Autumnal Wanderings - Part 2

Torphichen Preceptory

photo courtesy of pariscub

Torphichen is derived from the Gaelic: torr-fithichean , 'the raven's hill'.

On Saturday 14th November Una Voce Scotland held another in its series of 2009 Autumnal pilgrimages.  A goodly number of members and friends made their way to Torphichen Preceptory, the Scottish seat of the Grand Priory of England of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta  (commonly known as the Knights of Malta). 

Many of the Scottish Knights and Dames attended in the regalia of the Order which added a further welcome dimension to the pilgrimage, attending Mass in a location their confreres would have done daily centuries ago.  They were led by the Grand Prior of England, Frà Fredrik Crichton-Stuart.

A Missa Cantata was offered by Monsignor Boyle, national Chaplain of Una Voce Scotland, and the society's good friend Fr. Emerson FSSP attended in Choir.

St Margaret's Banner leads the procession with Una Voce Schola seen in background 

 

Kneeling in Adoration

 

A Group Photo

In the centre from left to right - Mgr Boyle, Fr Emerson, Frà Fredrik Crichton-Stuart

The Knights of Malta have a somewhat potted history in Scotland.  Although Scotland was, by Papal Bull, regarded as having an independent hierarchy in the Roman Catholic Church, (much to the chagrin of the English Archbishops of York who always claimed fiefdom), the Knights of Malta did not confer Scotland the same autonomous status and kept in under the English Langue.  They backed, and died in battle, for the English in the Scottish wars of Independence and left (banished?) after the English defeat at the Battle of Bannockburn, returning later having made peace with Robert the Bruce. During the reformation the last Preceptor, Sir James Sandilands, sold the property of the Knights to the Scottish Crown then bought it back on a personal basis in the process adding further to his existing titles; that of Lord Torphichen.

Once again Una Voce Scotland was very fortunate to have the pilgrimage recorded on video and a DVD will hopefully be on sale in the near future. A good Christmas present for someone perhaps?

To see more photographs from this set click HERE

Visit to Lanherne Convent

The main entrance to the Convent.

A view from the organ loft.

To the left of the high altar you can see the grill behind which the community join in the Mass. Recently they were given lessons in singing Gregorian chant and judging by the quality of the singing during Mass they must have been very attentive students.

The recess on the right contains a side altar where the Blessed Host is reserved. This may seem strange to some who feel that Our Lord should be in the tabernacle on the high altar, but, when you consider the devotions of the religious behind the grill you may say yes, He is in the correct tabernacle; always visible to the nuns who have dedicated themselves to Our Lord.

Fr. George celebrating the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord.

As it was a beautiful day Father decided after Mass that it was appropriate for us to take tea and biscuits outside on the lawn near the Grotto. This rounded of a wonderful visit to this young, vibrant community.

In your charity please pray for the religious of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI), founded in 1970 and erected to an Institute of Religious Life with Pontifical Right in 1998.

Click here to see more photos.

Wigratzbad Ordination 2009

The newly ordained Fr. William Barker FSSP giving individual blessings. A truly glorious occasion. Deo Gratias.

Fr. Barker offers the Sacrifice of the Mass for the first time.

Fr. Leworthy (left) and Fr. de Mallery (right) with Fr Barker after Mass.

Three wise men? Well certainly the gentleman in the centre is.

The rogues flanking His Excellency Bishop Schneider are none other than Leo Darroch, President of Una Voce International, and Joe Shaw, Chairman of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales.

Our intrepid little band enjoying the sights of Lindau before flying home.

To view all the photographs click here