Scenes from Requiem Week in San Diego (Pt. 1)

Sunday Training and Exercises

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On the occasion of two Solemn High Requiems, the chanting of the Office of the Dead, and the recent admission of two new Brothers from San Diego, Brother Ashley Paver, a great help to the Oratorian community in Cincinnati, flew out to visit us and fulfill his office as Ceremoniere for the San Diego Brothers. In preparation for a triduum of liturgical events, the Brothers and Chorus Breviarii met on Sunday afternoon for server training. 

This was followed by Laetare Sunday Vespers recto tono with the priests of St. Anne, as well as the Exercises of Sunday Afternoon according to the Manual, the latter of which included an exhortation to persevere in our decades-long efforts to establish the Oratory in San Diego. The details for the rest of the week were also sorted out.

The Monday Night Requiem

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Since Brother Steven Holc directs the choir at the Pala TLM, the chaplain to Pala, Fr. Peter Adrian Miller, O.Praem, was celebrant for Monday night's Solemn High Requiem Mass for Maria Holc. Fr. John Lyons, F.S.S.P. was the deacon for the Mass, and Fr. Earl Eggleston served as subdeacon. Aside from the Brothers and Chorus Breviarii San Diego, those in the loft that night included members of Chorus Breviarii Murrieta, the choir at Holy Martyrs Anglican Ordinariate Parish, and Fr. Eggleston's acolyte schola. The motet during Communion was Jacquet of Mantua's O Jesu Christe. Since the burial was not to take place that day, the Benedictus with antiphon Ego sum was sung between the absolution of the catafalque and the In paradisum. It was the first liturgical service at which newly-admitted Brother Adrian Ople wore his Oratorian collar.

Fr. Eggleston chants the Epistle.

Fr. Lyons chants the Gospel.

Fr. Peter Adrian preaches on the
charity of a mother.

Brother Tom Gray fulfills his usual role
of ringing the bell at the consecration.

The servers and clerics
process to the catafalque.

Welcome, Brothers!

Warm congratulations to Adrian and Marlon, who traveled to London to become the latest (but hopefully not the last) Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego!

A White Elephant for D.C.

Whether Cardinal McElroy's promotion from the humble Diocese of San Diego to the prestigious Archdiocese of Washington leads to greater liberties for Chorus Breviarii and even better prospects for the foundation of an Oratory in San Diego remains to be seen.

A blessed Epiphany to all, especially the Brothers of the Little Oratory in D.C.

A Recently Painted St. Philip Statuette

During his visit to London around St. Philip's Day this past spring, Frater David Latorre purchased a statuette of St. Philip at the Oratory gift shop. As can be seen in the photo below, it initially came unpainted. As Fratellino pointed out, besides some details in the cassock, this gift shop statuette is a very faithful depiction of St. Philip. Paintwork was done by a friend of Frater Roberto Lionello and his wife Grace.

During our usual conclusion of Monday night practice with Compline, Frater David placed the statuette on the mantle next to the crucifix. This recently painted statuette makes a wonderful addition to the Brothers' devotional objects, and it was recommended to the San Diego Brothers' current postulants that they themselves should obtain something similar during their visit to London for admissions.

(Courtesy: David)

Throwback to a 2008 San Diego Brother

Those who keep up with New Liturgical Movement may have seen that our Brother Robert Keim has been welcomed as a new member of NLM's writing staff. Congratulations to him!

Frater Robert was part of the group of Brothers admitted to the Oratory in 2008, the others being the late John J. Velasco, his son Christopher, Wayne Lam, Richard Dawes, and George Pecoraro. 

Frater Robert reading from
Fr. Bacci's life of St. Philip in a
 Precious Blood robe.

It seems that all our articles that mention him are nearly 15 years old or older! There are some great photos included, so we encourage you to take a look.

• 23 Jan. 2008 - "New Oratorian Brothers for San Diego"
  
• 23 Jan. 2008 - "Six new San Diego Brothers admitted in London"
  
• 27 May 2008 - "Brothers in our Prayers and General Intentions this Philiptide"
  
• 8 Jun. 2009 - "St. Philip's Celebrations 2009"
  

Additionally, Frater Robert accompanied Fratellino and Frater Richard to sing for a Solemn High Mass in Orange County over a decade ago.

St. John the Evangelist, Costa Mesa, 2013

For those interested in Mr. Keim's first few articles from New Liturgical Movement, we have them linked below.

• The Exsultet, The Happy Fault, and the Queen of Heaven
  
• The Bells of Easter, Part 1: The Golden Bells of the High Priest
• The Bells of Easter, Part 2: Bell-Song of the Risen Christ
  

Additionally, he is one of the twenty-six authors included in Dr. Peter Kwasniewski's book Ultramontanism and Tradition: The Role of Papal Authority in the Catholic Faith, with some of the other authors including Cardinal Burke, Bishop Schneider, and Dr. Joseph Shaw of the Latin Mass Society, as well as fellow Southern Californians Dr. Ed Feser and Charles A. Coulombe. Dr. Kwasniewski has information on the book here.

The Little Oratory, Can't Vote

Image of St. Philip posted by Marlon.
Probably from the Pharr Oratory.

The Manual of the Little Oratory, the websites of various Oratories around the United States, and the Constitutions of the Oratory make it clear that voting is a normal aspect of Oratorian life. I realized recently that it was a bit ironic that the newest Oratory of Pontifical Right to be established is located in Washington, D.C., a part of the United States well-known for its inability to vote for Congressional representatives in the House or Senate (thankfully). In a discussion I had with Fratellino about what the acrostic for the D.C. Oratory's version of "True Sons of Philip" should spell out, I suggested The Little Oratory, Columbia. On the other hand, Fratellino suggested the much more humourous The Little Oratory, Can't Vote. Taking Fratellino's concept, here is one suggestion.

True sons of Philip, raise

Heav’nward your strain of praise,

Ever rejoicing in God, as he taught;

Learn from St Philip still

In body, mind and will

Truly our Lord to serve, counting self as naught.

Songs therefore let us bring,

Praises to Jesus sing,

Now and for ever our Lord and our God. (2)

Trust in St Philip’s prayers,

Let him relieve our cares,

Ease for us gain in temptation and stress.

Once we his aid invoke

Riven is Satan’s yoke

And we are stronger our Saviour to bless.

(Refrain)

Turn, as St Philip bade,

Often to Mary’s aid,

Refuge and help she refuses to none;

Years have not dimmed her power

Come now and ev’ry hour

All grace she wins us by prayer with her Son.

(Refrain)

Never shall we despair

Triumphant, we declare

Victory over sin with the Spirit's love;

Out with all sadness here,

Take on St. Philip’s cheer

Evermore till we rule with the Saints above!

(Refrain)

The lines for "C" and "A" in the third verse are identical to the Cardiff Oratory's acrostic, while the "O" in the final verse is identical to the one found in Oxford's acrostic. We here in San Diego certainly look forward to whatever D.C. decides to write for their version of this great Oratorian hymn, but I hope they enjoy our rendition as well!

As the Cardiff Oratory explains, the hymn was originally written as an acrostic, spelling out The Little Oratory in London. Adaptations for each Oratorian House in Britain modify the last eight lines of the song (i.e., the last third of the third verse and the whole six lines of the fourth verse). The refrain acrostic spells out S.P.N. (St. Philip Neri). 

At Cardiff, these last eight lines spell out Caerdydd (the Welsh name for the city), while Oxford's lines spell out in Oxford. The verse-writer at Oxford dealt with the difficulty of the letter "X" by referring to St. Francis Xavier, one of St. Philip's role models (as well as one of the four Spaniards he shares his canonization date with). Since the Brothers in San Diego were received into St. Philip's family at London, Chorus Breviarii is accustomed to singing the original in London version. However, somewhere in Fratellino's archives, there may still exist a copy of an acrostic for San Diego written over a decade ago. 

Now, we ought to charge Marlon with writing one for Pharr if they develop a sizeable Little Oratory out in Texas.

Valē, Marlōnī

Marlon serving Mass at St. Augustine of Canterbury (right)

One of our young Chorus Breviarii members from the Imperial Valley, Marlon Munguia, will be starting a period of discernment at the Pharr Oratory in March. We pray that his postulancy will be fruitful and that the Fathers in Texas will find him well-suited for the Oratorian life. 

Marlon graduated from JPCatholic University in Escondido in 2023. During his time as a student, he led the school's Divine Office Ministry (now called Pelicanes Traditiones) and even attended some classes taught by Fratellino. Through his involvement in promoting the Traditional Divine Office at JPCatholic, the Brothers have been able to celebrate Vespers for and with the students. JPCatholic students have also been able to attend our Tenebrae services through carpools organized through the ministry. We hope that we will continue to see them attending or serving at our events.

Frater Ron's picture of Marlon serving as thurifer

Up until Fr. Samuel Keyes' departure from San Diego to a new assignment in Connecticut, Marlon also served at Holy Mass with Frater Ron Clemente at the Ordinariate Parish of St. Augustine of Canterbury.

Before becoming a Chorus Breviarii member in 2021, Marlon and his group of friends were active in trying to promote the Traditional Mass and Divine Office in the Imperial Valley. This was the cause of our visit to celebrate Sunday Vespers in El Centro in September 2021. We hope that his friends will continue to promote these sacred and ancient rites, and we may pay a visit again if time permits. 

We will certainly miss Marlon for Tenebrae this year. However, if God wills it, we may see him again with the Oratorian collar! May St. Philip pray for him!

Congrats to the D.C. Oratory

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego (and Chorus Breviarii) would like to extend our congratulations to the D.C. Oratory for their formal establishment on the Feast of Candlemas, 2024. Our very own Fratellino paid a visit to D.C. in June of 2021 while they were still an Oratory-in-Formation. Below is a video message sent to us from Msgr. Wadsworth during Fratellino's visit. May Good St. Philip continue to intercede for them as they labour in our nation's capital.

Fratellino's hat at the D.C. Lady Altar

For Friends, Relations, and Benefactors

The month of November, and especially the Octave of All Saints, is dedicated to prayer for the souls suffering in Purgatory. Please pray for our deceased brethren, friends, and benefactors, as well as for the deceased relatives of our members and benefactors still living. We have included some below.

• Fr. Harry Neely, O.S.A. (+2020), chaplain to the Holy Cross TLM

• Fr. Reginald "Rex" DeFour, C.S.Sp. (+2021), chaplain to the Holy Cross TLM

• Fr. Louis Mary Solcia, C.R.S.P. (+2023), beloved priest of San Diego's Little Italy

• Frater John James Velasco (+2022), a San Diego Brother of the Little Oratory

• Jon Roussos (+2022), a Chorus Breviarii member, friend of the Byzantines and Ordinariate

• John M. Polhamus (+2022), father of Frater John B. Polhamus

• Romualdo G. Clemente (+1989), father of Frater Ron Clemente

• Adelaida C. Clemente (+2023), mother of Frater Ron Clemente

• Raleigh S. Clemente (+2022), brother of Frater Ron Clemente

• Angelina Albor (+2023), great aunt of Fr. Raymond Philip Napuli

• Hank Goldmann (+2023), father-in-law of Brian Donnelly of C.B. Murrieta

• Peter Vincent Leparulo (+2015), a supporter of the Brothers in San Diego

• Daniel Francis Grady (+2022), founding member of Holy Cross TLM

• Joseph Shaara (+2023), a Holy Cross member, for whom we sang a Requiem for last month

And for all others who we have not named here, especially for the deceased Fathers of the London Oratory, and for our brethren in London, may they and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Courtesy: Fratellino

Concluding Philiptide

Frater David serving at Low Mass on St. Philip's Day (5/26/2023)

Today on Ember Friday in the Octave of Pentecost is the Octave Day of St. Philip Neri. While Philipmas was not impeded this year by the precedence of Whitsun Week, the Phillpmas Octave's remaining seven days all occurred between Whitsun Eve and the Friday of Whitsun Week. 

St. Philip statuette at Our Lady of the Rosary gift shop

Father Joseph Illo of San Francisco's Star of the Sea parish has included his Homily on St. Philip from 2015 on his blog, celebrating the Good Saint's spiritual fatherhood over many in the city of Rome. New Liturgical Movement has also republished an excellent article on Pippo Buono's position as a patron for Traditionalists among the other great Counter-Reformation saints.

As a final piece to commemorate Philiptide, above we have posted a recording from 2013 of the Brothers singing "True Sons of Philip," a joyful hymn recalling the patronage and example of our spiritual father. The hymn is an acrostic sung to the German Marian hymn tune Wunderschön prächtige, with the lyrics modified between each Oratory to spell out the location. For example, the intials of the original hymn's verses read "The Little Oratory in London," while the Cardiff Oratory's variant reads "The Little Oratory, Caerdydd," using the Welsh name for Cardiff. In all cases, the refrain spells "S.P.N.," the initials of St. Philip Neri. 

St. Philip Neri, pray for us!

Courtesy: Fratellino & Jon T

Philipmas and the Holy Ghost

This year, Philipmas' occurence on the Friday before Pentecost creates a sort of Triduum of the Holy Ghost composed of Philipmas, Whitsun Eve, and Whit Sunday. The next time this Triduum will occur will be in 2034. 

While St. Philip was in prayer asking for the gifts of the Holy Ghost, there appeared a globe of fire which entered his mouth and lodged itself in his chest, enlarging his heart and breaking his ribs. With the physical enlargement of his heart and its miraculous palpitation and warmth also came St. Philip's charity and joyful spirit excited by those gifts of the Holy Ghost that he had received. We ask today that St. Philip will pray for us to God that our hearts may be prepared to receive the Holy Ghost on Pentecost and be inflamed with love and joy like his.

Brothers' new Justin.tv Channel

http://www.justin.tv/oratorianbros/b/299457371

Follow this link to the Brother's new Justin.tv channel, where you'll find archived video-streams of First Vespers of All Saints at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Compline of Monday from St. John of the Cross Parish in Lemon Grove, and our Annual General Requiem at St. Augustine's Monastery chapel We'll be going high-def and hi-fi soon, but for now we hope you'll enjoy these examples of our liturgical activities.