Due to an editorial glitch, the Preston part of the Lancaster report in the latest Mass of Ages did not appear. Here is the text that should have been there!
The Institute of Christ the King's patronal feast at the end of October was celebrated with a full church. The weather was very threatening but the Eucharistic procession went ahead after the 10.30 am Mass and it stayed fine just long enough: as the Blessed Sacrament was carried back inside it started to rain!
Also in October, nine young women were clothed with the habit of the Sisters Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus in Naples, bringing the total to 72 sisters; there are now more novices than professed nuns.
Likewise, the Seminary at Gricigliano is very full, mostly with seminarians in their early years. Consequently some of the senior seminarians have been assigned to apostolates for their final year. This is not ideal as it means that they are not there to mentor the new intake but it does mean that the Preston apostolate has had the blessing of having a Deacon three years running. But having so many seminarians is a good problem to have!
The All Saints party for the children was well supported with the children choosing some interesting saints, and the following day, Canon Cristofoli displayed his large collection of relics on the forward altar. The Remembrance Sunday High Mass was as usual celebrated on the War Memorial altar followed by prayers at the catafalque. In Advent around 30 people braved the cold and the early hour to attend the Rorate Caeli Mass. Masses for Christmas took place at midnight on Christmas Eve, 9am, 10.30am and 12 noon with the Canons' private Masses in between. Many people went to more than one Mass.
On New Year's Eve there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 11.00 pm to midnight followed by the Te Deum. Before the midday Mass that morning, prayers were offered for the late Pope Benedict XVI and Requiem Masses were celebrated for him on the day of his funeral.
Looking forward to the next quarter, in preparation for Lent there will be 40 Hours Devotion commencing with Vespers on Sunday 19th February at St Walburge's. There will be continual Adoration until Tuesday 21st concluding with 6.00 pm Mass coram Sanctissimo and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Masses for Ash Wednesday, with imposition of ashes, all at St Walburge's, will be at 8.30 am, 12 noon and 6.30 pm.
Please note that all services during Holy Week will take place at St Walburge's, except the 9.00 am Masses on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.
Guild Sundays, which resumed in January, will continue on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, with the exception of Easter Sunday.
The traditional English Martyrs pilgrimage, normally on the first Saturday in May, this year coincides with the Coronation. Therefore it has been provisionally moved to the second Saturday. Please check the Institute website https://icksp.org.uk/preston/ or the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/icksp.preston/ nearer the time to confirm date and timing.
