Saturday 24 December 2016

Grand Master's Christmas Message


For a child has been born for us; a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isiah 9:6) 

The message of Christmas is one of hope and confidence amidst the vicissitudes of life.

In the tiny babe born in seemingly uncertain surroundings and in the wider context of a political and military occupation, all is not as it appears on the surface of the Christmas story. God's grace is truly at work for our eternal salvation. A grace that transforms the society and the people on whom it acts, even before it is seen or acknowledged by the world.

Our Christian vocation, and by extension the vocation of our Order, is a means of bringing this unseen grace into the world and into the lives of those who are suffering. Thus being in good standing in one’s faith, responding positively to the Gospel, provides a sure and certain way of bringing God’s goodness to this sometimes troubled world.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” [Mt 2. 2-3]  

Inspiration can be drawn from this journey of faith. Even in the face of change and hardship, to act for good begins to change the world. Through the same spirit which guided the wise men from the East to pay homage, the work and the spirit of the Order of St Lazarus should function in the world.

The goodness we bring to society may or may not be acknowledged but whether it is or is not, we must never tire of trying to renew our vocation of charity, tradition and chivalry. It is this that makes us good Christians and good citizens. The leaven in the dough of the world! A world searching for the good things our values offer.

Our loyalty to Tradition reminds us that in the midst of change and uncertainty, Christ, our unseen captain, will continue to give us the certainty that makes our charity worthwhile, showing God's mercy where it is most needed.

But to do all this, we need to work together, with trust in one another, without rancour or jealousy, following the beatitudes. Like a family who might sometimes have disagreements but whose love for one another never fails. For without this unity and loyalty to one another, our work and our true vocation will not bear the fruit that it should. 

This year has been one of growth for the Order and I greatly rejoiced at all the good things we learnt from one another at the General Chapter at the heart of Christendom in Rome. I thank you all for your contribution to those good things.

I pray that God will bless all our family of St Lazarus in this Christmas season and continue to bring us together in spirit and in truth.

HE Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenicz
The Grand Master

Tuesday 20 December 2016

Carol Concerts for SUROL have raised £30,000


Last Saturday evening the annual Carol Concert was held in the Chaplain General's church, St Catherine Labouré in Lancashire. Now in its sixth year, funds are raised through the concert for the work of SUROL - the leprosy charity in Sri Lanka supported by the Grand Priory of Great Britain - a support also taken up throughout the Order at the request of the Grand Master.


 Once again, we were treated to a wonderful evening of festive music and readings, in the presence of our Grand Prior, The Much Honoured Baron of Fetternear, and supported by members and friends of the Order, parishioners of St Catherine's and guests from the wider community in Leyland. Together we raised the fantastic amount of

£5,710

Thank you to everyone involved.

These funds are sent to Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the  Archbishop of Colombo, who, as Patron of SUROL, is kind enough to act as our conduit to the good work done by the team in Sri Lanka.

This year's amount means the total over the past six years is now

£30,000
God be praised for such generosity from all those involved here in Lancashire.


 Mr David Scott-Thomas, organist and musical director of the Octavius Choir conducts.
The Order gives its thanks to him and to all the members of the Choir for the time and talent they give in support of this great cause.


As well as congregational carols for all to join in with the Octavius Choir also sang pieces old and new with some interesting twists:

Tomorrow shall be my Dancing Day (arr. by Sir David Wilcocks)

The Angel Gabriel

Ding Dong Merrily on High (arr. by Charles Wood)

Away in a Manger (arr. by Bob Chilcott)

Silent Night (arr. by Carsten Gerlitz)

Three Kings of Orient ( arr. by John Rutter)

New Year (John Rutter)

Deck the Hall (arr. by Sir David Wilcocks)

The Most wonderful tme of the Year (Edward Pola & George Wyle)

The Christmas Song (Mel Tormé & Robert Wells)


Chev. Anthony Dickinson KLJ reads one of the festive poems. 
He is also the inspiration behind the Carol Concert, organising rehearsals, programs and a multitude of other details to drive the event forward each year.

Monday 12 December 2016

Congratulations - the Order of St Gregory the Great


Congratulations from the Grand Priory of Great Britain 
to 
H.E. Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenicz, 50th Grand Master of The Order 
on his appointment as 
Knight Commander of the Order of Gregory The Great. 

The Order is given to those gentlemen of proven loyalty to the Holy See who, by reason of their nobility of birth and the renown of their deeds or the degree of their munificence, are deemed worthy to be honoured by a public expression of esteem on the part of the Holy See. They must progressively maintain, by continued meritorious deed, the reputation and trust they had already inspired, and prove themselves worthy of the honour that has been conferred on them, by unswerving fidelity to God and to the Sovereign Pontiff.

Seen here in Prague on Saturday presenting the award at his Archiepiscopal Palace is Dominik Cardinal Duka Chaplain General of The Order of St.Lazarus.

.

Photo: Martina Řehořová

Carol Concert


Just a reminder that our Carol Concert, organised by Chev. Anthony Dickinson KLJ is this coming Saturday. Always a fantastic event. We have raised thousands at this event over the last five years which has been sent to Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of SUROl, the leprosy charity of which he is the patron. Let's make this another great year!
Carol Concert
With Mince pies & mulled wine
Free Entry
A collection for the work of SUROL
(those affected by leprosy in Sri Lanka)
will take place
 Mince pies & Mulled wine to follow
 at
 St Catherine’s Church
Stanifield Lane      Farington   PR25 4QG

 Saturday 17th December
7.30pm 

  www.surol.org    

Saturday 26 November 2016

Hurricane and earthquake in Costa Rica


I spoke on the telephone with Chev. Maarten Kampen, Commander in the Commandery in Costa Rica following the hurricane and earthquake that hit there.  Fortunately, although there was damage, and indeed deaths, due to the freak conditions, the more severe effects were in the north of the country and so our confréres and consoeurs were not in among the worst affected, thanks be to God. The emergency services rallied very well. Our prayers remain with the people in Costa Rica and beyond who have been affected by these events.

Fr Simon Henry, Chaplain General in Great Britain.

STATE OF THE ORDER ADDRESS




Last month members gathered in Rome for the General Chapter. It was a splendid occasion and the opportunity to renew many friendships, as well as forge new ones. It was also the occasion for our 50th Grand Master, HE Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenicz, to present his State of the Order Address, which is given here below.

STATE OF THE ORDER ADDRESS 

My dear friends,

Welcome to the Eternal City. Every three years we come together as members of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem to participate in an important occasion, our Chapter General. This year, in a very special way, the celebrations will be conducted at the spiritual centre of our Christian faith in Rome. First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to the Grand Priory of Italy, especially H.E. Giovanni Ferrara, for its meticulous organisation in preparing for this event. 

Today we have the Chapter General when all the members come together and communicate their experiences, challenges and successes. It is a moment to reflect and consider the important role we each play in the life of the Order, including that of the high officers. It is my sincere wish that we all leave this meeting, rejuvenated in faith, with a strong message of hope and a firm resolve for our mission over the coming years. 

Since my election in 2010 my government and I have pursued a broad range of objectives for us to obtain. Namely, to assess the Order’s traditional role, to re-establish its good name and to clarify its relevance, both spirituality and temporally, in the modern world. By this I mean the importance of reconnecting with the basic fundamentals of the Order of Saint Lazarus. 

In this mission we draw our validity in a very real way through the temporal protection of the Royal House of France, represented by H.R.H. Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, duc d’Anjou, and our spiritual protection from H.Em. Dominik Cardinal Duka O.P., our Chaplain General. This duality of protection, both temporal and spiritual, underpins the true authenticity of the Order, clearly expressed in the Declaration of Legitimacy. 

In this most solemn of cities I reaffirm the manifest connection with our heritage, calling to mind that the Order was founded in Jerusalem as a Catholic Order of Knights Military and Hospitaller. As a general policy, my government and I will continue to uphold a strategy which follows the teachings of the Holy See and, in the face of the challenges in modern society, we will seek to reaffirm our objectives along these lines. 

Today we profess an unbroken link with our founding brothers, continuing our mission to promote Christian unity and carry out temporal works of mercy. We must remember that through the Gospel we share the same values of other Christian ecclesial communities and come together in the name of Saint Lazarus and the Virgin Mary to serve Christ, our unseen captain. 

You will remember that one of the main objectives after my election as Grand Master was to realign the mission of the Order of Saint Lazarus with its traditional and spiritual role. Three years ago we established a commission to consider the most appropriate means by which we could open formal communications with the relevant ecclesiastical authorities. Given the fundamentals outlined above, and the conclusions reached by this commission, I have decided to pursue a path of achieving recognition from the major Christian religious institutions, primarily from the Catholic Church. 

With this in mind we look to canon 322 of the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church, which stipulates that we should work toward acquiring juridic personality for the Order as a Consociatio christifidelium privata, a private association of Christian faithful. This recognition can only be achieved through a formal decree from the competent ecclesiastical authority as prescribed in canon 312§1; being the Holy See for international associations; the conference of bishops for national associations; and a bishop for diocesan associations. 

Currently, the Order is well placed to present a positive petition in line with these canonical norms and has already received recognition on both diocesan and national levels. In this mission we must recognise, however, the confusion caused by different organisations professing the green cross around the world. Whilst they promote charitable works they do not identify with the principles of the Catholic faith. This has resulted in a serious crisis in identity about who the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is. 

In word and in action, it is my intention to differentiate ourselves from others and to uphold the role we have assumed over the last 1000 years. The path we follow is not easy, not least because we live in a world which attacks our faith, nevertheless, I am resolute that this is the only course for the Order. Nothing will deter me from my desire to obtain such recognition and I encourage you to walk with me in faith, no matter the circumstance. 

Our works of spirituality and charity, the two major Christian tenets, are very often challenged. We must, however, work to defend them in the face of opposition which is manifest through the contradictions of the world. I stand firm in promoting our vocation to live as members of an Order, not of a secular club or association, and as such we should only recruit ‘quality Christians’ to our membership. 

In 2010 we comprised just six loyal jurisdictions. Today at the Investiture Ceremony we are going to proclaim the fourteenth jurisdiction, the Grand Priory of Polonia. It is heartening to acknowledge that since our last Chapter General we have erected independent Grand Priories in Belgium, Hungary, Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African countries. Furthermore, we celebrate numerous vibrant Commanderies which in the future will be raised to the status of a Grand Priory. 

Whilst I am proud of this success, we must continue to improve the effectiveness of our message. Not least, we need to address the question of identity which is important for the outside world, especially in promoting our mission to society, to the Church and to those who want to know who we are. Let me be clear, we are the only true, legitimate Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. 

To you Grand Priors and Heads of Jurisdiction, it is important that your selection process for postulants fits the criteria of admission; that is to say men and women who will work effectively to further the ends of the Order and who are in good standing with their ecclesial community. I must strongly impart to you my resolve that quantity is not important. We must welcome quality confrères and consoeurs to labour with us in the vineyard of the Lord, in order to effectively help the sick, the needy and those unable to help themselves. As an Order, I remind you that our raison d’être is to promote spirituality, charity and compassion. 

Yesterday we held our annual Governing Council meeting and the main topic of discussion was to ensure that we provide effective charitable and spiritual assistance throughout the world. It is the intention of my government and I to increase the Order’s commitment to those affected by war and devastation. We must be mindful that here in Europe there is a serious need to assist refugees and overseas to show compassion to our Christian brethren in the Middle East. I therefore thank all the members of the Order for their continued engagement with our charitable activities. 

In particular, I would like to outline three specific international projects for which we, as an Order, have been working: 

Grand Priory Great Britain; the main project is to support the works of SUROL in Sri Lanaka, combatting the effects of leprosy. Thanks to the ongoing partnership with H.Em. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith we continue to work together to support the efforts in combatting Hansen’s disease, connecting us in a tangible way with the traditional roots of our Order. 

Grand Priory of Belgium and Luxemburg; the main project is to support the works of a Monastery in Kurdistan by assisting refugees, ensuring that we continue to tackle this humanitarian crisis at its very source. 

Grand Priory of the Netherlands; the main project is to support the works of our ‘Flying Doctors’ initiative improving sanitary conditions in Indonesia in partnership with the University of Leiden. 

There are also numerous projects being carried out within other national jurisdictions and I would like to stress that we will continue to demonstrate our compassion, affirming a strong commitment to all our efforts. 

Turning to another important issue, finances. I am pleased to report that the Order is in a sound financial position with well managed reserves. As a registered NGO with headquarters in Luxemburg, we will continue to develop charitable partnershipswith other major organisations to support international projects outside the Order. 

Now I must speak to you personally as members of the Order. This my sixth year as your Grand Master and my fortieth year in joyful service as a member of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. I am grateful to our Lord, who has given me guidance and inspiration throughout this time. My health is strong and my mind is very clear. Before you all I profess that I am steadfast in my task to uphold the promises I made to you at my installation; to continue to serve the Order loyally and faithfully in the face of great challenges. I will never forget that I am Grand Master thanks to the members who elected me and I trust that my vision for the future is compatible with your expectations. 

I conclude by saying that our future is set out to meet three clear aims: first of all, to achieve recognition as a private association of Christian faithful, secondly, to continue to develop the breadth of our charitable projects and thirdly, to strengthen our communication tools to attract new members to the Order. 

I thank you for your confidence and friendship as members of our great family of Saint Lazarus, and I repeat that it has been an honour to serve you and I am very happy to continue in this mission. 

I remain your humble servant before God, the Virgin Mary and Saint Lazarus. 
15 October 2016, Rome 
H.E. Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenicz 
Magnus L Magister, citra et ultra maria, Præceptor Boignaci.

Sunday 6 November 2016

Ad Multos Annos!


The Archbishop with Chaplains of the Order.

Chaplain General in Great Britain, Fr. Simon Henry ECLJ GOMLJ celebrated his Silver Jubilee of Ordination to the Priesthood recently in the Presence of the Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Rev'd Malcolm McMahon, OP. His Grace, the Archbishop has joined members of the Order twice to celebrate Mass since his appointment as Archbishop two years ago. See HERE and HERE.


Cardinal Dominik Duka, OP, in his capacity as Chaplain General to the Order, sent a message of congratulation:


"I send you my heartfelt greetings from the cathedral of Ss Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert in Prague. Let me convey to you my heartfelt congratulations on the Silver Anniversary of your priestly ordination. May the Lord protect and bless you."


Pictured leading the Entrance Procession are many members of the Order who came along to mark the occasion.














Mass was celebrated in the Church of St Catherine Labouré in Lancashire.











Chev. Anthony Dickinson KLJ organising the presentation of a Papal Blessing and other gifts presented by the Arhcbishop. 




Friday 4 November 2016

All Souls Day Requiem for deceased members


On All Souls Day the Chaplain General for Great Britain, Fr Simon Henry,ECLJ GOMLJ, offered Holy Mass in the Traditional Form for deceased members and friends of the Order.


The Grand Master, HE Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenicz, sent a message uniting his prayers with ours for the occasion: 
" My thoughts go out to all those friends, brothers, and sisters who have passed away. I will say a special little prayer In Memorium to all these Fine Knights, Dames, and members who shared in my 40 years plus of service to The Order of Saint Lazarus.  In this way I will join you at this Requiem Mass."

Remembered especially in the great prayer of the Mass for the Holy Souls Day was George Antcliff, husband of Consoeur Patricia Antcliff, who died just last week after a long illness. May he rest in peace.


At the conclusion of the Mass the Prayers of Absolution were said at the catafalque, 
representing symbolically all those for whom we pray.

"O God, Whose attribute it is always to have mercy and to spare, we humbly present our prayers to Thee for the souls of Thy servants. which Thou has called out of this world, beseeching Thee not to deliver it into the hands of the enemy, nor to forget it for ever, but to command Thy holy angels to receive them, and to bear it into paradise; that as they has believed and hoped in Thee they may be delivered from the pains of hell and inherit eternal life through Christ our Lord. Amen."



Chev. Anthony Dickinson KLJ provided the music for the occasion. The dignified and beautiful chant of the Mass for All Souls Day, including the Dies Irae.

DIES irae, dies illa,
   solvet saeculum in favilla,
   teste David cum Sibylla.

   Day of wrath and doom impending,
   David’s word with Sibyl’s blending,
   Heaven and earth in ashes ending.

   Quantus tremor est futurus,
   quando iudex est venturus,
   cuncta stricte discussurus!

   O what fear man’s bosom rendeth,
   When from heaven the Judge descendeth,
   On whose sentence all dependeth.

   Tuba mirum spargens sonum
   per sepulcra regionum,
   coget omnes ante thronum.

   Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth,
   Through earth’s sepulchers it ringeth,
   All before the throne it bringeth.

   Mors stupebit et natura,
   cum resurget creatura,
   iudicanti responsura.

   Death is struck, and nature quaking,
   All creation is awaking,
   To its Judge an answer making.

   Liber scriptus proferetur,
   in quo totum continetur,
   unde mundus iudicetur.

   Lo, the book exactly worded,
   Wherein all hath been recorded,
   Thence shall judgment be awarded.

   Iudex ergo cum sedebit,
   quidquid latet apparebit:
   nil inultum remanebit.

   When the Judge His seat attaineth,
   And each hidden deed arraigneth,
   Nothing unavenged remaineth.

   Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
   quem patronum rogaturus?
   cum vix iustus sit securus.

   What shall I, frail man, be pleading?
   Who for me be interceding
   When the just are mercy needing?

   Rex tremendae maiestatis,
   qui salvandos salvas gratis,
   salva me, fons pietatis.

   King of majesty tremendous,
   Who dost free salvation send us,
   Fount of pity, then befriend us.

   Recordare Iesu pie,
   quod sum causa tuae viae:
   ne me perdas illa die.

   Think, kind Jesus, my salvation
   Caused Thy wondrous Incarnation,
   Leave me not to reprobation.

   Quarens me, sedisti lassus:
   redemisti crucem passus:
   tantus labor non sit cassus.

   Faint and weary Thou hast sought me,
   On the Cross of suffering bought me,
   Shall such grace be vainly brought me?

   Iuste iudex ultionis,
   donum fac remissionis,
   ante diem rationis.

   Righteous Judge, for sin’s pollution
   Grant Thy gift of absolution,
   Ere that day of retribution.

   Ingemisco, tamquam reus:
   culpa rubet vultus meus:
   supplicanti parce Deus.

   Guilty now I pour my moaning,
   All my shame with anguish owning,
   Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning.

   Qui Mariam absolvisti,
   et latronem exaudisti,
   mihi quoque spem dedisti.

   Through the sinful woman shriven,
   Through the dying thief forgiven,
   Thou to me a hope hast given.

   Preces meae non sunt dignae:
   sed tu bonus fac benigne,
   ne perenni cremer igne.

   Worthless are my prayers and sighing,
   Yet, good Lord, in grace complying,
   Rescue me from fires undying.

   Inter oves locum praesta,
   et ab haedis me sequestra,
   statuens in parte dextera.

   With Thy sheep a place provide me,
   From the goats afar divide me,
   To Thy right hand do Thou guide me.

   Confutatis maledictis,
   flammis acribus addictis.
   voca me cum benedictis.

   When the wicked are confounded,
   Doomed to flames of woe unbounded,
   Call me with Thy Saints surrounded.

   Oro supplex et acclinis,
   cor contritum quasi cinis:
   gere curam mei finis.

   Low I kneel with heart’s submission,
   See, like ashes, my contrition,
   Help me in my last condition.

   Lacrimosa dies illa,
   qua resurget ex favilla.
   iudicandus homo reus:
   huic ergo parce Deus.

   Ah! That day of tears and mourning,
   From the dust of earth returning,
   Man for judgment must prepare him,
   Spare, O God, in mercy spare him.

   Pie Iesu Domine,
   dona eis requiem. Amen.

   Lord, all-pitying, Jesus blest,
   Grant them Thine eternal rest.  Amen.

Saturday 29 October 2016

Annual Requiem Mass




The 
Annual Requiem Mass
for deceased members and friends of the Order 
will  be celebrated by the Chaplain General 
on 
All Soul's Day, Wednesday 2nd November at 7pm. 

Missa Cantata in the Traditional Form
at the church of St Catherine Labouré
Stanifield Lane
Farington
Leyland
Lancashire
PR25 4QG

We were privileged to have Archbishop Malcolm McMahon with us last year to celebrate this Mass. This year will be a less high profile event but all members and friends are cordially invited to attend or unite themselves with our prayer intentions on that day.
If you have a specific request for someone to be included in the intention of the Mass, 
please contact the Chaplain General.

Sunday 23 October 2016

Chapter General in Rome


Members of the Order from around the world gathered in Rome last week 
for the three-yearly General Chapter.

HE Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenicz giving his "state of the Order" address.
An increase in members and the continuing call for "quality Christians" as the criteria for those joining.

The Chapter General was held in the Auditorium Antonianum.


Following the Vigil Service, held at the 
Basilica dei Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti
members gathered for cocktails in the gardens of the nearby Palazzo Brancaccio.

Members of the Spanish Grand Priory.

Grand Masters - past and present with members at the Palazzo Brancaccio.

A chance to catch up with old friends.

 The Grand Master's Welcome Dinner followed in the Tapestry Hall of the Pallazzo Branccaccio.


Chev. Thierry Pauquet de Villejust, Grand Prior of the USA.

Some members of the Grand Priory of Great Britain.


The following day members gathered at the Papal Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls for Holy Mass and the Investiture.









Mass was celebrated by His Eminence Dominic Cardinal Duka, 
Grand Chaplain of the Order.

 

Mass was celebrated with some lovely chant - of the Introit, Gloria  and Sanctus etc.
With chaplains and members from many different countries, the Church's universal language was a boon for all present. 


Following Mass Heads of Jurisdictions prepare for the Investiture.

In all, 49 new members were received
 into the Order.
HE Giovanni Ferrara,Grand Prior of Italy, was presented with the highest commendation of the Order - that of of Knight Grand Cross of Merit and the Grand Collar of the order, for outstanding achievements in the field of Christian charity and charity.


 The Grand Master welcomes a new bishop into the Order.

 Cocktails around the fountain in the Pallazzo Brancaccio.



 



The  "Coffee House" with paintings by the Roman painter Francesco Gai
was the setting for serving cocktails before the dinner.









 The Investiture Dinner was held in the splendid setting of the Gala Salon.