Stained Glass Windows

One of the beauties of old Priory Churches and Cathedrals is Stained glass windows.

In my recent sojourn around Wales, England and Scotland, it was very satisfying to spend time looking at such windows.

Some of the glass is of more recent times. I did see some that were very modern, that gave interesting light patterns when the sun shone throught them. Some were of more traditional themes, which I generally prefer.

But some of the windows were really old.

For example, in Great Malvern, some of the glass is medieval. In Cartmel Priory, I was informed that some of the glass had been brought back from the Crusades.
The older glass I saw had lost some of its definition, and details had faded. But that did not detract from its splendour.

And of course, at a time when reading was a skill held by the few, such windows and paintings were one way of telling great biblical stories to the many.

These photos were some from my recent expedition. They are from Cartmel Priory and are of a very old age indeed.

Saint Peter and Saint Paul

Today was one of those rare feast days not transferred to a Sunday but celebrated on the day.

It was a Holiday of Obligation. Holiday...from Holy Day, and obligation in the sense that cathoics must attend Mass on this day.

Of course these 2 saints are central to the Church. Peter, with his traditional Jewish way of thinking, and St Paul who realised that the Message - the Gospel - had to be spread beyond Rome, or else the new Church would seperate into tiny factions around Rome.

Both saints were Martyred. Peter was cricified upside down, and Paul, a Roman Citizen, was killed by the sword.

The remains of Peter are believed to have been found in the earth beneath the Vatican, and ancient graves have been discovered around Saint Pauls Outside The Walls.

Photos are from interior of Tewkesbury Abbey

The History of the Protestant Reformation in England and Ireland.

It becomes clearer to me that the truth about Britain before the Reformation has been almost eradicated. I have commented on this before.

The impression is often given of Britain being an uncivilised, clergy ridden society.

This is far from the truth.

The great Universities were started by the Catholic Church.

The Monasteries were great houses of learning, of education, of commerce, of farming development, and of education.

People did not live in drab colourless towns and cities.

Life was not perfect though. There were no doubt corrupt lay people and clergy who were out to serve themselves. But by enlarge, the Catholic Church did much for the benefit of all people.

If you want an unbiased, non catholic account of what the Reformation meant for Britain, and especially for the poor and the ill, look no further than this wonderful book by William Cobbit.

It is titled, "The History of the Protestant Reformation in England and Ireland."

The book is available on line. Google it!

Once you have read it, you will have a different understanding of the events surrounding and folllowing on from the Protestant Reformation.

Over my next postings, I will be highlighting some of the Abbey Churches that I visited last week in England, Wales and Scotland. I will give some details of their history and he work that they did in their respective areas.

Photos show Great Malvern, Worcester and Tewkesbury Abbey Churches.

What A Week.

Yesterday evening we set off to travel to Nottingham to collect our daughter who had been visiting the English relatives. She wanted to be here for a Funeral Mass on Monday.

We stopped overnight near Carlisle, then set off at 9.15am. We were aiming for 10.30am Mass at Barnard Castle. We made it, attended Mass and had a few words with Fr Elkin. After a quick coffee in the town, we made our way to Ilkestone, arriving at 2.30pm.

After a cup of tea, we moved to Worksop Priory to take photos for the previously mentioned calendar idea. Sadly the Church was locked, so I could not get inside to get a photo of the statue of Our Lady.

So at 3.30pm, we headed for home, only stopping for a meal on the A66 near Scotch Corner.

We got home at about 9.45pm.
Since last Monday I have driven 1800 miles, and 600 of those were in the last 24 hours.

It was nice to meet Fr Elkin again. He is following my blog, so I will have to get my facts straight over the next few days when I comment on the Priory Churches I have visited.

These photos are of Worksop Priory.

A Quick UK Tour of Abbey Churches

On Monday I set off to photograph some Abbey Churches around the UK.

I stayed overnight at Nottingham, then on Tuesday I headed across to Chepstow in Wales.

From there, I moved south to Magram, and then further south to Kidwelly.

The Abbey Church at Magram is quite substantial, but for me even more impressive were the remains of the original Abbey. It must have been quite a building in its day.

I stayed overnight at PorthCawl, and on Wednesday, I headed back into England-via Chepstow - and reached Tewkesbury.

The Abbey Church there is very impressive. From there I moved to Great Malvern. Again, another massive Church still with some medieval glass. Finally I made it to Worcester. It was impossible to find a place to capture the whole Church in one photo sadly.

I stayed the night at Redditch and today I made my way North to Lancaster and Cartmel Priory.

Again, Lancaster Priory was difficult to get in one photo, as was Cartmel.

Sadly, just as at Kidwelly, there was scaffolding on the tower, which was difficult to hide.

Tomorrow, I head home.

These photos are Great Malvern Worcester Lancaster Cartmel

Fatima and the Third Secret

At Nunraw we had an interesting talk on the 3rd Secret of Fatima.

Our Lady appeared to 3 children at Fatima in Portugal in 1917. She spoke to them, told them many things, showed them a vision of Hell..."where poor sinners go.." and told 2 of the children...Francisco and Jacinta, that she would take them to heaven soon, but that Lucia would live a long time. And that is what happened.

Our Lady gave Lucia 3 secrets to be revealed. The first 2 secrets were revealed but the 3rd was not revealed when it should have been, and even though it has now been revealed, many people think that the whole truth has not been revealed about it. Conspiracies abound.

There was also the request that Russia be consecrated by the Pope and all the bishops of the world at the same time. If this was done, Russia would be converted and peace granted to the world. If not, Russia would spread it errors, there would be wars and nations destroyed.

Our Lady also made it very clear that Penance, the Rosary and living good lives were also necessary.

She said that if her warnings were not heeded, another War would begin, and that the sign of that would be a strange light in the sky. This was seen in many countries before World War II began.

My feeling is this. Forget the conspiracy theories. They only cause disruption, unsettle people and sow doubt.

Instead let us do as Our Lady requested....Rosary, Penance and Contrition. If we do that, the rest will follow.

www.ewtn.com/fatima/index.htm

Sancta Maria Abbey Nunraw

I spent this last weekend at Sancta Maria Abbey at Nunraw, just outside Haddington.

It was a family wekend with over 50 folk there, of all ages and sizes.

There were activities for all ages from the youngest to the oldest.

There were 2 talks, both most interesting.

Neil gave a talk on The Sacred Heart, while Henry gave a talk on the Third Secret of Fatima. He will be giving the same talk again this Sunday coming at Immaculate Mary Church in Balornock, Glasgow.

There was plenty to eat this time, including 2 barbecues...one in the sun, one in the rain. It mattered not.

We had Mass each morning and on the Sunday evening we had an Old Rite low Mass in Latin, said by Fr Morris....his first ever.

It was an uplifting and thought provoking weekend.

Sunny Saturday

And the sun shine and the heat goes on. My tan is really good. I find time each day to sit outside on the patiette with a crosword and a chilled wine.

It's the Telegraph crossword, and I still find much difficulty with the cryptic crossword. But I will persevere. I also have lots of puzzles left in the book I bought in Canada.

Long may this weather continue.
TFP monthly meeting tomorow at Milngavie.

More Pickles

I'm sure that Rose is pickled tink that she managed to keep the pickles hidden. She assures me they are wonderful.....not that I will ever know.

I remember that long ago there sued to be a jar of mixed pickles that included cauliflower.....and a mysterious little worm like red object.
I was never sure what that was all about, and I certainly never ate it.

The weather here for the last few days has been really warm...hot even...and sunny.
Last night we attended a Latin Mass at Balornock for Corpus Christi.
On Sunday we have the monthly TFP meeting.

I am going to buy a water feature for the garden.I've seen the one I want in Dobbies.

I will post a pic once it is in situ.

Toronto Rose.....and Pickles

I like pickles. I always have. When I was growing up, my favourite pickle was called "PanYan Pickle."
It had a wonderful taste, not too sweet. not too vinegary. Sadly, it seems to have disappeared. I have tried others, like Branstons.....but it is not the same as Pan Yan.
When I was older, my wife to be's family intoduced me to Picallili. That had mustard in it, and had a bit of bite. But I really liked that too.
When I am out and looking for a snack, a cheese and chutney sandwich gets me going.
In the larder here I have a collection of all sorts of chutneys...apple, onion, spiced fruit, mango. All delicious.

So....Toronto Rose. She is my wife's cousin and she lives in Toronto. We have visited her a few times now. She always makes us very welcome. And when she has been visiting her sister here in Glasgow, she has offered us the use of her condo in Etobicoke.
So we spent most of April over there. We arrived the 30th March, and Rose flew out on the 31st March.
She had left all kinds of nice stuff for us, even some beer and wine. "Help yourself!" she said. We did.
But...and here the story takes a sad twist.
On her return I picked her up at Pearson Airport. I'm that kind of a guy.
I told her we had used some of the stuff in the fridge, especially the cranberry jelly and a jar of pickles.
Then it came out. There were "other pickles." The mother of one of her friends...Janice...lovely person...had made home made pickles and had given some to Rose. And guess what....yes...Rose had hidden them!!!!!!
And she refused point blank to even let is see them , let alone taste them!!!
WE visited Janice on the morning we were returning home to Scotland. Janice was shocked! But Rose remained firm, and we left Toronto that evening pickleless....not even a smell or a glimpse of
These events have left a scar on my wife and I. I am sure you understand. But....we have forgiven cousin Rose...we are that kind of folk.
But rest assured, on our next visit to Toronto, as soon as Rose is out the door, the Pickle Search is on!


Photos are from Lakeshore near lakeshore boulevard