Tag Archives: Catholic Church

… and finally!

Posted on 24/10/2025 by Scott Anderson

To conclude this series some observations on matters related to the celebration and presentation of the liturgy. Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament In mediaeval England the Blessed Sacrament was reserved in a pyx, suspended over the High Altar of the … Continue reading →

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THE PRESENT OPPORTUNITY part 4

Posted on 20/10/2025 by Scott Anderson

THE SETTING The Mass was photographed in the church of the Holy Trinity, Dorchester, Dorset.  This small Gothic Revival Church, built in the 19th century to the designs of Benjamin Ferry, was originally a parish church of the Church of … Continue reading →

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Puritans and Protestants

Posted on 26/08/2025 by Scott Anderson

“The truth is that the English puritan’s crusade against all forms of sensuous beauty in worship has had more effect than we realise upon our notion of the worship of the primitive church. It disconcerts us to find that that … Continue reading →

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The Easter Alleluia

Posted on 18/05/2025 by Scott Anderson

A contemporary of mine from Kelham days – with whom I am very glad to be back in contact – reminded me recently of the singing of the ‘Easter Grail and Alleluia’, ( which I am ashamed to admit that … Continue reading →

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Original sin

Posted on 07/05/2025 by Scott Anderson

The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner MP, spoke recently at the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. She asserted her belief in the fundamental goodness of human beings. This was a brave thing to do at the site of … Continue reading →

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The meaning of greatness

Posted on 12/11/2024 by Scott Anderson

We British talk of our country as ‘Great Britain’ without really thinking. Perhaps during this month of November we might do well to reflect on this idea of ‘greatness’ and in particular, what it is that makes a nation or … Continue reading →

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Is the Pope a Catholic?

Posted on 08/11/2024 by Scott Anderson

People who ask why I became a Catholic usually assume it is because I don’t approve of women priests. Certainly the decision by a majority in the General Synod of the Church of England to permit the ordination of women … Continue reading →

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Death – the enemy we need to face up to

Posted on 24/10/2024 by Scott Anderson

In my last year as a parish priest in France I was twice asked to preside over funerals where the cremation of the body had already taken place. No funeral directors attended, and the family arrived with the urn or … Continue reading →

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Holy Week restored by Pope Pius XII

Posted on 19/03/2024 by Scott Anderson

The introduction to Holy Week in my 1962 Roman Missal (Suumorum Pontificum edition, published 2012 by Baronius Press) gives a splendid account and justification for the sweeping reforms to the celebration of the Holy Week rites, authorised by Pope Pius … Continue reading →

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Baseball – and the Religious Life

Posted on 18/03/2024 by Scott Anderson

In the age we live in the combination of two words ‘Orphanage’ and ‘Catholic’ is enough to conjure up a dark vision of cruelty and abuse. So it was refreshing to read Bill Bryson’s account of one such orphanage in … Continue reading →

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