Priestly Ordinations 2014 : 8

Each year, the Saint Bede Studio has the privilege of preparing sacred vestments for Ordinands. Happily, this year has been no exception : indeed the number of requests for such vestments has been more than double previous years.

This post concerns Father Daniel Gill, of the Diocese of Kansas City - Saint Joseph (Missouri, USA), who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood by the Most Rev'd Robert Finn in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Kansas City on 24th May.

Father Gill commissioned a chasuble for his First Holy Mass in the semi-conical form. The chasuble (shewn adjacent) was made from a beautiful silk damask in ivory and was ornamented with a chevron made from straw-coloured damask, outlined with a narrow braid, in colours of royal blue, red and gold. The vestments were lined in straw-coloured taffeta.

Please pray for Father Gill and for all newly-ordained priests.

Please click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Kansas City.

At the Ordination of Father Daniel Gill.

Father Gill incensing the altar during the celebration
of his first Holy Mass.
Image kindly supplied by Father Gill.

Priestly Ordinations 2014 : 7

Each year, the Saint Bede Studio has the privilege of preparing sacred vestments for Ordinands. Happily, this year has been no exception : indeed the number of requests for such vestments has been more than double previous years.

In this post we describe vestments made for  Father Derek Hyett of the Archdiocese of Westminster (UK), who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood by Cardinal Nichols in the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, Westminster on 28th June.

Father Hyett commissioned vestments made in the Gothic Revival form for his First Holy Mass. The chasuble (shewn in adjacent photographs) was made from an ecclesiastical brocade in a shade of crimson red. The vestments were lined in royal blue cotton.

The orphrey braid used to ornament these vestments is one of several which have been especially designed by the Saint Bede Studio. A Pugin chasuble in the collection of Saint Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham, was the basis for the design of this braid.

Please pray for Father Hyett and for all newly-ordained priests.

We are pleased also to include some photographs of Father Hyett's Ordination, found at the website of the Archdiocese of Westminster.

Please click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

The Admonition to the Ordinands

The Ordinands laying upon the nave floor during the Litany of the Saints.

Father Hyett during the Anointing.

Father Hyett shewn centre during the Canon of the Mass.

Cardinal Nichols giving the Blessing.

Centenary of the Death of Pope Saint Pius X

Pope Saint Pius X (1903-1914)

On 4th August, 1903, Giuseppe Sarto, Cardinal-Patriarch of Venice, was unexpectedly elected Pope by the College of Cardinals and took the name Pius X.  

Pope Pius X died 100 years ago on 20th August, 1914, shortly after the outbreak of World War One, at the age of 79.  Of renowned sanctity, his cult grew-up immediately after his death and his successor, Pope Pius XII, Canonised him in 1954.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

An unusual photograph:
the portrait shewn at the top of this post in the process of being painted.
Pope Pius is depicted working at his desk.

Pope Pius walking in the Vatican.

Pope Pius walking through the Vatican.

Papal Mass being celebrated in the Sistine Chapel by Pope Pius X in 1908.
This Mass commemorated the Golden Jubilee of the Pope's Ordination.
The Pope is depicted here wearing a special form of cassock
used on Solemn Liturgical occasions which has a train.

A wonderful portrait of Pope Pius.

The mortal remains of Pope Pius lying-in-state August, 1914.

The scene in S' Peter's in 1954 during the Canonisation of Pius X.
The remains of Saint Pius are enclosed in a glass casket set before the High altar
shewn on the left of this photograph.

Revision of the Rites : The Kiss of Peace

At the last Synod of Bishops, Pope Benedict and other bishops posed a question about the Kiss of Peace or Pax in the celebration of the Ordinary Form of Mass according to the Roman Rite. As is well-known by now, the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments recently issued a decision of admirable Roman liturgical conservatism, rejecting a proposal that the Pax be observed at the Offertory, rather than before the reception of Holy Communion (as it has been since the time of Pope Saint Gregory the Great). We need not detail that decision: a report about it may be read at the Catholic News Service.

In a previous post about the revision of the Rites, we pondered if celebrants might consider that any ritual actions of the Extraordinary Form could be incorporated into their celebration of the New Mass in such a way as would not disturb the Faithful. One of these, it might be suggested, is the Pax.

The ritual actions for the Pax in the Extraordinary and Ordinary forms of the Roman Rite are quite different. The prayers - which are the same in both Old and New - are rearranged in the Ordinary form. One thing remains unchanged, however, and it is most significant. Domine Jesu Christi, qui dixisti apostolis tuis ... This prayer, which is the preface to the Pax, is not addressed to God the Father (as all the other prayers of the Mass are) *   but addressed directly to God the Son, who is present upon the altar before the very eyes of the celebrant.

All the more inappropriate, therefore, for the celebrant to say or sing this prayer looking around at the Congregation (we need not elaborate on various manifestations of the ars celebrandi of some priests). The celebrant ought to have his eyes cast down upon the altar, looking at Him whom he is addressing. This injunction, however, will not be found in the rubrics of the Pauline Missal.

The Kissing of the Altar :
Karsh's photograph from the famous book by
Bishop Fulton Sheen : This is the Mass.

There is a regrettable ritual excision from the Pax as observed in the Pauline Missal. In Solemn Masses, according to the Extraordinary form, the celebrant recites quietly the prayer Domine Jesu Christi, qui dixisti apostolis tuis and then he kisses the corporal upon which rest the Sacred Host and the Chalice. The deacon (standing at his right), kisses the altar, but not the corporal. The celebrant then gives the Pax to the deacon. In some Mediaeval Western liturgies, the celebrant kissed not the corporal, but the Sacred Host itself, or the foot of the Chalice. These ritual gestures are of great significance and underline that the Pax is not a greeting per se, but a ritual transmission of the Peace which comes directly from our Saviour.

Would it be so objectionable if celebrants of Mass in the Ordinary Form were once again to kiss the corporal before giving the Faithful the Greeting of Peace? Would that ritual action not emphasise their words : The Peace of the Lord be with you always ? Would this be so objectionable? For some, probably. Others might not even notice. Still others might welcome the enrichment of an other-worldly ritual dimension in the Ordinary Form of the Mass. Prudence in all things.

_______________________________________________
* With the exception of the Kyrie eleison, which is a litany.

Priestly Ordinations 2014 : 6

Father Irdi pictured after his First Mass.
Image kindly supplied by Fr Irdi.

Each year, the Saint Bede Studio has the privilege of preparing sacred vestments for Ordinands. Happily, this year has been no exception : indeed the number of requests for such vestments has been more than double previous years.

In this post we take special pleasure to describe vestments made for an Australian, Father Christian Irdi of the Archdiocese of Perth, who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in Saint Mary's Cathedral on 2nd August.

Father Irdi commissioned vestments made in the Borromeon form for his Ordination and First Holy Mass. The chasuble (shewn in adjacent photographs) was made from a beautiful silk damask in muted gold and was ornamented with a damask in the colours of burgundy and gold, outlined with narrow braids, in the Roman style. The vestments were lined in burgundy taffeta.  This design we have named Saint Bartholomew.

Please pray for Father Irdi and for all newly-ordained priests.

Please click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Father Christian Irdi during the celebration of his First Holy Mass
in Saint Mary's Cathedral, Perth.
Image kindly supplied by Fr Irdi

Saint Mary's Cathedral, seat of the Archbishop of Perth.

Priestly Ordinations 2014 : 5

Each year, the Saint Bede Studio has the privilege of preparing sacred vestments for Ordinands. Happily, this year has been no exception : indeed the number of requests for such vestments has been more than double previous years.

This post concerns Father Bryan Shackett, of the Archdiocese of Detroit (Michigan, USA), who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood by the Most Rev'd Allen Vigneron in the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on 7th June.  Father Shackett has been a student of the Pontifical North American College.

Father Shackett commissioned vestments made in the Borromeon form for his First Holy Mass. The chasuble (shewn adjacent) was made from a beautiful silk damask in crimson red and was ornamented with a damask in the colours of burgundy, red and gold, outlined with narrow braids, in the Roman style. The vestments were lined in bronze-coloured taffeta.

Please pray for Father Shackett and for all newly-ordained priests.

Please click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Interior of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit USA

Father Shackett pictured after the offering of his First Holy Mass
(Image kindly provided by Father Shackett).

A Prayer for Priests

We beseech you, Almighty God, for all those in sacred orders who minister in your name in the Church throughout all the world. In time of weakness, strengthen them, in trial uphold them, and in perplexity direct them. Increase in them the spirit of fervour and love, and of a sound mind, that they may worthily celebrate your sacraments and diligently preach your Word, and set forth your glory, to the building-up of the Church and the salvation of souls; that so all peoples may become your inheritance and the outermost parts of the earth your possession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.