Update in these Covid times

The Covid threat is thankfully lessening here in the UK and that being so, the Grand Prior has been considering the possibility of an Investiture in the autumn, postponed from last year's late October date. However, although we do have eager postulants petitioning for investiture in the Order, a suitable date that would suit everyone and in liaison with hotels and venues, at this relatively late stage could not be found. It is also clear that some members are perhaps still not comfortable with travel and coming to events just yet. With all that in mind, and in the hope that the Covid situation will be much clearer in a few months, it is hoped that we might have an Investiture in the late Spring or Summer of 2022. With plenty of advance warning for everyone to keep the date in their diary.

All that being so, the good news is that the Grand Priory of Great Britain has still managed to donate £10,000 to SUROL in Sri Lanka. We thank God for our generous benefactors.

Deceased members and friends of the Order will be remembered at Mass on All Souls day by the Chaplain at St Catherine's Church in Farington, to which everyone is, of course invited to attend.

Let us continue to pray for one another and look forward to meeting again soon.

Atavis et Armis!

Language School in France

Anyone interested in a language school in July,

please click on the link below for more details.

St Peter's International College has links to the Order of St Lazarus in that 

Prince Charles-Phillipe is one of it's patrons.

Offerimus Tibi Domine: Summer Language School

Saint Peter's International College, France (stpetersfr.com)

Feast of the Precious Blood of Jesus

Here in Great Britain our Grand Prior has encouraged us to keep the Feast of the Precious Blood (Thursday 1st July in the older calendar)  as a special day of prayer to support those affected by leprosy.

 

The Mass texts can be found HERE  (scroll down about three quarters of the page to find them). 

The Precious Blood of Jesus is always described in the Scriptures as cleansing (Rev 7: 13-14). While this ultimately refers to the cleansing of the soul from sin, we remember that we believe in a resurrection of the body to life everlasting; that we may be made whole - body and soul - by the sacrifice of Our Lord and Saviour.

The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood. 

"The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it."

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, RIP

On behalf of the Grand Priory of Great Britain

H.E. Chev. Anthony Dickinson  KLJ CMLJ 

offers the prayers and condolences of all our members 

at the announcement of the death of 

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Requiescat in pace.

The Chaplain General will offer Mass for the repose of his soul on

Saturday 17th April at 12 noon

(Mass in the Traditional Form)

at

St Catherine's Church

Farington

Leyland

Countess Leopoldine Dobrzensky von Dobrzenicz, Princess of Lobkowicz, RIP

The Grand Priory of Great Britain has sent expressions of condolence and prayers on hearing the news of the death of Countess Leopoldine Dobrzensky von Dobrzenicz, Princess of Lobkowicz, mother of our Grand Master. 

She died peacefully with her daughter by her side on Thursday evening, March 18, 2021 at Haliburton Hospital in her 95th year. She was laid to rest, fortified by the Church, following a Requiem Mass.

The Chaplain General will offer Mass for the repose of her soul at St Catherine's Church, Leyland, this coming Sunday at 10am, with our Grand Prior HE Anthony Dickinson, and any other members who can travel at this time, in attendance.

Our prayers go up for her family.

Care in time of the Covid 19 lockdown

Despite the difficulties of the Covid 19 lockdown here in the UK and elsewhere, the Grand Priory was still able to send £10,000 to SUROL recently, enabling fifty people affected by leprosy to receive continuing care in these tragic times.

We very much hope that the circumstances will allow us to meet later in the year and perhaps we can all use this time to reflect on ways that we might be more active in our involvement with the work of the Order - now we realize just how much we miss it. It is only by our continuing efforts that we will be able to offer such support as we have to SUROL in the future.

May the Lord keep us all safe and well with the prayers of St Lazarus and Our Blessed Lady.

Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

Painting: Master of Perea (fl. c. 1490-1510) Saint Lazarus With His Sisters Martha And Mary', 16th Century,  Location: Museo Lazaro Galdiano-Coleccion, Madrid, Spain.

On 26th January the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments  issued a decree signed by Pope Francis proclaiming 29th July as the feast of Ss Martha, Mary and Lazarus together. Previously this has just been the feast of St Martha. The full text of the decree can be read below.

They already share this feast day in the Benedictine calendar:

Heavenly Father, 

your son was received as an honored and welcome guest in the home of Bethany. 

Keep us close to the Master in our prayer and work that, blameless in his sight, 

he may welcome us into our eternal home, 

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.    

  

                                                                                                                    Benedictine Missal supplement.

*******

The Lord’s raising of Lazarus from the dead is an anticipation of resurrection and a sign of eternal life for the rest of us who are baptized into the Mystical Body of Christ. Resurrection from the dead becomes, with this passage from the Gospels, a powerful “game-changer” in the life of every human being. The death and subsequent raising of Lazarus evokes in each of us the knowledge that we do not make ourselves, that God is the only Creator of who we are and what we are about. This gesture of the Lord’s invites each of us to a deeper faith in the Messiah.

So, why is honoring all three characters crucial in our Christian life? Each person: Mary, Martha and Lazarus are as one in the friendship with Jesus. If friendship, then fidelity, and perseverance, gratitude and hospitality.

*******

CONGREGATIO DE CULTU DIVINO ET DISCIPLINA SACRAMENTORUM

Prot. N. 35/21

DECREE

on the Celebration of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

in the General Roman Calendar

In the household of Bethany the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that he loved them. Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the One who humiliated death.

The traditional uncertainty of the Latin Church about the identity of Mary - the Magdalene to whom Christ appeared after his resurrection, the sister of Martha, the sinner whose sins the Lord had forgiven - which resulted in the inclusion of Martha alone on 29 July in the Roman Calendar, has been resolved in recent studies and times, as attested by the current Roman Martyrology, which also commemorates Mary and Lazarus on that day. Moreover, in some particular calendars the three siblings are already celebrated together.

Therefore, the Supreme Pontiff Pope FRANCIS, considering the important evangelical witness they offered in welcoming the Lord Jesus into their home, in listening to him attentively, in believing that he is the resurrection and the life, and accepting the proposal of this Dicastery, has decreed that 29 July be designated in the General Roman Calendar as the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus.

The Memorial must therefore appear under this title in all Calendars and Liturgical Books for the celebration of Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours; the variations and additions to be adopted in the liturgical texts, attached to the present decree, must be translated, approved and, after confirmation by this Dicastery, published by the Episcopal Conferences.

Anything to the contrary notwithstanding.

From the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 26 January 2021, Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops.

Robert Card. Sarah

Prefect

World Leprosy Day

Sunday 31st January is designated as World Leprosy Day (each year the last Sunday in January). At his installation our Grand Prior HE Anthony Dickinson requested chaplains to offer Mass on this day for the intentions of the Grand Master, HE Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzenicz . Our Chaplain General in Great Britain, Fr Simon Henry will be do so at the 10am Mass that day in his parish of St Catherine Labouré.

Mass is also offered each year on the old Feast of the Precious Blood for all those suffering from leprosy and for all those whom our charitable activities are intended to help. Prompted by the thought of leprosy as a disease of the blood recalling that the Precious Blood of Our Lord shed for us is the healing salve to all our infirmities - spiritual and physical.

The Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, by its history and its structure, has always been and remains, in reality, an equestrian order.

Because of it's checkered history, at times almost dying out, the Order of St Lazarus sometimes faces questions on the question of in what way is it recognized by the Catholic Church.

The historical and spiritual identity of the Order is obviously equestrian in nature and we are happy to report that in December 2020 Cardinal Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, has  given us this confirmation by a letter sent to the Grand Master. 

The Cardinal specifies that he 

"considers that the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, by its history and its structure, has always been and remains, in reality, an equestrian order" 

and 

"wishes the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem to continue with great fruitfulness the work of sanctification of his members and of the noble service in favour of the poorest who characterise it in all the local Churches where it is present ”

.

The historical identity of the Order under our 50th Grand Master HE Jan Count Dobrzenský z Dobrzeniczand and it's vocation within local Churches are thus confirmed by the Holy See and this is a great joy for us.

In conclusion, we can henceforth affirm that the Holy See confirms our historical identity as an equestrian order and encourages us to continue our action within the Catholic Church through the recognition of the local Churches.

Because of the historical vagaries of the Order, we have not had direct governance under the Holy See like the better known Equestrian Orders. Since October 16, 2016, the Apostolic See decided not to expand the number of its own equestrian orders; so new recognition in that manner would not be possible for any group. 

Therefore, encouraged by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, we continue the work oft gaining recognition at diocesan and Conference of Bishops level, as has happened already in many places.

We look forward to renewing our efforts under this encouragement as, God willing, we are able to return to meeting together to push forward our efforts fundraising for those in need.

Our Grand Master's Christmas Message & a Happy Feast of St Lazarus to all

A Blessed Feast Day to all our Brothers and Sisters.

Don't forget, you can support the work of our Grand Priory by watching our 

Virtual Carol Concert and donating.

Just click on the link below.

Crowdfunding to raise Christmas funds jointly for St Catherine's Hospice and also to provide fresh drinking water to a Leprosy Colony in Sri Lanka (SUROL). on JustGiving

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE GRAND MASTER

This Christmas may be like no other we have experienced. We come to the end of a year when so many have endured so much suffering in so many ways brought on by the Covid 19 pandemic. Let us pray for all those who have died. Let us stand with those who have been bereaved. Let us recall that we have all suffered emotional and mental distress through fear and through being kept apart from our loved ones and friends. Let us stand together with those who have found their incomes disappear or their businesses struggle. 

Perhaps what we will remember most is the necessity of being apart. Not least, that for the most part we have not been able to gather together in the Order, either nationally or internationally. 

Our Order is called after St Lazarus and it's founding charism that of caring for those suffering from leprosy. We know from the Scriptures and we know it remains true today, that those suffering from it are often excluded from society. The warmth of the embrace of family and friends, one of the most basic of human needs, denied to them. This year, we have all shared in that feeling. But our Order began precisely to combat that; to find ways to give them that comfort of care. So likewise, we must do so today with courage and dignity in the face of that which afflicts us. 

The precautions we live under are a sacrifice for the greater good, so that more of us may live to see another day. Let us be inspired to find new ways to reach out and care for one another. When we cannot hold hands we can still hold one another in prayer as we gather in spirit with the Holy Family this Christmas. 

The new life we celebrate each Christmas is the renewal of that which God has given each of us - His life that courses through our world, which re-invigorates our faith. The many tragedies of Covid 19 have also been the cause of so many acts of kindness and generosity that give us hope. 

I pray that this Christmas will bring each of us new hope as we look to the future year with the strength of God's grace within us. 

S.E. Count Dobrzensky z Dobrzenicz 

50th Grand Master

Christmas Christmas Carol Concert 2020

This week would have been our much loved Carol Concert held at St Catherine's Church but sadly, with Covid 19 restrictions, it has not been possible to go ahead with it this year. However, the Octavius Choir have put together an online performance, which you can watch and also donate: 

What we raise is being divided between:

1. St Catherine’s Hospice in Leyland and to SUROL - those suffering from leprosy in Sri Lanka. This year aimed particularly at providing fresh water there.

We don’t expect that it will enable us to support them in the usual way this Christmas but please do have a look online and share it as widely as you can, so that we can send SUROL in Sri Lanka and St Catherine's Hospice something this Christmas. 

Thank you!

To find it the 30 minute online concert on Youtube and donate as well, please go to 

 Octavius Christmas Celebration 2020 - YouTube (outlook.com)

The JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/oslj-christmas-2020

AND this is the link for scanning from a phone: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/oslj-christmas-2020/qrcode 

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo and Patron of SUROL wrote to us: 

“My sincere thanks to all those who continue to support SUROL, especially the Order of St Lazarus in Great Britain, enabling SUROL to bring a ray of happiness to these people, who sometimes feel estranged from society.”

An Invitation to Christmas Mass from H.R.H. Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, duc d’Anjou

I hope you, your families and loved ones are well, all in good health despite the global health situation we are going through.

This Sunday, December 13^th, to celebrate Saint Lazarus together, we invite you to follow Mass from the Abbey of Maredsous, in Belgium, which will be broadcast at 5 p.m. (Belgian time, UTC + 1) on the internet.

The Holy Mass will be held in French and English. Father Abbot of Maredsous will also deliver a closing word in Dutch and Italian. The organist and the choir of the Grand Priory of Belgium will also participate to this mass. Finally, at the end of the Mass, you will be able to follow the Christmas messages of the Grand Master and the heads of Jurisdiction.

You can follow the mass by clicking on the following link (it will be active and unblocked on Sunday just before the broadcast): https://vimeo.com/488873489

This initiative was launched and organized by the Grand Priory of Belgium, we thank them wholeheartedly.

I wish you all a wonderful Saint Lazarus day, in union of prayer and in the peace of Christ,

H.R.H. Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, duc d’Anjou
President of the Governing Council, Grand Prior of France

The Abbey of Maredsous

Feastday of Saint Andrew

A Blessed St Andrew's Day to everyone.

A reminder to members that St Andrew's day is the moment each year when we should have paid over our Oblations. 

For anyone who has forgotten, the Treasurer awaits!

Sadly, with all the Covid restrictions, we, like many others, have not had the opportunity to meet this year. Apart from the sadness of not renewing our comradeship, it has also severely limited opportunities for fundraising and for attracting new members.

That being said, we are in the process of sending £10,000 to SUROL in Sri Lanka 

to assist them in these difficult times. 

Many thanks to our benefactors and fundraisers who have made this possible.

Hampers being distributed by SUROL in Jaffna area in the war-torn Northern part of Sri Lanka.

Mass on All Souls Day for deceased members and friends of the Order

On Thursday morning at the Basilica of Our Lady at Nice in southern France, there was a terrible attack on those attending Mass. Three people, the sacristan, Vincent, who was 55 years old and a father of two daughters, who had served the basilica as sacristan for 10 years, and two women Mass goers, one 44, the other 60 years old. It appears to have been a terrorist attack and the murders targeted those going to Mass - a clear case of their deaths being “in odium fidei”, which is to say, carried out in hatred of the faith. This is one of the attributes of a death that carries with it the idea of martyrdom and is one of the conditions accepted in the beatification process.

On All Saints Day this Sunday we celebrate all those who are in the presence of God whose names we do not know. We only know for certain those in Heaven, when they are raised to the altar at canonization. But surely we can have a strong hope that these three people are among those we celebrate today and give praise to God for.

We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee.

This Monday 2nd November is the Feast of All Souls - the Commemoration of all the faithful departed. The soul of a person who dies can go to one of three places. The first is heaven, where a person who dies in a state of perfect grace and communion with God goes. The second is hell, where those who die in a state of mortal sin are naturally condemned by their choice. The third option is purgatory, which is where most people, free of mortal sin, but still in a state of lesser (venial) sin, must go.

Purgatory is necessary so that souls can be cleansed and perfected before they enter into heaven. Made fir to see God face to face. There is scriptural basis for this belief. The primary reference is in 2 Maccabees, 12:26 and 12:32. "Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out... Thus made atonement for the dead that they might be free from sin."

There will be a Missa Cantata at 7pm at the Church of St Catherine Labouré, Leyland, for deceased members and friends of the Order for any members who can make it. If you have any special intentions, please contact Fr Simon, who will add them to those who are remembered.

We pray that like St Lazarus, Our Lord will raise them up to new life.

Message from Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, duc d’Anjou

We hope that you, your family and loved ones are well and in good health.

In the midst of the extraordinary situation caused by Coronavirus around the world, the Grand Master and I wanted to speak personally to you, members of our dear Order of Saint Lazarus.

We are going through an unprecedented period with considerable consequences, from both a health and an economic point of view.

 

Our Grand Priories around the world have temporarily suspended all planned events in accordance with the containment measures and restrictions. Today more than ever, it is essential to maintain contact with one another so as to ensure that no one is alone during this pandemic. We are counting on you to receive regular updates, to response to calls, messages or emails and to take any necessary action.

 

We must also unite our strength and prayers for those who are suffering around us. We encourage every action which will SERVE those who need it. There is a lot to do on the battlefield: this is our vocation.

 

On this eve of Holy Week, during which we prepare to live the mystery of the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we know that He will succeed through the Resurrection on Easter morning. We pray that the light of this morning of hope will illuminate us and bring us both the joy of meeting Christ and harmony in our lives.

 

Take care of yourself, your families, your loved ones, and stay healthy.

 

In prayer,

Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, duc d’Anjou
President of the Governing Council
Grand Prior of France

Fundraising for February

Our Piper, Bob, prepares to pipe the guests in.

Our Grand Prior, HE Anthony Dickinson, hosted the annual Burns' Night Supper recently,

once again in Lancashire.

 Greeting the guests.

With tickets and donations, 

the evening raised £1,500 for the Order's charities,

including donations from three members, 

uniting themselves with our charitable efforts, 

even though they were unable to attend.

  

First course was the traditional Scotch Broth.

 We had a great turnout this year, with many members and friends.

Here's a few of them enjoying the evening.

 

Awaiting the Haggis.

The Haggis is carried in to the accompaniment of the scurl of the pipes by one of our Esquires,

all the way from Reading University.

 

The Address to the Haggis was given by Fr Mark Lawler

- well, you need a Scot to do it properly!

 

His knife see rustic Labour dight,

An cut you up wi ready slight,

Trenching your gushing entrails bright,

Like onie ditch;

And then, O what a glorious sight,

War-reekin, rich!

All the Haggis for the evening was donated by one of our Scottish members.

Thank you!

The size of the Haggis that got away!

 

The food was prepared and served by two of our members and one friend of the Order,

foregoing the pleasures of the evening for a few hours in the kitchen.

Many thanks.

The Grand Prior in festive mood.

We were also entertained in with music by songs both old and new.

Thanks to the talented pianists, violin players and singers who came along.

 

 Auld lang syne!