Online booking opens for the November Retreat

Online registration is now open for our November Retreat, which will take place between 7th-9th November at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Boars Hill, Oxford. This was the venue for our first two Retreats in 2017 and 2018. Fr Rupert Allen Cong Orat has very kindly agreed to be our chaplain on this occasion.

We have a number of projects to tackle, including completing a Low Mass Set for the Guild of St Clare's own use. We will also be using the Pelican Cope for the first time; this splendid vestment has recently been restored on our behalf by Ancilla Vestments, thanks to the generosity of many benefactors.

The November Retreat is always oversubscribed, so please don't delay booking if you would like a place. For more information, click here and here.

Launch of the Belfast Chapter: Report

 Lucy writes: Saturday, 10th May saw the inauguration of the Belfast Chapter, based at the ICKSP church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was a most moving experience for me to see at first hand the powerful effects of the zeal of the Canons for their community.

Chapter Leader, Catherine Gallagher, at work on a red lamé stole

The new Chapter begins its work in the context of a complete refurbishment of the church, which previously belonged to Presbyterians. 

There is a great deal of work to be done; some of the vestments and altar furnishings are really magnificent.

I particularly fell for this superb black velvet pall, embellished with memento mori and winged hourglasses. 

It's in good condition except for the lining, which has a few holes in it, and some damage to the appliqué motifs.

The Chapter is led by Catherine Gallagher; she already has a strong nucleus of committed volunteers, some of whom have exceptional skills.

I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of the journey between my home in Oxfordshire and Belfast, and hope to visit the new Chapter regularly. I experienced the true Irish hospitality during my visit, and am already looking forward to sampling it again.

Restoration of the Pelican Cope

 Lucy writes: It's exactly a year since I ran the Oxford Town & Gown 10k, and thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our benefactors, the restoration of the Pelican Cope is now complete.

The embroidery on the Cope was in good condition, but the fabric of the main body of it was noticeably mildewed.

It took time to source satin of the right quality and colour to match the hood and orphreys. Once this was done, we commissioned Ancilla Vestments to undertake the re-making of the Cope on the Guild's behalf.

The names of all the individual benefactors are on a label, stitched inside the lining of the Cope. A visible label asks for prayers for them.

The Cope will be used at all our Retreats; we will also loan it out occasionally. The benefactors who made its restoration possible can be sure that they will often be remembered at the altar, whenever it is used.

Special thanks go to Ancilla vestments for making such a magnificent job of it; and of course, we continue to feel heartfelt gratitude to our many benefactors. We will remember them in our prayers.

Launch of the Oxford Students Chapter

 Lucy writes: In a very busy month for the Guild of St Clare, we are marking an exciting first: the launch of a Chapter organised by students. The Dominicans at Blackfriars, Oxford have most kindly agreed to host this new group, which will meet monthly at weekends.

The annual LMS pilgrimage to Oxford, which takes place at Blackfriars

The leader of the Chapter is Dorothea Shaw (a near relation of mine: in fact, my oldest daughter) who is in her third year of Classics at Jesus College, Oxford. Her fellow volunteers are also Oxford undergraduates, but the Chapter is open to any young person studying in Oxford, at any of the many centres of learning there.

Dorothea has been a regular participant at the Guild of St Clare Sewing Retreat

The first meeting is on Sunday, 18th May at 1pm, and I will be there to meet the young people and introduce them to the art of vestment mending. For more information, or to join the Chapter, email Dorothea at gosc.oxfordstudents@lms.org.uk

Launch of the Belfast Chapter

Lucy writes: I'm thrilled to announce the launch of the Belfast Chapter, which will have its home at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary where the Institute of Christ the King has its apostolate.

The Leader of the new Chapter is Catherine Gallagher, who, as well as being a mother of nine (one of her sons is in seminary) and grandmother, is also a practising doctor. She and her husband Owen (also a doctor) are strong supporters of the Catholic community in Belfast. The Chapter is therefore in the most capable of hands, and the Guild of St Clare is extraordinarily fortunate to have the support of such an experienced (and busy!) volunteer.

The launch of the Chapter is on Saturday, 10th May; the meeting will take place after the 11am Mass. I will be there for the occasion and am looking forward with enormous excitement to meeting the Chapter members and to seeing the church. It will be my first visit to Belfast, and I'm delighted to be making my acquaintance with the great city on such an auspicious occasion.

For more information about the Chapter, or to volunteer, you can email Catherine on gosc.belfast@lms.org.uk .

Rest in Peace, Holy Father

 Lucy writes: It was a privilege to attend a Requiem Mass for His Holiness, Pope Francis, on the very evening of the day of his death, at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane. The Mass was organised by the Latin Mass Society and celebrated by Fr Alan Robinson. The magnificent music was provided by the Southwell Consort.

Catafalque surmounted by the papal zucchetto; photo by Joseph Shaw

Pope Francis had no love for the traditional Mass, and the restrictions he placed on it caused many of those attached to it great pain. It was therefore doubly impressive and consoling to see the church packed with faithful Catholics on this occasion, come to pay the Pope their final respects and to pray for his soul.

The black cushion on which the white zucchetto rests was made by the Guild of St Clare

O God who, in thine unspeakable providence, wast pleased to number among the supreme pontiffs Francis, thy servant: grant, we beseech thee, that he who on earth was vicar of thine only-begotten Son, may for evermore have place among the holy bishops who in heaven reign with thee.

Sponsorship Award 2025: invitation for applications

The Guild of St Clare is delighted to invite applications for our annual sponsorship scheme, an award which provides 50% of the fees for the Royal School of Needlework Certificate Course. 

Jacobean Crewelwork, by James Surry, our first Sponsorship winner

The Royal School of Needlework is an international centre of excellence for hand embroidery, and the skills it teaches are essential to the work of vestment making and repairs. The Certificate Course is a flexible course which can be completed at a pace to suit each student. It teaches four core techniques: Jacobean Crewelwork, Silk Shading, Goldwork and a choice of either Canvaswork or Blackwork. It is taught in various locations across the UK: at the main teaching apartments at Hampton Court Palace and also at satellites in Bristol, Durham, Rugby and Glasgow.

Jacobean Crewelwork by our 2020 Sponsorship winner, an anonymous religious

The skills that students learn during the course of their studies at the Royal School of Needlework are essential to the art of making vestments, and are of invaluable use in vestment mending also. 

Canvaswork by our 2020 Sponsorship winner

As a condition of acceptance, successful candidates must take part in at least one Guild of St Clare Sewing Retreat each year.

Jacobean Crewelwork by Miranda de Burgh, 2023 winner

The deadline for applications is 22nd June, and interviews will be held during July. More information, including details on how to apply, can be found here. If you have any questions email Lucy on guildofstclare@lms.org.uk. 

Guild of St Clare class at the Royal School of Needlework