Services in Soho and Bayswater
At the instance of the Society of St. John Chrysostom there have been two celebrations lately of the Liturgy according to the Byzantine-Slavonic Rite in the temporary chapel of the Eastern Rite at St. Patrick's church, Soho Square.
The celebrant was Fr. F. Wilcock, SJ., who has been staying in England for a few weeks preaching, lecturing and collecting funds for the upkeep of St. George's College, Namur, Belgium, where he is teaching before going to Shanghai.
At each Liturgy Mr. E. Ekisler read the Epistle and Mr. C. Holdsworth and his son assisted in the sanctuary.
At the celebration on Sunday, March 5, a choir composed entirely of Catholics, organised by Count Bennigscn, sang for the first time. It is hoped that in future this choir will sing at the Liturgies arranged by the Society of St. John Chrysostom which in the past has had to rely on orthodox singers.
Russian Boys for the Priesthood
On Wednesday, March 9, Fr. Wilcock gave a lecture to the members of the Society in the temporary chapel of the Eastern Rite on the problems of Eastern Christendom, mentioning a work specially encouraged by the Holy Father of educating and preparing Russian boys for the priesthood in colleges situated in those parts of Europe where Russians have settled after the Revolution.
Fr. C. Bourgeois, Set., another priest of the same Rite, is returning to his mission at Esna in Esthonia. During his visit to this country he has celebrated Liturgies and given lectures in more than 45 convents and seminaries.
At Sion Convent
At the invitation of the Rev. Mother Superior, Fr. Wilcock celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in Slavonic at the Convent of Our Lady of Sion, Chepstow Place, Bayswater, W2, on March 10.
The Responses and Chants, including the Apostolos and Nicene Creed, were sung by Miss Marshall, who has spent considerable time in Rome and has made a study of the Slavonic Chant at the Russian College there.
The Rev. Mother expresses her thanks to the Society of St. John Chrysostom for the loan of ornaments for the celebration.