Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Wednesday 26 November 2014

Ad Orientem for Advent


The Zenit online news service has an article citing the pastoral letter of the Bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska, setting out a policy for the priests of the cathedral and the Bishop himself at the Midnight Mass, to celebrate facing east during Advent, in the expectation of the coming of the Lord. He suggests other clergy may do the same.

This looks like intelligent Reform of the Reform, and a way of reacquainting the faithful with the traditional priestly posture. It certainly looks to be a case of leading by example, and hoping that example will be followed.

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