Probably our Holy Father's last public homily . . .

Although, naturally enough under the circumstances, we didn't have a lot of notice about the Holy Father's last public Mass in St Peter's Basilica yesterday (Ash Wednesday) I hope nonetheless that some of you were able to watch it on television or online; or at least some of it.

It was of course a beautiful Mass and very moving.

You might like to read the Holy Father's homily from the Mass so here is the text for you to read and meditate on in your own time.

As always, whenever Pope Benedict preaches, there is a great deal of spiritual nourishment for us to reflect on.

Let us all prayer for our Holy Father and for his successor.  

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

Holy Hour for all Nascent Life . . .

Responding to the Holy Father's wishes we were happy to hold a Holy Hour this afternoon to pray for all nascent life.

We began with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent . This was followed by a period of silent prayer and the recitation of the Holy Rosary.

We concluded with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. It was lovely that our organist was able to attend and we were able to sing the O Salutaris, Tantum Ergo and Adoremus at Benediction. It was indeed a very 'Holy' Hour.

Thank you to all who braved the freezing weather to come and prayer for this very important intention.

Papal Address to our Bishops in Rome . . .

Some time ago I mentioned that I had been asked to complete a questionnaire from Bishop Kieran to enable him to gather information about parishes in the diocese for his ad Limina visit to Rome. This visit has recently taken place. Fr Seán Finnegan has posted the text of the Holy Father's address to our bishops on his blog Valle Adurni. Rather than duplicate it, I recommend you follow the link here to read it for yourself.

What is the purpose of the ad Limina?

Listed below is an explanation taken from the web site of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales:

There are three important parts to the ad Limina:

1. The pilgrimage to, and veneration of, the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul.

2. A personal meeting with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

3. Meeting and conversations with the various departments of the Roman Curia (the administrative offices of the Holy See)

More on Day 3 . . .

Just before I tell you what we've been doing this afternoon, I must also let you know that St Ann's were presented to the Holy Father at the General Audience this morning. We all stood up to great applause. It was very moving.

Here you can see most of our group outside the 5th century Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. At the front on the left is Mr Anthony Coles, our Tour Leader, who has been doing an excellent job of looking after us.

After visiting the Basilica we moved on to the church of San Alfonso, the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, where we had a beautiful Mass.

Another lovely day and the time is passing all too quickly.

Dixit Dominus . . .

Dixit Dominus . . . Tu es sacerdos in aeternum secundum ordinem Melchizedek ...

The Lord said, . . . ' You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'

On Wednesday evening, the clergy of our diocese will gather at Arundel Cathedral before Bishop Kieran to renew the promises they made at ordination. This is a wonderful occasion for priests and followed by Holy Thursday when we celebrate the institution of the Blessed Eucharist and we are reminded, by his own example, of Christ's commandment to serve one another. One of the priest's function is to serve his people.

All of these events remind me of the Holy Father's announcement that there will be a Year of the Priest beginning on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on 19th June 2009 with a day of sanctification of priests and closing with a World Meeting of Priests in St Peter's Square, Rome on 19th June 2010.

This jubilee year also celebrates the 150th anniversary of the death of St Jean-Marie Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, described by Pope Benedict as a 'true example of a priest at the service of his flock.' The Holy Father will declare him as patron saint, not just of parish priests but of all priests.

The Holy Father in declaring the Year of the Priest said,

'The priest must be present, identifiable and recognisable - for their judgement of faith, personal virtue and attire - in the fields of culture and of charity which have always been at the heart of the Church's mission.'

He also said that,

'The centrality of Christ leads to a a correct valuation of priestly ministry, without which there would be no Eucharist, no mission, not even the Church.'

How fitting that in this Year of Priests I will celebrate 10 years of priesthood on 4th June. I shall offer Mass in thanksgiving followed by a reception for the parish in the hall afterwards. More details to follow.