Retreat Day – Saturday 8th November 2025 led by Fr Darren Maslen SSS
Theme ‘Preparing the Eucharistic Way: Echoes of the Eucharist in the Old Testament for Today’.
Jubilee Year of Hope – Series of Talks
Monday 24th November 7pm: Is Beauty in the Eye of the beholder? Fr Patrick Van der Vorst (Precentor, Westminster Cathedral).
Monday 8th December 7.15pm: Reaching the Margins. Gail Williams (Centre Manager of St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre).
This Week
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
9/11/2025
Ways of Gentleness and Paths of Peace
1. I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love:
the love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
that lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
the love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
the love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
2. And there’s another country I’ve heard of long ago,
most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
we may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
and soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
and her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.
Cecil Spring-Rice (1859-1918) wrote the words of this hymn in the early part of the 20th century. He served the British government in various overseas postings. Although he was well travelled in this world, the words of the hymn suggest that he had a clear understanding of another world/another country. He journeyed towards that other country at the relatively young age of 58.
This hymn may seem overtly patriotic and sentimental, and I suppose it can be read in that way. On the other hand, its mention of the King of the other country, and its concentration on sacrificial love surely leads us to Christ, the Prince of Peace. As such, it is an appropriate hymn for Remembrance Sunday, when we honour those who gave their lives in war: ‘for your tomorrow we gave our today.’ (From the Kohima Epitaph)
The tune is the beautiful ‘Thaxted’ by Gustav Holst (1874-1934). It made its first appearance in the ‘Jupiter’ movement of his popular orchestral suite ‘The Planets’.
Father Daniel
Readings at Mass Today
First Reading
Psalm
Second Reading
Gospel
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