Chapter Meeting 2013

On Saturday May 11th the Grand Priory held its annual Chapter Meeting in the Church of St Margaret Lothbury in the City of London.

St Margaret Lothbury

Members gathering

The Grand Prior & the Grand Treasurer

In the evening the Grand Prior hosted a Chapter Dinner in the Royal Air Force Club in Piccadilly for members & guests. After Dinner Major Kevin Tuhey, KLJ, spoke powerfully of the sacrifices made by the young airmen of the RAF during the Second World War. This was especially poignant as we were meeting the RAF Club.

The Royal Air Force Club, Piccadilly.

Dame Denese Carberry, DCLJ, & Mr Max Carberry

Major Tuhey, KLJ.

The Grand Priory proposing a toast to the Order

After dinner members & guests repaired to the Cowdray Room for a convivial 'Stirrup Cup'.

Colonel Julian Tyson-Woodcock, KLJ

The Grand Priory warmly congratulates Colonel Julian Tyson-Woodcock, KLJ, upon his recent appointment as

Colonel Haberdashers’ Schools Combined Cadet Force 

and also his appointment as 

Honorary Colonel Haberdashers’ Aske’s School Combined Cadet Force.

Colonel Tyson-Woodcock is a much respected member of the Order and served for several years on the Grand Priory Council as Marshall. He is presently organising a Charity Reception & Dinner at the RAF Club, Piccadilly, London, on July 14th. If you wish to attend or would like more information about this event please email the Secretary:osljgb@gmail.com

More information on the Schools can be found at: www.haaf.org.uk/

Rev Fr Damian McCaughan, ChLJ

Fr Damian outside St Mary's on the Hill

Fr Damian McCaughan, a Chaplain of the Order of St Lazarus and a member of the Grand Priory of Great Britain was in the news last week when his Church was the target of sectarian violence. An explosive device described by police as "crude, but viable" was planted outside St Mary’s On The Hill Church in Glengormley, County Antrim, on Saturday March 2nd.

Police closed the Road and around 20 residents living nearby had to leave their homes while Army bomb experts examined the device for almost four hours. It was later removed for forensic examination.

 Father Damian told the Newtownabbey Times:

 “Police had received a call to say there was a device but the information provided was very vague and they were not even sure it was at our church, so we were concerned that something might be somewhere, but not found. It was found close to the main doors of the church and an area around the church had to be evacuated. That caused a lot of upset ,because some of our neighbours are elderly or disabled and there was a great deal of upheaval.”

 He went on: “It’s concerning that this would happen at a church, a place that is sacred and it’s surprising that someone would feel that way towards us. We’re aware that there have been other churches targeted in recent weeks and it is very concerning for us and people are anxious. For us, we have always been very community relations-focused and enjoy good relations with other churches and in the community and we would hope that good work would not be jeopardised by these actions.”

 Fr McCaughan added: “I must commend the police: they were excellent on Saturday night and they looked after us all very well. And we are very grateful to everyone who has offered their support and wished us well. That support is very comforting.”

This was the third time within the past five weeks that a suspect device has been left at a Catholic church in Newtownabbey.

At the beginning of February two pipe bomb type devices were found in the grounds of Sacred Heart Church, Ballyclare, and a hoax device was left at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Church in Whitehouse.

Newtownabbey Mayor, Alderman Victor Robinson added: “As I have said before, this is an attack on our community, our elected representatives and now our places of worship. “Anyone with relevant information, I would urge them to get in touch with the PSNI. No right-thinking person could support these attacks.”

Ulster Television also reported on the incident:

Solemn Requiem Mass for the late Mgr Boz, Grand Prior Spiritual

The Grand Prior of Great Britain, His Excellency the Baron of Fetternear, his Council, & other members of the Grand Priory came together last Saturday, 9th March, for a sung requiem in the Usus Antiquior  offered for the repose of the soul of Mgr Pierre Boz, the Grand Prior Spiritual of the Order of St Lazarus.  

Mgr Pierre Boz, Grand Prior Spiritual, Ecclesiastical Grand Cross, Patriarcal Exarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church,  Officer of the légion d'Honneur, died on February 15th in Paris at the age of 87.

Mgr Boz's family came from Trieste. This city lies on the Adriatic Sea between East and West and sums his whole life up. As a young White Father, he arrived in Algeria where he quickly became the assistant of Mgr Lacaste, Bishop of Oran. During the Second World War he volunteered, becoming Chaplain of the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment. In 1962 he became the representative of Cardinal Feltin.

In 1965. Influenced by his family's Byzantine culture he put himself under the authority of the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Maximos IV for whom he became the Patriarchal Exarch for France. The same year he was received as Chaplain of the Order of Saint Lazarus, the Patriarch being Protector of the Order.

 Mgr Boz was an academic deeply rooted in this North African culture and recognised by his peers for the global vision of his work. He was an  Arabic and Islamic scholar, very much attached to the Berber community.  Mgr Boz was attached to the diocese of Paris in the framework of the "pastorale des migrants" (An association giving spiritual  help to migrant people).

Chaplain of Saint Lazarus since 1965 he produced for several years a journal of the Order dedicated to ecumenism. He continuously accompanied the Members of the Grand Priory of France in their life of faith. Grand Prior Spiritual of the Order since 2010 he maintained the link with the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate, thus preserving the memory of the protectorate of the Patriarchs, who carried out this task in the interim from 1841 to 2004.

Steeped in the spirituality of Saint Lazarus, Mgr Boz was untiring as Grand Prior Spiritual in his role of maintaining and teaching the spiritual life of the Order, especially through his "letters of Unity", the last issue of which has just been published. He always sought to pass his legacy down to us.   May the Lord grant him eternal rest in His heavenly Kingdom.

Mgr Boz and Lt Col Jourdain at the Investiture in 2011

Prince Charles-Philippe d'Orléans

The Grand Priory of Great Britain

wishes HRH Prince Charles-Philippe d'Orleans

a very Happy Birthday.

ad multos annos

Thank you, Holy Father

His Holiness Benedict XVI, Roman Pontiff Emeritus

From the balcony at Castel Gandolfo:

"Thank you from the heart, dear friends! I am glad to be with you, surrounded by the beauty of Creation. From 8pm this evening, I will no longer be Pontiff. I am simply a pilgrim that begins the final stage of his pilgrimage on this earth, but I still wish to, with my heart, with my love, with my prayer, with my reflection, work for the good of the Church and for the common good of mankind. Buona notte!"

Almighty and ever-living God,
who has given your faithful servant Benedict
grace to maintain his faith and hope in you
amid the labours of his apostolic ministry;
graciously bestow upon him, we pray,
the consolations of your Holy Spirit
and uphold him in serenity of life.
Through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
 

Mgr Pierre Boz - Requiescat in pace

Count Dobrzensky z Dobrzenicz, 50th Grand Master; Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, duc d’Anjou, President of the Governing Council; His Eminence Cardinal Duka, Chaplain General; The Grand Officers of the Grand Magistry announce with great sadness the death of Mgr Pierre Boz, Grand Prior Spiritual, Ecclesiastical Grand Cross, Patriarcal Exarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church,  Officer of the légion d'Honneur, who died on February 15th in Paris at the age of 87.

Mgr Boz's family came from Trieste. This city lies on the Adriatic Sea between East and West and sums his whole life up. As a young White Father, he arrived in Algeria where he quickly became the assistant of Mgr Lacaste, Bishop of Oran. During the Second World War he volunteered, becoming Chaplain of the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment. In 1962 he became the representative of Cardinal Feltin.

In 1965. Influenced by his family's Byzantine culture he put himself under the authority of the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Maximos IV for whom he became the Patriarchal Exarch for France. The same year he was received as Chaplain of the Order of Saint Lazarus, the Patriarch being Protector of the Order.

 Mgr Boz was an academic deeply rooted in this North African culture and recognised by his peers for the global vision of his work. He was an  Arabic and Islamic scholar, very much attached to the Berber community.  Mgr Boz was attached to the diocese of Paris in the framework of the "pastorale des migrants" (An association giving spiritual  help to migrant people).

Chaplain of Saint Lazarus since 1965 he produced for several years a journal of the Order dedicated to ecumenism. He continuously accompanied the Members of the Grand Priory of France in their life of faith. Grand Prior Spiritual of the Order since 2010 he maintained the link with the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate, thus preserving the memory of the protectorate of the Patriarchs, who carried out this task in the interim from 1841 to 2004.

Steeped in the spirituality of Saint Lazarus, Mgr Boz was untiring as Grand Prior Spiritual in his role of maintaining and teaching the spiritual life of the Order, especially through his "letters of Unity", the last issue of which has just been published. He always sought to pass his legacy down to us.

Mgr Boz and Lt Col Jourdain at the 2011 Investiture

Mrg Boz was present at the 20011 Investiture of the Grand Priory of Great Britain in Lancashire, and will be greatly missed. May the Lord grant him eternal rest in His heavenly Kingdom.

The Grand Prior and Grand Priory Council will be present at:

Solemn Requiem Mass

for the repose of the soul of

the late Mgr Pierre Boz

Protonotary Apostolic

Grand Prior Spiritual of the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem 

Patriarchal Exarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church 

11am Saturday March 9th

St Catherine's Church,

Farington, Leyland.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine,

et lux perpetua luceat ei.

Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Burns Night Supper

The Grand Prior, the much honoured Baron of Fetternear, hosted a Burns Night Supper in Farrington, Lancashire - a long way from from his baronial seat in Aberdeenshire. The baron's piper, Confrere William Hackett, SBLJ, MMLJ, piped in both the baron and the haggis!

The evening began with a cocktail reception to welcome guests. When they had been piped in Fr Simon Henry, the Chaplain General, delivered Burns's 'Selkirk Grace'. The traditional 'Bill o' Fare' - Scotch Broth, Haggis wi' Bashit Neeps and Champit Tatties, followed by Clootie Dumpling with Cream, ending with Tea or Coffee with Shortbread - was followed by songs and poems. All washed down with wine and whisky.  Toasts were drunk to 'The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns', to 'The King o'er the Water' (King James III ), and 'To the Lassies'. The night ended with a raucous  rendition of Auld Lang Syne - all five verses - accompanied by the skirl o' the pipes. A great time was had by all and the evening raised £1,000 for SUROL, our partner charity in Sri Lanka which cares for those suffering from leprosy.

Mrs Jean Spencer, the Baron of Fetternear,
and Fr Simon Henry

Cons. Elizabeth Douglas, SLJ,
addressing the haggis

Confrere William Douglas, BLJ, who gave the
"Toast to the Lassies"

Chev. Anthony Dickinson, KLJ, singing 
"My love is like a red, red rose"

Confrere William Hackett, SBLJ, MMLJ

Special thanks go to the organisers of the evening, Daniel and Margaret Lawler, who were ably assisted by Scott and Jean.

The cooks, servers, and skivvies!