Confirmations in Christchurch, New Zealand

On 18 October, His Lordship

Most Reverend Basil Meeking, D.D., 

Emeritus Bishop of Christchurch, 

administered the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation

to five young people of our 

Latin Mass Chaplaincy in the Diocese.

 

After the Confirmations, His Lordship celebrated Holy Mass.

  

...and distributed certificates to those to whom he had imparted the Sacrament!

Deo Gratias!

Thank you to Felicity Markholm for so kindly taking the photos!

Phase Two Completed

August, 2014, saw the completion of phase two

 of the work on the Oratory of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour,

 the chapel attached to our monastery in

 Christchurch, New Zealand.

The Oratory as it stood after phase one in March, 2013.

 The dome over the altar and beautiful arch window

 allowing light to stream in during the morning Mass is in place.

 Much of the sanctuary furnishing is in place along with the altar steps.

The Oratory on 31 August, 2014. 

The Gospel side of the sanctuary in March, 2013.

The Holy Baptism of little Ambrose Green on 31 August, 2014.

The Gospel side of the sanctuary has been transformed

 with a new door and window installed,

 new panelling fixed on the lower walls.

 To see the many young families that crowd into the

 Oratory every Sunday, injecting so much

 life and joy into the community is 

an hundred fold reward to all those 

who have contributed to the work.

2013

2014

In the wall of the Gospel side of the sanctuary

 an Ambry for the reservation of the Holy Oils

 has been installed. 

Two side altars have been installed

 in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

 and the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The altar of the Sacred Heart is erected

 in memory of Mr Duncan Simon, R.I.P. 

while the altar of the Immaculate Heart

 is erected in memory 

of Mrs Nancye Price, R.I.P.

 

The Altar of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima in its own chapel. 

This altar is erected in memory of Mr Michael Hayes, R.I.P.

The shrine of St Joseph 

erected in memory of Rev. Fr Augustine Cummins, C.SS.R., R.I.P.

The first and last thought in entering the Oratory 

is Our Blessed Lady of Christchurch.

 The ceiling around her altar is coffered 

and embellished with fleur-de-lis.

 The newly refurbished 

Stations of the Cross line the walls. 

 The stars which adorn the ceiling remind us

 of our Heavenly home,

 wherein dwells the Father of Lights!  

Our thanks to all our many and dear friends in Christchurch

 who gave of their time and substance

 to make this beautiful work possible

 for the glory of God and His Holy Church -

 helping with painting, woodworking, building,

 purchasing materials,

 cooking and catering for the work days, etc.

  This chapel is a fitting tribute to you all. 

As Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, 

it has been our privilege to make this humble effort

 for the rebuilding of the fair city of Christchurch,

 and provide a little sanctuary

 where souls may come to spend time

 with Our Heavenly Queen,

 and may enjoy some of the

 beauty of the traditional Rite.

Indeed we cannot repeat too often in our lives: 

Thanks be to God for all He has done

 and is doing for us.

Our Lady's Procession

This Sunday past was the annual procession of Our Lady of Christchurch, New Zealand.  The Bishop of Christchurch, His Lordship Bishop Barry Jones, has put the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer in charge of this annual event, and our confrères have been working hard during the preceding weeks and months to make it a success.  Thanks be to God and Mary it was a great success with over 500 people turning out to honour their Heavenly Mother despite the blustery weather!

Fr Yousef Marie addresses the morning assembly of teachers and pupils at Mary Immaculate Catholic School, New Brighton, in preparation for the procession.

 Entering the church prior to the procession.

 Being lifted by her father, Sarah Green has the honour of crowning our Blessed Mother.

 Procedamus in Pace! The procession begins!

 The bier prepares to set out carrying the official replica of the statue of Our Lady of Christchurch.

Our Lady leads born aloft upon the shoulders of twelve men.

The Faithful follow behind praying the rosary and singing hymns in honour of their Queen.

Upon return to the church, His Lordship Bishop Jones gives the benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

 Our Lady's Ribboniers and Flower Girls.

Members of the Kerelite Catholic community in Christchurch pose for a photo with Our Lady's statue.

Fr Magdala Maria with some of the Faithful.

Your can find plenty more photos by following Our Lady of Christchurch's  Facebook page!

Ordination to the Diaconate

On Saturday 5th April, 2014, Rev. Br. Jean Marie, F.SS.R., was ordained to the  Diaconate by his Lordship Basil Meeking, D.D., Bishop Emeritus of Christchurch at St Teresa's Church, Riccarton, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Deo Gratias!

 The ordinandus along with the servers, sacred ministers and the Bishop process into the church. 

 Prayers at the foot of the altar

 The Bishop sings the collect at the Faldstool during the Solemn Pontifical Mass

 The Ordinandus, Rev. Br. Jean Marie, F.SS.R lies prostrate on the floor during the Litany of the Saints. 

Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei, Intercedite pro nobis!

 The moment of ordination: The Bishop  silently lays his hand on the head of the Ordinandus, and then holding his right hand extended he pronounces the form of the Sacrament: 

"Send forth upon him we beseech Thee O Lord, the Holy Ghost, by whom he may be strengthened with the gift of Thy sevenfold grace for the faithful performance of Thy ministry."

 The new Deacon is invested with the stole and Dalmatic and receives the power to read the Gospel 

 The new Deacon sings the Gospel for the first time

The Torchbearers stand guard before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament

The Bishop along with the newly ordained Deacon, Sacred Ministers, and servers after the Pontifical Solemn High Mass

Feast of the Chair of St Peter

On Saturday 22 February we had a beautiful sung Mass at the Carmel of Christ the King, Christchurch. The only photograph to be taken was the one below which particularly shows young James Green who served Holy Mass for the first time.

The altar servers after Holy Mass

Several members of the faithful were clothed in the Brown Scapular.

Saturday also marked the anniversary of the great earthquake in New Zealand and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered for all those who suffered pain and loss. May God grant eternal rest to all those who died.

Candlemass at our Chapel in Christchurch

This is one of the three principal blessings observed by the Church during the year; the other two are the Blessing of the Ashes, and the Blessing of the Palms.

Saint Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury [Enarrations on St. Luke], speaking on the mystery, bids us consider three things in the blest Candle: the Wax, the Wick, and the Flame. The Wax, he says, which is the production of the virginal bee, is the Flesh of our Lord; the Wick, which is within, is his Soul; the Flame, which burns on the top, is his Divinity. 

The Candles in preparation for the blessing

The blessing before the Mass: “that as these candles, by their visible light, dispel the darkness of the night, so our hearts burning with invisible fire, and enlightened by the grace of the Holy Ghost, may be delivered from all blindness of sin; that the eye of our soul being purified, we may discern those things that are pleasing to thee, and beneficial to our souls.”

Distribution of Candles . . .

. . . to all the faithful, young and old.

A short procession outside the chapel. . . 

. . . representing the Holy Family

There were seventeen children below the age of ten
(Correction to previous figures. Apologies.)

The real presence of Our Lord presented during the Mass
at the Elevation to the Most High God

"We must hold this as a principle of our spiritual life - that the Mysteries brought before us, feast after feast, are intended to work in us the destruction of the old, and the creation of the new, man." Dom Gueranger