Today I attened the inaugeral event of a new Sodality of Servers dedicated to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. I think of it as a 'Trad Guild of St Stephen'!
It has been entitled 'the Society of St Tarcisius', whose patron died in defence of the Blessed Sacrament.
I imagine the danger of such a training event like today, would be of reducing the Mass into a choreography of movers in the Sanctuary. But today was firmly grounded in prayer, taking place before the Blessed Sacrament in two different chapels. The day began with prayer, recessed with prayer, and ended with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A grace-filled day was had by all 30 of us!
My thanks to Blackfriars, where it was based, and also Br Lawrence Lew OP for acting as Priest, and teaching us the intricacies of swinging (or rather moving) the thurible in the Dominican Rite. Also to Fr Armand de Mallery FSSP, with providing us with prayer, benediction, training and good conversation, in a most fatherly way. Finally to Mr David Forster, for organising and teaching at this bold endeavour. I await with joyful hope the coming of our next event!