PHOTOS: 15 August – Assumption Solemn Mass of Reparation for Sacrilege and Blasphemy

Tonight at St. Mary’s in Pine Bluff, minutes to the west of downtown Madison, we had a Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Assumption (the parish’s patronal feast), which I offered in reparation for sacrilege and blasphemy, especially that which was perpetrated in Oklahoma City.

After Mass, we had Solemn Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Some seminarians were in choro. The deacon for the Mass is the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Madison, where His Excellency The Extraordinary Ordinary, Robert C. Morlino, is Bishop.   Talk about setting an example!

Here are some photos of the Mass. We used Mass IX and had some Gregorian chant antiphons and hymns. At the end there was a rousing Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.

Vesting.

Imposing incense.

This censer, thurible, is from Agnus Dei.  This is a wonderful family company… BIG family, making their way.  Do me a favor and check their site.  Censors HERE.

I didn’t know I was now so gray!  At least I get the chance to have some gray hair before I lose even more.

For my sermon, which I broke in two parts, I spoke for a bit about what sacrilege is, and blasphemy, as sins against religion.  I asked everyone to pray for conversion of sinners.  Then I spoke of Mary as Virgo Prudentissima.  Imagine how eager she was at the end of her life, when her days were over.  Soon her soul and body would separate and she would die, sleep, though she would not have the effects of death that we will.  During her life she prepared for that moment and never lost a single opportunity to gain graces and merits, to do good and serve the Lord as daughter of her Son in love of God and neighbor.  We who are sinners will probably experience some anxiety at death.  Let us not waste time.  We must be prudent about our inevitable death and prepare during these days which we have been given.  Use well our days so that your death will be a happy death, and not shot through with fear.  Keep the Most Prudent Virgin before your eyes as you reflect on the Four Last Things each day in your examination of conscience.

Exposition.  I read, thrice, the Act of Reparation given to the children at Fatima by the Angel of Peace just about 100 years ago, shy a few days.

This is how we should be before the lord: folded in half, supplices, prostrate on both knees.

I don’t wear lots of lace very often, but, today, yes.  For Our Lady on her feast, in the Church dedicated to Mary Assumed into Heaven.  Thanks to the “Albwright”, who worked on them! And the subdeacon also had an alb which she worked on, antique handmade lace which I got in Rome many years ago.

Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising,
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising;
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord.