England Rededicated
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| 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.
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SAINT JOHN THE APOSTLE
15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
ST AUGUSTINE
The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.
SAINT JOAN OF ARC
You say that you are my judge; I do not know if you are; but take good heed not to judge me ill, because you would put yourself in great peril.
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.
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.
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