Prayer and Penance for two empty Sees

From the Book of Kings (1 Samuel 18:29, 19:1; 2 Samuel 1:1, 11, 12)

In those days, Saul the king began to fear David more, and Saul became David's enemy continually. And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. And it came to pass that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites; and hearing that Saul was dead, he took hold of his garments and rent them, and likewise all the men that were with him. And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening for Saul, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel.

But thou, O Lord, have mercy on us. Deo gratias. 

Alleluia. 

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego ask for the continuous offering of prayer and penance, even during the joys of Bright Week, that the ever-living and resurrected God may grant us holy bishops to shepherd both the Diocese of San Diego and the universal Church. With the passing of Pope Francis today on Easter Monday, the final say on the appointment of a new Ordinary for San Diego lies in the hands of the next Pope. 

Since the election of the Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1846, sede vacante periods for the Papacy have lasted between 16 and 17 days, with a maximum of 20 days and a minimum of 13 days. It is very likely we'll see a new Pope by the middle of May. San Diego's sede vacante began on March 11 with the installation of McElroy as Cardinal-Archbishop of Washington. Bishop Michael Pham, one of the three diocesan auxiliary bishops for San Diego, was elected to serve as diocesan administrator on March 17 by a group consisting of the three diocesan auxiliaries and eight diocesan priests. This position will expire when the next Ordinary is appointed by the next Pope, and we may have to wait until June for such that Pope to make an appointment.

At present, we ought to use this time wisely, praying for holy men to fill these empty chairs, and also that anything that might be an obstacle to reverence, orthodoxy, and good works be removed. A favorable appointment for San Diego is one that restores Chorus Breviarii's ability to introduce the average local Catholic to reverent and beautiful ceremonies in various parish churches without fear of persecution. A highly favorable appointment for San Diego is one that permits the establishment of an Oratory in our own diocese. 

Finally, pray for the soul of Pope Francis, that the prayers offered for his soul while he was still alive and whatever sacraments he may have received in his last days were a source of spiritual strength for him, especially in obtaining the grace of final repentance. For even as King David mourned the death of his rash and impious predecessor, knowing that he too was chosen by God for that time to lead the children of Israel, so should we remain sober and pray that the stain of scandal be blotted out by the sacraments and the fires of Purgatory. Rule XVI from the Manual of the Little Oratory for the Brothers in London reminds us of the fate of all men before God's throne:

We must all often reflect that we have to die, and give an account to God of our whole life.

That we may pray for these intentions, and that we too may remember that, like the late Pope, we will have to answer for our own iniquities.

Grant this O Lord, alleluia.

Prayer for a Deceased Roman Pontiff

God, Who, in Thine ineffable providence, didst will that Thy servant Pope Francis should be numbered among the high priests, grant, we beseech Thee, that he, who on earth held the place of Thine only-begotten Son, may be joined forevermore to the fellowship of Thy holy pontiffs.

Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Deo Gratias to 2024 (Pt. 1)

Frater Jon T's picture of us at Martinmas supper

For our American readers keeping up with our blog, we hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and we pray for your acclimation to whatever penances you have planned for the rest of St. Martin's Lent and Advent. The Brothers and Chorus Breviarii give thanks to God for their ability to continue their activities, both liturgical and recreational, throughout the liturgical year. To commemorate the end of the 2024 liturgical year, we present some photos from events much earlier in the year that we were unable to post earlier. We have a large backlog of photos from earlier in the year and from years past, so stay tuned for more.

First Visit to the Chaldean Cross

Our poster designer Martin helped to organize the St. Anne Young Adult Group's first hike up to the Chaldean Holy Cross in Jamul, CA on Passion Saturday. Fr. Jesus Valenzuela, F.S.S.P. led the young adults in praying the Stations of the Cross while climbing to the summit of the hill, which was about 900 feet above sea level. We were joined by Mr. Peter O'Connor, F.S.S.P., a seminarian at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, NE. Mr. Grant Dunn, who was leading the young adult group at the time of the hike and has sung in choir with the Brothers for a few Vespers events in the past, is also currently enrolled in his first year at the Denton seminary. Our climb to the top was very penitential, as aside from the steep incline and loose dirt, we also had to deal with a cold drizzle that eventually intensified into windy rain. The rainy conditions died down when we were halfway down the mountain. 

Set on private land between rural and suburban East County, this cross commemorates the persecuted Christian communities of the Middle East, many of whom have been martyred for their embrace of the faith. Many persecuted Middle Eastern Christians have come to the United States, with a large percentage of them being Chaldean Catholics such as the family who installed this cross last December, the Attishas. Counting the Catholic communities alone, there are also Melkites, Maronites, and Syriacs. The Chaldeans have established a large presence in El Cajon and adjacent communities, with a monastery located just east of Montgomery Field. The prominent placement of the Chaldean Cross makes it visible from the southern edge of Rancho San Diego, a community located just south of El Cajon proper which is home to St. Peter's Chaldean Cathedral and an adjacent convent. The future site of an expanded St. Anne Catholic Church is located on the northern edge of Rancho San Diego, only a brief walk from the Chaldeans' seminary in El Cajon. 

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A post shared by Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas (@chaldeandiocese)

Interestingly, the unity between the Chaldean communities of El Cajon and Rancho San Diego was the subject of a lawsuit filed a couple years ago by LiMandri & Jonna LLP that disputed the legality of the new San Diego County Supervisorial District boundaries. As business-oriented Catholics who have suffered at the hands of Muslims, the Chaldeans have generally voted along conservative lines like the rest of East County. Both the Chaldean community and the County's Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) admitted that the redraws were made in the interest of "BIPOC" activism, with the Chaldean Coalition claiming that "BIPOC" / BLM / anti-conservative interests motivated the push to dilute the Chaldean vote. Meanwhile, the County claims that the IRC was acting in the interest of immigrant and refugee communities, which may highlight that Arab Muslim communities in East County are politically closer to fellow Muslim refugees in San Diego's Mid-City neighborhoods than Chaldeans in East County. Regardless of the validity of the IRC's justification, the lawsuit was rejected in 2023, leaving Rancho San Diego's Chaldean community in the county's most diverse Supervisorial District, with some of the areas represented including immigrant neighborhoods, Black communities, and homosexual enclaves. In general, the District votes solidly liberal.

Many of our younger Chorus Breviarii members are familiar with both Fr. Andrew "Andy" Younan, chorbishop and seminary rector, and Fr. Ankido (Enkidu) Sipo, abbot, due to their positions as professors at JPCatholic University in Escondido. Fr. Andy also offers the Sunday Divine Mysteries in the Chaldean Rite ad orientem at Mar Narsai Chaldean Catholic Mission, which shares facilities with Holy Martyrs of England and Wales Anglican Ordinariate Parish, the home parish of our Chorus Breviarii brethren in Murrieta.

Delayed Tenebrae Scenes

We currently have multiple days of Tenebrae videos from both 2023 and 2024 that we plan on uploading to YouTube around Ash Wednesday of 2025. We also have a large collection of photos from both St. Anne and Holy Martyrs. As at last year's Tenebrae services at St. Anne, Fr. Valenzuela was our hebdomadary. Mr. Peter O'Connor, F.S.S.P. and Mr. Grant Dunn also joined us for Tenebrae, each one reading a Lesson. Since 2022, a few of us have made it a custom to visit the Ruthenians at Holy Angels Byzantine Catholic Church following Tenebrae of Holy Saturday for the celebration of Jerusalem Matins, where we always see Chorus Breviarii associate Gary Huber leading as cantor.

Courtesy: Bert Porciuncula

The Crown Point Country Club

Our annual Paschal Gaudeamus took place on April 22 at the highly-exclusive and extremely secretive Crown Point Country Club. Chorus Breviarii members from down near the Mexican border all the way up to Murrieta gathered to enjoy the end of Lenten fasting to engage in Paschaltide feasting. Our potluck dinner, which included bratwurst, "Tasting is Believing" chicken, and various other dishes was delicious. Highlights at the club that night included an outdoor grill and tiki bar, heated and unheated saltwater pools, and live coverage of the San Diego Padres. My own dip in the pool was followed by some cozying-up by the fire-ring. Considering the cold air that often passes over Crown Point, some modest drinking also aided in warming up the body. For information about the club's history, membership dues, and actual existence, please contact Mr. John B. Polhamus.

Ecce quam bonum et quam jucundum, habitare fratres in unum!

Two Dioceses, Two Levels of Awareness

We would have you know that the presence of green altar cloths, green commercial sanctuary banners, and other green Novus Ordo decorations at this year's Whitsun Vespers were not a generous nod to the vestments that would be used for Pentecost at the yet-to-be-built Ukrainian Catholic Church down the road in Santee. More likely, as we wrote on Instagram, it would appear that the army of parish decorators immediately set up for the Feast of the Tears of Paul VI immediately following the conclusion of the 10AM Mass. Perhaps they were more eager to say "come untimely green" rather than "come Holy Ghost." After all, it removes the need for the parish decorators to have to go back to church on Monday. Fratellino, who provided the images here, has his own comment below.

From Fratellino:

Veni Creator Spiritus. Pentecost has come at last. Full Masses at Holy Martyrs, Murrieta; and Vespers at Guardian Angels, Santee, where exactly one person (NOT a parishioner) bothered to attend. What a difference a diocese makes!

Sunday, May 19: 2nd Vespers of Pentecost Sunday

 

Descent of the Holy Ghost
Anonymous Hungarian, 1510

Sunday, May 19, 16:00 (4:00 PM)

Second Vespers of the Whit Sunday
with Benediction

Hebdomadary: Rev. Fr. André Ramos

Guardian Angels Catholic Church
9310 Dalehurst Rd
Santee, CA 92071

 Text with translation for printing or mobile devices.

Fr. Ramos has welcomed us again for the celebration of Vespers in Santee. This coming Sunday we will be celebrating the arrival of the Holy Ghost promised by Our Lord before His Ascension into heaven. Please join us in Santee to listen to and celebrate the glorious Feast of Pentecost in the universal tongue of the Latin Church.

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.

Wednesday, May 8: 1st Vespers of the Ascension

Ludovico Carracci (1555-1619)
The Ascension (1597)

Wednesday, May 8, 19:30 (7:30 PM)

First Vespers of the Ascension

w/ Benediction

Hebdomadary: Rev. Fr. Jesus Valenzuela, F.S.S.P.

St. Anne Catholic Church

621 Sicard St. San Diego, CA 92113-2396

 Text with translation for printing or mobile devices.

Next week, the Brothers will celebrate the conclusion of Our Lord's forty days walking among the disciples after His Resurrection with Sung Vespers and Benediction at St. Anne Catholic Church. This event is sponsored by the parish's young adult group. Come join us!

A Fruitful Triduum and a Blessed Easter!

 

We'd like to thank Martin for designing the flyers we distributed for Tenebrae this year at St. Anne Catholic Church, the North County TLM Community at Mission San Antonio de Pala, and Holy Martyrs Ordinariate Parish in Murrieta. We saw a sizeable turnout for laity in the pews and men in the sanctuary this year. Additionally, with the rain and dark clouds we saw here in San Diego on Holy Saturday, Chorus Breviarii had the experience of finishing early morning Tenebrae in darkness. Book lights were definitely necessary by the time all the lights had been turned off.

Deacon Keith Way of Holy Martyrs was our hebdomadary for Maundy Thursday. Mr. Peter O'Connor, F.S.S.P. of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary joined us for Friday and Saturday this year, while Fr. Jesus Valenzuela, F.S.S.P. was our hebdomadary.  

Our photos and videos will be posted over the next few weeks. Blessed Easter to all, alleluia!

Paschal Gaudeamus 2023

During Eastertide, the Brothers and Chorus Breviarii hold their annual Paschal Gaudeamus to both celebrate the general festivities of the Easter season and to recall their efforts at their annual Tenebrae. This year's Gaudeamus included salad and risotto, hot dogs and steaks, and some cold cuts. Pimm's and monastic beer accompanied our meal, and for dessert after Compline, Fratellino had a Paschal lamb cake. We're half a year away from our next one!

Courtesy: Fratellino

Easter & Whitsun at JPCatholic

Students from John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA celebrated the Feast of Pentecost with sung lay Vespers and Compline, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Two students who sing with Chorus Breviarii run the school's Divine Office Ministry, a group who's activities include nightly Compline and the occasional Vespers service. Last year, the Divine Office Ministry invited the Brothers and Chorus Breviarii to celebrate Vespers of the 5th Sunday after Easter. 

Easter Vespers at JPCatholic (May 22, 2022)

The JPCatholic Divine Office Ministry has provided a solid group for young Catholic students to celebrate the Church's Canonical Hours in a well-structured manner, opting for the older Divine Office arrangement and its chants over the modern Liturgy of the Hours. At the end of their most recent Fall quarter, the group celebrated the end of exams with dinner, dessert, and Sunday Compline in Advent. One Chorus Breviarii member in attendance also instructed the group in how to chant the Angelus. 

Fr. Sarfraz Alam, O.S.A., the current chaplain to JPCatholic, attended Compline with us and completed the Sunday Exposition period with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Hopefully we may be able to celebrate full liturgical Vespers with these students again soon! We pray that the Holy Ghost will enlighten these students' minds as they prepare for their final exams and papers this week.

Courtesy: visionaryarts100