1 In several of my quotations I have modified the translation which (in my opinion) would often have been much clearer if it had been more literal.

2 “Consider a few institutions”, as H. McC, once invited our readers (New Blackfriars, February 1967): “Spode House, the Newman Theology Groups, the Union of Catholic Students” etc.

3 The same idea is found in the work of another Continental thinker, Karol Wojtyla (The Acting Person, p 343) “The structure of a human community is correct only if it admits not just the presence of a justified opposition but also that effectiveness of opposition which is required by the common good and the right of participation.

4 A shelf of books can't be weighed in a balance with a conference centre; but over the past thirty years Spode House has certainly embodied and radiated a vision of the Catholic Church which is both critical and traditional in the right sense. My first meeting with the Warden was at Christmas 1954: I hated every minute of the party but Miss Beechey initiated me into the Dominican breviary and 1 could withdraw from the traditional games to read, back numbers of Blackfriars and The Life of the Spirit in the quiet room ‐ which is one reason that I am happy to be able to contribute to this special issue.