June 22, 2009

Solemn High Mass for the External Solemnity of the Sacred Heart

On Sunday, June 21, 2009, Fr. Robert Ferguson, FSSP returned to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Greensboro, NC to offer a Solemn High Mass (Extraordinary Form) to celebrate the External Solemnity of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  In January of 2008 (Feast of the Holy Family), Fr. Ferguson offered the first Traditional Latin Mass in this church in over 40 years.  The pastor, Fr. Fidel Melo, kindly invited him back this year.

As you can see, the church is perfectly suited for the Extraordinary Form, as the original high altar is still in place:


The entrance procession:


Celebrant: Fr. Robert Ferguson, FSSP.  
Deacon: Fr. Paul Parkerson (pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Dunn, NC)
Sub-Deacon: Fr. Eric Kowalski (pastor of Holy Angels parish in Mt. Airy, NC)


The Asperges.  The priest sprinkles the congregation with holy water as a reminder of our baptism.  A portion of Psalm 50 (one of the seven penitential psalms) is sung: "Sprinkle me, Lord...and I will be made clean.  Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."


"Hear us, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Everlasting God; and vouchsafe to send Thy holy Angel from heaven, to guard, cherish, protect, visit, and defend all those that are assembled in this house. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

The Confiteor during the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar:

The Gloria:

Fr. Ferguson preaching:

The elevation of the Sacred Body of Our Lord:

The elevation of the Precious Blood:

Happy Feast Day to all!

7 comments:

William Jones said...

ya'll are always welcome back anytime!!

Dan Hunter said...

Beautiful Mass Philip.

It was great seeing you there.

Father Melo, the pastor said he wants to do this again real soon!

Anonymous said...

Now that is a church!

Vir Speluncae Catholicus said...

Stunning

Ryan said...

Now how is it that the Cure' of Dunn left his parish on its patronal feast day to go to Greensboro?!

Philip Gerard Johnson said...

I assure you, my dear patron, that the esteemed Cure de Dunn offered a High Mass at his home parish before asking his seminarian (moi) to drive him to Greensboro for a second celebration.

The Cure de Dunn chanted the Confiteor very nicely in Greensboro, non?

Carolina Cannonball said...

hey, I saw you there. I wished I had gotten some photos of them processing in wearing that stunning vestment. Thanks for grabbing that shot.

great pics.