The Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Brompton Oratory - How Divine Providence leaves nothing to chance

Many would agree that the liturgical standards at the London Oratory are amongst the highest in Christendom. But, in concentrating on the liturgy, we often forget that the sermons preached at the Oratory are also very impressive. In fact, Fr Patrick Doyle's homily at this evening's Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Brompton Oratory was one of the best examples of Catholic preaching I have heard. It concentrated on the wonderful and Providential symbolism that surround the dates associated with Our Lord's Incarnation and Crucifixion. It also reflected on the three gifts which Christ left humanity on this evening: the Mass, the Priesthood and the Blessed Sacrament.

Fr Doyle began this evening's sermon by reminding us that 25 December was the date of Our Lord's birth - even if modern doubters think otherwise. Nothing is left to chance in the history of our salvation, and God would have willed that Jesus (meaning "God saves") be named on the first day of the year - eight days after the Nativity. The Holy Name was to be revealed to the world at a significant time - the beginning of the secular calendar. Of course, knowing that Our Lord was born on 25 December we can trace back the date of the Annunciation, when he was conceived, to 25 March (nine months earlier). This is the day that Jesus Christ "came down from Heaven" (cf . The Nicene Creed), and the day that the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear the Saviour of the world.

We all know that the Annunciation is kept on 25 March, but it might have escaped our notice that according to the Roman Martyrology it is also the feast of St Dismas - also known as the "Good Thief". Dismas, whilst hanging on the Cross next to Our Lord, was canonised by Jesus himself - who said to him, "Today, you will be with me in Paradise". According to the ancient tradition of the Church (East and West) the Crucifixion (the first Good Friday) happened on 25 March - which is why St Dismas is commemorated on this date. We see then, that Our Lord descended from Heaven on the same date as he secured Heaven for all - beginning with the thief who was to die next to him.

Our Lord died on the third month of the third year of his third decade - the number three, of course, being significant because it reminds us of the Trinity. Fr Patrick Doyle went on to teach us that the number three is linked to the Passion narrative in several ways. Of course, we know that Our Lady was present at the Annunciation, Nativity and Passion of her Son; but three other names were made present again at the Passion, reminding us of three persons who were linked to the Annunciation and Nativity.

The first name that has links to both narratives is Joseph - the first being Joseph the Carpenter, Jesus' adoptive father, whilst the second was Joseph of Arimathea, who laid Jesus' body in the tomb. Both would have bound Our Lord in linen cloths - the first as a father looking after his baby son, and the second as a father-figure laying his friend to rest. The other name that is recalled at the Passion is John. The only Disciple to have stayed at the foot of the Cross, with Our Lady, was John, the "Beloved Disciple". His presence reminds us of John the Baptist, whose conception was revealed to Mary by the Archangel Gabriel during the Annunciation. This brings us to the last person whom Fr Doyle told us was recalled during Our Lord's Passion. The name Gabriel means "Strength of God", which suggests that he was the angel that came down from Heaven, appearing to Christ and "strengthening him" in the Garden of Gethsemane (cf. Luke 22:43).

Three is also significant as a number, for it reminds us of the three gifts that Our Lord left us during the Last Supper - which we recall today, Maundy Thursday. The first gift that Jesus gave us is the Mass, in which his perfect Sacrifice is made present. Of course, on the day following the Last Supper, Our Lord became the bloody victim of the Cross. That awesome Sacrifice is made real and present on our altars every time we celebrate the Holy Mass. So, Jesus instituted the Mass on this day, underwent the Sacrifice of Calvary the following day, and granted that this great moment of salvation should be present for all time in the Eucharist.

Our Lord instituted the Priesthood on this day, too, without which he could not be made present on our altars. Jesus is the High Priest of the New Covenant - and all priests share in this one ministry of his. As unworthy as priests so often are, it is only through their generosity in following God's call that Jesus is able to exercise his Priesthood amongst us.

Our Lord also gave us the Blessed Sacrament on this evening - through which he is present with us in all the tabernacles throughout the world. It is in this way, too, that he comes to us as food to eat - powerfully uniting us to him and filling us with his presence. He who bowed down to wash his Disciples' feet, now stoops down to feed us with his Body and Blood.

Fr Doyle ended this evening's homily by asking us to be aware of the great mystery which is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He also asked us to pray for more priests. Finally, he invited us to spend time with Our Lord at the Altar of Repose, to watch with him in Gethsemane - where we will surely be joined by the Archangel Gabriel.

I hope that you managed to spend time with Our Lord this evening, and that the Archangel Gabriel will strengthen you in all your trials and as you continue to carry your daily crosses.

[Image: The Altar of Repose at the Brompton Oratroy - in the distance (St Wilfred's Chapel). This image was discreetly taken from underneath the Choir gallery. The Lady Chapel - the first to be stripped after the High Altar - is to the immediate right]