Message from a future Monk

Br. David Olds, soon to be resuming his novitiate with the Order of St. Agustine, sends the following summary message of thanks for good wishes and encouragement. The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego came to know David Olds some years ago while he was beginning his Augustinian journey with the community here in North Park, San Diego. We assure David of the continued prayers of his Oratorian friends in Christ, and of our hope that, while we will see him in spirit with constancy, we will see him physically sooner than later!

"Dear All, sorry to put this in a mass email. I was so excited I had to send it ASAP
as I sit here at work.

Just wanted to thank all of you for your prayers over the last few weeks.
As you know I will be continuing my formation with the Augustinians in San
Francisco. I will be moving in next month.

I just received my acceptance letter from The University of San Francisco
today! I know it is through His grace and your intercession! Thank you!

My Thanks to Bishop Cordileone, Fr Gary, Fr Tom, Fr Jim, Fr Rex, Fr Bob,
Helen, Tristan, John, Uncle Rich, Uncle Steve, Sean and my best bud Shane!

Pax Christi, Dave"

San Diego Brothers' May 2009 Schedule of Events

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego are pleased to announce the following liturgical events for May 2009, including the schedule of Philiptide events.

Sunday, 3 May 2009, 4:00pm
Paschal Vespers for the 3rd Sunday after Easter and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Fr. Carl Gismondi, Hebdom.
St. Anne's Church, Sicard St., Sherman Heights

Saturday, 9 May 2009, 9:00am
Gregorian Chant Lady Mass
(OF, Latin, Ad Orientem)
Fr. Zilverberg (visiting)
St. Augustine's Monastery Chapel,
South Park, San Diego

Sunday, 10 May 2009, 6:45pm
Paschal Vespers for the 4th Sunday after Easter and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Fr. Zilverberg, Hebdom.
St. Mary's, Escondido, Broadway and 13th

Wednesday, 20 May 2009, 7:00pm
First Vespers of the Feast of the Ascension and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Fr. Carl Gismondi, FSSP, Hebdom.
St. Anne's, Sicard St., Sherman Heights

Philiptide Events Schedule

Sunday, 24 May 2009, 3:00pm
MUSICAL ORATORY - Free Concert Spirituel
(Featuring grand organ music of Duruflé,
Dupré, Vierne, Tournemire, et al.)
St. Joseph's Cathedral,
3rd & Beech, Downtown San Diego
(length of concert spirituel, 1hr15min.)

Monday, 25 May 2009, 7:00pm
Solemn First Vespers of the Feast of St. Philip Neri and
Benediction fo the Blessed Sacrament
Sacred Heart Catholic Church,
655 C Avenue, Coronado 92118
Fr. Carl Gismondi, FSSP, Hebdom.

Tuesday, 26 May 2009, 7:00pm
Solemn High Mass for the
Feast of St. Philip Neri,
Fr. Carl Gismondi, FSSP, Cel.
St. Anne's, Sicard St., Sherman Heights

May is a very special month, being the Month of Our Lady, the Month of the Ascension of the Lord, and the Pentecost of the Holy Spirit, setting for the feasts of St. Monica and St. Maria Magdalena dei Pazzi, and of course the setting for the Novena and tide of our Holy Father St. Philip Neri.

With the onset of Summer, May truly crowns the year. Let us then crown this May with our prayers, especially in this time or heightened pestilential anxiety. The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego cordially invite you to join your prayers and your voices with ours this May, in praise of God, Our Lady, and all the Saints.

Gaudete omnes in Domino, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Always and Everywhere...Felix Pascha

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego wish the solemn joy of Easter to all with whom we are in contact. We thank you for your support both moral, material, and liturgical, and look forward to singing Christ's praises with you once again in chant, psalms and canticles during the coming course of our 8th year. God Bless and Save our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, Roger, our Archbishop, Robert our Bishop, and all the clergy and religious of the Diocese of San Diego. Our Lady of Victories and St. Philip Neri, intercede for them.

9th consecutive Annual Tenebrae Service sung at St. John's

The Brothers of the Little Oratory, and members of Chorus Breviarii Gregorian Chant Schola, sang their 9th consecutive Annual Tenebrae service on Wednesday evening of Holy Week, in the church of St. John the Evangelist, Normal Heights, San Diego.






Fr. Harry Neely, O.S.A. served as Hebdomadary and sang the 1st lesson from the Lamentations of Jeremias.



The Brothers and CB members numbered ten in choir, and around thirty members of the public attended.


Numbers were down this year owing to the fact that advertising of this service was conducted strictly via the internet, for the first time.


The service ran to two hours fifteen minutes exactly.














First photographs arrived from the family of Jon T. Velasco. Professional photographs were taken by Miss Jean Perko, and will be added as they become available.


For now, enjoy these images from Tenebrae of Holy Thursday 2009.

Lenten Evening Prayer and Farewell Reception for Bishop Cordileone

The following announcement was received this morning with a request to publicize it as possible, which this blog is certainly happy to do.

"EVENING PRAYER FOR LENT & RECEPTION FOR BISHOP SALVATORE CORDILEONE

The Faithful of the Diocese of San Diego are invited to attend the celebration of Evening Prayer (Vespers) for Lent followed by a Reception for Bishop Cordileone on Sunday, March 29th at 4:00 p.m. at Mission San Diego de Alcalá, St. Francis Center."

Please mark this appointment in your datebooks. This is a splendid opportunity to both thank Bishop Cordileone in person for his service to his native Diocese, and to send him on to his new one with our heartfelt prayers.

AMDG

The Brothers salute the new Bishop of Oakland, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone

"VATICAN CITY, 23 MAR 2009 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, auxiliary of San Diego, U.S.A., as bishop of Oakland (area 3,798, population 2,466,692, Catholics 406,947, priests 433, permanent deacons 112, religious 843), U.S.A."

This morning the news that was not entirely unexpected became public. Bishop Cordileone is to leave us. The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego offer their dear Bishop their unceasing prayers and good wishes, and their heartfelt thanks for the many opportunities he gave us to exercise our spiritualities through liturgical work at levels we never expected to attain. However long it may be before we see him again, if we are so blessed, the memories, the experiences we shared with him, and the expanded spiritual horizons he inculcated in us, will both sustain and propel us towards a holier future. God Bless you, Bishop.

Speaking personally, it has been a great grace to know and serve this extraordinary man, indeed the greatest grace I have know in this diocese through the years. He has helped so many to recover, nurture and find growth in Catholic identities long undernourished. His manifold kindnesses and sensitivities, combined with a firm and assertive guidance has changed the lives of so many in our Diocese it would be difficult to count them.

Of his many extraordinary personal qualities, let me highlight but a few: he is accessible. He laughs. He is intellectual. He has a rare common touch. He is interested. He listens. He has no liturgical axe to grind; his concern is always for the quality of the liturgical act. He knows his own mind, but is concerned with the perceptions of others as well. He loves his ministry. He truly loves the Roman Catholic Church. I could go on, but I will leave it to his future biographers.

Without him we will be bereft for a time, but we will go on. May he go from strength to strength. May the hand of the Almighty rest firmly upon him. May he visit us one day in Eminence. May his rise continue, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the benefit of all. "Virgam virtútis tuæ emíttet Dóminus ex Sion: domináre in médio inimicórum tuórum" : The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion : be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies...and in the midst of your countless friends, as well.

God Bless the Bishop of Oakland, His Grace Bp. Salvatore Cordileone! Deo Gratias.

Brothers sing Laetare Sunday Vespers as work on St. Anne's Sanctuary continues

On "Laetare" Sunday the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego sang Vespers for the 4th Sunday in Lent at St. Anne's Sicard St., with one attendee coming from as far as Los Angeles. Fr. Carl Gismondi, F.S.S.P. officiated. Sitting in choir was newly ordained transitional deacon, Jose Cepeda, F.S.S.P. The liturgy was performed in the midst of the sanctuary renovations, which continue apace. The marble flooring of the Sanctuary is now in, as is the altar-rail. Carpeting has been removed in preparation for the installation of a parquet floor, and the reverberation in the modestly sized church is noticeably increased. These changes are already creating a markedly sympathetic singing space, and Gregorian chant will be doubtless be well served at St. Anne's.

The Brothers received indispensable assistance in this celebration from Mr. Hans Mosler, who assisted as Ceremoniere, and Mr. Spencer Velkey who ably accompanied his first traditional vesper service. To them we offer our sincere thanks.