Last night, I attended
the opening Fortnight for Freedom Mass at Corpus Christi Cathedral. And if that service is any indication,
the Fortnight is off to a good start.
I arrived 15 minutes
early, but the large sanctuary was already filling up, and it indeed did almost
fill up. I was not expecting that
at all for a weekday mass.
The service and liturgy
was well done. Trying to endure a
horrific mass at St. Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe recently (about which I may
post sordid details at some point) made me appreciate the reverent liturgy at
Corpus Christi that much more.
One of the items added
to the liturgy was a Litany for Liberty.
And there were some patriotic aspects such as singing God Bless America
for the recessional hymn. But the
patriotism was neither overbearing nor inappropriate.
It was a very
substantial service with an unrushed sermon by Bishop Mulvey, and with so many
there, receiving the sacrament took a while. But I was surprised to see it all took exactly 90 minutes
and no more. Now I don’t mind a
longer service if done well. But
since I deferred dinner until after the mass, I appreciated the efficiency.
I am glad I went and am
glad to see the Fortnight for Freedom off to a good start in the Diocese of
Corpus Christi.
Side notes:
Being Anglican, I could
not receive the sacrament, of course.
But I wanted to receive a blessing so I went forward. I expected to go to a priest nearby,
but was ushered to a line to the front instead. . . . And the line led straight
to the Bishop of Corpus Christi himself.
Yes, I received a blessing from him.
---
When I left, I received one
of those wonderful saint cards. It
was of “St. Thomas More, Patron of Religious Freedom.” I later found the card online.
Now Thomas More was a
man of courage and conviction, but a “Patron of Religious Freedom”? The Protestants he persecuted might disagree
with that.
“Patron of Opposition
to Tyrants” would be more accurate . . . and appropriate given the current occupant
of the White House.
1 comment:
SO GLAD TO Here there was big crowd there
Post a Comment