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| Parishioners carried small tapers during the procession Photo by New York Scugnizzo |
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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 PrayerSaturday, February 1st — Saturday afternoon the Fratelli della Santa Fede (Brothers of the Holy Faith) gathered at Holy Innocents Church for our First Saturday Devotion. Offering confession in reparation to Our Lady before Mass, we said our penance as well as our daily prayers of thanks and praise. Since it was also the Feast of San Trifone Martire, we lit candles and included the great saint in our supplications. Our Pastor Fr. James Miara celebrated the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
In addition to Confession and Holy Communion, the faithful prayed the Holy Rosary, the Fatima Prayers (e.g. the Sacrifice Prayer), and the Litany and the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We also meditated for a quarter of an hour on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, as prescribed by Our Lady to Sister Lúcia of Fátima in an apparition at Ponteverda, Spain in 1925.
Afterward, we officially launched our new homeless walk from Holy Innocents Hall. Starting small, we prepared and bagged twenty-two sandwiches and clementines, with some winter hats and gloves. Even though it was cold and drizzling outside, we had no trouble finding a couple of shanties erected under scaffolding. If all goes according to plan, the walk will continue to take place every First Saturday.
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Deus, qui nobis per síngulos annos hujus sancti templi tui consecratiónis réparas diem, et sacristán semper mystériis repræséntas incólumes: exáudi preces pópuli tui, et præsta; ut, quisquis hoc templum benefícia petitúrus ingréditur, cuncta se impetrásse lætétur. Per Dóminum. 1Sunday, February 2nd — Sunday morning the Sanfedisti returned to Holy Innocents for both the 9:00 am Tridentine Low Mass and the 10:30 am Tridentine High Mass for the Anniversary of the Dedication of Holy Innocents Church, which took the place of the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr. Miara was the celebrant at both.
Aspérges me, Dómine, hysópe, et mundábor: lavábis me, et super nivem dealbábor. 2Between the Masses, Father performed the blessing of the candles in the sanctuary and the nave. Sprinkling them with holy water three times while reciting the Asperges, he then incensed the candles. The solemn rite concluded with a candlelight procession around the packed church while the choir sung the Antiphons.
After incensing the congregation during Mass, the thurifer and acolyte circled the nave and incensed the Stations of the Cross.
Because it was the Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church, a plenary indulgence was granted to everyone in a state of grace who said the Credo and Pater Noster, in addition to meeting the other conditions (Confession, Communion, praying for the intentions of the Holy Father, etc.). Archbishop Corrigan consecrated the church in 1901.
Following Mass, there was the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance and Eucharistic Adoration. Ending with the Benediction and Reposition in the church tabernacle, the faithful venerated the statue of the infant Jesus at the Altar Rail, just as we did forty days ago at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas!
~ Giovanni di Napoli, February 4th, Feast of San Andrea Corsini
(1) O God, who year by year dost renew for us the day of consecration of this Thy holy temple, and dost ever bring us again in safety to these holy mysteries: hear the prayers of Thy people and grant: that whosoever enters this Temple to ask blessings of Thee, may rejoice in the obtaining of all his petitions. Through our Lord. ~ Collect
(2) Thou shalt sprinkle me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow.
