The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself. St Augustine
England Rededicated
 |
| The Wilton Dyptych c. 1395–1399 |
Andrew Cusack at the Catholic Herald.
(T)oday at noon(, Richard II's) dedication (of England as Mary's Dowry) was renewed, as Catholics knelt to make an Act of Entrustment of England to Mary.
The rededication was not performed by a monarch in a great abbey; it did not even take place, as had been planned, in our cathedrals. Instead, it was carried out by bishops, priests, and laity throughout the realm, isolated by pandemic but united by faith and common purpose.
Our religion is not local, but universal — the very meaning of the world “Catholic”. But we have always found the universal in the particular. The English are a varied bunch — Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Vikings — most of whom have been here since time immemorial. But in addition to those there are many who, like myself, have come from abroad but made this land our home. This Diptych, however English, is also undoubtedly international. It is painted on wood from the Baltic, and some of the pigment is made using precious lapis lazuli mined far from home. Even in this great English work of art — but even more through what it depicts —all people can find a place of belonging.
This act is a reminder that the Faith is far from foreign in this land: it is deeply rooted, if sadly ill-tended too for so long. In calling for England to renew itself in the universal Faith, this rededication calls on England to be more truly English. And the only way for that to come about is for us as individuals to be more truly ourselves, more truly what God wants us to be.
Mary, Mother of God: pray for us.
Popular Posts
The Road To Emmaus (C. 1880) by Gustave Doré According to a variety of sources secular and churchy, converts are aplenty. NYT Roman Catholic Churches See a Surge of New Converts KGAN Rise in Catholic converts tied to search for connection in digital age, expert says NEWS NATION Catholic parishes see surge in new converts: Report NCREG https://www.ncregister.com/news/catholic-converts-surge-us DAILYWIRE The Catholic Convert Boom Is Real But A Troubling Pattern Is Emerging CATHOLIC REGISTER https://www.catholicregister.org/item/3686-easter-boom-a-catholic-revival FOX NEWS Catholic conversions rise as young adults 'hungry for truth' turn to faith and reject secularism, bishop says OSV https://www.osvnews.com/house-of-david-star-opens-up-about-catholic-conversion-as-new-season-premieres/ EWTN Adult conversions soar in dioceses across U.S. ZENIT https://zenit.org/2026/03/30/whats-driving-the-rise-in-catholic-conversions-across-the-us/ Will new converts ...
Are you thirsty for solid Catholic content? Do you seek to raise your children in a vibrant Catholic culture that helps them become faithful adults? Are your hungry for truth, goodness and beauty? Are you tired of parish programs that waste resources and do little to feed the soul? Are you seeking to learn how you can help build up the Body of Christ? Introducing Brian Holdsworth. If you haven't watched this articulate, insightful and faithful fellow share a thoroughly Catholic understanding of the Faith, then you are invited to start by watching one of his videos. Visit Mr. Holdsworth's main site at: https://www.brianholdsworth.ca/ Brian Holdsworth, a Catholic convert, resides in Edmonton, Alberta, with his wife and seven children. His videos are rich with genuine Catholic content, revealing a deep faith. Far from being just another "influencer" or social media personality, he is a true man of God, passionately advocating for truth, goodness, and beauty within the C...
Ever wonder what the curious pointed oval shape in religious art is called, the shape that is also used in various designs adopted by guilds and religious groups? That almond shape is called the mandorla, the Italian word for almond. The mandorla is a significant symbol in Christian art and theology, characterized by its almond shape, which is formed by the intersection of two circles. This shape has deep theological implications and is often used to represent the divine presence, particularly in relation to Christ and the Virgin Mary. Symbolic Meanings Divine Presence. The mandorla is frequently depicted as a radiant shape surrounding Christ in His glory, particularly in scenes of the Transfiguration or the Ascension. It symbolizes the divine light and glory that emanates from Christ, emphasizing His dual nature as both God and man. The use of the mandorla in art serves to highlight the sacredness of the figure it surrounds, marking a clear distinction between the divine and the eart...
A post on the Anglican Ordinariate Forum Facebook site included a link to The Creed of the Council of Trent with Explanations , which served as the inspiration for this blog post. The Creed of the Council of Trent with Explanations (CCTE) Published by The Catholic League L.G. Fisher, Gen. Sec. 40, Barmead Road, Beckenham, Kent Background. The Catholic League was established within the Church of England to encourage unity among all Christians with the See of Rome. The League was established in 1913 with 97 founding members, led by Richard Langford-James and Henry Fynes-Clinton. It followed earlier groups like the Association for the Promotion of the Unity of Christendom (founded in 1857) and the Guild of the Love of God (founded in 1911). According to the League, it was started by Anglicans who strongly believed that the future of their Church depended on reuniting all Christians in a shared Catholic and Apostolic faith, fully restored in communion with the Successor of Peter in Rome. C...
DURANDUS | NLM Evensong is a liturgy of the Daily Office where psalms and other biblical passages are sung or said, usually close to sunset. The Latin word vesperas was rendered as aefensang by Old English speakers, and this became "evensong" in modern English. https://singtheoffice.com/ | Music companion for chanting the Office. Variable audio support available. A very useful site! Structure The office of Vespers normally includes psalms, the Magnificat , a hymn, and other prayers. By the Early Middle Ages, it became common for secular clergy to combine Vespers and Compline . By the sixteenth century, worshippers in western Europe conceived 'evensong' as Vespers and Compline performed without break. Modern Byzantine services advertised as 'vespers' often similarly conclude with Compline . Background The Anglican archbishop Thomas Cranmer created choral evensong as a component of the Book of Common Prayer (1549) during the Edwardian Reformation, drawing on t...
"What do vampires and socialists have in common? Both are lifeless bloodsucking monsters that fear the light." Bloodthirsty undead feed on the innocent, all while reveling in the very systems that sustain their grim mission. Vampires inhabit the shadows of society. A vampire will even destroy another to protect its dominance. Vampire culture is parasitic, distorting elements of Christian culture: hospitality transforms into enabling illness, charity transforms into lust and indulgence, and hope transforms into confusion and despair. Vampire culture is fueled by an obsession with gaining and using power to control others and to push corrupt beliefs. The Vampire Slayer Key Principles of Justice in Catholic Social Teaching Dignity of the Human Person. At the heart of Catholic social teaching is the belief that every human life is sacred and possesses inherent dignity. This principle asserts that all individuals deserve respect and protection, which forms the foundation for justi...
SAINT JOAN OF ARC
Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God; all will be well.
SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS
To bear with patience wrongs done to oneself is a mark of perfection, but to bear with patience wrongs done to someone else is a mark of imperfection and even of actual sin.
MARK TWAIN
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
GEORGE ORWELL
In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
MARCUS AURELIUS
There is but one thing of real value - to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men.
Comments
Post a Comment
Your comments will be appreciated and posted if 1) they are on topic and 2) preserve decorum.
Stand by your word.