Our Lady and Saint John Catholic Church

06/10/2026

This Friday is the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

06/07/2026

For Corpus Christi.

1 Sweet Sacrament divine,
hid in thine earthly home,
lo, round thy lowly shrine,
with suppliant hearts we come;
Jesus, to thee our voice we raise
in songs of love and heartfelt praise:
sweet Sacrament divine.

2 Sweet Sacrament of peace,
dear home for every heart,
where restless yearnings cease
and sorrows all depart;
there in thine ear all trustfully
we tell our tale of misery:
sweet Sacrament of peace.

3 Sweet Sacrament of rest,
ark from the ocean's roar,
within thy shelter blest
soon may we reach the shore;
save us, for still the tempest raves,
save, lest we sink beneath the waves:
sweet Sacrament of rest.

4 Sweet Sacrament divine,
earth's light and jubilee,
in thy far depths doth shine
thy Godhead's majesty;
sweet light, so shine on us, we pray,
that earthly joys may fade away:
sweet Sacrament divine.

On Amazon Music

06/07/2026

CORPUS CHRISTI INDULGENCE-

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly participate in a solemn Eucharistic procession, held inside or outside a church, of greatest importance on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.

In order to obtain this plenary indulgence, the faithful who participate in a Eucharistic procession on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi must also fulfill the usual three conditions.
The three usual conditions for obtaining a plenary indulgence are the following:
Go to Confession (as soon as possible or after fulfilling the other conditions);
Receive Holy Communion (as soon as possible);
Pray for the Pope's intentions. (The Church suggests an "Our Father" and a "Hail Mary" as soon as possible).

One must approach the indulgence with a spirit “completely detached from the affection for sin,” both mortal and venial. If a soul is not completely detached, the indulgence is partial.
What a great opportunity for mercy from the Lord. Let us not waste this treasure of grace!

O Sacrament most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine!

Father Erdman on Indulgences-
From Fr. Erdman, "What is an indulgence?"
Indulgences are perhaps one of the most controversial topics since the reformation. It was a practice that was abused greatly in certain times. Free from those abuses it is a powerful means of grace for those in need.

Let's start with what it isn’t. It isn’t doing something to be forgiven for sins. An indulgence is related to a sin already forgiven. Sin doesn’t only need forgiveness, but healing as well. When our sins are forgiven, we are rescued from being separated from God, but we still need to be cleaned up afterward. An indulgence is granted for certain actions and prayers to deal with the temporal, not eternal consequences of sin. We are always in need of further purification in this life. In the life to come, many if not most of us, will be in need of further purification from the temporal consequences of our sin so that we can experience the fullness of God in all his goodness and beauty. This is where an indulgence helps. God wills that our prayers and actions can be his instruments for the healing of ourselves and others. When one part of the body is wounded, the whole works toward its health. If we injure an ankle, the whole body changes how it walks, the arms may use crutches, etc. in order to give it rest and to heal it. The whole body of Christ works for the healing and purification of souls in need. When an indulgence is obtained, the church on earth and the church in heaven work together. The merits and works of the saints, joined with the prayers of the living are applied to the needs of the souls intended. As one body, by the will of God, we lift a soul toward Him. What a blessing it is to be so bound one to another.

06/07/2026

Today in many places, including within the Ordinariate of the Chair of S. Peter, is kept the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, which fell this past Thursday.

He fed them also with finest wheat flour, alleluia: and with honey from the rock hath he satisfied them, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

O God, who in a wonderful Sacrament hast left unto us a memorial of thy Passion: grant us, we beseech thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of thy Body and Blood; that we may ever know within ourselves the fruit of thy redemption; who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

06/06/2026

06/05/2026

Today, Friday, 5 June, is the Feast of S. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr. Mass will be offered at 5.30 pm, preceded by Evensong at 5.00 pm. Confessions will be heard from 4.15 pm.

O God, who raised up the holy Bishop and Martyr Saint Boniface from the English nation to enlighten many peoples with the Gospel of Christ: grant, we pray; that we may hold fast in our hearts that faith which he taught with his lips and sealed with his blood; through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

“ST. BONIFACE was born at Crediton in Devonshire, England, in the year 680. Some missionaries staying at his father’s house spoke to him of heavenly things, and inspired him with a wish to devote himself, as they did, to God. He entered the monastery of Exminster, and was there trained for his apostolic work. His first attempt to convert the pagans in Holland having failed, he went to Rome to obtain the Pope’s blessing on his mission, and returned with authority to preach to the German tribes. It was a slow and dangerous task; his own life was in constant peril, while his flock was often reduced to abject poverty by the wandering robber bands. Yet his courage never flagged.

He began with Bavaria and Thuringia, next visited Friesland, then passed on to Hesse and Saxony, everywhere destroying the idol temples and raising churches on their site. He endeavored, as far as possible, to make every object of idolatry contribute in some way to the glory of God; on one occasion, having cut down an immense oak which was consecrated to Jupiter, he used the tree in building a church, which he dedicated to the Prince of the Apostles.

He was now recalled to Rome, consecrated Bishop by the Pope, and returned to extend and organize the rising German Church. With diligent care he reformed abuses among the existing clergy, and established religious houses throughout the land.

At length, feeling his infirmities increase, and fearful of losing his martyr’s crown, Boniface appointed a successor to his monastery, and set out to convert a fresh pagan tribe. While St. Boniface was waiting to administer Confirmation to some newly-baptized Christians, a troop of pagans arrived, armed with swords and spears. His attendants would have opposed them, but the Saint said to his followers: “My children, cease your resistance; the long-expected day is come at last. Scripture forbids us to resist evil. Let us put our hope in God: He will save our souls.” Scarcely had he ceased speaking, when the barbarians fell upon him and slew him with all his attendants, to the number of fifty-two.”
- from S. Joan of Arc, FSSP

06/05/2026

At the Wednesday general audience at the Vatican on June 3, Pope Leo XIV called Catholics to be open to an “encounter with God by rediscovering the signs and symbols of the sacred liturgy.”

“We need to let ourselves be educated by the rites of the liturgy, tending to the beauty of our celebrations with a delicate hand and without arbitrariness,” Leo said to the faithful.

Leoʼs remarks were part of his catechesis on the liturgy, focusing on the Second Vatican Councilʼs document Sacrosanctum Concilium. In his remarks, the pope explained the councilʼs teaching about participation in the liturgy through its signs and symbols.

https://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/pope-leo-xiv-we-must-rediscover-signs-and-symbols-of-the-sacred-liturgy

06/03/2026

NOTA BENE-

Evensong will be said this afternoon at 5.00 pm.
Please join us.