Chesterton Knew The Importance of Ecumenical Dialogue

Chesterton Knew The Importance of Ecumenical Dialogue

Sunday 25 July 2021

Bishop to Preach on the Hundredth Anniversary of GK Chesterton's Conversion

Watch this very special announcement at the 11th Annual GK Chesterton Pilgrimage. Please Share. For next year's Pilgrimage details see; https://www.facebook.com/events/365152871733972/

In a letter from Bishop David Oakley, the new Bishop of Northampton, his Lordship said, “Please be assured of my support for the important work that you are engaged in. It is good that the [Catholic GK Chesterton] Society is promoting the work of this important contributor to Catholic thinking in the twentieth century. And of course, that you are engaged in the promotion of Chesterton’s Cause. Please know of my prayers for the Society and all you are doing at this time.

The date of Saturday, 30th July 2022 is now firmly in the diary here, and I would be delighted to preach at the Mass.”

For details of the Pilgrimage and for copies of the GK Chesterton Prayer see; Home (catholicgkchestertonsociety.co.uk)

Saturday 30th July 2022 will be the 100th Anniversary of the Conversion of GK Chesterton. The location was, "the Railway Hotel in Beaconsfield, the dance-room of which had been converted into a makeshift chapel in the absence of any Catholic church in the town. In truth it was little more than a shed with a corrugated-iron roof and wooden walls, fitted with chapel fixtures by Sir Philip Rose and made available by the hotel's Irish landlady, Mrs Borlase. However, if Father Rice had failed to persuade Chesterton to be received in more luxurious surroundings [Douai Abbey School where Father was headmaster], he was compensated amply when Gilbert requested that he be present with Father O'Connor at his reception on Sunday, 30th July. The two Priests breakfasted together at the inn at which Father O'Connor was staying before walking together to Top Meadow [GKC's house]. According to Father Rice, they found Gilbert in an armchair reading the catechism, 'pulling faces and making noises as he used to do when reading'. Greeting his two friends, he got up and stuffed the catechism in his pocket. At lunch he drank water and poured wine for everyone else, and at about three o'clock they set out for the church. While Gilbert was making his Confession to Father O'Connor, Frances [GK's Wife], who was weeping continually, was comforted by Father Rice."

From Wisdom and Innocence, A Life of GK Chesterton by Joseph Pearce.


 

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