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The distribution of the candles
Photos by New York Scugnizzo |
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui hodiérna die Unigéntum tuum ulnis sancti Simeónis in templo sancto tuo suscipiéndum præsentásti: tuam súpplices deprecámur cleméntiam; ut has candélas quas nos fámuli tui, in tui nóminus magnificéntiam suscipiéntes, gestáre cúpimus luce accénsas, benedícere et sanctificáre atque lúmine supérnæ benedictiónis accéndere dignéris: quaténus eas tibi Dómino, Deo nostro, offeréndo digni, et sancto igne dulcíssimæ caritátis tuæ succénsi, in templo sancto glóriæ tuæ repræsentári mereámur. Per erundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen*
Friday evening, I joined nearly sixty worshipers at Holy Name of Jesus Church (245 Prospect Park West) in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn for the Missa Cantata in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite for the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Purification of Our Lady in the Temple (Candlemas). Arriving early, I began my Holy Hour near the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In addition to my usual prayers of thanks, praise, and intercession for the happy repose of the souls of my ancestors, I made an act of reparation to the Sacred Heart for my First Friday Devotion.
Mass was sung by Celebrant and Homilist Rev. Seán Connolly, who was dutifully asssissted by servers James Barrett (MC), Robert Jurman, and John Leicmon. The motets and Mass setting were composed by choir director David Adam Smith. They were gloriously chanted by Amy Bartram, Elyse Anne Kakacek, Elizabeth Smith, Eric Brenner, Daniel Greenwood, Nathaniel Adams, Peter Walker, and Phillip Cheah.
Thank you Rev. Lawrence D. Ryan, Pastor and members of the Holy Name congregation for your continued warmth and hospitality. Special thanks to Cindy Brolsma and organizers for your hard work and dedication. Once again, it was a great joy to celebrate our faith together.
The next Latin Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church will be celebrated on Friday, March 23rd at 7:00pm for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.
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| Celebrant Fr. Connolly |
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| Candles are lit to remind us that Jesus is "the light of the world" |
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| Fr. Connolly leads the procession around the nave |
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| Solita oscula (the customary kisses) |
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| During his homily, Fr. Connolly spoke at length about the meaning of Candlemas |
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| Thurifer incensing the celebrant |
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| Ecce Angus Dei |
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| The Last Gospel |
* Let us pray. O almighty and everlasting God, who on this day didst present Thine only-begotten Son in Thy holy temple to be received in the arms of holy Simeon: we humbly entreat Thy clemency, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bless and sanctify and to kindle with the light of Thy heavenly benediction these candles, which we, Thy servants, desire to receive and to bear lighted in the honor of Thy Name: that, by offering them to Thee our Lord God, being worthily inflamed with the holy fire of Thy most sweet charity, we may deserve to be presented in the holy temple of Thy glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ excerpt from the Blessing of Candles
