Today is an important festival in this country – the feast of St John Fisher and St Thomas More, beheaded by King Henry VIII in 1535. Rosary 0930, Mass 1000 followed by Exposition, Mass 1800. It’s particularly special in our diocese (where the fundraising campaign for the canonisation was spearheaded in the 20s and 30s), because St John Fisher was Bishop of Rochester which is now within the territory of the Catholic diocese – hence the large number of parishes and schools dedicated to both saints. A couple of decades ago Pope St John Paul II made St Thomas More patron saint of politicians.
I had a great time in Rome and will be reflecting about the conference in due course. I was able to remember you in my prayers mostly at the wonderful basilica of San Clemente (home of the Irish Dominicans) which was opposite the hotel where I was staying. My time in Rome was lengthened courtesy of EasyJet.
God bless and take care
Fr Ashley
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