Who are these people who walked in darkness and yet have seen a great light? Who are those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on whom light has shone? And what is this darkness? What is the light?
Fr. Prior Simon’s Christmas Eve Chapter Homily 2024
In a few hours we will celebrate the birth of Christ, God's appearing in flesh among us. But now, liturgically speaking, he is still hidden within Mary, still undergoing baptism in her womb, though both of them probably can't wait for it to be over. In any case, for now we can still see only Mary and her husband Joseph. So let's look at them, as they sit quietly having breakfast in Bethlehem perhaps.
Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Sunday 22 December 2024 Advent 4C: Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
Advent 4C: Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
In today’s Gospel we heard words we repeat constantly in our “Hail Mary” prayer. The first part of this prayer exactly quotes the Angel’s greeting as reported by St. Luke in the first Chapter of his Gospel, verse 28: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT PLUSCARDEN: DECEMBER 2024
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT PLUSCARDEN: DECEMBER 2024
Tuesday December 24th
Mass at 9.00 a.m. as usual
First Vespers of Christmas at 4.15 p.m.
No Compline
Solemn Christmas sung Vigils begin at 10.15 p.m.
MIDNIGHT MASS BEGINS AT ABOUT MIDNIGHT
Ends maybe about 1.20 a.m.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25TH - CHRISTMAS DAY
An English Mass is said in the Lady Chapel at 8.00 a.m. as usual
Conventual sung Mass (Latin) at 11.00 a.m.
Vespers, Benediction & Compline 4.30 p.m.
Thursday December 26th - St. Stephen
Mass at 10.00 a.m.
Vespers & Benediction at 4.30 p.m.
No public Compline
Friday December 27th – St. John
Mass at 10.00 a.m.
Vespers & Benediction at 5.15 p.m.
Compline as usual
Saturday December 28th – Holy Innocents
Mass at 9.00 a.m.
Homily for Advent Sunday 3C, 15 December 2024
The prophecy of Zephaniah is perhaps rather easily overlooked; but as we glimpse from today’s first reading, it’s well worthy of our attention. Zephaniah was a contemporary of Jeremiah, active in the second half of the 7th century before Christ. By the time he was born, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had ceased to exist. Judah remained tenuously independent for now, but its Kings indulged in religious syncretism or outright idolatry; and with their pagan practices went also pagan morals, including much shedding of innocent blood (cf. 2 Kings 21:16).
St. Joseph's House December 2024
Bishop Hugh was with the community on St. Andrew's Day, 30th November, for the Blessing of St. Joseph's House. That was a happy occasion, much enjoyed by all able to be present for it.
As of mid-December 2024, there are still some small details of the house waiting to be finished. We also await the completion of the large central St. Joseph Statue.
Christ the King, Year B, 24 November 2024, Dan 7:13-1, Apoc 1:5-8, John 18:33-37
If we needed reassurance, having spent the last three weeks or so praying for the dead and perhaps thinking of our own death, and about the Last Things, then the Church in Her wisdom delivers it. Sometimes the link between the readings at Mass is subtle, even difficult to discern. Not this time! The passage from the Apocalypse unambiguously answers any questions that were perhaps left hanging in the air by the other two readings
Dom Simon Piątkowski is appointed Prior Administrator of Pluscarden
The Abbot President of the Subiaco-Cassinese Benedictine Congregation, Dom Ignasi Fossa, with his Council of Assistants, has appointed Dom Simon Piątkowski as Prior Administrator of Pluscarden, until the next regular canonical Visitation: that is, until June 2027. This decision was recommended to the President by our Abbot Visitor, Dom Cuthbert Brogan of Farnborough Abbey, who reached it together with his Provincial Council.