Children's Stations of the Cross
Br Henry will lead an online Children's Stations of the Cross at 11am on Good Friday accessible on our YouTube Channel.
The Guardian Angels and Spiritual Communion
Many people who have been joining our daily Masses online will find this article by Christopher Howse in the Daily Telegraph helpful. Find our YouTube channel by clicking here.
Spiritual Preparation for Holy Week and Easter
Making an Easter Confession is impossible at the moment and a number of people have asked how they can make a spiritual preparation for Holy Week and Easter.
One way might be to make an examination of conscience followed by saying the act of contrition. In this way we can remind ourselves of our own sins and the burden our Lord carried for us on the cross. We can also cultivate a longing for confession and gratitude for the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation we receive in that sacrament.
When Our Lord appeared to his disciples after his resurrection he showed them the marks of the nails our sins had caused. He also gave them the gift of peace. "Peace be with you," he said. Then he gave the sacrament of reconciliation. He breathed on the apostles and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; those whose sins you retain, they are retained."
Once the present situation begins to improve it will be possible to come to Mass and Holy Communion once again. Before we do that we should also make a resolution to come to confession as well. Our return to the Eucharist will be like another First Holy Communion day. We are blessed that we have this time of preparation for it.
The Fathers of the Oratory will make sure there is plenty of opportunity for confession when it becomes possible again. Meanwhile here is a download of the Guide to Confession which is always available at the doors of the confessionals in St Wilfrid's and St Joseph's.
Holy Week Service Times
Please note that Holy Week streamed service times will be a little different.
On Palm Sunday the Extraordinary Form Mass will be at 9.00am and the Ordinary Form English Mass will be at 10.30am.
From Monday to Wednesday the Extraordinary Form Mass will be at 8.00am and the Ordinary Form English Mass will be at 9.30am.
On Maundy Thursday the Mass of the Lord's Supper (OF) will be at 6.00pm.
On Good Friday the Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion will be at 3.00pm.
On Holy Saturday the Easter Vigil will be at 9.00pm.
There will be no Rosary on Maundy Thursday but on other days the Rosary and Stations will be at 5.30pm as usual.
Please look out for further announcements. Our YouTube channel can be accessed by clicking here.
Home Altars
All sorts of things are happening online. Br Henry and Br David have their Canon Law classes by Skype and the First Holy Communion Preparation still continues. Here are some pictures of the home altars some of our children have set up.
Don't forget that you can watch Mass live streamed from the Shrine of Our Lady of York every day. There is also a daily Rosary and some other services. All these are available to view later. To access our services please click here.
Novena to St Thérèse
The Rector of the Basilica at Lisieux has asked for a novena of prayer to St Thérèse in the days leading up to Holy Week. For those who would like to use the novena prayer it can be found by clicking here.
Stations of the Cross
Some viewers of our Youtube channel have asked for copies of the meditations for Friday evening's Stations of the Cross. You can find a PDF document by clicking here.
Technical Difficulties
We apologise to those who tried to join us for Mass this morning, and experienced difficulties. We are currently working to have the issue resolved.
The Rededication - Play your part
We were to host the rededication of England to our Lady as her Dowry this coming Sunday (29th) - and though the procession and music won't be possible, the current situation makes it all the more important to entrust ourselves wholeheartedly to Mary's maternal protection. After all, King Richard II offered his kingdom to the Blessed Virgin in 1381 at a time of national crisis. We should have the same confidence in Our Lady's power now.
We have had some booklets beautifully printed, and will distribute them at a later date. However, you can take part at home by downloading the booklet here. The Rededication will take place during our broadcast Rosary and Benediction at 5.30pm this Sunday. Tune in on our YouTube channel, and join thousands across this land, set apart among the nations for the Mother of God.