Investiture Ceremonies Friday 12^th to Sumday 14^th April 2024

This year the Lieutenancy was honoured to have the Grand Master, Fernando Cardinal Filoni, and the Governor General, His Excellency, Knight of the Collar Ambassador Count Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, attending the annual Investiture ceremonies in the Metropolitan Cathedral Church of St Mary, Edinburgh, the seat of the Lieutenancy’s Grand Prior, Archbishop Leo Cushley.   They took place over the evening of Friday 12^th April and the afternoon of Saturday 13^th April.   Our distinguished guests arrived late on the evening of Wednesday 10^th April and were able to indulge in some sightseeing on Thursday morning and afternoon.   They visited such places as Edinburgh Castle, the Parliament House, the Signet Library, and St. Giles’ Cathedral, the parish church of the Scottish reformer John Knox.

But our guests were not just tourists.   On Friday morning the Governor General held a business meeting with the Scottish Lieutenant, the Irish Lieutenant and the Lieutenant of England and Wales who were attending the Investitures.   This was followed by an informal lunch, to which the five postulants, their families, sponsors and the Lieutenancy Councillors and their spouses were invited.   All had the chance to meet our important guests in a very privileged but relaxed context.

After lunch the Grand Master addressed all those attending it, but particularly the postulants, on the spirituality of the Order.   He explained that this is based on the reaction of the holy women, the Apostles and the Disciples who, having witnessed the death and burial of Jesus realised after the Resurrection that their mission was to bear witness to that Resurrection and the teachings of Christ.  The Order’s own spirituality is to bear witness to the Risen Christ.   He then posed the question that if the Order is at the forefront of the Church’s activity who leads us in our actions?   The answer is quite simply, The Church.

The Cardinal explained the historic development of the Order under various Popes, starting with Pope Pius IX who in 1847 looked towards the mother church of Jerusalem and founded both the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the present-day Order to help support it.   The Grand Master argued that we contribute to the mother church, not because we are good, but out of love for our mother church which is in need.   He went on to argue that if we love our mother church, we must also love our local church, at both parish and diocesan levels and hence support it also.

Cardinal Filoni then turned to the concept of the shekhinah in the Jewish faith, the word denoting the ‘dwelling of the Divine presence’.   The Grand Master reminded us that Christ was brought up in the Jewish faith, instancing his presentation in the Temple and Simeon’s prayer there on that occasion.   He pointed to Jesus praying in the Temple at the outset of his public life, and his financial contribution to the Temple.   The book of Exodus shows how Moses looked forward to the promised land where God would dwell among his people.  The place where he did so was in the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s Temple where the Ark of the Covenant and the shekinah dwelt.   Anyone visiting the Temple contributed to help maintain the shekhinah there, and their love for the Lord was shown by that contribution.   Similarly, our contributions to the mother church of Jerusalem should be a sign of our love.

The Governor General then sketched out the world-wide dimension of the Order, and explained how the funds of 15,000,000 Euros contributed annually by its 30,000 members were distributed by the Latin Patriarchate.   Formerly this was distributed to help build and support churches, schools and universities, open to all, regardless of religion.   Now the greatest needs were humanitarian, as people had lost their homes, employment and livelihoods, in the West Bank as well as in Gaza.   He indicated that more contributions will be needed, and compared our contributions given in love to those given by parents to their children in need.

Questions then followed.   They covered the practical points of how to develop our spirituality and how we could increase the numbers of younger members.   To the first, the answer was to engage in activities which attracted others and to explain just what we do.   To the second, examples of initiatives were given and the sharing of experience was advocated.   All agreed that personal contacts were important in order to move forward.   The meeting closed by HE Michael Byrne, the Lieutenant for England and Wales, reminding us all that being a member of the Order is not something extra taken on, but is a fundamental part of living out one’s faith and that what we do better, we do better together.

The Vigil ceremony which followed a few hours later was presided over by the Grand Prior, Archbishop Cushley, in the present of the Cardinal Grand Master and the Governor General.   The Grand Prior blessed the new robes for the postulants and the insignia for the postulants and those being promoted.   The postulants assented to the Declaration and Promise committing them to observing a moral way of life and to uphold the Constitution of the Order and accepted the symbols of their new status, a sword and spurs for a Knight and a flask of scented oil for a Dame.   Then those who had been promoted to Knight and Dame Commander received their new insignia from the Grand Master himself, and the service ended with Benediction.

During the buffet supper which followed, the Grand Master and the Governor General willingly circulated around the different tables of members so that all attendees had the chance to talk to our distinguished but very human guests. 

At 13.30hrs on Saturday afternoon the Grand Master formally invested 3 Knights, 1 Dame and 1 Ecclesiastical Knight before a sizeable congregation, made up of members of the Lieutenancy, visiting Lieutenants, representatives of the Sovereign Order of Malta, a representative of Lord Lion of the College of Heralds, family members and friends.   The Grand Master was the chief celebrant for the ensuing pontifical High Mass, during which he delivered the homily.   In it he emphasised that all members of the Lieutenancy should lovingly support the mother church of Jerusalem, as well as their local church at parish and diocesan level.

Later that evening at the formal dinner, our distinguished visitors, members, and their guests were treated to hospitality with a distinctly Scottish theme.   Tartan, including the Lieutenancy’s own tartan, was in great evidence, and the Cardinal was also impressed by two military pipers who played three sets on the pipes and were rewarded with the customary dram.   Thanks to the generosity of one our new knights every person at the meal received both a miniature of Jura malt whisky and some pieces of Scottish tablet (a medium hard confectionery made of condensed milk, sugar and butter).   And as a parting gift the Lieutenant presented the Grand Master and the Governor General with a bottle each of the Lieutenancy’s own whisky “The Lieutenant’s Choice” a 12 year old malt whisky from Speyside usually sold to raise funds for the Holy Land.

Sadly, because of the cancellation of the original return flight, our distinguished guests had to leave in mid-morning of Sunday, so we were unable to share a final Mass with our Grand Master.   Nevertheless, we parted with our spirits warmed and stimulated by the Grand Master whose tender pastoral care, warm fatherly manner, keen sense of humour and clear interest in other people as also the gentle approach of the Governor General incited us all to work for the good of the Order, by our witness to the importance of the risen Lord and his message.

Saturday 18^th June 2023

MASS FOR OUR DECEASED MEMBERS

On Saturday 18^th November 2023, members of the Lieutenancy of Scotland gathered together to pray for its deceased members.   The Mass was celebrated by our new Grand Prior, Archbishop Cushley of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, in the intimate chapel of the St. Margaret’s Chapel at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh.   In his homily, the Archbishop reflected upon the Order’s purpose and how it had changed over the years.   Newly returned from the Order’s headquarters in Rome where he and the Lieutenant had been attending the five-yearly meeting of the world-wide Lieutenants and Grand Priors (The Consulta), he passed on to the congregation the thoughts of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, on the precarious and very sobering situation in Gaza.  The work of the Order to supply help to anyone in need is now needed more than ever.   The Grand Prior concluded by reminding members that they were gathered in St. Margaret’s to remember their deceased members, but that they should also remember their suffering brothers and sisters in humanity in the Holy Land.   Consequently, the Bidding Prayers of the Mass included not only each of the names of the 79 deceased members of the Lieutenancy, but also a special prayer to Our Lady Queen of Palestine for her help in caring for the land of her birth in its time of need.

After the Mass those attending were invited by the Archbishop to a finger buffet lunch in his adjacent residence.   His generous hospitality was greatly appreciated by all.  An added bonus was the chance which he gave to visit the small chapel added to his residence in 1903 and largely financed by the then third Marquis of Bute.    The chapel was intended to be modelled on Greek churches, but became an eclectic diversity of styles, incorporating Corinthian columns, 19^th century wooden panels, impressive 20^th century stained glass windows, as well as a restored parquet floor to restore harmony to the ensemble.

Members departed invigorated by the spiritual, cultural, and material benefits which they had received. 

Thursday 15th June 2023

GOLFING FOR ABOUD - 9TH CARDINAL WINNING MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The established tradition of the annual Cardinal Winning Memorial Charity Golf Day in aid of the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Palestinian town of Aboud some 25 miles north-west of Jerusalem took place for the 9th time on Thursday 15th June 2023. Coincidentally the day should also be remembered for the 22nd anniversary of the Cardinal’s funeral, Tempus Fugit.

Once more the location was the picturesque setting of Auchterarder Golf Club, Perthshire. It was organised by the Scottish Lieutenancy of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for whom help to Aboud is a special project within its overall mission to support the Church in the Holy Land. The weather was another glorious sunny day that the event has come to expect based on previous years and was ideal for the golf.

The open competition attracted a field of 58 golfers of both sexes. It was a highly competitive event and when the judges checked the scorecards Connor Farrell was declared the overall winner of the Cardinal Winning Memorial Trophy with Tricia Smith winning the Ladies Champion Trophy. Tom Ferrie won the Best Handicap Trophy recording the lowest score for players with a WHI handicap of 10 plus.  

Team 8 comprising of Fr. Des Keegan, Fr. Vincent Lockhart, Kieran McGinn and Owen McHugh won the Best Team Award for the lowest overall team score. Remarkably, for all the winning team members, it was their first time they had entered and played in the tournament. Furthermore Ryan Gardiner won the longest drive on Hole 17 whilst nearest the pin went to Paul Connelly on Hole 4. 

Despite the competition it was a very good-natured event, and over an excellent high tea old friendships were renewed and new ones made while exploits were discussed and analysed. The spirit of generosity was shown by a raffle, which raised an incredible £1,110.00 to which was then backed up with a further £1,160.00 from items in a charity auction held after the trophy presentations. The organisers would like to take the opportunity of thanking all the donors who offered prizes for the auction and the raffle. 

This was a day of high achievement despite having fewer golfers playing than in previous years the greatest of which was to raise a very large sum of money for Aboud. This will go towards making life a little more bearable for the Parishioners living in the West Bank. 

At the end of the day H.E. Ritchie Greig Lieutenant Emeritus of the Scottish Lieutenancy commented:

“I would like to thank all who supported today’s Charity Golf event which means a sum of £6,215 can now be used to support the mixed community in the village and the Parish of Aboud in the Holy Land. Our help changes the lives of the residents and gives real hope for the future knowing some people from another part of the world really care about their current struggles".

Saturday 29^th October 2022

OUR LADY QUEEN OF PALESTINE

The last Sunday in October is the feast of Our Lady, Queen of  Palestine.  This title is not well-known by most European Catholics, except for those who are members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.  Our Lady, Queen of Palestine is the patroness of the Order as well as the protector of Palestine.

To honour her, members of the Lieutenancy gathered in the Cathedral church of Our Lady of Good Aid in Motherwell on Saturday, 29 October, for a special Mass.   But this celebration in Our Lady’s honour was different from the usual one.   The Mass was preceded by a short, but meaningful, ceremony to install Archbishop Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrew’s and Edinburgh, as the Lieutenancy’s new Grand Prior (i.e. spiritual director}.  He succeeded Archbishop Conti who had been the Lieutenancy’s Grand Prior for the previous nine years.  The Lieutenancy looks forward to the spiritual direction which the new Grand Prior will provide.

Wednesday 19^th October 2022

The installation of the new Lieutenant for Scotland

Within the ancient royal hunting lodge of Falkland Palace in the village of Falkland (Fife) is a small Chapel Royal.   It is the only Chapel Royal in the United Kingdom where Mass is celebrated on a regular basis.   On 19^th October the chapel was full for the installation of the new Lieutenant for our Lieutenancy.

The congregation of Knights and Dames, together with their families, friends and guests witnessed H.E. Brigadier Joseph d’Inverno KC*HS succeed H.E Ritchie Grieg KGCHS who demitted office after nine years as Lieutenant.   Archbishop Mario Conti, the Grand Prior of the Lieutenancy, conducted the short ceremony and was principal celebrant at the Mass which followed.

At the start of the installation service the duties of a Lieutenant as specified in the Order’s Statutes were read out.   The Grand Prior then addressed the new Lieutenant advising him of the manner in which he should perform his duties, and asked whether he was willing to accept his new assignment.   Once H.E. d’Inverno had given his assent, the formal Decree of Appointment from the Order’s Grand Master in Rome was read.  After this, the retiring Lieutenant, Ritchie Grieg, presented his successor with the Lieutenancy standard and robed him with his cord of office.   The Grand Prior then pronounced a special blessing over the new Lieutenant.  This formally confirmed him in his new role.

There then followed a celebratory Mass at which the Grand Prior was the main celebrant.   In his homily he reflected on how the installation ceremony involved a process similar to the ordination of a priest or deacon.  Both ceremonies marked a change in a person and that person’s impact on others.   The Archbishop suggested that the family of the Order exemplifies the first reading of the Mass (Eph. 3, 2-12) by enabling the grace of God to work in each member to manifest the love of Christ.   Through the fulfilment of the charitable duty which each member promises he or she is contributing to build up the Church.

The ceremonies were followed by a convivial lunch at which some 70 people were present.   During the meal the new Lieutenant paid tribute to the work which his predecessor and his wife had accomplished and to the exemplary manner in which this had been achieved.   Over coffee  H.E. Joe d’Inverno announced Archbishop Conti’s retiral as Grand Prior of the Lieutenancy, a post he had held since 2013.   He thanked Archbishop Conti for his period as Grand Prior during which he had been very active in giving retreats, leading some 19 pilgrimages at home and abroad, presiding at Masses, and writing to members in pastoral need.   The new Lieutenant ended with the announcement that the Governor General of the Order had appointed Archbishop Conti as a Grand Prior of Honour in the Lieutenancy (i.e. Grand Prior Emeritus).   This decision and the previous remarks were met with warm applause.

The Lieutenancy now looks forward to the next stage in its development under the guidance of its new Lieutenant H E Joe d’Inverno and its new Grand Prior, Archbishop Leo Cushley.

6^th and 17^th September 2022

2022 VIGIL MASS AND INVESTITURE - ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, EDINBURGH

The Scottish Lieutenancy of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre formally admits new members to its ranks in a ceremony of Investiture.  This takes place only once a year, and in 2022 it took place in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh.    It was an occasion of great joy for the members for there had not been a full service of Investiture since 2019 due to the restrictions imposed by COVID.   Even though the Lieutenancy invested 10 Knights and Dames in 2021 in Dundee, this was done under very strict restrictions, which meant that much of the symbolism of the ceremony could not take place.  

Happily, in 2022 an easing of restrictions meant that the full ceremonies could be held.   However, there was only one new recruit this year, probably due to the severe drop in social interaction over the preceding two years.   Frances Gallagher from Glasgow was formally admitted to the Lieutenancy of Scotland over a Vigil service on Friday 16^th September and an Investiture service the following day.   The Vigil took the form of a series of readings from the Old and New Testaments each emphasising an aspect of the charitable work of the Order or its spirituality, based on the death and Resurrection of Christ.    In the course of the service Frances, as a postulant, made a solemn promise to fully accept the spiritual and material duties which membership of the Order entails.    The next day Archbishop Conti, the Grand Prior of the Lieutenancy, formally cloathed her in the robe of a Dame of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and presented with her neck cross, a red Jerusalem cross to remind her of the five wounds of Christ, and also her parchment scroll attesting her new status.

The formal Investiture ceremony was followed by a special Mass in which the Easter Gospel of the Resurrection was prominent.   The homily, delivered by Mgr. Stephen Alker KCHS, gave an overview of the history of the Order, and skilfully combined a eulogy of the late Queen, who had died during the previous week, with the qualities that membership of the Order demands.   And after both the Vigil and the Investiture members of the Lieutenancy and their guests shared a convivial meal to celebrate the arrival of a new member and to strengthen the bonds of fellowship between each other.

24th July 2022

A message from His Excellency Ritchie Greig

I am pleased to announce that His Excellency, Viscount Modrone, Governor General of the Order, has informed me that His Eminence Cardinal Filoni, Grand Master of the Order, has selected:

Chevalier Brigadier Joseph d’Inverno QVRM TD WS ADC KCHS

as the new Lieutenant of Scotland. Brigadier d’Inverno will take up Office on the 1st September 2022.

I am delighted that Brigadier Joseph has accepted this Office as service to the Church.

Please give him every support.

Kind regards,

Ritchie

4th September 2021

2020/21 INVESTITURE - ST ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL, DUNDEE

The Investiture ceremonies for our Lieutenancy were a special cause of rejoicing this year.   We were forced to cancel our Investitures in 2020 because of the restrictions imposed on gatherings due to COVID.   This year was therefore the first time in two years that the Lieutenancy was able to come together to celebrate the admission of new members, and to meet face to face with each other.   The ceremonies were simplified and adapted to ensure the minimum of risks to health, but the entrance of new members to the Lieutenancy through their public assent to the values of the Equestrian Order and their formal clothing as members was able to be conducted in a meaningful manner.

Because this had not happened in 2020, this year saw the formal admission of ten new members, four from 2020 and six from 2021.   The Lieutenancy was greatly heartened to see such a large group of recruits, five Dames and five Knights, boosting its ranks.   They were drawn from a range of ages, and from throughout Scotland, spanning Bridge of Don to Edinburgh and Glasgow, with points east and west in between.

Bishop Stephen Robson, Bishop of Dunkeld, was the Principal Celebrant at the Vigil and Investiture ceremonies, which were held in his cathedral church of St. Andrew in Dundee.   He himself was invested into the Order in 2018 and wished to reflect on what being a member entailed.   Hence, in his homilies over the ceremonies of Vigil and Investiture he concentrated on the history of the Order and on its spirituality addressing how both were relevant to the present day.

He traced how historically what had been an order of military knights physically fighting to gain supremacy in the Holy Land had evolved into religious knights whose perspective had evolved into a zeal for the land of Jerusalem, through support for those Christians who lived in the Holy Land.   He explained how this calling was intimately linked to the Christian vocation and how it was founded on the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.   He considered how the architecture of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre contains within it both Calvary and the Tomb of Christ, just as the Eucharist embodies the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ.   As a junction with eternity the Eucharist is a means of accomplishing the Christian mission.   As a result he asserted that the modern knight or dame should be both a doer of the faith and a defender of the faith, gaining people for God by example rather than by coercion.   To succeed in this the individual needs to live the Cross, with the Eucharist at its heart.   A knight or dame has to manifest the faith that Christ has lived and died for us by his or her example, prayers, and in their imagination and in their hearts.

Bolstered by these reflections, by the physical act of meeting together, and by the thought that once more the usual programme of events could be safely put into place, those attending the ceremonies left Dundee in good heart.   They look forward to their next encounter in October to celebrate the feast of Our Lady, Queen of Palestine, patroness of the Order.

30th September 2020

OCTOBER REFLECTIONS ON OUR LADY, AND WITH THE EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE  OF JERUSALEM, LEADING TO THE FEAST OF QUEEN OF PALESTINE, 24/25 OCTOBER, BY FATHER MICHAEL CONROY KCHS

In the town called Deir Rifat which is situated halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is the Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Palestine. It was in in the Lieutenancy of Sheriff Frank Lunny that our pilgrimages to the Holy Land have since incorporated a visit to the Shrine as part of our itinerary. At the entrance to the Monastery inhabited by the Little sisters of Bethlehem is a large statue of Mary with an outstretched hand under which is the title “Reginae Palestine”. It is as if Mary is intercessing not just for the land of her birth but for the global meaning of salvation and hope achieved through Jesus. The words of John`s Gospel, 3, 15 sum up the gesture: “For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him  may not perish but may have eternal life.”

Inside the church is a vaulted ceiling with a painting, in soft blue-white-golden  colours,  showing angels floating around carrying banners with the first two words of the `Hail Mary` in 280 languages. It is somewhat dreamlike and mesmerising. The sensation is one of looking and reciting the Hail Mary in your own language in a slow, prayerlike manner.

Indeed, the Hail Mary prayer is central to Roman Catholic spirituality, liturgy and personal piety. It is the basis of the Rosary, the Angelus and no one could ever imagine a Lourdes pilgrimage without the evening Torchlight Procession with the recitation of the Hail Mary in different languages.

The `Hail Mary` prayer?

The full and final version of today`s Hail Mary took many centuries to be decided upon and be recognised by the Catholic Church. It is made up of 3 parts: two from the Infancy Narrative of Luke`s Gospel, and the last part written by the Church.

Hail (Mary), full of grace, [Luke,1:28 . THE ANNUNCIATION STORY].

The Lord is with thee. [Gabriel to Mary].

Blessed art thou among women [Luke,1:42 THE VISITATION STORY]

and blessed is the fruit of your womb (Jesus) [Elizabeth to Mary]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now, [SUPPLIED BY THE CHURCH]

and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Hail Mary is a prayer taught to all of us from our infancy, at home, at school and in church. In everyday language and literature it is recounted that people say it as a prayer of desperation and want. It is like asking Mary to-be-there-with-us in our needs.  There is evidence of it in sporting venues, it can be called a Hail Mary “pass”; in exams/testing situations , it is like a Hail Mary “moment “ of thanksgiving for revelation and  in times of decision-making it is a sense of needing spiritual  supplication beyond our own capacity. Furthermore some people carry a Rosary and wear a Miraculous Medal as if it is part of their  daily apparel and necessities. Prayer on the move.

Maybe all this describes you? And why not: Mary has been called Mother of the Church of which we are `children`.

From a theological point of view, Pope St. Paul VI ,1974, summed up the meaning of the Hail Mary prayer in his apostolic exhortation ,Marialis Cultus, #57 : “The Blessed Virgin`s role as Mother  leads the People of God to turn  with filial confidence  to her  who is ever ready  to listen  with a mother`s affection and efficacious  assistance to call on her  as the Consoler of the afflicted ,the Health of the sick and the Refuge of sinners, that they may find  comfort in tribulation, relief in sickness and liberating strength  in guilt. For she, who is free from sin, leads her children to combat sin with energy and resoluteness.”

In October and leading to the Feast of Our Lady, Queen of Palestine of Palestine, let us reflect and pray for the work of the Order, Lieutenancy of Scotland, our members, family, friends, and ourselves.

10th September 2020

GOLFING FOR ABOUD

The established tradition of a an annual charity Golf Day in aid of the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Palestinian town of Aboud some 25 miles north-west of Jerusalem took place for the sixth time this year on Thursday 10 September 2020. The Tournament was delayed from our usual month of June till September this year due the Covid virus, which has caused many problems across the country. Once more the location was the picturesque setting of Auchterarder Golf Club, Perthshire. It was organised by the Scottish Lieutenancy of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for whom help to Aboud is a special project within its overall mission to support the Church in the Holy Land. And though the weather for the event did not match the glorious sunshine of previous years the dry cool conditions, which was ideal for the golf.

The open competition attracted a field of 54 golfers of both sexes. It was a highly competitive event and when the judges checked the scorecards Graham Bowstead was declared the overall winner of the Cardinal Winning Memorial Trophy with Sheila McKee winning the Ladies Champion Trophy. Graham Bowstead, Huw Jones, Ian Pryde and David McInroy won the Best Team Award for the lowest overall team score. Ryan Gardiner won the longest drive whilst nearest the pin went to Tommy Stewart.

Despite the competition it was a very good-natured event, and over an excellent high tea old friendships were renewed and new ones made while exploits were discussed and analysed. The spirit of generosity was shown by a raffle, which raised £860.00 to which was added £700.00 from items in a charity auction held before the trophy presentations.

This was a day of high achievement despite having fewer golfers due to the health restrictions the greatest of which was to raise a very large sum of money for Aboud. This will go towards making life a little more bearable for the Parishioners living in the West Bank.

At the end of the day Joe McEnaney, one of the organisers, commented “I would like to thank all who supported today’s Charity Golf event which means a sum of £6,865 can now be used to support the mixed community in the village and the Parish of Aboud in the Holy Land. Our help changes the lives of the residents and gives real hope for the future knowing some people from another part of the world really care about their current plight".

28th June 2020

'SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS: FEAST OF STS. PETER AND PAUL' BY FATHER MICHAEL CONROY KCHS

Our Church has a great reverence for this Feast. The two saints were, and are, pillars not just of early Christianity and its growth but also for our present Church amidst global Covid 19 anxiety, and a need for leadership and guidance. Both have basilicas named after them in Rome, and in Vatican City where they were martyred. Today, St. Peter`s Basilica is where the Pope preaches to the world in times of hope and fear. Today, St. Paul`s Outside the Walls is where people remember the man who spread the Christian message to the peoples  of the World, and  has  been  a source of encouragement to millions of missionaries throughout the centuries to carry on the preaching of Jesus Christ.

The question is: what did it take, and what does it take, to be a holy person/saint? The next paragraph could be difficult reading for us all!

At the time of Jesus` suffering and death the Gospels portray Peter in a less than holy manner. He comes across in John`s Gospel,18:17 as a liar regarding Jesus, and in Luke`s Gospel, 22: 60, as a denier about Jesus. And all this took place some hours after the Last Supper where he sat next to Jesus. Psalm 41:9 has an arresting phrase about two friends who broke bread and then was betrayed by his companion. It would not have been lost on both Jesus and Peter. Indeed, Peter subsequently, [ Luke,22:62,] “went outside and wept bitterly.” The first time we read about Paul is in the Acts of the Apostles,7:59-8:1 describing the stoning of Stephen, a follower of the Way. It reads [NRSV], “The witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul[who] approved of their killing him. That day a severe persecution began against the church. Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.” The Catholic Jerome Biblical Commentary states: “The `youth` has now become the organizer of the persecution; he has passed from the silent, passive witness to the active destroyer.”

And yet Jesus loved them. This process of being loved= chosen, protected, cherished can be discerned in the ways Jesus interacted in the lives of Peter and Paul. It is a process of relationship: Peter and Paul, in their own actions, deeds, words responded to Jesus, who was the Way, the Truth and the Life of God on earth. In spiritual terms it is a process which they embody for you and me. Perhaps we can associate, identify and see ourselves in their lives.

I offer an outline of this process for our reflection.

AWARENESS. It took time for Peter and Paul to know Jesus. Yes, it was not just temporal time, but a sense of `quality time` with Jesus in their lives: times of worry, doubt, wonderment and questioning.  For Peter it was awareness of seeing and listening to Jesus talking about Abba and his plan of reconciliation, and then becoming one of his followers. Later after spending time together, Jesus asks his disciples, [Mark,10:27-30] “Who do people say I am?”. Peter replies, “You are the Christ.” There was a dawning within Peter that Jesus was somewhat unique and different from other Rabbis/Teachers. It took the Resurrection to have that awareness fully realised. Yes, Peter’s faith did at times fracture but he kept staying on, and staying with Jesus in spite of his doubts.

Paul`s conversion experience, whose spiritual depth is profound did take time. He had near-enough a decade of time before being accepted by the early Christian church he had persecuted. His awareness of Jesus embodying God`s presence is creatively reflected in his, much later, Letter to the Colossians1:15, “He is the image of the unseen God, the first born of all creation.”  Paul had spiritually developed from that `youth ‘of yesteryear. For us today, as followers of Jesus we do go from awareness to doubt because we are struggling with issues and dilemmas beyond our comprehension. We can at times slide into doubt, slip into apprehension or slink away into detachment. Like Peter and Paul, we can slowly develop that awareness to hear the quiet words of Jesus: ` Follow me, I am the shepherd, I know the way. `

ATTACHMENT. One of the most reflective themes in the life of Paul is the spiritual depth of his Letters. This is illustrated in his Letter, 1 Corinthians, 13,1-13, the hymn on Love. His affection and attachment to Jesus is moving and tender. His phrase,” Love does not come to an end” sums up his relationship with Jesus. Nothing would separate Jesus and himself. Paul lived as he wrote. Jesus would protect and care for him, ‘for better, for worse, for richer for poorer`. It was like a covenant of trust.

This attachment to Jesus is also tenderly reflected in Peter`s answer to Jesus ` question on whether they were going to leave on  hearing that others  were abandoning him on account of his teaching. His response comes from hours of talk, prayer and being together [John, 6, 68] “Lord, to whom shall we go ?  You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Both Peter and Paul despite all their anxieties and worries never stopped talking to Jesus about issues. Prayer is the universal language with God and us amidst all the babbling around us which can be disorienting.

ACCEPTANCE. The Gospels portray Peter as one of the closest apostles beside James and John. He confides in him. It us why the 3 denials of Jesus by Peter are so confusing and disturbing to those who read the Gospels. It is generally accepted that it corresponds with Jesus’ threefold questioning of Peter [John,21,15-29]: “Do you love me?”. It comes across as moment of truth. For both it is a test of the depth of their relationship. The last words of Jesus,” Follow me” in human, spiritual terms are words  of acceptance. It is a passage worth reflecting on at any time for us.

Paul in his Letter, 2 Corinthians,12: 7-10, talks of his difficulties of following Jesus in very human terms; “a thorn in the flesh”. Only Paul knows what it is. He does not elaborate. Why should he? It is for generations of people over the past 2,000 years who have read his Letter to be sensitive to   his pain, worry and anxiety. His words, “For it is when I am weak that I am strong” reflect an acceptance that the Lord understands and is close to him in his vulnerability. Perhaps, the words speak to us in our conscience. Maybe in our quiet moments when we are alone with our thoughts and emotions, we may want to hear the voice of Jesus, [Matthew,11:28], “Come to me.”

In conclusion, there is a Peter and Paul within all of us, let us reflect on their spirituality.

Globally, many priests were ordained on this Feast day. As parishes, worldwide, are reorganising to make sense of Covid 19, let us pray for priests and parishioners as they together spread the message of Jesus Christ proclaimed by Sts. Peter and Paul.

May 2020

REFLECTIONS ON THE HOLY ROSARY BY FATHER MICHAEL CONROY KCHS

1.            The Rosary is all about real people, [Jesus, Mary, the followers/disciples of Jesus], real gospel places, [Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem] and real human experiences happiness, suffering, death, hope]. The Rosary is about human themes, birth, marriage, ordination, death. It encapsulates the milestones of all of us on our Christian life-journey.

2.            For us today this is important because we are real people living through real, cruel and unpredictable experiences all over the world. For all of us in Scotland   these experiences have frozen us in time, and perhaps in fear and anxiety. Through Mary to Jesus, [the motto of Lourdes] in the Rosary, we are living out our Christian faith, and perhaps with little or no faith, with millions before us who have looked to God, somewhere, for help in our human lostness.

3.            The Rosary is made up of 4 mysteries: In the Bible, a mystery is akin to something being known but not fully understood. The phrase looking through a glass darkly can make sense of mystery-experience. It is as if we see but not very clearly.

Joyful: Annunciation to Mary, Visitation to Elizabeth, Birth of Jesus, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the Finding of Jesus.

* we are joyful, but knowing  life has setbacks and limitations.

Sorrowful: Agony in the Garden, the Scourging, the Crowning with thorns, the Way of the Cross, the Crucifixion and glorious.

* we are sorrowful, and not knowing how the sadness will pass.

Glorious: the Resurrection, the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy spirit on the Disciples, the Assumption of Mary, the Coronation of Mary.

* we are glorious, and praying that we do not lose faith amidst loss and pain.

Light [=Revelation]: the Baptism of Jesus, the Revelation of Jesus at Cana, Galilee, the Proclamation of the Gospel, the Transfiguration of Jesus, the Institution of the Eucharist.

* we are enlightened by faith and praying for attachment to Jesus amidst our anxieties.

4.            Each Mystery in the Rosary has 5 decades, that is 5 sets of 10 Hail Mary prayers. Each decade has a theme, which describes universal human experiences:

THE JOY OF BIRTH, THE SADNESS OF DEATH, HOPE, A SENSE OF BELONGING, EMOTIONAL TORTURE, LOST AND BEING RE-UNITED, MEETING FRIENDS/FAMILY IN THE KINGDOM.

5.            Every time we say the Rosary, either by our self or in a group, we are with God who asked Mary to be the mother of his Son, Jesus. She was disturbed but trusted Him because, for better for worse, she always believed in the Holy Spirit of Consolation, which described God in his holy words:

DO NOT BE AFRAID, I HAVE CALLED YOU BY YOUR NAME TOU ARE MINE.

It came to me recently looking at First Holy Communion photographs in May, of my words to our young people praying to Mary, that we may not have a Rosary, but God has given us ten fingers to help and guide us in our “Hail Mary” prayers!

I am sure there is a “child” in all of us just now.

2019 INVESTITURES OF THE ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE

Just over 80 Knights and Dames from the Scottish Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem came together recently in St. Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley, to welcome two new members to their ranks.   Francis Murphy and Malcolm Veal, both from the Diocese of Dunkeld, were admitted to the Order during its annual Investiture ceremonies.   During a reflective Vigil service on the Friday evening their cloaks and insignia were blessed, and they made a solemn promise to uphold the values of the Order.  The following morning, after the Bull announcing their admission to the Papal Order had been read, both new members were formally clothed in their ceremonial white robes and red neck crosses.

In his homily at the Mass celebrating their Investiture, Archbishop Conti, the Grand Prior of the Scottish Lieutenancy, reflected upon some of the phrases in the Bull and set them into the historical period from which they had arisen when the Order was re-organised by Pope Pius IX in the mid 19^th century.   Whereas social mores and warfare shaped the expression of the Order’s work then, the Archbishop looked to how this should be interpreted in a modern context.  He picked up the words used in the scrutiny of candidates and the exhortations delivered to Knights and Dames when they are invested.    He reflected that modern members of the Order are called to witness to Gospel values through their life and good works.   He emphasised that the charity practiced is corporate as well as personal and that the Order’s cause becomes a reality when members live out these values together.   He closed by urging the Lieutenancy to pray and reflect on how it might better draw to the attention of our own country the plight of the increasingly marginalised poor Christians in the Holy Land, and how it might more fully realise the justice of their cause and of their Palestinian neighbours.

Coincidentally the same theme was taken up during the annual Chapter Meeting, or AGM, held immediately after Mass.   There Prof. Bart McGettrick, a member of the Lieutenancy who convenes the world-wide Order’s committee on the Holy Land overseeing existing projects and recommending new ones to the Order’s governing council, briefed members on the changing emphasis on the Order’s work.   Given the increasingly difficult social and political context of Palestine he explained how the Order was shifting its financial priorities away from providing buildings towards supporting people.   It was doing so under three headings: education, humanitarian aid, and pastoral care.  The Order is now seeking to counter the rising secularism in the education sector, and to provide humanitarian aid for the increasing numbers of vulnerable and marginalised children, adults and families to give them a sense of hope for the future.   It is also investigating how modern technology can help us express our solidarity by praying with and for them.

After the ceremony new Knight Francis Murphy said: “The rehearsals before the investiture took me back in time to when I went through training as an Altar boy years ago in St Patrick's Banbridge.   The vigil service on Friday and the investiture Mass on Saturday were both heart-warming and prayerful. When the cloak was placed on me I felt a great peace in my heart.    I hope to serve the Order for many years, God willing.”

16 Jun 19

DRIVING FOR ABOUD

The established tradition of an annual charity Golf Day in aid of the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Palestinian town of Aboud some 25 miles north-west of Jerusalem took place for the fifth time this year. Once more the location was the picturesque setting of Auchterarder Golf Club, Perthshire and once more they came from the north, south, east and west of Scotland. It was organised by the Scottish Lieutenancy of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for whom help to Aboud is a special project within its overall mission to support the Church in the Holy Land. And though the weather for the event did not match the glorious sunshine of previous years the wind and rain held off, on a day when the forecast was for very heavy rain.

07 Apr 19

THE LIEUTENANCY LENTEN RETREAT 2019

The Lieutenancy Lenten retreat took place from the evening of Friday 5^th April to lunchtime on Sunday 7^th April.   It was led by Mgr. Stephen Alker KCHS and held in the peaceful rural surroundings of the Schoenstatt Retreat Centre near Lennoxtown.   Mgr Alker provided stimulating spiritual guidance in talks on the Good News of Salvation, and on the Human Face of the Divine as well as one on the role that chaplains play in the armed forces, a role that he himself had undertaken for 28 years.

Mgr. Alker based the Good News of Salvation on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, from which the Spiritual Director emphasised the importance of helping the poor and thereby giving them hope.   Ranging from St. John Chrysostom through Canon Law and his own experience as a military chaplain he illustrated how when we give to the poor we incarnate Christ and bring him to others.   He argued that giving to others is not charity but justice because it makes all people equal.

In the Human Face of the Divine Mgr Alker focussed on the redemptive power of love choosing as illustrations the musical and film Les Misérables and the mystery of the Incarnation.   He challenged his listeners to look at humanity through the eyes of Christ who himself took flesh in a ravaged world.   Les Misérables, in all their misery, still hope and have an inner vision worth fighting for animated by the power of love.   And Christ, who took on our human condition and endured a horrific death shows that love for others can triumph over death itself.

A constant refrain throughout the talks was the repeated refrain that Christ is risen, the tomb is empty, that we live in a world of hope, and must play our part in seeing Christ in others.   The participants left the retreat spiritually refreshed and eagerly looking forward to the great feast of Easter.

Nov 18

ST. MARY’S STIRLING – 27TH NOVEMBER 2018; REQUIEM MASS FOR THE DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE SCOTTISH LIEUTENANCY OF THE ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE

HOMILY given by the Most Reverend Archbishop Mario Conti

“Do not let your hearts be troubled” - The first words of the Gospel passage we have just heard. It is difficult not to feel somewhat troubled when we gather to remember the deceased of the Order and consider that some day, far off or nearer to hand, God knows when, our names will be among those on the list!

I remarked to my successor last week as he arrived in the sacristy from the small crypt below the Cathedral, “were you down to see where you will be buried?”, only to receive the answer, “I was looking to see where I would be burying you!”. It was light-hearted banter, but as he remarked at the beginning of the Mass for our deceased clergy, “It is a sobering thought!”

As we approach the end of the Liturgical year, the Readings in the Lectionary and in the Divine Office are sobering as they address the four last things, Death, Judgment, Hell and Heaven. The first, death, is certain; the second, Judgment, is a warning; Hell and heaven are the alternatives in the judgment.

But Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled”! On the way our hearts ARE troubled, Lord, - to paraphrase Thomas’ objection, “we do not know where we are going, so how do we know the way?” Jesus answers, “I am the way”.

Do we understand?

When both Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, said, “If you had been here our brother would not have died”. Jesus answered them in a similar manner, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die”.

St. Paul writing to Timothy declares: “Here is a saying you can rely on: If we have died with him, then we shall live with him. If we hold firm, then we shall reign with him. We may be unfaithful, but he is always faithful; he cannot disown his own self”. These word echo Christ’s own saying, for after saying “I am the way”, he says, “I am the truth and the Life”.

This is why we should not let our hearts be troubled, and that - despite all our difficulties in imagining what it is going to be like – I mean both the way and the place.

 “I am going now” said Jesus to the disciples “to prepare a place for you” – and if we read on, the place is with the Father, “my Father and your Father” as Jesus described him to Mary Magdalen in the garden of his resurrection. “No one can come to the Father except through me” he said.

St. John who wrote this, wrote also, “what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed...  all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is”.

This is a truly profound insight since we can only truly relate to someone who is like us. “We shall be like Him”. This certainly means a change in us. “We shall all be changed”, wrote St. Paul to the Corinthians “because our present perishable nature must put on imperishability and this mortal nature must put on immortality”.

So “do not let your hearts be troubled”, - neither when thinking of those who have gone before us, for even in the Old Testament we are assured by the Book of Wisdom: “The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going like a disaster, their leaving us like annihilation, but they are in peace”.

There is one further assurance before we close the book of Scripture:

“They who trust in Him will understand the truth; those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen”.  May their souls, and souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 

AMEN

With thanks to Archbishop Mario for his words of wisdom.

Oct 18

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land by members of the Scottish Lieutenancy

A group of members of the Scottish Lieutenancy of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre has recently returned from a week’s pilgrimage in the Holy Land.  The group was led by Bishop Toal, himself a member of the Order, and included two other priests.   For many, including the Bishop, it was their first visit to the Holy Land.   First-timer Mike White from Edinburgh, who joined the Order in September this year, gave the following account of their visit.

The countryside varied from verdant pastures, plantations and olive groves to inhospitable rocky hillsides and scrub land, walls, steep valleys, then high rise flats, wire fences and check points. The roads were smooth and free of potholes unlike those in Edinburgh!! We saw few camels, goats, or wildlife.

Tiberias was our base for the first 3 days.   The weather was warm, we were well below sea level.   Our opening Mass was concelebrated outside in a small open chapel by the shores of the Lake Galilee – this set the tone of worship for the week.   We then visited Tagbha where the 5000 were fed on 5 loaves and 2 fishes, before moving to visit St. Peter's house in Capernaum.   We lunched on Tilapia fish from the lake which was delicious!!  We visited the Mount of Beatitudes then we boarded a 'Jesus' boat for a trip on the Lake of Galilee – a peaceful time for prayer and reflection, before being entertained by the captain playing 'Flower of Scotland!!' the Saltire flying from the masthead.

Our second day saw us in Cana and Nazareth, Mass was celebrated in the Basilica of the Annunciation.   The sites associated with Joseph and Mary were distinctive and impressive.   The following day we travelled down the valley of the river Jordan, stopping at the site of Christ’s Baptism near the Allenby Bridge.  We walked down to the river, watched parties of pilgrims suitably clad in white dresses with bathing costumes underneath, praying and being totally immersed in the water. We renewed our baptismal vows, some of us standing in the River to cool down!   There was a clear boundary line along the middle of the river between the West Bank and Jordan which we were forbidden to cross.   We then returned to our coach and continued to Jericho and to the church of the Good Shepherd.   From there by cable car we ascended to the top of the Mount of Temptation.   Some of us walked the twisting path up to a Greek Orthodox Monastery.   The views of the surrounding countryside were spectacular.   From Jericho we travelled on to Jerusalem to visit the Western Wall, dominated by the Golden Dome of the Rock.    Here pilgrims are divided into male and female when approaching the wall.

For the next four days we stayed in Jerusalem at the Notre Dame Centre, an impressive complex where we celebrated Mass and evening prayers in the chapel before dinner on our first night.   The following morning our pilgrimage Mass was celebrated in the Latin Patriarchate, and archdiocese for Latin rite Christians largely financed by the Order.  It was followed by the moving award ceremony of Pilgrim Shells to those of us who were pilgrims in the Holy Land for the first time.

We then travelled to Bethlehem for a brief tour and lunch at Bethlehem University.   This was illuminating.   It is the place of learning for 3200 students and the only Catholic University in the Holy Land open to all faiths.   We were able to meet many of the staff and students.   The aspirations of the Resources Centre are admirable and impressive.

Our final three days were spent in and around Jerusalem.   We walked from the Mount of Olives down to the Church of Dominus Flevit to attend Mass.    We walked through the Garden of Gethsemane before visiting the Cave of Betrayal, and the tomb of the Virgin.    After lunch we visited the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu built over Caiaphas's house.    The Upper Room on Mount Zion and Dormition of Our Lady particularly struck home with me.

Our penultimate day was taken up with the visit to the Palestinian village of Aboud for Sunday Mass with the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows, a community which the Scottish Lieutenancy particularly supports.   We met many of the community and children of this beleaguered Christian Palestinian village.   It is remarkable that they can survive in their hostile environment.   After lunch, the Jordanian parish priest, Fr. Salam Haddad, answered our questions and explained the current difficulties facing the Aboud community.

On our return to Jerusalem we walked through the bazaars and followed the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross, along the traditional route Jesus took bearing his cross from Pilate's Judgement Hall to Golgotha the site of the Crucifixion.   This ends at Calvary and the Tomb of Christ in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre which was very crowded with other multinational pilgrims.   We queued to see the empty tomb, but after an hour and a half we gave up!

On our last day we returned to the Basilica for an early Mass in the Latin Chapel on Calvary, all members of EOHSJ in robes.   After Mass we were able to beat the crowds and managed to enter and see the empty tomb, the culmination of a pilgrimage for any Knight or Dame of the Holy Sepulchre.

We left Jerusalem to visit Ain Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist, and on to the Crusader Church at Emmaus.   Our final Mass was celebrated in the Shrine of our Lady Queen of Palestine, where we had a short period of reflection before our final bus journey to Ben Gurian airport.

Mike’s account finishes with the following observation:  “My overall impression of our Pilgrimage is of wonder that we witnessed so much of the life and death of Our Lord.   We experienced the foundation of Christianity first hand, and witnessed the difficulties faced by those who live in these troubled lands today.   We all benefitted from this historical and spiritual experience.   It was an unforgettable Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.” 

29 Sep 18

Holy See Press Office Communiqué

The Holy Father has decided to invite all the faithful, of all the world, to pray the Holy Rosary every day, during the entire Marian month of October, and thus to join in communion and in penitence, as the people of God, in asking the Holy Mother of God and Saint Michael Archangel to protect the Church from the devil, who always seeks to separate us from God and from each other.

In recent days, before his departure for the Baltic States, the Holy Father met with Fr. Fréderic Fornos, S.J., international director of the World Network of Prayer for the Pope, and asked him to spread this appeal to all the faithful throughout the world, inviting them to conclude the recitation of the Rosary with the ancient invocation “Sub Tuum Praesidium”, and with the prayer to Saint Michael Archangel that he protect us and help us in the struggle against evil (cf. Revelation 12, 7-12).

The prayer – the Pontiff affirmed a few days ago, on 11 September, in a homily at Santa Marta, citing the first book of Job – is the weapon against the Great Accuser who “goes around the world seeking to accuse”. Only prayer can defeat him. The Russian mystics and the great saints of all the traditions advised, in moments of spiritual turbulence, to shelter beneath the mantle of the Holy Mother of God pronouncing the invocation “Sub Tuum Praesidium”.

The invocation “Sub Tuum Praesidium” is recited as follows:

“Sub tuum praesidium confugimus Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo Gloriosa et Benedicta”.

[We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin].

With this request for intercession the Holy Father asks the faithful of all the world to pray that the Holy Mother of God place the Church beneath her protective mantle: to preserve her from the attacks by the devil, the great accuser, and at the same time to make her more aware of the faults, the errors and the abuses committed in the present and in the past, and committed to combating without any hesitation, so that evil may not prevail.

The Holy Father has also asked that the recitation of the Holy Rosary during the month of October conclude with the prayer written by Leo XIII:

“Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute, in infernum detrude. Amen”.

[Saint Michael Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen].

The Order marches on - 2018 Investiture

Each year the Scottish Lieutenancy of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem holds a set of formal ceremonies through which new members are inducted into the Order.   This year they were held in the Jesuit church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Edinburgh.   There were seven new members, and by happy coincidence, three of them were parishioners of that parish.   The other recruits stemmed from Bridge of Allan, Stirling, Dundee, and Kirkcaldy.   And fortuitously between them all seven neatly and symmetrically covered all the membership categories of the Order.   There were three Knights, three Dames and one clerical Knight.

The Investiture ceremony is in two parts, held over two days.   The first is an evening service when the new Knights and Dames keep vigil, recalling the knights of old who kept vigil over their arms before being invested with them the next morning.   During the modern vigil ceremony the postulants’ robes and insignia are blessed and the new members pray and listen to readings from the Scriptures.   In his homily at the Vigil service Archbishop Cushley reminded the congregation that the readings highlight the spiritual, financial, and moral obligations which members of the Order take on.   He emphasised their need to identify with the suffering Christ, through whom resurrection and true happiness are found.   The postulants then publically made a solemn promise to uphold Catholic values and those of the Order.

The following day Bishop Stephen Robson, Louise and Roger Aldridge, Chilsong Kohler, John McLean, Moneena Peebles, and Mike White were formally invested into the Order in the presence of over a hundred other members of the Lieutenancy, their families, and friends.   Archbishop Conti, the Grand Prior of the Lieutenancy clothed each of them in their new robes and regalia before celebrating a special Mass concelebrated with Bishop Robson and other clerical members of the Lieutenancy.   The six new Knights and Dames participated by bringing up the gifts in the Offertory procession.

In his homily Archbishop Conti took as his theme the empty tomb of Christ in the Gospel reading.   He explained that although historically members of the Order were the guardians of the empty tomb of Christ their modern successors were committed to looking beyond the tomb and he urged them to follow the example of the first apostles, who preached the good news of the risen Christ.   He reminded the members of the Lieutenancy that they are called to be witnesses to Christ because in the Eucharist like the apostles they eat and drink with the Lord.   He called upon them to allow the Lord to work through them by walking in his footsteps in the Holy Land and by participating fully in the sacramental life of the community of faith.

After the ceremony new Knight John McLean said:  “It was a delight to become a member of the Order.   The Holy Land is under great pressure and the Christian community is small.   To be able to help them in any way helps reduce that pressure.   The land and its people must be protected for future generations.    I was also delighted to see Bishop Stephen being installed as his first parish is my own parish.”

June 2018

PALESTINE/ABOUD – Only two years after his ordination, Salam Haddad, a young priest of the Latin Patriarchate was installed in the Latin parish of Aboud. During a solemn Mass, he was introduced to his new parish by Bishop Boulos Marcuzzo, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine.

Fr. Salam Haddad comes from the land of Gilead, the mountains which range along the Jordan River on the East Bank, which is also the birthplace of Prophet Elijah. His family is now living in Amman, where he was ordained priest on June, 23, 2016. He then served two years as Vicar in Our Lady of Grace in Fuheis, Jordan.

June 2018

TEEING OFF FOR THE HOLY LAND

The pleasant setting of Auchterarder Golf Club, Perthshire was the location for a recent charity Golf Day organised by the Scottish Lieutenancy of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.  Their aim was to raise funds for the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Palestinian town of Aboud some 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem, which the Lieutenancy assists as part of its mission to support the Church in the Holy Land.  In an open competition sixty-three golfers from all over Scotland, inclusive of 5 female competitors teed off at 10.30am promptly for a bright sunny day of play for the 2018 Cardinal Winning Memorial Trophy.  This is the fourth annual occasion in succession the tournament has been held.

It was a very good-natured event, despite the increased competition, and over an excellent high tea friendships were made and renewed while exploits were discussed and analysed.  The spirit of generosity extended to a charity auction held before the trophy presentations with two items, one a 2 ball at Gleneagles realising £250 and a 2 day holiday break at a Luxury Cottage in Comrie which fetched £200, clearly demonstrating the generosity on show on the day.

After the judges had checked the scorecards the winner of the Cardinal Winning Memorial Trophy was declared to be Derek Stirling.  We also had a trophy for the first time for the Best Female Score that was won by Moneena Peebles.  Both have already indicated that they wish to defend their titles in 2019.  Ryan Smith Gardner won the longest drive at hole 17 while the award for nearest the pin at hole 4 went to Paul Burns.  The members of the overall team winners were Gordon McLaughlin, Peter McLean, Mick Gibson and Derek Stirling.  We had an extra prize this year where Mick Gibson won a donated bottle of Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky for being nearest the pin on the eighteenth hole.

This was a day of high achievement, the greatest of which was to raise over £6,000 for Aboud.  This money will go towards financing projects in the village improving the living environment and lift the morale of the people who live in very difficult circumstances.  At the end of the day, Joe McEnaney one of the organisers, commented, “Again we were blessed with good weather, prayers do work. The golfers thoroughly enjoyed their day and with donations from our supporters another significant amount was raised to help keep the Christians in the Holy Land.  A big thanks to all and bookings have already been taken for next year’s tournament scheduled for Thursday 13 June 2019.”

May 2018

EOHSJ Pilgrimage to Malta in the footsteps of St. Paul

The Scottish Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem has recently returned from a week’s pilgrimage to various shrines in Malta.   The island has had a chequered history because of its strategic location in the central Mediterranean and its well-sheltered, deep-water harbours.   Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians, Arabs, Normans, Germans, Sicilians and Spaniards were followed by the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem and Rhodes who ruled the island for some 250 years shaping both Malta and Gozo as we see them today.   French and British also ruled the archipelago before it became independent in 1964.

The Scottish pilgrims learnt about a different conquest, a religious one.   Malta is devoutly Catholic, and traces the root of its Christianity back to the Apostle Paul who was shipwrecked there in AD60 when on his way to Rome to stand trial before the Emperor Nero as described in the Acts of the Apostles [Acts 27:27-28:11].   During the three months that St Paul remained in the island he is credited with establishing Christianity there.   For most of their time in Malta the pilgrims followed in the footsteps of the Apostle and prayed in many of the places he himself visited.

Aptly the opening Mass of the pilgrimage in Valletta took place in the church of St. Paul’s Shipwreck.   A few days later the pilgrims took a boat to St. Paul’s Island, traditionally the site of his shipwreck.   Unable to land there because of the wind the pilgrims recited Evening Prayer in the lee of the island, before returning to the small harbour in St Paul’s Bay, right next to the church of St Paul’s Bonfire where they had celebrated Mass a few days earlier.   The curious title of the church stems from Acts 28 3-6.    After his shipwreck St. Paul picked up some wood to add to the fire which the friendly Maltese had lit for the sailors and was bitten by a viper which had no effect on him.   For this he was considered to be a god, and hence made many converts.   High above the bay the pilgrims visited the site of St. Paul Milqui, a Roman villa believed to have been the residence of the Roman Governor of the island, Publius, who took St. Paul under his protection after the saint had miraculously healed his father.   The Knights and Dames also celebrated Mass in St Paul’s church in Rabat.  Beneath this was St Paul’s Grotto, a cave beneath the church which was clearly used as a prison in earlier times and in which St Paul was believed to have spent some time when in Malta.

Malta has a great devotion to Our Lady and the pilgrims visited many of the Marian shrines, particularly appropriate as they visited in the month of May.   Highlights were the privilege of celebrating Mass on the high altar of the Marian National Shrine of Ta’ Pinu on the island of Gozo, the intimate Mass celebrated in the shrine of Our Lady of the Grotto in Rabat, our visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady in Mellieha, and our final Mass in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Marsa.

While in Gozo the pilgrims visited the remains of the megalithic temples at Gigantija constructed during the 3^rd and 4^th millennia BC, pre-dating Stonehenge by some 1500 years, and artistically far more advanced.   It was clear that Malta was spiritually attractive to people long before the Phoenicians arrived.   Reflecting on the pilgrimage, Dame Dominique Donnelly said: “I particularly enjoyed our daily Mass in wonderful surroundings which provided a still point in an often changing landscape”.

May 18

"To go on pilgrimage really means to step out of ourselves in order to encounter God where he has revealed himself, where his grace has shone with particular splendour and produced rich fruits of conversion and holiness among those who believe." 
Benedict XVI

The journey of every pilgrimage leads to the places of God, those spaces that He has chosen to put his tent or dwelling place among us. Those places, make it possible to broaden the heart. They allow us to see with our own eyes the background of the history of salvation and lead to a gratitude so full of wonder, that the perspective of the revelation and redemption is widened. To be a pilgrim is to update the mystery of the Incarnation.

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
(Jn1: 14)

"Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."
(Ex 40: 34-35)

The man of all times longs to see and find the face of the Lord. Our human reality is no stranger to such a feeling and to that desire already expressed in many Psalms. It has always wanted to see the face of the Lord. " One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life”; “I seek your face, Lord; I want to see you”; “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”, Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

That is why we make a pilgrimage with the illusion of finding something, the illusion of finding Him. In the end, we discover that it He is in our hearts and He has been there all along. Like Saint Augustine said: “You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you.” So many pilgrims have experienced it as they approach the Holy Land, where so little is enough to find Him. There are not many things here to distract you. He fills everything, everything is a reference of Him. He fills this small space of Earth and this great heart that has set out to seek Him.

This year, the Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, celebrates 130 years of welcoming thousands and thousands of these pilgrims who seek to walk, see and breathe His dwelling place. Since 1888, the year in which the first group of French pilgrims arrived, to this day, Notre Dame has witnessed countless stories. Whether it is for sleeping, resting, eating, praying, attending mass, seeking confession, NDC provides pilgrims with the possibility of feeling cared for and welcomed by a center that wants to be the "house of the Holy Father in Jerusalem."

In the end, each pilgrim returns with a heart full of God, widened for an active commitment of apostolate and a certain truth: The Holy Spirit leads the Church to the holiness willed by God.

Happy Easter to everyone.

Christ is risen in our souls. 
Such is our celebration on these days from the blessed Holy Land.

May 18

Half Price Holy Land and Amazing Jordan

April 2018

CHARITY GOLF DAY

IN AID OF THE PARISH OF ABOUD IN THE HOLY LAND

THURSDAY 7^TH JUNE 2018

AUCHTERARDER GOLF CLUB

PERTHSHIRE PH3 1LS

REGISTRATION FROM 09.15AM

COFFEE/TEA BACON ROLLS ON ARRIVAL FROM 09.30AM

TEE OFF SHOTGUN START AT 10.30AM PROMPT

HIGH TEA & PRESENTATION AT 03.30PM

ENTRY FEE £65 PER PERSON

ENTRY FEE £260 PER TEAM

NON PLAYERS (HIGH TEA) £20 PER PERSON

ALL WELCOME

Cheques and all donations to be made payable to

“Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre”

For further information please contact

Bert Daly mob 07834004570 or Email bert_daly@hotmail.com

Joe McEnaney mob 07500049696 or Email joe1961@hotmail.co.uk

December 2017

By Bishop John, Paisley

Celebration of Holy Mass for Deceased Members

Dear Brothers and sisters, as Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem we gather dutifully for this this annual celebration of Holy Mass in memoriam of our deceased members. We ask the Lord to have mercy on our brethren who have died so that their faith and hope in the Lord may be rewarded by Him with Eternal Life.

We pray that the Bread and Wine we will soon present to the Lord will win them peace and rest, will count them among those whom Our Lord Jesus Christ has freed from death, and will afford them sound sleep in Him until they awake to share in the light of that radiance which they began to know while sharing in this Holy Sacrament here below.

It is integral to our duties as an Order of chivalry, really a badge of honour for us, that we mark, in death as much as in life, the high respect our fellow members deserve as recipients of one of our Church’s most important distinctions. It is something I like to think we do well!

I am thinking, not least, of the impressive sight we make when we gather, vested at the moment of the Requiem Mass of a deceased brother or sister. The whole body of mourners watches on inspired by the homage we pay to our brethren at the last, in our guard of honour formed at their funeral. Robed in our heraldic dress, we stand on guard along the aisle, accompanying our brother or sister to the sanctuary before taking our seats across from the family as a sign of fraternal ties similarly close to family bonds. At the conclusion of the sacred rites we reassemble in processional line behind the Cross, leading our brother or sister to the final resting place

Our annual Mass for our deceased members, which we are celebrating today, sort of completes the honour we showed them on their funeral day. We remember especially by name those who went to the Lord this year, but we remember in pectore all members who have now laid down their holy arms to rest after spiritual victories gained.

I am sure, of course, our hearts and prayers will neither be too far from so many of our unfortunate Christian brethren in the Middle East who continue to bear witness to the Lord through trials, persecutions and even death. This week’s Red Wednesday, promoted by Aid to the Church in Need, reminds us of how persecution against Christians in the region not far from our Order’s pastoral care has reached a new peak, the impact of which is only now beginning to seep through into the consciousness of our Western world in all its horror.

Our Order was formed in that selfsame crucible of struggle against spiritual forces that menace the Lord’s peace on earth and His plans for the eternal life of His elect. Our ancient Order, all its days, has lived under and experienced all too immediately the Lord’s observation about how ‘the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force’ (Mt !1:12).

The scene of Christians down the ages, and more than ever today, dying as martyrs for the Faith brings home to us how our gathering here this morning is no matter of routine but always, when we are concerned with the Kingdom of God, a matter of urgency in our spiritual battle for justice on earth and the salvation of souls into eternity.

The Book of Maccabees demonstrates how those, like us, who were called by the Lord to fight the good fight of faith on earth and lead His people in spiritual battle are the ones most keenly aware of the need to pray for the dead and to do what it right in the way of their salvation. It was those knighted Maccabean warriors of old, conscious of their duty to pray for their dead, whom the Lord commended most for their care for their faithful departed. In taking up an offering for them to be prayed for in Jerusalem they acted ‘very well and honorably, taking account of the resurrection. For if they were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if they were looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought to make atonement for their dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin.’ (2 Mac 11).

So we come as part of a long and noble tradition of kings and warriors who pray for their departed and who recognised it as an essential duty of our Order. That is what it is marked out in red letters in our Orders’ annual calendar of events and continues to be attended so well.

Please God, through our prayers and Christ’s merits, the souls of our departed brethren are in the hands of God where no torment will ever touch them and where they will receive the great blessings for which they hoped. Tested in this life in their faith and not found wanting, may or petitions see that they shine our like sparks through the stubble. Having held firm and died in the Lord may they live and reign with Him in the Father’s mansion of many rooms.

Finally, for ourselves: we turn to Our Lady, Queen of Palestine that we in our turn, following the example of our departed brethren, may serve the Lord in sanctity and justice all the days of our lives so that, by the merits of Jesus and Her motherly aid, we may at the last, pass from this earthy Jerusalem to the splendours of Heaven.

November 2017

Our Lady Queen of Palestine Honoured in Scotland

Most people know that the month of October is dedicated to the Rosary.  Fewer know that the last Sunday of October is the feast of Our Lady Queen of Palestine, a feast established in 1927 when the term “Palestine” was synonymous with “the Holy Land”.   The Scottish Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre celebrates this feast with particular devotion because Our Lady Queen of Palestine is the patroness of the Order.   When it goes on pilgrimage to the Holy Land the Lieutenancy makes a point of visiting the shrine established in her honour in the Judean village of Deir Rafat whose chapel is surmounted by a six metre high bronze statue of  Our Lady looking out over the land of Palestine with her hand outstretched in protection.   And inside the church, beneath a roof decorated with the opening words of the Hail Mary in 208 different languages the Lieutenancy prays for those Christians who live and work in the troubled land of Our Lady’s birth.   Sadly these now form only 1% of the population of the Holy Land, down from 10% around ten years ago.

So when it celebrates the feast of Our Lady as Queen of Palestine the Lieutenancy is not simply honouring its patroness.   It is also a good moment to ask her to intercede for those who live in the land where she herself once lived.   The Lieutenancy focusses particularly on those who live in the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows, Aboud, support for which is a major part of the Lieutenancy’s mission to help the Christians living in the Holy Land.   Accordingly,on the last Saturday in October, over forty members of the Lieutenancy, together with family members and postulants hoping to join in 2018, gathered in Stirling in the church of St. Mary’s, to celebrate a Mass to pray for the church in Palestine and to commend it to Our Lady’s care.   The ceremony was greatly enhanced by the singing of the Cecilian Choir from Dundee.

In his homily the Lieutenancy’s chaplain, Fr. Michael Conroy, reminded members of their call to discipleship.  He based his words on the three precepts laid out by the prophet Michah (6,8) “to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with God”.   Drawing on the Gospels he reflected on how Mary fulfilled these three mandates in her life.  He went on to challenge members to see how they should implement them in their own lives and to see how they might be applied to the work the Lieutenancy does for Christians in the Holy Land.  The Lieutenancy members left the celebration of their patroness invigorated by her example and reinforced in their commitment to work to support the ever-diminishing numbers of Christians who live in the land where the mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ was born, lived died and from where she was assumed into Heaven.

September 2017

EOHSJ SCOTLAND Pilgrimage to the Enzie The Nursery of Priests SURVIVAL and REVIVAL

Twenty members of the Order completed a most enlightening and informative Pilgrimage to Banffshire/Moray led by the Grand Prior, Archbishop Mario Conti.  We were based in Elgin (where His Grace grew up) and travelled South, East and West to reach the sites associated with the Catholic Church's Survival and Revival in the 18th Century and before.  We were left in no doubt of the deep debt of gratitude we owe to the Catholics of the Enzie and beyond in NE Scotland for keeping the faith alive despite invidious persecution and great hardship.  It was a dangerous time when the practice of Catholicism was outlawed and incurred severe penalties.  

On FRIDAY we travelled EAST starting with Mass in the Greyfriars Convent (1479), a medieval friary now in the care of American Dominican Nuns. 

The Church is divided into two by a magnificently carved timber screen.  A splendid barrel vaulted ceiling stretches to a stained glass window depicting Christ The King leading throngs of virgins through the Land - Lost, Promised and Regained in Heaven.  After robing we processed along the cloisters into the Church to celebrate our first Mass in the Choir with the nuns.  Much of the Friary's restoration was carried out by the 3rd Marquess of Bute and given to the Sisters of Mercy by his son Colum Crichton-Stuart in 1944. A very short distance from Greyfriars Convent are the ruins of the impressive Gothic RC Cathedral which was the medieval seat of the Bishops of Moray and called, 'The Lantern of the North” established in 1224 and disbanded 1560 at the time of the Reformation.  It was built on land granted by Alexander II of Scotland. The Cathedral was badly damaged by fire in 1390 following an attack by Robert III's brother, Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan known as the Wolf of Badenoch.  After this it was greatly enlarged and reconstructed both in length and in height becoming Scotland's second largest Cathedral after St.Andrew’s.  In 1560 it fell victim to the Reformation, the congregation moving to St Giles in the town when the Pope's authority was rejected, after which the Cathedral’s fabric began to suffer and gradually fall into disrepair.  

Today, even mostly in ruins (although the octagonal chapterhouse has been restored and the impressive western towers overhauled) we can still visualise its considerable size and imposing grandeur.  

The reason why Presbyterianism failed to gain a total hold in the Enzie (after the Reformation) was due to the powerful Catholic Noble House of Gordon.  However, after the death of Alexander 2nd Duke of Gordon (1728), the Duchess, a Protestant, brought the children up in her own faith. For the next 100 years until the Catholic Emancipation Act (1829) Catholics had to look after their own spiritual welfare, secretly attending Masses in barns and outhouses, usually at night. In time a dedicated, clandestine chapel came into being in the shape of St Ninian’s Tynet (The Banffshire Bethlehem ) which was built a few years after Culloden on land owned by the Gordon family.

Although Catholicism was banned after the Reformation, the Jacobite Rising (ending at Culloden) led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, grandson of the Stuart King James ll, resulted in even more persecution of Catholics by Government soldiers led by the Duke of Cumberland, grandson of the Hanoverian King George l.  Catholics were treated as rebels, outlawed, chapels burnt, priests imprisoned and laity deprived of their property.  This was the Church in Survival mode!  

St Ninian’s Tynet (1755) is the earliest Post-Reformation, clandestine Chapel in Scotland, purposefully built to be disguised as a whitewashed long low barn in a field.  It was designed to look anonymous, unassuming and inconspicuous, devoid of any symbolism or sculpture.  Originally it had a thatched roof and no windows which also gave it a domestic appearance.  

Today it has been restored with simple cream painted pews, altar rails and walls. Instead of a cross a ball of stone has been placed on top of the west gable, a reminder of the dark days of persecution.  Over the altar hangs a gilt dove which had belonged to the old church in St Ninian’s Cemetery (1687-1746) that had been burnt by Redcoats returning from Culloden.  It is a place of pristine simplicity offering peace and tranquillity for prayer or reflection.

During our visit, Mgr. Robert MacDonald, retired PP of the Gothic Chapel St Mary's Fochabers (1825), an expert and author on the Church's Survival and Revival in the area, shared with us the fruits of his great knowledge centred on Tynet Chapel and Preshome Church.  If St. Ninian’s represented Survival then St. Gregory’s epitomised Revival.

St Gregory's Preshome (1788) was built openly in the style of Italian Baroque.  It boasts of a beautifully marbled altar above which hangs a copy of the painting, ‘St Gregory the Great’ by Annibale Carracci, exquisite stencilled wall and ceiling decoration, chancel floor tiles depicting the Passion and a pipe organ dating back to 1820.  A most attractive church, and, like Tynet, built in the middle of a field!  Both churches still have Masses celebrated throughout the Summer.  

In the afternoon we travelled to 15th Century Huntly Castle (now in ruins) former seat of the Catholic Gordon Earls and Marquises of Huntly who were instrumental in preserving the Catholic faith in this part of Scotland.  They moved from Huntly to Fochabers where they built Gordon Castle, an 18th Century construction incorporating a tower of the late 15th Century.  

The octagonal parish church of St Margaret’s Huntly (1834) contains beautiful Spanish paintings donated by a cadet branch of the Gordon Family, the Gordons of Wardhouse.  The Spanish inspired architecture is reflected by the unusual classic entrance porch culminating in a Spanish Baroque tower and spire.

On our homeward journey we visited St Thomas’ Keith (1831) birthplace of St. John Ogilvie which houses his shrine.  It is a prominently sited neo- classical cruciform Church boasting of a magnificent copper clad dome, colourful 70’s stained glass windows and the altar piece painting, ‘The Incredulity of St Thomas' commissioned and gifted by Charles X of France in 1828.  

When St Peter's Buckie was opened in 1857 the local paper called it,'The New Catholic Cathedral.’  In the early 19th Century there were many Catholics in the Enzie and records show over 400 in Buckie alone.  They were active members of Preshome Church but the case for a dedicated one in Buckie grew stronger.  In 1832, three years after the Catholic Emancipation Act, the Trades Hall was leased and served as a chapel for the Buckie congregation. In 1850 Sir William Gordon of Letterfurie gave sufficient land for a church, house and school.  

Times had changed - no longer was it necessary to conceal church buildings and St.Peter’s Buckie is a testament to that! A very fine Gothic Church with impressive twin towers, a landmark seen from both land and sea, was begun in 1850 and completed in 1857.  It is a substantial church with marble being a feature - marble side and high altars surrounded by large murals and an attractive rose window.  The Bryceson Organ (1856) came from Fort Augustus Abbey.  It also contains a copy of the statue of Our Lady of Aberdeen, the original statue dating back to 1450 and remaining with the Gordon family for safekeeping until 1625 then sent to the Spanish Infanta Isabella in Brussels.Today it is in the Church of Notre Dame du Finistere in Brussels and known as Notre Dame du Bon Succes.  

On SATURDAY we travelled WEST to the 14th Century Cawdor Castle, historically fascinating, housing an intriguing collection of paintings, furniture and objects d’art.  It started as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor, however, today it is a living home occupied by the Catholic Dowager Countess of Cawdor who joined us at lunch time.  She is justifiably proud of her unique Castle, attractive, extensive gardens with a large maze.  After lunch we journeyed to Culloden Battlefield (1746) the final confrontation of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 and part of the War of the Austrian Succession in Europe. This was the last battle to be fought in mainland Britain.  The Jacobite Rising, under Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie - The Young Pretender), was to restore the throne to the Catholic House of Stuart from the Protestant House of Hanover for his father (James lll).

Charles’ father, James Francis Edward Stuart (The Old Pretender and a Catholic) was the only son of James II, the last Catholic monarch who was deposed by his son-in-law William of Orange, during the Glorious Revolution (1688) from which he fled to France and into exile.  

James ll’s Protestant daughter, Mary and her husband William of Orange became joint sovereigns but none of their children survived into adulthood nor did Mary's sister Queen Anne's children.  In 1701 the Act of Settlement was passed under which anyone who was a Catholic or married one was disqualified from inheriting the crown.  

After the last Stuart Queen Anne died (August 1714) there were 68 of the Stuart Dynasty still alive but the first 55, being Catholic, were excluded. Next in line was Protestant Sophia, Electress of Hanover but she died in June 1714 thus her son George, Elector of Hanover, became George l.  The crown passed from the House of Stuart to the House of Hanover.

The town of Culloden has the newest Catholic Church, the very modern St. Columba’s dedicated in 2008, serving a diverse congregation including a sizeable Indian Community from Kerala which has a monthly Mass in the Syro - Malabar Rite. Heading to Loch Ness we visited the rustic Church of the Immaculate Conception, Stratherrick (1859) a small, whitewashed building, reminiscent of a farmhouse, the interior very bright and atmospheric while the Stations of the Cross were located in a field at the back culminating in a small grotto.  At the southern end of Loch Ness lies Fort Augustus. The Benedictine Abbey (1880 - 1998) which owed its inception to 3rd Marquess of Bute in 1874, had been bought from the Government in 1867 by Simon Fraser, 13th Lord Lovat and given to the Benedictines.  The small former gatehouse now serves as the Catholic Church of SS Peter and Benedict.  

Travelling north along the west side of Loch Ness we reached Inverness for Mass in the very large Church of St Mary's (1837).   Situated on the banks of the River Ness it was dedicated a few years after the Catholic Emancipation Act - the first church to be built in the area since the penal times. It is a fine example of Victorian Gothic Revival, the high altar built of Caen White Stone after the style of Pugin who acted as adviser.

On SUNDAY we travelled SOUTH starting with a sung Latin Mass in the Benedictine Pluscarden Abbey (1230) founded by Alexander ll of Scotland.   

After robing we processed along the beautiful cloisters to our places in the Choir beside the monks.  The Mass was a wonderful, uplifting experience; the superb chanting, the impressive organ music, the utter dedication of the monks yet all accomplished with uncomplicated dignity.   

The Abbey has suffered many attacks, the worst in 1390 by The Wolf of Badinoch.  It was disestablished in 1587.   In present times it was bought by 3rd Marquess of Bute in 1897. His son, Colum Crichton Stuart, gave it to the Benedictines of Prinknash in 1943, they arrived in 1948 and seven years later the bell tower had been re-roofed.   Restoration continued and the priory gained Independence from Prinknash in 1966 and achieved Abbey status in 1974.   

It holds the distinction of being the only medieval British Monastery still being used for its original purpose. Restoration is always ongoing when funds permit!

During the troubled times of the 18th Century Scalan College - “The Hidden Seminary” in the Braes of Glenlivet (1717-1799) was one of the places in which the Catholic faith was kept alive.  After a brief attempt at Morar, Scalan (a plain, simple building hidden in the Braes) was the only place in Scotland in the 18th Century to educate boys for the priesthood. During the eighty-two years of its existence, apart from the very many priests, five bishops had their rudiments of education here and stayed the course despite frequent attacks by Government soldiers.   

It was strategically built, almost invisible from a distance, a factor invaluable in trying to evade detection by the soldiers whose distinctive red coats were immediately visible in the surrounding countryside.   By 1796 the dark days of oppression had begun to pass away and as the number of students grew, a new larger seminary opened at Aquhorthies on Donside (1799).   

Today, Scalan is very well restored affording us an insight into the daily hardships and dangers the seminarians had to endure as well as the committed determination they had to cultivate.  A short distance from Scalan is the pink granite, Scottish Romanesque Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (1829/1896) situated in Chapeltown of Glenlivet and built in a farmyard setting.   

It is uniquely and exquisitely decorated with vivid stencil detail illuminating its green interior and the Pater Noster depicted in italics along the two horizontal cornices.   It belongs to the Pastoral Area of St. Sylvester's, Elgin ensuring regular Masses are still celebrated in this charming church.   

Other churches were also built in the 19th Century to serve the growing Catholic population:

St. Mary’s, Dufftown, 1825

The Incarnation, Tombae, 1829

Our Lady and St. Michael’s, Tomintoul, 1837

Sacred Heart, Aberlour, 1909

 St. Margaret's, Forres,1929

They are all part of the Pastoral Area of St. Sylvester's Elgin and are still in use for the celebration of Holy Mass on a regular rota basis except Tombae which unfortunately is on the ‘at risk’ register.   

Tombae’s Conacher Organ had its last recital on July 25th 2017 before being dismantled and shipped to Kherbet Qanafar in Lebanon to be installed in the Autumn.  

On MONDAY morning our final Mass was celebrated in St. Sylvester's Elgin (1843) the Principal Church of the Pastoral Area.  A church of unpretentious dignity, the handsome marble Baptismal Font was donated by Archbishop Mario’s father and uncle in memory of his grandparents and the delightful Lady Altar donated by his mother in memory of his father.  

A very successful, informative, thought provoking pilgrimage.

HE J. Ritchie Greig, EOHSJ Lieutenant Scotland

December 2017

By Bishop John Keenan, Paisley

Celebration of Holy Mass for Deceased Members

Dear Brothers and sisters, as Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem we gather dutifully for this this annual celebration of Holy Mass in memoriam of our deceased members. We ask the Lord to have mercy on our brethren who have died so that their faith and hope in the Lord may be rewarded by Him with Eternal Life.

We pray that the Bread and Wine we will soon present to the Lord will win them peace and rest, will count them among those whom Our Lord Jesus Christ has freed from death, and will afford them sound sleep in Him until they awake to share in the light of that radiance which they began to know while sharing in this Holy Sacrament here below.

It is integral to our duties as an Order of chivalry, really a badge of honour for us, that we mark, in death as much as in life, the high respect our fellow members deserve as recipients of one of our Church’s most important distinctions. It is something I like to think we do well!

I am thinking, not least, of the impressive sight we make when we gather, vested at the moment of the Requiem Mass of a deceased brother or sister. The whole body of mourners watches on inspired by the homage we pay to our brethren at the last, in our guard of honour formed at their funeral. Robed in our heraldic dress, we stand on guard along the aisle, accompanying our brother or sister to the sanctuary before taking our seats across from the family as a sign of fraternal ties similarly close to family bonds. At the conclusion of the sacred rites we reassemble in processional line behind the Cross, leading our brother or sister to the final resting place.

Our annual Mass for our deceased members, which we are celebrating today, sort of completes the honour we showed them on their funeral day. We remember especially by name those who went to the Lord this year, but we remember in pectore all members who have now laid down their holy arms to rest after spiritual victories gained.

I am sure, of course, our hearts and prayers will neither be too far from so many of our unfortunate Christian brethren in the Middle East who continue to bear witness to the Lord through trials, persecutions and even death. This week’s Red Wednesday, promoted by Aid to the Church in Need, reminds us of how persecution against Christians in the region not far from our Order’s pastoral care has reached a new peak, the impact of which is only now beginning to seep through into the consciousness of our Western world in all its horror.

Our Order was formed in that selfsame crucible of struggle against spiritual forces that menace the Lord’s peace on earth and His plans for the eternal life of His elect. Our ancient Order, all its days, has lived under and experienced all too immediately the Lord’s observation about how ‘the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force’ (Mt !1:12).

The scene of Christians down the ages, and more than ever today, dying as martyrs for the Faith brings home to us how our gathering here this morning is no matter of routine but always, when we are concerned with the Kingdom of God, a matter of urgency in our spiritual battle for justice on earth and the salvation of souls into eternity.

The Book of Maccabees demonstrates how those, like us, who were called by the Lord to fight the good fight of faith on earth and lead His people in spiritual battle are the ones most keenly aware of the need to pray for the dead and to do what it right in the way of their salvation. It was those knighted Maccabean warriors of old, conscious of their duty to pray for their dead, whom the Lord commended most for their care for their faithful departed. In taking up an offering for them to be prayed for in Jerusalem they acted ‘very well and honorably, taking account of the resurrection. For if they were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if they were looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought to make atonement for their dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin.’ (2 Mac 11).

So we come as part of a long and noble tradition of kings and warriors who pray for their departed and who recognised it as an essential duty of our Order. That is what it is marked out in red letters in our Orders’ annual calendar of events and continues to be attended so well.

Please God, through our prayers and Christ’s merits, the souls of our departed brethren are in the hands of God where no torment will ever touch them and where they will receive the great blessings for which they hoped. Tested in this life in their faith and not found wanting, may or petitions see that they shine our like sparks through the stubble. Having held firm and died in the Lord may they live and reign with Him in the Father’s mansion of many rooms.

Finally, for ourselves: we turn to Our Lady, Queen of Palestine that we in our turn, following the example of our departed brethren, may serve the Lord in sanctity and justice all the days of our lives so that, by the merits of Jesus and Her motherly aid, we may at the last, pass from this earthy Jerusalem to the splendours of Heaven.

September 2017

North East Pilgrimage

June 17

SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY LAND

The pleasant setting of Auchterarder Golf Club, Perthshire was the location for a recent charity Golf Day organised by the Scottish Lieutenancy of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.   Their aim was to raise funds for the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Palestinian town of Aboud some 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem, which the Lieutenancy assists, as part of its mission to support the Church in the Holy Land.   In an open competition fifty-one golfers from all over Scotland, plus our first female competitor Patricia Smith, teed off in light showers, which cleared up very soon to a bright sunny day of play for the 2017 Cardinal Winning Memorial Trophy.   This is the third annual occasion in succession the tournament has been held.

It was a very good-natured event, despite the increased competition, and over an excellent high tea friendships were made and renewed while exploits were discussed and analysed. The spirit of generosity extended to a charity auction held before the trophy presentations with two items one a 2 ball at Gleneagles realising £200 and a bottle of House of Lords 30 year old blended whisky fetched £120 demonstrating the generosity on show on the day.

After the judges had checked the scorecards the winner of the Cardinal Winning Memorial Trophy was declared to be Andy Canavan.   He has already indicated that he wishes to defend his title in 2018.  Scott Currie won the longest drive at hole 17, nearest the pin at hole 4 went to Eddie Loughton with the overall team winners comprising of Joe McEnaney. Fred Hamilton, Gordon McLaughlin and Hugh McMahon.

This was a day of high achievement, the greatest of which was to raise £4,676.20 for Aboud.  This money will go towards financing projects in the village improving the living environment and lift the morale of the people who live in very difficult circumstances. At the end of the day Bert Daly, one of the organisers, commented, “Again we were blessed with good weather, prayers do work. The golfers thoroughly enjoyed their day and with donations from our supporters another significant amount was raised to help keep the Christians in the Holy Land. A big thanks to all and bookings have already been taken for next year’s tournament.

Dec 16:

Order of the Holy SEpulchre in the HOly Land

The Scottish Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre has recently returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.   Such a pilgrimage is always a special event as pilgrims walk in the footsteps of the Lord and visit the Holy Places, as did the Scottish pilgrims.   However, for members of the Equestrian Order visiting the Holy Land is extra special.   This international papal Order is rooted in the Holy Land, that area of the Middle East formerly known as Palestine, now sadly divided between the political entities of Israel and Palestine.   Like the 30,000 Knights and Dames from 40 countries worldwide the 130 members of the Scottish Lieutenancy promise to supply moral and material support for the charitable works of the Church in the Holy Land in order to maintain the presence of Christians in the land of Christ’s birth.

The Scottish Lieutenancy supports in particular the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows in the village of Aboud, situated in the occupied West Bank area of Palestine some 25 miles north east of Jerusalem and home to some 2500 people.  Whenever the Lieutenancy goes to the Holy Land it visits the parish and meets the parishioners.   This time we attended the parish Sunday Mass after which we were able to talk with parishioners over coffee.   Fr Yousef Riziq, the parish priest, told us just how difficult life is for Christians in the Holy Land, particularly in the occupied area of the West Bank which, though legally part of the Palestinian Authority, is firmly under Israeli civilian and military control.   This has led to the village losing 40% of its land on which Israeli settlements have been built, and control of its own water, to the detriment of its olive groves which are the sole source of income for the village.   Restrictions on travel and land mean that work is not easy to find:  one 28 year-old we spoke to has not had a job for five years despite having a diploma and a university degree.   The aid which the Lieutenancy has provided over the past year has contributed to building repairs for the church, for helping with summer camps for the children, and for providing for families in need.  It was good to see the positive results that this help provides and to meet with those who benefit from it.

The pilgrims returned from the Holy Land spiritually renewed and re-invigorated in their commitment to work for the good of the Church in the Holy Land, having seen at first hand the effect of the work they do to support it.    Roseanne O’Keefe from Bothwell who had never been to the Holy Land before, commented "Going to the Holy Land on pilgrimage for the first time, walking in the land where Jesus lived and preached, was a deeply spiritual experience bringing the gospel to life for me.    There were many special moments on our week long pilgrimage,: a quiet moment of reflection on the Sea of Galilee, a beautiful view from Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration.   However two visits stand out;  elebrating Mass with the Parish of Aboud in the West Bank was so uplifting, seeing the church full to capacity and all the congregation singing was wonderful.   Also celebrating Mass in the church of Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept looking out over Jerusalem, and then walking in the Garden of Gethsemane just below the church."

Dec 16:

FUND RAISER FOR IMPROVING 'BABY WAREHOUSES' IN TEL AVIV AND JERUSALEM

Chev. Bart McGettrick writes:

Your Excellencies and Friends

As you may know I held a fund-raising event last Thursday to raise awareness and funds regarding the "baby warehouses" in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. You just may wish to see the message sent by Fr David Neuhaus SJ which was so warmly received in Glasgow. I attach the link and hope it works for you. 

It is so good that Fr David was able to produce this message for us. (Copy the link into your driver and I hope that you will see the video).

The event generated almost £4000 and a significant contribution came from the Knights of The Holy Sepulchre.

My sincere thanks to those who came last Thursday and to all the contributions made. I shall make sure that your intentions will be made known in Bethlehem this Christmas. 

Very best wishes

Bart 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yzte4w3uirt94gr/Tel%20Aviv%201.mov?dl=0

Nov 16:

PILGRiMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Scottish Lieutenancy, undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy land during November 2016. Ten Knights and Dames received their Pilgrims Shell from the Apostolic Administrator during the pilgrimage.  Please cut and paste the link below to view the outstandingly beautiful photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/monachus1/sets/72157672760707004

Nov 16:

PILGRiMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Scottish Lieutenancy, undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy land during November 2016. Ten Knights and Dames received their Pilgrims Shell from the Apostolic Administrator during the pilgrimage.  Please cut and paste the link below to view the outstandingly beautiful photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/monachus1/sets/72157672760707004

Oct 16:

LATEST RECRUIT CELEBRATES ANNUAL MASS FOR OUR LADY QUEEN OF PALESTINE

On 29th October the Scottish Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre celebrated the feast of Our Lady Queen of Palestine, the patroness of the Order, with a Mass in St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley.   The Mass was celebrated by one of the Lieutenancy’s latest recruits, Bishop John Keenan.   He was invested as Knight of the Order in September and this was the first Mass that he had celebrated for the Lieutenancy as a member.   The feast of Our Lady Queen of Palestine, and a shrine to her in that name was established in the Judean village of Deir Rafat, in 1927, at a time when the term “Palestine” corresponded to “The Holy Land”, devoid of the political considerations between Israel and Palestine which are a later development.  Palestine in this context is an inclusive term, not a divisive one.

In the course of his thought-provoking homily Bishop Keenan evoked that historical dimension, as he reminded the large gathering of Knights and Dames of the importance of their commitment to the support of the Church in the Holy Land, quoting Psalm 137 “If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand wither”.   He highlighted that the population of Christians in the land of Our Lady’s birth has now diminished to a mere 1% of the overall population and that there was a need to act to redress this.   But he also pointed to the sense of confusion which can arise in people’s minds in the present situation over what they should do or the way they should follow.   As a means to overcome this Bishop Keenan emphasised the important role of Mary as intercessor for those living in the land of her birth and also for those who seek to help them   He therefore exhorted the Lieutenancy to remember Mary as the key intercessor and protector of the land in which both she and her son Christ Our Lord were born and lived.  And he reminded Knights and Dames that the earthly Jerusalem towards which many of their efforts are dedicated is an image which leads to the heavenly Jerusalem to which we all aspire.

The annual Mass for the feast of Our Lady Queen of Palestine is always an important event for the Lieutenancy but this year the Lieutenancy has a number of events dedicated to her intercession.   In April a life-size statue of her was blessed and erected in the grounds of the National Shrine at Carfin where many can be reminded of Mary’s role as intercessor for Palestine.   Furthermore, the week after the Mass in Paisley 29 members of the Order, their families, and friends will set out on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land during which they will visit not only the Holy Sites of Christ’s life, and  the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows Aboud, for which the Scottish Lieutenancy has special care, but also the 1927 shrine of Our Lady Queen of Palestine at Deir Rafat,   There they will celebrate Mass and pray for peace in the troubled territory of the Holy Land, and for the protection of Mary for the land of her birth.

Sep 16:

TWO BISHOPS AMONG THOSE INVESTED INTO THE ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE OF JERUSALEM

The annual Investiture ceremonies of the Scottish Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre were unusual this year.   Though priests and bishops are admitted to this predominately lay Papal Order, given the small number of bishops in Scotland it is not common to see one being invested into the Order.   But this year no less than two members of the hierarchy were admitted to the Order’s ranks, Archbishop Cushley of St. Andrew’s and Edinburgh and Bishop Keenan of Paisley.   They were joined in the solemn clothing ceremony by three new lay Knights of the Holy Sepulchre:  Martin Gardner from Stonehaven, John McVey from Glasgow, and Michael Willis from Stirling.   Asked how he had come to join the Order Michael said: “I was always fascinated by the history and legacy of the various Chivalric Papal Orders. At a fund-raising Golf Day in Perthshire I met some of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre who explained their current mission within Palestine and promoted my application for membership.   So here I am today”   

In another departure from custom the ceremonies were held in Motherwell Cathedral for the first time, at the kind invitation of Bishop Toal, an episcopal member.   They were conducted by Archbishop Conti in his capacity as Grand Prior of the Scottish Lieutenancy and the Mass was enhanced by the singing of the Motherwell diocesan choir.

In the course of the ceremony Archbishop Conti clothed each bishop in a white mozzetta which bears the distinctive red cross of Jerusalem – a square cross with a smaller, similar cross in each quarter, the whole representing the five wounds of Christ.    He clothed each of the three new knights with a large white cloak, also bearing the Jerusalem cross.   The Grand Prior also placed around the neck of all five new members a red enamelled Jerusalem cross which members wear on ceremonial occasions.

In his homily Archbishop Conti addressed the question of what is expected of members of the Order in the world today.   Basing himself on the scriptural readings of the Investiture Mass he emphasised the importance of publically giving witness to one’s faith through action.   He gave practical illustrations of how an active and generous support of the work of the Order could help achieve this.   He instanced visiting the Holy Land on pilgrimage, working to help resolve the pressing problems of baby warehouses in Tel Aviv, and by demonstrating goodwill and charity towards others in raising funds for those in need.   These practices could enable members to outwardly express what they inwardly believed.

At a meeting held immediately after Mass the very large cohort of Scottish Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre heard of the realities of the Order’s work from Prof. Bart McGettrick, a member of the Lieutenancy and one of the three members of the Order’s Holy Land Commission who oversee the Order’s work on projects on behalf of the international Order’s ruling Council.  He gave an up-to-date account of the situation in the Holy Land based on his recent three week stay there.  Prof McGettrick emphasised the Order’s role in helping get rid of separation, division and conflicts between the different groups living there.  He highlighted the importance of working to resolve injustice wherever it is found in order to let hope grow in people’s hearts.

The meeting rounded off a weekend of reflective spirituality, practical enthusiasm, and great joy at welcoming five new members including the two bishops, to help further the Order’s work in the land of Our Lord’s birth, death, and resurrection.