The purpose of this blog is to provide an open forum for discussion of the aims of the society; news from the wider Church and details of Masses and events of interest in the diocese. The Latin Mass Society in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough expresses its full filial devotion and loyalty to Holy Mother Church, Pope Francis and Bishop Drainey.



REGULAR TRADITIONAL MASSES IN THE DIOCESE OF MIDDLESBROUGH

12 Noon. Every Sunday Missa Cantata
York Oratory (
Church of St Wilfrid)
Duncombe Place, York. YO1 7EF

8:15am Monday-Friday
9:15am Saturday

Feast Days (as advertised) usually at 6pm.

Church of St Mary & St Romuald, High Street, Yarm. TS15 9AA

2pm Sunday.

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Peter Chanel
119 Cottingham Road, Hull. HU5 2DH
7.30pm Every Thursday. Low Mass.

VESPERS AND BENEDICTION

4pm. Every Sunday
York Oratory (
Church of St Wilfrid)
Duncombe Place, York. YO1 7EF

Compline and Vespers (as advertised)
(see link to the Rudgate Singers Calendar below)


25 September 2008

Polyphonic Mass in York

I've already mentioned this on my own blog, but see no reason why it shouldn't be mentioned here as well, even if it's not yet been decided whether it will be in the Extraordinary Form, or the Ordinary Form ad Orientem.

There will be a solemn Mass in honour of Our Lady at English Martyrs' Church on 25th October at 3.30pm. The music will be the Gregorian Chant Proper for Masses of the BVM, Josquin's Messe Ave Maris Stella, Guerrero - Ave Virgo Sanctissima, Rivafrecha - Anima Mea, and concluding with the setting of the Solemn Salve Regina written for the Monks of St Mary's Abbey in York.

Needless to say, I'm delighted that we've been able to bring a full scale Rudgate Mass to York, as several of us live here. It's only taken 12 years - let's hope it doesn't take as long for the next one! I was tempted to claim that it would be the first fully polyphonic Mass in a catholic church in the city [in either form of the Roman Rite] for several years, but that wouldn't be true as another group of singers, largely from English Martyrs' Parish, some of whom have also sung with us, sang Palestina's Missa Aeterna Christ Munera back in June for the Patronal Feast Day of the Diocese, an excellent Mass in the Ordinary Form - the best I've ever witnessed in York. We need more groups like this, especially in this part of England. It's a subject I intend to expand upon in my own blog, so I won't say any more about it here.

What I can justifiably claim is that it will be the first such Mass with full Gregorian Chant Propers! Such opportunities as these do not come along very often in York unless you want to pay to hear such music in a concert as part of the Early Music Festival perhaps. If you're in the area, or even if you're able to get to York by train/coach for the day, then I urge you to come to the Mass. It will be an unforgettable experience!

I'm also waiting to hear from the Museum Gardens about the Schola Cantorum singing in the grounds/ruins of St Mary's Abbey. I've asked for 19th October, as this should give us enough singers for this event, and also for the monthly Mass in the Extraordinary Form which will take place in English Martyrs' Church later that evening. This may now have to change, as we've now penciled in a rehearsal for the polyphonic Mass that afternoon. We could of course sing another part of the Office earlier in the day. Wait and see!

The Schola are singing Compline again at St Mary's Bishophill this Friday at 8.00pm. If you're in the area, do come along and say hello!