Chapel of St. Thomas More

Today's Mass of Christ the King: Cope.

Chasuble.

Sacristy preparations for post-Mass Adoration and Benediction.

Dear Friends and Family,

Viva Christo Re! Today is the Feast of Christ the King (in the traditional calendar), and I had the blessing of celebrating it twice--at Lanherne and at St. Edward's. For almost a century now Catholics throughout the world have been making (at Pope Pius XI's instigation), every year on this Feast, a solemn consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Immediately following the Mass at Lanherne, I exposed the Blessed Sacrament, and led the congregation in this beautiful prayer. In it, we consecrate not only ourselves and the entire congregation, but also all baptized Christians, all those who do not believe in Christ, and the entire world--consecrating all of them to Our Lord's Sacred Heart. We then chanted a litany to the Sacred Heart, and concluded with benediction.

In Plymouth I led the consecration immediately after the Sermon, and then after Mass had the blessing of leading a "Churching of Women" ceremony, for a young mother who had just given birth a few weeks ago (and whose baby I baptized last week). The ceremony is a good occasion for the mother to give thanks to God for the birth of a child, and a chance to bless mother and child. It involves an opening portion at the entrance to the church. Mother and child are then led by the priest to the front of the church, while the priest chants the Magnificat. Mother kneels with baby before the Blessed Sacrament, and the priest blesses them both. It is a joyful rite to fulfill, and an occasion for all present to pray for young mothers and their babies.

A second great blessing of this past week was the unveiling of the Chapel of St. Thomas More, which I was finally allowed to enter. I had been thinking it would be beautiful, but it was more beautiful than expected! Truly an amazing gift, and one that I am much looking forward to making use of.

Entrance to the chapel...

What is seen immediately upon entering...

Newly made kneelers, with convenient places for books and just the right height, chairs, and a beautiful statues of the Sacred Heart.

The heart of the Chapel... (Blessed Sacrament not yet present). Images of St. Thomas More and Blessed John-Henry Newman.

Our Lady of Sorrows above an old mantle.

The images on the back wall. This one is St. John Fisher.

St. John the Baptist.

St. Cuthbert Mayne.

Truly a wonderful group of saints to be surrounded by while praying. So now you can see where I hope to be spending some of the most important hours of every day.

May Jesus and Mary watch over you and guide you.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari

"Fr. Pillari" or "Fr. Tony"?

While this image may not look exciting to you, it is quite exciting to me! Because I know what lies behind the door, and I should finally be able to enter this week.... The sisters have very generously been building a chapel (turning a room into a chapel), for my use each day for the Divine Office and for quiet adoration, and for the private prayer of priests who will come on retreat. But they asked me a few weeks ago to not enter until it was done, so that I could be surprised by the finished product. It seems that it will be finished this week. Really looking forward to seeing it, and above all to praying in it!

Dear Friends and Family,

Periodically I've been asked the question of how people should address me: "Fr. Pillari"? "Fr. Tony"? "Fr. Anthony"? So I thought I would go ahead an answer in this post, also for the benefit of those in Texas whom I'll be seeing soon.

Also, in case you are interested, an interview I gave was published here: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/priest-who-signed-the-filial-correction-it-was-the-catholic-thing-to-do

Today was a wonderful Sunday. One highlight was the baptism of little Abigail Rose, in Plymouth. There is something particular wonderful about baptizing a little baby, about conveying divine grace, the very life of the Holy Trinity, to her soul. It is a privilege to pray for the parents, to explain to all who come--family members, friends, parishioners--what is about to take place in the traditional rite of Baptism, to help the other children present to pray for the newborn, and then, at the end of the ceremony, to take the baby in my arms, kneel before an image of Our Lady, and consecrate the child to the Immaculate Virgin. After doing so today, I intoned the Salve Regina and had the joy of hearing the church resound (the parish in Plymouth has good acoustics for chant), with this hymn to Our Lady. A wonderful joy...

So, should you call me "Fr. Pillari" or "Fr. Tony"? Traditionally priests belonging to religious orders were called by their first name, whereas diocesan priests were called by their last name. Why is that?

When a man entered religious life he normally received a new first name, to symbolize the fact that, in entering religious life, the man "put off the old man and put on the new" (Cf. Eph 4:22-24, and Col 3:10). From then on, the religious was called by this new name, in place of his old first and last name. Therefore, as a brother, and then as a priest, the religious was always addressed by his (new) first name.

For diocesan priests there was no name change upon entrance into a seminary or upon priestly ordination. Furthermore, diocesan priests hold a particular place in governing on behalf of Christ. Just as a father in a family has a particular role of authority, so also in the Church, in parish life, the diocesan priest has a particular role of authority. As a sign of respect for the grace of the priesthood, and the particular role the diocesan priest plays in the parish and in the Church in general--the role of sanctifying, governing, and preaching the saving Word of Christ--diocesan priests were addressed by their last name.

I find that this traditional practice is particularly helpful in fostering a sense of faith in the grace of Christ present in a diocesan priest. People often feel very close, very quickly, to their priest. There is always a danger that people will focus more on his human personality, gifts or lack thereof, etc. instead of focussing on the presence of Jesus Christ Himself, present in the unimpressive, often flawed, humanity of the priest. Addressing the priest by his last name is in a sense an act of faith, or at least facilitates an act of faith, in who the priest really is, an alter Christus, another Christ.

On a personal note, I will add that I've always felt more inclined to address diocesan priests by their last name, even after I was a priest myself. It just seems to me more natural and fitting.

So, following what is still today the custom for traditional-minded diocesan priests throughout the world, I would recommend the you address me as "Fr. Pillari" because I think this is the best practice, and the one that is the most helpful spiritually. Having said that, I will answer whether you call me "Fr. Pillari" "Fr. Tony" "Fr. Anthony" or "Fr. Moses." For those who knew me as a religious, and called me for years "Fr. Moses" I think it's normal for you to keep addressing me that way when you see me. We could consider it a special nickname. Yet, I think that in general "Fr. Pillari" is best. And for those in Texas, if you use "Fr. Pillari" you can feel that you are not having to change my name from what it was when you knew me before, you are rather simply using now my last name.

Well, on that note, it has been a long day--with a hospital visit included--so I will now turn to prayers and wrapping up for the evening.

May Jesus and Mary watch over you and guide you.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari

Our Lady of Fatima

The green path in the front yard of Lanherne.

Dear Friends and Family,

To those of you in Texas, looking forward to seeing you in just three weeks! Please see the post on RSVP for the pilgrimage.

Two days ago we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the great miracle of the sun at Fatima. What a wonderful, wonderful gift God gave us on that day: to perform such a public miracle for 70,000 to see, and for atheistic newspapers to report on, so that still today anyone who wishes to investigate the truth of what happened has well-substantiated evidence of this great miracle.

To commemorate the anniversary, a two-day conference on Fatima was held in my diocese, at Buckfast Abbey, a beautiful Benedictine abbey located just 90 minutes from Lanherne. For a photo, click here: https://www.buckfast.org.uk . The keynote address was given by Cardinal Burke, followed by excellent talks by top-notch professors and speakers such as Roberto De Mattei, Fr. Thomas Crean, Fr. Serafino Lanzetta, Fr. Marcus Holden, and others. Talks focussed on topics such as Apostasy in the Church, the Five First Saturdays, the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the question of its fulfillment, the teaching on Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory in the apparitions, the Call to Penance and Prayer, and others.

Each morning we began as priests by celebrating quiet low Masses on the various altars in the Abbey. On Friday morning I was blessed to celebrate my 6:15AM Mass on the altar containing the hair shirt worn by St. Thomas More. Then at 7:15 Cardinal Burke would offer a Pontifical Low Mass. It was nice each morning to assist at his Mass, as almost everyone at the conference did. To kneel there as he prayed and offered the Holy Sacrifice. Then each evening we chanted vespers, which was followed by adoration, the rosary, and benediction. About 200 people were in attendance, with about 8 - 10 of us being priests. Perhaps even more than the conferences, it was a blessing to have the opportunities to pray together, and to talk with the others, particularly the priests and the Cardinal, during the breaks, over meals, and in the evenings.

The laity were also a wonderful group to be with. For example Friday evening I had the blessing of having dinner with some of the leaders of SPUC (England's main pro-life group) and Voice of the Family, along with Dr. Cernea and her husband, from Romania. Dr. Cernea is a medical doctor who spoke at the first Synod on the Family in Rome. More interestingly, she has seen first-hand the evil of communism, and experienced it in her own family--her mother and father having suffered terribly at the hands of the communists. In her talk she gave eloquent witness to the need to be willing to suffer for our faith, and to the hidden dangers of a communist mentality in some areas of the west today, and even in the Church. She's a brave lady, and it was a blessing to eat and laugh with her and her husband Friday evening.

Saturday morning I left the Abbey at 5:30 to drive back to Lanherne and celebrate the 8AM Mass here, and then prepare for Sunday's homilies and ministry. This afternoon I had the additional joy of baptizing a little baby girl.

May Jesus and Mary watch over you, guide you, and protect you.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari

For those in Texas--RSVP

To all those in Texas,

Really looking forward to seeing you soon!

We're currently trying to get a rough head count for the Nov. 11th pilgrimage to Shiner. If you haven't already RSVP'd at the email below, and you are planning to come, it would be a real help if you would do so. Here is the pertinent information:

Pilgrimage to Shiner Texas

for the

Holy Souls in Purgatory

Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered by

Fr. Tony Pillari, J.C.L.

The Pilgrimage begins with a rosary novena for repose of the souls of the departed members of your family. The novena is to be prayed in the home, as a family, from Nov. 2^nd – Nov. 10^th. 

At 9AM on Nov. 11^th there will be a tour of the historic painted church of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, followed by time to prepare for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 

The 10AM Missa Cantata for the Feast of St. Martin of Tours will be offered by Fr. Pillari for the repose of the souls of the departed members of your family.

Mass will be followed by a talk or presentation by Fr. Pillari. Feel free to bring your own lunch. Water will be provided. Please RSVP for this event. etc…. To RSVP, providing the number of attendees and names of family members to be remembered in the Mass, or for further information, please email oimmaculata@gvtc.com (deadline for registration is Thursday Nov. 9th).

I hope that many of you can make this offering for the holy souls in purgatory, especially those of your own family. In addition, I will be offering the Holy Sacrifice at St. Mary's Cathedral in Austin, TX, on Sunday Nov. 12th. Information below:

Missa Cantata

Sunday Nov. 12th 3:30PM

 at 

St. Mary's Cathedral

203 East 10th Street

Austin, TX 78701

Extended Reception to Follow

For further information, or to RSVP, please email thebehnkes@gmail.com by Friday Nov. 10th, indicating the number of people who will be attending. 

Week of Study and Prayer in Wales

Chapel on the coast.

Old wooden roof of chapel on the coast.

It was beautiful watching the waves from up here.

Dear Friends and Family,

This past week was spent in solitude--praying and studying on a small farm near the west coast of Wales, just a 10 minute drive from the coast you see in the photos above. It was indeed blessed week, so thank you for your prayers! Being alone with God is so refreshing for me, in body and soul. This past week helped me become more deeply aware of how good God is, how truly wonderful He is, and of how miserable, weak, and sinful I am. There's a real peace and joy that comes from being more deeply aware of both of these things.

A few days of the week I drove to the national park you see in the photos above and spent time hiking the coast for an hour or so, or simply sitting on top of the "Mynt"--("mountain" in Welsh, I am told)--where the last photo above was taken from. It was wonderful to sit there and listen to the waves crashing on the shore, and to watch the powerful rhythm of them throwing foam and mist high into the air, as they broke upon the rocks. I looked out over the ocean, which from that height appeared to be relatively calm and still. And yet the water was moving powerfully all throughout the ocean, but only broke the surface visibly in these powerful waves crashing upon the shore. I thought of how God's action in the soul is so much like that. The vast majority of the time He is acting powerfully but very quietly, where we don't see Him or feel Him tangibly. But if we turn our hearts towards His hidden, powerful presence, then our souls can be moved by Him and, when the time is right--according to His perfect will--He can cause powerful "waves of His grace" to burst forth externally.

I sat there for some time admiring the beauty and sound of the waves breaking, and also contemplating the lush green fields along the coast, dotted with cows or sheep. And I watched some seagulls (or some type of white birds), flying over the waters along the coast, gliding peacefully far above the waves. So many beautiful sights to help the mind think of the beauty and majesty of God, and of all He has done for us on the earth, and of all that He does in our souls.

I also did some jogging along country roads, but mostly I was happy to stay put all day in the home at the farm, praying and studying. And this past week involved a lot of studying. I read through, and took notes on, the almost 700 page treatise of St. Robert Bellarmine on the papacy. It was quite interesting and should be helpful for the doctoral dissertation. To give you just one small quote, at one point he says this:

“Just as it is licit to resist the Pontiff that aggresses the body, it is also licit to resist the one who aggresses souls or who disturbs civil order, or above all, who attempts to destroy the Church. I say that it is licit to resist him by not doing what he orders and by preventing his will from being executed; it is not licit, however, to judge, punish or depose him, since these acts are proper to a superior.” (De Romano Pontifice, Book II, chapter 29)

A key section of his analyzed a previous treatise written by the famous Cajetan around 1500. I will need to also read what Cajetan wrote, but his book is very hard to find. Thankfully, two priest-friends located a copy in the Blackfriars convent at Oxford. So Saturday, on my way back to Lanherne, I stopped by Oxford to consult the book there, and to make some copies of the important sections.

Blackfriars' reading room where I was able to consult the book.

Blackfriars' chapel.

I must say that the architecture at Oxford helps bring you back to the middle ages! It was a beautiful library to read in, and was even more beautiful walking down the old streets. I will likely need to return at some point to access the library for research, and hope to then plan an overnight trip in order to also study a bit the historic town.

But it is wonderful to now be back at Lanherne. God has blessed me far more than I deserve with this place so favorable to prayer.

May Jesus and Mary guide you and watch over you, and grant you this Friday a blessed celebration of the 100th anniversary of the miracle of the sun at Fatima!

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari