Vol 21 Christmas 2016

REGINA In s p i r i n g .

I ntelligent. C atholic.

The Secret Catholic Insider’s Guide to

Christmas

Christmas 2016: T h e Si s t e r s Ad o r e r s o f t h e Roy a l He a r t o f Je s u s in Thanksgiving after receiving Ho l y C o m m u n i o n

Editorial Editor Beverly De Soto Webmaster Jim Bryant The Magi

Writers Beverly De Soto Ed Masters Wilson Gavin Donna Sue Berry Emmanuele Capoferri REGINA MAGAZINE is published 12 times a year at www.reginamag.com REGINA draws together extraordinary Catholic writers, photographers, videographers and artist with a vibrant faith. We’re interested in everything under the Catholic sun – from work and family to religious and eternal life.

We seek the Good, the Beautiful and the True – in our Tradition and with our God-given Reason. We believe in one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church. We are joyfully loyal to the Magisterium. We proudly celebrate our literary and artisitc heritage and seek to live and teach the authentic Faith.

We are grateful for this treasure laid up for us for two thousand years by the Church – in her liturgy, her clergy, her great gift of Christendom and the Catholic culture that we are the primary bearers of.

REGINA MAGAZINE is under the patronage of Our Lady, Mary Most Holy. We pray that she lays our humble work at the feet of her Son, and that His Will be done.

2

Regina Magazine /

Designer Lalique Martinez Photography John Aron Emmanuele Capoferri ​Stephen Tyrrell​ Joseph Shaw Beverly Stevens Elrica D’Oyen-Gebert Harry Stevens Courtesy of Christopher Mueller Courtesy of Latin Mass Society of England & Wales

They Have A Dream

Poem Mary

6

Burke & Belfast

34

70

Silence Of The Mass

Style Regina

74

The Couragious Iconographer

22

50

90

Advertising Contact nina.jurewicz@outlook.com

R.

122

Christmas With Mary

Walsingham Walk

134

www.reginamag.com Contents / Regina Magazine

3

4

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

5

The Story of The Magi A

By Ed Masters

caravan of dromedaries treks across the burning desert in the Middle East. The scene was a familiar one since at least Abraham’s time across the time-worn routes of trade and barter, exploration and war scouts. But one memorable journey made over two thousand years ago stands out: a group of men following an unusual star in the sky, announcing the birth of a mysterious King.

Who these men were has been debated in the twenty centuries since. Drawing on sources from the Bible, the writings of Saints, Church Fathers and even private revelation, here’s an overview of what’s been written by Christians about the men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Our Lord after His Nativity: Their likenesses are a familiar sight every year, yet the primary sources on these individuals are scant; in fact, only the Gospel of Matthew mentions the Magi at all.

6

Regina Magazine / The Magi

/ Regina Magazine

7

“Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and have come to adore him.”

In Matthew Chapter 2 we read, “When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. [2] Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and have come to adore him.[3] And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.... [7] Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; [8] And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come to adore him. [9] Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was.

8

Regina Magazine / The Magi

[10] And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. [11] And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense,they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [12] And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.” [13] So, a cameo appearance in one of the Gospels is the first time we hear of the Magi, from the word “Magus” in Latin. St. Matthew doesn’t say how many of them there were; Eastern traditions put their number at twelve and artistic renderings depicts anywhere from two to eight. And although he didn’t write about the Wise Men, St. John the Evangelist knew the story and passed it down, according to St. Irenaus, his disciple.

/ Regina Magazine

9

Some five centuries before the Birth of Christ, the Greek historian Herodotus mentioned that the Magi were a priestly order of rulers whose influence held sway during the rise and fall of the Assyrian, Babylonian (Chaldean) and Persian Empires.

Warned In A Dream As for their names, to the Syrians the Magi were Larvandad, Hormisdas, and Gushnasaph. The Armenians called them Kagba, Badadilma, and Badadakharida. To the Ethiopians they were Hor, Karsudan and Basanater.

It was England’s St. Bede the Venerable who first gave their names as Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar.

These are the names given to the Magi most familiar in the Latin tradition.

They were said to have come from any number of countries; Mesopotamia, Persia, India, Arabia and Ethiopia.

Though they were more than likely unaware of it, their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh had symbolic meanings; gold was symbolic of the 10

Regina Magazine /

fact it was a gift to a King, frankincense was a symbol of Our Lord’s divinity, and myrrh was symbolic of death -- until the 15th century myrrh was used as an incense in funerals and cremations.

After they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod but to travel back home to their countries by a different route, what subsequently became of the Magi? Many stories were handed down through tradition and the writings of saints and historians as well as private revelation. They were said to have been baptized into the Faith by St. Thomas the Apostle in India after Our Lord’s Ascension. Some have them dying of very old age while others say they suffered martyrdom.

The Magi / Regina Magazine

11

“When again on their way, I heard them softly and sweetly singing together short strophes...”

Mystical Visions in Germany In her visions, the early 19th century

approaches one so gently’; Balthasar, ‘With

German mystic, Blessed Anne Catherine

his whole will, he accomplishes the will of

Emmerich gives their names as Theokeno,

God.’

Mensor and Seir.

Sister Emmerich also stated that the Magi

She explains that each of the Kings had in

sang on their journey: “When again on

his train as companions four nobles of his

their way, I heard them softly and sweetly

own race which would help explain the

singing together short strophes, such as:

Eastern tradition of twelve Kings. She also

Over the mountains we shall go. And be-

gives the origins of their names: “The names

fore the new King kneel!” Furthermore she

Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar were given

testified that they were descended from the

to the kings, because they so well suited

Old Testament Patriarch Job.

them, for Caspar means ‘He is won by love; Melchior, ‘He is so coaxing, so insinuating, he uses so much address, he

Well Nigh Kings A century after this earliest depiction known of the Magi was carved into the side of a Roman Christian sarcophagus, Pope St. knew that the Star they followed heralded the birth of a divine King. None of the Church Fathers say that they were kings,though Tertullian describes them as ‘well nigh’ kings.

12

Regina Magazine / The Magi

/ Regina Magazine

13

“What became of the threefold gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh brought by the Three Kings?”

EMPEROR CONSTANTINE’S MOTHER: Three centuries after the Kings departed, St. Helena embarked on a quest to the Holy Land to identify the places described in the Bible. Though she is probably most famous for discovering the True Cross, she also found the remains of the Three Wise Men in Persia.

14

Regina Magazine /

Some sources say their remains had been brought from Persia to Palestine at some unknown previous date and that St. Helena found then in the Holy Land. In his travels centuries later Marco Polo said he visited the site of their former resting place in Saveh, Persia just south of Tehran.

Helena brought them to Constantinople where they remained until the 5th Century when they were transferred to Milan by that city’s bishop, St. Eustorgius I. More than 800 years later, in 1164 Milan was conquered by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. He took the relics of the Magi to Cologne, Germany and gave them to Archbishop Rainald von Dassel. They were brought to the Cologne Cathedral where a magnificent reliquary, the largest in the Western world, was constructed to house their relics. It draws It draws the devout to this day.

What became of the threefold gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh brought by the Three Kings? There are any number of legends and traditions and various chroniclers touch upon this. An enduring tradition is that Mary and Joseph donated the gold and frankincense to the Temple in Jerusalem and that the myrrh was saved and used for Jesus’ burial 33 years later.

The Feast Day of the Magi is January 6 and it is on this day, not Christmas Day, in many countries where people exchange gifts. One tradition kept on that day is taking blessed chalk and writing the initials of the Magi connected with Crosses, over the inside of your front door along with writing the year on both sides of the initials and crosses (example: 20 C+M+B+ 17) It is also a tradition that those who receive a Christmas Card with the Three Wise Men keep the card up all year round for blessings.

The Magi / Regina Magazine

15

Le Marche des Rois Mages (March of the Kings):

Ce matin, j’ai rencontré letrain De trois grands rois qui allaient en voyage Ce matin, j’ai rencontré le train De trois grands rois dessus le grand chemin Tout chargés d’or les suivaient d’abord De grands guerriers et les gardes du trésor Tout chargés d’or les suivaient d’abord De grands guerriers avec leurs boucliers.

La Marche des Rois Mages - The Robert Shaw Chorale Classic Christmas Carol Video

16

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

17

We Three Kings Of Orient Are We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, O star of wonder, star of night, Following yonder star.

Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, O star of wonder, star of night, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Guide us to thy perfect light.

Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Gold I bring to crown Him again, Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

King forever, ceasing never, O star of wonder, star of night, Over us all to reign.

Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding,O star of wonder, star of night, Glorious now behold Him arise; Star with royal beauty bright, King and God and sacrifice; Westward leading, still proceeding, Alleluia!, Alleluia!, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Rings through the earth and skies.

Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh; Prayer and praising, voices raising, Worshiping God on high.

O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

We Three Kings of Orient Are - The Robert Shaw Chorale Classic Christmas Carol Video 18

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

19

Join Knights from around the world promoting the traditional Latin Liturgy. We have monthly conference calls to discuss various ways of accomplishing this and to coordinate collaborative events www.kofclatinmass.org Join today!

www.VeilsbyLily.com 20

Regina Magazine / The Magi

56

Regina Magazine | Amazing Parishes

/ Regina Magazine

21

Burke And Belfast

F

By Beverly Stevens Photos by Stephen Tyrrell

orty years ago, it was a war

Belfast and a recent visit from Raymond Cardi-

relationship and there would still be a great

ing amount of the Irish. I came back to Holy

zone. Belfast, Northern Ireland

nal Burke for the Catholic Voice conference in

deal of animosity from some Republicans

Mother Church because of the Traditional

was the scene of horrific sectar-

Limerick.

towards the Church but it is also important to

Latin Mass at the age of 23.

note that two priests of the Diocese were shot

REGINA: And today, you are a TLM-goer?

ian violence between Catholics and Protestants.

In the decades since, all Christian religion has

REGINA: Belfast was famous for its ‘Trou-

dead within 11 months of each other during

Stephen Tyrrell: The Traditional Latin Mass

been on a downswing.

bles’ in the 1970’s. How has church atten-

the Troubles as they left the safety of their

is the reason I am talking to you today, and

Enter the Latin Mass, and those who love it.

dance fared for Catholics since?

homes to give the Last Rites to other victims.

the Grace of God of course.

Stephen Tyrrell, 26, is recently married and

Stephen Tyrrell: Church attendance

The memory of these priests, and their sac-

REGINA: How did you discover the TLM?

expecting his first child. A polymers/medical

throughout Ireland has been in serious de-

rifice, would remain strong in the minds of

Stephen Tyrrell: A few years ago my friend

engineer in Belfast, he spent seven years as a

cline. However, perhaps due to the Troubles,

many people in Belfast.

invited me to go to a Mass at St Kevin’s in

Non-Commissioned Officer in the Irish Defence

the attendance at Mass in Northern Ireland

REGINA: Are you a cradle Catholic?

Dublin, the Latin Mass Chaplaincy. I didn’t

Force Reserve, which he says “ helped to form me

is markedly higher than the rest of the island

Stephen Tyrrell: I would say I’m a revert, as

agree to go the first few times, but eventually

into the man I am today.”

though it remains a worry to see congrega-

I received the sacraments as a child but never

went to stop my friend from pestering me.

Stephen recently sat down with REGINA to tell

tions decline. The Church and the Repub-

went to Mass or any other Catholic event ex-

REGINA: LOL, okay so what happened?

us about his reversion, the impact of the TLM in

lican movement have had a very fractious

cept at Christmas, much like an ever-increas-

Stephen Tyrrell: I was shocked. Queues for

22

Regina Magazine / Burke and Belfast

Burke and Belfast / Regina Magazine

23

confession, a large congregation of young and old, prayer before Mass and all the rest. But the Mass is what truly shocked me. The procession of three Priests in such beautiful vestments accompanied by an army of altar servers who ranged from 7 to 23 and were all male.

The angelic voices that lifted my thoughts and soul to the divine.

REGINA: And the effect on you?

Stephen Tyrrell: The Holy Mass and congregation made me think that these people truly believe in God and they are worshiping him at the altar. I know in my heart that I owe a great debt to God for this.

“The Holy Mass and congregation made me think that these people truly believe in God and they are worshiping him at the altar. I know in my heart that I owe a great debt to God for this.”

REGINA: Tell us about the Latin Mass community in Belfast.

Stephen Tyrrell: In Belfast, the TLM continued to be offered by some priests in Belfast with the Bishop’s blessing even after the New Mass was implemented. There was a

24

Regina Magazine / Burke and Belfast

/ Regina Magazine

25

brief hiatus (perhaps 5 years) when there were

priests of Institute of Christ the King.

no public Latin Masses due to the infirmi-

REGINA: So the Institute has been instru-

ty of those priests. Then in 2003 a group of

mental in this?

people approached the Bishop and asked him

Stephen Tyrrell: Yes. The ICKSP first came

to consider rekindling the celebration of the

to Belfast in February 2011. The first Holy

TLM to which he gladly agreed. He asked

Mass offered was by Monsignor Wach,

one of the young priests of the Diocese to say

founder and Prior General in St Malachy’s

the TLM once a month and that’s how it all

church. He was accompanied by Canon

started again. This priest has oversight of the

Lebocq, Prior of the Sacred Heart church

provision of the Mass in the Diocese on behalf

in Limerick. Since then Canon Lebocq (or

of the Bishop. Initially it was on the First Sat-

another priest of the Institute) has travelled to

urday of each month and then eventually it

Belfast on a monthly basis to offer the Holy

moved to a Sunday. As other Priests have been

Mass. Belfast has also welcomed Monsignor

ordained, the provision has been extended to

Schmitz, Vicar General of the Institute,

the best of their ability with the assistance of

where he sang Mass in St Paul’s church.

26

Regina Magazine / Burke and Belfast

REGINA: So what’s the situation today?

“Some of the faithful travel up to 80 miles to hear Mass and while the number attending is relatively steady there are frequently new attendees, particularly university students but others also who are interested in experiencing the ancient Liturgy of the Roman rite and the beauty of Gregorian chant.”

Stephen Tyrrell: Currently the Institute offers Holy Mass in St Therese of Lisieux church on the second Sunday of the month at 6pm, with schola practice beginning at 5pm.

The Mass attracts a congregation from several parishes in Belfast. Some of the faithful travel up to 80 miles to hear Mass and while the number attending is relatively steady there are frequently new attendees, particularly university students but others also who are interested in experiencing the ancient Liturgy of the Roman rite and the beauty of Gregorian chant.

We feel very blessed in Belfast to have such Burke and Belfast / Regina Magazine

27

28

Regina Magazine /

strong links to the Institute and hope that

ing of most Irish people is quite “low” - we

these links will continue to strengthen and

would not have a culture of grand liturgical

develop further. In particular we are indebted

celebrations. Many visitors to Ireland who

to Canon Lebocq for his constancy and tire-

attend Mass are surprised that Irish congre-

less work on our behalf, as he travels 450 miles

gations don’t sing! Mass here is usually very

round trip each month.

simple.

REGINA: Who has the TLM attracted?

Secondly people in Belfast, because of the

Stephen Tyrrell: There is a small congregation

Troubles, rarely attended Mass somewhere

at the TLM in proportion to the practising

other than their parish church because they

population of Belfast, for a number of reasons.

knew the safe route to the church. Currently

The first is historical; the Catholic Church in

within a square mile of Belfast city centre

Ireland was persecuted for centuries, so Mass

there are approximately 12 Catholic churches

was celebrated secretly and hurriedly at “Mass

but people still tend to go only to their own

Rocks” - located in forests and other places

church.

hidden from sight. And so, the liturgical lean-

REGINA: And Protestants?

Burke and Belfast / Regina Magazine

29

newspaper, which is run by Anthony Murphy

climate of the world. This was particularly

in Kildare.

heartening for me, given that I will soon be a

“I found it extremely practical and inspiring. Six speakers provided a wholesome variation of topic and rhetorical style.”

father myself.

Over 200 people attended. From instructions on what mothers and fathers can do to ways to defend our faith, I found it extremely practical and inspiring, especially as I will soon be a father myself.

REGINA: And the Mass?

Stephen Tyrrell: Anglicans do, on occasion, attend the Sunday TLM but the Protestant population of Belfast is in decline. One of the Celebrants of the TLM himself was formerly an Anglican and converted to the Catholic Faith at age 16 - which is incredible for Northern Ireland. The experience of the Latin Liturgy and richness of Catholicism greatly edified and encouraged the young convert to pursue a vocation to the priesthood and he was ordained in 2015. The TLM is becoming more known with the use of social media and advertising--which has attracted younger people and we are hopeful that it will continue to grow!

30

Regina Magazine / Burke and Belfast

“The TLM is becoming more known with the use of social media and advertising--which has attracted younger people and we are hopeful that it will continue to grow!”

REGINA: What was the occasion for Cardinal Burke to visit?

Stephen Tyrrell: Some members of Latin Mass Belfast (LMB) attended the Catholic Voice Conference in Limerick. This is a yearly conference organised by the Catholic Voice

We were invited by Canon Lebocq who offers

Stephen Tyrrell: The Pontifical Solemn High

the TLM in Belfast with other Priests of the

Mass gave me hope for the future of the Faith

Institute of Christ The King. His Eminence

in Ireland and the Church. However, it did

Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke gave the key-

make me sad to think that more Catholics are

note address. The theme of the conference was

not aware of the beauty and traditions of the

When the Foundations Are Being Destroyed,

Church.

What Can the Faithful Do? (Ps 11:3).

On the day, I acted as a photographer. I am

Pontifical Solemn High Mass was celebrated

not a professional and have no formal training

by His Eminence Cardinal Burke at Sacred

but I was asked and I obeyed. As a photog-

Heart Church the next day and it was truly

rapher, it gave me a beautiful insight into the

beautiful. Two members of LMB were Aco-

full day. From the arrival of His Eminence to

lytes on the day, which was a great honour for

the preparatory prayers before Mass, having

them.

the opportunity to capture the congregation,

REGINA: What were your impressions of

the Procession, the incredible Schola – all a

the Conference?

culmination of the day’s meeting made the

Stephen Tyrrell: I found it extremely prac-

central focus of our weekend the Elevation of

tical and inspiring. Six speakers provided a

the Blessed Sacrament, Our Lord.

wholesome variation of topic and rhetorical style. The central focus was on the institution of the family and how it ought to be protected, giving insight for parents as well as practical instruction on what each of us can do to uphold the truth of Catholicism in the current Burke and Belfast / Regina Magazine

31

SAVE

THE SHRINE

Help the Institute of Christ the King save this beautiful Chicago landmark -and restore the Latin Mass there!

Click HERE

32

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

33

They Have A

I

By Donna Sue Berry

f you have found your way into a pew

to train singers and choirs in the music of the

for a Latin Mass, you may well have

sacred liturgy, and to integrate polyphony and

heard polyphony and chant — possibly

chant into the Ordinary Form of the Mass, the

for the first time — in exactly the place where

liturgy which most Catholics experience every

they were intended to be heard.

The soul-stirring single melody line of chant. The

weekend. Chris Mueller sat down recently with REGINA to report:

interwoven melodic lines of polyphony. The splendor of this music prepares Catholics in a most

REGINA: First, for the average lay person,

profound way to receive Jesus in the most Holy

what is polyphony and chant?

Sacrament of the Altar.

Chris Mueller: Let’s take Gregorian chant

A Connecticut couple, Chris and Constanza

first. It’s a single melody, sung by a choir of

Mueller, have recently returned from World

singers. Sometimes the singers sing all togeth-

Youth Day in Poland, where they and their chil-

er; sometimes they may alternate between

dren treated young Catholics to a taste of their

the two sides of the choir, or between a small

patrimony, which for many was the first time,

number of singers followed by the full ensem-

too. The Muellers have also started a foundation

ble. At its essence, chant is one uninterrupted

34

Regina Magazine / They Have A Dream

Dream melodic line that most typically sets the text of

presenting a sacred text in a beautiful, un-

a verse or two from a psalm.

hurried, and non-metrical way (that is, chant

REGINA: What emotional reaction do peo-

doesn’t have a “beat” like pop music) gives

ple have to chant?

the listener — the worshiper — a chance to

Chris Mueller: When people hear Gregorian

slow down and reflect a little.

chant, they recognize instinctively that this

REGINA: And polyphony?

is the music of the church. It brings people

Chris Mueller: Polyphony grew organical-

peace and enables contemplation, for believers

ly out of chant, as choristers started singing

and non-believers alike.

chants simultaneously at different pitch

REGINA: Why is this?

levels, and later began to ornament the mel-

Chris Mueller: There is something about the

ody and/or vary its rhythm. Then composers

unaccompanied human voice that is deeply

began to write down their own ideas, and in

stirring. The purity of a single melodic line

time polyphony blossomed into a magnifiThey Have A Dream

/ Regina Magazine

35

cently complex and expressive (yet also tightly organized) way to give new depth to the presentation of liturgical texts.

REGINA: What emotional reaction do people have to polyphony?

Chris Mueller: It stirs our hearts and assists in our prayers. Polyphony, as chant before it, “sounds like church” to the general listener. And many people gravitate toward the rich texture of a polyphonic motet, who may not-as-readily find solace in the solemn austerity of unison chant.

REGINA: Are polyphony and chant suited for the Ordinary Form of the Mass?

Chris Mueller: Polyphony and chant are not only suitable for the Ordinary Form of the Mass; they are practically required for use in it! Quoting Vatican II: “The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as especially suited to the Roman liturgy… it should be given pride of place in liturgical services. But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium 116).

REGINA: Most Catholics have no idea this is true.

Chris Mueller: And yet it is true! The church bestows upon Gregorian chant “pride of place”, that is, it is the first and most suitable musical option for the sacred liturgy; and other music may be incorporated as well, 36

Regina Magazine / They Have A Dream

The church bestows upon Gregorian chant “pride of place”, that is, it is the first and most suitable musical option for the sacred liturgy; “especially polyphony.” What stronger mandate could we ask for?

REGINA: How does that work between the choir and those in the pew?

Chris Mueller: Let’s take a step back and consider the structure of the Mass as a whole.

From a musical perspective, we can say that the Mass contains both Propers, prescribed liturgical texts that change for every Mass (for example, the Entrance and Communion antiphons), and the Ordinary of the Mass, that is, the parts of the Mass whose texts never vary (the “Lord have mercy,” “Holy holy,” “Lamb of God,” etc.).

The Choir is actually considered part of the congregation, but it has a special music-making task. Speaking generally, the role of the choir is to sing the Mass Propers, while the congregation (including the choir) should sing the Ordinary. Thus, at a given liturgy the congregation might sing chants for the Kyrie (“Lord have mercy”), the Sanctus (“Holy holy”), etc., and the choir could sing the more elaborate Proper chants specific to that / Regina Magazine

37

38

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

39

day. The choir might sing a polyphonic motet after a chanted proper or even as a substitute for that chanted proper (if the chant and the motet contain the same text).

REGINA: How do we know the Church wants us to sing chant at Mass?

Chris Mueller: The newest English translation of the Mass (which came into effect in Advent, 2011) contains English-language chant settings of the Ordinary, which must be included in any hymnal or missalette published since; this indicates a strong preference that congregations should chant the Mass.

The complimentary role of the choir is to elevate scriptural prayers through the use of beautiful music, whether chant or polyphony.

40

Regina Magazine / They Have A Dream

“Polyphony certainly has a place in the Mass, most readily at Offertory and Communion, though due to its complexity, it will be the choir alone who sings it —” In addition to the monks who crafted and perfected the church’s chants, numerous composers (Palestrina, Lassus, Isaac, and many others) wrote prodigiously to provide worthy liturgical music.

Polyphony certainly has a place in the Mass, most readily at Offertory and Communion,

though due to its complexity, it will be the

Columbus into the principal venue for En-

choir alone who sings it — though choir and

glish-language catechesis & liturgy at World

congregation experience its beauties together!

Youth Day. My wife and children sang in the

The words of Pope Benedict XVI regarding

choir that I conducted. (We had a choir of 35

the Extraordinary Form of the Mass seem

singers and an orchestra of eight instrumen-

equally appropriate to polyphony: “What

talists.) In addition, my wife and children

earlier generations held as sacred, remains

and I perform together as the Mueller Family

sacred and great for us too” (Letter to bishops,

Schola, and we had been asked to give two

accompanying the Motu Proprio Summorum

concerts in different churches in Kraków as

Pontificum).

part of World Youth Day.

REGINA: You performed at World Youth

REGINA: Did you have one special day/

Day in Poland?

night of singing Polyphony and chant?

Chris Mueller: I was the conductor of the

Chris Mueller: While all the singing was

choir & orchestra at the Mercy Centre —

special, one event that stands out was our first

Tauron Arena Kraków, which held 17,000+

Mueller Family Schola concert, at the Church

people. It was transformed by the Knights of

of St. John the Baptist (Kościół św. Jana They Have A Dream / Regina Magazine

41

Chrzciciela). The building is a large modern

Chris Mueller: We received many positive

edifice with a particularly resonant acoustic

comments about the music, from priests and

and a 5-6 second reverb. Everything sounded

participants alike. I was heartened to hear

so rich in there! At the end, the pastor — who

so many people in the congregation singing

was very moved by both our singing and by

during Mass! Bishop James Conley (of Lin-

our efforts to encourage the use of polypho-

coln, Nebraska) and Fr. David Friel (of Phil-

ny and chant in parishes, families, and with

adelphia) both wrote commendatory articles

children — had the audience (of over 100 pa-

about the music at the Mercy Centre.

rishioners) stand up and sing a Polish Marian

REGINA: And overall, what was the

hymn to us! He wanted to share with us their

reaction of Catholic youth to hearing this

music, after we had shared our music with

centuries-old chant?

them. The concert experience was great, and

Chris Mueller: I think two comments sum

that surprise ending was particularly memora-

up the music’s impact:

ble.

The first was from a seminarian, who said,

REGINA: What was the reaction to the

“I’ve been to a lot of big Catholic youth gath-

World Youth Day liturgies?

erings, nationally and internationally, but

42

Regina Magazine / They Have A Dream

is different than the rest of what we’re doing

“I’ve never seen such a huge number of people like this so attentive and reverent during Mass. I attribute that largely to the music.”

I’ve never seen such a huge number of people like this so attentive and reverent during Mass. I attribute that largely to the music.”

The second was from Catholic speaker Chris Stefanick, who was the emcee for the morning catechesis sessions, who said, “I loved how we switched from what was very much a youth event — to Liturgy. And the teens knew, this

here. That’s how it should be. People often forget that young people crave solemnity, they crave something that sounds sacred — just like the rest of us! There’s nothing more relevant than the transcendent.”

REGINA: And how did you feel about those comments?

Chris Mueller: I always say to people that if our music helped them to pray, we’re doing our job at Mass. It certainly seemed that way! And there’s nothing more relevant than the transcendent. (Couldn’t have said it better myself!)

REGINA: Tell us about your foundation.

Chris Mueller: Our purpose is to assist They Have A Dream / Regina Magazine

43

any person, group, or institution that desires

sic, with a particular emphasis on polyphony

group of families in Alaska hoping to begin a

These initiatives are particularly close to my

polyphony and chant in the Roman Catholic

and chant as the centerpiece of a parish music

multi-family schola.

heart, since our Mueller Family Schola sings

Mass. And as mentioned earlier, I conducted

program.

the music at four weekday Masses held at the

My family sings polyphony and chant togeth-

Tauron Arena Kraków World Youth Day in

er as the Mueller Family Schola. We’ve sung

Krakow, Poland, where we included polyph-

Masses for the Knights of Columbus and at

ony and chant in each of them. We hoped

the Cathedral of St. Augustine in Bridgeport,

to set a sort of liturgical template, at Masses

CT, as well as Masses and concerts in New

attended by thousands of young adults from

York, New Jersey, and throughout Connecti-

around the English-speaking world!

cut. We hope that our example of a family

We’ve been consulting with a parish in Phil-

singing together will inspire other families to

adelphia about how they might improve and

do the same, and may encourage volunteer

unify their music program. One of the steps

choirs to try to sing polyphony as well.

under consideration is a parish visitation,

In fact, we’ve been working with a Con-

where we would give a workshop (or series of

necticut family to help it start up its own

started with this music. We are developing

workshops) on the liturgy and liturgical mu-

family schola, and we’re working with a

polyphony and chant “starter kits,” which

44

Regina Magazine / They Have A Dream

Mueller Family Schola sings polyphony & chant at Mass: there’s something wonderfully connecting about working on a piece of music where every voice is important, and we experience a great joy and sense of accomplishment when we sing music together for the liturgy.

polyphony & chant at Mass: there’s something wonderfully connecting about working on a piece of music where every voice is important, and we experience a great joy and sense of accomplishment when we sing music together for the liturgy. We wish these families well, and we encourage other families to do the same! We’ve also been contacted by an institute in Rome about helping to form their musical/liturgical life early next year.

Another important facet of our mission is curating resources for people who want to get

They Have A Dream / Regina Magazine

45

will be collections of simple chants and easy

media appearances — and we’re grateful for

polyphony, designed around seasonal liturgies,

every one of them!

to give new ensembles the possibility of pre-

REGINA: What would the future success

paring music for a Mass. Others may be inter-

of the Foundation look like?

ested in just the chants, or just the polyphony.

Chris Mueller: If there is beautiful and rever-

We hope to guide people, so that they’re not

ent music at more Masses, led by a return to

overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of music

polyphony and chant; if more young people

available; when they’re ready to explore fur-

become aware of this wonderful treasury of

ther, we’ll point them to organizations that

sacred music, begin to long for it at their

do a pretty comprehensive job of collecting

own parish liturgies, and subsequently agitate

resources, including the Church Music Asso-

for it by talking with their clergy and/or by

ciation of America, Corpus Christi Watershed,

singing in their parish choir; if more families

and the Choral Public Domain Library.

start singing together at home; and if people

REGINA: What is the “Mustard Seeds”

can rely on our Foundation’s assistance and

initiative?

encouragement in these endeavors — then

Chris Mueller: We started the “Mustard

we will have succeeded in the first steps of

Seeds” initiative to reach out to young people

reclaiming aural beauty and enriching the

of high school and college age, to stir up a de-

prayer life of our Catholic community.

sire in them for polyphony and chant at their

Click for a brief example of what such a Mass

own parish Masses. They will be spearheading

can be like.

a variety of social media outreach, and we’ve already had several Mustard Seeds online vid-

FOR MORE INFORMATION,

eoconferences, something we host every other

please visit our website:

month.

www.polyphonyandchant.org

REGINA: What kind of media exposure

or email us, at

have you had?

secretary@polyphonyandchant.org

Chris Mueller: We’ve been blessed by a lot of media interest in our work. We’ve been featured on Ave Maria Radio and EWTN Radio, as well as print articles in Catholic Digest, National Catholic Register, and several other outlets. See our website for the full list of 46

Regina Magazine /

They Have A Dream / Regina Magazine

47

48

Regina Magazine /

Regina Magazine

71

/ Regina Magazine

70

Regina Magazine | Amazing Parishes

49

Style Of

REGINA REGINA MAGAZINE’S NEW STYLE SECTION An Interview with the Editor

Q. Wait, ‘style’? Isn’t REGINA a Catholic magazine?

A. Catholicism is more than a religion. It’s actually a 2000 year old culture...

Q. I still don’t get the connection to fashion.

A. Well, the link is quite clear. What people wear is a vital reflection of their culture.

Q. Yes, but it’s trivial.

A. Au contraire! For more than 3 years, we have moderated PASSIONATE Facebook discussions on what Catholics ought to wear. People care about this.

Q. Why? It’s superficial.

A. It’s only superficial if you think that what’s material and earthly is of little consequence.

Q. And isn’t it?

A. Actually, the Faith has always been very real, very earthly. Jesus became Man, in a very concrete way, and our belief in the Real Presence is all about the real, actual, presence of God’s Body and Blood in the Host. The real world and everything in it is sanctified by the Faith, which points towards heaven.

50

Regina Magazine / Regina Style

Regina Style / Regina Magazine

51

Q. Okay, so why is a Style section so important now?

A. Because the culture around us is becoming both materialist and oddly gnostic at the same time. Catholic style denies both of these modern heresies.

Q. Huh? A. Outside the Faith, today you have two kinds of people, plus a strange admixture of both. The first are materialist atheists who deny anything besides what is scientifically verifiable.

Q. And the second?

A. Modern Gnostics, who believe in ‘mind over matter’. That is, what one’s ideas are trumps consensual reality. If you are a male who ‘thinks’ he’s a woman, your reality must become everyone else’s.

Q. And your ‘strange admixture’?

A. Well, you would think that insisting that the only thing that is real is what is measurable and verifiable would contradict the notion that reality is fungible based on your particular fancies.

But evidently not, as we see around us.

Q. And how does a Catholic Style address this?

A. With real human beauty, as a reflection of Divine Beauty. A kind of a Renaissance idea, which is why we begin with the story of Italy’s great poet Dante Aligheri and his great

“With real human beauty, as a reflection of Divine Beauty.

A kind of a Renaissance idea.”

romance with Beatrice -- his ideal of a beautiful, devout Catholic woman, and the muse who leads him to Paradise.

52

Regina Magazine / Regina Style

Regina Style / Regina Magazine

53

A Beautiful

CATHOLIC GIRL Models: Eva Mountain and Victoria Bajanov Stylist: Monica Gordon

54

Regina Magazine / Regina Style

In real life, Beatrice “Bice” di Folco Portinari 1266–1290) was a Florentine woman, the daughter of a banker. In the imagination of Italy’s greatest poet, she appears as Dante Aligheri’s guide in the Divine Comedy. / Regina Magazine

55

La Nouva

VITA

In ‘La Nuova Vita’ Dante says “Beatrice appeared dressed in noblest colour, restrained and pure, in crimson, tied and adorned in the style that then suited her very tender age.”

56

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

57

Dante's Love at

First Sight DANTE’S LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT ‘At that moment, the vital spirit which lives in the most secret chamber of my heart began to tremble, and said “Behold, a deity stronger than I; who coming, shall rule over me.”’

58

Regina Magazine / Regina Style

/ Regina Magazine

59

Indeed, Dante frequented parts of Florence where he thought he might catch even a glimpse of Beatrice, who was known to be devout.

Even

A Glimpse

60

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

61

Doubt to

Faith

Dante’s was a personal intellectual journey from doubt to faith; his guide was Beatrice, a woman who became an angel.

62

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

63

La Gloriosa

In real life Beatrice married another man and died at age 24. Dante always called her ‘la gloriosa donna de mia mente” – the ‘glorious lady of my mind.”

64

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

65

T

Di

he first time it ever occurred to me that I might like to veil, I was 21.

I admitted to my friend that I was having thoughts about wearing a

Clara

mantilla. We both laughed: What was happening to me?!

But we had both changed and we were slowly getting used to the idea of letting God take the reins. A few

weeks later, I was living about 60km outside of Rome and attending, almost daily, an Old Rite Mass celebrated by the FSSP. I wanted so much to cover my head in Mass, not because anyone ever pressured me, but because I thought it was a beautiful gesture. However, I was very nervous and self-conscious. Someone had once mentioned veiling to me on pilgrimage. She told me that our hair is our glory and that by covering it, we honor God while we are in His presence, i.e. in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. I am ashamed to say that, before this short conversation, I actually thought that women who wore veils were a bit oppressed! As I began to become interested in veiling, I very quickly realized that this assumption could not be further from the truth (if only I could have seen myself now, how I would have laughed!).

The first time I finally worked up the courage to cover my hair during Mass, I was absolutely terrified. I wanted to do it so much, but I felt everyone was watching me.

I sat at the back of the church in Santissima Trinita dei Pellegrini in central Rome and tried to forget all my worries. In a very short time, my mantilla came to be a great help to me in concentrating on the Mass and in helping me to differentiate between the outside world and God’s house, where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass would take place and where I am in the presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. At home, the reaction to my mantilla is almost always overwhelmingly positive. People just realize somehow that it is a very beautiful reverent thing to do in a sacred place. For those who are just starting out with veiling, a mini-mantilla is not as big as a full size mantilla: really practical if you are dealing with young kids at Mass. I have promised myself an early Christmas present of a purple one I can wear during Advent! Until you veil, it’s hard to describe what it will do for you. The best way to find out would be to just try it!

Advent/Lent Purple Spanish Mantilla ÂŁ25/$30 from www.diclara.co.uk 66

Regina Magazine /

Regina Style / Regina Magazine

67

REGINA? LOVE

Don’t miss next month’s issue!

Free Subscription

68

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

69

Mary Light like a transparent blanket steams over the earth.

You show me His Body, atoms once strewn across lightyears of galaxies, an electrical storm, the first sun, the first day within the day pouring around Him, the sleeping Lord, His Head on a pillow of wind.

Carolyn Gelland Sister Adorers at Maria Engelport, Germany Š Ricky D’Oyen Photo, Brussels.

70

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

71

The Patrolman’s Fraternity of St. Michael Do good. Avoid evil. Join today.

72

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine 73 17 Regina Magazine

Silence In

The Mass

I

t is perhaps a little unusual, but the thing I love most about the Latin Mass is the silence. Most traditionalists seem to be drawn to the glory of the High Mass; truly, there is no experience that we can experience on Earth that brings us closer to Heaven. And I do love the High Mass immensely. Nonetheless, nothing touches my soul more than the sweet silence of the Low Mass. True silence is almost impossible to find in the world today, outside of the wilderness. But during the Canon of the Mass, on an early weekday morning, surrounded by a few souls who’ve wandered in from the angry loudness of the world outside; that is where I have my most intensely spiritual moments.

74

Regina Magazine / Silence In The Mass

A meditation on the low Mass

By Wilson Gavin Photos by Beverly Stevens and Elrica D’Oyen-Gebert

If the High Mass brings Heaven to earth, then it can be said that the Low Mass is the most ancient rite of the Church, preserved in situ for two thousand years. The Apostles and the Martyrs could not celebrate glorious liturgies in awe-inspiring cathedrals; indeed, those were the preserve of the pagans for a very long time. By all accounts, the early Masses said in houses or tombs were not grand affairs. They were simple, austere affairs, but the love and grace present there inspired countless souls to martyrdom.

Silence In The Mass / Regina Magazine

75

Wonder

The silence of the Mass also captures the sadness of the Mass. We can rejoice and be glad over the wonder of our redemption, whilst still remembering the horrific pain and torment which was needed to bring it about. The silence of the Mass reflects Holy Week in its entirety. The silence of the Mass is that of Christ’s agony in the Garden, of His body dead and broken of the Cross, of Him lying anointed like a king on the cold stones of the tomb. That is not something that can be attained through song or loud acclamations; it can only be found in hushed whispers and silent contemplation of the Cross. As Zion lay despoiled and empty, and its people scattered, the Prophet Jeremiah saw fit to write in Lamentations, ‘It is good to wait with silence for the salvation of God’. In a time of wailing and the rending of garments, Jeremiah saw silence as the only deliverance from sorrow. It is only in silence that we can truly ponder the deep mysteries of the Faith. It is a time to heal, and find peace.

76

Regina Magazine /

Of Redemption

/ Regina Magazine

77

I cannot count the number of times when I have gone to a vernacular Mass in a sombre mood (I am most definitely a melancholic) to try and find some measure of peace, only to find an overly exuberant pastor who while at the altar insists that I move from my comfortable pew at the back and introduce myself to the congregation. There is no experiencing more mortifying than to be interrupted whilst kneeling at prayer by the kindly old lady who asks if you wish to serve as lector today. Not particularly, my dear, but because you asked so nicely I shall.

At the Low Mass, everything is so much simpler.

You enter the church or chapel, and know that you will not be interrupted until the Last Gospel is complete.

78

Regina Magazine /

Vernacular Mass

/ Regina Magazine

79

The Saint

Oddly enough, the Mass which I count as second in my affections to the Low Mass is not the High Mass, but that of the Ordinariate. A dear teacher of mine would often jest that I was more Anglican than Catholic. It’s true; I love the bells and smells, the old hymns and archaic language, and the easy comfort of the Ordinariate Mass almost as much as the Extraordinary Form. It makes me feel rather abashed as a Latin Mass Catholic; I always thought that we had the monopoly on otherworldly liturgy! There is most definitely a reason that the Pope Emeritus saw the music and liturgy of the Anglicans as worth preserving. Still, whilst there is beauty there, transcendent beauty, it just cannot compare to the Mass of the Saint.

80

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

81

The nearest Latin Mass to me at the moment is two thousand miles away, through North Korea and the Gobi desert. I have the Mass still, every Sunday, but it hurts my head. There is never a moment of silence, never a moment for hushed reverence. It seems that Mongolia jumped straight past spectacular liturgy into the joy of sixties hymns. Perhaps that is a little unkind; the priests and sisters here are good Christians who have travelled across continents to spread the Gospel. The congregation is made up almost entirely of converts, whose faces light up when they receive Our Lord in the body and the blood.

Our Lord 82

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

83

But what I wouldn’t trade for a little silent awe! Whenever I attend a Novus Ordo Mass with guitars, corny songs, and clapping, I am reminded of these verses from Kings: “And behold the Lord passeth, and a great and strong wind before the Lord over throwing the mountains, and breaking the rocks in pieces: the Lord is not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake: the Lord is not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire: the Lord is not in the fire, and after the fire a whistling of a gentle air. And when Elias heard it, he covered his face with his mantle”.

The silence of the Mass is the easy silence between the Beloved, and the Lover. The silence of the Mass draws us into the presence of God, so that we may seek Him who our soul loveth. To gaze upon Him in rapt adoration as the priest raises the host, to hear the bells and weep; that is communion in the purest sense. That is love.

WILSON GAVIN is an eighteen year old Australian currently living in Mongolia, where he works as a teacher. After falling away from the Faith at an early age, he returned through the Traditional Latin Mass and the ministry of the Carmelites. He is presently discerning a vocation to the priesthood.

84

Regina Magazine /

Beloved And Lover

/ Regina Magazine

85

86

Regina Magazine / Regina Magazine | Amazing Parishes

/ Regina Magazine

87

REGINA? LOVE

Don’t miss next month’s issue!

Free Subscription

88

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

89

The Couragious Iconographer Article and Photographs by Emmanuele Capoferri English editing by Meghan Ferrara

90

Regina Magazine /

The Couragious Iconographer / Regina Magazine

91

Aurel Ionescu The “Sacrae Immaginis Domus-Eikon” is the collection of religious artwork belonging to Aurel Ionescu, an isografo, or creator of sacred images, and an internationally recognized guardian of the tradition of icons born in Byzantium.

Himself born and raised in communist Romania, as a young painter he was stigmatized as a ‘mystical paranoid.’

92

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

93

ComoItaly These treasures are housed in an old church maintained for the “isografo� by the curia of Como, Italy.

94

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

95

San Francesco

Upon entering the church of San Francesco, a sense of peace and timelessness envelopes the visitor.

96

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

97

Sacred Image

Ionescu describes icons in his own words as, “a sacred image, and a hallmark of Christian art.�

98

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

99

Depicted Purpose Its purpose is depicting the struggle between man and the Devil, who is the anti-icon par excellence -the enemy and evil one.

100

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

101

Human Salvation

At the same time, icons allow the expression in images of the story of human salvation.

102

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

103

Two Halves From an etymological point of view, -Syn-bolon (meaning two halves of a whole) - is the opposite of the dia-bolon (the great divider) and indicates that truth opposes lies.

104

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

105

Symbolic Icon

The symbolic icon portrays both these themes. On the one hand it simply presents the afterlife, on the other hand it leads man to salvation, in the eternal and true realm, away from the influence of the “negative” and “detrimental.”

106

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

107

Man’ s Salvation For Christians, the philosophies of eternity and of man’s salvation are intrinsically linked.

108

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

109

Iconic art invites the faithful to connect to a deeper, more profound theology. The encounter between thought and belief lends art a religious overtone; it is no longer sign or picture, but icon - a symbol of the presence of an invisible mystery that seeks to be communicated.

Invisible Mystery 110

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

111

Aurel is an artist who best represents, through his works, the meaning of this ancient but timeless tradition.

Ancient Tradition 112

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

113

“The icon must take precedence and the ‘isografo’ must acknowledge that his work is a reflection of something greater than himself,” says Ionescu.

Greater Than 114

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

115

Holy Miron

Ionescu was born in Bucharest, Romania, in 1951, and completed his classical studies (Liceo Aurel Vlaicu), graduating from A.L. Cuza with a degree in graphic art.

After a period of secular artistic activity Ionescu became part of the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchy in the workshop of Plumbuita monastery located in Bucharest. He worked as a wood sculptor and began his apprenticeship as an iconographer, under the guidance of Simeon Tatu. Within the walls of this community, under the spiritual guidance of Father Lazar, he deepened his technical and spiritual formation and in 1973 received the Holy Miron or anointing of the hands.

This path in Romania was not easy. The young painter was even stigmatized as a ‘mystical paranoid.’

“I’m aware of that title,” admits Ionescu, though he learned of this only after many years after the fall of the regime – and that by means of the Securitate files. “Nonetheless, as a young Rumanian, considered by the public as a national artist with numerous publications and magazines to my credit, I still felt a calling to sacred art and the desire to bear witness to Christ.”

The need to continue on this path pushed him to look for a different country, where he can “write” images without opposition.

Today, he depicts holy icons in the church of San Francesco in Marchirolo in via Roma 24 in Varese, Lombardy, Italy.

116

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

117

Click here and support the Mystic Monks of Wyoming!

118

Regina Magazine / The Couragious Iconographer

The Couragious Iconographer / Regina Magazine

119

120

Regina Magazine / The Couragious Iconographer

/ Regina Magazine

121

A Christmas With W

Mary A Short Story by Beverly De Soto

alking home from school was

The tedium was alleviated by walking part of

when it started. I had been

the way with Amy, my best friend in the sev-

walking the mile and a half

enth grade. We’d confide in each other about

lived in a gloomy house which smelled of

and long stringy hair. Sometimes, I would

home since I was seven years old, so by the

which boy we liked, and who we thought

cats. Amy’s father was balding and amiable.

encounter him banging his hasty way out

time I was twelve, it was second nature to me.

liked who in our class of twenty-five Catholic

He was always watching his family, his dark

the front door, heedless of his mother’s re-

I trudged along, oblivious to the traffic speed-

kids in a middlebrow suburb of New York.

eyes filled with anxiety.

proachful calls. Amy hero-worshipped him,

ing past me. My gaze was usually riveted

It was 1970, and though the news was full of

Small, dark and shy, Mrs. Bachot seemed

and deeply resented the almost-constant

downwards, past my knife-pleated tartan plaid campus revolutionaries and restive ghettos, we

to live in her nightgown. Sometimes she’d

babysitting of her younger siblings thrust

uniform skirt, to my dark green knee socks

were oblivious to the social revolution raging

greet us in her reed-thin voice; other times

upon her. Mrs. Bachot often needed to lie

which disappeared into my despised brown

around us. For us, social life was sleepover

she would remain invisible for a whole rainy

down in her room.

Oxfords. Through piles of dusty leaves on

parties, gossip and endless fantasies about

afternoon as we sprawled in their finished

Amy and I never spoke about these things.

uneven pavements, across busy intersections,

whether and when the boy we liked would

basement consuming Oreos, enthralled by

My own mother was a mystery to me; I nev-

up steep roads innocent of anything remote-

ever acknowledge our existence.

The Archie’s ‘bubble gum’ rock music.

er knew which version of her I would en-

ly resembling a sidewalk, I hitched my heavy

Amy was shorter than me, with large, gray-

Amy’s older brother was glamorous -- a

counter when I finally knocked on our front

knapsack over my shoulder for the millionth

green eyes and thick golden brown hair. She

famous ‘head’ already in the high school; he

door. I wasn’t allowed to have a key. If she

time, and soldiered on.

was the second child of five; the Bachots lived

had a garage band that played Neil Young,

happened to be out in inclement weather,

122

Regina Magazine / A Christmas With Mary

A Christmas With Mary / Regina Magazine

123

I had to start canvassing the neighbors for a

the Faith; he made sure to pass this most

around their friend’s cellar singing, “Sugar,

out of a dark corner in the familiar wood-

warm place to wait. If the weather was good,

precious of treasures on to me. My mother,

Sugar”.

ed park that I passed every day? I would

I’d camp out on the front steps, ducking

after a brief protest because of the cost, had

behind the bushes so the neighbors couldn’t

reluctantly agreed.

“Our lady was my real mother, I knew. Looking up I would compare her pearly floor length gown with the fluffy clouds above and her mantle to the Blue Sky.”

steal sideways glances into the dim green

see me.

If my mother was home, I would brace myself. As the heavy front door opened, her expression would reveal what my life would be like for the rest of the day. Once in a blue moon, she would greet me with a friendly smile, and then my worries would slide off my shoulders along with the heavy knapsack.

Most of the time, however, I received a shrug and an indifferent glance. About once every few weeks, her blue eyes would shoot me a

“It was on my walks back from school that I started talking to Our Lady.”

gloom as I hurried by, half-thinking there was Someone in there, daydreaming that she would appear and take me with her on a magical journey.

My ugly Catholic school uniform would be suddenly transformed into a beautiful skyblue evening gown. My dark, unruly mop of hair would turn honey blonde, piled elegantly on my head like Miss America. My crush-of-the-moment would catch sight of me, transformed, and suddenly would become everything I dreamt of in a boyfriend – attentive, funny, calm, masterful and kind.

cold gleam, and my heart would sink like a

It was on my walks back from school that I

stone.

started to talking to Our Lady.

And so it was that on the last leg of my way

I knew she’d appeared at Lourdes, and at

home, after leaving Amy at her house, my

Fatima – faraway places I could barely pic-

thoughts would take wing. Accustomed to

ture. But in both places, she had appeared

the supernatural after eight years of Catho-

to girls like me. They were girls engaged in

lic schooling, I had no doubt at all that both

the lonely work that some children must do

heaven and hell existed.

– gathering firewood like Bernadette, herd-

I didn’t know anyone personally who was in

ing goats like Lucia, or walking the long way

Our Lady was my real mother, I knew. Look-

front door of my house, especially on those

either place. The closest I came was my fa-

home alone, like me.

ing up, I would compare her pearly floor-

days when I dreaded home the most. On this

ther’s mother, who had died a decade before

Of course, I knew that these girls were much

length gown with the fluffy clouds above and

particular Friday afternoon, I had reason to

I was born. In point of fact, I was in Cath-

holier than I was. Bernadette and Lucia

her mantle to the blue sky. If I prayed hard

fear going home. My parents had had a flam-

olic school because of Grandma Concetta.

probably didn’t have revolving door crushes

enough, would she appear to me, gliding on

ing row the night before, and I was unable to

My father had insisted because that’s what

like I did, which changed every week. In any

one of those clouds, skimming down to me

sleep until late. In consequence, I had over-

our family did: we sent the girls to Catholic

event, they didn’t hitch up their too-long

on a golden sunray?

slept, fled the house that morning at a run,

school because they would be the ones to

uniform skirts in the school bathroom, use

Or perhaps I would hear her other-world-

and arrived late to school, again.

pass on the Faith. His mother had given him

Vaseline to darken their eyelashes or dance

ly-yet-musical voice, suddenly calling to me

124

Regina Magazine / A Christmas With Mary

I would be able to fly, to become invisible and to walk through walls, too. All of these powers would enable me to right wrongs, and to fight for the Good, the Beautiful and the True.

This half-Cinderella fantasy, half-prayerful meditation would carry me all the way to the

A Christmas With Mary / Regina Magazine

125

“It was Advent and our school was full of breathless excitement as the countdown to Christmas commenced. ”

“We’re going Christmas shopping – and for

friend Amy and confided the details of my

severely. She had a direct line to Him, if and

Chinese food!” Mary announced gaily when

current crush, but she didn’t seem too con-

when she needed it.

she opened our front door. Somewhere in

cerned. This was a tremendous relief, accus-

“S-sometimes,” I answered lamely.

the background, my mother lurked gloomily.

tomed as I was to my mother’s frowning on

Mary shrugged, and smiled.

“Zia-Zia Mary!” I exclaimed, hugging her.

any scant interest I might show in teenage

“It’s good to pray,” she said. “We all need

She smelled of Chanel No. 5.

things.

prayer.”

“Do you pray, honey?” Mary’s question came out of the blue.”

I nodded, uncertain about where this was

each other across a snowy linen tablecloth.

“Do you pray, honey?” Mary’s question came

added, a note of uncertainty creeping into

It was Advent, and our school days were full

‘Little Drummer Boy’ played softly in the

out of the blue.

her voice.

background on the Chinese restaurant’s mu-

I eyed her warily.

All of a sudden it dawned on me. Zia-Zia

sic system. We were sipping scalding hot tea

“Y-yes of course,” I replied automatically.

Mary was going to give me ‘The Talk’! Proba-

after finishing our meal of chow mein and

“At school we pray all the time,” I finished,

bly my mother had despaired of the attempt,

spare ribs.

rolling my eyes in an attempt at humor. “The

and therefore had agreed to this outing so

We had spent the afternoon whirling around

nuns make sure of that.”

that Mary could tell me about the ‘birds and

the shops. She had bought me my first pair

Mary smiled again, patiently.

the bees.’

of Levi’s –de rigeur for any aspiring cool

“No, I mean do you pray when you’re

“Zia,” I stopped her, smiling broadly. “You

teenager in 1970.

alone?”

don’t have to do this.”

“Soon, you’ll be a crazy teenager,” she teased,

I thought hard. Did I pray a whole Rosary?

Mary’s brow knitted, and she reached for a

and we laughed, remembering the antics of

Only when I couldn’t get to sleep. Did I pray

cigarette.

my girl cousins just a few years before.

a quick Hail Mary or an Our Father? Some-

“Do what?” she asked innocently, lighting

Chinese food was new to me. I felt very

times, yes, by my bed at night. I didn’t let my

her cigarette with a Bic lighter.

exotic as I studied my aunt’s delicate fingers

mother see, however, for fear of her reac-

“I already know everything,” I lied glibly.

demonstrating how to grip the unfamiliar

tion. On the topic of God and the Church,

“Yeah?” she said, trying to repress a smile.

chopsticks. As we ate, she had smiled and

my mother was firm. She didn’t need to be

“And how do you know everything?”

nodded mildly as I chattered on about my

in a church to talk to her God, she told me

“I read,” I assured her confidently. My whole

of breathless excitement as the countdown to Christmas commenced. The days were cold and rainy, typical for New York in early December. Deep into my fantasy as I dallied on my way home that afternoon, I had been so enraptured that I had barely noticed the big light-blue Chevy with the creamy white interior parked in our driveway – my aunt’s car.

My father’s youngest sister, Mary, was my godmother. Never married, at 35 she worked for IBM as a secretary. Small, neat and a perfect size 5, she haunted the department stores sales, searching out bargains for herself and her three nieces. My cousins and I adored her.

126

Regina Magazine / A Christmas With Mary

“Honey, change your clothes and pack your things,” she smiled at me.

“I can sleep over your house?” I cried, delighted with this turn of events. I looked uncertainly at my mother, who nodded in a perfunctory way. I hung my head, feeling guilty, but slipped away to pack nonetheless.

That night Zia-Zia Mary and I sat, looking at

going.

“You know, you’ll be going to high school before you know it,” she said.

I nodded again, briefly flashing on my recurrent fantasy of my future high school life as a dazzling cheerleader.

“And all sorts of things can happen then,” she

A Christmas With Mary / Regina Magazine

127

family knew what a voracious reader I was.

But she read my mind.

“Did you ever wonder why I’m not mar-

emotion. “Well, let’s just say that things

“I got a book out of the library.”

“We have college interns from Princeton at

ried?” She said it so simply that it shocked

didn’t work out.”

Mary looked unconvinced. She folded her

IBM,” she said, shortly. “They talk.”

me.

“W-what happened?” I couldn’t stop myself

arms, blew out a stream of smoke, and wait-

I smiled tolerantly at her.

“U-um… you n-never found the right guy?”

from asking.

ed.

“Honey,” she said, frowning slightly. “I asked

I ventured, embarrassed. She had had her

“He found someone else,” she said shortly.

“And I know,” I continued smoothly. “I know

you about prayer. I also asked you about

chances, according to my mother’s version

“He married a nurse he met in the service.”

that boys are only out for one thing.”

your plan. Hear me out.”

of events. But Mary was ‘too choosy.’ I had

I didn’t know what to say.

At that, she laughed outright.

She took a deep breath and looked me

wondered at that. Did this mean that I had

“Then I was a bridesmaid at a lot of wed-

This made me laugh, too, though I wasn’t

squarely in the eyes.

to ‘settle’ in order to get married? Indeed,

dings,” she went on in a quiet voice, look-

sure why.

“Your parents fight a lot, right?”

had my mother ‘settled’? What about Amy’s

ing down at her lap. “I started dating, and I

“Not necessarily. But anyway, what’s your

I nodded dumbly, taken aback.

parents? Were they miserable because they

prayed. Every week, at Mass, I kept it up --

plan?” she asked, smiling broadly.

“You want a boyfriend, right?”

had ‘settled’?

telling God what kind of man I wanted.”

“For high school?” I asked nervously. “Well,

I shrugged and nodded again, this time

Mary shrugged and sighed again.

She paused a moment to collect herself. I

I’ll be taking all honors courses. So of course

sheepishly.

“Actually, I was like you. I had a plan, and

hardly dared to breathe.

“You think that prayer is what you say to God, right?”

when I talked to God, I told Him what I

“Oh, I wanted a guy with an office job, you

wanted out of life.” The corners of her mouth

know,” she went on, finally. “A guy who

tightened. “And of course, your grandmother

didn’t get dirty when he went to work. And

died when I was younger than you are now,

we would have two kids, and a nice house.”

so I didn’t have a mother to guide me.”

I nodded. Zia-Zia Mary lived in the old Ital-

She stopped talking, and looked at me. I

ian neighborhood in an apartment shared

nodded slowly, beginning to understand.

with her married sister and brother-in-law

“Y-you didn’t have a mother to guide you.

and my grandfather, upstairs from her mar-

By the time you’re in high school, you’ll have

“You think that prayer is what you say to

Kind of like me,” I whispered, thinking of

ried brother and his wife and kids.

plenty of boys interested in you. I’m not wor-

God, right?”

Amy, too.

“But God never delivered,” she said quietly.

ried about that.”

I shrugged. What was she getting at?

“Yes,” she said calmly. Her warm brown eyes

“None of those plans worked out.”

I nodded.

“Listen to me,” she said intensely. “There’s

caught mine. “I had a plan, though. I thought

There was an awkward silence. To my im-

“The problem is that times are changing,” she

a lot of lost kids out there, believe me, who

I found the one when I was 17. We met in

mense relief, the waiter appeared with the

said with a sigh. “Boys don’t respect girls like

think like you do. Smart kids, too.”

high school. I was popular. He was popular,

check. When he left, my aunt turned around

they did when I was your age.”

She sighed again, and stubbed her cigarette

too. Everybody liked him.”

to face me. Her expression had softened.

It was my turn to smile indulgently. How

out. Then she signaled to the waiter to bring

I nodded, and waited.

“Honey, you can do everything right, and

could my middle-aged aunt know about

the check. Finally, she turned around to face

“He went into the military after high school.

still have no luck,” she said kindly. “That’s

what boys were like these days?

me.

I was going to wait for him,” she said, with

why I’m telling you to pray. Don’t tell God

I’ll only be dating smart boys.”

“Smart boys,” she echoed, deadpan.

“Yep. I cannot stand stupid boys,” I confided breezily.

Mary nodded soberly, and took a drag on her cigarette.

“Honey, you’re a smart girl,” she said gently.

“And you’re growing up to be a pretty girl.

128

Regina Magazine / A Christmas With Mary

A Christmas With Mary / Regina Magazine

129

what you think you want. Instead, ask Him

my napkin.

your walk home from school because that’s

adapted,” she said. “And I wish I had prayed

to help you see what it is that He has in mind

“What’s this?” I asked uncertainly.

when you are open to it.”

this when I was your age.” Then she took a

for you. Do you understand what I’m say-

“A little present,” she said softly, sliding me a

That’s when I told her about the woods, and

deep breath, and recited, ‘I renounce my will.

ing?”

sideways grin.

my feeling that there was a Presence in there.

I turn my will over to thee, Mary, my true

“Instead, ask Him to help you see what it is that He has in mind for you.”

“Wow!” I said, as I gazed at the small circlet

“Well,” she said soberly after I had finished.

mother, to lay at the feet of thy Son. Not my

of gold with a pink gem. I looked up at her,

“First of all, I want you to promise me that

will, but His Will be done.’”

speechless, and a little worried. If it was valu-

you will never go into those woods. You have

I didn’t quite know what to say. Mary read

able, my mother would probably make me

no idea what’s actually in there. Promise?”

the confusion on my face.

give it back.

A little shocked, I promised.

“You have a strong will,” she said gently. “Just

Mary read my thoughts.

“B-but how can I get her to, to…”

like me – and your cousins, if you want to

“It’s not real,” she grinned. “Don’t worry. It’s

“…to speak to you?” Mary finished my sen-

know the truth.” She grinned wryly.

no big deal.”

tence. She was gazing at me intently.

“So what’s wrong with that?” I retorted, a bit

I fingered the pin and smiled back at her,

Sheepishly, I nodded. Despite my daydreams,

heatedly.

relieved. But she wasn’t easy to side-track.

I knew the idea was preposterous.

“Nothing, except you can be so busy trying

I nodded uncertainly. Then, for some reason,

“So why did you ask me about Lourdes?”

to make your own will happen that you don’t

I thought of my daily walk home.

“W-well, when I walk home from school, I

listen to what God wants for you,” she said.

“D-do you know the story of Lourdes?” I

think about Our Lady.” And before I could

asked her, suddenly.

stop myself, it all came out in a rush. How I

“The Blessed Mother appeared to a girl in

dawdled on my way home after leaving Amy

France,” she replied, looking curious. “Ber-

at her house, daydreaming about Our Lady.

nadette. I saw the movie. Why?”

“So, do you pray the Rosary?”

“Y-you don’t think she would ever appear

“Sometimes,” I told her honestly. “But not

nowadays, do you?” I asked tentatively.

often. Mostly I just think about her. Do you

“Could happen,” she ventured, slowly. “We

think I’m crazy?”

never know, right? Why do you ask?”

My aunt regarded me benevolently, in si-

Embarrassed, I noticed the tiny golden

lence.

brooch on her winter white sweater.

“No,” she said finally. “Not crazy. But I do

“That’s nice,” I ventured, in a desperate at-

think that maybe, she’s actually thinking

tempt to change the subject.

about you.”

“Oh you like this?” she said, glancing down

“Huh? You mean when I walk home?”

carelessly. And before I could stop her, she’d

“Yes. Maybe she’s a little worried about you.

removed the sparkling piece and placed it on

And she makes herself known to you on

130

Regina Magazine / A Christmas With Mary

“Have you ever heard of St Louis De Montfort?”

“Have you ever heard of St Louis De Montfort?”

“Um, no,” I replied, confused.

“Well, he was a French priest who lived in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s. He had a special devotion to Our Lady, and wrote several books about her,” she explained. “Maybe when you’re older you can read them.”

I couldn’t imagine anything more boring, but I nodded patiently anyway, and waited.

“There’s a little prayer he wrote, and I’ve

“Lots of times, as I learned, God doesn’t go along with our plans.”

I sighed impatiently, but she ignored me.

“I had lots of big plans, honey,” she said sadly. “And most of them came to nothing.

It was only when I found this prayer and worked hard to say it, over and over again, that things changed for me.”

“Yeah?” I said, a bit intrigued despite myself.

“You see, when we give the Blessed Mother our will, when we turn it all over to her, we feel a weight slide off our shoulders,” she said, intently. “At least I do. And then when we ask her to help us see what God wants us to do – and this is key – things get easier.

That is how you can get her to speak to you.”

A Christmas With Mary / Regina Magazine

131

“Y-you mean s-she will appear to me?” I

amusement. “But notice that he says, ‘Make

day-dreaming about being chosen to do

“That’s the other guy,” Mary said significant-

asked warily.

me an instrument’. He is telling God that he

great things.

ly, rolling her eyes exaggeratedly and point-

At this, Mary laughed her merry, tinkling

wants to be made an instrument of God’s

“Really?” I asked, feeling excited and scared

ing downwards.

laugh, wrinkling her nose.

Will.”

at the same time.

We both laughed, and stood up to leave. The

“Probably not, honey,” she said gently. “She

“R-right,” I said, uncomprehending.

“But how do I know when I see it? I mean,

Chinese waiters, eager to close up, smiled

only appears to people when she has a mes-

“So, you know that God respects our free

that something is God’s will?”

and handed us our shopping bags. Outside,

sage for the whole world.”

will, right?”

My aunt looked at me with great affection in

we stood buttoning our coats against the

“Oh,” I said, feeling foolish.

“Yeah…”

her eyes.

cold. Under the blinking Christmas lights, I

“But if you go to her, and lay your will at her

“So here’s our choices, then. You can try

“I can’t explain it,” she said slowly. “All I can

turned to look at her.

feet and tell her –‘Please, I think I know what

to bend life to your will; I can tell you that

say is that you will know, because things

“Zia-Zia Mary, are you happy?” I asked soft-

I want, but I know that God’s will is what

hasn’t gotten me very far. You can try to lay

will unfold before you. When God wants

ly, unable to keep from asking.

needs to be done. Show me His will, and

low, and be passively swept along. Lots of

something to happen, the doors fly open. If

“Me?” Surprised by the question, she turned

make it crystal clear, so I don’t mistake it’ --

people do that. Or you can actively ask, like

He doesn’t, no matter how hard you bang on

her dark head towards me, chuckled softly

she will hear you.”

Francis, to be made an instrument of His

that door, it won’t open. Your job is to keep

and squeezed my arm. When she spoke, her

Intrigued, I cautiously turned this idea over

Will.”

praying, keep asking for guidance, and keep

smile was broad.

in my mind.

“Yeah?” I said again, in an abstracted way.

trusting.”

“I’m as happy as we can be -- in this life,

“So if God is in control, and nothing hap-

“But I have to warn you,” she stressed. “If you

This wasn’t what I wanted to hear. What

honey,” she said tenderly. Her breath made

pens that He doesn’t permit,” I said carefully,

ask to be made an Instrument of His Will,

about seeing Mary?

clouds in the chill night air. “That’s about all

thinking out loud. “Does this mean that we

fasten your seat belt because you’re in for a

“But if I’m supposed to be so trusting, why

we can expect. We love, and we pray. And we

can either get on board with His Will, or get

wild ride.”

do you say I should stay out of the woods?

let God handle the rest.”

“But how do I know when I see it? I mean, that something is God’s Will?”

What if she is in there, waiting for me?”

With that, she pinned the tiny golden brooch

Mary sighed.

with the winking pink gem to my green

“Our Lady can do anything she wants,” she

woolen winter coat. Then we started, tread-

explained carefully. “But she is good, and

ing carefully on the slick sidewalk, towards

she would never lure you into a potentially

her car.

dangerous situation. That’s one important

A few flakes floated like a benediction,

way that you can tell if it’s truly her directing

sparkling in the light of the street lamps.

you to do things. If you feel like what you’re

It had begun to snow.

something you might someday be ashamed

Dedicated with love and gratitude to my

“Well, some people nowadays interpret Fran-

I thought about my walking-home fanta-

of – that’s not her guiding your steps.”

aunt, Domenica Mary De Soto (1935-

cis that way,” she said, her eyes dancing with

sies, where for months on end I had been

I nodded thoughtfully.

1983).Ripose en pace, Zia-Zia Mary.+

run over by it?”

“Well, you could say that,” she replied, smiling broadly. “But how about this? St Francis once said, ‘Lord make me an instrument of Your peace.’ What do you think he meant by that?”

“Um, that he wanted to be a peacenik?” I said, thinking of the anti-war protests in the news.

At that, she laughed, and shook her head.

132

Regina Magazine / A Christmas With Mary

about to do is something dangerous -- or

A Christmas With Mary / Regina Magazine

133

O

ur story begins before the Norman Invasion in 1066. Five years earlier, a Lady of Walsingham Manor, reported that she was ‘taken in spirit’ to Nazareth, shown the house where the Annunciation took place and asked by Our Lady to build a replica in Norfolk. She was promised that ‘Whoever seeks my help there will not go away empty-handed.’

Her simple wooden house soon became the focus of

re-started the medieval Pilgrimage again. In-

special devotions. In 1153, the Augustinian Can-

spired by the modern-day pilgrimages of Chartres

ons founded a Priory there to care for the spiritual

in France and Christus Rex in Australia, and the

needs of the many pilgrims who flocked there.

medieval pilgrims who walked from all over En-

Their magnificent Priory Church was added in the gland, the new pilgrimage was at first, a modest

Walsingham

Walk Photos by John Aron

fifteenth century.

affair of a few pilgrims.

In 1509, a devout 18 year old Henry VIII made

In 2016, 75 pilgrims of all ages converged on

the famous pilgrimage to Walsingham. In fact,

medieval Ely Cathedral on August 25th, and

it was His Majesty’s purported attachment to the

then proceeded to walk the 55 miles over three

Shrine which led the monks to hope that the Abbey days. Each day they heard a sung Traditional would be spared his wrath during the wholesale

Latin Mass, Confessions, recitation of the Rosary,

destruction of religious houses which followed his

the singing of traditional hymns, periods of si-

break with Rome.

lence and quiet reflection, and the chance to chat

To no avail. The Prior’s pleas went unheard. The

and relax with other pilgrims.

Sub-Prior, Nicholas Mileham, was charged with conspiring to rebel and, on flimsy evidence, con-

REGINA Magazine caught up with Jack

victed of high treason and hanged outside the

Kilday, 21, to get his impressions of his first

Priory walls. Eleven people in all, including

time on the walk to Walsingham.

two lay choristers were hanged, drawn and quartered. Henry’s henchmen stole everything they could, and the beautiful old place lay in ruins for centuries afterwards.

Exactly five hundred years after young Henry’s pilgrimage, enter the Latin Mass Society of England & Wales (LMS). 2009 was the year the LMS

134

Regina Magazine / A Christmas With Mary

Walsingham Walk / Regina Magazine

135

REGINA: Tell us about yourself.

Jack Kilday (in sunglasses, carrying Our Lady on his shoulders, above): I am 21 and I currently live just outside Newcastle upon Tyne in England and work at a local special educational needs college.

136

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

137

MassSociety

REGINA: Did you know the story of Walsingham before this?

Jack Kilday: Yes I had heard of it and knew it had something to do with an Apparition of Our Lady and the request to build the Holy House but

138

Regina Magazine / Walsingham Walk

REGINA: How did you discover the Walsingham Pilgrimage?

Jack Kilday: I wished to make a pilgrimage but there was no local ones, but after joining the Latin Mass Society I saw a video of their pilgrimage

Walsingham Walk / Regina Magazine

139

BeyondExpectations

REGINA: Did the experience live up to your ideas?

Jack Kilday: It went above and beyond my expectations. The experience was indescribable.

140

Regina Magazine / Walsingham Walk

Jack Kilday: It was a great opportunity to make reparation for my sins and to pray for the conversion of England as well as friends and family.

Walsingham Walk / Regina Magazine

141

HolySacrifice

Jack Kilday: I also had the grace to serve at the Holy Sacrifice while on pilgrimage at our daily Solemn Mass.

142

Regina Magazine / Walsingham Walk

Jack Kilday: I was also able to receive a first blessing from Fr. James Mawdsley FSSP who was ordained in July.Â

Walsingham Walk / Regina Magazine

143

Jack’sJourney

Jack Kilday: I went by myself. Although that was part of the experience for me personally.

144

Regina Magazine / Walsingham Walk

Jack Kilday: The camaraderie was great. We all got to know each other very well by the end of it all since we were spending 12 or more hours a day walking together.Â

Walsingham Walk / Regina Magazine

145

PleasentSurprises

Jack Kilday: The most surprising aspect of the Pilgrimage for me was the amount of families and young people (some as young as 10 and 11!!) on the pilgrimage.

146

Regina Magazine / Walsingham Walk

Jack Kilday: I was surprised as well by the large number of people on the pilgrimage.

Walsingham Walk / Regina Magazine

147

LastingMemories

Jack Kilday: We also had a few pilgrims travel from other countries to make the pilgrimage – including one Priest from Australia.

148

Regina Magazine / Walsingham Walk

REGINA: What was your best memory?

Jack Kilday: Probably when we arrived at the Slipper Chapel on the last day which marks the start of the Holy Mile. This is where pilgrims remove their shoes and walk barefoot on the last mile that leads up to where the Holy House and Priory stood before unfortunately being destroyed after Henry VIII founded Anglicanism.

Walsingham Walk / Regina Magazine

149

Walker’s Advice

REGINA: What advice would you give to those contemplating doing this?

Jack Kilday: If you haven’t attended the Extraordinary Form, I’d recommend doing so.

150

Regina Magazine / Walsingham Walk

Jack Kilday: Finally, pray, practice and have fun. It is a long walk so it is worth getting some practice in.

Walsingham Walk / Regina Magazine

151

REGINA? LOVE

Don’t miss next month’s issue!

Free Subscription

152

Regina Magazine /

/ Regina Magazine

153

R.

www.reginamag.com 154

Regina Magazine /