St. Philip's 1st Church to become home of TLM in Rome

From early January the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite will have a new home in Rome in the form of a Personal Parish given over exclusively for the use of the old rite. The church selected for this distinction is the church of the Ss. Trinita dei Pellegrini. For Oratorians this church has a very special meaning, as it was first associated with the Archconfraternity of the Holy Trinity, founded in 1548 by the young Philip Neri and dedicated to helping the pilgrime or "pellegrini" who were about to flood Rome in advance of the Holy Year of 1550. This work was the beginning of the Oratory, and the return of this church to the rite so beloved by St. Philip is the cause of profound Oratorian Joy...and a little smugitas that a church so closely associated with "our Saint" is the first to make so broad a home for the traditional mass in the Eternal City.

This is truly a joyful "Gaudete" week then, for Oratorians, traditional Catholics, and orthodox Roman Catholics everywhere. The news report supplied by the FSSP Melbourne, says that the Holy Father wishes this to be understood as a model for the entire church. Under such circumstances, it is that much easier to live out St. Philip's famous motto, "Allegramente! Allegramente!" or, "Be cheerful! Be cheerful!"

The Mexico City Oratory of St. Philip Neri - The Historic Church of La Profesa, site of recent Ex. Form Mass by Msgr. Schmitz. ICKSP

Here are some pictures (best I could do on a flying visit) of the Church of La Profesa, the former Jesuit Church, now the Mexico Oratory (since 1767). The Oratorians had been in Mexico City since about 1660, but had had two churches knocked down or damaged by earthquakes. And when the earth quakes in Mexico City, it really quakes, so it is a miracle that the Profesa is still standing today.

Last week, Msgr. Schmitz of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP), celebrated his first mass (while in the city on this trip) at the Church of the Profesa, the Mexico City Oratory. I don't know yet whether he used the respectable looking table altar, but I noted on a recent visit that the high altar remains undisturbed, as do all the eight side altars. Promising indeed. Enjoy the photos.

Sounds from the Requiem

Here are two live recordings of Chorus Breviarii singing for the Pontifical Requiem of November 17. Although the Bach Collegium sang most of the Mass, the composer left out the Gradual and Tract, which had to be sung in Gregorian chant.

Gradual:

boomp3.com


Tract:

boomp3.com

On the Bishop's Mantelletta

Some self-appointed expert on the blogosphere criticized Bp. Cordileone for wearing the mantelletta as part of the ceremonies preceding the pontifical Requiem he graciously celebrated on Nov. 17 (the mantelletta was abolished for cardinals and bishops in 1969). Fr. Burt Boudoin spoke with His Excellency and here's what he wrote in a comment box:

After speaking to Bishop Cordileone, I can report that he makes the following points:

1) the Pontifical Mass of the traditional rite requires the solemn vesting of the bishop before the altar as part of the pre-ceremonies of the liturgy, to which the bishop arrives at the church or chapel in proper choir dress...
2) the proper choir dress for an auxiliary bishop (1962 rubrics) -- Bishop Cordileone's present status -- includes the mantelletta rather than the mozzetta, which was considered to indicate the jurisdiction of an ordinary.

Obviously, we do not have here an instance of disobedience to current rules of eccl. vesture. Rather, until and if, the Commission of Eccl. Dei makes comment on the question, we have perfect adherence to a principle of the Motu Proprio of the Holy Father, that the old and present rites are not to be mixed...

Most importantly, the Mass was a beautiful example of the liturgical restoration underway... with Gregorian chant that bespoke of the glory of God and the legacy of the Roman tradition.

Thank you, Fr. Burt!

H.E. sporting the mantelletta.

John Polhamus on Vespers

Here's a short speech by our fearless director about the service of Vespers. It was given at St. Margaret's in Oceanside on November 15.

boomp3.com

Before and After the Requiem

Here are some photos that Wayne sent me. You can find them all in this album.
On the evening before the brothers met to prepare things in the sacristy of St. John's:



Before singing Vespers and Matins, they went out for dinner.



Frater David lights the candles before service.



It was quite a night!



In the morning we returned to sing Lauds:



Wayne mastering the details of the ceremony:



The ceremonieri: Ashley the Impeccable and John the Maestro:



Cope and maniples:



The altar:



His Excellency arrives:



H.E. with Fr. Archimandrite Nicholas (left), Br. John, and Fr. Deacon Moses of Holy Resurrection Monastery during the reception after Mass.



Sub tuum praesidium:

The Most Beautiful Thing This Side of Heaven

November 17 was a memorable day for Chorus Breviarii and for San Diego: a Pontifical Requiem in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite was celebrated by H.E. the Most Rev.d Mons. Salvatore Cordileone for the repose of the soul of Fr. Sir Hugh Barrett-Lennard, Cong. Orat. Lond. , Bart. (1917-2007).
The first photos of this event have begun to reach me and I'll be posting more as they come. These are from the video taken by Mr. Dave Lanfranchi, the President of Una Voce Orange County. Slightly larger photos can be seen in this album.

























In case you wonder, we were honored by the presence in choir of three monks from Holy Resurrection Monastery, a traditional Byzantine monastic community in communion with Rome.

Nov. 17: Pontifical Requiem

SATURDAY Aft., 17 NOVEMBER 2007 , 12:00 (NOON)

SOLEMN PONTIFICAL REQUIEM MASS

~ In the Traditional Roman Rite – Extraordinary Form ~

Celebrated by H.E. Salvatore Cordileone,

Auxiliary of the Diocese of San Diego

Choir of the Bach Collegium San Diego

Ruben Valenzuela, Dir.

Music to include: San Diego Premier Performance of the Requiem Mass for 4 voices

by Giovanni Francesco Anerio (1567-1630)

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

1638 Polk Avenue

(Intersection of Park Blvd. and Polk Ave., University Heights)

The Mass will be celebrated for the repose of the soul of Fr. Sir Hugh Barrett-Lennard, Cong. Orat. Lond. , Bart. (1917-2007).

Nov. 15: 1st Vespers of St. Margaret

THURSDAY Eve., 15 NOVEMBER 2007 7:00pm (19:00)

Solemn First Vespers

of the Feast of St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland

with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

~ First Extraordinary Form Vesper Service in the New Church! ~

St. MARGARET’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

4300 Oceanside Blvd, Oceanside CA.

(Directions: 5 North or South to Oceanside Blvd.,

then East 5.0 miles, church is on left past College Blvd.)

Vespers at Good Shepherd's

SUNDAY Aft., 4 NOVEMBER 2007 3:30p.m. (15:00)

Gregorian Sunday Vespers

followed by

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC CHURCH

8200 Gold Coast Dr., Mira Mesa, San Diego, CA.

MUSIC TO INCLUDE: Solemn Tone Salve Regina

Reclaim All Hallows' Eve for Christ!

WEDNESDAY EVENING, 31 OCTOBER 2007 , 7:00P.M.

RECLAIM ALL HALLOWS' EVE FOR CHRIST!

SOLEMN 1st VESPERS OF THE

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH

It has become a tradition for us of Chorus Breviarii to celebrate first Vespers of All Saints: this will be the fourth year! For the first time it will be at Our Lady of the Rosary, the jewel of Little Italy, in downtown San Diego. Time: 19:00 or 7:00 P.M.
Hallowe'en is not an innocent play time for children any more. Therefore we want to bring it back to Christ. It will be a good opportunity to pray, when so many people in our county are suffering because of the fires.



Fr. Joseph Tabigue, C.R.S.P., will be Hebdomadary. Parking advisory: arrive early because due to the number of parish events there is no parking available in the church lot. You have to park on the street. Even better: take the trolley.
Prizes will be awarded to the best children's saint's costume!

Another Vespers Went By

Unfortunately we could not find a priest and therefore we did not have Benediction. Moreover Hebdomadary arrived late because of his job, which kept him busy at another event elsewhere in the Diocese. So we did laymen's Vespers and I think it went well. Now we are looking forward to Vespers of All Hallows' Eve at Our Lady of the Rosary!

Vespers This Coming Sunday, Oct. 21st

Vespers with Benediction is confirmed for this coming Sunday, October 21st, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1638 Polk Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103, at 4:30 P.M. (16:30).

You may want to use Google Map to obtain directions. If you take pictures, please email them to us (bedwere at yahoo dot com) and we'll post them on the blog.

How Many Oratorians Does It Take To Change a Lightbulb?

Priest, deacon and cleric (dressed as subdeacon) with assistant priest in cope and acolytes and thurifer, with choir and other ministers, assemble at the foot of a step ladder. The priest sotto voce says:
Priest: Fratres, renovemus. Brethren, let us change.
Ministers: Sancte Pater, cur renovemus? Holy Father, why should we change?
Having reverenced the step ladder all depart, with lighted candles, singing Lux Aeterna accompanied by musicians on period instruments.

Schedule Updates: October 21st and November 4th

Please notice that Sunday Vespers of October 21st will be at 16:30 (4:30 P.M.) and not at 15:00 (3:00 P.M.) as previously announced. The venue remains

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

1638 Polk Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103

Another schedule update: Vespers of Sunday, November 4th have been postponed to 15:30 (3:30 P.M.). The venue remains

GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC CHURCH

8200 Gold Coast Dr., Mira Mesa, San Diego, CA.

Brothers in Arms

A message from Frater Ron, who is in the Army Reserve:

Fratres,

Greetings from Fr. Leonard Wood! Some of the skills and adventures I've had so far are: Trained to shoot on an M16 A2 rifle; learned how to administer an IV, suffered in a CS (Tear gas) chamber, hiked a 2km, 7km, and 8km road march bearing 50 lbs of gear and equipment, ran several obstacle courses, repelled from a 3 story (45') structure, killed a bunch of rubber manequinns with my bayonet, and TKO'ed a guy from another platoon in Pugi Sticks (ask Bill Parker about this). And Basic Training is only half way through. Boy, am I sore.

In St. Philip,
Ron S. Clemente

In memoria aeterna erit justus

On November 17 Chorus Breviarii will serve for a Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul of Fr. Sir Hugh Barrett-Lennard, Cong. Orat. Lond. (1917-2007). The official obituary of the Brompton Oratory can be found here.
However, I found that the obituary published on the Daily Telegraph better captures the strong Philippine charisma of this remarkable priest. May Fr. Hugh rest in peace.

Fall 2007 Events

OCTOBER 2007:

SUNDAY Aft., 21 OCTOBER 2007 4:30P.M.

Gregorian Sunday Vespers

followed by

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

1638 Polk Avenue

(Intersection of Park Blvd. and Polk Ave., University Heights)

MUSIC TO INCLUDE: Solemn Tone Salve Regina

__________________________

~ WEDNESDAY EVENING, 31 OCTOBER 2007 , 7:00P.M. ~

“!RECLAIM ALL HALLOWS' EVE FOR CHRIST!”

CATHOLIC HERITAGE EVENT

SOLEMN 1st VESPERS OF THE

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS

(1st Evening Prayer of the Feast)

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH

State and Date Streets

Little Italy, Downtown San Diego.

There will be some parking available in the lot, accessible from Columbia Street.

FOLLOWED BY THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS

SUNG IN OUTDOOR CANDLELIGHT PROCESSION

NOVEMBER 2007:

FRIDAY Eve., 2 NOVEMBER 2007 7:00PM

SUNG REQUIEM MASS

For the Feast of All Souls

St. MARGARET’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

4300 Oceanside Blvd, Oceanside CA.

(Directions: 5 North or South to Oceanside Blvd.,

then East 5.0 miles, church is on left past College Blvd.)

CANCELED

________________________

SUNDAY Aft., 4 NOVEMBER 2007 3:30p.m.

Gregorian Sunday Vespers

followed by

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC CHURCH

8200 Gold Coast Dr., Mira Mesa, San Diego, CA.

MUSIC TO INCLUDE: Solemn Tone Salve Regina

__________________________

THURSDAY Eve., 15 NOVEMBER 2007 7:00pm

Solemn First Vespers

of the Feast of St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland

with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

~ First Extraordinary Form Vesper Service in the Spectacular New Church! ~

St. MARGARET’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

~ See Above Directions ~

___________________________

SATURDAY Aft., 17 NOVEMBER 2007 , 12:00 (NOON)

SOLEMN PONTIFICAL REQUIEM MASS

~ In the Traditional Roman Rite – Extraordinary Form ~

Celebrated by H.E. Salvatore Cordileone,

Auxiliary of the Diocese of San Diego

Choir of the Bach Collegium San Diego

Ruben Valenzuela, Dir.

Music to include: San Diego Premier Performance of the Requiem Mass for 4 voices

by Giovanni Francesco Anerio (1567-1630)

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

~ See Above Directions ~

DECEMBER 2007:

FRIDAY Eve., 7 DECEMBER 2007 6:30p.m.

Solemn 1st Vespers of the

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

~followed by ~

- Veni, veni, Emmanuel! -

An gift of Sacred Classical Music for the Season of Advent

St. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

795 S. La Brucherie, El Centro, CA.

MUSIC TO INCLUDE: Solemn Tone Salve Regina, Bach organ music, and more!

__________________________

~ SUNDAY Aft., 16 DECEMBER 2007, 3:00P.M. ~

SOLEMN VESPERS of “Gaudete Sunday”

3rd (Rose) Sunday in Advent and

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

~ followed by ~

~ The Musical Oratory for Advent ~

(Spiritual Exercises of St. Philip Neri,

with Seasonal Sacred Music and Fervorino)

Special Musical Guests: TBA

Location: TBA

Don’t miss this - mark your Kalendarium!

_______

For further information call organizer

John Polhamus at: 858 220 4072