St. Francis DeSales Cathedral

Learning about our Church

  

ALTAR – the altar is a structure or table for offering sacrifice, also referred to as the sacrificial altar, to distinguish it from the altar where the tabernacle is located. According to the Catechism, “on the altar, which is the center of the church, the sacrifice of the cross is made present under sacramental signs.” Usually 5 Greek crosses are engraved on the altar’s surface, one at each of the four corners, and one in the center. The altar is typically 10 to 15 feet long, about 5 feet wide and waist high. It is covered with altar-cloths and has candles burning during the liturgy of the Eucharist. Sometimes, as is our case in the Cathedral, the candles are not on the altar itself but around it. Whenever possible, the relic of the Patron Saint is inserted in the surface of the altar. Our new altar will be fixed and surrounded by a tiled floor.

 

 

Tabernacle – what we refer to as Jesus’ home when talking to our children, the tabernacle was first intended for reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place, so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent, outside of Mass. As the years went by, the appreciation of the real presence of Christ deepened among Catholics, and for this reason, Church authorities require that the tabernacle should be located in a centralized location, worthy of the real presence of Christ in our midst. The catechism states that “the dignity, placing and security of the Eucharistic tabernacle should foster adoration before the Lord really present in the Blessed Sacrament.” A sanctuary lamp is constantly lit close to the tabernacle, to show Jesus’ presence, and people genuflect when passing in front of the tabernacle, out of respect that our Lord deserves. The doors of the tabernacle should be always locked, except during the celebration of Mass, when the hosts are taken from or returned to, in a ciborium, the gold chalice-like container which is covered with a lid. The tabernacle will be placed in the center, under the baldacchino in our remodeled sanctuary, bringing it back to where it was before.

 

 

Pulpit – along with the altar, the pulpit is the most important piece of furniture you will find in a Catholic church. It is the place from where the Word of God is read, explained and from where prayers are shared with the rest of the community. Before Vatican II, pulpits used to be more ornamental, set up high as a lofty place from where long sermons were delivered. Nowadays only a brief homily is shared from the pulpit, unless there is a visiting preacher delivering a week-long Mission. The pulpit is frequently referred to as ‘lectern’ or ‘ambo’ and the catechism describes it thus: “The dignity of the Word of God requires the church to have a suitable place for announcing its message, so that the attention of the people may be easily directed to that place during the liturgy of the word.” That is why in our Cathedral, we have a separate podium for the announcements and other readings, singing or the recitation of the rosary.

  

Baldacchino – this is a new word to many of you, but you’ve heard it repeated frequently in the past few weeks. This is what will replace the screen in our sanctuary, to house underneath the tabernacle, where Jesus will reside. A baldacchino is a dome-shaped canopy supported by 4 columns which is popular in some churches. The most popular one is the one created by Bernini in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. A movable baldacchino is carried by means of movable poles and the canopy made from rich fabric, and is used during processions of the Blessed Sacrament or other relics, to protect from sun or rain.

 

 

Statues – the images of Jesus, the Blessed Mother and the Saints have over the years been represented by statues, made from carved wood, plaster, paper-mache, stone or other material. Of course statues are images and when people light a candle in front of them, they are asking that saint to intervene for them in prayer. Such representations of Christ and the Saints may be venerated, but the honor is not directed to the physical image but is referred to the person represented. Our statues inside the Cathedral will now be placed alongside each other facing the congregation. The statues of the Blessed Mother and St Joseph were brought from Italy in 1908, while the other statues were purchased in the 1940s.

  

 

Candles – The use of candles and lights in Christian worship in earlier years was for practical reasons. By the 4th century popular customs arose to use candles for honorary reasons, such as carrying candles ahead of the celebrant as a sign of respect. Today, artificial lighting has taken over the utilitarian need of lights in worship. Throughout the centuries, candles were also used for ornamental purposes, or decoration, as were the candelabra. Then people placed candles in front of statues, relics and shrines of martyrs and other sacred images. Candles were and are still used during processions, particularly of the Eucharist, and of course during the celebration of the Mass and other sacraments. Candles at Mass became obligatory only in the 17th century. In an ordinary Mass two lighted candles are required. In a more festive Mass, six are allowed and a seventh is added at a pontifical Mass or Mass celebrated by the Bishop. Law requires that the candles used at Mass should be 65% beeswax.

 

Symbolically the candle represents Christ as the light of the world, and this is evident in the presence of the Paschal candle which is blessed at the Easter Vigil, and is used throughout the Easter Season, besides at Baptisms and Funerals. People also light candles in front of images and statues, and a large candle, usually covered in a red glass is continuously lit in every church to emphasize the presence of Christ reserved in the tabernacle. On the feast of St Blase, two unlit criss-crossed candles are used to bless the throats of parishioners. Frequently also, the candles to be used throughout the year are blessed on February 2, the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, a day also known as Candlemas Day.

 

 

 

Ashes – used as a Jewish sign of penitence, ashes were accepted by Christians and are used now primarily as a sacramental on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Derived from burning the palms from the previous year, the ashes are blessed during Mass and imposed on the faithful. Here in the United States, the people are marked with a cross on their forehead. In Europe and other countries, ashes are placed on the heads of the people. This outward popular symbol of private or public sorrow, sadness or penance is a proof of humility, the result of human frailty, as remembrance of our mortality, whereby the priest will use this phrase: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return.” However, a second formula also allows another concept more in keeping with the Lenten period, namely penance, contrition and repentance. The priest, in this case will say “Repent from sin and believe in the Gospel.” In the early Christian era, ashes were sprinkled on people’s penitential clothing, a custom that was discontinued. In some parishes, the use of holy water fountains is discontinued during Lent and instead ashes are kept in place of the holy water for the duration of the Lenten season.

 

 

 

Stations of the Cross - In every Catholic Church, you will notice hanging on the side walls 14 images, pictures or sculptures related to the Passion of Christ. These are the 14 steps Jesus went through before his death on Calvary. Also known as the Way of the Cross, this devotion is very popular during the season of Lent, as people meditate on the Passion and Death of Christ. This practice started during the 14th century by the Franciscan Monks, and St. Leonard of Port Maurice preached frequently about this devotion in the 18th Century. Finally Pope Clement XII in 1735 gave the final guidelines, fixing the number of Stations at 14, commemorating the events related in the Gospel and from early tradition. Usually the Stations are erected on the walls of the Church, 7 on each side, but they may be placed outdoors too, as one can see in Retreat Houses. Most of the time, the Stations are prayed in the Church, with the people staying in their places, and genuflecting between each Station, as the leader and the altar servers move from one Station to another. Over the years, the same Stations were erected in each Church, but in 1975, Pope Paul VI approved a new series of Stations that are based on the Gospel. They start with the Last Supper and end with the Resurrection. The present Pope leads the Stations every Good Friday in the Colosseo in Rome, while many pilgrims to the Holy Land pray the Stations right along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows), the same street on which Jesus was led to be crucified.

 

 

 

Crucifix – One of the most obvious symbols of Christianity is the image of the crucified Christ on the cross. On it Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, and this image has been reproduced in paintings, sculptures, besides the thousands of crosses that line up cemeteries, even national cemeteries. In a Catholic church the crucifix is usually visible in a central position behind the altar, frequently above the tabernacle, on top of the stations of the cross, above the steeples, even as a decoration at the end of the pews and other places. Moreover we have a processional cross, which is usually carried in during Mass by an acolyte. Throughout our liturgies we use the sign of the cross frequently, and in fact we start and end the Mass by the sign of the cross. People bless themselves while placing holy water on their foreheads, and they receive ashes on Ash Wednesday with a sign of the cross. Many men and women religious use the crucifix as part of their religious habit, and it is also attached to the Rosary beads, and placed in the hands of a dying person. During the celebration of Good Friday, people are invited to venerate the crucifix as a sign of reverence towards the dying Christ. We are hoping to have a more visible crucifix once the renovation of our sanctuary is complete, probably somewhere above the baldacchino.

 

 

 

Church bells– the ringing of bells has primarily the practical purpose of signaling an event. Before the invention of watches and clocks, they were used to invite people to services. Larger belfries were built to accommodate the larger bells that were cast in iron, and depending on the tone required, some were huge, others smaller. Mechanized bells, known as carillons also play hymns and religious tunes. Inside the church, altar-servers are trained to ring the bell at the elevation of the Body of Christ and the Precious Blood. This custom started in the 13th century, mainly to call people to attention at the moment of Consecration and Communion, especially in large churches and where people may not be able to see the altar where they are sitting or standing. Church bells are rung for festive reasons, to call people for Mass (as I do on Sundays between 8:30 and 9:15 AM,) and to commemorate various events, like the election of a Pope. Then again, if you live in countries like Malta, Church bells ring every 15 minutes, like your grandfather clock does at home.

 

 

 

Presidential chair – this is the seat or throne occupied by the local bishop in his church. This is also called a cathedra, in our Cathedral it is the one in the centre with the coat-of-arms embroidered into it. Only the bishop uses it, and on special liturgical functions like ordinations, a faldstool is used and is placed in front of the altar. The Bishop’s chair or cathedra signifies Episcopal authority. When a priest is the celebrant of the Eucharist, he uses another chair usually to the side of the bishop’s chair, but never in the middle. This is also called the presidential chair. In our Cathedral the series of 6 chairs will be re-positioned after the renovation, and the Bishop’s chair will retain its central position but will be at an angle, since the baldacchino and tabernacle will be in the center.

 

 

 

Adoration of the Eucharist – An excellent opportunity for parishioners to be with Jesus is during the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We do this in our parish every Friday, starting with a 6 AM Mass in the day-chapel. Then we have the Public Exposition of the Eucharist. The Body of Christ in a small lunette covered with glass is placed in a monstrance and is placed in the middle of the altar, surrounded with candles. Parishioners then come and pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament until 3 PM, when we normally recite the Divine Mercy Novena and have Solemn Benediction of the Eucharist. At that time, the priest incenses the monstrance, and after reading some scriptures, the priest blesses the people with the Eucharist. The Eucharist is then returned to the tabernacle and a final hymn is sung. There are churches which are trying to organize perpetual Adoration, all day long and some of them all week long. At least for now, we are happy that some of our parishioners sign up to be in the presence of Jesus for an hour on Fridays. More are welcome to sign up at the office, even as back-ups for those who cannot attend on a certain day.

 

 

 

Lamb of God and Pelican – these are the two symbols which were recently uncovered and partially restored on our stenciled wall behind the screen. Many people have asked about their symbolism, which is quite interesting, both of which refer to Jesus in the Eucharist. “Lamb of God” is the title given to Jesus by John the Baptist and it appears several times in the New Testament. Employed as a symbol of Jesus as a victim, it reminds us that Jesus is the Lamb of the New Covenant. We were “ransomed….with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless, unblemished lamb.”

 

The Pelican on the other hand is a beautiful symbolism of Jesus who gives us His own Body and Blood to eat. The pelican is believed to wound itself in order to feed its young with its own blood. In the hymn "Adoro Te Devote," St. Thomas Aquinas addresses the Savior with, "Pelican of Mercy, cleanse me in Thy Precious Blood." Allusion is even made to this belief in "Hamlet" (act iv): "To his good friend thus wide I'll open my arms And, like the kind, life-rendering pelican, Repast them with my blood." The pelican is a perfect symbolism of what Jesus does to us when he gives us His own Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

 

 

 

Books and Missals – you notice that during Mass we use different books for different parts of the Mass. The readings are done from the Lectionary, which is always placed on the pulpit. There are various Lectionaries, for Sundays, weekdays and other votive Masses. The

Deacon or lector carries the Book of Gospels at the entrance procession from which the deacon or priest will proclaim the Gospel of the day. The other main book is the Sacramentary, which is placed at the altar, and contains all the other prayers the priest says during the Mass, like the opening prayer, the preface, Eucharistic prayers, etc. A separate booklet has the Prayers of the Faithful and other books have the various blessings we use on different occasions, besides other books which the Bishop uses for Confirmations, Ordinations, etc.

 

 

 

Liturgical vestments – as you may know, priests have their own wardrobe which is both colorful and at times confusing to some people. We normally wear an alb, a long white robe, which is frequently held together by a cincture or even a Velcro belt. The chausable is the outer vestment we use during the celebration of Mass. This includes a stole which hangs around the neck, while for deacons it is worn across the chest. The chausable comes in 4 different colors and are used during these seasons: White for Christmas, Easter, Solemnities and feasts of most saints. The red is used on Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Good Friday, Pentecost and the feasts of martyrs. The purple is used during Advent and Lent while the green is used during ordinary time, mainly during the summer months and between the end of the Christmas season and Ash Wednesday. A rose colored or pink chausable can be used on the third Sunday of Advent, known as ‘Gaudete’ or Rejoicing Sunday.

 

A cope is a decorative and long cape and is used during the Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. During the Benediction, the priest also uses a humeral veil, by which he picks up the monstrance to bless the people present.

 

 

 

Incense – Frequently you see us use the incense at our Masses and other celebrations. The altar-server or acolyte (also called thurifer) holding the thurible has burning charcoal inside it, usually a metal container held by a chain. The charcoal is burned 10 to 15 minutes earlier, and the celebrant places some incense on the charcoal which creates the smoke. The incense is usually made from grains or powder from aromatic resinous gums or tiny leaves mixed with perfume that release a fragrant odor. As the smoke rises upwards, our prayers and petitions go with it. Remember that frankincense was one of the gifts offered to baby Jesus in Bethlehem by the 3 Kings, and symbolically it was offered to Jesus as a God. The incensation is used at the beginning of Mass, in the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, during the Offertory when the gifts and the altar are incensed, and during the elevation of the host and chalice. Moreover the incensation is used during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and during the Benediction. During funerals, the incense is also used during the offertory and at the commendation ritual towards the end of a funeral Mass. Whenever processions are held, the incense is also used, as is the case on Holy Thursday or other festive occasions.

 

 

 

Altar cloths – formerly three blessed linen cloths were prescribed for the altar – nowadays at least one cloth should cover the altar out of respect for the banquet of the Lord. Its size, shape and material used should suit the structure of the altar. On the altar is placed a corporal, on which the chalice(s) and ciborium will be placed during the Mass. The corporal is a square shaped cloth that is normally folded three times each way so as to form nine equal squares. We thank our Altar Society ladies who periodically wash our purificators, corporals and towels. On the chalice there is always a purificator to clean the chalice after communion, besides the 4 purificators the Eucharistic Ministers use when they are distributing the Precious Blood to the people. Occasionally you may see a priest use a pall, a square 6 inch by 6 inch cardboard which slides into a cover in the same fashion that a letter or card goes into an envelope. The outside cover usually has lace and a cross in the middle. When the priest washes his hands during the Offertory, he uses a small towel. Other than these items and the 2 candles and Missal, there should not be anything else on the altar.

 

 

 

Liturgical Music (Part 1) – there is a great richness of music in the history of the Catholic church. Earlier forms of music included Gregorian Chant and Ambrosian Chant, derived from the names of those connected mostly to them, Pope Gregory and St. Ambrose. Gregorian chant is plainchant which is sung acapella, that is unaccompanied by any instrument, although an organ may sometime give the opening note. Gregorian Chant has been sung for an entire millennium and is still used in many monasteries and churches. The notation is different than the regular music that is written nowadays. It uses 4 lines instead of 5, and has different notes, which are easy to sing, once you learn the system. We use it during our monthly Latin Mass, before Benediction on Friday and occasionally before daily Mass. Some popular hymns sung in Gregorian Chant are Salve Regina, Veni Creator Spiritus, Tantum Ergo, Pange Lingua, O Salutaris Hostia, Lauda Sion Salvatorem, Regina Coeli Laetare, besides the parts of the Mass, like the Kyrie Eleison, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei. Anyone interested in hearing Gregorian Chat, please pass on a blank tape or CD to me and I’ll tape them for you.

 

 

 

Liturgical Music (Part 2) – over the years, various classical composers wrote beautiful sacred music, both to be played in church and to be performed in concert halls. Among these we can mention Masses, oratorios, passions, hymns, antiphons, and many other forms. Among my favorites are JS Bach’s monumental B Minor Mass, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Verdi’s and Berlioz’s Requiem Masses, Mozart’s and Haydn’s Masses and other sacred music, Bach’s St Matthew’s Passion and other more modern compositions by Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein, Andrew Lloyd Weber and others. Earlier polyphonic music by Palestrina, Monteverdi, Victoria and others is still performed in many churches. Most of these composers wrote music with the intention of having it played in concert halls, but frequently any church can adapt itself as a concert hall, especially because the acoustics in many churches is truly beautiful.

 

 

 

Liturgical Music (part 3)

 

The recent liturgical reforms after Vatican II have presented the various religious musicians with ample opportunities to experiment and write beautiful liturgical hymns and music that have become an important part of our Christian lives. One of the pioneers of religious folk music was Ray Repp who gave us many popular folk hymns that are still being used in our Masses. Then came the St. Louis Jesuits, the Monks of Weston Priory, Michael Joncas, Marty Haugen, Dana and so many others. We are all familiar with the popular hymns “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Be not afraid,” “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman,” “City of God,” “Here I am Lord,” and so many others. International influence has also left its imprint on our liturgies, and many will remember the Missa Luba from Africa, Misa Criolla from Argentina, not to mention the JF Kennedy Mass by Leonard Bernstein and so many other modern compositions. Thanks to companies like the Oregon Catholic Press, the Liturgical Press, the World Library Publications and others we have a collection of hymnals like the Journey Songs we use at the Cathedral and other hymnals like the Music Issue.

 

 

 

The Apse – this is the arched alcove behind the altar. If you look at the church in the shape of a cross, the apse symbolizes the head, and now with the screen taken down from our Cathedral, the entire cross is now visible. In a way, the screen somehow decapitated the head, and we are happy that we can now enjoy the whole figure of a cross. As you can see, the apse has been painted in blue and sky blue, and in its center, the tabernacle will be placed under a baldacchino, which is soon to be erected. A crucifix will be hanging above in the middle, and both stained glass windows and the three paintings up high stand out even more now with a change of coloring around them. The screen used to obstruct one-third of the Sacred Heart and St Francis De Sales stained-glass windows, which can now be finally admired in whole by everyone. To bring people closer to the altar, modern churches are being built without an apse, and the purpose of the screen being erected in 1980 was to bring the altar of sacrifice closer to the people. Now with the relocation of the side pews and adding 4 more pews in the front, the people will still be close to the altar, and they can also focus on the tabernacle, which will be in the center.

 

 

 

The Baptistry – in former years the baptistry where babies are baptized used to be located in the back of the church, frequently in an enclosure or even a small chapel. The Vatican II reforms has designated that the baptistry should be placed in the sanctuary, at a level lower than the altar. This allows for ease of incorporating the ceremony of baptism into the Liturgy of the Mass. Currently there is a move towards a baptistry that includes a pool with steps that would allow the person to be immersed, especially if they’re adults and converts who are received into the Catholic church at Easter time. Our baptismal font is 100 years old, and in the past few years it has been moved back and forth whenever we had a baptism, but after the renovation it will be placed on the left and secured to the ground. It will be painted and touched up artistically. Recently I was able to see an exact replica of our baptismal font, at St. Mary’s church in Mount Angel, OR. The celebration of baptism will still be held in the sanctuary, while the pouring of water on the baby’s head will be held around the font, in front of the statue of St. Francis De Sales which will soon be anchored into the wall.

 

 

 

Ambry – the Sacred Oils are blessed by our Bishop during the Chrism Mass once a year just before Holy Week. The oils are then distributed to all the parishes in our Diocese when the priests present for the Chrism Mass collect the containers of oils prepared by an effective staff that pours the oils in three separate containers. Each priest would get a small plastic container with the Oil of Catechumens, another one with the Oil of the Sick and another one with the Sacred Chrism. In our Cathedral we have a cabinet where we keep three large flasks with these oils. This is called the Ambry and is presently placed between the statues of the Blessed Mother and St Joseph. During baptisms and confirmations you may notice the deacon or acolyte go towards the ambry and bring the appropriate oil to be used at that particular part of the ceremony. Priests usually carry a small container of the oil of the sick in their car, in case there is an emergency or when visiting patients at home or in the hospital.

 

 

 

Sacristy – this is a special room, usually behind the altar where priests and altar-servers get vested before the celebration of Mass. In this room, vestments and albs are usually kept, as well as chalices, purificators, candles, hosts, wine, incense and other items used in our liturgies. It is however more than a storage room and every effort is made to keep this room clean and tidy, especially when Bishops and other priests visit here frequently for various functions. Schedules are normally attached to a notice board, listing who is serving on a particular Sunday.

 

 

 

Hosts and Wine – The bread and wine we receive during Mass become the Precious Body and Blood of Jesus during the consecration of the Mass. Before each Mass the sacristans prepare the decanter with enough wine to be used for a Sunday Mass, funerals, weddings or whatever the occasion. The wine is bought in cases and it is specially made for the use during Mass. The wine we use comes to us from California from the Mont La Salle Wine Company. It is called Chateau des Freres and has 12% Alcohol by volume. The hosts on the other hand are ordered by our Sacristan Carroll Mitchell who keeps track of their use so that we always have an ample supply at hand. We use the new size for the parishioners, a little larger than the ones we used last year. There are also two sizes of hosts which the priest uses. The smaller ones are 2 and a half inches in diameter and are used for daily Mass. On Sunday we use the larger perforated type which can be broken up in 24 parts. This way the same Precious Bread that the priest uses is also received by some of the people.

 

 

 

Cathedral blue-prints – very soon you will see, hanging in the stair-well, 6 frames of our original blueprints from 100 years ago. This will add an important addition to our historical heritage, besides filling in some empty spaces on our walls. These blue-prints were hand drawn by the architect M.P White and are of the highest quality, even though the ones framed are copies from the original. When you consider that these blue-prints were drawn between 1904 and 1908, it is truly amazing how precise they are and how intricate are the details. You may notice that the original designs were different from what the Cathedral looks like today, although the foundation is still the same. The basement for example was used as a separate chapel, and the sanctuary area had two side rooms where the baptismal font and the piano are positioned right now. These rooms were eliminated in 1958 when the second renovation took place. The first renovation was done in 1944 and the third one in 1980, when the old oak screen was built. The blue-prints of the present renovation were drafted by our architect Jim Van Duyn and can be viewed upon request.

 

 

 

Kneelers and pews – just about in every church you will find pews or chairs for people to sit on during the services and Masses. Some churches still have chairs but they are becoming less and less common. In our Cathedral the pews have been in place for a long time, probably since the beginning. The original plans showed that the pews extended to the side walls with three aisles, a wider middle aisle and two narrow ones. Before the renovation of 1980, there were shorter pews in the front. We will now have two shorter pews in the front, while the side pews will be at an angle, as they are temporarily situated. Some kneelers will be fixed as some of them have shown some wear and tear. The kneelers have been adjusted to give you more room when you kneel down, and you may have already noticed this when your heels used to hit the kneeler behind you. The tiles under all the pews will be also changed before the new carpet is installed. Most importantly, you are asked to kneel down during the consecration until the “Our Father,” and possibly after receiving communion until when the altar is cleared of all chalices. People have the habit of kneeling also when saying the Rosary, but this is optional. Out of respect to the Eucharist, it is also recommended to kneel whenever the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for Adoration or when the tabernacle is opened.

 

 

 

Bells – many people refer to bells as the Church’s voice. Since I grew up in Malta where bells ring all day long, I have a special affection for the sound of church bells. Some Churches have their bells ring every 15 minutes, all day long, and all night long! Here in the Cathedral, every Sunday I ring the bells every 15 minutes for an hour before the 9:30 AM Mass, and a few people told me that they are a great reminder for them to get to church. It is a tradition also that church bells ring at the time of the Angelus, at 12 noon and 6 PM. Besides our hand-rung bells, we also have a carillon that ring a variety of Catholic hymns prior to the Sunday Mass. During Mass, you notice that the altar servers ring the small hand-held bells just before the consecration and during the elevation of the host and the chalice. This is an old tradition that is done all over the world in all Catholic churches. The purpose behind this custom is to let parishioners know about the special moment taking place at the altar, and the hope is that the bells will get your attention to focus on the mystery being celebrated at the altar.

 

 

 

The Liturgical Calendar – throughout the year, we have various feasts and memorials and solemnities we celebrate during the week. I am sure you are all familiar with the cycle on Sundays starting with Advent, then Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter and again Ordinary Time, but there are many other feasts which fall on a weekday. These can go from Solemnities (like the Assumption, All Saints, Immaculate Conception – all of which are holy days of obligations) to feasts (all the feasts of the apostles, other well-known and popular Saints,) and memorials (other lesser known Saints) which can be celebrated or can be by-passed. There are also various days with no particular saint assigned to them and on that day the regular ordinary weekday Mass is celebrated with the use of the green vestment as color. Martyrs and apostles normally have red as the liturgical color, while on other festive days we use white. Naturally during Advent and Lent the color is purple. Special votive Masses can be celebrated at the discretion of the celebrant, like Masses for Church Unity, Peace and Justice, Memorial Masses for the Dead, etc.

 

 

 

Church - I think I covered just about every item we see in our Cathedral, so this would be the last definition of the week as I had started them in January. You can read them again in the Bulletin link of our parish web-site. They are listed as they appeared week after week, highlighted in green towards the end of the page. My last reflection is on what Church is……it is a community of love, a community that prays together, and as you can see in the front page of the Bulletin each week in our Mission Statement, there are various descriptions of what we are about…..as Church we proclaim the Good News and celebrate the Eucharist, we celebrate the beauty of creation, from conception to natural death, we treasure our historical past and hope in the promise of tomorrow. We are also the Body of Christ and we support one another by our giftedness, by our spirituality and by all the blessings that God gives us. A sign that expresses how important we are to our community is the one that says “CH_ _CH” what’s missing? U R (You are!) Let us therefore continue to strengthen one another by prayer, attending weekly Mass, and whenever you can daily Mass and spending some time in adoration of the Eucharist on Fridays.

 

 

 

END of SERIES