CPG Consecration & Banner Blessing
Spiritual Assistance for Policing and Catholics in Policing in London
• Monday 1 May 2023, 1830hrs
• Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NB
Everyone, whether in policing or not, is invited to join the Catholic Police Guild on Monday 1 May 2023 from 1830hrs, as we will:
Designate the Shrine of Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane as the home for Catholics in policing in London
Consecrate the Guild in London to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Re-bless the Processional Banner of the Guild and install it at the Shrine
Including singing of the hymn O Sacred Heart composed at this church
Consistent with the Peelian Principles of policing, seek the joint prayers of those within and outside policing towards the success of policing in London.
These ceremonies will occur after the scheduled Shrine Mass at 1830hrs. The Mass, as normal for a first Monday, will be for the intentions of the Guild and policing in London. The Feast is that of St. Joseph the Worker.
To help with planning, including attempting to provide seat reservations, you can obtain a free ticket here.
Video: Cardinal Nichols discusses Corpus Christi Shrine and participation in the Processions
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The Catholic Police Guild was formed on the Feast of Corpus Christi, Thursday 11 June, 1914, initially as a London organisation. On its 25th anniversary in 1939, a Banner was presented to the Guild dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1974, it expanded to become a Guild for Catholics working in policing across England & Wales. St. Michael is the heavenly patron of the Catholic Police Guild and all Catholic police officers across the world.
As such, there are four principal holy connections for the Guild and its members, notably:
Corpus Christ: due to the date of formation
The Sacred Heart of Jesus: due to the Banner and the promises of the Sacred Heart
St. Michael: due to his patronage of all police officers
St. Joseph: as patron of all workers.
It is fitting, and we are indebted to Fr. Alan Robinson KHS, Rector, that the Church of Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane (The Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament) will become the home of the Catholic Police Guild in London. Not only is the Shrine centrally located, but very close to Charing Cross Police station, one of the largest and most significant in London. The First Monday Mass in the Shrine is celebrated for the intentions of the Catholic Police Guild in London.
The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, was established in 1955 by Pope Pius XII to celebrate the dignity of human labours and to contrast with prevailing errors.
On this day of work, with our Banner of the Sacred Heart, we will also be consecrating the Guild in London to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is at least 700 years’ old and nearly 350 years’ ago, Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, outlining the promises associated with devotion to His Sacred Heart.
When Sir Robert Peel created his ‘Peelian Principles’ in 1829, he included:
“7. To maintain at all times a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and that the public are the police, the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.”
Please generously join with the Catholic Police Guild at this special event in offering your prayers for all Catholics in policing, helping to sustain (and rebuild) the mutual relationship between policing and the public.
May the Sacred Heart have mercy on us! May Saints Michael and Joseph, pray for us!
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PRAYER OF ST. MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE
Eternal Father, suffer me to offer Thee the Heart of Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, as He himself offered it in sacrifice to Thee. Receive this offering for me, as well as all the desires, sentiments, affections, movements and acts of this Sacred Heart. They are all mine, since He offered Himself for me, and henceforth I wish to have no other desires but His. Receive them in satisfaction for my sins, and in thanksgiving for all Thy benefits. Grant me through His merits all the graces necessary for my salvation, especially that of final perseverance. Receive them as so many acts of love, adoration, and praise, which I offer to Thy divine Majesty, since it is through the Heart of Jesus, that Thou art worthily honoured and glorified. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI TO THE SACRED HEART
O adorable Heart of my Jesus, Heart created expressly for the love of men ! Until now I have shown towards Thee only ingratitude. Pardon me, O my Jesus. Heart of my Jesus, abyss of love and of mercy, how is it possible that I do not die of sorrow when I reflect on Thy goodness to me and my ingratitude to Thee? Thou, my Creator, after having created me, hast given Thy Blood and Thy life for me; and not content with this, Thou hast invented a means of offering Thyself up every day for me in the holy Eucharist, exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages. Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart with a great contrition for my sins, and a lively love for Thee; through Thy tears and Thy Blood give me the grace of perseverance in Thy fervent love until I breathe my last sigh. Amen.
