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Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday has several themes including feet washing, institution of the Eucharist, watching with Christ and arrest. At the distribution of the Royal Maundy, this morning at Windsor, the Queen will be accompanied by clergy and children wearing towels. This is a reminder that once the monarch not only gave out money but washed feet […]

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Spy Wednesday: Tenebrae

Wednesday of Holy Week is Spy Wednesday and so-called because Judas betrays Jesus. Judas is paid by enemies for his information that Jesus will be almost alone on Thursday. This is such a poignant day that it has become customary for many churches to hold this evening the ancient service known as Tenebrae. Tenebrae means […]

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Fig Monday

It’s Fig Monday today which recalls Jesus pointing out the fig tree on the Bethany-Jeruslem road. Yesterday Jesus famously rode into Jerusalem. In the evening he returned. Today he comes back to the city past threw fig tree again and overturns the tables of the moneychangers at The Temple. The commute with his disciples will […]

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Holy Week in real time

Tomorrow we begin Holy Week when we can live Christ’s last days on earth in real time. So where is Jesus tonight? He and his close followers are arriving at Bethany which is close Jerusalem. They are welcomed by Martha and Mary. Also there is their brother Lazarus who was recently brought back to life […]

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Mothering Sunday

This weekend was going to be significant: UK leaving the EU, change clocks, abolition of three south coast councils* and Mothering Sunday. The first has been postponed but Mothering Sunday cannot as it is the mid Lent Sunday and Easter must start on the night of 20 April whatever else happens One Mothering Sunday tradition […]

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THE ANNUNCIATION: NINE MONTHS TO CHRISTMAS

Monday 25 March is The Annunciation when we think of Mary learning that she was pregnant with the Christ Child. This is why we shall celebrate the birth on 25 December. There are Annunciation celebrations today in Nazareth’s basilica, Loreto and Walsingham as well as other churches. Today in Lent there is spark of colour […]

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St Joseph’s Day: another Lent break

Today Tuesday 19 March is St Joseph’s Day. If you live in Italy you will find St Joseph buns, called seppole, on sale. They look like the Shrove Tuesday semlor buns enjoyed in Sweden although this time the cream is ricotta. Joseph has two feast days. Today as spouse of Mary mother of Jesus and […]

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Is it St Patrick’s Day?

Is it St Patrick’s Day on Sunday 17 March? He does not appear in the calendar this year because 17 March is the Second Sunday of Lent. But this is not as difficult as the rare year when 17 March falls in Holy Week. It can be St Patrick’s Day on Sunday where the local […]

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CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY

This Friday 15 March is Family Fast Day when CAFOD suggests that we forgo our main meal and donate the normal cost to the poor via the charity. CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, works alongside Christian Aid to build a world without hunger and war by putting faith into action. Below is soup […]

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Ash Wednesday: NEW START

‘The Christians go mad but thanks to ashes that the Church puts on their heads they come to their senses and are cured of their madness,’ commented the Turkish ambassador to Rome in the 1690s. Carnival ended last night and today, Ash Wednesday, we can receive ashes in church at the start of the Forty […]

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