A commemorative Mass was celebrated on 30 June at the Gosberton Chapel for the anniversary of Prince-Abbot Joseph III, which falls the following day. In his homily, the Prince-Abbot called to mind the symbolism of the Crown of Thorns and the sacrifices and ministry of Prince-Abbot Joseph III.

The Prince-Abbot before the statue of St Louis in the Chapel

Archbishop Douglas Lewins, GCCT, Senior Chaplain of the San Luigi Orders for the United Kingdom

During the service, Archbishop William Myers of the Old Roman Catholic Church in America was admitted to the rank of Knight in the Order of the Crown of Thorns.

The Prince-Abbot reads the commission to the knight expectant

The diploma of appointment is presented to the new knight

Archbishop Myers presented the Prince-Abbot with Knighthood in the Order of the Precious Blood, the award of merit of the Old Roman Catholic Church in America, as well as that church’s Medal of Friendship.

Prayer was offered for all members of the San Luigi Orders past and present during the service. The Mass was followed by a dinner for the clergy and their guests.

The Prince-Abbot has been presented with several commemorative medals of the Royal House of Thailand. They were presented for “outstanding work for the progress of mankind through peace education” by the former Advisor of the President of the Committee for Private Education of the National Assembly.  In Thailand, it is customary for these medals to be worn by members of the civil service and the armed forces.

The medals presented were the Commemorative Medal for the 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), 2007; Commemorative Medal on the Occasion of the 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary of H.M. Queen Sirikit, 2004; Commemorative Medal for the Investiture of H.R.H. Prince Vajiralongkorn as Crown Prince, 1972. Each of the medals was first issued on an earlier date, but this presentation was made in December 2012.

The photograph of Bishop Harry Brewster Carpenter above was taken on 1 April 1978, when he attended a consecration service.

Harry Carpenter was consecrated bishop by Prince-Abbot Edmond II assisted by Archbishop Emile Rodriguez y Fairfield on 15 November 1963, and was given the title Mar Veritas. For a time he served as Chancellor of the Order of the Crown of Thorns.

Carpenter, who supplemented his living from the church as owner of a print shop, was attached to a small cathedral in Las Vegas, Nevada, established by the Syro-Malabar Church under Mar Anthony Devan in the 1930s. Mar Anthony came from India to the United States as a result of the activity of the Church of England in attempting to convert his co-religionists to what had become the state church in British India. He sought to find members of the Mar Thoma churches living in the United States and having done so, established the American Eastern Orthodox Church around 1940. Mar Anthony consecrated Thomas Martin, who succeeded him as head of the jurisdiction, but on Martin’s death in 1979 the church became inactive.

Our Archive includes a black silk cape of office that was gifted to Bishop Carpenter by Prince-Abbot Edmond I. At a later service of commemoration, Bishop Carpenter was directed to wear this cape “to honour the memories of those who pioneered our cause”. One of those commemorated at the service was Archbishop Frederick E.J. Lloyd.

Carpenter died on 21 May 1986.

24 January 1854 – 1 July 1929

Memory Eternal!

This photograph from 9 May 1948 shows Prince-Abbot Edmond I (far right) presiding at a ground-breaking for the Episcopal Church. The Prince-Abbot served ministries of the Episcopal Church for many years, and came out of retirement for this event. It can be seen that he is wearing the insignia of the Order of the Crown of Thorns.

The word Apostle means a messenger. The Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ were the messengers He sent throughout the world to tell all mankind the glad tidings, the good news of the Gospel.

Ordinary men from the fishing crafts of small inland seas, from the tax-collectors’ benches, from the homes of the less than middle class, they were normally destined for obscure lives and unhonored graves.

But they met the Saviour of the world. He spoke the compelling words, “Come, follow me.” They could have ignored His invitation and returned to their nets, to their coins, to their mediocrity. Wisely they accepted His invitation. They lived for three years with the Master, received from Him incredible power and authority, and went out to be His spokesmen.

Among this historic Twelve the least known was the Apostle Jude. Today however he is loved and honored by millions, who call him the Saint of the impossible.

In his honor we pray:

God, Who through Thy blessed Apostle Jude hast brought us into the knowledge of Thy Name, grant that by advancing in virtue we may set forth his everlasting glory, and by setting forth his glory we may advance in virtue. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Relics of St Jude in the possession of the Abbey-Principality, originally the gift of Mar Georgius of Glastonbury

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is the most direct ecclesiastical descendant of the church responsible for the consecration of Prince-Abbot Joseph III (Archbishop Joseph René Vilatte) in 1892.

In 1987, the consecrator of the present Prince-Abbot, Archbishop Professor Bertil Persson OCR, wrote to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church concerning this consecration. The reply he received from Bishop Paulose Athanasius of that church is reproduced below, and as will be seen affirms the details of the consecration of Prince-Abbot Joseph III as well as the status of his principal consecrator, Mar Julius (Alvares).

In order to silence any doubt that might remain as to this matter, a member of the Order of the Crown of Thorns sought confirmation of the information conveyed in the above letter, and received the following reply from the Metropolitan Policarpos Geevarghese:

It will be seen that these letters are clear and self-explanatory as to the position of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.