Saint Jude Autumn newsletter - now available

We are pleased to announce that the latest issue of Carmelite News is now available to all our online friends.

Carmelite News is available to view via a system called Page Tiger. You do not need special software for the online magazine and you will be able to print all, or part of it, if you wish to do so. Page Tiger will allow you to read the newsletter as if it was printed.

The autumn issue has all relevant web links enabled so you can click to go directly to any site mentioned. Each newsletter can be read either as a two-page spread or as a single spread. It is also possible to zoom into each page.

• Read here

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Photo of the Month: Murals by Edward Ardizzone

The Visitation - Edward Ardizzone

The murals in the Sanctuary in the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (which is connected to the Shrine of Saint Jude) are by Edward Ardizzone.

This year has seen the updated TV programme Cavitations.  The original series of art programme of the same name was written and presented by Lord Kenneth Clark.  As the curator of the Imperial War Museum, Lord Clark commissioned Edward Ardizzone  (1900-1979), a well known artist and illustrator, as a war artist.  Ardizzone covered the Second War in Europe and North Africa.  He had the skill to tell a story in one picture.   He recorded humorous and tragic scenes alike with unparalleled sympathy.

He is best remembered as an illustrator of children’s books.  He wrote and illustrated Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain, in 1936, which was the first of twelve such children’s books to his credit.

At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Faversham the sanctuary is dominated by his two murals of the Presentation Our Lady in the Temple and the Visitation. The paintings were commissioned by Fr. Elias Lynch in 1952.  His fee was donated by Nadine McDougall, wife of Prince Andrew Romanoff, who was a member of the congregation.

The Presentation of Mary -  Edward Ardizzone

Ardizzone lived for many years at Rodmersham Green, which is a few miles from Faversham.  He frequently worshipped at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as did other members of his family.

We thank Edward Ardizzone for these beautiful murals.

by Fr Francis Kemsley, O.Carm

PS: Unfortunately, in May 2018, a storm caused massive damage to the suspended ceiling in the church. To rectify the damage and prevent further issues from occurring it has been suggested that the lime render should be completely removed and replaced. This will take a few months to sort out. Regrettably the church will be closed for the next few months. Please note that daily mass will be celebrated in the Infant of Prague chapel and weekend masses are being celebrated in the Welcome Centre. The Shrine of Saint Jude remains open. If you would like to donate to help with the costs you can do that via our online donation site below. Thank you.

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Raffle Draw 2018

The winners of the annual Shrine of Saint Jude raffle were drawn by Fr Richard Copsey, O.Carm last week. Fr Richard is a member of the Faversham community. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all those who took part! 

The winners are:

First Prize: S Dwarka

Second Prize: C Ratinon

Third Prize: M Gallagher

Runners up prizes (£50):

• Mrs F Mills-Acquah
• PM Reardon
• Miss MNixon
• MM Santos
• Mrs A Bergstrom-Allen
• M Todd
• C Wright
• R Schley
• B O’Connor
• J Dowling

Shrine Pack winners:

• C Fattah
• Mrs B Sullivan
• Mrs T Horner
• H Prince
• J St Quintin
• N Francis
• B Chapman
• Mrs A Curran
• Mr R Govin
• Mr Samuel
• M Brewster
• E Caughey
• Miss E Cowley
• M Butterworth
• C Gaffney
• S Lawson
• Mrs P Playfoot
• Sister D Day
• M Fanshawe
• J Hassett
• A Deegan
• M O’Riordan
• A Flynn
• Mrs V Griffiths
• J Dunne

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Day walk from the Shrine to the Wye Pilgrims Festival: 29 September 2018

The North Downs Way Pilgrims Festival 2018 is a week-long series of events in Wye celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the North Downs Way.

We welcome you all to join us; for a short walk or a mighty journey; for those who love nature and our countryside or want to learn more about cultural heritage. We have drama, literature, film, food, drink, and much, much more.

Augustine Camino is walking from the Shrine of Saint Jude on Saturday 29 September 2018.

A 13 mile Day Walk from the Shrine of Saint Jude Faversham to Wye, arriving in time for the Festival Pilgrim Feast. The route takes us through woodland and pasture (including the famous King's Wood) before descending the Downs to Wye. There are a number of interesting village churches along the way such as St James's Sheldwich, where we will be welcomed by fellow Augustine Camino pilgrims. Also en route is All Saints, Boughton Aluph which includes the porch where pilgrims used to gather before crossing King's Wood together for safety (hopefully this will not be necessary on our walk!). Lunch will be at the Red Lion Badlesmere.

• More information.

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Feast of Saint Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross)

Today is the feast of Saint Edith Stein, also known by her religious name as a Carmelite nun, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

Edith was born to a Jewish family in Breslau in 1891. Through her passionate study of philosophy, she searched after truth. She declared that she had found the truth after reading the autobiography of Saint Teresa of Jesus (of Avila) in a single sitting.

In 1922 Edith was baptised a Catholic, and continued her work as a philosopher and academic. In 1933 she entered the Carmel of Cologne to live as a nun.

Like many of her fellow Jews, Edith suffered during the Nazi persecution of World War II. She was gassed and cremated at Auschwitz concentration camp on 9th August 1942, dying both as a Jewish woman and a martyr for the Christian faith, having offered her holocaust for the people of Israel.

A woman of singular intelligence and learning, Edith left behind a body of writing notable for its doctrinal richness and profound spirituality.

She was declared one of the six co-patron saints of Europe by Pope Saint John Paul II.

This beautiful icon of Saint Edith is revered at the National Shrine of Saint Jude in Faversham, England. Written by Sister Petra Clare, the icon was installed in 2008. It shows Edith in her Carmelite habit, on which has been sewn the Star of David, as Jews were required by the Nazis to wear. She holds the image of Jesus' crucifixion drawn by Saint John of the Cross, as a reminder of her profound 'science of the cross'.

Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us.

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Blessed Titus Brandsma, O.Carm

Today, we remember the Carmelite martyr Blessed Titus Brandsma.

He was born in Bolsward (The Netherlands) in 1881. Became a real scholar in spirituality and mysticism, but bravely spoke up against the Nazi regime about the freedom of the press, the right of life for the Jews and the evil of Nationalism. He was arrested and was eventually killed in Dachau in 1942 by a lethal injection.

The prayer for his canonisation reads:

“Loving God, your servant Titus Brandsma, laboured zealously in your vineyard and gave his life freely because of his faith in you. Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help. Father, Titus never refused when he was asked for help by your people. In his name, I come to you with my needs [Mention requests]. Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love, and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma. Glorify your servant as he wished to glorify you. Amen. Mary, Mother of Carmel, pray for us. Titus Brandsma, Carmelite and Martyr, pray for us. Amen.”

Blessed Titus Brandsma, pray for us.

Our photo shows the icon of Titus at the National Shrine of Saint Jude. Our online shop sells various items connected to Blessed Titus: books; medals.

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Praying for Greece

We are praying for the people of Greece at the National Shrine of Saint Jude.

Saint Jude, pray for them.

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