DIOCESE
A Letter from Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Along with this rich edition of the Light of the North, may I send you my warmest Christmas wishes. May Christ truly happen in our hearts and families and in the world!
DIOCESE
Teacher's unforgettable pilgrimage to Rome
For centuries, Christians from every corner of the world have travelled to Rome seeking renewal, courage and a deeper encounter with the heart of the church. In July, I had the wonderful opportunity to embrace this Jubilee Year of Hope and take part in a pilgrimage to Rome with teachers from across Scotland, representing each Diocese, alongside teachers from England, Wales and Ireland.
DIOCESE
Celebrating 700th anniversary of the 'Ferme des Ecossais'
People wouldn’t believe me when I told them I was going to France to celebrate the 700th anniversary of buying a farm. “Yes, buying a farm”, I often had to repeat. The farm in question, at Grisy-Suisnes, 38 kilometres south-east of Paris, was bought in 1325 by David, Bishop of Moray - Scottish Dioceses had different names in those days - so that its revenues would pay for the cost of young men from his diocese receiving a university education in Paris, not necessarily for Priesthood, although it included that possibility. There were no universities in Scotland at the time, and eleven years after Bannockburn, still within the reign of King Robert the Bruce, it was unthinkable to send young Scots to Oxford or Cambridge. Moreover, Bishop David was persona non grata in England being known as one of Robert the Bruce’s staunchest allies. He had been educated in Paris himself, and the purchase of the farm came only 30 years after the beginning of the ‘Auld Alliance’. Indeed, on a plaque on the street side of the farm wall it states that this was “Temoinage d’Alliance Francaise-Ecossaise”, a witness to, or proof of, the Franco-Scottish Alliance. The treaty of 1295 had been signed at Creteil, on the road between Paris and Grisy. A more public sign of this union came when Mary, Queen of Scots, was sent to France, at the tender age of six, for safety, education and eventual marriage to the Dauphin, the heir to the French throne. She visited Grisy on one occasion and also met with some of the students in Paris.
Latest Issue of the Light of the North ...
A Letter from Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB
Let's not underrate the "stature of waiting", the power of patience, or our capacity to "hasten the coming" (2 Pet 3:12). Everything is in God's hands, to be sure, but something is also in ours.
I have been struck this Advent by how often the Liturgy mentions God's power, his "great power", and asks for it to be exercised. Let us have "great expectations" of the God who comes, of the Child in Mary's womb, and of what he can do in the narrow stables of our hearts. We remember Pope Leo's first words from the balcony of St Peter's, "Peace be with you". Let us pray - with all past and future Advents, with all the tears that bring the Messiah closer, with the spirit of our Lady and St John the Baptist - for God's glory to shine out. It does!
May Christmas surprise us!
Yours devotedly.
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Teacher's unforgettable pilgrimage to Rome
The cohort of Scottish teachers had only met online prior to the trip. We first met face to face at the airport as we departed. Safely arriving in Rome, staying in the beautiful Irish College we started to form friendships and share stories about our vocation as teachers.
The following morning included an early start. No alarms were required as the air was full of excitement, chatter and nerves. This was no ordinary start to a holiday. This particular morning, our new friendships developed further as we relied on each other to make sure we looked respectful. The coach departed from outside Irish College and travelled through quiet narrow streets towards the Vatican. St Peter’s Square was calm and peaceful. As we were escorted through long corridors, it was hard not to stop and stare in awe at the beautiful art which surrounded us. We were shown into an exquisite hall with a ceiling which felt like it reached the heavens. Sitting in rows like a school assembly, we waited with bated breath. Double doors opened to the right and Pope Leo entered the room.
People often talk about moments which will stay with them forever. This moving moment is one which I will cherish forever. To be in the presence of St Peter’s successor is a deeply spiritual experience. Hearing Pope Leo speak is unforgettable and humbling.
He welcomed us to the Apostolic Palace and spoke warmly about the important role we have as educators.
“For they will look up to you as models: models in life, models of faith. They’ll look to you particularly as to how you teach and how you live. I hope that, each day, you will nurture your relationship with Christ, who gives us the pattern of all authentic teaching (Mt. 7:28), so that, in turn, you may guide and encourage those entrusted to your care to follow Christ in their own lives.”
After he spoke and we prayed together, we had the honour of a personal blessing. Trying to remember my name was the most challenging part of the morning! I remember walking forward slowly, staying focused and trying to remain calm. I was holding tight to personal items which I had taken to be blessed. These included Rosary Beads from colleagues at work and my late Grandmother’s cross. I kept my head down in respect and felt like it was impossible to look up. When I finally did, Pope Leo simply smiled and said hello. All nerves left and an immense sense of calm swept through me. His kind words, his blessing and my simple words of thanks will remain part of my memory forever.
We departed the Vatican and travelled to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major to celebrate Mass together. We paid our respects and prayed at the tomb of Pope Francis.
Entering through a Holy Door is a powerful experience and we passed through the Four Holy Doors of the major Basilica’s - St Peter’s, St John Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul Outside the Walls.
The busy itinerary included visits to Castel Gandolfo, the Commonwealth War Cemetery, Montecassino Abbey, Pompeii, the Vatican Gardens, the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, Catacombs and my new favourite place - Assisi. We prayed at the tomb of Saint Carlo Acutis and felt the spirit of St Francis and St Clare as we walked around the town.
Archbishop Nolan celebrated Mass at St Paul’s Outside the Walls on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Aberdeen. A special day connecting Aberdeen with this ancient site.
As I walked and prayed each day, a greater sense of clarity and purpose came over me. It is hard not to be reflective while following the steps of Saints and Apostles.
Leaving Irish College and returning to Scotland after a week was emotional. We met online as a group of strangers and left Rome a group of friends. I am grateful to SCES, the Bishops from Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales who developed the idea of a pilgrimage and to Mrs Lindsay who forwarded an email which I never thought would have such a profound impact on me.
I returned home with more than photographs and souvenirs - I carried a renewed faith, fresh gratitude and a strengthened vocation.
BY SARAH HUNTER-STYLES
Sarah Hunter-Styles is a teacher at St Joseph's Primary School, Aberdeen
Celebrating 700th anniversary of the 'Ferme des Ecossais'
On Sunday 21st, the organisers laid on a taxi to transport us to Grisy-Suisnes, to the village’s usual Sunday morning 10 o’clock Mass. A pipe band, in full highland attire, greeted us at the church door and marched down ahead of us in the entrance procession. The main celebrant was Bishop Guillaume Leschallier de Lisle, auxiliary of the local Diocese of Meaux. Bishop Hugh, Fr Crichton and I concelebrated along with a few local priests. After Mass, still wearing our vestments, we processed along the street, following the pipe band and followed by the whole congregation. We entered the farmyard, about fifty yards away. It showed all the signs of still being a working farm with very up-to-date machinery in view. Bishop de Lisle blessed the farm and the band played “O Flower of Scotland”. They had played “Highland Cathedral” earlier and a selection of instantly recognisable Scottish tunes. After returning our vestments to the church, there was another verre de l’amitié in the village square (another paper cup), during which commemorative lapel badges were distributed. Meanwhile on the village green some athletic people were exhibiting Scottish pastimes like tossing the caber! The pipe band continued to play. They were from Moigny-sur-Ecole, about 40 kilometres to the south in Gatinais, a protected area of “outstanding natural beauty”. From their website, as well as listening to them, it was clear they were a very professional outfit, committed to interesting local people in learning the Scots pipes and drums.
We then repaired to the parish hall for a celebratory meal which was attended by about 100 people. Bishop Hugh and Fr Crichton and I were introduced by name, explaining our connection with the event, as were many other individuals and groups representing the Fondation Catholique Ecossaise, the Association Franco-Ecossaise, the Franco Scottish Association and the Grisy-Abernethy (Fife) twinning link among others. No pains had been spared to provide a meal worthy of a 700th anniversary. There were five courses including some locally-sourced typical dishes. I was sitting between the local parish priest and his curate. They have 75,000 souls in their parish which is situated on the Plains de la Brie, the famous French cheese which, naturally, was on the cheese course. The French always have a cheese course. My French is not the best but I rustled together a few words to say: “There are three perfect things in France – the wine, the bread and the cheese”. That seemed to go down well. The people there were effusively grateful for our presence, taking the trouble, as they put it, for coming such a long way to take part.
After the meal, there were prolonged farewells before returning to the village green where they were still tossing the caber and putting the shot. Then it was a drive back to Paris and our hotel, reluctantly passing up on a greatly-desired visit to the newly-restored Notre Dame Cathedral, because the sciatica said enough was enough for one day and we had an early start for the airport in the morning.
BY FR MICHAEL BRIODY
Fr Michael Briody is Vice-President of the Scottish Catholic Heritage Commission.