A Prayer for the unity of Christians

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy Dowry and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee. By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given to the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the cross, O sorrowful Mother! intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the chief Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home. Amen.

A Strange Day !

Today has been a strange day in the Blogosphere. First of all there was the video which appeared on two blogs and seemed to show German bishops being appallingly rude to our former holy father. Then they disappeared. Next a whole blog disappeared and subsequently other postings vanished from other blogs. Are these things related or merely coincidental? Regarding one of the video postings- I returned to check it out because I had left a comment which I was beginning to feel had been, perhaps, a little intemperate, however, even that had  been removed. Was it a hoax? Had we been "had"?

Aw! Shucks!!

I am not a little ('Ow you say in Eengleesh?) overwhelmed ? embarrassed ?...I know not what....to find this little blog the recipient of a nomination...thingy...of a "Sunshine Award" from such amazingly respectable and esteemed bloggers as Signor Trovato, the Countercultural Father, and Mrs Parkes of the Catholic Orthodoxy blog. I feel quite undeserving of any such award at present, having been a relatively quiet blogger these last couple of years. Indeed there has been much for me to ponder on in the Catholic reaches of the blogosphere in that time - good and not so good- to the extent that I have tended to  restrain my typing finger on the basis that, as somebody once said, it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and banish all doubt!

Among the conditions of receiving the award, I understand that I have to publish ten pieces of information about myself. So here goes:
1. I was born on the Second Sunday in Lent  in the sixteenth year of the pontificate of Pius XII.
2. I was baptised exactly three weeks later on the Sunday when all the statues in the church were veiled.
3. My first Communion took place during the pontificate of the Blessed Pope John XXIII
4. I was confirmed by Archbishop Francis Grimshaw during the papal sede vacante of 1963 and recall going into the church a few days later to sing "God Bless Our Pope" upon the election of Paul VI.
5. I sang in a church choir from the age of eight until I went away to college at eighteen. 
6. I graduated in Fine Art(Painting), was specially commended for my studies in the History of Art and qualified as a teacher.
7. I taught for several years but didn't enjoy school.
8. I married the perfect wife (see O.T. job spec.Proverbs ch 31) in the year that has a novel named "after" (or should that be "before"?) it.
9. I have two (adult) children in this world.
10. I help out with the music at mass most Sundays.
So, as may be seen, quite a show-off- a real exhibitionist!

My ten positively and creatively inspiring fellow bloggers:
1. Countercultural Father
2. Catholic Orthodoxy
3. Laodicea
4. Idle Speculations
5. Offerimus Tibi Domine
6. Mulier Fortis 
7. Linen on the hedgerow
8. Bara Brith
9. Roman Christendom
10. Eccles and Bosco is Saved



I do not necessarily agree with everything published on the above blogs but even when I don't am inclined to think that they all have hearts in, about, the right place.