How do you prioritise good causes?

Most of us have a favourite charity or cause that we support.



Our Lady of Cardigan, patron for our cause

And then, a crisis pops up either on the horrific level of the plight of the Syrian refugees or, on a more individual level, that of the sad case of one of Fr Ray's parishioners, Paul.

We like to give to those unfortunates also.

So that may make my appeal look somewhat trite and unimportant.

No lives are at stake. No hungry person needs feeding; no naked bodies require clothing.

So what is my good cause and why does it merit a place somewhere on your 'priorities' list?

Well, the good cause is an appeal to raise funds so that three (or thereabouts) young people from West Wales may take part in the Chartres Pilgrimage this year.

It is not a big appeal as money goes; £1500 would just about cover our costs.

The costs include return fares to London, overnight accommodation in the City and then the £350 per head for the Pilgrimage fee.

We have a bit put by but need the £1500 to make it viable.

To summarise, it is a chance to embed the one true Faith in a young person - for life!

What a great gift to endow to a person; one that may last, Deo volente, for the next 60 or 70 years.

And who knows what soldiers for Jesus Christ will be strengthened by such an experience?

So, any contribution, no matter how small, will be appreciated, whether you are Welsh, English, American or from any other part of the globe.

Here is the link for donations -

WEST WALES TO CHARTRES PILGRIMAGE 2014

On behalf of our group in Menevia, I thank you.

Please note, as we are not a registered charity, the payments will go directly to my personal account but all transactions will be scrutinised and verified  by two independent individuals.

If you walk in a westerly direction

Assuming that you are in England somewhere, you will, most probably, come to Wales, a green and pleasant land populated by sheep and a roguish, likeable race of Irish and Italian descent.

And if you keep walking taking a point that is close to the middle, in north/south terms, you will come to the unassuming town of Cardigan, home to a certain type of knitwear and twinned with a similar Welsh town in the east called, Raglan (ahem).

Visitors to this pleasant place will encounter the extraordinary generosity of Cardigan folk who like to shower guests with gifts of cash with elastic string quaintly attached.

And Cardigan is also home to the Welsh National Shrine of Our Lady; once one of the major sites of pilgrimage for thousands who flocked there on foot facing outlaws and vagabonds, poor roads and inclement weather conditions.

Even in 2008 there were a goodly few who would travel to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Cardigan to pay homage to the Mother of God.

But then, something happened....who knows what?

And the pilgrimages became, how can I put it? Less well attended.

And now - there is no pilgrimage. Dim pilgrimageo as they would say in Wales.

We have had Chartres, Holywell is, I believe, this weekend and Walsingham is to come in August.....but nothing for Our Lady of Cardigan.

Why? Because people will not travel, they say.

But travel is an integral part of any pilgrimage...so why?

I know why...but Catholic charity forbids me to say more other than, pilgrimages are not about numbers.

They are about paying tribute to Mary our mother and to the worship of Almighty God.

What would it take to organise a successful 2014 pilgrimage to the National Shrine?

Not much, here are a few starting points:-

1. Juventutem to form a Cardiff branch

2. Appoint a well known priest (or Bishop) to lead the pilgrimage

3. Create a programme of devotions (Rosary procession through the town)

4. Invite like minded organisations to play an equable role

5. Apply to Rome for a specific indulgence


And also throw a bit of money at the project.....with no elastic string attached!


 

Could a signal be sent to Rome?

Could we, possibly, with every best intention, send a message to the Holy Father by........

....not having a Latin Mass Pilgrimage to Chartres next year?

Instead, could we have a combined pilgrimage involving Latin Mass followers
  and SSPX followers?

You may be aware that, each year, within a few days of each other, mainstream orthodox Catholicism has a pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres while, the SSPX hold one from Chartres to Paris.

That just seems plain b****y silly.

We are so close. We are one surely?

It is licit to attend SSPX Masses.

And, from the SSPX point of view, traditional mainstream Catholic Masses are legit (despite what one or two more prejudiced priests might say).


That they all may be one, as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou hast given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, as we also are one: I in them, and thou in me; that they may be made perfect in one: and the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast also loved me. 

Just imagine the force of 25,000 or 30,000 Catholics marching, singing and praying together. 
Please pray that both sides will come together ignoring the spite and contempt that will be levelled at them and join as one on this great Pilgrimage for 2014.

Here is an account of what already takes place; a meeting of two great forces for Christ:

A sense of unity among the two pilgrimages is nothing new.  Each year the lay leaders of the two pilgrimages—brothers in the old Faith—meet briefly at the halfway point in order to raise a glass to the Catholic Cause they all attempt to serve. But this year, an even stronger sense that Tradition is rising and Traditionalists are uniting prevailed throughout Pentecost weekend in France.  Bishop Fellay preached  a sermon to the SSPX pilgrims, for example, in which he recalled the example of St. Joan of Arc and the apparent hopelessness of the situation in her time, just before God Himself raised up a champion, The Maid. “Do we have the right to stay where we are?” asked Bishop Fellay. We do not have the final say “yes” or “no” for “he who wants to recognize our Fraternity is the Pope himself.”  Whatever one thinks of the situation between the SSPX and the Vatican, it cannot be denied that we’re all witnessing history in the making.

From: The Remnant (plus picture)

The Chartres Pilgrimage......one day, maybe

I have long wished to go on the Chartres Pilgrimage (which is about to draw to a close for this year) but, always, something has got in the way. It may now never happen as 72 miles in 3 days seems an impossible target (I know there are lifts available but that seems to negate the object of the exercise).

Paris to Chartres - the mainstream route!

But I wish all pilgrims well in their magnificent task and hope and pray that, possibly this might be the last year of the double pilgrimage; I mean, of course, the SSPX Pilgrimage that runs from Chartres to Paris, culminating at Sacre Coeur Church, Montmartre. With the talks between Rome and Econe coming to a close, I hope (and I mean hope) that a concord has been struck and that, maybe, in 2012 both groups will march together (but in which direction?).

Chartres to Paris - the SSPX route!

I recall a comical tale regarding the SSPX pilgrimage of 10 plus years ago. The church authorities would not allow an SSPX Mass to be held in Sacre Coeur so, each year, the pilgrims hold it on the mount outside the church. It was the custom for a few pilgrims to take flags up the church tower and, at the moment of consecration, they would be waved, majestically from on high.
This would not do decided the church officals and so, all those progressing up the tower were subjected to close scrutiny. But they did not reckon on the resourcefulness of the SSPX who wrapped flags around the bodies of several of their Japanese pilgrims and sent them up the tower, loaded with cameras and looking for all the world like the stereotypical tourist.
At the concescration the flags flew over Montmartre once more, to the great annoyance of officialdom!

Pilgrimage to the national shrine of Wales, Our Lady of the Taper

Our Lady of the Taper needs YOU!

The LMS has announced Sunday 7th August as the date for the pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Taper, full details will follow but there will be an EF Mass and Benediction plus a refreshment break - could this be an opportunity for a Welsh blognic?????

Our Lady of the Taper is in Cardigan and we struggle to maintain our numbers in this far flung spot so please visit on 7th August. It is very beautiful, has many good and inexpensive links and golf clubs; just the place for a long weekend away.

Just a few miles down the coast is Newport, home
to good accommodation (Newport Links Golf Club)
and excellent eating places......renew the body as well as the soul!

Bring your family, your friends, your parish, solvent enemies (if you have any), in brief, just come and enjoy a momentous occasion.

Chartres planning group - a date for your diary

For those who are seasoned Chartres pilgrims or for those wishing to find out about the possibilities of joining this great march for the faith, the organisers have announced a meeting.

Photo: The Remnant

Francis and Julie Carey have arranged a "Mozart Sung Mass" to precede the event which will take place on Sunday February 6th at St Mary Magdalene, 96, North Side, Wandsworth Common, London SW18 2QU.
Mass is at 11.00 - you are advised to bring a packed lunch for the meeting afterwards in the parish hall. Should finish by 15.00.

Free street parking (as its Sunday) and the nearest station is Wandsworth Town served from Waterloo - the 10.14 will get you there in time.

SO - YOU CAN ATTEND AND FULFIL YOUR SUNDAY OBLIGATION!