Saturday 26th March 2011 at 11.30am

at St Vincent’s Centre, Carlisle Place, Victoria, London, SW1P 1NL
(close to Westminster Cathedral)
[By kind permission of The Sisters of Charity]

At 11.00am The ESBVM AGM Business will be held
in anticipation of the ESBVM AGM Lecture.

Free admission / All welcome

Further information from Hon General Secretary

gensec@esbvm.org.uk

The AGM will precede the liturgical celebration at 14.00
of the 950^th Jubilee of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham
to be held in Westminster Cathedral.

As excited pilgrims made their way to Hyde Park on the third day of the Pope’s visit some found their progress impeded by protests from various groups opposed to the visit who had organised a demonstration at Hyde Park Corner extending down Piccadilly. However, far from the 10,000 claimed the numbers appeared to be no more than 5,000.

As one of 10 members of ESBVM who were invited pilgrims, I made my way to the enclosure  and found a seat in the front row by the stage. Carol Vorderman presented entertainment from different parts of the Catholic Community in the hours leading up to the Pope’s arrival. There was also moving testimony from the parents of murdered teenager, Jimmy Mizen. I didn’t meet up with other members of the Society until later but we were all struck by the prayerfulness of the vigil, especially during Adoration.

Shortly before the Pontiff’s arrival, the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales walked on to the stage, waving enthusiastically at the waiting crowd. There was an air of informality about the whole event, which members of the hierarchy seemed to enjoy. A vast  procession of banners  were carried  onto the stage  by representatives from parishes throughout the country as well as various Catholic groups who were greeted by the bishops.

Huge crowds lined the Mall as the Popemobile made its progress  and the scenes were relayed to those waiting in in Hyde Park on vast screens. As The Priests sang Vivaldi’s  Laudamus Te, Mendelssohn’s Lift Thine Eyes and pieces from Handels’ Messiah. The  New English Orchestra , a freelance ecumenical orchestra of musicians from all over the country, provided musical accompaniment with their musical director, Nigel Swinford.

As the Pope arrived in the Park a huge roar was heard. The Popemobile moved amongst the waiting crowds and drew up by the stage with a beaming Archbishop Vincent Nichols beside him. The Pope made his way to the stage acknowledging the waves and  cheers of the crowd.

Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark welcomed the Pope, referring to  the nearby site of Tyburn where both Catholic and Anglican martyrs died . He  gave thanks  that “in more recent times, the Christian Churches in our land work together in the light of the Gospel for the common good of all in this country,” and said that there was much that united us.

Following the Gospel reading of the Beatitudes, the Pope preached. Reflecting on  Newman’s message for all and influence in his own life and  stressed the importance of prayer,

“without the interior transformation which takes place through the grace of the sacraments, we cannot, in Newman’s words, “radiate Christ”; we become just another “clashing cymbal” (1 Cor 13:1) in a world filled with growing noise and confusion, filled with false paths leading only to heartbreak and illusion.”

The Pope then lit the Paschal candle from which parish representatives lit their candles and processed in front of the stage as Adoration of  the Blessed Sacrament began.  The Litany of the Sacred Heart  was  recited, followed by Cardinal Newman’s prayer that the light of Jesus “penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine” and his hymn, Lead Kindly Light was sung.

At the end of the service X factor finalist, Liam McNally sang a moving rendition of the Nunc Dimittis which was  warmly received by Pope, bishops and people.

The whole event radiated warmth and prayer. Reflections of Blessed John Henry Newman embraced  his life as an Anglican throughout the whole Papal visit. There were a number of Anglican Bishops and other church representatives at the Beatification including Arhbishop Gregorious of Thyateiria and Bishop Christopher Hill, both ESBVM patrons.

An Anglican clergyman wrote to Newman when he was  made a Cardinal:

“I wonder if you know how much you are loved by England … by all religiously minded England … And I wonder whether this extraordinary and unparalleled love might not be … utilised,as one means to draw together into one fold all Englishmen who believe.”

Might not these words apply equally today to Newman and to Pope  Benedict who has spoken from the heart, Cor ad Cor Loquitor,  during this momentous and historic visit!

Amanda C Dickie,
Hon. Press Secretary, ESBVM

Representatives of the ESBVM were privileged to be present at  the ecumenical service in Westminster Abbey during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. We were seated in the Nave  close to tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and had a wonderful vantage point for the Pope’s arrival and the first part of the service.

It was an historic moment when Pope Benedict XVI went to Westminster Abbey,  the heart of our country’s establishment where  monarchs have been crowned and are buried.

The Pope stepped out of the Popemobile  to cheering crowds, who obscured the ‘No Popery’ banner on the opposite side of the road.  The Dean, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, greeted him and pointed out the effigies of St Maximillian Kolbe and Oscar Romero , alongside more ancient saints, above the great West Door. The Pope looked impressed and gestured enthusiastically towards the figures.

The Abbey is dedicated to St Peter, and it was a poignant moment as today’s successor to the Apostle entered with the Archbishop of Canterbury, having come from an historic meeting at Lambeth Palace with Anglican and Catholic Bishops. They were accompanied by  Dr John Sentanu, Archbishop of York, and  the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Rev’d Vincent Nichols.

The Dean invited the Pope to pray before the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, as is the custom for visiting heads of state. Following a brief prayer invoking peace,  leaders of the Orthodox and Oriental Churches, Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, United Reformed, Free Churches of England and Wales,  Church of Scotland and the Irish  Catholic and Anglican Archbishops of Armagh were presented to the Pope,who greeted each warmly. The Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury retired to the Jericho chamber to vest for a service of Evening Prayer. When  they re-entered  the choir, conducted by Catholic, James O’Donnell, Organist and Master of Choristers, stood in a semi circle by the West Door, singing  the Invitatory, especially composed for the service. The Pope looked appreciatively towards them, seemingly impressed by the quality of music.

It was a moving moment as the Procession moved along the Nave towards the chancel with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pope walking side by side,  preceded by Cathedral clergy and the sixth century Book of  Gospels  given by Pope Gregory  to  St Augustine when he bought the message of Christianity to these shores.

As the Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury embraced  in the sign of Peace spontaneous  applause  burst out from the  entire congregation.  Applause had also rung through the Abbey before the Pontiff’s arrival, following his address at the Palace of Westminster which had been relayed on vast screens to the waiting guests.

Dame Mary Tanner, President of the World Council of Churches, read the Epistle and the Rt Reverend John Christie, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland read the Gospel. The Archbishop and Pope then venerated the St Augustine Gospels..

In his address the Pope spoke of  his commitment to Christian unity and of coming as a pilgrim to the magnificent abbey:

“whose  architecture and history speak so eloquently of our commonheritage of faith. Here we cannot help but be reminded of how greatly the Christian faith shaped theunity and culture of Europe and the heart and spirit of the English people. Here too, we are forciblyreminded that what we share, in Christ, is greater than what continues to divide us.”

He spoke of this years  centenary of the ecumenical movement which began at the Edinburgh conference of 1910 and “the remarkable progress” made ,whilst being aware of what still needed to be done;  and the challenges, the blessings, the disappointments and the signs of hope which have marked our ecumenical journey.”

He offered words of encouragement for all Christians to rise to the challenges “of the spirit of the age”, as the successor of St Peter “charged with a particular care” for church unity.

The Archbishop of Canterbury  referred to the Abbey’s Benedictine origins and the Benedictine Rule that  had laid  foundations for an entire culture. He spoke of the need to regain the dignity of human labour and leisure in our society and the “profound encyclicals “of Pope Benedict that had explored these themes.

Canon Jane Hedges and representatives from Catholic and Anglican youth organisations led the prayers.

The service culminated with the Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury being led by the Dean to kneel and  pray together at the tomb of St Edward the Confessor for  healing of the the divisions between Christians.

They  then gave a joint blessing to the assembled people from many traditions and all walks of life. As they processed down the Abbey the West Doors were flung open and waiting crowds cheered enthusiastically as the Abbey bells rang out. It was an amazing ecumenical occasion where the Pope exuded warmth and was given an equally warm reception.

Afterwards we viewed the gifts exchanged between the Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury and met  Canon Sagovsky, Canon Theologian of the Abbey, ESBVM member and patron. Lord Hurd, former Foreign Secretary, robed  as a Canon  of the Abbey, smiled amiably as he exited. Also spotted was a  frail but beaming Lord St. John Fawsley wearing his trademark red scarf. We also saw our esteemed member and patron, Metropolitan Kallistos Ware,who declared his delight at the service  and was also present at the Papal Mass at the Westminster Cathedral the next morning.

Amanda C Dickie,
Hon. Press Secretary, ESBVM

Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary – USA

Meeting October 2, 2010

My Sister’s Place Women’s Center
17 W Franklin St
Baltimore, MD
410.727.3523
www.catholiccharities-md.org/my-sisters-place/msp

9 am Registration, coffee and tea [Those wishing lunch will be given a lunch card
for $10.00 donation (for My Sister’s Place).
Lunchtime shared with women at the center.
Lunch also available at area restaurants. ]

9:15 am Rev. Joshua D. Genig, St. John Lutheran Church, Wheaton, Illinois
“Virgin Mary in the Lutheran Tradition”

10:15 am Report, ESBVM 17th International Congress, Garstang, Lancashire, UK
Other news.

10:30 am “She knew trouble: loneliness, hatred, fear and sorrow; and
Mary was her name.”
Dedicated to the mothers at “My Sister’s Place Women’s Center”
Dr. Virginia Kimball, ESBVM-USA President

11:30 am Break for lunch, to be shared at My Sister’s Place

1 pm [SHARP] Tour of the Basilica of the Assumption, 409 Cathedral Street,
Baltimore, MD [Right next door]

[Tour and day’s events will be concluded at 2 pm.]

The Mariological Society of America invites proposals for its May 17-20, 2011 conference in Scottsdale, Arizona on the Marian dimensions of the evangelization, settlement and development of the territories that are now the USA and Canada. Proposals can cover any period of history from the 16th through the 19th centuries. Issues and questions may be approached from the viewpoint of systematic theology, art, literature, Scripture, popular religiosity, ecclesiastical and/or cultural history.

Some possible topics might include:

• Marian doctrine and devotion among the early missionaries who evangelized and contributed to the establishment and growth of the Catholic Church in the United States and Canada.
• The Marian charisms of particular religious congregations (e.g. The Society of Mary, Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate) and their contributions to Catholic life in the USA and Canada.
• The Marian dimensions of the faith and culture of various ethnic groups in what is now the USA and Canada (e.g. Native Americans, Hispanics, French Canadians, Germans, Irish, Poles, and Italians).
• The Mariology and/or Marian devotion in the life and preaching of notable Catholic figures–especially canonized Saints, those recognized as “Blessed” and those whose causes for beatification have been introduced.
• Marian shrines and basilicas in the USA and Canada (e.g. the Spanish Missions, Cap de la Madeleine, Sainte Anne de Beaupre, the Basilica of the Assumption in Baltimore, MD, etc.).
• The Mariology and/or Marian devotion of the early Catholic Church in the USA or Canada (e.g. the 1846 petition of the Sixth Provincial Council of Baltimore to the Holy See to place the Catholic Church in the USA under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception).
• Mariology and Marian devotion in Catholic education in the USA and Canada from the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries.

*Deadline: October 31, 2010

Please send title and precis of your contribution by email to: Father John Phalen, CSC at jphalen@hcfm.org or to

Dr. Robert Fastiggi at Fastiggi.Robert@shms.edu.
For more information call or write:
Mariological Society of America
MSA Secretariat

Father Thomas A. Thompson, S.M. at Thomas.Thompson@notes.udayton.edu
The Marian Library
The University of Dayton
Dayton, OH 45469-1390
Phone: 937-229-4294
FAX: 937-229-4258

Spring meeting of the ESBVM usa

This meeting will be held in the Washington, DC area on May 1st, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Road, Vienna, Virginia.

For directions & info go to: http://www.olgcva.org or email vkimball@assumption.edu

SCHEDULE:
Registration will begin at 9am and the program commences at 10am. A light lunch will be served (donations gratefully accepted), followed by a business meeting.

THE PROGRAM:
ESBVM is proud to welcome our primary speaker, Mr. Kenneth D. Whitehead, author of many books and articles dealing primarily with church history and liturgy. The title of his presentation is “The Catholic View on Ecumenism.” Among his numerous writings is his recently published book, The New Ecumenism. He has also translated some 20 books from foreign languages. Mr. Whitehead is a retired U.S. Government official who joined the administration of President Ronald Reagan as Director of International Education Programs in the Department of Education, eventually serving as Assistant Secretary for post-secondary education. He came to the Department of Education from the Foreign Service where had been an Arabic-language and Middle East Specialist. His tours of duty included Rome, Tripoli, Libya, Beirut, and Lebanon. He is fluent in French and Italian. Mr. Whitehead is a member of St. James Parish in Falls Church, Virginia, and he and his wife Margaret have four grown sons.

Catholic-Evangelical Dialogue: Next, Dr. Virginia Kimball, President of ESBVM usa, will lead an open discussion on the Evangelical-Roman Catholic report published in the November 2009 issue of First Things. The document may be found on www.esbvm.org. Bring questions and comments for discussion. Dr. Kimball is Eastern Orthodox and an adjunct professor at Assumption College in Worcester, MA.

The business meeting will follow lunch. All are welcome to attend. ESBVM Vice-President Frank Romance will make a presentation on the demographics of ESBVM usa and the status of our membership. In addition, the board will review the galley of the new publication of the ESBVM International Congress 2008 papers, Mary for God’s Love and Glory. A brief discussion will be held concerning a possible future pilgrimage to Guadalupe, Mexico, sponsored by ESBVM USA.

Dr. Virginia Kimball, president of the American ESBVM chapter, has just published her doctoral thesis in paperback and electronic form. Liturgical Illuminations, Discovering Received Tradition in the Eastern Orthros of the Feasts of the Theotokos examines ancient liturgical and iconographic traditions that provide new understanding for Marian mediation and devotion having origins in the 5th to the 11th century, common history to all Christian denominations. Available from www.authorhouse.com and www.amazon.com .

The Executive of the ESBVM notes the publication on November 9th 2009 of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus which provides a means by which groups of Anglicans may enter into the communion of the Catholic Church while preserving those aspects of the Anglican tradition that are compatible with the teaching of the Catholic Church. In respecting the conscience of those who freely wish to take up this offer of the Holy See the ESBVM remains committed to the wider unity that all Christians involved in the ecumenical movement continue to seek. The Executive will place this matter for further discussion on the agenda of the January 2010 meeting of the ESBVM Council.

ESBVM does not comment upon the internal life of particular churches and ecclesial communities, and notes that this Apostolic Constitution is similarly published not as a commentary on difficulties within the Anglican Communion in recent times but as a pastoral response by the Holy See to requests from bishops and groups of the Anglican tradition over a number of years.

Conscious that the Anglican tradition originated in England, known across the centuries as ‘Our Lady’s Dowry’, it is the sincere prayer of ESBVM that under the patronage of Our Lady, and building upon the work of many, including the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Unity & Mission (IARCCUM), the response by groups of Anglicans to Anglicanorum coetibus will make a significant contribution to the reconciliation of all Christians in one flock with one shepherd, that ‘they may all be one’.

Patriarch Bartholomew delivered an interesting address at Fordham University this month in his visit to the USA.

Click on this link for his addresss at a convocation held on October 27, 29.   http://www.patriarchate.org/documents/discerning-gods-presence-in-the-world