Provision of Mass in the Extraordinary Form in York

The bi-monthly Masses in the Extraordinary Form in York have come to a temporary halt. This is because we've lost the priest who was offering these Masses to a Parish in Middlesbrough (St Alphonsus, North Ormesby) and his replacement is still learning the EF. I don't yet know when 'Normal Service' will be resumed, but am looking forward to sung Masses with Fr Stephen when he's given the Green Light after his training as he is an excellent singer.

Meanwhile, Compline by candlelight continues every Friday 8pm at St Mary's, Bishophill Junior.

From the New Liturgical Movement

Coolest. Incipit. Ever!

By (Jeffrey Tucker)

Advent will soon be upon us, which means many things, among which is the annual fight--a polite one, no doubt--over who gets to sing the incipit (opening phrase) to the solemn version of Alma Redemptoris Mater.
Coming to York this Advent!

The Original Post on NLM has a splendid version of the solemn tone sung to Ambrosian Chant.

Good News!

I can now confirm that the Solemn Mass on 25^th October at English Martyrs' Church, will be in the Extraordinary Form. This Mass will be offered by Fr William Charlton, currently based at English Martyrs. Fr Bill is being very supportive, and is publicising the Mass within the parish as part of its October Devotions to the BVM. It would be wonderful if we could reciprocate with a strong show of support in numbers attending!

We have also received permission from the authorities at the Museum Gardens to sing Vespers there again. This will take place on 16^th November at 3pm. The Schola Cantorum of the Rudgate Singers will sing here, before singing at the Missa Cantata later that day at English Martyrs. If you’re in York that afternoon, please do come along.

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!

Traditional Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary from St Mary's Bishophill, York

Services for July.

4th: Low Mass. St Clare's, Brookfield, Middlesbrough
4th: Compline St Mary's, Bishophill, York
6th: Low Mass, English Martyrs, York.
11th: Compline. St Mary's, Bishophill, York
12th 5th Annual Founders-Day Requiem
St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle
19th: Compline. St Mary's, Bishophill, York
20th. Missa Cantata, English Martyrs, York.
26th: Compline. St Mary's, Bishophill, York

Further details from the calendars of

www.lms-middlesbrough.co.uk or
www.rudgatesingers.co.uk

Are we in this Diocese going to do anything to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the Moto Proprio? Suggestions welcome in the comments box!

Westminster Cathedral

It was a great pleasure to see several people from the Middlesbrough Diocese at Westminster Cathedral last Saturday. Amongst the 2,000 who attended the Mass, I saw at least eight people who attend the traditional Mass at York. All had made their way independantly, by coach, train or car, to London. So Middlesbrough Diocese was well represented.

Leeds Diocese did even better with a full coach from the parish of Allerton Bywater alone. And there were coaches from other areas as well. I noticed the one from Cornwall.

To read reports of the Mass and of what Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos had to say, I suggest that you look at some of the better known blogs, such as Holy Smoke, The Hermeneutic of Continuity and New Liturgical Movement. It was a day to be remembered.

Kneeling for Communion

The blogosphere is alive with reports of the celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi in Rome. New Liturgical Movement probably gives the best coverage but Fr Zuhlsdorf also covers it.

Most notable is to see everyone who receives Holy Communion from the Holy Father kneeling at a pre-dieu, and receiving on the tongue.

Of course, at every Mass there is the option for anyone to receive Holy Communion kneeling and provision should be made to make this possible. However, in practically every church in England, no provision is made for this. I notice that almost all priests stand on the floor of the nave rather than in the sanctuary to give Communion; thus denying the possibility of the faithful kneeling on the altar step. Most people who have passed middle age find difficulty kneeling on the floor (and getting up again) in any dignified manner. A pre-dieu (or better still an altar rail) would solve this problem.

Maybe, the example set by the Holy Father and by the congregants in Rome on the Feast of Corpus Christi, provides the opportunity to review the manner of the reception of Holy Communion in our parishes. Perhaps now would be a good time to request our parish priests to make provision for the faithful to receive body of Christ whilst kneeling.

Young Catholic Adults (YCA)

YCA now have a blog for information on new events, including their upcoming retreat at Douai Abbey between 4-6 July. Mgr Antony Conlon, the LMS Chaplain, will be celebrating Mass in the Extraordinary form for YCA on 6 July. Douai Abbey is a bit of a long journey from the diocese but well worth it if you can get there.

Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos

A reminder that, at the invitation of the Latin Mass Society, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Commission, Ecclesia Dei, will be visiting London on Saturday 14th June. He will address the annual general meeting of the Latin Mass Society which will be held in Westminster Cathedral Hall at 11.00am.

At 2.00pm, he will be the celebrant at a pontifical High Mass in the usus antiquior at the High Altar of the Cathedral. He will also preach. His Eminenence will process into the Cathedral wearing the Cappa Magna which is a rare sight nowdays.

The occasion will be a landmark in the progress of the campaign to restore the ancient form of the Mass to our churches; and is expected to attract a large congregation. Hopefully, this will include a sizable contingent from the Middlesbrough Diocese. I already know of four people who are going, but we would like to get a coach load. If you would like to share transport, please telephone 01757 638027 or e-mail waddington@ gooleboathouse.co.uk.