A Talented Exile

This Feast Day of SS Simon and Jude reminds me of the O.Carm National Shrine of St Jude in Faversham, Kent, a part of the world I have never yet visited.  Reading about the Shrine I was struck by the figure of Adam Kossowski (1905-1986), an artist who did a great amount of work for the Carmelites and indeed for the Catholic Church in England.  Before coming to these shores he was a prisoner of the Soviets from 1939 to 1942.  In the depths of his suffering he had promised God he would serve Him if he found his freedom again.  Those who have visited the O.Carm Shrine at Aylesford will be familiar with his Rosary Way, but he completed many other works for the Friars and provided decorative works for churches and other buildings.  He is actually buried at Aylesford.  The Second World War, terrible though it was, brought us blessings in the shape of so many talented exiles who settled here.    

Intercessions

Pope Leo as he recovers from his operation for cancer.

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Theresa K, Elena

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (in recovery)

Illness:  Katy Keeling, Noreen

David OCDS – housebound

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly