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.


Saturday, 29 August 2020

Virtual Pilgrimage to Walsingham - Day II


Today, on the second day of the LMS Walsingham Pilgrimage, I tuned in through YouTube to Mass from the marvellous Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs in Cambridge. It is one of the most spectacular Catholic churches in England and really very well worth going to see if you are in Cambridge. The celebrant was Fr Simon Leworthy, someone I got to know slightly when he was based in Reading.

This was followed by two powerful addresses by members of the Community of Our Lady st Glastonbury. These both reflected upon the death of St John the Baptist. The first was given by an old Oriel friend of mine Dom Bede Rowe and the second by Dom Anselm Redman. 

It is very good to see the establishment of this Community in Glastonbury and to witness the return of a Benedictine presence to where St Dunstan began the English Benedictine tradition in the tenth century. I got to know Glastonbury as an Anglo-Catholic, going there on retreat, and savouring that unique blend of spirituality, history and legend that makes the Isle of Avalon what it is. The website of their community is at  Glastonbury Monastery | Somerset

The broadcast concluded with Fr Tim Finigan introducing and leading the recitation of the Rosary. In his succinct but ever thoughtful
way he, like the Glastonbury monks, once again provided food for thought for the spiritually hungry pilgrim, be it to Walsingham or on life’s journey 

Our Lady of Walsingham Pray for us


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