Prof. Msgr. Vladimir Felzmann
aka Father Vlad
still working to help God make this World a better place
Prof. Msgr. Vladimir Felzmann
aka Father Vlad
still working to help God make this World a better place
Professor Mons. Vladimir Jan Antonin Václav Felzmann (Confirmed Francis Xavier)
Early Life
Born in Prague 6 May 1939. Came to England in 1946.
Father a Czechoslovak diplomat who in ’45 came to the Czechoslovak Embassy in London. In ’48, when Communists took control of CSR, he resigned. So, we became refugees. Expecting imminently to return home, it was only after the failure of the Hungarian Revolution in ’56 that we took on British Nationality.
Father - Adolf Felzmann 1909-1961
Mother - Georgina Felzmann1910-1996
Sister - Jarmila 1937 –
Sister - Georgina 1941-1995
Brother – John 1946-1967
Primary Education
Convent School in Prague (briefly) in 1945-46
Glengyle, Putney (Day) 1946-48
St Peter’s Guildford (Boarding) 1948-51
Secondary Education
Clapham College (Day)1951-58
1st XI Football Colours 1955-58
Head Boy1957
Tertiary Education
Imperial College, BSc (Eng.) 1958-61
DIC (Structures) ACGI = MSc (Eng.) 1961-62
Lateran University, Rome, DD (Summa cum Laude) 1967-69
GOD: fell in love with God while on summer holiday on Eriskay, Outer Hebrides 1954
OPUS DEI
Joined Opus Dei 23.9.1959
Studied theology in Rome 1965-69
Ordained, Priest, Madrid 31.8.69
Participated in Opus Dei’s General Congress, Rome 1969 & 1970
Asked for exit from Opus Dei 23.9.81
Incardinated Westminster Diocese 1.4.1982
Awards
Companion with Star and Badge of Religion 1st Class Order of Orthodox Hospitallers - 1986
Knight, Polonia Restituta - 1988
Cavaliere di Merito Ecclesiastico, Constantinian Order of St George - 1990
Knight of the Holy Sepulchre - 1994
Chaplain, Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem - 1995-99
Chaplain General (OSLJ JChlJ) - 1999
Chaplain of the Jurisdiction of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem - 1999-2001
Prelate of Honour (Mgr) - 1999
Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre - 2001
Knight 1st Class Order of Francis - 2006
Chaplain of Honour, Lourdes - 2015
Visiting Professor, St Mary’s University, Twickenham - 2019
Writings
Articles and Book Reviews in The Tablet.
The Universe and The Catholic Herald.
Numerous articles in Westminster Cathedral Bulletin, now ‘Oremus’
Pamphlets:
The Apostles’ Creed - 1989
Life’s Pilgrimage - 1990
Fortnightly Column on Sport, The Catholic Times’ then “Universe Catholic Weekly” 11.6.18 – now
“A Journey to Eternity” 1 &3 - 2021
“ Life Squared” - 2021
Religious Adviser
The Last Confession (Theatre) - 2007&14
Brideshead Revisited (Film) - 2007
Saint Joan (National Theatre) - 2007
Apparitions (TV) - 2007
Romeo & Juliet (Theatre) - 2008
PS. The 9s have been outstanding – who knows why?
I was:
Born - 39
Joined Opus Dei - 59
Ordained Priest - 69
Diocesan Chaplain to young people & Director of Pilgrimages - 89
Awarded Papal ‘Prelate of Honour’ - 99
Appointed Visiting Professor at St Mary’s University - 19
Activities
Assistant Scout Master, 28th Streatham, 1957-62
Students Cross, London Leg
- Pilgrim 1959
- Secretary 1960
- Director 1961
Member, Union of Catholic Students 1961
International Vice-President, UCS 1960
Secretary, Netherhall House 1960-61
Director, Netherhall House 1961-65
Director of first Greygarth, Opus Dei, Summer School, Manchester - 1962
Tutor in Structures at
Architectural Association 1962-64
Lecturer in English at
Institute of Education, Rome 1966-69
Chaplain at Turo University
Residence, Barcelona 1969-70
Chaplain to Netherhall House
Boys’ club 1970-79
Chaplain, Netherhall House 1970-81
Chaplain to Lakefield
Educational Centre 1970-81
Preached retreats for men,
women, boys, girls and
Diocesan clergy 1970-81
Started Days of Recollection - 1970
At Sudbury, Southend,
Canterbury, Camberley.
Oxford, Newmarket and Cambridge.
Led recollections, retreats, excursions
and international camping trips - 1970-81
Led retreats for diocesan clergy at
Wickenden Manor, Sussex -
1973-80
At Cardinal Vaughan School (CVMS)
- Head of Religious Education - 1973-84
- School Chaplain - 1976-84
- Head of Liberal Studies - 1976-84
- Organised Week of Disabled People - 1981
- Vocations Week - 1982
Founder Chairman, National
Association of School Chaplains
(now ACCE) - 1984-91
Priest in Residence, Our Lady of
Victories, Kensington - 1981-82
Assistant Priest, Our Lady of Grace, Chiswick - 1982-85
Chaplain, Westminster Cathedral - 1985
Sub-Administrator, Westminster
Cathedral - 1985-89
Chaplain, Diocesan Education Service (WDES) - 1985-92
Vice Chairman, The Passage Management Cttee - 1985-92
Founder of and Chaplain to Young
Adults Pilgrimage to Lourdes (YAP) 1986-92
Foundation Governor, CVMS 1989-92
Chaplain to Papal Knights 1985- now
Council Member, Friends of
Westminster Cathedral 1985-97
Diocesan Director of School
Chaplains (then ‘coordinator’) 1985-2009
Diocesan Chaplain to Young People 1989-2004
Diocesan Director of Pilgrimages 1989-2002
Director, All Saints Pastoral Centre,
London Colney 1991-2011
Founder of and Chaplain to
SPEC Centre, All Saints 1992-2004
Founder of Loft@SPEC - 1998
- Founder SPECeast 2001
- SPEC-SON 2002
- SPEC Mission Team 2003
Executive Committee Member ICCJ - 1992-1998
Provincial Chaplain, Knights of
St Columba, Province 29 1993-2011
Started Bright Lights Festival for
Young Adults - 1995
Governor, St Columba’s School 1995-99
Executive Committee 3 Faiths
Forum 1998- 2002
Started Medical 3 Faiths Forum - 1999
Founder & Chair Friends of Bethlehem
University - 1999-2017
Chaplain, Ascent Movement - 1999-2003
Trustee, Genesis Foundation - 2001- now
The Passage
- Trustee - 2002- 21
- Chair, Fund Raising Committee - 2011-17
Trustee Genesis America (UK) 2004 - now
Trustee Nat. Spiritual & Mental Health
Forum 2007 - 09
Trustee ‘Rights and Humanity’ 2008 - 12
Chair of Trustees CaAPA (ex CSG) 2008 - now
Delegate International Council of Christians and Jews [(CCJ)
Conferences in
Fribourg 1987, Montreal 1988, Lille 1989
Launched Diocesan Annual Conference
of Parish Youth Workers 1990
Diocesan Director World Youth Days to:
Czestochowa 1991, Denver 1993, Paris 1997, Rome 2000
Attended the Vatican’s “Sport at the service of Humanity”, 1st Global Conference on Faith & Sport, October 5-7 2016
Catholic Chaplain to Canary Wharf 2010-21
Catholic Chaplain for Sport - 2011
Founder-CEO JP2F4S charity 2011-21
Priest-in-charge
- Stepney Parish - 16.10.13-15.3.14
- Wapping Parish - 8.8.14 – 4.4.15
Care for Anglophone at St Anne’s Underwood Rd - 1.4.16 – 3.9.17
Chaplain, Olympics & Para-Olympics - 2012
Chaplain, Para-Athletic & Athletic World Championships - 2017
Joined Chaplains Squad at HMP Wandsworth for Sunday Masses - 29.4.2017 – now
Vice-President Marketing Hydrasyst - helping reduce global warming - 2023-now
Retreats Preached
Many throughout stay at All Saints - 1991-2011
St Mary’s Ascot Yrs. 11 and 13 - 1986-2012
St Peter’s Seminary, Wexford - 1998 & 99
Venerabile Collegio Inglese, Rome 9-10.4. 06
Permanent & Trainee Deacons - Aylesford - 2008 & 9
Merville, France - 2010
Ashburnham Place, Battle - 2011
Theology Courses Taught
Auxiliaries of the Apostolate, Lourdes
The Blessed Trinity - 2000
Pneumatology - 2002
New Testament - 2004
Creation-Redemption - 2006
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