... was, of course the Solemnity of our Lady of Walsingam, although, previously, the feast of our Lady of Ransom. A great day. And it was also the day on which, after Pontifical High Mass from the throne, the reliquiae of Archbishop Lefebvre were translated to a new tomb in the crypt of the Church of our Lady's Immaculate Heart. The entire event is linked by Fr Zed; it is well done and good to watch.
It was pleasant to see Bishop Fellay officiating; he deserves to be remembered as the only bishop ... sole representative of the Collegium Universale Episcoporum ... to join in the signing of the Correctio Filialis. Ad multos annos, Domne.
The Mass was that of Mary's Immaculate Heart. Is such a celebration on that particular day part of the SSPX's general use, or, perhaps, a local usage in Econe?
Could someone-in-the-know tell me: Is that Church part of the complex at Econe?
There was a statement that the event represented the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Econe (or of the SSPX?). But in Bishop Tissier's fine biography of the Great Archbishop, I can find no particular event recorded as of this particular day in 1970.
Knowing that the Archbishop disavowed any suggestion of conferring jurisdiction on the four bishops he consecrated in 1988, I wonder when they adopted the liturgical use of the crozier and the episcopal throne (I noticed that, above the throne, Bishop Fellay's Arms are displayed ... they are also on the candles ... but simply his own [assumed?] arms with no impalement).
I mean no disrespect by the following observation: as the Bishop, after the Praeparatio at the foot of the Altar walked up the steps, he started from his left foot. This is a detail I tend to notice because, as a seminarian back in 1966, this was the first mistake I made in my first Mass practice. Canon Allen was quick to correct me! (Was this a Staggers idiosyncrasy?)
Left foot first or right foot first? Some 40 years ago I was in conversation with a priest who a few years earlier had served his title at Tewkesbury Abbey. He was of the bearded left-leaning "progressive" tendency, and recalled an occasion when desiring to make an impression on the slightly staid (and doubtless predominantly right-leaning) congregation he had preached a sermon in which with some force he expressed his opinions, whether about God, the Church, Society or all three I cannot remember. After the service the Vicar, who was said to be able to trace his ancestry back to King Harold and took a rather longer view of such matters, administered this indirect but effective rebuke: "When you come down the pulpit steps it is with your right foot that you should step on to the floor, not the left" (or was it the other way round?).
ReplyDeleteThe SSPX chapel I attend has special observances on First Saturdays, to assist the faithful in making their Five First Saturdays. This includes Mass, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the Rosary, fifteen minutes of silent adoration, and then Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. And the Mass is the Mass of the Immaculate Heart. So, a small piece of evidence that the Mass of the Immaculate Heart is cherished in the SSPX.
ReplyDeleteBoth the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart are particularly venerated. The emblem of the SSPX, after all, is two hearts surmounted by a single crown.
FWIW, we were also taught - firmly - to always begin with the right foot. The requirement of an odd number of steps meant we would then have our right foot first on the predella. (If memory serves, O'Connell has a footnote on this in his rubrical masterwork.) A principle drilled into us: always use right hand rather than left - unless left is otherwise occupied - because Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, and that is our destination towards which the sacred liturgy aims us.
ReplyDeleteI suggest that there are far more important things to worry about than the quesiton of whether one starts or finishes a particular liturgical walk on the right or left foot. Surely it is beyond parody to suggest that an all-knowing all-loving God should give two hoots about the chirality of one's gait.
ReplyDeleteTerry Loane
This reminds me of Fr Couratin saying" Kiss the altar flat -on, old boy. It hasn't got a nose".
ReplyDeleteCassock, surplice, or alb, right arm first. Right amice cord over left, right end of stole over left.
ReplyDeleteand, of course, all things sinister and dirty are of the left. SPQR
ReplyDeleteThere is also the requirement to light the candle on the south of the altar first. When I asked about this, I was told it was something to do with Gospel side / Epistle side.
ReplyDeleteIn the EF of the modern Roman rite September 24th is a ferial day (with commemoration of Our Lady of Ransom) so, unlike the old rite where the feast was a greater double, a 'private' votive Mass could be celebrated.
ReplyDeleteThe, newish, featured church has been built slightly west of the La Grande Chapelle (which was at least oriented) with the apse facing south-south east.
Masons of course step off with the left foot.
ReplyDelete