St Aelred's at the Shrine
It was a pleasure to welcome yesterday to the Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow the Union of Catholic Mothers and their friends from St Aelred's parish, together with the parish priest, our Dean, Fr William Serplus. 
St Matthew
All four Evangelists appear around our High Altar. So, how do we know that this one is St Matthew? The corners of his chair show his characteristic symbol from the Book of Ezekiel: the winged man, reminding us that Matthew stresses Our Lord's humanity in the Incarnation.
Hortus conclusus
"A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed up."
Song of Songs 4.12
St Crux
There was a roaring trade in bargain goods and delicious cakes at the St Crux sale yesterday. Thank you to all those who contributed, and to the smiling volunteers who braved the strong September sunshine.
The Special Daughter of the Roman Church
We were delighted to welcome Canon Anthony Gallagher and his parishioners from Glasgow to the Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow. They tactfully didn't mention that for some time the Archbishops of York claimed authority over the Scottish Church, but in the twelfth-century the Pope declared the see of Glasgow to be a "special daughter" of the Holy See, that is, subject directly to Rome.
Mass intentions for the week beginning Saturday, 18th September
Please click here for a list of the Mass Intentions for the week beginning Saturday, 18th September.
Mystery Sonatas
Thank you to Molly and Mary Reinker for their beautiful performance at Monday's Musical Rosary.
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's Rosary Sonatas (Rosenkranzsonaten, also known as the Mystery Sonatas or Copper-Engraving Sonatas) are a collection of 15 short pieces, each with a title related to the Rosary. On Monday we heard the last five, for the Glorious Mysteries. It is presumed that the Mystery Sonatas were completed around 1676, but they were unknown until their publication in 1905.
Our Lady of Sorrows
"It is expressly noted of her that she stood by the Cross. She did not grovel in the dust, but stood upright to receive the blows, the stabs, which the long Passion of her Son inflicted upon her every moment. In this magnanimity and generosity in suffering she is, as compared with the Apostles, fitly imaged as a Tower."
St John Henry Newman
Hail, O Cross, our only Hope
"The Cross is the gift God gives to His friends."
St Philip Neri