Vespers of the 7th Sunday after Pentecost

The Cross as the new Tree of Life.

Detail of the mosaic in the apse of the Basilica of St. Clement, Rome (XII century)

Sunday, July 11, 2:30 P.M.

Vespers of the 7th Sunday after Pentecost

with Gregorian chant psalmody.

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

Hebdomadary: Rev. Fr. Christopher Basden

St. Augustine Monastery Chapel

3266 Nutmeg St., San Diego, CA 92104

Join the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego and Chorus Breviarii for an afternoon of quiet meditation at St. Augustine's Monastery chapel, where they will sing Vespers (Evening prayer) of the 7th Sunday after Pentecost and Benediction. Translational booklets and hymn sheets will be freely available. There is no charge but donations are always gratefully accepted.

Philiptide Mass Videos from 2010

St. Philip's feast was celebrated this year, 2010, with a Solemn High Mass in St. Joseph's Cathedral in San Diego. The following links will provide views of three excerpts from the mass, which hopefully hint at things to come!




Deo Gratias!

Philiptide and Spring Review

The Brothers of the Little Oratory were pleased to celebrate their Eighth Annual tide of St. Philip Neri in St. Joseph's Cathedral, this past 4 & 5 June, 2010. The services included Solemn 1st Vespers of St. Philip sung Friday evening, the psalms and canticle of which were sung using the setting of W. A. Mozart, the "Solemn Vespers of a Confessor" K 3.39. This is believed to be the first recorded local use of Mozart's famous Vespers in their liturgical setting. The Thomas Luis de Victoria choir featured Mary Anne Carr-Wilson as soprano soloist, Dr. Alison Luedecke accompanied on the Cathedral's 1931 Austin pipe organ, and John Polhamus conducted. Audio clips will be made available shortly.

The following day at 2:00pm Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite was sung in the Cathedral. Fr. Victor Sczurek, O.Praem. celebrated, assisted by Fr. Justin Ramos, O.Praem. as deacon, and Mr. James Crittenden, sub-deacon. The Brothers were indispensably assisted by one of their own in the role of MC, by Mr. Ashly Paver of Cincinnati, OH, who made the journey westward to once again join the chapter for the annual observances. The music for the mass was sung by a three-voice schola of the Victoria Choir, and included the Byrd "Mass for Three Voices" and the full Gregorian propers for the mass of St. Philip Neri.

This brings the activities of the Brothers into summer time, when weekly rehearsals will be suspended in favor of weekly semi-private vespers, and Brother's "Garden Exercizes." This spring has been an active one for the Brothers, and Brothers liturgical activities have included:

~ The 10th Consecutive Traditional Tenebrae, sung at St. John the Evangelist in University Heights, featuring choral contributions from the La Jolla Renaissance Singers. A promotional video featuring musical highlights of this year's particularly rich musical offerings is being prepared with the assistance of Mr. Steve Marshall, a graduate of John Paul the Great Catholic University. The video promises to offer some of the best representation to date of the Brother's liturgical activities

~ The 24th Anniversary of the monthly Rosary Procession at the University of San Diego's Immaculata Parish Church, featuring the Brothers processing in robes of the Archconfraternity of the Most Precious Blood;

~ Gregorian contributions to the 1st Communion Mass for St. Joseph's Academy in Vista. This mass featured the 1st communion of the daughter of postulant Jon T. Velasco. The Brothers sang on behalf of a capacity congregation at St. Mark's Catholic Church in San Marcos, and were able to enhance the solemnity of the Ordinary Form mass for parents and communicants alike, offering many their first experience of liturgical chant. If actions follow initial reactions, we may hope to invited back next year, or even sooner. This was a fine example of the Brother's musico-liturgical apostolate in action.

~ The 1st Annual Brother's Rummage Sale.

~ The Eighth Annual Philiptide celebrations and Annual General Meeting of the Brothers. New officers were elected for proposal to the Father Prefect in London, and will be published upon approval.

~ And singing for the mass of Solemn Profession of Vows by Br. Ronald Custorio, O.S.A. at St. Augustine's Monastery Chapel. The Brothers sang Kyrie VI, and the Sanctus and Agnus of Mass VIII, along with Gregorian propers and a variety of Gregorian communion motets. At the generous barbecue buffet which followed, it was duly noted that the fine fare was provided by none other than "Phil's" Barbecue. The proprietor was duly provided with a Philiptide prayer-card, and introduced to the business' logical patron!

And with that, the Brothers come into the summer break, which gives us a chance to reflect on the exertions of the Fall and Spring, and to recharge our batteries for the coming season. We of course thank all those who have assisted us in our apostolate this past year, and hope that you will consider helping us again in the future. We offer prayers for all our benefactors, and request the same in return. We wish you a sun-burnished summer, leisure to enjoy it, the Blessings of our Lord and the intercessions of our Lady, St. Philip Neri, and all the saints. Summer is here: "Allegramente! Allegramente!"

Feast of St. Philip Neri Events 2010

Friday, June 4, 7:00 P.M.

First Vespers of the Feast of St. Philip Neri

and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

Hebdomadary: Fr. Justin Ramos, O. Praem.

Music to include:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

SOLEMN VESPERS OF A CONFESSOR, K. 339

Mary Anne Carr-Wilson, Soprano

Dr. Alison Luedecke, Organist

John Polhamus, Director

Saturday, June 5, 14:00 2:00 P.M.

Solemn High Mass for the

Feast of St. Philip Neri

Music to include:

William Byrd: Mass for 3 Voices

and Gregorian Propers

Both Events to be sung in:

St. Joseph's Cathedral

1535 3rd Ave

San Diego, CA 92101-3101

May 2, 2010: Rosary Procession at USD

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego participated in the May rosary procession at USD, wearing their processional robes of the Archconfraternity of the Most Precious Blood. These are probably the only robes like them in the United States.

April 18: Vespers of the Second Sunday After Easter

(The Good Shepherd, Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, 2nd half of the III century)

Sunday, April 18, 15:00 (3:00 P.M.)

Vespers of the 2nd Sunday after Easter

with Gregorian chant psalmody.

Hebdomadary: Rev. Fr. Harry Neely, O.S.A.

St. Augustine Monastery Chapel

3266 Nutmeg St., San Diego, CA 92104

Join the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego and Chorus Breviarii in the luminous quietness of St. Augustine's Monastery chapel for Vespers (Evening prayer) of the 2nd Sunday after Easter, including accompanied Gregorian Chant psalmody. Translational booklets and hymn sheets will be freely available. There is no charge but donations are always gratefully accepted.

Pictures from Tenebrae 2010

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego sang their 10th consecutive annual Tenebrae on Wednesday evening, 31 March, 2010. The congregation numbered between fifty and seventy-five persons, with an additional twenty-five making up the La Jolla Renaissance Singers who generously contributed polyphony. Additionally, there were fifteen persons making up the liturgical choir and servers, bring the total attendance to over one hundred. The service lasted two and one-half hours. Video will be forthcoming, but for now enjoy these striking images of Tenebrae 2010. Special thanks to Fr. William Dillard and the staff of St. John the Evangelist Church, Normal Heights. Special thanks also to Richard Truman Peterson, Mike Gruta and Christopher Gomez, who assisted in the sanctuary, and of course to Fr. Harry Neely, OSA, who served as Hebdomadary during the lengthy service. Gratias vobis, fratres et sorores.