17 March 2011: Our Lady of Glastonbury

To the Christian, Glastonbury, on the Somerset plain is the cradle of the faith in England. Modern archaeologists show conclusively that it was the site of a Celtic monastery since the fifth century.

There are tales that connect King Arthur to Glastonbury; and evidence this ancient ruler did in fact exist. Among the most fascinating is he is probably buried there.

A few old legends connect Joseph of Arimathea with Glastonbury. A tradition since the eighth century relates St Patrick with Glastonbury. Some stories claim it is his burial place. Great numbers of Irish pilgrims made the difficult journey to visit what they believed to be his tomb.

The Celtic monastery such pilgrims visited was built of wattle and twigs, a collection of huts and tiny chapels, with one larger chapel dedicated to Our Lady. Hermits lived there. Inside the old church had stood a statue of Our Lady that survived a fire. Mary was pictured on the abbey coat of arms and on its seal.

In one representation she is seated holding the child Jesus; in the other, Our Lady holds the child Jesus on one arm and in her other hand, a flowering bush (the Glastonbury thorn), which is symbolic of Mary, Virgin and Mother. A sprig of this bush was thrust into the ground, according to legend, by Joseph of Arimathea.

Glastonbury today includes St Mary’s Chapel, the Benedictine Abbey Church, St Patrick’s Chapel, and the Abbot’s Kitchen. The ruined shell of St Mary’s Chapel stands in silent beauty. It dates from 1186, rebuilt on the original place of the old wattle-and-twig church, the spot held holy as far back as can be determined.

The Abbey Church is from the 13th century. The altar site and King Arthur’s tomb are marked.

An authenticated story relates Queen Philippa, wife of King Edward III presenting a rosary with beads of gold and silver to adorn the statue during her pilgrimage. Glastonbury also developed a special devotion to Joseph, an unusual interest in that time and place.

St Mary’s Church and the Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury are modern and were consecrated in 1941. No one knows what became of the statue of Our Lady of Glastonbury after 1539 [Reformation], but St Mary’s has a beautiful image as represented in the abbey seal.

Ref: Cf Gerald E Sherry, “The Catholic Shrines of Europe”, pp38-41

St Joseph of Arimathea

In the “evening, a rich man, Joseph, also a disciple of Jesus went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb hewn out in the rock. Then he rolled a large stone to the entrance and left. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting opposite ...” (cf Mt 27:57-61)

St Patrick, bishop (385-461) -- Born in Scotland. Pope Celestine sent him to preach the Faith in Ireland. In thirty-three years, he succeeded in converting the whole country (known as “Island of Saints” during the Middle Ages) after heartbreaking difficulties. Patron of Ireland. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1492)

Today, as we thank Our Lord for the gift of faith St Patrick handed on, and resolve to follow his example in our generation, we do so in words (Hymn, “St Patrick’s breastplate” in Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:123) attributed to him:

‘Christ beside me, Christ before me’
‘Christ behind me, Christ within me’
‘Christ under me, Christ over me’
‘Christ to right of me, Christ to left of me’
‘Christ in lying down, Christ in sitting, Christ in rising up’
‘Christ in the heart of every person who may think of me’
‘Christ in the mouth of every person who may speak of me’
‘Christ in every eye that may look on me’
‘Christ in every ear that may hear me.’

• In the year 1095, under Pope Urban II, a council was held at Clermont, in Auvergne, at which the Office of Our Lady was instituted [Council of Clermont]. Foundation of the Abbey of Baumont-les-Toure, by Ingestrude in the year 600. — Gallia Christiana, t. iv. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Institution of Our Lady's Office by Pope Urban II, in the Council of Clermont. 1095. (At this council, Urban II also responded favorably to a request from the Byzantine Emperor for help against an overwhelming Muslim force; Urban II preached the First Crusade, to regain Jerusalem and other territories which had been military conquered by Muslim armies. The Crusade succeeded, and founded a kingdom which survived for two centuries.) Urban II ordered that the town bell be rung three times every day in honor of the triple Angelical Salutation (“Angelus Domini”) to Mary on the Annunciation; the "Angelus" is still a frequent call to prayer in Ireland. Douay Catechism of 1649 explanation. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Institution of Our Lady's Office (1095). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Office of Our Lady Instituted by Pope Urban II (1095). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.htm)
• Mary joins an acolyte to say the office: "A novice, who was very devout to our Lady and a faithful lover of observance, while praying fervently one night after matins, fell into a light sleep at his prayers. It then seemed to him as if a lady of great beauty stood by his side and put her hands on his shoulders. Seeing it was a woman, he called out in alarm: 'My God, how can women have got in here, and at this time of night!' But she soothed him by telling him in a gentle voice who she was, and inviting him to say with her the Little Hours of the Blessed Virgin's Office. He agreed, and began the “Ave, Maria”, while she answered throughout. She seemed to recite her part so sweetly and gently that his heart was stirred wonderfully, more especially as she repeated the versicles after each chapter. As she said the versicle for none, “Elegit eam Deus” (“The Lord hath chosen her”), the tones sounded with such heavenly melody in novice's ears that his whole heart melted, and was rapt in God. She disappeared, and he woke to find himself radiant with a joy he couldn’t control. While preparing to serve as acolyte that morning, the same joy shone so brightly on his countenance that a fellow novice rebuked him for it; and as he could not contain himself for gladness, the other served mass in his stead. As this gaiety was an unusual thing with him, his companion questioned him thereon, and after a long time drew out of him the secret of what he had seen, under strict promise of not letting it be known: that joy lasted for a very considerable time." (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Ireland. (Madonna of Ireland). 1697. Statue at the National Cathedral, in Washington, DC. Essay discussing visit to Our Lady of Ireland Chapel at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Ireland or the Madonna of Ireland (1697). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.htm)