33 Monstrance

This Sunday is the feast of Corpus Christi – the Body and Blood of Christ. We celebrate the great gift of the Eucharist in which Christ is really present with us. Consecrated hosts, also known as the Blessed Sacrament, are kept in the tabernacle so that Holy Communion can be taken to those who are sick at anytime. We believe that through the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus is present in a special way in Church and this is why we behave with respect and reverence. 

An important part of our faith is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The Blessed Sacrament is removed from the tabernacle and placed in a beautiful object called a monstrance. The word montrance comes from the Latin word 'monstrare' which means 'to show'. People are invited to pray in the Lord's presence and worship him and this is known as adoration. Sometimes a time of adoration ends with Benediction. Benediction is taken from a Latin word which means 'blessing'. The host contained in the monstrance is lifted up and the priest traces the shape of the cross before the congregation. This is a special way of asking God to bless his people and has been part of the Church's worship for many centuries.

CCC 1418 Because Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the altar, he is to be honored with the worship of adoration. "To visit the Blessed Sacrament is . . . a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ our Lord" (Paul VI, MF 66).

See previous post for details of our 40 hours of adoration.

40 Hours Exposition

Exposition during 40 hours at Lancaster Cathedral 

A slight break from our objects to tell readers about our 40 Hours of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.  All are welcome to come and join us as we celebrate 40 hours exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.  See below for the timetable of services and times of shared prayer. 

During this time, the monstrance (from the Latin monstrare, to show) is placed on the altar with the Host (the Body of Christ) inside. Members of the parish take turns to pray before the Lord, so there is forty hours prayer (spread over four days) in His presence. 

Thursday 30th May 9am to 9.pm Exposition 9am Votive Mass of the Holy Eucharist 10am Rosary Joyful Mysteries 12noon Angelus 12.15pm Votive Mass 4.pm Rosary Glorious Mysteries 7 to 8pm Confessions 8.45pm Compline and Benediction	Saturday 1st June 9am to 9.pm Exposition 10am Rosary Joyful Mysteries 12noon Angelus 12.15pm Mass of the Feast of the Holy Eucharist 4pm Rosary Glorious Mysteries 5.45 to 6.30pm Confessions 6.30pm Vigil Mass of Corpus Christi 8.45pm Compline and Benediction
Friday 31st May 9am to 9.pm Exposition 10am Rosary Joyful Mysteries 12noon Angelus 12.15pm Mass for vocations 4.pm Rosary Glorious Mysteries 7 to 8pm Confessions 8.45pm Compline and Benediction	Sunday 2nd June 9am to 5pm Exposition 10.30am Mass for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi 4.pm Rosary Glorious Mysteries 4.40pm Sung Vespers of Corpus Christi, Procession and final benediction

32 Baptism and the Trinity

The Trinity is central to Christian belief. When Jesus left the apostles to ascend to heaven, he told them to: 

'baptise everyone in the name of the 

Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit'

It is these same words that are used to baptise Christians today. Baptism is the start of our journey to God. Through the Eucharist, Jesus gives himself to us to help us on our journey to God. At Confirmation, we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to renew us and strengthen us on our journey. 

Baptistery Lancaster Cathedral

32 Glory be to the Father

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Trinity. Each time we make the sign of the cross or pray the 'Glory be to the Father ..', we are professing our belief in the Trinity. The Trinity is the name given to the three persons in one God – God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. 
At the east end of Lancaster Cathedral the names of the three persons of the Holy Trinity (in Latin Pater, Filius and Spiritus Sanctus) appear in stained glass.

Pater:  Father ~ Filius: Son ~ Spiritus Sanctus: Holy Spirit

The relationship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit shown in the Trinity is therefore with us throughout our Christian life.

Glory be to the Father,

and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning,

is now and ever shall be,

world without end.
Amen.

CCC 232 Christians are baptized "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" Before receiving the sacrament, they respond to a three-part question when asked to confess the Father, the Son and the Spirit: "I do." "The faith of all Christians rests on the Trinity."

31 Chrism and Ordination

Chrism is used in three sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation and ordination. 

In 2008, our current Bishop, Michael Campbell, OSA was ordained as Bishop.  As part of the ordination rite, his head was anointed with the oil of Chrism. At priestly ordination, the hands are anointed; for a bishop, the anointing is on the head. Anointing has long been a sign of being chosen by God for a particular task - in the Old Testament, kings and priests are anointed in God's name. For Christians, it also shows how we are to be like Christ (the word 'Christ' literally means 'anointed one'.) After the anointing, Bishop Michael was presented with the Book of the Gospels, with the words:

"Receive the Gospel and preach the Word of God with unfailing patience and sound teaching".

Gospel held above Bishop Michael Campbell's head 

For further images and details of the rite of ordination which was reported at the time.

31 Chrism and consecration of the altar

Lancaster Cathedral 1909

Chrism is also used in the consecration of altars.  Lancaster Cathedral's 150th Anniversary Billington's Blog included an entry describing the consecration of the New High Altar:

In short, it involves the recitation of at least five psalms and other scriptural texts, the placing of the relics within the altar, the use of holy water and later holy oil to anoint the altar with five crosses and then the anointing of the entire surface of the altar.   For the full account of the New High Altar or further history of Lancaster Cathedral have a look at Billington's Blog

31 Blessing Oil of Chrism

The oil of Chrism is blessed in the Chrism Mass.  It is blessed by the Bishop who will use it for confirmations as he travels round the diocese.  It will also be used in Baptism.  Below are photographs from the Chrism Mass 2013.  

 

The Deacon wearing a green Dalmatic (vestment which is a sign of service) brought forward the ampullae which is the name of the large jug that holds the oil. The Bishop then adds balsam which is a sweet smelling liquid.

CCC 1241 The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king.


After this the Bishop blows over the oil and then raises his hands as he says a prayer to call down the Holy Spirit

.