THE
P RTAL
January 2018
Page 23
Letters to the Editor
From Robert Macneil
Now that the Coat of Arms Ordinariate Lapel
Badges are no longer available, please let your readers
know that they need not be concerned if they lose
the little clasp on the back of their valued Ordinariate
Coat of Arms badge.
The clasp on the back of my badge ‘disappeared’
recently and, being a discerning Scot, I thought that
rather than buying yet another badge I would see if
I could find a more cost effective way to restore my
badge.
A quick search on Amazon for “Butterfly Pin
Badges Backs Replacement” soon lead me to discover
the answer to my problem. My order came within a
few days and my lapel badge was secured once again -
and all for much less than the cost of a new one.
Now that the Coat of Arms Ordinariate Lapel
Badges are no longer available, this will ensure that
your badge lasts for ever!
Robert Macneil
Achiltibuie
The views expressed in these letters are not necessarily those of the Editors
Letters for publication should be sent to:
The Editors, T he P ortal , 56 Woodlands Farm Road,
Birmingham B24 0PG
[email protected]
The Power of Silence:
Against the Dictatorship of Noise
Barry Barnes recommends this book by Robert, Cardinal Sarah
S peech is
silver but silence is golden! This book, which is
dedicated to Benedict XVI, takes the form of a dialogue between
Cardinal Sarah and Nicolas Diat.
It is the type of book which it pays to take up and
The last section
read periodically rather than trying to plough through of the book
it so I found that it was useful as part of a meditation. takes place at
the
Grande
The Cardinal is critical of liturgy where not enough Chartreuse and
time is devoted to silence. He has noted celebrants takes the form of
(even bishops!) who process in for Mass and stop a dialogue with
and chat to members of the congregation instead of the Prior. “There
contemplating the mystery they are about to celebrate. are souls who
He has also noted members of the congregation going claim
solitude
to receive Our Lord whilst engaged in talking to their so as to find
neighbour.
themselves and
others who seek
The Cardinal quotes extensively from others down it in order to give
the ages on the subject of silence and especially from themselves to God and others.” I found this section
Benedict and St John Paul II. He recalls 2011 at World especially uplifting.
Youth Day in Madrid. Benedict was about to address
Robert, Cardinal Sarah (with Nicolas Diat).
the one million young people when there was a
cloudburst. He waited for the