Mass at the Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

This past Saturday our Society sponsored the first mass of the year. A small but dedicated group of pilgrims from all over the greater New York area gathered at the shrine of Mother Cabrini located in the northernmost tip of Manhattan. The weather could not have been more beautiful. Father Richard Cipolla was the celebrant; Rev. Mr. Stephen Genovese was deacon and Fr. Christopher Salvatore SAC subdeacon. The staff of the shrine – which is unfortunately less well known than it should be – were extremely welcoming.

This mass marked the return of the Traditional Mass to the Shrine of St. Frances Cabrini for the first time in many decades. But most of the original furnishings from the 1950’s – including the “modern” altar rail(above) – remain intact and ready for use. Note the inscribed (Traditional)formula for the distribution of communion.

Just as remarkable was the specific liturgy: that of Ember Saturday in September. That provided for 5 additional Old Testament lessons (above) chanted by the master of ceremonies, Will Haffey, along with the  proper chants and the hymn of the children in the fiery furnace from the Book of Daniel. David Hughes led the schola.  The acoustics of the Shrine proved excellent.

Fr. Cipolla gave a memorable sermon – in English and Italian.