We are bringing Mass direct from Blackfriars chapel to your home with Radio Maria England at 9.30 am on Sundays, 7.30 am Monday to Friday, and 9.30 am Saturdays.
But let’s acknowledge first that this shutdown of our churches owing to the Coronavirus pandemic is very hard. Our Catholic Faith is deeply embodied, so it is a great sorrow to be unable to be at Mass together and receive our Lord as our food and drink. Let’s give ourselves a moment to grieve. We can offer this grief as a prayer for an end to the pandemic, the healing of the sick, and for the repose of the souls of those who have died – just as Jesus offered his sufferings for us. And let us also give thanks that we have technology that brings Mass to us and keeps us in touch with each other. And let’s rejoice that by radio, our Mass is getting to more people than ever, and that we are all tuning in together.
Join in our Holy Week liturgies here.
Preparing for Mass
First, a bit before Mass is due to begin on the radio or TV, prepare: make a quiet space, and put up a crucifix, candles if you can, or a lamp if not. Favourite statues or icons/pictures of Our Lady and the Saints are good too. Then some sacred, meditative music and/or silence.
Tuning In
Tune into a Mass – we are on Radio Maria England at 9.30 am on Sundays, 7.30 am Monday to Friday, and 9.30 am Saturdays. (We also do sung Morning and Evening Prayer Monday to Friday 7 am and 6.30 pm, Saturday 9 am and 6.30 pm, Sunday 9 am and 7 pm.) Scroll down for information on how to download the Radio Maria app and how to listen in on digital radio.
Readings
The readings are available on Universalis. You can also download it quite cheaply on your phone.
Praying
During the quiet moments of Mass, let’s pray for our own needs and also other people’s.
At Holy Communion, make an Act of Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Let’s build in a moment of reflection after Mass – again, it might be with music.
Some of you asked about the collection…
We are very touched that some of our congregation and friends have contacted us to ask about how to donate while there are no public Masses. First of all, we want to say that we’re acutely aware of how much the pandemic is already hitting jobs and income. So please don’t give what you can’t. And of course many people already give by Standing Order. But if you would like to make a donation, please click here and you can then make it online. Thank you for your generosity.
Keep in touch – drop us an email or call if you need to talk – and IF SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY ILL IN HOSPITAL…
The Sacraments of Holy Communion, Confession and Anointing of the Sick can be brought to anyone who is seriously ill in hospital. Email us via the CONTACT button above, or phone us on 01223 741251.
Keeping you in prayer – pray for us!
Radio Maria information – Apps and Radio
APP FOR SMARTPHONES: download Radio Maria World Family, then click ‘Europe’, scroll down to Radio Maria England, then it will play automatically.
Or on your Digital Radio DAB+ choose: ‘Radio Maria England’ (the radio channels are in alphabetical order). For DAB: Band IIC 220.352 MHz