Palm Sunday Evensong & Benediction

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Solemn Evensong & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

Anthem: Allegri, Miserere mei, Deus.

Palm Sunday: 25 March, 4pm

Begin Holy Week in prayer and the beauty of holiness in this most lovely expression of the Anglican spiritual patrimony, enhanced by the singing of Allegri's setting of Miserere mei, Deus (Ps 51), a work of art so hauntingly beautiful, the music such a mysteriously perfect match to David's text, that it was for many years allowed to be performed only in the Sistine Chapel on Spy Wednesday and Good Friday, and it was forbidden to transcribe the music.

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Altar Rails

Of Altar Rails...

We are grateful to have found a home at St Mary's for many reasons, one which is that St Mary's is one of the few parishes in the area to have retained its altar rail following the liturgical reforms which came in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. The removal of these rails was not mandated (nor even envisioned) in these reforms, and now there seems to be a growing movement to restore the rails. There was a piece about the movement this week in the National Catholic Register:

In many parishes, a once-standard sanctuary staple is making a comeback: the altar rail.

“Having an altar rail has really brought back a sense of reverence,” said Laurie Biszko, a parishioner at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Tiverton, Rhode Island.

Receiving Communion this way, she said, “You have a chance to focus, make an act of contrition, make an offering, and think about what’s going on. It contributes to making this a much more holy occasion.”

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Bambinelli Sunday!

Bambinelli Sunday!
 

Each year on the 3rd Sunday of Advent (“Gau­dete Sunday”), children in Rome gather with their families in St. Peter’s Square for “Bene­dizione del Bamninelli.” The children bring with them the “Bambinelli” – the Christ Child figu­rines – from their family’s home crèches, and at the noon Angelus, the Pope blesses the children, their families, and the figurines they have brought. On Gaudete Sunday, we will unite our hearts to the Holy Father’s and the children and families gathered with him and bless our own “Bambinelli.” So bring the Bambinello from your home crèche to Mass! They will be gathered up by the children at the offertory and blessed at the conclusion of Mass.

“Advent and Christmas are about welcoming the Word of God into our lives – which means our homes. The blessing of the Bambinelli – which we bring from our homes and return there – is an embodiment of this.”— Amy Welborn

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