BBC's Nativity: Modern Spin we Don't Need

The beauty of this scene would thrill a film audience and stir their souls.

One of my favourite Catholic bloggers is Linen on the Hedgerow (a great fighter for Catholic orthodoxy), and this (see link below) is one of the articles I've read on the BBC's 'Nativity'.

Now I know many a liberal will bemoan the fact that I won't watch it, whilst I will condemn it -- but I don't need to see a dog in the act of fouling the pavement down my street to understand how wrong it is when the children walk to school.

The obscenity that Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, was in some way raped, or a prostitute has been repeated ever since the days of the sadducees and pharisees and those who claimed (be they the Jewish authorities, gnostics, or other evil men) this have repeated the same old lie in the mistaken belief that their repetition of the lie will make it more acceptable.

Should we be shocked at the BBC's role in defaming the Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Redeemer of the World during Advent, as we approach the Feast of Christmas?

Yes - we should be shocked (but not surprised) and I think that all Catholics (and men of good will) should take this up with the BBC.

This is not an upset. This is not an offence. It is an absolute outrage that strikes at the very heart of our Faith, and at the very root of Christian history, and the central message of Christmas: that Our Lord was born of the Virgin Mary to save mankind.

That men with blackened hearts cannot accept this and so have to invent horrendous stories about the Blessed Virgin Mary reflects badly on them. There is not, has never been, and can never be, a single blemish on the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

We are reminded of this when we read that beautiful verse that is the Magnificat:

My soul doth magnify the Lord.

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid;

for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Because he that is mighty,

hath done great things to me;

and holy is his name.

And his mercy is from generation unto generations,

to them that fear him.

He hath shewed might in his arm:

he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat,

and hath exalted the humble.

He hath filled the hungry with good things;

and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He hath received Israel his servant,

being mindful of his mercy:

As he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

 

Luke 1:46-55

As Richard at Linen on the Hedgerow says, why must we have these "contemporary" versions and stories, when the Gospel is written so beautifully?


Might we hope, one day, for a faithful, beautiful, moving and stirring Catholic telling of the nativity - perhaps on a par with Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ? That film won over so many souls to Christ; even I knew agnostics and atheists who opened their hearts to Catholicism as a result of that film. Not all converted, but some did and others at least softened their stance re. the Church and Christ.

With all the influence, intelligence and (dare I say?) money that the Church and we millions of Catholics have between us (we could put in £5 each!) we could make a film that could win countless more souls for Christ and His Church...

Apologies for rambling on. But for every evil and smear the BBC can put out, if we Catholics even answered one in ten, it would have a great impact.

Years ago the Church won hearts, minds and souls with the beauty of its liturgy, buildings, altars, statues and the way all was bound seamlessly together (lessons I believe we have forgotten or neglected after Vatican 2 - to the detriment of both Catholics and mankind in general).

Just imagine if we remembered how to win hearts and minds again? A crusade to win souls for Christ using the tools that the enemies of the Church in the BBC and Hollywood have used to besmirch Christ and His Church, and to blacken more souls with the filth and blasphemy they spew forth.

We all saw how, when Pope Benedict visited our shores (I know he didn't visit Wales, but perhaps it would have been too emotional for him ;-) ) Catholics and men of good will rallied to the Papal banner to proclaim the Christian roots of these islands and to make a stand, to show that people of goodwill still exist, that beauty still has a place in a world we all too often think are full of drugs, violence, obscenity and evil.

The BBC (and others) hinted that the visit would be a failure, that people in Britain were living in a 'post-Christian multi-cultural' land in which homosexual rights now counted for more than Catholic artifacts, or where atheists' writings were devoured more readily than the turgid output of a maligned and shamed priesthood.

They were wrong.

And they can be proved wrong again.


That is my sincere hope and prayer today in the face of a moribund and moth-eaten output by the BBC, for these lies that they tell are old lies.

Meanwhile let us all pray to Our Lord and Our Lady that the calumnies of the media-men might be forgiven, in the words of Our Lord crucified: forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Link:
Linen on the Hedgerow

Our Lord was an Unborn Child too

As was Our Lady, St Joseph and all the Saints.

For that matter so were you and I.

European Christmas Traditions From St Nicholas' Day to Epiphany

This is an interesting page on the BBC Web-site, detailing Christmas traditions across Europe.

To be honest I have long thought the tradition of the Spanish in giving gifts on the 6th of January - the day the Three Kings gave the gifts to the Infant Christ - has more relevance to the Christian Nativity story, and would allow us to celebrate the spiritual nature of Christmas, then the gift-giving of Epiphany (in turn 'rounding off' the 12 days of Christmas).

I think I read previously that in the Czech Republic that the main Christmas meal is fish... which to my sensibilities just seems wrong, but then I'm no fan of Turkey either, preferring beef, chicken, lamb or pork (or a mixture of a few of them given the choice!).

From ChurchYear.Net:
Officially called "The Epiphany of the Lord," this feast celebrates the epiphany (manifestation) of Christ to the Gentiles, symbolized by Christ's manifestation to the Magi (Wise Men). The feast originally was more closely connected to Jesus' baptism, the primary theme of the feast in Eastern Churches to this day. In addition, other manifestations of Christ were often commemorated during Epiphany, including the miracle at Cana. In fact, it has been asserted that the Baptism of the Lord, the adoration of the infant Jesus by the Magi, and the miracle at Cana all historically occurred on January 6 (see Abbot Gueranger's works). Whether this is true is contested, but either way, the Epiphany solemnity is celebrated on January 6, which falls within Christmastide. In some Catholic regions, the feast is translated to a Sunday. The Eastern Churches often call the holiday Theophany, which means "manifestation of God." Eastern Christians also refer to the Epiphany as "Holy Lights" because they baptize on this day, and baptism brings about illumination. Traditionally, Epiphany marked the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

And as this is a Welsh site I've put a link to some Welsh Traditions too.

Link:
BBC Languages - Christmas
Welsh Christmas Traditions

Llandysul - the Site of St. Tysul's 6th Century Church

St Tysul's Church

Today we travelled to Llandysul beyond the hinterland of Carmarthenshire, just across the border (yes, we took our passports) into Ceredigion, to look at a second-hand Rayburn cooker.

Driving into the (twin?) villages of Llandysul and Pont Tyweli, all we could say was wow. The Christmas lights were delightful, especially down Llandysul's high street, and dotted throughout the village were large painted boards of Christmas scenes (carol singers, an Angel blowing a trumpet etc.).


It really made Llandysul feel really 'Christmassy' and the charming local shops looked warm and welcoming.

So it was as we circled around the town searching out our destination (being Luddites we don't use satnav) we saw a bit of the town and I couldn't help but be drawn by the beautiful and clearly Medieval Church. I'm always pleased to see such lovely Churches, which would have drawn all the local populace for countless Liturgical events, whilst being sad that the Sacraments are no longer practiced there, that Our Lord is no longer present.

According to the history of  Llandysul and Pont Tyweli site (see link below) St Tysul was a member of a very distinguished Holy Welsh family:

The fine old church is the oldest building in Llandysul dating from the 13th century, but standing on an ancient foundation named after St. Tysul who founded it in the 6th century. St. Tysul was the son of Corun, the son of Ceredig, who gave his name to the kingdom, now the county, of Ceredigion.

Ceredig had another son, Sant, who was the father of our Patron Saint, St. David. Thus Tysul and St. David were first cousins.

After seeking and finding our prey, we decamped to the High Street to enjoy a coffee and Welsh cake (each!) in an Italian coffee bar (stocking up on wafer thin sliced salami whilst there), before setting off for home.

Ogham script

According to the same site, there is evidence that Irish Catholics lived in the area:

In the Choir Vestry are a collection of early Christian inscribed stones, amongst which is the Velvor Stone commemorating Velvoria, daughter of Brohomaglus. This stone has a bilingual inscription, in Latin and Ogham - the ancient Irish language, and this gives evidence of the Irish population settled here at the time.

There is much else of interest on the web-site, including links to Owain Glyndwr and his family, the English Civil War resulting in the bridge between Llandysul and Pont Tyweli being partially demolished.

Indeed, given that Owain Glyndwr owned lands in the area, it is no stretch of imagination to envisage the Welsh warlord and his family and followers attending Mass, going to Confession and much more at St Tysul's Church when it (as it stands today) would have been only over 100 years old, and thoroughly Catholic!


Link:
History of Llandysul and Pont Tyweli
Wikipedia on Llandysul 
Fantastic S4C (Welsh Channel 4) Slide Show on Llandysul (in English)
Llandysul and Plogonnec in Brittany

P.S. Those of you who weren't paying attention, see my last post, Llandysul literally means the Church of St Tysul (Llan: Church of. Dysul: St Tysul).

Wales: The Land of Mary & Catholic Churches

If you travel through Wales (you lucky sausage!) you will soon discover a preponderance of places called "Llan...", i.e. with the prefix Llan.

Llanfair-ar-y-bryn Church

The vast majority (there are a tiny number of exceptions) of these mean 'The Church.' As most of these place names go back into the mists of time and commemorate Saints from the Age of Saints (circa 5th Century) again the vast majority of these Churches were established to celebrate the Sacraments, and let the Welsh people receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord to be received in Communion.

Furthermore, amongst the myriad of places in the land that gave these Isles its tradition of monasticism (embraced by the Irish under the Welshman, St Patrick and carried from there to the non-Welsh parts of Scotland and Northern England)), you will see many that begin "Llanfair..."

The prefix Llanfair means the place, the village, the Church there was dedicated to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Welsh, the descendants of the original Britons who embraced the Catholic Faith as Romano-Britons, were dedicated to the Virgin Mary, just as the English Saxons and the Norman-English would be in later years.

Following the Reformation sadly after many years the Welsh (with few brave exceptions) lost their ancient Faith, and with the protestant Bible published in Welsh and Welsh nonconformist chapels opened, to save their language and keep their communities alive, most Welshmen became nonconformist (no doubt their love of Biblical and Welsh hymns playing a part).

Yet our Welsh Catholic past is all around us, in the names of the Saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the very towns and villages throughout Wales, North, East, South and West.

Please pray for the conversion of the Welsh to their Catholic Faith.

Link:
BBC Site on Llan Names in Wales

Rejoice! Gaudete Sunday: The Birth of Christ is Near

This coming Sunday is Gaudete Sunday. A genuine time to "rejoice" at the coming birth of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, born of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As Catholics we should always rejoice, mindful that our God-made-man lived among us, was born into relative poverty and obscurity, to deliver us from the grip of sin and open the gates of Heaven to us all, if we make our lives worthy of that reward.

I loved this song/carol when I first heard the Steeleye Span version (a great band - get their best-of CD for some wonderful English folk music). The words are particularly moving (see bottom clip for English translation) and encapsulate all that Catholics have held dear about Christmas for 2000 years.

Funnily enough I came across a protestant site all about Carols (sorry I don't recall its name) and it said that Catholics frowned upon Carols, keeping them outside the Church, so that they only became popular in later years.

What rot! As this moving Christmas Carol testifies. It is true that the Mass was virtually unchanged throughout the Medieval period - codified in the Council of Trent to stay absolutely unchanged until the New Mass post Vatican 2; but the idea that Catholics did not celebrate Christmas ignores the fact that the Mass was the central part of spiritual life for Catholics, but there was much else celebrated too, especially on Feast/Holy Days and especially at Easter and Christmas.

Such airbrushing of history to make Catholics seem like cheerless automatons is typical of such sites - ignoring the fact that it was the protestants themselves who ripped apart our beloved Liturgical year, banning Christmas, banning Holy Days, stopping pilgrimage, and so much more to overturn the Catholic Traditions which were the very lifeblood of Europe.

As Belloc said, Europe is the Faith, the Faith is Europe - so in celebrating Advent, Gaudete Sunday and Christmas itself we in Wales, and our fellow Catholics in England, Ireland and Scotland are remaining very much part of a European and Catholic Tradition that centuries of penal laws and enforced protestantism has not been able to destroy.

So this Sunday go to Mass, pray the Rosary and raise a glass! Let us celebrate our Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Faith and the coming birth of the Saviour of the World, Jesus Christ.





The following has terrible sound quality but is handy for its English translation of the Latin:



Link:
Catholic Encyclopedia on Gaudete Sunday

Romano-Celtic Britain and the Coming of the Saxons

I found this interesting article on the internet which deals with the decline of Roman Britain, the encroachment of the Picts, Scots and Saxons on "Welsh" lands from Strathclyde to Kent.

Right: Britain circa 600AD. See how the 'Welsh' (Britons) Stretch from Cornwall, through modern Wales, Lancashire, Cumbria to Southern Scotland.

It's interesting that the writer of the piece shows how a Saxon cleric says that the sins of the English led to the scourge of the Danes on their lands, just as the sins of the Britons/Welsh led to the scourge of the Saxons; in effect that the failings of the Catholic inhabitants of these isles delivered them to the assaults of vicious pagans.

Students of our Welsh and Catholic past will find this article of great interest:

Roman Britain and the Saxon Advent

Those pesky wandering shepherds!

On coming downstairs this morning to make tea and toast I discovered the shepherds had "done a runner" from our newest nativity scene in the living room.

Were they indeed, as we used to sing during Advent morning assemblies in Marlborough Road Junior School, back in the mists of time when everything was in sepia, washing their socks by night?

I let the cat in (as a rescue cat she seems to meow more than the average moggie) and she walked into the living room, looked in disgust (OK, I'm embellishing the tale, but bear with me kind soul) and turned tail (literally) and padded out of the room.

What could cause such feline consternation? What had garnered such disturbance in the heart of the home?

Further investigation was required (mindful of the role of GKC's Fr Brown and the Tridentine-defending Agatha Christie in crime-solving) as to the nocturnal sojourn of the shepherds and the cat's cattiness.

Looking smug - the runaway shepherds

I donned my deer-stalker and grabbed my spy-glass, kept for just such occasions, and made my way to the cat's cushion where she normally sits and there, with pleased looks on their faces, were the errant three shepherds.

Was this going to be a daily affair? Would the wise men be next? Where would the animals opt for? Might the Holy Family set off early for Egypt?

Furthermore should I call in the media? How would the world react to our wandering Nativity scene players?

Or should I just have a word with our youngest who tends to get up very early, potter around getting toys, and then heads back to bed?

Which is the more credible explanation?

A Dominican Fighting for the Common Good

"Nobody who ever met or saw or heard Father McNabb has ever forgotten him."  G.K. Chesterton.

A book I read quite recently and which I highly recommend is The Church and the Land by the Irish Dominican priest Fr Vincent McNabb.

Living at the time of Cardinal Newman, Pope Leo XIII and GK Chesterton, he witnessed a world in which conversion to the Church was common, and promotion of the Church's social teaching was winning hearts and minds.

I think it's fair to say that the Catholic Church in England - of which this Irish Dominican was a part - was very much in the ascendancy in his lifetime, very much a part of the universal church yet in parts quintessentially English (as embodied by GKC).

In his book McNabb promotes the Common Good of the people, and tackles issues from agriculture to the notion of work and employment. One of his essays refers to a conference in Cardiff too! It doesn't take much to excite me... ;-)

Links:
The Church and the Land by Fr McNabb
Wikipedia on Fr McNabb
Fr McNabb (inc painting on this page).
Fr McNabb on CatholicAuthors.com

Look Whose On Our Tree: It's a Rotund GKC

There are so many lovely things about Christmas, Advent and the growing anticipation of the Feast Day we are all waiting for on the 25th of December!



Having children, the appearance of decorations usually begins on the 1st of December: the start of the month being a green light to all the excitement. This year some decorations even began appearing slightly earlier whilst I was in hospital (as if a conclave was held and the outcome was "Dad's not here, let's get busy way before time!").

Today I partook in an annual ceremony, now that the halflings have put up a Christmas tree.

Yes, GK Chesterton came out of the drawer where he has been ensconced since January 6th.

Now he is settled in, and this year he has been joined by a great set of Nativity decorations (Holy Family, animals, shepherds and wise men).

Putting GKC on the Christmas tree is a very exciting moment! And, without being disrespectful to one of, if not the, best Catholic writers and apologists, GKC's portly shape lends itself well to being a bauble.

What better way to ensure that Christmas is thoroughly Catholic and full of wit, wisdom and good cheer?


The GKC bauble was bought a few years back from the American Chesterton Society. I don't know if they still sell them.

Advent Approaches: And I Can't Wait!

Probably like you, dear reader, I despise the commercialisation of Christmas which seems to start with gusto as soon as Fireworks Night is out of the way.

And yet, such is my feeling of joy as Christmas approaches, that I can't resist feeling a sense of excitement in the air as we near December.

Personally I don't care much for presents and all that side of it (being officially as tight as a duck's hind-quarters, like my father before me), besides which as I have crossed the Rubicon and am now in my 40s, just how many pairs of socks, underpants, after shave etc. do I need?

No, I am fully caught up in the spiritual side of Christmas and I am nothing if sentimental about the whole thing.

The cold, dark evenings remind me of when, as a child, I would look up at the stars and imagine the infant Jesus in that stable so many miles away, so many years ago also under the star-lit sky. The shepherds, the angels, then the kings from the east and so on.

That to me was and is the essence of Christmas. It is a simple vision of Christmas, one held by a child, yet it has always stayed with me.

I love the simple things about Christmas, the sense of impending happiness and joy, the carols, the liturgy of Advent, the feast of Christmas itself.

I don't want to sound like an ascetic as I love a nice beer and pork pie as much as the next middle aged man (especially when scoffed - with half a carrot - on Christmas Eve with the crumb-laden remnants left as the evidence of Santa and Rudolf's visit), but for me Christmas is all about the joy of the Nativity and that special feeling, that uplifting of the soul, that "magic" of Christmas, well I don't think it will ever leave me.

So, as much as I loathe the commercialism of Christmas to the degree that it is today a spend-fest, I cannot help but begin to be excited at the prospect of Advent and the countdown to Christmas that this heralds.

I think my all time favourite Christmas carol is Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Primarily because it was my favourite as a child and I have vivid memories of trying to reach those high notes in school assembly or standing carol singing on doorsteps in the neighbourhood, but also because it evokes that time when the Hosts of Heaven appeared to those simple workingmen on the hillside of Bethlehem to announce the birth of Our Lord and mankind's Saviour. It also reminds me of the "newborn King" - i.e. that He was and is Christ the King, to Whom all nations and societies should be subject.

So I am sorry (well, not that sorry!) if I offended anyone with my eagerness to embrace Advent and Christmas, but that is who I am.

Fr. Kelly of Dunvant: A Holy Catholic Priest

Fr Kelly of Dunvant Parish

Many thanks to all the parishioners, my local Parish Priest, friends, family and blog-readers who prayed, said the Rosary and had Masses said for the time I was in hospital. There are too many people to name, but you are all in my prayers also and I will be eternally grateful to you all for your invaluable help and support in every way.

Just to know that Masses, Rosaries and prayers were going up from across Wales, Ireland, England and elsewhere meant so much. I know it sounds emotive to any casual blog reader, but when in pain and at your lowest ebb these things can make all the difference and provide the support needed to get you through pain to see the better day that follows.

There is also a special mention to a very special soul who this trying time brought me into contact with: Swansea, Dunvant-based priest Fr. Kelly, who's vocation is to visit the patients of Singleton Hospital.

On my first night in the hospital, circa 10.30pm  I was sitting pondering the operation the next day when a white-haired head popped around the door and called "Goodnight God Bless." I called after the figure and so received Communion that night. Had I not had Confession a few days before I am sure Fr Kelly would have been happy to hear that too.

Indeed this kindly and charitable soul came to me on every day and it meant that almost every day I could receive Holy Communion (one day I could not because despite visiting twice that day, Fr Kelly either found me in too much pain or asleep).


Indeed last Monday when visiting, Fr Kelly bumped into me in the corridor in some considerable pain and still offered to help me, such was his concern.

I really have nothing but praise for this wonderful man of God whose calling enables him to give so much hope, joy and comfort to those in pain, worrying, recovering, alone etc. To see his smiling face, hear him blessing the patients and staff, as they in turn would call "goodnight Father" after the silver haired priest all in black, it is one of most endearing memories of my stay in hospital and always brings a smile to my face.

A fellow patient told me that Fr Kelly had been there for his own mother when she was in the hospital some decades before. She had said to the visiting priest when asked 'are you Catholic?': "I used to be." The priest replied that 'once a Catholic always a Catholic' and sat with her to offer help and so on.

It reminds one of how the Catholic Priesthood can still mean a great deal, can bring so much succour to souls in need, is still (despite media assaults and rare scandals) a truly Holy Calling.

Even now when I get pains or am weary as I recover, the smiling face and truly charitable nature of the kindly Fr Kelly truly lifts my soul. If ever a man was sent by Our Lord and Our Lady to help those who need it I think Fr Kelly is that man.

Our diocese, our country and our Faith is very lucky to have such a priest.

Thank you and God Bless you Fr Kelly of Dunvant Parish. You and your vocation will always be in my prayers.

Link:
Diocese History of Fr Kelly on his 60th Anniversary of the Priesthood (Read his fascinating story of being a Seminarian in wartime France, being ordained in post-war Palestine and more).

Your Prayers Gratefully Received

I hope you will indulge me with a very personal post.

May I thank all the kind friends, family and parishioners who have given me all their best wishes, kept me in the prayers and much more. I take great comfort in all these prayers and Masses being said for my intention.

I am going into hospital tomorrow and hope to be out 7-10 days from then providing there are no complications.

It is quite major surgery but the doctors tell me it is a relatively "easy" one too.

I am sure Our Lord and Our Lady will give me the strength I need. The operation is on the birthday of our beloved departed former Parish Priest, Fr Charles Higham SJ, so I am sure that has a meaning known in heaven.


Please remember me in your prayers in these coming days, and I hope to be posting on this blog again very soon.

The Will of God

I believe that the true welfare of man consists in fulfilling the will of God.

Leo Tolstoy

Bonfire Night - 400 Years of Anti-Catholic State Propaganda

Remember, remember

the fifth of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot. 

I see no reason

Why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot... 

 

 We Catholics should remember that 'Bonfire Night' is a propaganda piece central to hundreds of years of repression of Catholicism and the Truth.

 

I believe that the "power of nightmares" scenario spoon fed to people today is a mere shadow of the fear and hatred whipped up by Cecil and the rest of Elizabeth I's entourage, followed up by Cecil Jr and James I.

 

Remember that Elizabeth was made Queen of England, promising to be a Catholic, only to ask the priest at the Mass afterwards not to elevate the host: thus showing the Catholics of England and Wales which way the wind would blow.

 

The majority - no, the vast majority, of her subjects were Catholic, yet she chose to split the country apart and separate us from most of Europe to follow her absurd Protestant hatreds. 

 

After years of martyrdom, penalty and penury the Catholics of England and Wales hoped for better times under James I (the son of Mary, Queen of Scots the Catholic victim of Elizabeth's regicide which shocked all of Europe), only to have their hopes dashed.

 

Despite all her efforts and all the blood and terror, Elizabeth had not broken the Catholics, many of whom continued to bravely and secretly follow their Faith.

 

Many people now believe that that the whole 'Catholic Conspiracy' was egged on by Robert Cecil, the 1st Earl of Salisbury and James I's spymaster, the son of the accursed William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, Elizabeth I's spymaster. 

 

Certainly the Gunpowder Plot gave Cecil and his ilk everything they needed to paint all Catholics as traitors, terrorists and worse.

 

Little matter that many had been painted into a corner by the policy of the Cecils and their heretic paymasters which had taken martyrdom, suffering and horrifying fines to every corner of England and Wales.

 

So it is that 400 years later so many people still play out this little piece of anti-Catholic propaganda as orchestrated for so long. Gladly few now realise that it was a part of a State plan to keep a population violently opposed to what their own forefathers had thought perfectly normal.

 

It is sad to think that our rulers used such incredible and underhand lengths to keep our peoples separated from the Sacraments, but that is the truth of the matter.