I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE SHRINE IS NOW OPEN DAILY!
What Lourdes? No!
Fatima then? No again!
Walsingham? No, of course not.......it's WALES!
Sad but true. The National Shrine of Wales, Our Lady of the Taper, open to receive pilgrims daily since the 14th century has now locked its doors except at weekends and when a Mass is celebrated.
That means that, if you happen to be passing through the peaceful rural town of Cardigan and wish to pray your respects to Our Lady of the Taper - tough luck!
The reasons for locking the doors to the church and shrine are not clear.
Cardigan has always been a quiet non violent sort of place and the shrine is a short step out of the town centre, away from any pubs and bars.
So why close the shrine?
The Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord:
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour
Because He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaid: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is His Name.
And His mercy is from generation until generations, to them that fear Him.
He hath showed might with 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 lowly.
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.
That is very sad news!!! Maybe there are no volunteers available to be on duty or something/
ReplyDeleteCan't be that Ros, the shrine has never had or needed anyone to watch over it - other than the angels.
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry to see this. Surely the Bishop or Diocesan authority must have given some reason for this depressing and negative action? It needs the people of Wales to object to this, loudly and clearly, from the roof-tops and in the Press. Maybe, just maybe, those responsible might realise that the Catholics of Wales do really care about their National Shrine, and they do not want it barred and bolted.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry this is happened, and will pray for the situation.
ReplyDeleteIn a wholly irrelevant aside, I really like your flag, especially the dragon!
- Mack in Texas
I'm still ploughing on with the daily Memorare. Keep the faith!
ReplyDeleteRichard,
ReplyDeleteVery sad news indeed! Where next Walsingham then St Peters Rome? We will have to redouble our prayers-you have mine!
God Bless.
Michael.
Sad to think that what Cromwell didn't accomplish, bishops have permitted. I do hope the closing of the shrine is not attributable to a local chancery decision having to do with lighting and heating bills.
ReplyDeleteWhy the American-style flags?
ReplyDeleteEpsilon....a sore point, I do not like secular flags in church. In fact, I believe Canon Law prohibits their use.
ReplyDeleteHave you been to the states?
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