Universalis

Thursday, 14 February 2013

Lenten Pilgrimage - 2

We start our tour at the Mother Church of the Diocese - St Andrew's Cathedral, Inverness. The Cathedral is located on the west bank of the River Ness.


The architect was Alexander Ross, who was based in the city. Construction began in 1866 and was complete by 1869, although a lack of funds precluded the building of the two giant spires of the original design. The building was dedicated in 1874. It is in this building that Bishop Mark has his official seat.

Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord, and precious,
binding all the Church in one;
holy Zion's help for ever,
and her confidence alone.

All that dedicated city,
dearly loved of God on high,
in exultant jubilation
pours perpetual melody;
God the One in Three adoring
in glad hymns eternally.

To this temple, where we call thee,
come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
with thy wonted loving-kindness
hear thy servants as they pray,
and thy fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.

Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
what they ask of thee of gain;
what they gain from thee, for ever
with the blessèd to retain,
and hereafter in thy glory
evermore with thee to reign.

Laud and honour to the Father,
laud and honour to the Son,
laud and honour to the Spirit,
ever Three, and ever One,
consubstantial, co-eternal,
while unending ages run.


Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Lenten Pilgrimage - 1

During the 40 weekdays of Lent we are going to let Bishop Mark Strange take us on a tour of the 39 parishes within the United Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness. As the photo shows, this large Diocese does contain some remote areas!



Soldiers of Christ, arise,
and put your armour on,
strong in the strength which God supplies
through his eternal Son;

Strong in the Lord of hosts,
and in his mighty power:
who in the strength of Jesus trusts
is more than conqueror.

Stand then in his great might,
with all his strength endured,
and take, to arm you for the fight,
the panoply of God.

From strength to strength go on,
wrestle and fight and pray:
tread all the powers of darkness down,
and win the well-fought day.

That, having all things done,
and all your conflicts past,
ye may o'ercome through Christ alone,
and stand entire at last.




Happy Lent!

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Shrove Tuesday

Well, it's farewell to Alleluia for the next 46 days.



I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord
I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord
I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord
Alleluia, Glory to the Lord.

Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord,
Alleluia, glory to the Lord.

We will come, we will come as one before the Lord.
Alleluia, Glory to the Lord.

Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord,
Alleluia, glory to the Lord.

If the Son if the Son shall make you free
You shall be free indeed.

Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord,
Alleluia, glory to the Lord.

Thy that sow in tears will reap in joy
Alleluia, Glory to the Lord.

Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord,
Alleluia, glory to the Lord.


Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess,
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord,
Alleluia, glory to the Lord.


In his name in his name we have the victory
Alleluia, Glory to the Lord.

Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord,
Alleluia, glory to the Lord.




Don't worry - we'll have an avalanche of Alleluias during the Easter Octave!

Monday, 11 February 2013

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Today we rejoice that on 11 February 1858 Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old peasant girl admitted to her mother that a "lady" spoke to her in the cave of Massabielle, (a mile from the town) while gathering firewood with her sister and a friend. Similar appearances of the "lady" were reported on seventeen further occasions that year.

Bernadette Soubirous was later canonized as a Saint, and Roman Catholics and some Protestants believe her apparitions have been validated by the overwhelming popularity and testament of healings claimed to have taken place at the Lourdes water spring.



The beautiful stained glass image is courtesy of www.StainedGlassInc.com

Immaculate Mary!
Our hearts are on fire,
that title so wondrous
fills all our desire.

Ave, ave, ave Maria!
Ave, ave, ave Maria!


We pray for God’s glory,
the Lord’s kingdom come!
We pray for his vicar,
our father, and Rome.

Ave, ave, ave Maria!
Ave, ave, ave Maria!


We pray for our mother
the church upon earth,
and bless, sweetest lady,
the land of our birth.

Ave, ave, ave Maria!
Ave, ave, ave Maria!


For poor, sick, afflicted
thy mercy we crave;
and comfort the dying
thou light of the grave.

Ave, ave, ave Maria!
Ave, ave, ave Maria!

There is no need, Mary,
nor ever has been,
which thou canst not succour,
Immaculate Queen.

Ave, ave, ave Maria!
Ave, ave, ave Maria!


In grief and temptation,
in joy or in pain,
we’ll ask thee, our mother,
nor seek thee in vain.

Ave, ave, ave Maria!
Ave, ave, ave Maria!


O bless us, dear lady,
with blessings from heaven.
And to our petitions
let answer be given.

Ave, ave, ave Maria!
Ave, ave, ave Maria!

In death’s solemn moment,
our mother, be nigh;
as children of Mary —
help us when we die.

Ave, ave, ave Maria!
Ave, ave, ave Maria!


And crown thy sweet mercy
with this special grace,
to behold soon in heaven
God’s ravishing face.

Ave, ave, ave Maria!
Ave, ave, ave Maria!


To God be all glory
and worship for aye,
and to God’s virgin mother
an endless Ave.

Ave, ave, ave Maria!
Ave, ave, ave Maria!




Happy Feast!

Sunday, 10 February 2013

5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today we hear about a miraculous trawl of fish.



Christ is the King, O friends rejoice!
Brothers and sisters, with one voice
Make all men know he is your choice:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

O Christian women, Christian men,
All the world over, seek again
The Way disciples followed then:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Christ through all ages is the same;
Place the same hope is his great name,
With the same faith his word proclaim:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Let Love's unconquerable might
God's people everywhere unite
In service to the Lord of light:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.




Happy Sunday!

Saturday, 9 February 2013

The Forests of Inverness - 13

Here we see Fr James Bell, Parish Priest of St Mary's, Inverness leading some of his flock on a Rosary Walk in Culloden Forest.



They halted at St Mary's Well for prayer. In addition to Fr James we see a priest from Africa, a seminarian from Rome, and a monk from Pluscarden Abbey - quite a gathering!



Hail, Queen of heaven, the ocean star,
Guide of the wanderer here below,
Thrown on life's surge, we claim thy care,
Save us from peril and from woe.

Mother of Christ, Star of the sea
Pray for the wanderer, pray for me.

O gentle, chaste, and spotless Maid,
We sinners make our prayers through thee;
Remind thy Son that He has paid
The price of our iniquity.

Virgin most pure, Star of the sea,
Pray for the sinner, pray for me.

Sojourners in this vale of tears
Blest advocate, to thee we cry
Assuage our sorrows, calm our fears
And soothe with hope our misery.

Refuge in grief, Star of the sea
Pray for the mourner, pray for me.

And while to Him Who reigns above
In Godhead one, in Persons three,
The Source of life, of grace, of love,
Homage we pay on bended knee:

Do thou, bright Queen, Star of the sea,
Pray for thy children, pray for me.




We shall be having further Marian devotions on Monday.

Friday, 8 February 2013

The Forests of Inverness - 12

The entrance to Culloden Forest is just 2 minutes walk from my front door.



The Prisoners' Stone, now hidden amongst the trees remains a grim reminder of the Battle of Culloden. Victorious Government troops shot 17 Jacobite prisoners here on 17 April 1746, the day after the battle. Nearer to the car park, the Lord President's Seat is dedicated to the local laird Duncan Forbes who helped the Government side.



Pagan and Christian traditions merge at St Mary's Well - it's the local 'clootie well'. Visit on the first Sunday in May to dip your clot (rag) in the well and tie it to the tree to bring good luck, cure ailments, or ward off evil spirits!