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The Berlin Wall fell 30 years ago this month, on 9th November 1989.  East Germany reopened its border with West Germany, allowing its citizens to pass freely through the checkpoints. Workers began demolishing the 28-year-old wall the next day. Earlier that year serious unrest in Eastern Bloc countries such as Poland and Hungary had put...

In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on America 17 years ago this autumn, many Americans were seen to be ‘saintly’ in their brave attempts to help save lives.  But Frances (1850 – 1917) was the first citizen of the United States to be officially canonised as a saint – by Pope Pius XII in...

It was 30 years ago this month, on 9th November 1989 that the fall of the Berlin Wall began. Over two million people from East Berlin visited the West in a celebration described as ‘the greatest street party in the history of the world.’ However, we are still living with walls, thinking of those dividing...

Danger of torture, assassination, lootings, floods, famines and epidemics… life in France in the 6th century was as turbulent and violent as many of the world’s hot spots are today.  In the midst of all this Gregory (539 – 94) was born into a senatorial family who lived in the Auvergne.  He grew up seeing...

The first stretch of the M1 motorway opened 60 years ago this month, on 1st November 1959. The first motorway service station opened at the same time – Watford Gap, a rather successful attempt to confuse motorists, as it is not near the town of Watford, but close to an obscure Northamptonshire village of the...

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 5:10).  Somebody once described a Christian as one who is ‘completely fearless, continually cheerful and constantly in trouble.’ Living the life that Jesus presents in the Beatitudes will not necessarily make us universally popular. We must be prepared...

The Rectory St James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren One of the rather dubious pleasures of being rector here is to dine twice a year with Lord and Lady Shuttlingsloe. I was summoned to go along yesterday evening. As usual, I was greeted by the footman and led into the entrance hall,...

If you are going to any concerts before Christmas, spare a thought for St Cecilia (2nd century) – the patron saint of musicians. Cecilia is one of the most famous of the Roman martyrs of the 2nd century.  As far as is known, she was born a noble lady of Rome who, despite her vow...

Schoolgirls in 1918 were warned that they might never be married.  So many prospective husbands had been killed in World War 1, that their chances could be slim.  It’s hard for us to imagine the slaughter.  The total number of both civilian and military casualties is estimated at around 37 million people, ending only when...

America is not alone: an opioid crisis is also underway in Britain.  Last year 141million prescriptions were issued for such drugs in the UK – up from 89million in 2008. It seems that great numbers of middle-aged women are fuelling the 60 per cent rise in number of strong painkillers, anxiety medications and antidepressants (prescribed...

Catherine is thought to have been a noble girl who lived in the 4th century.  She was persecuted for her Christianity, and despised marriage with the Emperor because she was a ‘bride of Christ’.  According to the legend, Catherine was no push-over intellectually, either:  she disputed successfully with 50 philosophers who were called in to...

‘The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.’  Isaiah 50:4 Awake in the early hours, and my thoughts fluttering here and there, the name of a friend dropped into my mind...