Mary, Mother of the Church

Earlier this year, Pope Francis decreed that the ancient devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Mother of the Church, be inserted into the Roman Calendar. The liturgical celebration, B. Mariæ Virginis, Ecclesiæ Matris, will be celebrated annually as a Memorial on the day after Pentecost.

Liturgical information is available on the Liturgy Office site – already given to many of you in advance of today’s celebration, but provided on this page for future reference as well.

Mass Proper: Votive Masses: Our Lady, Mother of the Church (RM p.1411)
Proper Preface: Mary, Model and Mother of the Church
Office: (Translation to be prepared by ICEL)
Lectionary: (The first reading(s) is taken from the Votive Mass for Mary, Mother of the Church, The remaining texts are new to the Lectionary and a translation of the necessary parts will be prepared by ICEL.)
Votive Mass of Mary Mary Mother of the Church (Lectionary III, p.841) might be used until the new texts are available.

Advertisements

Season of Lent

Check the Lent section of the Seasons page for resources to help with liturgy planning during Lent. The Season of Lent leaflet from the Liturgy Office is very useful as a starting point and source of background information.

“The annual observance of Lent is the special season for the ascent to the holy mountain of Easter. Through its twofold themes of repentance and baptism, the season of Lent disposes both the catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. Catechumens are led to the sacraments of initiation by means of the rite of election, the scrutinies, and catechesis. The faithful, listening more intently to the word of God and devoting themselves to prayer, are prepared through a spirit of repentance to renew their baptismal promises.”
(Ceremonial of Bishops, 249)

How to celebrate the Scrutinies without scaring the Catechumens! (From Team RCIA)

“How do we explain the scrutinies to the catechumens without scaring them?” That was a question Team RCIA received recently.
The structure and beautiful prayers of the rite don’t seem frightening, but perhaps we’re put off by the titles scrutiny and exorcism, which have been handed on to us from the ancient catechumenate of the third and fourth centuries.
Read more about this from Team RCIA, an article with historical background from Paul Turner, and another reflection on the Scrutinies.
And see the RCIA section of the Rites page for more links.

Psalm for 1st Sunday of Lent

For those of you who use Paul Inwood’s setting of Psalm 24 (25), “Remember, remember your mercy Lord”, here is an alternative refrain to reflect the Psalm response in the Lectionary for the 1st Sunday of Lent, Year B.
Use it in conjunction with the existing verses as found in Laudate, Celebration Hymnal and other resources.

Rite of Sending for Election

Here are texts from the RCIA for a parish celebration for Sending Catechumens for Election and Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop, ahead of the Rite of Election in Arundel Cathedral (Saturday 17th February at 2.30pm).

On the Rites page, you can find RCIA resources for Lent, including texts for celebrating the Scrutinies (on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent).

Society of St Gregory Spring Gatherings

The Society of Saint Gregory will once again be holding a series of Spring Gatherings, with talks, liturgies and workshops.
This year there will be a particular focus on planning and preparing for Mass, exploring the texts and music and what is needed for a truly worthy celebration.
All are welcome, whether members or not, particularly anyone involved in parish ministry.
The closest venue to A&B is in Portsmouth, at
St John’s Catholic Cathedral, Bishop Crispian Way,
PO1 3HG on Saturday, 28th April 2018 (10am – 4pm).
For further details, see the SSG’s Spring Gatherings page.

Adoremus – National Eucharistic Pilgrimage & Congress

The bishops of England and Wales will hold a National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress in Liverpool, 7th–9th September 2018.
Eucharistic Congresses are gatherings of clergy, religious and laity which promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Church.
The Liturgy Office site has a page offering a number of resources on Exposition of the Holy Eucharist and Preparatory material for parishes.
This material will continue to be added to over the coming year (2018).
For further details, see Adoremus on the Bishops’ Conference website.

Dates for Musicians 2018

Here are details of dates and venues for the Rite of Election, Chrism Mass and other diocesan liturgies and events during the coming year.
All are welcome to join the diocesan choir!
Please make a note of the Pentecost Vigil Mass with New Catholics at Arundel Cathedral on Saturday 19th May. (We’re trying to arrange the timetable for the afternoon to allow people to watch the Royal Wedding and/or the FA Cup Final, if they wish!)
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the months ahead.

Exploring Mark – a series on the Gospel of Mark with Fr Nicholas King SJ

The Gospel According to St Mark is the shortest of the four gospels but often tells of Jesus’ ministry in more detail.
A short series of video reflections, ‘Exploring Mark’, aims to bring us a little closer to Mark the Evangelist and his account of Jesus, his life and his ministry.
The commentary is provided by Fr Nicholas King SJ,  eminent author and Bible scholar, who offers his insights into particular areas of Mark’s Gospel.
Seven videos are available for use by individuals, groups and communities to accompany us in our renewed reading of the Gospel of St Mark through this liturgical year (2017-18, Year B).

“Live on in my love” – now available as a download

With verses from John’s Gospel (chapters 15 and 17) and a simple refrain which is especially easy to sing during the Communion procession, Live on in my love has become a very popular chant at diocesan liturgies, including during the Lourdes pilgrimage, and many people have asked where they can get hold of it.
It is now available to purchase as a downloadable pdf from Liturgical Press’s website.
Reproduction of the words or assembly music graphic is covered in the UK by a Calamus licence.