2025 Liturgical Calendar from Papa Stronsay Now Available for Purchase

The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer write in from their monastery on the Scottish island of Papa Stronsay to let us know that their 2025 liturgical calendar is now available for purchase. As always, it has a wealth of information, including the liturgical calendar of 1962, particular and local feasts that are of special note to their order, traditional days of abstinence, and the anniversaries of the births and deaths of many Saints. This year, they have also introduced the virtues for each month, a part of the traditional Redemptorist spirituality, going back to the very foundation of our Order. Their purpose is to make it easier for us to imitate the holy life of Our Blessed Redeemer, by concentrating on the practice of one virtue at a time. They calendar also has plenty of photos that give an overview of life in their various houses.

https://papastronsay.com/publications/DWFPress/product.php?ID=61

Calendar from Papa Stronsay Available for Pre-Order

The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer write in from their monastery on the Scottish island of Papa Stronsay to let us know that their 2024 liturgical calendar is now available for pre-order; they are still being printed, but should start shipping before the end of the month. They cost £8 in the UK and $10 in the US. As in previous years, it contains a wealth of useful information, not just on the liturgical seasons, feast days and fast day noted with their appropriate liturgical color, but also on historical anniversaries in the life of the Church, the lives of the Saints, astronomical events and important civil observances, etc., along with a lot of very lovely decorations, in the best tradition of medieval liturgical calendars. The Martyrology page also shows the Saints’ anniversary for the year. A picture for each month shows the daily life of the order’s houses, both the liturgical life or the simple daily labors. It can be ordered at the following link:

https://papastronsay.com/publications/DWFPress/product.php?ID=61

This year’s edition includes a new section dedicated to Sacramentals, indicating days on which blessings are traditionally performed, e.g, the blessing of herbs on the feast of the Assumption, or roses on the feast of St Theresa of the Child Jesus. All the texts of the blessing will be available for download on through the order’s website.

Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer Documentary from New Zealand

The public broadcasting network TVNZ recently published this very nice service about the monastery of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer near Christchurch, New Zealand, which I am sure all of our readers will really enjoy. The network deserves a lot of credit for taking such a respectful approach, and giving the members of the community time to speak fully about why they embrace a life of so many renunciations and sacrifices, seeking first the kingdom of Heaven. Needless to say, the scenery is also breath-taking; we can get a good idea from this of how the Sons use their time of work and prayer in the midst of such natural beauty to prepare themselves self for the active side of their apostolate.

The Two Shrines Pilgrimage in Scotland Announced for 2018

On Saturday, June 9, the Confraternity of St Ninian made a pilgrimage to Arbroath, Angus, Scotland, to honour St Columba of Iona, Patron of the local Diocese of Dunkeld, on his feast day, and to launch their main event of 2018, the Two Shrines Pilgrimage. (Photos from the Confraternity.)

The day began with a Holy Hour at St Thomas’ Parish Church, before pilgrims walked to the ruins of Arbroath Abbey. The abbey was founded in 1178 by King William “the Lion” of Scotland, and dedicated to the martyr St Thomas Becket, who had been slain in Canterbury Cathedral only eight years before; King William, who had met the Archbishop at the English court, was eventually buried under the high altar. The foundation, the richest in Scotland, was entrusted to Benedictine monks of the Tironensian Order, and thrived until its destruction at the hands of John Knox’s “reformers” shortly after 1560. It is most famous for the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, in which the Scottish nobles asserted the independence of the Scottish nation in the face of English aggression; in more recent history, the town, which developed around the harbour built by the monks to allow pilgrims to visit the abbey, became an important North Sea port.

Holy Mass was celebrated outdoors at the site of the former high altar by Fr Ninian Doohan, a member of the local diocesan clergy; the liturgy, which was in the Extraordinary Form, included commemorations for the sixth anniversary of the consecration of the diocesan bishop, Stephen Robson, who is a noted friend of tradition in Scotland. After Mass, the pilgrims processed through the town singing the Rosary and hymns in honour of St Columba; this witness to the Christian faith was very well received by the people of the town. (In 2016, we posted some photos of Masses celebrated by Fr Doohan shortly after his ordination.)

At lunch following the Mass, Confraternity president Mark Hamid launched the Two Shrines Pilgrimage 2018, which is the centre of the Confraternity’s annual programme and will take place from August 4-6. Modelled on the Chartres Pilgrimage, the event will begin at the national shrine to St Andrew in St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, and conclude with Holy Mass at the former shrine to St Andrew in St Andrews Cathedral, which this year marks the 700th anniversary of its consecration in the presence of King Robert the Bruce. During the three-day walk, pilgrims will pray the Rosary and other devotions and be supported by the chaplaincy of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer from Golgotha Monastery on the island of Papa Stronsay. Mass will be celebrated each day in the Extraordinary Form and other highlights will include a Holy Hour with Pontifical Benediction in the Chapel Royal, Falkland Palace and the opportunity to enjoy Christian fellowship throughout the event. Registrations for the pilgrimage are now open with an “early bird” discount available to registrants during the month of June.

At St Andrew’s during last year’s pilgrimage

Confraternity president Mark Hamid said, “Our pilgrimage to Arbroath today has been a wonderful opportunity to honour God and to bear witness to our beautiful Catholic Faith in this ancient monastic town. Our efforts to promote the reconversion of Scotland through penance and Christian witness will continue as we undertake our third annual Two Shrines Pilgrimage in August. I warmly invite everyone to get involved and thank them for their continued spiritual and financial assistance without which we would be unable to reach St Andrews. In recognition of the Cathedral’s important anniversary this year, we have set an ambitious fundraising target of £700 and greatly appreciate all contributions to allow us to reach this goal.”

The Confraternity of St Ninian is a lay association and Scottish charity which promotes the re-conversion of Scotland to the Catholic Faith through pilgrimages incorporating the Extraordinary Form of the Mass and traditional devotions. For more information on the Confraternity and the Two Shrines Pilgrimage, including how to support its efforts, please visit the website www.confraternity-of-st-ninian.com, or the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CofStNinian, or e-mail: cosn.president@gmail.com. 

Temporary Profession for the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer

On the feast of St Alphonsus Liguori, August 2nd (EF), Fr Celestine Maria made his temporary profession of the vows of religion, poverty, chastity and obedience, as a member of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, the traditional Redemptorist community based on the Scottish island of Pap Stronsay. Our thanks to them for permission to reproduce these photos from their blog and Facebook page.

The novice is questioned by the superior regarding his desire to give his life entirely to God in Holy Religion, and his firm resolve to persevere therein.

Prostrate on the ground and covered with the funeral pall, while the Veni Creator Spiritus is chanted by the community, the novice prepares to die to the world.

Fr Celestine Maria, F.SS.R. pronounces his vows, kneeling before the exposed Blessed Sacrament.

He receives the pallium (cloak) of the professed.

All kneel while the newly-professed recites a prayer of thanksgiving.

Our congratulations to Fr Celestine Maria and his whole community, and prayers for the prosperity of all their good work. Ad multos annos!

Calendar from Papa Stronsay Now Available

The Sons of the Divine Redeemer write in to let us know that their 2017 liturgical calendar is now available. As in previous years, it contains a wealth of useful information, not just on the liturgical seasons, feast days and fast day, but also on historical anniversaries in the life of the Church, the lives of the Saints, astronomical events and important civil observances, etc., along with a lot of very nice decorations, in the best tradition of medieval liturgical calendars.

It can be ordered at the following link: http://papastronsay.com/bookshop/product.php?ID=61

American Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer Make Perpetual Vows

Two days ago, on the feast of the Assumption, two American members of the Sons of the Divine Redeemer, Brothers Peter Mary (on the left in the first photo) and Seelos Maria (on the right), made their perpetual profession of the vows of religion, Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, joining to it a fourth vow and oath of Perseverance in the Congregation until death, as has been done since the time of St Alphonsus. Our thanks to the order for their kind permission to reproduce these photos from their Facebook page, and our hearty congratulations to the newly professed, to their families, and to the whole congregation - ad multos annos!

At the singing of the Veni Creator Spiritus. In many rites of profession, the religious not only prostrate themselves, but are covered as seen here, to symbolize that in taking on the burdens and responsibilities of religious life, one is dying and being buried to self in order to live in Christ.

Br Peter Mary confirms his desire to consecrate himself entirely to God for the rest of his life before the superior of the congregation, Fr Michael Mary.

Likewise Br Seelos Maria, whose name in religion ‘Seelos’ comes from Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, a German Redemptorist who died in 1867, and was beatified in 2000.

Kneeling before the Most Blessed Sacrament, the two brothers pronounce their vows, and with their hand on the Holy Gospel, they call God to be their witness.

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Traditional Ordination to be Held in New Zealand, April 11

From the blog of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, formerly known as the Transalpine Redemptorists. Our congratulations to Brother Jean Marie and all of his family and confreres.

Official announcement of the Priestly Ordination of Brother Jean Marie, F.SS.R.

The Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer announces with great joy the ordination of Reverend Brother Jean Marie, F.SS.R. to the Sacred Priesthood and share this joy and this announcement with Brother’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Darryl Lewis, and his sister Roanna.

We cordially invite you to attend this historic ceremony, which will be celebrated according to the more ancient use by the Most Reverend Basil Meeking, D.D., Bishop Emeritus of Christchurch, on Saturday, 11th April 2015 at 7.00 p.m. in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Manchester Street, Christchurch, New Zealand.

You are also invited to be present the following morning, the Octave Day of Easter, called Quasimodo and the Feast of Divine Mercy, when the newly ordained priest, Reverend Father Jean Marie, F.SS.R., will celebrate his First Holy Mass on Sunday, 12th April 2015, at 10.00 a.m. in The Oratory, Our Mother of Perpetual Succour Monastery, 141 Rutland Street, St Albans, 8052, Christchurch.

R.S.V.P. 7th April, 2015 papay.christchurch@the-sons.org

Brother Jean-Marie serving as subdeacon at the first Mass of Fr Magdala Maria, who was ordained on June 22, 2013 in the Fraternity of St Peter’s Roman parish, Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini, along with another confrere, Fr Yousef Maria (here acting as deacon), and Fr Massimo Botta, FSSP. Click here for more photos.

Ordination at the FSSP Parish in Rome, June 22, 2013

This past Saturday, the Fraternity of St. Peter’s Roman Parish, Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini, hosted the ordination of one of their own, Fr. Massimo Botta, and of two Sons of the Divine Redeemer, Fathers Magdala Maria and Yousef Maria. The ordinations were conferred by Archbishop Guido Pozzo, the former Secretary of the Ecclesia Dei commission, now serving as the Almoner of the Office of Papal Charities. NLM is very happy to offer our heartiest congratulations to the newly ordained priests and to their orders: ad multos annos! (Photographs of the ordination itself courtesy of the Catholic News Agency and Mr. Alan Holdren.)

Abp Pozzo speaks with the ordinands before the ceremony.

The prostration of the ordinands during the Litany of the Saints.

Fr Magdala is dressed by the archbishop in priestly stole and chasuble.

Fr Yousef’s hands are blessed after being anointed.

Continue Reading this Article. . .