Praying for the Repose of the Souls of the Deceased Friars and Sisters of the Order of Preachers

The catafalque, a symbolic funeral bier with black funeral pall and candles
Photos by New York Scugnizzo and Peter Clemente

Dies iræ, dies illa,
Solvet sæclum in favilla:
Teste David cum Sybilla.
Quantum tremor est futurus,
Quando Judex est venturus,
Cuncta strict discussurus. *

Wednesday, November 13th, my Constantinian brethren and I joined some 200 parishioners at St. Vincent Ferrer Church (869 Lexington Ave.) in Manhattan for their Annual Sung Requiem Mass in the Dominican Rite. Sponsored by the New York Purgatorial Society, the Catholic Artists Society, and the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny, the Mass was offered for all deceased Friars and Sisters of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order).

Before Mass, you can hear a pin drop

Arriving early, I was able to explore the imposing Gothic church a little more than last time I was here. Visiting all the shrines and chapels, I was able to light candles, invoke the saints, and peacefully meditate and pray for the remission of all the sins of the poor and forgotten Souls in Purgatory.

Spending a little extra time by the statue of St. Jude Thaddaeus, I also prayed for the intensions of an ailing loved one, whose condition recently took a turn for the worse.

The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was sung by Celebrant and Homilist Fr. Sebastian White, O.P., who was dutifully assisted by several servers and the Schola Cantorum of St. Vincent Ferrer under the masterly direction of Mr. James D. Wetzel. At the end of Mass, Fr. White donned the black cope and offered absolution at the catafalque.

Afterward, all were invited to break bread at the reception held in the parish hall downstairs. Guests mingled, enjoyed some champagne, and partook in the wide variety of canapés, dips and other tasty hors d’oeuvres.

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 all the organizers for sponsoring the Mass and their righteous mission to promote prayer and succor for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. As always, it was a great joy to celebrate our faith together.

~ Giovanni di Napoli, Saturday, November 16, Feast of Santa Geltrude

* Excerpt from the Dies iræ (Day of Wrath) sequentia, chant for the dead

The day of wrath, that day
will dissolve all in ashes
as foretold by David with the Sibyl.
How much tremor there will be
when the Judge will come,
investigating all strictly.

Statues of St. Jude Thaddaeus and St. Dominic de Guzmán

Bye-altar with painting of The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple

Statues of the Crucifixion and St. Vincent Ferrer

(Above & below) At the reception, a good time was had by all

* * *

For more information about the New York Purgatorial Society visit www.nypurgatorial.com or write to nypurgatorial@yahoo.com

For more information about the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny visit www.sthughofcluny.org or write to contact@sthughofcluny.org

For more information about the Catholic Artists Society visit www.catholicartistssociety.org or write to catholicartistssociety@gmail.com