150 years CSsR and Icon of Perpetual Succour...
A Notre Dame Sister wrote the following article about the great Province Jubilee Mass that was celebrated in St Mary's Clapham on the 2nd July 2016. Afterwards there were further celebrations in the monastery garden.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR
Jubilee Mass
A Jubilee Mass in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour was held in the Redemptorist Church of St. Mary’s Clapham, on Saturday 2nd. July 2016. The Principal Celebrant was Bishop Ralph Heskett CSsR, in the presence of His Eminence Vincent Cardinal Nichols. It was to commemorate the event when 150 years ago Pope Pius IX entrusted the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour to the Redemptorists with the instruction, “Make her known”. The original Icon is venerated in the Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome which is the titular Church of Cardinal Vincent Nichols. The very first copy of it was placed in Bishop Eton Monastery in Liverpool.
Friends and parishioners from all parts of the British Isles joined the celebration, and I joined the coach from Bishop Eton. The journey took 5 hours 30 minutes (with stop) each way, and I never noticed the time passing!
The whole service was introduced by the Very Rev. Fr. Ronald McAinch CSsR and it was good to see him looking so well after what he described to me was a 9 month serious illness.
We were inspired by the homily given by Fr. Richard Reid CSsR Rector and Vicar Provincial, introducing us to the stories connected with the introduction and following devotion to the Icon installed in their Lady Chapel, and the final Address given by Cardinal Vincent Nichols. He told us the story of how his Mother described the Icon to him when he was a little lad, and flowing from it, how his love of our Lady under that title grew.
The singing was vigorous as the church was packed, but the two simple hymns sung by 3 rows of 6 year olds from St. Mary’s, who from the front benches turned to face the congregation, was delightful!
The weather was kind to us, and we enjoyed a ‘garden party’ afterwards where many people renewed old friendships and also made new ones, and where I met Sr. Pat Ellen.
The whole day was one of thanksgiving and blessings. I loved the INCLYTA – (sung by the Redemptorist priests only) so I finish with the first verse which we can pray too;
Noble and devoted Virgin,
Look down on us O Mary protect our life,
direct our actions.
See below for many more photos!
Fr McAinsh CSsR, the Provincial Superior, welcoming us all to the Celebration.
Mrs Kris Reeds from Bishop Eton, Liverpool reading the 1st Reading
Miss Claire Daly singing the psalm
Miss Karen Pluckrose, the Headteacher at St Mary's Primary Clapham
Br Chris handing the thurible over to our deacon, Br Charles
Sr Anna Maria, the Regional Superior of the Nazareth Sisters leading the Prayers of Intercession
The Offetory brought up by representatives of our parishes
Deacon Br Charles talking the hosts to the concelebrating clergy
Cardinal Vincent Nichols saying a few words
He is the "Cardinal Priest" of the Redemptorist Church in Rome, San Alfonso, Via Merulana
Bishop Ralph Heskett CSsR and Fr Richard Reid CSsR pray in the Lady Chapel
as Cardinal Nichols and Fr Provincial both kneel in prayer.
Bishop Ralph CSsR
Fr David Raju CSsR with two Sisters, FMDM
Fr John McGowan OCD with Sister
Cardinal Nichols, Fr Christopher Jamison OSB and Br Christopher
Fr Richard Reid CSsR and Fr Christopher Jamison OSB
Fr Bev Ahearn CSsR and Br Thomas CSsR
Fr Peter Morris CSsR and Mary from Bishop Eton
