Marian Processions and Evangelisation

Fr Matthew Pittam wrote, a few months ago, about the power of Marian processions. Father writes:-

Young Catholic Adult
Marian procession 2016

"It was several years ago now that the suggestion came from my parish branch of the Union of Catholic Mothers that we have a May procession and devotion in honour of Our Lady. Older members of the parish reflected that such an event had not taken place since the 1960s and that it had gradually dwindled as clergy and laity became unenthusiastic about this public act of witness and prayer. Such devotions had been seen as obsolete in the wake of the “spirit of Vatican II”.

It was decided that for the first year this devotion would be low key but we agreed to give it a go. Remarkably about 30 people turned up on that initial occasion. Since then the attendance has grown and it has become a real focus for many of our younger families and is now seen as a major event in the parish’s calendar.

Young Catholic Adult 
Marian procession 2016

When I first spoke to some other clergy about our endeavours many poured scorn on it as “folk religion” and felt that we were reintroducing something that was outmoded and archaic. But for my parish the May procession is an attractive event and many parishioners now bring non-Catholic family and friends (the high tea afterwards may also be part of the draw). So what some may dismiss as sentimental has actually become evangelistic.

In my parish the procession has brought new confidence and has reignited interest in more traditional devotions. After a few successful May processions the parish council suggested having a Corpus Christi procession, and this has also proved to be popular, attracting those beyond the boundaries of our small rural parish.

As Catholics we need to be inventive about evangelisation but we can also look to forms of devotion from the past that we have abandoned. Many of these have the capacity to speak to our own generation in a fresh way."

For the full article see:-  http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2016/05/27/parishes-across-britain-are-reviving-may-processions-in-honour-of-mary/.

More Photographs of the Young Catholic Adult weekend at Douai Abbey 28th- 30th October 2016

Incensing

 

Celebrant Fr. Thomas Crean, Canon Poucin - Deacon and  Dom.
Christopher Greener O.S.B.- Sub-deacon

High Mass of Our
Lady (EF)

Good News! Fifty people Attend Young Catholic Adult weekend at Douai Abbey 28th- 30th October 2016

Fifty people from all over the country attended the Young Catholic Adult weekend,  in conjunction with the Scola Gregoriana of Cambridge,  at Douai Abbey 28th- 30th October. There was a Solemn High Mass on Saturday with Fr. Thomas Crean O.P., as celebrant, Canon Vianney Poucin de Wouilt ICKSP as Deacon and Dom. Christopher Greener O.S.B., as Sub-Deacon; followed by a Marian Procession around the grounds of the Abbey.

On Sunday, Fr. Thomas Crean celebrated a Dominican Rite Sung Mass. There were also 3 catechetical talks on "Prayer and the Spiritual Life," there were also Rosaries, two sessions of confessions, Vespers, Confessions and socials!

More photos can be found at:- 

Monastery of Norcia Destroyed by Earthquake

From Rorate Coeli:-

After several earthquakes this year, and the strongest in almost forty years this morning, the Basilica of Saint Benedict in his birthtown of Nursia (Norcia) collapsed today. The monks (and lay people) are thankfully safe.

There were damages in several places throughout central Italy, and even in the Basilica of St. Paul, in Rome .

 H/t: http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-collapse-of-basilica-of-st-benedict.html.

How to get to Douai Abbey - Directions

For those coming to the Young Catholic Adults weekend 28th-30th Oct please see directions below:-

Address

Douai Abbey
Upper Woolhampton
Reading
Berkshire, RG7 5TQ

How to get there

Douai Abbey is situated 1 mile north of the A4 about half way between Reading and Newbury in Berkshire.
The turn off the A4 is about 6 miles from M4 Junction 12.
By rail the nearest station is called MIDGHAM, but it is actually in Woolhampton village.

To Walk
You will need to leave the station and head towards the centre of Woolhampton village, when you reach the main road, turn left and walk c. 50 yards until you reach the "The Falmouth Arms"; turn right here, then walk up WOOLHAMPTON HILL which is then signposted to Douai Abbey. Pass Elstree School (right) and St Peter's Church (right) and on up to a T-junction. Turn left past the Thatched Cottage (on left), and then after 800 yards is the DOUAI ABBEY Entrance. It takes about 15 mins to walk from the station.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Reading on the A4:
At roundabout after dual carriageway, continue on A4 towards Newbury for half a mile.
Turn right at sign to Douai Abbey (picture) up CODS HILL, pass Sports Ground on left.
Pass Thatched Cottage (on left), after 100 metres pass St Mary's Church (on right).
DOUAI ABBEY Entrance is a further 100 metres on the right.
After turning in, fork right for RECEPTION or left for PARKING.

From Newbury on the A4:
At Woolhampton village, on the left is "The Falmouth Arms", very prominent.
Turn left here, up WOOLHAMPTON HILL which is signposted to Douai Abbey (picture).
Pass Elstree School (right) and St Peter's Church (right) and on up to a T-junction.
Turn left past the Thatched Cottage (on left), and in 200 metres is the DOUAI ABBEY Entrance.
After turning in, fork right for RECEPTION or left for PARKING.
(Also for those travelling by train, as trains do not run from Midgham station on a Sunday, there will be lifts to Reading Station).

FOR A MAP OF HOW TO GET TO DOUAI CLICK HERE

Timetable for Young Catholic Adults Weekend 2016

                                                                       DRAFT

Friday
5-6pm Arrival
6-6:55 – Schola rehearsal
6:55pm Supper
8pm-8.30pm Rosary or Chant Workshop -
8:40 Sung Compline after Workshop
9pm: Social

Saturday
8-9am Breakfast
9-9:40am - Chant workshop followed by practice
9:45am Free time followed by confessions before Mass
11am: High/Sung Mass in the Parish Church(  EF Roman Rite Gregorian Chant )
12.00pm: Marian Procession in honour of Our Lady of Fatima around the extensive grounds of Douai
Abbey, followed by enrolment into the Brown Scapular
1-2pm: Lunch
2-3pm: 1st Talk - "Prayer and the Spiritual Life" - Conference Room 2
3-4pm: Chant workshop
[4-4.30pm: Chant rehearsal for Schola Gregoriana]
4:30-5:30 pm: 2nd Talk - "Prayer and the Spiritual Life" - Conference Room 2
6-6.30pm: Vespers
6:55pm Supper
7.30-8:30pm: Rosary, Adoration and Confessions
8.30pm: Social

Sunday
8-9am Breakfast
9am-9:45am: Schola Gregoriana rehearsal
10:30am: Sung/High Mass ( EF Dominican Rite Gregorian Chant)
11:45am-12:40pm: 3rd Talk - "Prayer and the Spiritual Life" - Conference Room 2
12:45-1pm Rosary
1pm: Lunch
2pm: Finish

2016 Young Catholic Adults Douai Weekend Update

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The 2016 Young Catholic Adults Douai weekend is sold out; however, the Masses and Marian procession (in the Parish Church next to the Abbey) are open to the public, see the details below:-

Sung/High Mass of Our Lady (EF -Roman Rite) - Saturday 29th October at 11am followed by a Marian procession in honour of Our lady of Fatima around the grounds of the Abbey (weather permitting).

Missa Cantata of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King ( EF - Dominican Rite) - Sunday 30th October  at 10:30am.

99 years ago today, approximately 50,000-70,000 people witnessed The Miracle of the Sun at Fatima.

 Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_of_the_Sun#/media/File:People_looking_miracle_sun.jpg

99 years ago today, approximately 50,000-70,000 people witnessed The Miracle of the Sun at Fatima. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

More Information:
https://www.ewtn.com/fatima/apparitions.asp

Just a Few Places Left at the 2016 Young Catholic Adults Weekend 28-30th Oct 2016

There are just a few places left for the Douai Abbey weekend:-

Cottages ( Shared - Full Board)

Cottages - Fri Night to Sunday lunchtime (full board) £82 per person.

Cottages - Sat night to Sunday lunchtime (full board) £41 per person.

Dormitory style accommodation. Deposit of £15 required to book this room - the remainder to be paid at the end of the weekend at the Abbey.

Booking cost:£15.00.
 

Come for the Day - Bring a Packed Lunch

Attend for the day on Sat or Sun

Booking cost:£12.00.

To book go to :- https://v1.bookwhen.com/yca-douai-2016.

*Please note to guarantee your place this year Douai Abbey have requested that everyone books in 3 weeks before the start of the weekend i.e.7th Oct 2016

Westminster Cathedral Administrator to Preach at 2016 Rosary Crusade

Canon Christopher Tuckwell, Administrator of Westminster Cathedral, will lead and preach at this year's Rosary Crusade on 8 October 2016. The video link shows Canon Tuckwell preaching at A Day with Mary at Westminster Cathedral in May 2016. Welcome Canon Tuckwell!

H/t: http://rosarycrusadeofreparation.blogspot.co.uk .

32nd Annual National Rosary Crusade of Reparation

Chelt Young Catholic Adults News

It's the Rosary and Wine evening tomorrow at 8pm at the Old Priory (Tues 13th Sept), St. Gregory's Church, followed by a social.

There will be a Cheese and Wine evening on Sat 24th Sept (details to follow).


To be put on the text alert list to receive more details please text 07908105787.

Also on 28th -30th Oct there will be a retreat for Young Catholic Adults at Douai Abbey. To book see:- https://v1.bookwhen.com/yca-douai-2016. Book early to avoid disappointment!

Free Rosary Packs Available!

Do you want to start your own Young Catholic Adult Rosary group? Free Rosary packs are available (containing 5 Rosaries, 5 booklets explaining how to say the Rosary and 5 Scapulars). 

 

Simply send a stamped addressed envelope (First or Second class), with a contact email address and the proposed time and location of your group to:-

28 Wheatland Drive, Cheltenham, Glos, GL51 0QA.

Packs sent worldwide and the the UK!

The Moment in which the Pope declares Mother Teresa a Saint

Five Reasons You Need to Go On A Catholic Retreat

 Religious Retreat- Canadian Catholics at Campion House, Osterley, Middlesex, England. Taken Sometime in-between 1940-45. Source: wiki commons.

"1. Get Away From Busy-ness and Stress
We have too many meetings and sports commitments and emails and voice mails and bills and chores. It is draining. Get away from everyday life completely and spend a day or two days or a week or a month on retreat filling up what has been drained away.

2. Be Quiet and Listen to God
It is a noisy world. God is always talking to us, but it can be difficult to hear what He is saying. The opportunities for quiet reflection in our day-to-day life are usually filled with music or podcasts or texting others or surfing the internet. Technology makes life easier and helps us to communicate more effectively with people we don’t see as much as we would like to, but it steals some of that communication time from God.
Go on retreat. Leave the phone, iPod, and computer at home. Spend some time talking to God and really listening to Him. A Catholic retreat is usually going to have time set aside to celebrate the Mass each day, and most often there will also be the opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration. What better way to listen to God than by spending an hour sitting with Him in prayer?

Don’t wait to communicate with God only at Mass and Adoration, though. By leaving the technology at home and really focusing your time on silence and prayer during a Catholic retreat you are able to more effectively hear God’s voice throughout your entire day.

3. Be around other Catholics
Every time I go on a guided retreat I rediscover what a joy it is to be around a group of Catholics trying to deepen their prayer life and live out their faith. Much of the time in everyday life we are not afforded the setting or the company to comfortably talk about our prayer life and our faith with others who share similar views and aspirations. On a retreat you will find others from all different walks of life, and sometimes from many different corners of the world, who are trying to escape the monotony of the day-to-day and improve their prayer life. Being in a group like this is truly a pleasure and will fill you with a joy that you can carry with you after retreat to fuel the motivation to keep your prayer life strong.

4. Or, Be Alone
Going on a directed retreat with others is a great experience, but once in a while we also need to just get away from everybody. Taking a private retreat at a hermitage or monastery is one of the great ways to refresh the soul. A private retreat affords you time for silence, prayer, holy reading, and reflection. Many places will also make the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and confession available to those on private retreat.

5. Jesus did it
Jesus spent forty days in the desert fasting and praying. You may only have the time to get away for one or two days, but the example has been set and we need to follow it.Find a good Catholic retreat centre, commit to a time, and go. It will do things for your relationship with God that you could have never imagined."

Taken from:- http://www.catholicretreats.net/5-reasons-you-need-to-go-on-a-catholic-retreat .