Last night happened to be the 30th anniversary of my 1st Holy Communion. As you will recall, I am a convert.
That took place at St. Agnes in St. Paul, Minnesota also at an orchestral Mass of the Viennese school (i.e., Haydn). I was in the choir loft for that Mass. Last night we had Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass”. I was at the other end of the church this time.
Interesting how our paths wind around, no?
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since Sat., 25 Nov. 2006:
Congratulations! We definitely can relate – it was 20 years ago that we converted from Anglicanism.
It all started with a discussion on sacraments with our Anglican minister, and we were shocked when we found that what the Anglican faith believed (notably about Mary, and the True Presence) was NOT what we beleived. He jokingly said “You sound like Catholics!” – best advice ever.. so we marched down the street, and RCIA’ed ourselves, the entire family!.. Of course the hand of St. Margaret Clitherow was no doubt at work, brining us back into the true faith!..
Again, congratulations!
Makes me wonder who was in the choir this time.
It’s great to remember days such as this. A priest I know challenged folks at our school–tell him the day you received first Communion, and he will pray for you on that day. I had to do a little digging, but through the good offices of my former parish–500 miles aways, the parish secretary emailed me back, and told me I first received the Eucharist on March 15th, 1968. Nice way to get specific in our thankgivings!
Very nice sanctuary.
Happy anniversary and Merry Christmas, Father! :)
Happy Anniversary!
And today is the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the first bishop in the New World: H.E. Alonso Manso, bishop of St John (San Juan) in Puerto Rico. One more reason to celebrate! :-)
Congratulations, Father, and Christmas Blessings! Glad you’re “home”!
Happy Anniversary!
Now THAT is an altar! It’s unusual to see such beautiful high altars anymore. They need to make a comeback.
Deo Gratias
Merry Christmas Father Zuhlsdorf and Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary Fr. Z!
I didn’t know when I showed up that you’d be the celebrant. It was a pleasure to worship the Triune God wth you. Loved the Solemn Tone for the preface. You have quite a good ars celebrandi.
When we are born, we are destined for a second birth in Christ, our Baptism. For many years now, I have considered the date of my baptism more important than my physical birth date and my children do likewise. We always celebrate our First Communion and Confirmation anniversaries too. It helps remind us, that since Baptism “we are a new creation”.
“Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come”. (2 Cor 5:17)
Congratulations, Father!
One convert to another: Happy Anniversary! Ain’t the Church grand! :)
God grant you many years! Ah what fond memories I have of attending Midnight Mass on Christmas at St. Agnes! This year I attended Midnight Mass at St. Joseph in Detroit in the Usus Antiquior, with a magnificent choir singing a Palestrina setting for the ordinary and solemn Gregorian tones for the propers. A very nice cross section of ages and ethnicities. People do want decent liturgy and appreciate the good done well.
Happy Anniversary Father!
Although technically not a convert myself, I was lapsed for 30 years, then became Episcopalian for 10 years. I returned in 1999 along with my whole family who did convert. My wife who was brought up as a Generic Protestant, had always felt an attraction to the Catholic Church even as a young child, but any move in that direction was frowned upon by her family. A priest later told her that it was the Blessed Mother that was calling her.
I made my First Holy Communion on April 28th, 1957 and I remember it well. I try to acknowledge the day and sometimes do, as it was one of the most important days of my life.
God Bless you, Father and a late congratulations.
Happy Anniversary Father. Your conversion is a blessing to us followers.
Beautiful St. Agnes in St. Paul. What a blessing you were received there, Father.
I have visited just once, and was horribly behind schedule to boot. (Got lost and turned around in traffic. I have little sense of direction.) Prayed the whole way that I would not be late. Sure enough, there had been some kind of upset right at the start, and the priest et alia were forced to wait until it was resolved before beginning the Mass.
(Shush–don’t tell them it was me, please. ;-)
Congratulations, Father! 28 years myself, next April – hardly seems possible to have been so blessed.
Interesting regarding the placement of inferior ministers for a Missa Solemnis. In most places, the Master of Ceremonies does not assist the Deacon in raising the ends of the chasuble during the Consecration (although in my parish, they do), and the Acolytes are at the bottom step of the altar, when in many other places they are off to the Epistle side, as is “in choro.” Rubricists tend to get in a twist over such differences, but it does underscore the significant role of customary law with respect to the Traditional Mass.
Happy Anniversary Father. And Merry Christmas. We are blessed because of your being in the Church. Thanks be to God.
Happy Anniversary Father. And Merry Christmas. Indeed the paths are winding
Happy New Year. Thant you father for all you do
Deo gratias
The 39th anniversary of my First Holy Communion was on Dec. 23. No, I’m not a convert. It was how things rolled in the 70s …
Happy Anniversary, Father Z. And Merry Christmas!
Happy Anniversary and Christmas blessings Father Z.
Happy anniversary, Father Z.
The photo is not of the sanctuary at St. Agnes church in St. Paul. Where was it taken?