Thoughts and Views from the Choir Loft

On Sunday, we had a beautiful High Mass for the Feast of Christ our King. It was just a little quartet up in the loft, yet I know angels come to assist us in our worship. I remember how it was this very feast day in 2010 when we attended our first High Mass. I was so moved by its beauty. It was truly worship fit for a King. When we had the opportunity to move to SC, the first thing we did was to check whether there'd be a traditional Latin Mass offered in the area. It was a deal breaker. We are so blessed to be here and singing the Missa de Angelis on this All Hallow's Eve. I pondered how the saints must be worshipping our Lord in Heaven with all the angels. People, this is what goes on in heaven and if you want to go to heaven when you die, go to Mass here on earth while you're alive! It's practice for the heavenly Jerusalem :)

Monday we celebrated All Saints Day with a low Mass at Stella Maris. Afterwards, we had dress rehearsal for Faure's Requiem Mass and it's always thrilling to have all the instrumentalists and guest singers who make us sound better than we actually are. It's a wonder our choir loft doesn't collapse! Our Altar too, can get crowded. I remember when Max used to serve, we'd sometimes have a dozen boys up there and their movements would have to be finely choreographed so as not to trip over each other. Our priest reads the names of the people who died in our community and this year, it was sad to hear how many died in Afghanistan. It is our faith that allows us to keep our sanity and not sink into despair during these dark times. Due to the pandemic, we now have regular live-streaming of Mass so that those who are homebound can join in, so I actually have a link to a recording. It's not St. Martin in the Fields but what a joy it is for us to sing this music. Every practice too, is a prayer. 

I leave you with my favorite prayer to St. Joseph and pretty fall leaves: 

A Trip to Washington D.C.

It's unusual for me to be out and about and far from home, given I'm a homebody. But what a delight for me to visit Max in his new home in DC and see some of the sights. I was originally planning to go in the fall, when it's not crowded with tourists but Dagny wanted to visit before she started school at Ave Maria, so we planned a short trip right after her return from Ecuador. And thanks be to God, she made it home in time. We stayed in Chinatown and it was a quick bus-ride to Max's place. And what a beautiful home, filled with good books, gorgeous art, and delicious food. We got off the bus and we simply let our noses guide us to the right home. Lamb vindaloo was simmering on the stove. Another friend who was visiting prepared a mint chutney. Max, upon his return home from work, made mango lassi. I contributed the cardamom. Max is so blessed to be right in the center of one of the best communities of faithful Catholics and it was a great joy for me to spend some time with them, getting to know them. It reminded me of the poem by Hillaire Belloc:

Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,

There’s always laughter and good red wine.

At least I’ve always found it so.

Benedicamus Domino!

There was sight-seeing along the National Mall. Really enjoyed visiting the National Gallery of Art. Pictures of paintings don't do justice but the still-lifes and sculptures were decent; I could practically smell the magnolia. The cemetery behind Max's home was peaceful and the beautiful church just a block away from our hotel, St. Mary Mother of God, became my home away from home where we could hear daily Latin Mass.

But it's the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception that left me overwhelmed with gratitude and holy tears. I can die happy after partaking of such immense beauty. I am so happy Max lives close by. When he interned the first year in DC, he lived right across the Basilica in the dormitory pictured below. Truly, the Catholic Church is universal. What a pity that the Solemn Pontifical Mass scheduled there for the Feast of the Assumption was cancelled by Ap. Wilton Gregory. It is unbelievably cruel. Only God can save us from our bad bishops.    

I have one last shrine to share: Pope St. John Paul II. The mosaics are all so luminous because he gave us the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. It's still a work in progress. These days, we need Light! I read a beautiful reflection on this trip, the essence being that we need the Good for our bodies, Truth for our minds, and Beauty for our souls.

Whew! That's all folks. Now it's time for me to practice music for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. Our pastor said that in the spirit of Custodes Tradionis we shall celebrate with a Solemn High Mass followed by a potluck! Deo gratias!