A Glorious Epiphany Weekend

After Mass on Saturday, Fr. Miara placed the Three Kings in the crèche
Photos by Andrew Giordano and New York Scugnizzo

In the train of the Three Kings, drawn to the Star of Bethlehem, our caravan made a few stops at the spiritual oases still standing firm in the barren desert of modernity.

Friday, January 3rd — First Friday and the Feast of St. Genevieve 

Saint Genevieve, you who by the days before, penance and prayer, ensured the protection of Paris, intercede near God for us, for our country, for the devoted Christian hearts. You who cured the sick and fed the hungry, obtain the light of God and make us stronger to reject temptation. You who had the concern of the poor, protect the sick, the abandoned, and the unemployed. You who resisted the armies and encouraged the besieged, give us the direction for truth and justice. You who through the centuries never ceased taking care of your people, help us to keep the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. May your example be for us, an encouragement to always seek God and serve him through our brothers and sisters. Amen. ~ Prayer to St. Genevieve

Sacro Cuore di Gesù

After a quiet Thursday, 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.) Friday evening for the Feast of St. Genevieve and our First Friday Devotion. Arriving early, we lit candles, invoked St. Genevieve, the patron saint against fever, plague and natural disasters, and prayed the St. Michael Chaplet as well as our daily prayers for the poor and forgotten Souls in Purgatory.

Our Pastor, Fr. James Miara, celebrated the Tridentine Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was followed by the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Eucharistic Adoration.

In addition to offering prayers of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sacro Cuore di Gesù), we prayed for the Holy Father’s good intensions, the Supplication of the Holy Angels, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and, of course, the Most Holy Rosary.

Saturday, January 4th — First Saturday and the Votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary 

O my Jesus, it is for love of You, in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for the conversion of poor sinners. ~ Sacrifice Prayer 

We returned to Holy Innocents Saturday afternoon for the Five First Saturdays Devotion and the votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Offering Confession in reparation to Our Lady, we took our seats and said our penance. Fr. Miara celebrated Low Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

In addition to Confession and Holy Communion, the faithful prayed the Rosary, the Fatima Prayers (the Pardon Prayer, Angel’s Prayer, Sacrifice Prayer, etc.), the Litany and the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and meditated, as prescribed by Our Lady, for a quarter of an hour on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. After the benediction, the faithful had the opportunity to venerate the first class relic of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at the Altar Rail.

Preparing the Epiphany chalk

Before leaving for a late dinner, we briefly stopped by the parish hall and found the servers putting ribbons on the Epiphany chalk for Monday’s Feast. Used to bless your home, the symbols 20 C+M+B 20 should be written with the sacramentals over the doorway to one’s home as a witness of your faith and a protection against evil. The characters stand for the calendar year (i.e. 2020) and Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which means “Christ bless this house.” The letters also represent the traditional names of the Three Magi, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar.

We enjoyed a light dinner at nearby Neapolitan Express

Sunday, January 5th — Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus 

In nómine Jesu omne genuflectátur, cæléstium, terréstrium, et infernórum: et omnis lingua confíteátur, quia Dóminus Jesus Christus in glória est Dei Patris. Psalm 8.2 Dómine Dóminus noster: qual ammirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra! V. Glória Patri. In nómine Jesu. 1 

Sunday morning the Sanfedisti attended both the 9:00 am Tridentine Low Mass and the 10:30 am Tridentine High Mass at Holy Innocents for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Fr. Miara celebrated both. MC Jeffrey Collins, several servers, and the Schola Cantorum of Holy Innocents dutifully assisted.

Between the Masses, we made our daily prayers of thanks and praise, recited the Holy Rosary, invoked the saints, and prayed for the poor and forgotten Souls in Purgatory.

Afterward, we briefly adjourned to the parish hall for coffee hour and mingled with our fellow parishioners. Discussing a slew of topics unsuitable for polite company (religion, politics, etc.), we were happy to learn that there were a few other Monarchist sympathizers in attendance.

Returning to the Church for the Blessing of the Epiphany Water, the nearly two-hour-long rite included the Litany of the Saints, the Exorcism Against Satan and the Apostate Angels, and the Exorcism of salt and water. Lastly, we sang the Te Deum and received our blessed water. Epiphany chalk was distributed in the church narthex.

Sunday, January 5th — The Titular Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

The celebration far from over, our group split up with half staying in Manhattan for dinner at Ribalta (48 E 12th St.), one of NYC’s premier Neapolitan restaurants, and the rest of us rushing back to Brooklyn for the Solemn High Mass at Holy Name Church (245 Prospect Park West) in Windsor Terrace. Because it was the titular feast of the parish, a plenary indulgence was granted under the usual conditions (Confession, Communion, praying for the intentions of the Holy Father, etc.).

Ribalta's famous Paccheri alla Genovese

Brussels sprouts with pancetta and pecorino

Gragnano and Amaro

The Most Reverend Bishop James Massa celebrated the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Fr. Seán Connolly was the Deacon and homilist; and Mr. Roberto Barrientos was the Subdeacon. Oscar Parada (MC), Arthur Gange, Andres Barrientos, Brian Hilley, Jorge A. Fernandez Vodro, and Joshua Lacertosa ably assisted the sacred ministers.

Organist and choir director David Adam Smith composed the musical setting of the Mass. The maestro’s own motets, Ecce Nomen Domini (Behold the Name of the Lord) and Hodie Christus Natus Est (Today Christ is Born), along with William Byrd’s Mass for 3 Voices, were masterfully chanted by Catherine Hedberg, Augusta Caso, Art Bryan Mannabat, Christopher Preston Thompson, Peter Walker, and Michael Hofmann.

The beautifully decorated High Altar at Holy Name Church

The Madonna and Child, and St. Joseph bye-altars

Nativity scene in the sanctuary

After Mass, everyone was invited downstairs to Shepherd’s Hall for some fellowship and dinner. Our good friends at Brooklyn Latin Mass generously provided the catered reception, replete with six-foot heroes, salads, and wine. I enjoyed a very tasty eggplant sandwich with a nice glass of Côtes du Rhône.

As always, thank you Rev. Lawrence D. Ryan, Pastor and members of the Holy Name family for your continued warmth and hospitality. Special thanks to Cindy Brolsma and organizers for your hard work and dedication. We never tire of visiting this beautiful church and celebrating our faith together.

The next Latin Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church will be celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent on March 1st at 5:00pm.

The eggplant sandwich

Côtes du Rhône

Monday, January 6th — The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ 

Ecce advénit Dominátor Dóminus: et regnum in manu ejus, et potéstas, et impérium. Psalm 71. 1 Dues, judícium tuum Regi da: et justítiam tuam Fílio Regis. V. Glória Patri. Ecce advénit Dominátor Dóminus. 2 

Tempted to attend the Solemn High Mass for the Feast of the Epiphany at the Beautiful Church of the Most Holy Redeemer (173 East 3rd St.) in the East Village Monday evening, the Sanfedisti ultimately decided to stay put and celebrate at our parish.

Gesù Bambino

[For coverage of the Mass at Most Holy Redeemer Church visit the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny]

Contemplating the Mystery of Christ truly present before us, we sat in silence during the Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Adoration concluded with a Benediction and blessing with the relic of St. Catherine Labouré.

Fr. Miara, assisted by a dozen servers and the Schola Cantorum of Holy Innocents, celebrated the Missa Cantata. After the Gospel, Father kept the ancient practice of singing the Proclamation of Moveable Feasts at the pulpit and announced the dates for Septuagesima Sunday (Feb. 9th), Ash Wednesday (Feb. 26th), Easter (April 12), Ascension of Our Lord (May 21st), Pentecost (May 31), Corpus Christi (June 11th), and the First Sunday of Advent (Nov. 29th).

After Mass, the faithful took the opportunity to venerate the statue of the Infant Jesus at the Altar Rail and sing Christmas carols.

I went home, said the prayers and chalked the blessing over my doorways

In honor of the Three Wise Men, the Sanfedisti enjoyed three different types of Pasticciotti Leccesi, an Apulian dessert specialty typically filled with chocolate or custard. However, this year La Befana (the benevolent crone from Italian folklore) delivered a third delicious option filled with apple preserves. Buona Epifania e Evviva Gesù! 

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, January 8th, Feast of St. Severinus of Noricum 

Three pasticciotti for the Three Kings

Notes:
(1) In the Name of Jesus let every knee bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: and let every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. Psalm 8. 2 O Lord our Lord: how admirable is Thy Name in the whole earth! V. Glory be to the Father. In the Name of Jesus. ~ Introit Philippians 2. 10, 11

(2) Behold the Lord the Ruler is come: and the kingdom is in His hand, and power, and dominion. Psalm 71. 1 Give to the King Thy judgment, O God: and to the King’s Son Thy justice. V. Glory be to the Father. Behold the Lord the Ruler is Com. ~ Introit Malachias 3. 1; Paralipomena 29. 12