Our Father Julia Jones reviews a new book by Sr Claire Waddelove OSB

Our Father

Julia Jones reviews a new book by Sr Claire Waddelove OSB

The Our Father, a prayer Catholics usually learn at a very young age, appears in the Rosary, the liturgy and on other everyday occasions. Perhaps at a time when some of us are a little battered by the turbulent world of social media, where we recoil at another mention of the word, ‘unprecedented’ and all are under additional and often unseen strains, it is natural to turn towards the central prayers of the Church, to tradition and to scripture. This book, written by a contemplative Benedictine nun, provides a perspective from a way of life, which has held steady for 1400 years, whatever the world may throw at it. Governed by The Rule of St Benedict, who included this prayer in the Office, he says in Chapter 13, ‘Assuredly, the celebration of Lauds and Vespers must never pass without the superior’s reciting the entire Lord’s Prayer at the end for all to hear, because thorns of contention are likely to spring up.’

Sr Claire Waddelove’s book is the fruit, as she says in the Author’s Preface, ‘… of personal reading and participation in the Church’s liturgy at Mass and the Divine Office in a contemplative, monastic community.’ We do indeed benefit from her considerable reading and life as a contemplative, as she gives us choice quotes from the Fathers of the Church, popes and saints. Like all great teachers, she has done the hard work for us. She draws out the most apposite quotes and stitches them together into a rich tapestry; a style reminiscent of some papal encyclicals, where the voice of the author is apparently absent, whilst being present in the choice of material and artistry of arrangement.

The book makes each clause of the prayer a chapter, provides a commentary on each and then opens out into biblical references, all helpfully provided in full. In Chapter III, Thy Kingdom Come, she takes us through the ideas of the Kingship of God in the Old Testament, the Annunciation as a fulfilment of ancient prophecies, before arriving at the New Testament proclamation of the Kingdom, the call to repentance and Our Lord’s illustration of the Kingdom through the parables. On evil in the Church she writes, ‘ …the parables illustrate the co-existence of good and bad in the field and in the net. This is a warning against complacency. Simply being a member of the Church does not guarantee a good life or a good end. In troubled times on the other hand, when evil in the Church is painfully exposed, these parables give reassurance. Such evil is rightly shocking to us; it is no surprise to God. It has all been foreseen and foretold. It is, therefore, no reason to despair of the Church, or abandon her.’ (p.44) Her tone is clear, direct and steady. In the present time, where there is so much dissent and disagreement, one might say refreshing.

A slim volume, this is a book ideal both for those with much time for spiritual reading as well as for those for whom time is very short. It would be an excellent gift for someone enquiring into the Faith or for a Confirmation candidate. Perhaps it can be best summed up by Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB, who writes in the Foreword, ‘Put simply, this is good, wholesome stuff. May it find many readers.’

Our Father: A Biblical Meditation on the Lord’s Prayer is published by Gracewing and is available from the LMS bookshop £14.85 (incl. p&p).

A Catholic Academy for St Mary’s Warrington

By Adrian Dulston

A few families in Bedfordshire took the initiative to bring a successful US model of Classical Catholic education to the UK and founded Regina Caeli Academy UK, with pastoral support from the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter. In its second year, the number of families using the Academy has already doubled, with more families joining and moving to the area this year in anticipation of September 2021. Full details about Regina Caeli Academy, including an introductory video, fees, timetables and curriculum, are available at www.rcahybrid.org.uk.

Given the growing community in Warrington, and answering demand from local parents, we would very much like to start a centre at St Mary’s Warrington, with God’s help, from September 2021. The Academy offers a full Classical Curriculum, completely grounded on the magisterium of the Catholic Church, and a community of Catholic families. Trained, paid teachers provide two days per week of onsite tuition. For the other days of the week, comprehensive study plans are provided for parents to follow with their children. Parents benefit from structure, accountability and community, and their children gain Catholic friends for life.

Over the past 18 years, thousands of children have been educated with this curriculum in the US, so parents can be confident that it is a tried and tested system of Catholic education which results in robust qualifications, a lifelong love of learning and, most importantly, a deep-rooted faith.

If you are a parent who is interested in the Warrington RCA for your own children, please email Michael and Aileen Seymour, the Warrington coordinators of Regina Caeli Academy, at TheAcademyStMarys@ gmail.com giving your contact details and your children’s ages/current school years.