From the "Catholic Who's Who & Year Book 1915" - editor's "Preface", by Sir Francis Cowley Burnand

Continuing our series of excerpts from the century-old Year Book and to specifically complement our earlier posts (here and here) with pointed reference to the unfolding early events of World War I.

Some brief notes:

- A future post will deal more expansively with the passing in 1914, as remarked upon below by Sir Francis, of Mgr Robert Hugh Benson, the priestly author, whose considerable literary legacy is still widely appreciated today, not least through the strong impression that at least one of his works (Lord of the World) has made upon both the reigning pontiff, His Holiness Pope Francis, and his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

- We would also draw attention to the editor's reference to this "most troublous time" in connection, clearly, with the outbreak of World War I in the latter part of that year, a comment of his which informed our earlier post, concerning the surely tasking final months of the production period of the 1915 Year Book. Again, what Sir Francis and Co. achieved in those final stages of 1914, when producing the 1915 volume, should not go unrecognised - even a century later. For who knows how many fallen souls from the early weeks of World War I benefited from the prayers directly prompted by having their names listed in the 1915 Year Book so shortly after their deaths!

Let it continue to be so. And let us continue to pray for – and indeed to, as the case may be! – the souls of all those who are duly name-checked below.

Requiescant in pace.

SEARCHING FOR THE ARCHBISHOP (2) - Re: Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King - Altar Girls (lots)...and Boys (not lots!) back in cassocks and surplices: Notes #2

Strange being almost at the midsummer point of the year and still reporting on the winter – but, as stated, we've had a delay in proceedings.

Anyway, to add to our earlier report of His Grace The Archbishop, the Most Rev. Malcolm McMahon, "genuflecting in the right direction" during the sung Latin Credo of the 2014 (Novus Ordo) Midnight Mass of the Nativity at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, we'll record another positive word about the suddenly improved attire of the regular altar servers at our mother church (albeit a seemingly endless array of girls and the token-presences of clearly bossed-about young boys).

You can find representative images of the cathedral's altar serving team via the following photo link (taken at the 2015 Mass of the Lord's Supper on Maundy Thursday):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpoolcatholic/16468454083/in/album-72157651436631289/

We'd show one here but the photo "sharing" facility within the "Liverpool Catholic" account has been disabled.

From the "Catholic Who's Who & Year Book 1915" - full list of the "Roll of Honour" (56 names); (Deaths, Aug. 23 - Nov. 26, 1914)

The Last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue du Bois by Fortunino Matania depicting Fr Francis Gleeson, British Army Chaplain (mounted, foreground) on the eve of the Battle of Aubers Ridge, May 1915.

We had hoped to publish this list in January. Better late than never, of course, especially concerning prayers for the lost souls of World War I in these commemorative centenary years.

As already adverted to, Liverpolitanus, as well as being a monitor of events in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, England – particularly concerning the local cause of the restoration of Catholic Tradition and the struggle against the rampant Modernism blighting this part of one of the true original heartlands of English Catholicism – is a blog that will be rich on Catholic history (we have some great and rare resources readily available to draw upon).

One such jewel is our collection of volumes of the "Catholic Who's Who and Year Book".

SEARCHING FOR THE ARCHBISHOP (1) - Re: Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King - Midnight (Novus Ordo) Mass (Nativity of the Lord) 2014: Notes #1

As previously stated, if Liverpolitanus is to chronicle the seemingly endless effects of the unrestrained Modernism that has run like poison through the Archdiocese of Liverpool for over 50 years – and to specifically monitor developments from now onwards – it will also look, in charity, and in the interests of unity, for any positives.

However small.

This very post, therefore, is to record one such instance. It came as a welcome surprise and perhaps also an eye-opener for anyone who witnessed the fleeting moment that occurred in the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral early on December 25th, 2014 (our bet is that not many did - and that not too many others have been made aware of it).

But first some context.

"Normal" service resumed

Best laid plans.

This blog started on January 1st, 2015 and then abruptly appeared to cease on the very same day.

Unforeseen circumstances interrupted.

Happily the roadblock is now clear and Liverpolitanus can return - five and a half months later.

Many thanks to those who – perhaps intrigued, or perhaps just stumbling on this parish by accident – have passed by this way since January.

Stay with us.