Thoughts from our chaplain - The healing touch!

It was good to have with us last weekend Colin and two core members of the L’Arche communities. It must have been providential that the next day (Monday) the reflection in Magnificat was by Jean Vanier, the founder of L’Arche!

He has a marvelous piece there about eight-year-old Amando, who can’t walk or talk and is very small for his age. He had been abandoned by his mother, landed up in an orphanage, but there he refused to eat because he didn’t want to live any longer. At L’Arche he met people who held him, loved him and wanted him to live. Gradually he began to eat again and to develop in a remarkable way. “He still cannot walk or talk or eat by himself, his body is twisted and broken, and he has a severe mental disability, but when you pick him up, his eyes and his whole body quiver with joy and excitement and say: ‘I love you’. He has a deep therapeutic influence on people.” It reminds us of the words in St Mark’s gospel: “And all those who touched him were cured”.  

Jesus now relies on us to reach out with a healing touch. Or in the words of Jean Vanier:  “What many people do not always know is that they have a well deep inside of them. If that well is tapped, springs of life and of tenderness flow forth.” May we often have recourse to that well.  

Piet Wijngaard, O.Carm.

(c) Photo Johan Bergström-Allen

New Easter cards 2014

Why not send an Easter card or novena from the National Shrine of Saint Jude to your friends and family? We have a great Easter card package on offer.

Each package includes FOUR brand new designs. There are two novena cards and three Easter cards + three extra Easter cards for ONLY £6.00. Each card is included with an envelope. 

All proceeds go towards the Shrine and the work of the Carmelites in Britain and worldwide. These can be purchased via:http://tinyurl.com/q2gqe2m

Photos and designs by Matt Betts

Summer Celebration - 31 May 2014

On another VERY wet and windy day, we would like to bring a little sunshine into your world by inviting you to our summer event on 31 May 2014! 

The Carmelites are inviting pilgrims to visit the Shrine and enjoy the summer air. A number of activities will take place including an outside Mass, a Saint Jude procession, a chance to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, meet some friars, purchase items from the Shrine Shop, an opportunity to light a candle, and finally, an opportunity to pray and leave intentions at the Shrine of Saint Jude. The summer is always very beautiful at the Shrine, and it will be lovely to see visitors on what we hope will be a beautiful and warm day. 

Timetable

11.00: Devotions with Anointing

12.00 – 13.00: Picnic on the grounds (bring your own food) & opportunity for Sacrament of Reconciliation.

13.30: Open Air Mass, followed by Saint Jude procession and prayers

15.00: Brown scapular

However, we understand that some pilgrims will not be able to attend, so we are offering the opportunity to have a candle lit for your intentions. If you would like to do this, please purchase via our online shop. 

More information and news can be found on the Carmelite website.