East Anglia Seminarians: Oscott to Walsingham

Sunday 27 May 2007

Oscott to Walsingham

On Thursday the 31st of May, Oscott College is making its annual pilgrimage to...of all places Walsingham. For us East Anglians, however, it's more of a return home than a pilgrimage, but Walsingham always promises to a blessed place.

According to college records, it is sixty years this year, since Oscott last travelled as a college to walsingham on pilgrimage. We were the first to celebrate High Mass in the slipper chapel since the reformation, and we donated to the shrine, a processional cross that is still used to this day.

There is something very profound and very important in our pilgrimage. Not only in so far as we (the Seminary) are dedicated to Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, but also their is a sense in which it seems entirely appropriate, right and fitting that the future pastors of the English Church should go to pray for England, Mary's dowry, at the shrine that She instituted. Surely we will be strengthened, encouraged and blessed for our future mission?

I'm Slightly anxious about the return journey home as the college is stopping in at my home parish of, St. Luke's in Peterborough for Vespers and BBQ supper, -my home parish, my family, seminary staff and fellow seminarians- these are worlds that should never collide!

Any way, watch this space for pilgrimage photos!

Wishing all a spirit filled Pentecost!

(Even if I have just celebrated 2nd Vespers..... so sad!)

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Prayer for Priestly Vocations

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who moved to pity at the sight of the multitudes, scattered like sheep without a shepherd, didst say to Thy disciples: "The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send labourers into His harvest," deign to turn Thine eyes of pity on this our diocese, and to call to Thy priesthood young men, who will spend themselves and be spent for Thy honour and glory, and for the souls whom Thou has redeemed with Thy Most Precious Blood, Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for Seminarians

O Lord Jesus Christ, great High Priest, I pray that You call many worthy souls to Your holy priesthood.

Enlighten the Bishop in the choice of candidates, the Spiritual Director in molding them, and the professors in instructing them.

Lead the seminarians daily in Your unerring footsteps; so that they may become priests who are models of purity, possessors of wisdom and heroes of sacrifice; steeped in humility and aflame with love for God and man; apostles of Your glory and sanctifiers of souls.

Amen.

Prayer for the Pope

V. Let us pray for our Pontiff, Pope Benedict.
R. The Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him to be blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies

Our Father. Hail Mary.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, have mercy upon Thy servant, Benedict, our Supreme Pontiff, and direct him, according to Thy loving-kindness, in the way of eternal salvation; that, of thy gift, he may ever desire that which is pleasing unto thee and may accomplish it with all his might. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Prayer for the Queen

V. O Lord, save Elizabeth, our Queen.
R. And hear us on the day we call upon you.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come before you.

[V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.]

Let us pray

Almighty God, we pray, that your servant Elizabeth, our Queen, who, by your providence has received the governance of this realm, may continue to grow in every virtue, that, imbued with your heavenly grace, she may be preserved from all that is harmful and evil and, being blessed with your favour may, with her consort and the royal family, come at last into your presence, through Christ who is the way, the truth and the life and who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.