of the Blessed Sacrament
The Confraternity’s Council General
At yesterday’s annual Council General (Monday 24 November) lay and clergy representatives met with the Trustees of CBS at Saint Andrew’s, Holborn; it was a great day, beginning with a simple and dignified Mass in the beautiful setting of this historic church.
Joined by the wonders of technology by some who could not be physically present, we were able not only to look at figures on a financial spreadsheet but also to celebrate the good things we have been able to do with our money, such as yet again supporting the vitally important Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage, restoring historic artifacts that have beautified our altars for over a hundred years, and enabling the ministry of lay folk and priests called to gather people around the Lord’s Table (the middle pages of the latest edition of the Together newspaper, ‘a voice for Catholic Anglicans’, which should be in our churches any day soon, likewise celebrates some of the CBS’s achievements).
Bishop Roger Jupp, well known in Catholic circles for his wise, calming, and measured tone, was chosen by the meeting as Superior General of CBS (he will serve a single term of five years), and Father Peter Edwards was then appointed by Bishop Roger as his General Secretary to keep us on the straight and narrow. Additionally, the Trustees are now to be joined by Plymouth’s Father David Way, who brings a wealth of experience with him from Wales and the Diocese of Exeter.
It was a good, positive and forward-looking meeting, and we look forward at the close of this year’s Jubilee of Hope to the good that CBS can continue to carry forward in the days that lie ahead!
DATES OF GRANTS MEETINGS FOR 2026
CBS was founded in 1862 as part of the Catholic Revival in the Church of England. Its aim was to be, first of all, a confraternity (brotherhood) of men and women praying and working for a greater devotion to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
Today it is no longer confined to England alone but has spread to many places within the Anglican Communion of churches, especially in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and parts of Africa. There is a separate, self-governing CBS in the USA.
Wherever possible members of CBS meet together in local Wards for prayer, worship and mutual support under the guidance of a priest as Ward Superior.
We honour Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in other ways too: Mass said daily, Holy Hours are prayed, and Benediction is celebrated regularly in many of our churches.
There is an increasing emphasis on mission in CBS’s work: “We have a Gospel to proclaim”, says the famous hymn, and there are many ways to proclaim it in Word and Sacrament.We need more priests to celebrate Mass, but we also need to promote the mission of the Church through the whole people of God by equipping them (you) for service.
Please pray for our work for, at heart we remain a devotional society, focussing on Christ’s very own gift to us of His Body, the Blessed Sacrament, the sacrament of Unity.
