Derry has got through
to the All-Ireland quarter-final
and we’re all heading off
to Dublin for the day
to watch the match
against Cork.

First stop, early morning Mass
at Newry
where Latin Mass is offered up
in a wee chapel
that is filled to capacity
with people of all ages
who have a deep devotion
to the traditional Catholic faith.

As prayers are intoned
before Mass
I offer up my Rosary
and my Mass
for a special intention –
that our wee family may enjoy
a happy day out together
at the Derry-Cork match
in Dublin.

An inspiring sermon
from our priest,
a deep sense of peace
during the Mass
and, during the Consecration,
a deep sense
of being loved by God.

I place our day in Dublin
in the hands of God.

On our way to the match
I stumble
and as I sit by the roadside
nursing a badly-sprained ankle
I can’t help but think that,
for reasons best known to Himself,
this is all part of God’s plan.
(Sure how could it be anything else,
after all those prayers?)

I spiritually shrug my shoulders
as one of Mammy’s well-known sayings
springs to mind –
“Take it as the hand of God.”

Our son escorts me
as I limp back to the car
but, despite everything,
we really do have
a lovely family day out
in Dublin.

I spend the rest of the week
hopping about the house
on crutches,
feeling like Long-John Silver.
And all the time
I’m convinced
that I’m being held
in the palm of God’s hand.

I pray for a happy family day out
and I get a sprained ankle …
Isn’t life funny sometimes?
And isn’t God amazing??

Ps – in case you’re wondering,
Derry got through to the semi-final!

© Claire Murray, 2nd July 2023

It’s an early start for us today
and we groan
when the alarm clock rings
and we clamber out of bed.

First,
early morning Latin Mass
in Newry
in a pretty wee chapel
filled with faces
of people we don’t know
(yet!)
We enjoy the added bonus
of a wee girl making
her First Holy Communion –
such a special, blessed
and happy day!

After coffee in Newry,
a wander around the hills
at Grange
(sun hats, sun cream
and bottles of cool water
to quench our thirst).

A startled lizard
darts across the road
and seeks shelter
under my boot!
I lift my foot gently
and step lightly away.

Butterflies flutter by
and a lone buzzard cruises
in blue skies overhead.
A sleepy collie snoozes
in the shade
and lambs watch curiously
as we pass by.

A sense of God all around.

A picnic back at our car
followed by 99’s
by a glittering, blue sea.

Finally,
home again in Belfast
with just enough time for a snooze
before tea!

Thank you, Lord,
for a wonderful, summer’s day,
filled with faith, family
and sunshine.

How perfect is that!
(Definitely worth today’s early rise!)

© Claire Murray, 3rd June 2023

A bad coughing fit strikes
just before Communion
and I have to leave Mass
unexpectedly.

Outside our wee chapel
I stand among the cars,
looking up at Divis Mountain
as I wait for my coughing fit
to cease.

And as I stand there
something that Mother Angelica said
in one of her TV broadcasts
springs to mind.

Mother Angelica said,
that she knew the answer
to the question posed
in the spiritual hymn,
Were you there
when they crucified
my Lord?

She reckoned
that her personal answer was –
‘Yes!
Every morning
when I go to Mass.’”

This makes a lot of sense
to me.

And so,
standing outside
among the parked cars,
I silently give thanks to God
for keeping this cough at bay
long enough
for me to be able to stay at Mass
during the Consecration.
Long enough
for bread and wine
to be transformed
into the body and blood
of my Lord.

Okay,
so today I wasn’t blessed
with being able to receive
the precious body and blood
of Christ.
But I was blessed
with being able to stay at Mass
long enough to be able to say,
“I was there
when they crucified
my Lord.”

How wonderful is that?

© Claire Murray, 30th March 2023

Our chapel is tiny
and it’s in the basement
of a shop.
But every Sunday
our wee chapel
is filled to capacity
with people
who wish to celebrate
the holy sacrifice of the Mass
in Latin –
just the way
that it was passed down to us
from the early days
of the Church.

Ancient, reverent
and precious.

And in our wee chapel
with its simple, faded furnishings
Our Blessed Lord
becomes truly present
each week
and we see Him
raised on high
at the Consecration.

In the words of
Father Robert Brucciani,
“The most beautiful thing
this side of heaven.”

Really,
who could ask for more?

© Claire Murray, 13th March 2023

I’m trying to learn Credo III
to sing at Latin Mass.
It’s the hardest song
I’ve tried to learn …
ever!

I’m struggling.

Gregorian chant-style.
Nearly five minutes long
and yet no verses, no chorus,
no timing
and, in fact,
no pattern at all
that I can see.

Yikes!!!

Twenty five years
of church folk group music
simply have not prepared me
for this.

Have you ever found yourself
trying to walk behind a crowd
of tiny children
as they jostle and play
in front of you?
The children are totally unpredictable
and you have absolutely no idea
where they’re going next.
Well, learning Credo III
is a lot like that!

Then Mammy springs to mind.
Mammy recently received
her gold Fáinne
for speaking Irish fluently.
She was in her mid-eighties
at the time
and got that gold Fáinne
through determination
and sheer hard work.
If Mammy is capable of that
there’s no way
that I can let Credo III
to get the better of me!

And so here I sit
in the kitchen
while the spuds are on,
with a sheet of music
in my hand
and YouTube on my phone.
I’m going to master this Credo III.
Do you know why?
Because I have that same determination
that Mammy has!

Credo III, here I come!

© Claire Murray, 15th March 2023

Every single week
as I take my seat
at Latin Mass
one word springs to mind –
“authentic”.

The chapel I go to
is the simplest of chapels.
You won’t find any finery here
but what you will find
are all the essentials
for Holy Mass –
seats for the congregation,
an altar for the holy sacrifice
of the Mass,
altar rails for us to receive
Holy Communion,
Stations of the Cross and statues
to inspire us.

Nobody is drawn here
by grandeur
and yet every Sunday
this tiny chapel
is packed,
filled to capacity
by a devout congregation
that is steeped
in our Catholic faith.

In this tiny, cramped,
crowded chapel
we receive the Body of Christ,
truly present,
and we listen to the teaching
of the Holy Catholic Church
given to us
without compromise.

As I take my seat
on a simple, plastic chair,
the word “authentic”
springs to mind
and I give thanks to God
for bringing me
to this Latin Mass
celebrated simply, authentically
and uncompromisingly
every Sunday.

© Claire Murray, 24th November 2022

This year for Christmas
we do something completely different –
we go to vigil Mass in Latin …
at midnight!

Everything about it
is special.
Beginning with driving to Mass
along deserted streets.
Then carols during the blessing
of the crib.
Followed by the mystery and wonder
of the Mass
celebrated with great reverence
in Latin.

A sense of Christmas expectation,
a sense of community,
a sense of shared faith,
a sense of being in a church
that feels like home.

Then, as we leave,
something very unexpected happens –
a young man shakes my hand.
The first handshake
in almost two years.
A simple, Christ-like gesture
from someone who chooses
to live life in faith
rather than in fear.
I feel like I’ve been given
a very special Christmas present!

Midnight Mass in Latin –
wonderful (literally!)
Such a perfect way
to celebrate Christmas!

© Claire Murray, Christmas 2021

It’s time for the Consecration
at Latin Mass.
The bell has rung,
and the organ has stopped playing.
The priest stands at the altar,
bowed low
as he prays over the host.
The servers and the congregation
all kneel.

Silence all around
as everyone waits.

The bell rings again
and the priest raises his hands
as he holds the body of Christ
on high
for all to see.

I glance up at the body of Christ
before bowing my head
in the very real presence of Jesus,
my God.

In my mind
I say a silent prayer
of welcome
before explaining to Jesus,
“I believe, Lord,
but I don’t understand.”

I’m acutely aware
that I don’t need to understand –
I simply need
to believe.

And I do, indeed, believe
that a miracle takes place
on the altar
during every single Mass
as Jesus becomes truly present
before us.

Whether I’m in a beautiful church
or in a basement
I say a silent prayer of welcome
as I explain to Jesus
that I believe,
even though I don’t understand.

© Claire Murray