Receiving Holy Communion: [This] Pontifical Commission would like to point out that the celebration of Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form envisages the reception of Holy Communion while kneeling, as the Sacred Host is laid directly on the tongue of the communicant. There is no provision for the distribution of Holy Communion on the hand in this Form of the Holy Mass.  [From the Secretariat of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei“. Vatican 21/6/2010].

The same Ecclesia Dei Commission has issued a prohibition on the blessing of infants/children with the Sacred Host Itself at the time appointed for the administration of Holy Communion, but also called into question the acceptability of giving any priestly blessing at that moment, even if just the Sign of the Cross.

Therefore, parents are kindly requested to give proper instruction to their children that have not yet made their First Holy Communion to not approach the Altar Rails anymore at this point of Holy Mass, to avoid confusion for the Priest administering the Sacred Host to communicants. Adults should also refrain from coming forward to the altar rails to receive a blessing, as all are blessed collectively after Ite Missa est.

Masses:
Every Sunday 4pm, preceded by confessions 3.15-3.45pm, often available after Mass also.
(Missa Cantata every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month; Low Mass every other Sunday).

Weekday Masses: Wednesday and Friday 7pm, preceded by confessions, 6.15-6.45pm.

Epiphany Water: having been exorcised on the eve of the Epiphany, will be available from a large 50 litre vat this Sunday. In future just ask in the sacristy for this holy water to refill your own bottles from.

Epiphany Chalk: will be blessed after Holy Mass today.
If you have your own, place it with that ready to be blessed.

The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old practice throughout the Catholic world. Not known much in our own country it is an easy tradition to adopt, and a great practice whereby we dedicate our year to God from its very outset, asking His blessing on our homes and on all who live, work, or visit them there.
 The chalking of the doors of a home encourages Christians to dedicate their life at home to God and to others. Seeing the symbols over our doors can help to remind us, while passing in and out on our daily routines, that our homes and all those who dwell there belong to Christ. It also serves as a reminder of welcoming the Magi gave to Jesus. We should strive to be as welcoming to all who come to our homes to visit us!

If you wish your home blessed in the days after Epiphany by Father Doohan, with the newly exorcised water and chalk, please ask, it is a beautiful practice to have our homes frequently blessed by a Priest.
However, the head of the household may also take the blessed Epiphany chalk and write the following above the entrance of your home: 20 + C + M + B + 19.

The letters have two meanings. First, they represent the initials of the Magi — Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar — who came to visit Jesus in His first home. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat: “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross, and the “20” at the beginning and the “19” at the end mark the year. Taken together, this inscription is performed as a request for Christ to bless those homes so marked and that He stay with those who dwell therein throughout the entire year.

Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh blessing: also taking place after Holy Mass in honour of the gifts brought by the Magi to the Babe of Bethlehem. Before Holy Mass please place any gold wedding rings, crucifixes, pious medals etc, with the rest at the entrance of the sanctuary.

The Blessing of Infants and Children: at the conclusion of each Sunday when it is a Low Mass. This is the first occasion we have had to implement this new custom, how auspicious it lands on Epiphany!

“Osculations” (liturgical kissing): The rubrics on the solita oscula (the customary kisses/osculations) given by altar servers to objects or the hand of the celebrant are varied (and although optional, a worthy custom still). Ideally it goes like this:

When giving an object: kiss the object first, then the celebrant’s hand.

When receiving an object: kiss the celebrant’s hand first, then the object.
— When receiving a sacramental, it is kissed first, then the hand.

When receiving Holy Communion from a Bishop, if he presents his ring to be kissed, then kiss first his episcopal ring, then open one’s mouth to receive the Blessed Sacrament.

The solita oscula are a sign that we should have reverence for the priesthood. Priests are as capable of sin as anyone and are not immune to the effects of Original Sin. I am reminded here of the reverence St. Francis showed for priests. The Rev. Thomas G. Morrow explains the story briefly in an excellent article, “The Danger of Criticizing Bishops and Priests”

…he [St. Francis] would never criticize the priests and bishops—even the most lazy and immoral ones—nor would he allow his friars to do so. Once a Waldensian (a type of heretic) challenged Francis on his unshakeable reverence for priests, by pointing out the local pastor who was living in sin. “Must we believe in his teaching and respect the sacraments he performs?”

In response, Francis went to the priest’s home and knelt before him saying, “I don’t know whether these hands are stained as the other man says they are. [But] I do know that even if they are, that in no way lessens the power and effectiveness of the sacraments of God… That is why I kiss these hands out of respect for what they perform and out of respect for Him who gave His authority to them.” His challenger left in silence.

Pray for priests!

Catechists: Conference on Catechetics will take place here at Lawside on Saturday 12th of January, with the hope that the conference will be a “springboard” to “developing more consistent faith formation opportunities”. This is a worthwhile project, and the Latin Mass community should not lose out on the potential this may have to enrich our own development. Anyone willing to attend should speak to Father Doohan, details available.

AD 2019, Year of Re-evangelisation for the Diocese of Dunkeld: In Eastertide there will be a mini-Eucharistic Congress centred around our Cathedral, and in October the arrival of the relics of St Therese of Lisieux to form “bookends” of this dedication. Please pray for the success of the various endeavours and discern how we can contribute to the Diocesan wide project via the Dundee Latin Mass community.

Suggestions: Have you been inspired by the Holy Ghost to contribute your time, talents or thoughts to helping our little community grow in height and depth? Whatever it is, speak to Fr Doohan ninian.doohan@gmail.com.

Gift Aid: You will find on a separate sheet a further request to consider the possibility of participating in tax relief for the donations made to the collection plate. It is important that we make every penny count.

Tea and Coffee:  each week after Mass there is an opportunity to socialise in the former Convent refectory.

Retreat: Septuagesima Retreat at St Mary’s Monastery in Kinnoull (Perth):
Friday 15th of Feb (arriving from 2pm, begin at 6.55pm) to Sunday 17th (concluding with lunch).
Father Peter Morris CSsR will lead the retreat along traditional Alphonsian lines with the Traditional Latin Mass.
The cost of the retreat is £155 per person. There is a 10% discount available, upon application, for students and the unwaged. Please consult the website https://dundeelatinmass.com/ for further details.
We need 15 people to make this retreat happen, it is a unique opportunity not to be repeated soon so near us!

Hospital Chaplain Telephone Line: Ninewells/Royal Victoria/Roxburghe House:  07821 624 124