A Lent Like No Other

 © Copyright Julian P Guffogg and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Archbishop John Wilson's letter to his clergy, today, opens with the observation that "[t]his is a Lent like we have not experienced before". He is surely correct. Today it was announced that the public celebration of Catholic Mass in England & Wales will cease at the end of this week for the foreseeable future. This will be a decision, which the Bishops have surely not taken lightly; and, indeed, it is a decision which we must all have seen coming, given what we have seen in continental Europe.

Nevertheless, when it finally happens that public Mass ceases in England & Wales for the first time since 1829, it stills feels like something of a shock. Perhaps, I feel this especially, as a newly ordained priest, having settled for just a few months into the daily rhythm of offering the Holy Sacrifice. 

But, of course, for me, the Mass will continue to be very much part of my daily life. The laity can be assured that throughout this time of crisis, priests will continue to be praying for them in the most powerful way that they can - uniting themselves to the offering of Our Lord on Calvary. I am very, very conscious, however, that this cannot be the case for the multitude of faith-filled people, who will now - many for the first time in their lives - be completely deprived of access to the Mass, the bedrock of their spiritual lives. This, tragically, right at the moment when many people's faith is about to be severely tested.

In these trying times, we must turn to the example and witness of those who have gone before us in the fight of faith. We can look to those early desert fathers and mothers who went out into the wilderness, and there found God in solitude and isolation. We can think of the heroic witness of the ordinary Catholics of our own land who held on to the faith of the Church in secrecy, under so much persecution, following the English Reformation. And we can remember the very many of our brothers and sisters, in far flung communities around the world, for whom the chance to attend Mass, go to confession or celebrate the other sacraments really is a rare highpoint in their lives.

The witness of these, and many others, can and should inspire us to try, in this difficult period, to come even closer to God. Without the easy availability of Catholic worship, the onus now shifts to the believer to make the effort to come into God's presence. Over the coming weeks, I hope in this Blog to be able to share some thoughts and resources with anyone who would like to make that effort. This is also an opportunity for anyone who wishes to stay in touch. Feel free to contact me using the form on this page, and if I can be of any assistance to you, I will try to be.

And let us remember, that the Church has not gone away; Jesus has not gone away. Our Churches will remain open for you to come to our Lord, and to be with Him in the Blessed Sacrament. The doorway to His heart remains open. Will you still choose to enter?