New Missal in Canada - Photos of this weekend's Cathedral Dedication Anniversary - The Pope's Trip to the UK

Today is Labour Day, a transition day as the lazy, hazy days of summer become memories and give way to the activity of the approaching academic and pastoral years

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THE NEW ROMAN MISSAL IN CANADA

From time to time, because of my service on the Vox Clara Committee, I am asked about the status of Canada's use of the new Roman Missal. Recently there was some news on this front, to wit:

The Bishops of Canada have been informed that the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has now received from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS) recognitio (confirmation, authorization) for use of the new Roman Missal in Canada.

However, the CCCB is still awaiting confirmation from the CDWDS regarding proposed adaptations requested for Canada, which the bishops have submitted, as well as the proposed Proper Liturgical Calendar for the Dioceses of Canada (for example, when to celebrate Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Saint Alfred Bessette [Brother Andre] and other such matters).

Apart from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, all the other English-language Conferences of Bishops are also awaiting confirmation of their respective adaptations and liturgical calendars.

The CDWDS has indicated that their staff is working through the remaining requests by Episcopal Conferences as quickly as they can.

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157th ANNIVERSARY OF NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL'S DEDICATION

At the Lord's Day Masses this weekend at the basilica, we celebrated the Anniversary of the Cathedral's Dedication on September 4, 1853 as a Solemnity.

There were many visitors and incoming university students from out of town (residents of Drummondville, Gatineau, Kitchener, Montreal, Toronto, Waterloo, Winnipeg are some I met) as well as people from out of the country (citizens of England, France, India, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, USA are some that I recall) who worshipped with the regular congregation.

Thus, there were quite a few photo ops after the Masses. Herewith a small selection of those taken:







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THE POPE'S VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM

The Holy Father's Pastoral Voyage to England and Scotland is drawing near (September 16-19). He will meet with Catholics there but also with civic and religious leaders.

As well, Benedict XVI in his talks and homilies will address the challenges to believers in an increasingly secularized and post-Christian society. Finally, he will beatify John Henry Cardinal Newman.

It seems to me that the potential for pastoral fruitfulness is great and that there are risks as well. Those who wish to do so are invited to join me in a novena of prayer for God's blessing on this trip beginning tomorrow, September 7 and extending to September 15.

O God, who in your providential design willed that your Church be built upon blessed Peter, whom you set over the other Apostles, look, we pray, on Benedict our Pope and grant that he whom you have made Peter's successor, may be for your people a visible source and foundation of unity in faith and of communion. Through our Lord.