Getting close to Katherine of Aragon

Going to visit Buckden Towers today on behalf of the Seculars.  We are looking for a retreat venue for 2026 because plans for another OCDS Summer retreat at Douai Abbey have fallen through.  Buckden Towers is run by the Claretians, a religious Order named after St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870).  Their official title is the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  The premises have a long and complicated history including a long spell in the possession of the Bishops of Lincoln, but they have been in the possession of the Claretians since 1957.  Queen Katherine of Aragon stayed at the Towers in 1533, and I was intrigued to find the following online: ‘Katherine had taken The Third Order of St Francis; because of this, she wore the habit of St Francis under her royal attire.’  In addition: ‘On every Sunday she received the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Most of the morning was spent in the church at holy service, and after dinner, she read the life of the saint of the day to her maids. And then she returned to the church. While she was at Buckden, the country people began to love her exceedingly. They visited her frequently out of pure respect and she received the daily tokens of regard [with which] they showered her most sweetly and graciously.’  I have often pondered whether Queen Katherine might be a candidate for canonisation.

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon B, Catherine

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – in hospital

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

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

Mark – brain infection

Joy Smith – in hospital

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Martin Gilham, Sue Burton, little Matthew (six years old, died of cancer)