Monday 11 August 2008

Mass for the Beatification of Cardinal Newman

Today we had our annual mass for the beatification of the Venerable John Henry Newman. It is somewhat unusual as it is the only festal high mass which the choir sing at and is in English rather than Latin! Also it is one of the few times in the year in which the Missa de Angelis is sung: not one of the best plainsong ordinaries.

This year may well be the last occasion in which we celebrate this mass: the beatification is almost certain to go ahead, and as August 11th, the date of Newman's death, coincides with the memorial of St. Clare of Assisi, the feast will be celebrated on a different date. These are indeed exciting times for the Oratory.

No comments: