St Benedict of Nursia in Italy was born in the last quarter of the fifth century and died in the middle of the sixth. By the time of his death he had laid the foundation for Western Monasticism and was later canonised as the Patron Saint of Western Europe. He wrote...

As we all know the 6th of February marks The Queen’s Accession Day in 1952. I am sure that we will all offer a special prayer of thanksgiving for her life and dutiful service of her people over the last 67 years. In 1953 these words spoken by The Queen to women in the...

When I was a chaplain in the Royal Air Force my postings officer once asked me where I should like to serve. A couple of places came to mind; one of them was in Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and the other one was Akrotiri in Cyprus. Imagine my surprise when I was told...

Saint Margaret of Scotland was an English princess and a Scottish queen and is referred to in many quarters as “the pearl of Scotland.” She was actually born in Hungary and was a devout and pious Christian given to many good works including funding the pilgrims...

I have recently been asked to assist at an Anglican Chapel in the University of Manchester as their Honorary Chaplain; this I am very happy to do. The dedication of the chapel is to St Anselm of Canterbury, Priest and Doctor. The motto of the Chapel and the Hall...

During September the Church celebrates “Holy Cross Day”, a day upon which we commemorate the dedication, in 335, of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which was built over the supposed site of the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus. The cross on which Jesus...

Saint Clare of Assisi is an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. She wrote their Rule of Life which is the first set of monastic...

One of my very favourite films is the adaptation of Robert Bolt’s play, A Man for All Seasons. It is set in Tudor England and is concerned with the final years of St Thomas More. I still have the copy that I bought when I was in the UVIth at School. I guess that the...

The Office of Deacon is one of three Orders that characterise not only the Church of England but also the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches too. St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was also one of the first Seven Deacons appointed by the primitive Church that...

In the corner of my study in the Vicarage is a small statue of a woman in medieval garb kneeling down and in hands of her crossed arms she is holding what is taken to be a hazelnut. Her gaze is heavenward and her face is sublime and serene. It is an image of Lady...

The Abbott of the Benedictine Community in Norcia in Italy was once asked whether the wonderful chanting that they pray every day would in any way be different if it was sung by professional musicians. He replied that it probably would because the community where St...

What! Lent Already! But we’ve only just finished Christmas! Yes indeed the season of Lent is upon us. It is a time for fasting, contrition, self examination and resolve. How we go about it is entirely up to us. No record is kept and no inquisitional interrogation made...