The Knights of St Columba Council 95 (York) and the York Walsingham Association jointly arranged a Mass at Fairfax House, York, on 28th July. The celebrant was Fr Dominique Minskip who is currently chaplain to both organisations. The Mass was held in the saloon of Fairfax House and the house was a most appropriate venue.
The house was owned by Charles Gregory Fairfax, 9th Viscount of Emley. His main residence was Gilling Castle. The Fairfax family were Catholic recusants and in the house there are many hidden Catholic symbols. These include a profusion of roses, which many assumed was the white rose of Yorkshire. In fact, it was to denote the Blessed Virgin Mary as one of her many titles is “The Mystic Rose”.
It is to be hoped that we may be able to repeat this event on an annual basis.
John Rayne-Davis, Deputy Grand Knight Council 95