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In celebration, flowers adorned the high altar
Photos by New York Scugnizzo and Andrew Giordano |
Gaudéte in Dómino semper: iterum dico, gaudéte. Modéstia vestra nota sit ómnibus hominibus: Dóminus enim prope est. Nihil sollíciti sitis: sed in omni oratióne petitiónes vestræ innotéscant apud Deum. Psalm 84. 2 Benedíxisti Dómine terram tuam: avertísti captivitátem Jacob. V. Glória Patri. Gaudéte in Dómino semper.1
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The high altar and famed Crucifixion
mural by Constantino Brumidi |
Sunday morning, members of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) gathered at the packed Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 West 37th St.) in Manhattan for the third Sunday of Advent. Also called Gaudete Sunday, after the first word of the Introit, which means “Rejoice,” the Mass was a joyous celebration in anticipation of the threefold coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ within the otherwise austere season of Advent.
Arriving early, we attended both the 9:00am Tridentine Low Mass celebrated by our Pastor, Fr. James Miara, and the 10:30am Tridentine High Mass sung by Fr. Peter Stravinskas. Instead of wearing the penitential violet, both sacred ministers (and the high altar) were vested in the more joyful rose-colored raiment.
After mingling with parishioners at coffee hour, my Sanfedisti brethren and I returned to Brooklyn and broke our fast with a celebratory luncheon at Joe’s of Avenue U (287 Avenue U). Curiously, since we’ve all been abstaining from meat every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, none of us ordered a meat dish, even though it was permissible. Meat or not, we each enjoyed our hearty Sicilian victuals. It was a terrific ending to our faith-filled weekend.2
~ Giovanni di Napoli, December 16th, Feast of St. Adelaide of Burgundy
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| Mista polpo e calamari |
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| Insalata di patate e fagiolini |
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| Giardiniera |
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| Bucatini con cavolfiore alla palermitana |
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| Spaghetti al nero di seppia |
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| Cassata Siciliana |
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| Cuccia al cioccolato |
Notes:
(1) Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men: The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing by prayer let your petitions be made known to God. Psalm 84. 2 Lord, Thou hast blessed Thy land: Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. V. Glory be to the Father. Rejoice in the Lord ~ Introit Philippians 4. 4-6
(2) On Friday we attended the pre-dawn Rorate Cæli Mass on the Feast of St. Lucy; and on Saturday we participated in the Mass and Public Rosary Rally for Christmas in Herald Square.
