Celebrating the Eighth Sunday After Pentecost and the Feast of St. Anne

Sant'Anna, ora pro nobis

Remember, Saint Anne, never was it said that anyone who sought your assistance was left unaided. For you are indeed a most merciful mother, who tends to all our needs. Since you are the mother of the Queen of Heaven and our Savior’s grandmother, I implore you to obtain from Jesus, through your Immaculate Daughter, the favors I stand in need of. Amen.  ~ Memorare to St. Anne

Sunday morning members of the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) gathered at the Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 West 37th St.) in Manhattan for both the 9:00 am Tridentine Low Mass and the 10:30 am Tridentine High Mass for the Eighth Sunday After Pentecost and the Feast of St. Anne. Our Pastor Fr. James Miara was the Celebrant at both.

Following imposed social distancing guidelines, we were able to get our regular seats on St. Joseph's side of the altar (i.e. the right side) for the early Mass, but as more people arrived for the second one we moved up to the balcony to make room for the elderly, handicapped, and families with children. To be clear (since someone inquired), whenever we attend multiple Masses in a day we never receive Communion twice. Personally, I prefer to receive during the Low Mass because I don't want to wait, the lines are shorter and, you never know, I may not make it to the second Mass.

Speaking of Communion, during the Low Mass we had the great joy of witnessing a young girl make her First Holy Communion. Seven or eight years-old, holding a lit candle and dressed in white with a veil, she kneeled at the altar rail and received on the tongue. Congratulations to her and her family, we wish and pray you continue to grow in the grace of God.

After the High Mass the congregation finished the novena devotions with the Memorare to St. Anne, An Act of Consecration to St. Anne, and Invocations. This was followed by a solemn Candlelight Procession around the nave with a statue, ombrellino and the Blessed Sacrament. The celebration concluded with a Benediction with the relic of the True Cross.

Normally we would meet up with our friends at the Monte San Giacomo Society and attend the Feast of St. Ann in Hoboken, New Jersey, but since the procession and other festivities were cancelled, thanks to Covid-19's uncanny ability to target only peaceful gatherings, we had a low-key luncheon with family and friends instead.

Evviva Sant’Anna!

~ Giovanni di Napoli, July 27th, Feast of San Pantaleone Martire