Visitation of Mary

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth.



Now in holy celebration
sing we of that Mother blest,
in whose flesh for men's salvation
God incarnate deigned to rest,
when a kindred salutation
named in faith the mystic Guest.

Lo, the advent Word confessing,
spake for joy the voice yet dumb,
through his mother's lips addressing
her, of motherhood the sum,
bower of beauty, blest and blessing,
crowned with fruit of life to come.

"Whence," she cried, at that fair meeting,
"comes to me this great reward?
For when I first heard the greeting
of the Mother of my Lord,
in my womb, the joy repeating,
leapt my babe in sweet accord!"

Lo, at that glad commendation
joy found voice, in Mary's breast
while in holy exultation
she her Maker's power confest,
at whose word each generation
now henceforward names her blest.

Triune Godhead, health supplying,
Ruler of eternity,
on the fount of grace relying,
we uplift our hearts to thee,
praying that in realms undying
we at one with Life may be.

15th Century - from the Latin

Happy Feast!

Trinity Sunday

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.



All hail, adored Trinity!
all hail, eternal Unity!
O God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit; Three-In-One.

To thee upon this festal day,
we offer up our thankful lay;
thou hearest in thy love's great wealth,
and praising thee is all our health.

Three Persons praise we evermore,
our only God our hearts adore;
in thy sweet mercy ever kind
may we our sure protection find.

O Trinity! O Unity!
Be present as we worship thee;
and with the songs that angels sing
unite the hymns of praise we bring.

Words: Anglo-Saxon, before the eleventh century
Trans. J. D. Chambers, 1852

Happy Sunday!

St Andrews - 6

Please click on the photo below for more fascinating information.



St Andrews Castle was the setting for many important events. Great people from home and abroad were richly housed and lavishly entertained within its walls; others less fortunate were held in its grim dungeons.

St Andrews - 5

On a headland to the north of the burgh of St Andrews stands the castle. Steep cliffs protect is to the north and east, whilst rock-cut ditches once defended the landward approaches. The castle was the main residence of the bishops and archbishops, and as Scotland's leading churchmen, they lived in a manner reflecting their status. They also had to be prepared to defend themselves and the property of the Church, hence their strongly-fortified castle.

St Andrews - 4

Here we see part of the crypt of St Andrews Cathedral.



Well, we are now leaving the Cathedral and going for a short walk in a North Easterly direction to St Andrews Castle - the main residence of the bishops, and later the archbishops, of St Andrews.

St Andrews - 3

Here we see the ruined East End of the new Cathedral - which is located very close to the tower of the former St Rule's Church.



The new Cathedral was enormous. You get some idea from this photo which shows the East End at the left hand side of the picture and the West End at the right hand side. In fact at first the Cathedral was even larger, but the original West End which collapsed and had to be rebuilt closer to the East End.

St Andrews - 2

Here we see part of the tower of St Rule's Church - the predecessor of the much larger Cathedral that was to be built on the site.



Click on the photo below to read further details.



It is possible to climb to the top of the tower which provides a marvellous view of St Andrews.