Arthur...

I was grieved to learn moments ago of the passing of Mr Arthur Crumly, former principal Master of Ceremonies for the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales. I met him a few times at Spanish Place and was first introduced to him by someone in my old parish. I say grieved but it is perhaps something else than that. Perhaps the poignant feeling one gets when one reads of something that changes the world, certainly giving one perspective. Truly my heart goes out to his friends, relatives and other loved ones in sympathy at this time.

In the past week I have given very serious thought to how this blog has degenerated into petty squabbling and nastiness, which is not and never was the raison d'être of my endeavour here. My convictions have not changed though I feel compelled to humbly beg the forgiveness of those whom I have offended in the impetuosity of my anger and frustration in many of my posts. This blog was started in order to shed a new light on the Traditionalist movement and to demonstrate how, in sundry ways, the Church in the West has failed over the centuries to cultivate the liturgical tradition by the cancers of Ultramontanism and the Roman obsession with completeness and legalism. To utter a cliché Mr Crumly's death is in a certain sense the ''end of an era.'' Maybe it's time for me to move on and to remember that all men, whatever their disposition, shall fare alike on the Day of Judgement. I shall certainly pray for the repose of Mr Crumly's soul. I would be grateful if anyone informs me of his funeral arrangements. Please forgive this halting note.

I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee.

I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit: for they rest from their labours.

Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.