Our prayers are with all those who have now begun the process of preparation for reception and entry into the Ordinariate at Easter.
15 hours ago
Monday, 21 March 2011
The Ordinary of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham made Protonotary Apostolic
Our prayers are with all those who have now begun the process of preparation for reception and entry into the Ordinariate at Easter.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Pontifical Mass in the Antipodes - Extraordinary Form!
Solemn Pontifical Mass at St Brigids, Marrickville celebrated by Cardinal Burke
Well, Happy Reader, what a Grand Occasion I found myself at on Saturday! A Pontifical High Mass celebrated by an American Cardinal resident in Rome, but visiting Australia. It seemed like all the worst combinations, but who would have expected such beauty in downtown Sydney? I was excessively diverted.
In processed His Eminence Cardinal Burke swathed in red and attended by his inferior ministers. Gasps were heard and I feel sure I recall seeing a group of matronly-looking woman swoon as the cappa magna swept past them. I saw a couple of dilettanti complaining about a cappa magna being used at all on a ferial day in Lent, but no one took any notice of them. It was too good.
The Mass was sung by a choir of local Catholics and a rather fine job they did of it - chant and polyphony in a happy and harmonious blend. I did miss not hearing much of the organ, but of course it was Lent and we Catholics like to observe these distinctions. We must have our marks of Penance.
The ceremonies in the sanctuary all seemed to go quite well: there were any number of copes on the altar, I got quite dizzied by their swirls. The Cardinal wore the most tremendous mitres. Most of the vestments seemed to match each other. I cornered a priest afterwards and asked him where the vestments came from. He told me in hushed tones that they were the gift of an undisclosed Patroness of the High Arts.
I understand that they were especially made for this Mass by an anonymous women from the Diocese of Perth famed for her work in making sets for the theatre. A bystander, who seemed to know in close detail everything that was going on said, "no", they were vestments of the Saint Bede Studio.
[Editor's note: We can confirm that these vestments were NOT made by the Saint Bede Studio, but certainly represent a courageous attempt at replicating them].
The Cardinal gave a very effective homily which, happily, didn't last too long, because no one could see him save those seated at the altar. He sat at a rather nice chair, but hanging somewhat insecurely over him was a drape, intending to create a canopy. Looking at this edifice afterwards, I couldn't help but think that it in part resembled a Hansom Cab, partly a bed in the High Victorian style and lastly the wimple and veil of Saint Faustina.
I could not quite describe the style of the Church to English readers: something between Spanish Mission style and inter-war Portugese. It was a peculiar variety of Ethnic Art Deco. Still, a beautiful church and quite full for the occasion with enthusiasts of all ages.
The above article was submitted to us by an English authoress, who happened to be present for the Pontifical Mass, but who preferred to remain anonymous.
Well, Happy Reader, what a Grand Occasion I found myself at on Saturday! A Pontifical High Mass celebrated by an American Cardinal resident in Rome, but visiting Australia. It seemed like all the worst combinations, but who would have expected such beauty in downtown Sydney? I was excessively diverted.
In processed His Eminence Cardinal Burke swathed in red and attended by his inferior ministers. Gasps were heard and I feel sure I recall seeing a group of matronly-looking woman swoon as the cappa magna swept past them. I saw a couple of dilettanti complaining about a cappa magna being used at all on a ferial day in Lent, but no one took any notice of them. It was too good.
The Mass was sung by a choir of local Catholics and a rather fine job they did of it - chant and polyphony in a happy and harmonious blend. I did miss not hearing much of the organ, but of course it was Lent and we Catholics like to observe these distinctions. We must have our marks of Penance.
The ceremonies in the sanctuary all seemed to go quite well: there were any number of copes on the altar, I got quite dizzied by their swirls. The Cardinal wore the most tremendous mitres. Most of the vestments seemed to match each other. I cornered a priest afterwards and asked him where the vestments came from. He told me in hushed tones that they were the gift of an undisclosed Patroness of the High Arts.
I understand that they were especially made for this Mass by an anonymous women from the Diocese of Perth famed for her work in making sets for the theatre. A bystander, who seemed to know in close detail everything that was going on said, "no", they were vestments of the Saint Bede Studio.
[Editor's note: We can confirm that these vestments were NOT made by the Saint Bede Studio, but certainly represent a courageous attempt at replicating them].
The Cardinal gave a very effective homily which, happily, didn't last too long, because no one could see him save those seated at the altar. He sat at a rather nice chair, but hanging somewhat insecurely over him was a drape, intending to create a canopy. Looking at this edifice afterwards, I couldn't help but think that it in part resembled a Hansom Cab, partly a bed in the High Victorian style and lastly the wimple and veil of Saint Faustina.
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| High Altar, Civory and the bonnett like canopy and throne |
I could not quite describe the style of the Church to English readers: something between Spanish Mission style and inter-war Portugese. It was a peculiar variety of Ethnic Art Deco. Still, a beautiful church and quite full for the occasion with enthusiasts of all ages.
The above article was submitted to us by an English authoress, who happened to be present for the Pontifical Mass, but who preferred to remain anonymous.
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