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| I packed my satchel with a few essentials Photos by New York Scugnizzo |
O Lord, you wondrously raised up Joan, your virgin, to defend the Faith and her country in Your name. Through her intercession grant that the Church may overcome the snares of her enemies, and attain lasting peace. Amen
Wednesday evening, I had the great pleasure of attending Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite for the Feast of St. Joan of Arc at beautiful St. Agnes Church (433 Sackett Street) in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. The first Tridentine Mass celebrated at the historic church since the disastrous Second Vatican Council, I joined some 60 devotees in honoring one of my childhood heroes, la Pucelle d'Orléans. [1]
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| After Mass, I exchanged a few pleasantries with Fr. Cipolla |
Arriving early, I got to explore the church a little and make my usual prayers of thanks, praise and intercession for the happy repose of the souls of my ancestors. Seeing as it was the first day of the novena for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I also began my nine days of prayers and meditations.
The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was sung by Celebrant and Homilist Fr. Richard Cipolla, pastor of St. Mary Church in Norwalk, Connecticut. Fr. Joseph Zwosta was the Deacon and Fr. Tomasz Szczepanczyk, was the Subdeacon. The sacred ministers were dutifully assisted by Robert Jurman (MC), Brian Hilley, David LeMay, Jorge A. Fernandez Vidro, Patrice Legute, Joseph Siano and Matthew Wise.
The motets and musical setting were composed by choir director David Adam Smith and gloriously chanted by Augusta Caso, Kate Maroney, Heitor Caballero, Art Bryan Manabat, Andrew Padgett and Peter Walker.
Thank you Pastor Msgr. Joseph Nugent and members of the St. Agnes family for your warmth and hospitality. God bless the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny, especially Stuart and Jill Chessman, for sponsoring the Mass and their tireless efforts to promote the Tridentine Mass. As always, it was a great joy to celebrate our faith together. Vive Sainte Jeanne d’Arc!
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Missalettes were available in the narthex
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(Above and below) The sacred ministers celebrating Mass
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Fr. Joseph Zwosta incensing Fr. Richard Cipolla
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Ecce Angus Dei
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The Sanctuary and high altar
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Detail of the high altar
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I’m told the beautiful stained glass windows originated in Munich, Germany
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Edicola with icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
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| (L) Marble Pietà in the south transept. (R) Marble relief of St. Agnes in the north transept |
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Angelic Telamōnes support the semi-dome over the south transept
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[1] French for “The Maid of Orléans.”
