Mass of Thanksgiving for the Canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman in New York City

Elevation of the Blessed Sacrament
Photo courtesy of the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny

Wednesday evening, a Solemn Mass of thanksgiving for the Canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman was offered by the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny at St. Catherine of Siena Church (411 E 68th St.) in Manhattan. Despite the inclement weather and last minute change in venue (it was originally suppose to be at Corpus Christi Church), some 200 members of the traditional Catholic community of New York City turned out for the celebration.

Missalettes were generously provided
by the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny
Photos below by New York Scugnizzo

The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was sung by Celebrant and Homilist Fr. Richard G. Cipolla, Knight Chaplain of Ecclesiastical Grace of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. Rev. Richard Munkelt was the Deacon. [I humbly apologize, but the name of the Subdeacon escapes me.] The sacred ministers were dutifully assisted by a slew of servers and the Schola St. Hugh under the brilliant direction of David Hughes.

After Mass, guests adjourned to the narthex to mingle and enjoy a friendly meet and greet with lite fare and vino courtesy of the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny. We had the opportunity to briefly chat with the very genial Fr. Cipolla, who seemed energized about celebrating more traditional Masses in New York, as well as his upcoming trip to Naples and southern Italy. Among others, it’s always nice to see our dear friends from Brooklyn Latin Mass, The Knights of Malta, and the Constantinian Order.

Thank you Very Rev. Walter Wagner, O.P., Pastor of St. Vincent Ferrer and St. Catherine of Siena Parish, and members of the congregation 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. St. Newman pray for us.

(L) Large crucifix in the narthex. (R) Triptych over the bye-altar depicting the Blessed Mother flanked by St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena

The Holy Souls in Purgatory

High Altar with scenes of the life and death of St. Catherine of Siena

(L) After the postlude, Fr. Cipolla received the attendees. (R) Our friends Cindy from Brooklyn Latin Mass and Cav. Charles Sant'Elia of the Constantinian Order

After Mass, guests rubbed elbows in the narthex

For more pictures of the Mass please visit www.sthughofcluny.org

Visit here for transcript of Fr. Cipolla’s sermon