St Dunstan's, Mayfield

St Dunstan’s, Mayfield was founded in 960 AD by St Dunstan, who was then Archbishop of Canterbury. Believed to be originally a wooden church it was replaced by a stone structure, in the twelfth century, by the Normans.

In 1389 this church was virtually destroyed by fire. Only the tower, the lancet window in the west wall and the base of the north aisle survive to this day. The local congregation probably used the private chapel at the Archbishop’s Palace nearby until the church was rebuilt between 1410 and 1420.

St Mary's, Easington in County Durham

St Mary's Church dates from the early 13th century and stands proud over the medieval village of Easington and the later former coal mining community of Easington Colliery on the Durham coast.

Opposite the Church is one of the oldest extant domestic buildings in England. Seaton Holme was used for various purposes over the centuries including, originally as a residence for the Bishops and then Archdeacons of Durham. Pope Adrian IV as Nicholas Brakespere is rumoured to have lived here whilst possibly holding the title of Archdeacon of Durham.

Surprised by joy

I have lived a mile from St Mary and All Saints Church in Willingham, North of Cambridge since 1997 but I had never been inside until this afternoon, when I called in after visiting the local grocers.  The church has been there since 1230 and if ever anyone doubted that England was once a Catholic country they should visit this church or others like it that give vibrant witness to the public piety of the people of our land prior to the protestant reformation.

Here one is struck by so much of beauty but perhaps especially the wall paintings, most of which are from the 14th & 15th centuries.  The first painting one is invited to look at by the guidebook however dates from around 1244 and is believed to be the oldest known wall painting of St Etheldreda, foundress of Ely Abbey.  St Bede wrote of Etheldreda sustaining a wound to her neck where a tumour was removed during her last illness.  This can clearly be seen in the painting although my picture doesn't do it justice.  Her picture is on the opposite side of a vault window to that of her sister, St Sexburga

St Etheldreda

St Sexburga

14th Century wall paintings on the north wall of the nave depict St George and the Dragon and also, very clearly, St Christopher as can been seen here. 

St Christopher

There are also three carved oak screens.  One in the traditional place was the rood screen and includes some fine carvings.  A second screen enclosing what was once a chapel on the north side and the third surrounds the chapel on the south, near to the main door.

Detail of carving of a fish on the Rood Screen doors

Screen enclosing the organ with remains of paintings on the base. From 1320 and the oldest in Cambridgeshire

Hammer-beam roof with (modern) carved angels

One particularly exciting part of the church is the stone 'sacristy' built on the north side of the chancel in the 13th Century.  This was probably originally as Anchorage as its floor are is 140 sq ft as prescribed in the Bavarian  anchorite rule.  It also has a squint doorway for the occupant to see the altar during mass without being seen himself and a small window to the outside world for receiving food and drink etc.

What a privilege to say my Pater, Ave and Gloria Patri there today as many thousands of loyal Catholics had also done in earlier centuries.  

Oh Mary our Mother, reign o'er us once more; be England thy Dowry as in days of yore!

SS Etheldreda and Sexburga pray for us!

The Visitation 

Sacristy / Anchorage

Memorial of Pope St Pius X

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12137a.htm

Fontgombault

Some photographs of the Assumption at Fontgombault Abbey

Assumption at Fontgombault

Three members of SSIM, accompanied by a priest from the Southwark Archdiocese, celebrated the Assumption at the Benedictine Abbey of Fontgombault in the centre of France. (photos to follow)

The Abbey is a part of the Solesmes Benedictine Congregation and celebrates the traditional forms of the office and Mass. The Pope, when Cardinal Ratzinger, stayed and lectured there as part of a liturgical conference a number of years ago and it is an oasis of stillness and prayer, soaked in the monastic spirit of St Benedict.

Fr Abbot celebrated Pontifical First Vespers on the 14th as well as Pontifical High Mass and Second Vespers and Benediction on the 15th. Vespers was followed by a solemn procession in honour of Our Lady in which at least 56 monks participated with lots of young people and families as well as seminarians and other guests of the Abbey.

Our Lady of the Assumption is patroness of France and the solemn procession is held in consequence of the act of consecration of France to Our Lady of the Assumption by King Louis XIII made in 1638. This he did to thank Her (in advance) for the birth of his son, the future Lois XIV.

Prayers have been offered for all SSIM members at the feet of Our Lady's image in the Abbey Church.

Watford

The C of E parish church of St Mary the Virgin in Watford was built in 1230 on the same site as an earlier Saxon church. It was extensively restored in 1871 and is now very firmly rooted in Evangelical Anglicanism.  None the less one of our faithful members recently visited to execute the SSIM duties.

Of interest nearby is the gorgeous Church of the Holy Rood a parish church in the Archdiocese of Westminster.  The Grade 1 listed gothic revival church was designed by John Francis Bentley, the architect of Westminster Cathedral.

Holy Rood is usually only open at Mass times, so check out their website if you want to visit:  

Holy Rood Catholic Church, Watford