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.