ot1A6J3QlOtvkyJTi2PqA1aIOZwRQqgnzYXhcs-eYN9xWsIw6Eli9lPcG77v976i/s400/FRANCE+AND+GREECE+AND+ST+DAVID+LEWIS+310.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"> Yesterday at Usk, glorious warm weather brought out the crowds for the annual pilgrimage for St David Lewis. These pilgrimages have taken place annually for over a hundred years and comemmorate the Martyrdom of Father Lewis in 1697.Father Lewis was the son of an Abergavenny headmaster, who was a convert, studied in France and maintained his witness in South Wales, ministering to the many secret Catholics in South Wales. Infact the Abergavenny area was never without Catholics, many nobility and people never leaving the Church. It was said at the time of the Titus Oates lies, that Monmouthshire was a 'true daughter of Rome' and not 40 people attended Church of England services, while hundreds went to Mass in the Gunter House. There is also a small staue of the Saint in Abergavenny at Our Lady and St Michaels Church in Abergavenny. Father Tom OSB was present at the Pilgrimage.I have told the story of St David Lewis on a previous blogspot, so I wont repeat again. If you type 'St David Lewis' in 'search' on the left hand search box, you should find the previous post.</span></div>
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Numbers were slightly down on recent years and there was a feeling of sadness. Unfortunately, no cndles were lit in the church, which gave a bleak feel, until the altar candles were lit. Father Julian of the Anglican Church said he was sad that the historic parish now no longer had a resident priest, and there was a slight feeling of something missing.However, there was joy in the beautiful traditional Benediction service. It was all led by Father Adrian Wiltshire, who sang confidently with his beautiful voice. It seemed clergy from other churches were also present. It was the first time, since I had been going that there was Benediction instead of Mass. </div>
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The procession left the Church, reciting the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for the benefit of the Soul of the saint, and arrived at the grave side in glorious sunshine, Fr Adrian carrying the relic of St David Lewis.In his final speech from the hastily prepared gallows, Fr Lewis had quoted from theScriptures, from 1 Peter 3, about how to die for what is right .<br />
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<em><strong>'Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? But even if you do suffer for righteousness sake you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts reverence Christhe Lord. Always be prepared to make a defence to any one who calls yu to account for the Hope that is within you, yet d it with gentleness and reverence, and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>For it is better to suffer for what is right, if that should be God's will, tan for doing wrong. ForCrist also died for sins once for all, he rightous for the unrighteous , that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.</strong></em></div>
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The botched execution caused more pain to Father Lewis, but finally two Protestants he had helped made sure he had died at the hanging, dragging at his hands, s there was no drawing and quartering,and the body was laid in the graveyard in the parish church, where it was later found during excavation and buried in a more prominent place at the Church door of the former priory, now Anglican Church.At he graveside, the relic was brought to each member of the congregation for veneration, as the Faithful sang 'Faith of Our Fathers'.Flowers had been placed on the grave and a photograph of a portrait of the saint, I think painted while he was in France as a youngish man. Father Adrian then knelt to venerate the gravestone, which all the other pilgrims also did. No 'Salve Regina' this time, sadly. In attendance were also the sisters of St Joseph of Annecy at Llantarnam, and some monks from Belmont. Father Adrian goes to Ledbury and Ross from Cwmbran, but I do hope that he keeps his association with the pilgrimage. After refreshments at the Parish Hall for some and The Three Salmons for others, people took their cars and coaches home, happy the saint had been venerated, thanked and remembered for another year, and he will continue to intercede for all those in the persecuted Church.</div>
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<strong>Hymn of St David Lewis</strong></div>
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Holy Martyr David Lewis<br />Monmouth Martyr’s Glorious Saint<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc6lCD_NJ4ygHutvCC26Qk6EzE0JLaLgWBcNec6PyzmgpZ-Pd2K4XdxFddJNARUytW24ejDUxiejamxFvXKBomtDgSoEaRFWVxum4TOaU6_rTbSqr3JMvBdwoLaKwqa2e5I8ka3cspiLC/s1600/FRANCE+AND+GREECE+AND+ST+DAVID+LEWIS+313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc6lCD_NJ4ygHutvCC26Qk6EzE0JLaLgWBcNec6PyzmgpZ-Pd2K4XdxFddJNARUytW24ejDUxiejamxFvXKBomtDgSoEaRFWVxum4TOaU6_rTbSqr3JMvBdwoLaKwqa2e5I8ka3cspiLC/s200/FRANCE+AND+GREECE+AND+ST+DAVID+LEWIS+313.JPG" width="200" yda="true" /></a></div>
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‘Father of the Poor’ they named you<br />
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When you lived and toiled in Gwent.</div>
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Priestly work was undertaken </div>
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Danger-fraught from dawn till dusk</div>
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Gladly still you served your people</div>
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‘Till you died for Christ at Usk.</div>
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From your capture at Llantarnam<br />
Through your time in Monmouth gaol.<br />
Threats and torture could not shake you<br />
For your faith would never fail.<br />
Bravely then you faced the gallows<br />
Crudely fashioned for your death,<br />
Further torment someone spared you<br />
Till you drew your latest breath<br />
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<br />Great and glorious David Lewis,<br />
Staunch and steadfast in the strife, <br />
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Bless your people here in Monmouth, <br />
Those for whom you gave your life. <br />
Help us to be strong, courageous, <br />
Loyal to our loving God, <br />
To Him then will glory flourish, <br />
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In the places you have trod.</div>
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Tune :Hyfrydol (Welsh tune for 'Love Divine') </div>
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SEPTEMBER 9th VESPERS OF OUR LADY OF TINTERN</div>
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Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-46273850743029877192012-07-11T05:42:00.001-07:002012-07-11T06:27:53.813-07:00For all who have been enquiring about my recordings ...some popular Classics!<a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/evelynnicholson#.T_10QfqYkO8.blogger">Evelyn Nicholson | Inspiration | CD Baby Music Store</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALwkoZsSDHp9cuxWQhyZBfP3TeCU2_UyEH_VjGXlj28mW-Vj9ew-UESRPwdAB8sVk5SHPzelZ8wdv4EWILXosPZEHK7-aVHGsv_110gyH3tHtsvkQfm5rrPwdM6zOam80RIug6I-aNQl_/s1600/10031-the-ghent-altarpiece-singing-angel-jan-van-eyck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALwkoZsSDHp9cuxWQhyZBfP3TeCU2_UyEH_VjGXlj28mW-Vj9ew-UESRPwdAB8sVk5SHPzelZ8wdv4EWILXosPZEHK7-aVHGsv_110gyH3tHtsvkQfm5rrPwdM6zOam80RIug6I-aNQl_/s200/10031-the-ghent-altarpiece-singing-angel-jan-van-eyck.jpg" width="200" /></a>I hope you will enjoy these. I am in a very busy period of work at the moment and will resume my posts after next week!<br />
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<em><strong>INSPIRATION</strong></em> My Album<br />
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These are recent recordings made with Bredon Sound. Click to hear samples of the recordings and download as many as you want.<br />
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<em><strong>Songs Include</strong></em><br />
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<em>Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod)</em><br />
<em>Ave Maria (Schubert)</em><br />
<em>Our Father (Malotte)</em><br />
<em>Panis Angelicus (Cesar Franck)</em><br />
<em>Ave Maria (Mascagni)</em><br />
<em>Nun's Chorus (Oskar Strauss</em>)<br />
<em>Jesu Joy (Bach)</em><br />
<em>and others</em>Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-72070342100736134242012-05-10T02:31:00.002-07:002012-05-10T02:45:23.227-07:00Mary in May, The Night of 1,000 candles<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8X1LQCnOenc4-WZJ-x90Chr9gMGYrrCfdTj-rpSLeVIZsIukbg9snhsS99oUPZk_Pcf9uusbYgQeKaXQ_OixUqGuKaHfHL1Yo1Qm4sJjTxsSKRo6T4_SjYsY14tklMFIWhZZqqj_z34o/s1600/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8X1LQCnOenc4-WZJ-x90Chr9gMGYrrCfdTj-rpSLeVIZsIukbg9snhsS99oUPZk_Pcf9uusbYgQeKaXQ_OixUqGuKaHfHL1Yo1Qm4sJjTxsSKRo6T4_SjYsY14tklMFIWhZZqqj_z34o/s400/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+022.JPG" width="243" /></a>Last night,i n spite of a very damp evening, nearly a thousand people turned up to Belmont Abbey for the famous May procession to honour Mary, the human mother of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. People met at Hedley Lodge, for an<br />
evening meal or tea and cake and then assembled at nine o'clock at the gates of the Abbey. People turned up in coaches, cars, minibuses and everywhere was packed. At the gates, people bought Lourdes candles and paper cups in which to shield them from the wind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfHOKfayXMNuD9QyzYU2xZnczNkDcVDZoYA8stqRKSx8BCyGqseKq7ofi8p0LLi3SwpPU47FwDibCJtL5Q8wAZQIP1wbU5uoJMGQQhVTl4KUEC91IlsdG62bby4vUMVsXTmXrg04eVkpt/s1600/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfHOKfayXMNuD9QyzYU2xZnczNkDcVDZoYA8stqRKSx8BCyGqseKq7ofi8p0LLi3SwpPU47FwDibCJtL5Q8wAZQIP1wbU5uoJMGQQhVTl4KUEC91IlsdG62bby4vUMVsXTmXrg04eVkpt/s320/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+001.JPG" width="320" /></a>Abbot Paul Stoneham welcomed all the pilgrims , who had come from as far as Swansea, and also from Bromyard in Herefordshire and all joined in a rousing series of hymns thanking Mary for her 'Yes' to God's plan which overturned Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. We were graced with the presence of the Lord Archbishop of Cardiff, whose birthday it was and who joined in the hymns with equal fervour to the Welsh, who were in good voice. The processional statue of Our Lady was borne aloft, decked with many different sorts of flowers, roses, carnations lilies many other varieties and was illumined. We walked around the huge garden, and recited the Glorious Mystery of the Rosary. In fact this carrying of the statue and the singing and prayer very much called to mind the Ark of the Covenant, the powerhouse of the ancient Israelites at the beginning of our Plan of Salvation, before whom David danced. Mary was of the House of David, and is often called the 'Tower of David' as one of that line's most glorious creations. <br />
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During a homily in the Abbey Church, Archbishop George gave an inspirational homily,recalling our 'journey' through the garden .He reminded us, that our Salvation had begun in the Garden of Eden. Eve too had been conceived without sin, because God had done this for Adam and Eve but, after Eve's disobedience, another woman,Mary in her immediate obedient 'yes' to the Angel Gabriel had brought the possibility of restoring us to Eden. The story of Salvation, moved to a close in another garden, that of Gethsemene,where Jesus was arrested, before his death on the Cross for our Salvation.<br />
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The Angel called Mary 'Blessed' and so we call her Blessed Mary or 'Blessed Mother' and in fact Mary herself says 'All generations shall call me blessed' in her Song of Praise, the Magnificat. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3tibo2S3XeydGzzR3JSfR9r7gMpZdR4CkW2A1x4ozY_soRnvaL53DqawgAyOK27r9CBiC84ruN68wx6FC1YpjBbNIVm35F7ao2Arr8N91sYLJjYamlsBatyoQXrchQ9G0belaQkWWtDD/s1600/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3tibo2S3XeydGzzR3JSfR9r7gMpZdR4CkW2A1x4ozY_soRnvaL53DqawgAyOK27r9CBiC84ruN68wx6FC1YpjBbNIVm35F7ao2Arr8N91sYLJjYamlsBatyoQXrchQ9G0belaQkWWtDD/s320/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+009.JPG" width="320" /></a>In watching the procession move around, I was mindful of the Ark being carried by the Israelites. <br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was made of gold and was Ancient Israel's symbol of the Presence of God, as it contained</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> The Ten Commmandments of the Law of Moses, </span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Rod of Aaron, the High Priest</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> which the ancient Israelites had been dropped from Heaven to<em> physically</em> eat in the desert to stay alive, when God saved them from starvation. Jeremiah had hidden the Ark from the invading Babylonians and said that the Ark would come back when the Tabernacle, which had been OVERSHADOWED by the Glory Cloud (Holy Spirit) it when it was set up would once again come down.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz8p79A58g0FpMCKDKMBDcEVOVMWjXXt4a23k-LPyoF1B3zUTCJIDSX4xBo5ATL32lYq4fqtD3Cnscow_dMcJxEvy68PKvv5sF29CXCbMBUiw-I2btWMcjN-uzq_C0hK4xAi4g-Ngd2_t/s1600/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz8p79A58g0FpMCKDKMBDcEVOVMWjXXt4a23k-LPyoF1B3zUTCJIDSX4xBo5ATL32lYq4fqtD3Cnscow_dMcJxEvy68PKvv5sF29CXCbMBUiw-I2btWMcjN-uzq_C0hK4xAi4g-Ngd2_t/s320/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+013.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">When King David brought the Ark to his new centre, Jerusalem, David greeted it and said "<strong><em>Who am I that the Ark of the Covenant should come unto me?"</em></strong> and then leapt in front of it with joy. (Compare Mary's cousin's greeting (Elizabeth) '<strong><em>Who am I, that the Mother of my Lord should come unto me?',</em></strong> and the baby 'leapt' in her womb. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the book of Revelation (means <em>Apocalypsis</em>-Unveiling) Chapter 11 John saw the Temple open and the Ark of the Covenant. The scene then reveals the Woman clothed with the sun and twelve stars around her head, 12 Apostles, 12 Tribes-His Body on earth crowning Mary. The Woman was in Childbirth and giving birth to God's Son and the Beast was waiting to eat her child, but it was taken back to heaven. The image of the crowning with stars is also similar to inside the Holies in the Temple where the Ark was kept, there was a curtain that depicted the sun, the moon, stars to show God's temple was above the earthly Temple , which had been like a dim image in a mirror of the heavenly temple.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNf1E_lPwLOkB1DmGaIZIqGb0E4kenCmg7IGhC51pjEAySm2uqXkX6j74UtFBIHbHVm-5YLhJbEv7VpCb5ZxZN62ZakKgKnE_oyTrDvldWNe8c8P3gv2WZ2QQni2VDYmb-xEtveIKRFYE/s1600/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNf1E_lPwLOkB1DmGaIZIqGb0E4kenCmg7IGhC51pjEAySm2uqXkX6j74UtFBIHbHVm-5YLhJbEv7VpCb5ZxZN62ZakKgKnE_oyTrDvldWNe8c8P3gv2WZ2QQni2VDYmb-xEtveIKRFYE/s320/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+016.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mary made her long visit, (as probably a 15 year old girl,) from Nazareth (a town named after 'Nezzar'-'Shoot, <em>'A shoot shall spring forth out of the stem of Jesse' </em>(Isaiah)to the town in Judea where Elizabeth lived. The Ark of the Covenant had also made its journey from the North of Judea to Jerusalem, which is in Judea.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Shikenar Glory Cloud,(Holy Spirit) has now again descended and OVERSHADOWED the NEW ARK, as Archbishop George reminded us, which is one of Mary's titles-The Ark of the New Covenant.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> It OVERSHADOWED the Blessed Virgin Mary when she consented to do God's will and enthusiastically obeyed God's call, and made possible for us to have with us the Lord Jesus Christ. The word <strong><em>overshadowed </em></strong>only ocurrs in Greek on these <strong>two</strong> occasions in the Bible. God needs our co-operation to be present on earth and she is our most wonderful example of a saint, living out god's Life in her.. We venerate her as a unique human saint, alive in heaven with her Son. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUf2glm2qo9_2LvDo_wRzwAKmbkIjcDm8NNR1Sn_MfJmaeG4cjlQOhEgMHUtyG-5UcZfljaA3JTqMxN0ekDQjFi9XgAbJqOj-wJLBlY6C99q1IxFteej1A7jCxScIhIfjRlmXpq3HUjgBV/s1600/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUf2glm2qo9_2LvDo_wRzwAKmbkIjcDm8NNR1Sn_MfJmaeG4cjlQOhEgMHUtyG-5UcZfljaA3JTqMxN0ekDQjFi9XgAbJqOj-wJLBlY6C99q1IxFteej1A7jCxScIhIfjRlmXpq3HUjgBV/s320/MAY+2012+and+Belmont+025.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The <em><strong>Queens</strong></em> of the House of David, were never the consorts or wives, always the <strong><em>Mothers</em></strong> of the present King (Solomon with Bathsheba), who are recorded in the House of David, along with the Kings. This Queen-Mother was called the 'Gabirah' and this is how early Jewish Christians would have understood the role of Mary, mother of the King. At the Wedding at Cana she said to Jesus, that the people needed wine and then <em><strong>'Do whatever He tells you'</strong></em> to the servants .Little mortal human Mary, chosen by God for this important plan of Salvation loved God totally.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">. Mediaeval writers called her the<strong><em> 'Spotless Rose'</em></strong> (from Isaiah) set to Music by Herbert Howells, this is a beautiful hymn.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Little human Mary was the NEW ARK.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because Mary held in her womb and heart - JESUS, the Lord's anointed, as</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>1) The Word of God, the Wisdom of Christ</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>2)The True High Priest and Victim</strong> (he inaugurated the Lord's Supper and died for our sins on the Cross-once and for all.The Fourth Cup of Consummation of the Passover, was taken in the form of a bitter wine held on a sponge, after which he said <em>'It is accomplished'</em>-(fulfilled'- You will be my People and I will be your God )</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">3)<strong> The Eucharist</strong>,the Thanksgiving Meal. Jesus was born in BETH-LEHEM (Town of BREAD) which was David's City. He is our physical food and is with us to the End of Time.He was laid in a feeding trough- a <em><strong>'manger' (Fr 'to eat').</strong></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Inside the Abbey the statue was set up behind the altar, and lit up, just like the golden Ark, and everyone sang Hymns of Thanks and Praise to God for his gift of Mary providing a man's body for God in her Son. This Mystery of the Incarnation was observed in ancient poetry and texts of the ancient Welsh people, who called Jesus 'Mary's Son'.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong>Thank you Mary! for doing what you did!</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times;">After Archbishop George had preached, all turned to face the statue and give thanks in a hymn.At the end of the hymn 'Bring Flowers of the Fairest!' thousands of rose petals descended on the Statue representing Mary (New Ark).This was a wonderful moment. The Old Pagan practice of the Queen of the May had been turned to a ceremony of Thanks, decking Blessed Mary with beautiful flowers and thanking her for her obedience, which has had a wonderful blessing for us all for the last 2,000 years. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Throughout the Veneration, the candles had been kept burning and the whole Abbey church shimmered.From everyone, a thank you for your words 'Ecce ancilla Domini'-behold the Handmaid of the Lord, Let it be done to me, according to your Word'. The little handmaid's words to us <em>'Do whatever he tells you</em>....from the Book of John ask us to be obedient too....can we be as obedient as she is? We can only try.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times;">At the end of the devotion, we all left and Archbishop George greeted us all singly and went to the refectory for refreshments, after which I understand, the faithful sang 'Happy Birthday to You' to Archbishop George.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times;">In spite of the dampish weather , we left with sounds of the hymns in our ears. We had a SUPERB Organist who played Widor's <strong><em>Toccata </em></strong>at the Recessional and accompanied all the inside hymns fervently and with great 'hwyl' and verve-which added a great deal to the fantastic singing, the scent of the many flowers, the images of the hundreds and hundreds of glowing candles and the smiles on all the faces, the Sisters of Charity, the many priests nuns and other brothers and sisters who took part, all these were in our hearts and ears. I really felt little Mary was there amongst us joining in the fun and pointing us, as she always does to her son, our God and her God'.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong><em>Do whatever he tells you</em></strong>.......</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong><em>Thanks from all the Pilgrims for the Faith and Catechesis through popular piety and in other ways,and an excellent retreat programme, to Abbot Paul and all the monks of Belmont for their service and care.</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<br />Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-7004816231670000022012-02-29T14:53:00.000-08:002012-02-29T14:53:27.674-08:00HAPPY ST DAVID'S DAY to ALL- MARCH 1st<b></b><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: black;"> Today is St David's day and there will be celebrations all over Wales. His defence of Catholic teaching earned him his canonisation by Pope Callixtus II.He lived for a while in Caerleon and also in Llanthony where he had a little hermit's cell. This is the article from the Old Catholic Encyclopedia.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: black;">(DEGUI, DEWI).</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQuGyXkO_srF3srPeEXGP7mu-CLJv3PzEqGmNNu0i24nZ9wNqs8ZDTfhPpPGy5SYbqZAztf6s6VAyvNz1blhORb9yvizhAuh2Nd3wuGHJZ2NvwNVfYFxhLTPz5rhlJOGil6pyWzzA5vMN/s1600/saint-david-of-wales-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQuGyXkO_srF3srPeEXGP7mu-CLJv3PzEqGmNNu0i24nZ9wNqs8ZDTfhPpPGy5SYbqZAztf6s6VAyvNz1blhORb9yvizhAuh2Nd3wuGHJZ2NvwNVfYFxhLTPz5rhlJOGil6pyWzzA5vMN/s320/saint-david-of-wales-00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Bishop</span><span style="color: black;"> and <!--2ref=u74=04215a.htm-->Confessor<!--k01-->, with St Winifred ,<!--2ref=u64=11562a.htm-->patron<!--k01--> of </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Wales</span><span style="color: black;">. He is usually represented standing on a little hill, with a <!--2ref=u54=05144b.htm-->dove<!--k01--> on his shoulder. From time immemorial the </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Welsh</span><span style="color: black;"> have worn a leek on St. David's day, in memory of a battle against the <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Saxons<!--k03-->, at which it is said they wore leeks in their hats, by St. David's advice, to distinguish them from their enemies. He is commemorated on 1 March. The earliest mention of St. David is found in a tenth-century </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">manuscript</span><span style="color: black;"> Of the "Annales Cambriae", which assigns his death to A.D. 601. Many other writers, from </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Geoffrey of Monmouth</span><span style="color: black;"> down to Father Richard Stanton, hold that he died about 544, but their opinion is based solely on data given in various late "lives" of St. David, and there seems no good reason for setting aside the definite statement of the "Annales Cambriae", which is now generally accepted. Little else that can claim to be <!--3ref=u44=x83173.htm-->historical<!--k03--> is <!--2ref=u66=08673a.htm-->known<!--k01--> about St. David. The <!--2ref=u76=15006b.htm-->tradition<!--k01--> that he was born at Henvynyw (Vetus-Menevia) in <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Cardiganshire<!--k03--> is not improbable. He was prominent at the <!--2ref=u83=14388a.htm-->Synod<!--k01--> of Brevi (Llandewi Brefi in <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Cardiganshire<!--k06-->), which has been identified with the important <!--3ref=u44=x74215.htm-->Roman<!--k03--> military station, Loventium. Shortly afterwards, in 569, he presided over another </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">synod</span><span style="color: black;"> held at a place called <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Lucus<!--k03--> <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Victoriae<!--k03-->.(Llan-dewi brefi) He was <!--3ref=u74=02581b.htm-->Bishop<!--k03--> (probably not </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Archbishop</span><span style="color: black;">) of </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Menevia</span><span style="color: black;">, the <!--3ref=u44=x74215.htm-->Roman<!--k08--> port <!--k88-->Menapia in <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Pembrokeshire<!--k03-->, later known as St. David's, then the chief point of departure for </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ireland</span><span style="color: black;"> St. David was </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">canonized</span><span style="color: black;"> by </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Pope Callistus II</span><span style="color: black;"> in the year 1120.<!--BIBLE-SUMMA-FATHERS--><!--k95--></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">This is all that is known to history about the <!--3ref=u64=11562a.htm-->patron<!--k02--> of </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Wales</span><span style="color: black;">. His <!--3ref=u44=x83696.htm-->legend<!--k03-->, however, is much more elaborate, and entirely unreliable. The first biography that has come down to us was written near the end of the eleventh century, about 500 years after the </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">saint's</span><span style="color: black;"> death, by <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Rhygyfarch<!--k03--> (Ricemarchus), a son of the then </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">bishop</span><span style="color: black;"> of St. David's, and is chiefly a tissue of inventions intended to support the claim of the </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Welsh</span><span style="color: black;"> <!--3ref=u74=02581b.htm-->episcopate<!--k03--> to be independent of </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Canterbury</span><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Giraldus Cambriensis</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">William of Malmesbury</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Geoffrey of Monmouth</span><span style="color: black;">, <!--3ref=u44=x66336.htm-->John<!--k03--> de Tinmouth, and <!--2ref=u15=03308b.htm-->John Capgrave<!--k01--> all simply copy and enlarge upon the work of <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Rhygyfarch<!--k06-->, whilst the anonymous author of the late </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Welsh</span><span style="color: black;"> <!--3ref=u44=x83737.htm-->life<!--k03--> printed in <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Rees<!--k03-->, "Cambro-British Saints" (Cott. </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">manuscript</span><span style="color: black;"> <!--3ref=u44=x78528.htm-->Titus<!--k03-->, D. XXII) adds nothing of value. According to these writers St. David was the son of <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Sant<!--k03--> or <!--k88-->Sandde ab <!--k88-->Ceredig ab <!--k88-->Cunnedda, <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Prince<!--k03--> of <!--k88-->Keretica (Cardiganshire) and said by some to be King <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Arthur's<!--k03--> nephew, though </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Geoffrey of Monmouth</span><span style="color: black;"> calls St. David King <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Arthur's<!--k06--> uncle. The <!--3ref=u44=x85585.htm-->saint's<!--k03--> mother was <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Nonna<!--k03-->, or <!--k88-->Nonnita (sometimes called Melaria), a daughter of <!--k88-->Gynyr of Caergawch. She was a </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">nun</span><span style="color: black;"> who had been violated by <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Sant<!--k06-->. St. David's birth had been foretold thirty years before by an </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">angel</span><span style="color: black;"> to </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">St. Patrick</span><span style="color: black;">. It took place at "Old Menevia" somewhere about A.D. 454. <!--k88-->Prodigies preceded and accompanied the event, and at his </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">baptism</span><span style="color: black;"> at Porth Clais by St. Elvis of <!--3ref=u44=x69779.htm-->Munster<!--k03-->, "whom <!--2ref=u76=12510a.htm-->Divine Providence<!--k01--> brought over from </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ireland</span><span style="color: black;"> at that <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->conjuncture<!--k03-->", a blind man was cured by the </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">baptismal</span><span style="color: black;"> water. St. David's early </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">education</span><span style="color: black;"> was received from </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">St. Illtyd</span><span style="color: black;"> at Caerworgorn (Llantwit major) in Glamorganshire. Afterwards he spent ten years studying the </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Holy Scripture</span><span style="color: black;"> at <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Whitland<!--k03--> in <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Carmarthenshire<!--k03-->, under <!--2ref=u24=11585a.htm-->St. Paulinus<!--k01-->, (Pawl Hen), whom he cured of blindness by the </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">sign of the cross</span><span style="color: black;"> At the end of this period <!--3ref=u24=11585a.htm-->St. Paulinus<!--k04-->, warned by an <!--3ref=u63=01476d.htm-->angel<!--k03-->, sent out the young <!--3ref=u44=x85586.htm-->saint<!--k03--> to evangelize the <!--2ref=u91=05445a.htm-->British<!--k01-->. St. David journeyed throughout the <!--3ref=u44=x79829.htm-->West<!--k03-->, founding or restoring twelve </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">monasteries</span><span style="color: black;"> (among which occur the great names of <!--2ref=u89=06579a.htm-->Glastonbury<!--k01-->, <!--2ref=u89=02347a.htm-->Bath<!--k01-->, and <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Leominster<!--k03-->), and finally settled in the Vale of </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ross</span><span style="color: black;">, where he and his </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">monks</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> lived a life of extreme austerity. Here occurred the </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">temptations</span><span style="color: black;"> of his </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">monks</span><span style="color: black;"> by the obscene antics of the <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->maid-servants<!--k03--> of the wife of <!--k88-->Boia, a local chieftan. Here also his </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">monks</span><span style="color: black;"> tried to poison him, but St. David, warned by St. Scuthyn, who <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->crossed<!--k03--> from </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ireland</span><span style="color: black;"> in one night on the back of a sea-monster, <!--3ref=u76=xxyyyk.htm-->blessed<!--k01--> the poisoned bread and ate it without harm. From thence, with </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">St. Teilo</span><span style="color: black;"> and St. Padarn, he set out for </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Jerusalem</span><span style="color: black;">, where he was made </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">bishop</span><span style="color: black;"> by the <!--3ref=u44=x84662.htm-->patriarch<!--k03-->. Here too </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">St. Dubric</span><span style="color: black;"> and <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->St. Daniel<!--k03--> found him, when they came to call him to the <!--3ref=u83=14388a.htm-->Synod<!--k02--> of Brevi "against the </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Pelagians</span><span style="color: black;">". St. David was with difficulty persuaded to accompany them; on his way he raised a </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">widow'</span><span style="color: black;">son to <!--3ref=u44=x83737.htm-->life<!--k04-->, and at the <!--3ref=u83=14388a.htm-->synod<!--k04--> preached so loudly, from the hill that </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">miraculously</span><span style="color: black;"> rose under him, that all could hear him, and so eloquently that all the </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">heretics</span><span style="color: black;"> were confounded. </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">St. Dubric</span><span style="color: black;"> resigned the "Archbishopric of Caerleon", and St. David was appointed in his stead. One of his first <!--3ref=u44=x80392.htm-->acts<!--k03--> was to hold, in the year 569, yet another <!--3ref=u83=14388a.htm-->synod<!--k04--> called "Victory", against the </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Pelagians</span><span style="color: black;">, of which the <!--2ref=u69=04670a.htm-->decrees<!--k01--> were <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->confirmed<!--k03--> by the </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">pope</span><span style="color: black;">. With the permission of King <!--3ref=u44=xxyyyk.htm-->Arthur<!--k03--> he removed his </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">see</span><span style="color: black;"> from Caerleon to </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Menevia</span><span style="color: black;">, whence he governed the <!--3ref=u91=05445a.htm-->British<!--k08--> <!--2ref=u63=03744a.htm-->Church<!--k01--> for many years with great </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">holiness</span><span style="color: black;"> and wisdom. He died at the great age of 147, on the day predicted by himself a week earlier. His body is said to have been translated to <!--3ref=u89=06579a.htm-->Glastonbury<!--k04--> in the year 966.<!--BIBLE-SUMMA-FATHERS--></span><br />
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</div></span><span style="color: black;"> </span>Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-72892638509498676522012-02-21T16:21:00.001-08:002012-02-21T16:23:42.581-08:00Miserere Mei (Psalm 51) from Westminster Cathedral<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbv4o1h4rKQ&feature=fvst">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbv4o1h4rKQ&feature=fvst</a>Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-63074081989513266992012-02-21T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-21T16:02:14.806-08:00The Ashing of the Sinners- Ash Wednesday, the Beginning of Lent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jufOhx1KylnXk0kOe_6ElzxbYYhrnh4B9myu6xMaRepnJrvxpipaquZ9zNm7u1sHYXna31YXwqJxp6TZGF8JPdEvBVP52mFNY1gIipkaUV7q6OmTDq8CPusrq4RuseICM16yzY0msFeA/s1600/297190_235030299888803_213620955363071_652414_542747547_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jufOhx1KylnXk0kOe_6ElzxbYYhrnh4B9myu6xMaRepnJrvxpipaquZ9zNm7u1sHYXna31YXwqJxp6TZGF8JPdEvBVP52mFNY1gIipkaUV7q6OmTDq8CPusrq4RuseICM16yzY0msFeA/s400/297190_235030299888803_213620955363071_652414_542747547_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity. <br />
2 Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. <br />
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3 For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. <br />
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4 To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words and mayst overcome when thou art judged. <br />
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5 For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me. <br />
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6 For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me. <br />
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7 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. <br />
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8 To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. <br />
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9 Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. <br />
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10 Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels. <br />
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11 Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me. <br />
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12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. <br />
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13 I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee. <br />
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14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice. <br />
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15 O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise. <br />
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16 For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted. <br />
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17 A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. <br />
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18 Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. <br />
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19 Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar. <br />
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Last painting by Ashraf Gery. Thank you Ashraf-beautifulMary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-67772948111418885082012-02-21T06:03:00.000-08:002012-02-21T15:30:15.623-08:00PANCAKES AND REPENTANCE - GROSMONT AND SHROVE TUESDAY-ARE YOU ABOUT TO BE SHRIVEN?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek8hTLJVtIndteLBI-6FJeJ32kgO5r9mzuIvTjWwwQ4Wt_Qr1_9DPdG3a2ULCrJwZLjw17mJU5c5cIzejGpVpvSW5PIpevPXw9sc7K-bHjkNYVr029Rl-39upeHz4c531mq9Ths_tamqj/s1600/Pancake+Races+Grosmont,+2012+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek8hTLJVtIndteLBI-6FJeJ32kgO5r9mzuIvTjWwwQ4Wt_Qr1_9DPdG3a2ULCrJwZLjw17mJU5c5cIzejGpVpvSW5PIpevPXw9sc7K-bHjkNYVr029Rl-39upeHz4c531mq9Ths_tamqj/s400/Pancake+Races+Grosmont,+2012+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<strong>Secondary School Childrens race.</strong>& nbsp; This was a fine bunch of people, who raced from the Town Hall behind down the road to the church. There was great fun and great enthusiasm, especially when the dog ate the pancakes that fell on the floor. The little boy cried but was given another pancake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Women's Race</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcfiX_g0vJ_2Bfoi-ul8HRh3hE57eOhUWIbw8uK6vUHygWMpdY-ZSVUIbIV-hX4UEtZwFhA_KnQDGPz889Rnr0hYmnnnImv2-_BIbFNgY4U8-tmMtQyeCycGCO0H0q4BPlnCiqOl11XuS/s1600/Pancake+Races+Grosmont,+2012+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcfiX_g0vJ_2Bfoi-ul8HRh3hE57eOhUWIbw8uK6vUHygWMpdY-ZSVUIbIV-hX4UEtZwFhA_KnQDGPz889Rnr0hYmnnnImv2-_BIbFNgY4U8-tmMtQyeCycGCO0H0q4BPlnCiqOl11XuS/s400/Pancake+Races+Grosmont,+2012+015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Men;s Race-winning Contestant<br />
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Junior race Winner and runner up.....I think he was quite disappointed!<br />
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It was a pleasure to see such kind and welcoming people and the children, without attitude and with plenty of fun taking part in a local festivity. They were polite and yet really enjoyed themselves, shrieking with laughter.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPogZQd2Xd7Kh6g9ahPegIIAS1vxUTeIUDgvmhOSbgqoZnlD8ssSPU5aPdv5QQh33rFRzVrjXL5ZDJfNpaAmfcFIiQtfI1oCewpFr2KrhoG7sywJCHqSP_-NvBl-o5u8Gp12cv_ttUuR40/s1600/Pancake+Races+Grosmont,+2012+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPogZQd2Xd7Kh6g9ahPegIIAS1vxUTeIUDgvmhOSbgqoZnlD8ssSPU5aPdv5QQh33rFRzVrjXL5ZDJfNpaAmfcFIiQtfI1oCewpFr2KrhoG7sywJCHqSP_-NvBl-o5u8Gp12cv_ttUuR40/s400/Pancake+Races+Grosmont,+2012+017.JPG" width="246" /></a>Male finalist</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pAPaeVNGpvTtPcpQ46E1Aybgk9BW4fj4IWMGpqftxS_GkVuzrPUcFfTLUAd04Zx4olhkZX0gsUOne4idkhhuwojNmoKaiUKaWB0tMmU_SYk1TsZVeliDJehV6DxbjCX65N0S5DvbUOCo/s1600/Pancake+Races+Grosmont,+2012+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pAPaeVNGpvTtPcpQ46E1Aybgk9BW4fj4IWMGpqftxS_GkVuzrPUcFfTLUAd04Zx4olhkZX0gsUOne4idkhhuwojNmoKaiUKaWB0tMmU_SYk1TsZVeliDJehV6DxbjCX65N0S5DvbUOCo/s400/Pancake+Races+Grosmont,+2012+003.JPG" width="400" /></a>Finalists in the Childrens Race</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtlx04gURxtNa0SJVff3dxXGiwLmGzL_S7N9i1yrivIVHf5180gHW_7z7E2wJ0n3XADdCYz2-8E3y0szYz9MWyLzGQc4gyCUbT1DS2K1yHJezyfEXyH3mNPrpQaZ4QYaBO0qq8WBX0XEW/s1600/Pancake+Races+Grosmont,+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtlx04gURxtNa0SJVff3dxXGiwLmGzL_S7N9i1yrivIVHf5180gHW_7z7E2wJ0n3XADdCYz2-8E3y0szYz9MWyLzGQc4gyCUbT1DS2K1yHJezyfEXyH3mNPrpQaZ4QYaBO0qq8WBX0XEW/s400/Pancake+Races+Grosmont,+2012+014.JPG" width="400" /></a>The Road at dusk D</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOHK-uVt4dh6EH7sKz70udpgPlN4R9cplFo5ii1lDFK_6N19HPWHTbv91C10p_GJvo0yvo-jMADLc-Ek8JRCutb5Ctwb2-bRwcTxBhCVJEso8m4C00gv0yoCDEXV8gAhSc3zoHtcuoDdY/s1600/Pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOHK-uVt4dh6EH7sKz70udpgPlN4R9cplFo5ii1lDFK_6N19HPWHTbv91C10p_GJvo0yvo-jMADLc-Ek8JRCutb5Ctwb2-bRwcTxBhCVJEso8m4C00gv0yoCDEXV8gAhSc3zoHtcuoDdY/s320/Pancakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Today is Shrove Tuesday and up and down most of Christendom, is the final day to eat up all the rich foods before the Lenten fast and to go to Confession and be 'Shriven' of your sins before Ash Wednesday (tomorrow) The confession aspect of tthe day is not available to all, being confined to when the priest is available for most in the many penetential Rites available in all parishes. I have put a list of reconciliation times at the bottom of this blog. If you would like me to include your parish or any penetential service, or it there is any inaccuracy, please let me know.<br />
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People used to have a half day off work in Britain . Usually the church bell rang at 11am. Pancake races are still run in many places.Indeed the popularity of the pancake races and making of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAeZV4VgDyON1Gzva2X27s7U7vCVY2ZeIkMeJQ-vfeIUrgqGNmoSjpC2mkpEsgytOSViGNofA0xsno7kF9g9j-CdM-MwYoLKXz46oUHuhz56h1ka_6elOerI8kOCnfRAb_u05E6A1Osge/s1600/pancakes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAeZV4VgDyON1Gzva2X27s7U7vCVY2ZeIkMeJQ-vfeIUrgqGNmoSjpC2mkpEsgytOSViGNofA0xsno7kF9g9j-CdM-MwYoLKXz46oUHuhz56h1ka_6elOerI8kOCnfRAb_u05E6A1Osge/s320/pancakes.png" width="320" /></a>pancakes in neighbourhoods, care homes and all over has not died out. <br />
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Clarkes, the Newport based food manufacturing plant have reported record sales for the Canadian Maple Spirit this week.They are said to be working round the clock to fill the orders for the four leading supermarket chains. Schools also take the lead in keeping the custom going!<br />
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Abergavenny Tithe Barn have published a recipe for this years' pancakes and there are more races at South Cerney, Gloucestershire from All Hallows Church at 3.30pm, and at St Margaret's Chapel (next to Our Lady of Glastonbury Catholic Church) at 3.30. I shall be travelling to Grosmont this afternoon to see the races there.<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The tradition is said to have originated when a housewife from Olney in Buckinghamshire was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake. Pancake races in Olney can be dated back to 1445- in Catholic times.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The first pancake recipe was in a cookbook dating back to the 1439.<o:p></o:p></span></span> Over the years this custom has been kept and modern runners now dress as traditional housewives with aprons ands bonnets whilst holding their frying pan. Pancake Day race rules state that they must at least toss the pancake at the start of the race and at the end of the pancake day<span style="font-size: small;"> races.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Shrove Tuesday is a term associated in English-speaking countries,<span style="font-family: Century Gothic;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Other Countries have, of course, Carnival and Mardi Gras.It is noted in Britain in histories going back to 1000AD, but may have been much earlier in the aural tradition.Making and eating the pancakes was considered the last feast which would be restricted during Lent.The date of Shrove Tuesday depends on the date of Easter and based on cycles of the moon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">There are Penetential Masses in all parishes this Lent, which will be published on the Churches Websites.Unfortunately some of these are not up to date, and cannot be accessed.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">CWMBRAN NP44 3LTOur Lady of the Angels confessions (reconciliation) Sats at 12noon -12.30 <br />
NP7 5UD Our Lady and St Michaels Abergavenny, not sure<br />
NP20 ITP St Mary's Stow Hill Sats 10.05-11.45<br />
NP10 9DW St Basil and St Gwladys, Tregwylym Rogerstone Tuesday 6.30-6.50</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">NP20 3AQ St David's Park Crescent Monday 6.30-6.50<br />
NP20 7DX St David Lewis, Bettws Newport 6.30-6.50<br />
NP4 6HL St Alban's Pontypool 5.30-5.40<br />
NP4 9RA St Felix, Saturday after morning Mass <br />
NP20 2BZ St Michaels Newport. Wed 6.30-6.50.<br />
NP25 3BD Saturday St Mary's Monmouth 11-11.30 and on Request</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">And finally....a<span style="font-size: large;"> recipe!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><ul type="disc"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">110g plain flour<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">2 eggs<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">200ml milk mixed with 75ml water<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">50g butter<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">pinch of salt</span></li>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gently melt the butter (30 secs in microwave) or in a pan. Sift together the flour and salt. Crack the two eggs into a dish and mix thoroughly and then pour into a well in the middle of the flour (make this with a spoon)Whisk in the eggs gently so that there is a creamy runny mixture.Put 2 tablespoons full of butter into the pan and then keep the rest of the melted butter for the frying pan.Get the pan really HOT and then <strong>TURN DOWN THE HEAT </strong>. Put two tablespoonfuls of the mixture into the pan, after the butter has completely lubricated it and move the pan around to make sure the whole of the base of the pan is covered.With a palate knife , gently keep the pancake moving until it is firm enough to flip over or toss over (if you are brave!) Serve with anything you like!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></div></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></div>Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-18243730428910319492012-02-01T17:13:00.000-08:002012-02-01T17:13:37.604-08:00The Passing of a truly wonderful priest and confessor at Belmont Abbey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5tPTKk1ldMBYuUyL5D5suhdDcolJ4z4YTApQroW-wdBglfLQqJMjYULOkI0K_Dm3Vj5PCvjrrMteZPdj7joaSdJ0Q0OzWM3TNSIu4gCDL6CilFRc65FeNJ0ZX5TwI-eE4lf1563usdKb/s1600/Dyfrig+Requiem+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5tPTKk1ldMBYuUyL5D5suhdDcolJ4z4YTApQroW-wdBglfLQqJMjYULOkI0K_Dm3Vj5PCvjrrMteZPdj7joaSdJ0Q0OzWM3TNSIu4gCDL6CilFRc65FeNJ0ZX5TwI-eE4lf1563usdKb/s400/Dyfrig+Requiem+004.JPG" width="270" /></a></div><strong>Father Dyfrig Harris</strong><br />
<em><strong>Monmouthshire Monk Priest, from Cwmbran, Torfaen</strong>. Requiescat in Pace</em><br />
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<em><strong>Right:St Dyfrig of Ergyng, Bishop of Llandaff</strong></em><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watchv=6hh_irzH7yo&list=UU_fY_pyY33755pFgGP8rKfw&index=1&feature=plcp">http://www.youtube.com/watchv=6hh_irzH7yo&list=UU_fY_pyY33755pFgGP8rKfw&index=1&feature=plcp</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtlFm39cMGOmcrk3oN7zg79iQwm8P8DBSvV6PQIltednRFyKKto979PE87mkFMPTNXiqyLAQ-DVbNetJq-TaYzFnTFgUHcSaVypPLpfgYDV0Mujq4YsokDHpZz89J3reUnQ1zwLUbOrcx/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtlFm39cMGOmcrk3oN7zg79iQwm8P8DBSvV6PQIltednRFyKKto979PE87mkFMPTNXiqyLAQ-DVbNetJq-TaYzFnTFgUHcSaVypPLpfgYDV0Mujq4YsokDHpZz89J3reUnQ1zwLUbOrcx/s400/photo.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>.<br />
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The Benedictine Community have lost one of their Brethren, to a stroke quite suddenly on 23rd of January. I drove down to the Abbey at Belmont today in glorious sunshine, and thought how fitting it was, that although extremely cold, the heavens were smiling on us, and on father Dyfrig. To my surprise I found he was christened Kevin Harris and attended Our Lady's church in Cwmbran, where he was Christened and confirmed and then at Pontypool. certainly I would never have guessed he was from Cwmbran. Jovial, laughing and and extremely kind Confessor, with real concern for the faithful he served, he will be sorely missed by us all-his stints at Abergavenny during the penetential masses in particular, because these were where I cam into contact with him.<br />
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There was no room in the car park, and I walked back up through the graveyard to the Abbey Church and soon the procession of clergy entered, Abbot Paul being last . There were also representatives from the Ukrainian Catholic Church, which Father Dyfrig loved, having been to the Ukraine, and able to chant the liturgy. A sizeable number of the Ukrainian Catholics were also in the congregation. The Abbey church was packed with people standing at the back and sides and all the chapels full. During Father Abbot's moving homily, you felt a real sense of loss, echoed in the emotional letter written by his brother Michael later after the mass. Dyfrig was a Welsh priest from Madley just down the road from Belmont, who became Bishop of Llandaff. (no myth here-it is fact) The hymns chosen, 'Jesu Lover of my soul' , 'Soul of my Saviour' and 'Guide me ,O thou great Redeemer' were all well known and fervently sung, and the plainchant music written out for us in a beautiful booklet meant that most participated in the Ordinary of the Mass, which was largely sung. Father Dyfrig's brother and sister in law Jean and their families sat at the front, obviously distraught and our sympathy and love went out to them.<br />
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<strong>The gospel lesson from St John 14:1-6 was</strong><br />
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<em>'Do not let your heart be troubled</em><br />
<em>Trust in God still and trust in me</em><br />
<em>There are many rooms in my Father's house</em><br />
<em>If there were not, I should have told you</em><br />
<em>I am now going to prepare a place for you</em><br />
<em>And after I have gone and prepared you a place,</em><br />
<em>I shall return to take you with me</em><br />
<em>so that is where I am</em><br />
<em>you may be too</em><br />
<em>You know the way to the place where I am going.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Thomas said 'Lord, we do not know where you are going</em><br />
<em>so how can we know the way?'</em><br />
<em>Jesus said </em><br />
<em>I am the Way and the Truth and the Life</em><br />
<em>No one can come to the Father, except through me.</em>'<br />
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The commendation was sung <em>'Receive me Lord and I shall live, and do not disappoint me in the promise you have given me'.</em><br />
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There followed the Byzantine Rite Commendation and the <em>Christos Aneste</em>, sung in Greek.<br />
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Finally, as the coffin was carried out from the church, the <em>In Paradisum</em><br />
<em>In Paradisum deducant angeli; in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.</em><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AU-27QWVklCF-bcZ6ehA7-POrpX-Qha8WT639PmL6zUy3nUHPmw4q_mvEkZBrhuf1fv27It5As0PbQHPb9XuCXRcEJMX0n9uQiYKkLkPwEzzyUPUiqRsZchup093l3d9cKI37vY96ejD/s1600/Dyfrig+Requiem+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AU-27QWVklCF-bcZ6ehA7-POrpX-Qha8WT639PmL6zUy3nUHPmw4q_mvEkZBrhuf1fv27It5As0PbQHPb9XuCXRcEJMX0n9uQiYKkLkPwEzzyUPUiqRsZchup093l3d9cKI37vY96ejD/s320/Dyfrig+Requiem+002.JPG" width="240" /></a><em>Chorus Angelorym te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere, aeternam habeas Requiem.</em><br />
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As the Abbey church doors were open, the departing procession was bathed in bright sunlight, including Father Dyfrig's coffin- a great sign and a great blessing as a great priest, humble and human was carried out. I breathed the words:<br />
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<em>'Well done, thou good and faithful servant'.</em><br />
<em>St Dyfrig Pray for him</em><br />
<em>St Benedict Pray for him</em><br />
<em>St David Pray for him</em><br />
<em>St Winifride, Pray for him.</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8IxYM5p9bmlpM8BcYBysEcQLnFhUWr0YBeg8hIGpJRq5AoPEQz01Dq9e_NvPbbA2IpFbbaMLfs6xp4Y8s2Y6LPvpZ1R96okgeJiGqRBvVPHuH1OG1SB39xXxk-FX1pS1dvPek8e2BbJc/s1600/Dyfrig+Requiem+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8IxYM5p9bmlpM8BcYBysEcQLnFhUWr0YBeg8hIGpJRq5AoPEQz01Dq9e_NvPbbA2IpFbbaMLfs6xp4Y8s2Y6LPvpZ1R96okgeJiGqRBvVPHuH1OG1SB39xXxk-FX1pS1dvPek8e2BbJc/s320/Dyfrig+Requiem+003.JPG" width="223" /></a> Above Christ Receives Fr Dyfrig</div> Left: St Michael<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHWaoFobEIa7ZN8KOJ1wkZzSAh20i8RqMb8kt6zmjt5MMDc-FwKeOKLrPlhaGMf1V8ZjXW4GE2QJ78mXudRVv2oq5-jO1NfTsw7tkZOegsS0rBEfkibEdoNPLhUdxM5i0bDmDYj4l6mhyphenhyphen/s1600/Dyfrig+Requiem+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHWaoFobEIa7ZN8KOJ1wkZzSAh20i8RqMb8kt6zmjt5MMDc-FwKeOKLrPlhaGMf1V8ZjXW4GE2QJ78mXudRVv2oq5-jO1NfTsw7tkZOegsS0rBEfkibEdoNPLhUdxM5i0bDmDYj4l6mhyphenhyphen/s400/Dyfrig+Requiem+006.JPG" width="253" /></a></div>Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-88179628422245300642012-01-17T04:44:00.000-08:002012-01-17T04:46:27.120-08:00BRYNGWYN, An ancient Church on a White Hill and Cistercian Grange<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqps1CLFQwCnW9X3pZ6x1ShsKHdUxnIOTnyEt2QDZyfWAXlsRCN1zr1Y8zPQ1AyNh7DX-e2QhxR7MJnl9G4Z-X8n1m2-U_TRRzsXXd6lNYr3QlTl5BDI4Tdo6iN7G1ogUQL9yPayX9eFyt/s1600/BRYNGWYN+CHURCH+DEC+29+%2526+PHANTOM+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqps1CLFQwCnW9X3pZ6x1ShsKHdUxnIOTnyEt2QDZyfWAXlsRCN1zr1Y8zPQ1AyNh7DX-e2QhxR7MJnl9G4Z-X8n1m2-U_TRRzsXXd6lNYr3QlTl5BDI4Tdo6iN7G1ogUQL9yPayX9eFyt/s320/BRYNGWYN+CHURCH+DEC+29+%2526+PHANTOM+011.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><strong>< St Peter as Pope in Bryngwyn Church</strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ancient Welsh Studies.co.uk points to <span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">two men of Gwent, the first born c. 1045 and the father of Sir Gwyn, and secondly, the father of Aeddan who was born around 1135 and </span>AEDDAN ap Gwaethfod a King of Gwaethfod . These Gwaethfods lived originally in Tegeingl and <span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">identify the earliest Gwaethfoed of Gwent as "ap Gwyn ap Glyddien (Cloddien) ap Gwybedydd ap Gwrydr Hir ap Caradog ap Lles Llyddog “ and believe he (or an intermediate ancestor) took up residence on the family's paternal lands in south Powys when other branches of the family remained in Tegeingl. This is not quite the story given by Sir Joseph Bradney,of a marauding Cardiganshire raider but fits in better with the family history.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZamoNjB_UoiD7GsL0n0aCRSW_J4ZURfoMoHxk4LxZUq1p95uwGpqY5hP9wNZd_cADlAIJOccQA7IFFE8F8KwjQy1sNwadPX-FuesYYnW3Rh1Gmw-ZsOJBc9TczcEafXJ_SYAOPmvgOWE/s1600/BRYNGWYN+CHURCH+DEC+29+%2526+PHANTOM+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZamoNjB_UoiD7GsL0n0aCRSW_J4ZURfoMoHxk4LxZUq1p95uwGpqY5hP9wNZd_cADlAIJOccQA7IFFE8F8KwjQy1sNwadPX-FuesYYnW3Rh1Gmw-ZsOJBc9TczcEafXJ_SYAOPmvgOWE/s1600/BRYNGWYN+CHURCH+DEC+29+%2526+PHANTOM+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZamoNjB_UoiD7GsL0n0aCRSW_J4ZURfoMoHxk4LxZUq1p95uwGpqY5hP9wNZd_cADlAIJOccQA7IFFE8F8KwjQy1sNwadPX-FuesYYnW3Rh1Gmw-ZsOJBc9TczcEafXJ_SYAOPmvgOWE/s1600/BRYNGWYN+CHURCH+DEC+29+%2526+PHANTOM+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;" unselectable="on"></div></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>give the possibility that when his lands were overrun by Normans and incorporated into Shropshire, That KingGwaethfoed moved south looking for new lands.He appealed, the Ancient Welsh Studies site say, on <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>entering the north of Upper Gwent , to King Ynyr ap Cadwgan, and was given <em>Merwydd ferch Ynyr</em> as wife and lands where White Castle was later built. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is even possible Gwaethfoed came to Gwent as an invader/squatter and avoided armed conflict with its king by agreeing to marry Ynyr's daughter. Ynyr is dated <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to c. 1030 and Merwydd to c. 1060 .The Theory that Merwydd married a Gwaithfoed of Gwent seems more reasonable, both as to geography and chronology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His only known son is called Sir Gwyn, born c. 1075, builder of Gwyn's Castle now known as ‘White Castle’ (white also being the translation of ‘Gwyn’. )<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">So much for the genealogy of Gwyn. About the year 1100, Sir Drew de Baladon (or Balun) invaded upper Gwent as a retainer of the Marcher Lord Roger fitz William fitz Osbern. Ynyr and Gwaithfoed,confronted them but it apppears bloodshed was averted by both Welshmen for their sons to marry de Baladon's daughters. Sir Gwyn ap Gwaithfoed married Emma de Baladon. Sir Dryw ap Gwaithfoed was probably his son, who was father to Aeddan, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>born around 1165.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Aeddan , seemingly by now seems to be living at Grysmwnt or Grosmont, grew up a pious and faithful youth. He is mentioned in the Journey through Wales by Gerald the Welshman. I have already blogged about the route that (Catholic) Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury took through Gwent from Llanthony, Patrishow (St Issui’s Shrine)Monmouth, Abergavenny, Usk, Newport etc. This Aeddan took the cross from Baldwin, becoming a Crusader knight. The ceremony was performed as Baldwin, accompanied by Gerald the Welshman, Archdeacon of St David’s was proceeding from Abergavenny to Usk.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><em><strong>.........a certain nobleman of those parts named Arthenus came to the Archbishop ,who was proceeding towards the castle of Usk and humbly begged pardon for having neglected to meet him sooner. Being questioned as to whether he would take the cross, he replied ‘That could not be done without the advice of his friends’, The Archbishop then asked him, ‘are you not going to consult your wife?’ He modestly answered, with a downcast look. ‘When the work of a man is to be undertaken, the counsel of a woman ought not to be asked’ and instantly received the cross from the Archbishop’.....(The itinery of Archbishop Baldwin(Third Crusade 1188)</strong></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It is recorded, that soon after this, fired by his commitment, Aeddan and his sons founded three new chapels (which may have been founded on more ancient sites)Aeddan’s Chapel in Clytha, Bettws Newydd Chapel (Bettws Fovour Aeddan)(Bettws is a corruption of Bet-Haus-ancient for House of Prayer) and Bryngwyn Chapel,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which he dedicated to St Peter.) (<em>Cambria Triomphans</em> by Percy Enderby 1661 p 250)He held the manor of Clytha by payment of a sparrow hawk and granted out his lands to his relatives to hold by suit of court and a red rose (which was his badge)The Papal charters were given for this by Pope Honorius II and given to Aeddan by Teilo.The family supported the church and its Holy Well (St Peter’s Well-300 yards SE from the Church)and the church and manor were administered by the abbot and Community of Llantarnam. The church was likely to have been served with priests from Llantarnam also. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Some of the possessions of the Abbey of Llantarnam in Bryngwyn descended to the co-heirs of the manor of Wentesland and Bryngwyn . Lower Ty Mynach House in 1845.The small farm called Brynhyfryd was part of Lower Ty mynach.(Monks' House) The house was built on the site of two original cottages.The Chapel Farm, so called because of the association with the monastery, descended with the manor.It is likely they appointed local men as parish priest.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Following the collapse of the rural economy with the Black Death, and depletion of priests and monks and finally the Reformation, Clytha, seems to have collapsed, and the other churches taken over by Henry VIII’s new church. The tithes were formerly paid to the priory at Abergavenny but now paid directly to the Crown’s commissioners.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The visit was taken at Christmas, and I did not get to see the well, which was hard to locate, but I am going back there later on a warmer brighter day. From the pictures you can see we church was visited at Christmastide. It was charmingly warm and inviting, with a definite sense there is a real community at the Church. At the altar is a lovely reredos carved in wood, and pride of place given to a beautifully carved crucifix next to a carving commemorating The other carvings are equally remarkable, and most wonderful was, that the church was actually open! These were carved in memory of a beloved Rector, William Crawley a fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge. This Anglican rector died at the age of 94, arranged for the building of a North aisle and a new chancel arch and in 1872 built the first parish school and the first bell of this school displayed in the church.The other figures on the reredos carvings are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St Peter, the disciple, Our Lady, John the Beloved Disciple and Peter shown as Pope. The carvings are of a beautiful quality.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhtjlMTeBDFAfxSn9fyB0Ku0pdmPobFh9wpXF3v-_BSpYfe1-EhTJk9z5Brt6PEzCDd7I3lSSXJ6wL0knRyComyP9eAQzR7o7sCQjdRO38dlzdtp6wLilY0UEkfKScvQB1odD55GBPS3F/s1600/BRYNGWYN+CHURCH+DEC+29+%2526+PHANTOM+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhtjlMTeBDFAfxSn9fyB0Ku0pdmPobFh9wpXF3v-_BSpYfe1-EhTJk9z5Brt6PEzCDd7I3lSSXJ6wL0knRyComyP9eAQzR7o7sCQjdRO38dlzdtp6wLilY0UEkfKScvQB1odD55GBPS3F/s320/BRYNGWYN+CHURCH+DEC+29+%2526+PHANTOM+018.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The last three priests of the Catholic Church recorded who said Mass here were<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Father ADAM ap LLEWELLYN<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Father GREGORY DE TREGRUG Both these priests are mentioned at the same year 1352. Possibly these were the first non monks<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to become rectors following the plague, monks at Llantarnam having been reduced to a small number.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Priest's door into the Sanctuary</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fr Gregory seems to have survived as priest until 1399 when FATHER JOHN AP GRUFFYDD became the new priest. After that the records seem not to give subsequent names, but we must assume the Lord of Bergavenny appointed future priests. They seem to have all been Welshmen, because until Henry VIII ‘annexed and extirped Wales’ and the Welsh language .</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">this area still spoke Welsh (and possibly English as well!) the Language of the church always was Latin, as it had been from the beginning in Wales.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div> <span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The church has a long nave and simple chancel, which would have originally housed the sanctuary. The tower was probably added by Aeddan’s family in the thirteenth century. The Sanctuary (Chancel) was added in the fourteenth century.The Old West gallery had been removed before 1850.No tombstones in the graveyard are existant from before the 19<sup>th</sup>century. The church has been lovingly cared for by the Crawley family in recent centuriesand their crest is at the side of the reredos.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfJGFaEmgTrp1tRh0HroJDx7gDi3AzemicvkoINwuXUK_bLay1a5_e1G3D58f7TgwfT7jQoPMtH1jtAKmlVt9FrGT5Z0ygH8s-37lahiXwzOWugIPrcGTMZ07KJUFbFfwIthfdtu3NQcX/s1600/BRYNGWYN+CHURCH+DEC+29+%2526+PHANTOM+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfJGFaEmgTrp1tRh0HroJDx7gDi3AzemicvkoINwuXUK_bLay1a5_e1G3D58f7TgwfT7jQoPMtH1jtAKmlVt9FrGT5Z0ygH8s-37lahiXwzOWugIPrcGTMZ07KJUFbFfwIthfdtu3NQcX/s320/BRYNGWYN+CHURCH+DEC+29+%2526+PHANTOM+020.JPG" width="212" /></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The original bell (Tenor) cast in Bristol about 1480 is inscribed <strong>AVE MARIA GRATIAE PLENA</strong> (Hail Mary, full of Grace) the second, commissioned in Anglican times was cast in Gloucester by John Palmer (Feare God, Honor the King-<strong>SOLI DEO DETUR GLORIA</strong>)1632 and the third bell cast in Chepstow by William Evans ‘ WM Henry Churchwarden ‘ is written on this 1766 bell. The writer of the Handbook of the Church, Mr C W Crawley also records that ropes were frequently purchased, so the bells were fully used at a time when parishioners did not have watches.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The church also possesses a silver chalice and patencover of the early Stuart Period.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">< <strong>The Font<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>I plan to return to Bryngwyn to find the well and publish more informationon that, although I understand it is in much need of restoration.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786721181439664847.post-84632413319878271562012-01-10T15:32:00.000-08:002012-01-10T15:45:51.555-08:00Heartwarming and Uplifting Epiphany Meditation at Belmont Abbey and a poem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBlUcAqIaMggMZ7HrBhJewlnSTvvrobqDvQ583tVOWRXo5GoheJAqEKKPfm360YFNir4KokPO7N8wT6Q6SvRdK47Ro96Llicx-9JojTEIOeg4FRupSpW5UxV-zzT6ZItZuER0GtvrvGII/s1600/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBlUcAqIaMggMZ7HrBhJewlnSTvvrobqDvQ583tVOWRXo5GoheJAqEKKPfm360YFNir4KokPO7N8wT6Q6SvRdK47Ro96Llicx-9JojTEIOeg4FRupSpW5UxV-zzT6ZItZuER0GtvrvGII/s400/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+024.JPG" width="400" /></a><strong></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><strong>Epiphany Meditation</strong> Such a great afternoon yesterday, when I drove up through a balmy and sunny Monmouthshire landscape into the ancient Welsh Kingdom of Ergyng where Belmont Abbey is in modern Herefordshire. Belmont, I understand was originally built as the Cathedral for Newport. We had already been to a lovely Mass at Abergavenny but after the frenetic rushing around before and after Christmas, the Meditation at Belmont, which included two Spanish carols, which were movingly sung by Father Abbot and one of the brothers from Peru who was spending Christmas and Epiphany at the Abbey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><em>Una estrella que llama en la noche</em> and <em>De Luz nueva se viste la terra. </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> The parish choir sang some lovely things, the Epiphany Hymn,<em> 'How Brightly Shines the Morning Star'</em> and a <em>'Untous a child is born' </em>not the usual <em>'puer nobis nascitur</em> from <em>'Piae Cantiones' </em>but a more unusual version, with a rrefrain for the congregation. There were some beautiful prayers from ancient liturgies of Our Lady.These meditations, were of extraordinary beauty and insight, and were interspersed with the carols you might expect, <em>'Bethlehem of Noblest Cities'</em>, 'As with gladness men of Old', 'We three Kings', 'O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness', and the <em>'First Nowell'. </em>The organist delighted with the testing chorale Prelude:' <em>Wie Schoen leuchtet der Morgenstern' (How brightly shines the Morning Star' </em>by Bach played I believe by Mr Tom Hempson. Amongst the shimmering candles and rich decorations, the relaxed and quiet mood made this an inspirational hour, quite different from Christmas excitement, and getting to the heart of the miracle of Christ coming to the gentiles, drawing the Whole world to theFather. The liturgical chants were especially moving in this setting. <em>Ecce advenit</em> , <em>Vidimus stellam</em> eius (We have seen his Star) rang around the Abbey, as it has been sung over the centuries by our Benedictine Monks.It occurred to me that the highlight of the BBC's surprisingly (on the whole) faithful 'Nativity' TV series last year curiously finished with the Wise Men, (they were not neccessarily kings, nor three,) bowing before the Infant God-Man , Christ the Child. The line in one of the Belmont hymns, 'Bow down before Him, His Glory proclaim' seemed apposite and moving. We were able to reflect, the Lamb was born in a cave, associated with Shepherds. He was born in Bethlehem, which means THE TOWN OF BREAD and placed within a MANGER (an eating place for the animals) Both heavily pointing to the Eucharist. The quiet atmosphere allowed these insights and all was beautifully done.Remembering the birth of my own son, I thought of Mary, poor girl, nine months pregnant having to ride all those miles on a donkey and give birth in a lowley animal shed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Afterwards people took the trouble to walk around the wonderful displays, especially the crib above and take photographs, as well as to pray prayers of thanks for the grace of such a wonderful meditation in beautiful surroundings. The faith and love of the monks, is shown in the tremendous care they take in carefully preparing the whole church for the feast, slightly after the Twelfth Night, and yet still in Christmastide, which the church will continue to celebrate until Candlemas on February 2nd. Refreshments, pies, biscuits and drinks of various kinds were available for the considerable congregation afterwards. I walked out past the crib the monks had built outside the Abbey, the beautiful words and sounds ringing in my head and felt greatly blessed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Abbot Paul was kind enough to send me his sermon of the morning, in which he offered some reflections on the Epiphany, which I will lay down for you here so you can share them, and I am looking into a podcast of this lovely event.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdk8ZYj-YuTjgF5SiGDs2i_G7MSyBWfbtgQe0piVF72LmbRdScDl93AMoeL9V_uZUKYn-zGrLaAl4uJnjJj8-6dUt_w0HtQswRv0HWR5VA3RgiO-B3KbdJvmpsD9iczrBqAKUq41nVysm/s1600/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdk8ZYj-YuTjgF5SiGDs2i_G7MSyBWfbtgQe0piVF72LmbRdScDl93AMoeL9V_uZUKYn-zGrLaAl4uJnjJj8-6dUt_w0HtQswRv0HWR5VA3RgiO-B3KbdJvmpsD9iczrBqAKUq41nVysm/s400/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+028.JPG" width="265" /></a> <span style="color: red;"><strong>From the End of the Nave to the High Altar </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">The poem below is one of my favourite Epiphany poems, along with 'The <em>Burning Babe'</em> and 'The </span><span style="color: black;"><em>Journey of the Magi'</em> by T S Eliot. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>BC:AD by U.A. Fanthorpe</strong> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">This was the Moment, When Before turned to After</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">And Time's unelected Timekeepers presented Arms.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">This was the Moment, when Nothing Happened</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Only dull peace sprawled boringly over the earth.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">This was the Moment, when even energetic Romans</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Could think of nothing better to do</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Than counting heads in remote provinces.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">And this was the Moment, when a few farm workers</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">And three Members of an obscure Persian sect</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Walked haphazard, by Starlight</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Straight into the Kingdom of Heaven.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3u7DZ1sfH2CUCH8Uvb12bEraXKo0ouhSz0CXM_EO3WsfEtiCkWo1sWOa2ZyLpNzM7CwtAplvgrN8JjNGcvPaugqaRkVavbcHeHo7JYq4tpMd3gYBte9LwBGqS_mQDvG21wETLEqbKwag/s1600/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3u7DZ1sfH2CUCH8Uvb12bEraXKo0ouhSz0CXM_EO3WsfEtiCkWo1sWOa2ZyLpNzM7CwtAplvgrN8JjNGcvPaugqaRkVavbcHeHo7JYq4tpMd3gYBte9LwBGqS_mQDvG21wETLEqbKwag/s320/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+013.JPG" width="320" /></a><strong><span style="color: red;">Christmas Display</span></strong> <em>under the stained glass window of Benedictine Abbot , Blessed Richard Whiting of Glastonbury, who was hung drawn and quartered on the orders of Henry VII</em>I.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The traditional Announcement of Easter in the Roman Missal reminds us of the centrality of the Feast of the Epiphany to the Christian faith and the liturgical year. This proclamation is made not on the First Sunday of Advent nor on Christmas Day but on the Epiphany, the great feast of Light, Easter in winter. <em>“Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has risen upon you, though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples.”</em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;">Although the Epiphany recalls and celebrates the triple manifestation or revealing</span> <span style="color: black;">of the Son of God as recorded in the New Testament: the Star and the Magi, his Baptism in the Jordan and the miracle at the Wedding Feast of Cana, today’s Gospel concentrates on the first of those events. Yesterday we heard how Jesus transformed water into wine at the behest of his Mother, the first miracle or sign, which would ultimately lead to his Death and Resurrection and the Eucharist in which wine becomes the Blood that was shed on the Cross. Tomorrow we will hear the testimony of St John the Baptist, a vision of the Trinity in which the Father’s voice is heard, the Spirit is seen descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove and his identity is revealed, <em>“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”</em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Today’s Gospel story is sheer magic. From its first appearance 2,000 years’ ago to the present day it has blown the minds and fired the imagination of countless writers and poets, artists and musicians, and of entire nations and cultures.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;"> It can only have been the Protestant Reformation and the Puritan abolition of all popular religious</span> <span style="color: black;">customs in this country that has denuded Great Britain of the many wonderful traditions we meet all over Europe and the Middle East, not to mention those countries on other continents where Catholic, Orthodox and other ancient Christian Churches have taken root. For them all the Epiphany far outweighs Christmas in importance and tradition. We also recall that in the early Church it was only at Epiphany and Easter that people, young and old, were baptised and made members of God’s family.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrznNspKBHpCIheLV-idbjs6ArOqBoHldC0jo_aOKtmUfQXcBAjXMA_P8lL7rBesU6obZtwygIqIsTKA6ZU8rM3IoLexxvXnHwZ0qJJlCCTtZDf88X_FGC1Kvb3iFMYqwnaZSBNFBIVrd/s1600/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrznNspKBHpCIheLV-idbjs6ArOqBoHldC0jo_aOKtmUfQXcBAjXMA_P8lL7rBesU6obZtwygIqIsTKA6ZU8rM3IoLexxvXnHwZ0qJJlCCTtZDf88X_FGC1Kvb3iFMYqwnaZSBNFBIVrd/s400/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+002.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><strong><span style="color: black;">Outdoor Crib-Belmont Abbey</span></strong></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;">We all know that much Old Testament imagery lies behind the story of the Magi and the Star. In Matthew’s mind it becomes an anticipation of the fate of the good</span> <span style="color: black;">news of salvation, a fate that he knew so well in the light of the Resurrection</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">By the time he writes his gospel the Church has become predominantly Gentile, so the believers attracted to the good news of God incarnate are Gentiles just like the Magi. It is through nature that God reveals himself to the Gentiles, and to the Magi through astrology, but it is an imperfect revelation. </span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MkcXXVFyam9XKS_8zsR0blEDYHxTXWlwMj3lWb6cn1ucw6CAG188GWGMBnR2yhAXIzTaXOqtXlDmWeK1b1fbpbIXGIMs6AoMF350VP46Am7Tv_g34Ib5e92i7bQPBQy2jMjIN4txuEuq/s1600/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MkcXXVFyam9XKS_8zsR0blEDYHxTXWlwMj3lWb6cn1ucw6CAG188GWGMBnR2yhAXIzTaXOqtXlDmWeK1b1fbpbIXGIMs6AoMF350VP46Am7Tv_g34Ib5e92i7bQPBQy2jMjIN4txuEuq/s400/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+012.JPG" width="265" /></a></div> <span style="color: black;">Without the help of the Jewish scriptures they are unable to interpret the revelation, hence the need to ask, “ Where is the infant King of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.” Ironically it is King Herod who provides the answer after consulting the chief priests and scribes. He sends them on to Bethlehem with the treacherous promise. <em><strong>“Go and find out all about the child and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.” </strong></em>The Gentiles come to worship the Saviour of the world, but they must learn from</span><span style="color: black;"> the Jews the history of salvation.<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: black;">Here Matthew highlights the paradox: those who have the Scriptures, and can understand what the prophets have said, are not willing to worship the newborn king. They reject the Messiah and seek his death. Here we see the essential gospel story in miniature. God has made himself present to us in his Son, Emmanuel, yet this revelation, this Epiphany, was considered an offence and contradiction to many.</span> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0DIf_okRQ-08tLz4Jb43EOvxhglt5gLU2KQK-NwxKKvS0GFQ2rRWS1snaNiHk7VVC4HOtsl5Q6WYLphRtDJ9pQ9xPs9liVRxT1590-bUxWerKKFkq36oQbllyi0aJy6i419-MqhR9B5N/s1600/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0DIf_okRQ-08tLz4Jb43EOvxhglt5gLU2KQK-NwxKKvS0GFQ2rRWS1snaNiHk7VVC4HOtsl5Q6WYLphRtDJ9pQ9xPs9liVRxT1590-bUxWerKKFkq36oQbllyi0aJy6i419-MqhR9B5N/s400/EPIPHANY+AT+BELMONT+015.JPG" width="265" /></a></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">On the other hand it was recognised as salvation by those who had eyes to see and hearts to believe. Of these the Magi are the first, the anticipation of all those who would come to worship the risen Christ proclaimed by the apostles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> In the Star of the King of the Jews at its rising, they see in prophecy, hence the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, the One whose kingship would not be fully visible until he had hung from the Cross, beneath the title “The King of the Jews”, and been raised to God’s right hand through the Resurrection</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The question for us and for all Christians today is simply this: which road do I follow: that of King Herod and those who reject the truth of the Gospel, the light of faith, or that of the Magi and those who gradually make sense of divine revelation and can grasp what it means to be saved? In other words, what does the Epiphany mean to me?</span><br />
by <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Abbot Paul Stoneham.</span></span><br />
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Our Lady of Belmont, <em>Pray for us</em><br />
Our Lady of Tintern, <em>Pray for us</em><br />
St David.... <em>Pray for us</em><br />
St Winifride... <em>Pray for us</em>Mary in Monmouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596900017760778602noreply@blogger.com0