Solemn Pontifical Mass

“Man should tremble, the world should quake, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest.” -St. Francis of Assisi

Part of our Liturgical formation here at Notre Dame Seminary is becoming familiar with the Liturgy in a way that allows us to see its depth, beauty, and mystery in order that we can one day approach the altar with true reverence and humility. One way in which we do that here is by being exposed to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, as celebrated before the Second Vatican Council. Exposure to this form of celebrating the sacred Liturgy not only enriches our understanding of the Ordinary Form of the Mass, but allows us to see the beauty of tradition within the Catholic Church.

On Saturday, April 27th, we welcomed His Excellency, The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles, to offer a Solemn Pontifical Mass at the Faldstool. It took many months of preparing the liturgical ceremonies, and the music. The Mass was a beautiful ‘work of the people’ which glorified God, and allowed us to ponder that glory.

The Schola Cantorum, under the direction of the seminary’s Director of Sacred Music, Mr. Max Tenney, began the celebration with the singing of Anton Bruckner’s Ecce Sacerdos Magnus. The Mass Ordinary was Louis Vierne’s Messe Solennelle, Op. 16. This beautiful celebration of Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was a truly glorious encounter with our Risen Lord!