Pontifical mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Newark

Some photographs of the Pontifical Mass at the faldstool celebrated today by His Excellency, Arthur Serratelli, Bishop of Paterson, New Jersey at the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Newark New Jersey. Msgr. Joseph Ambrosio, the pastor of the church was assistant priest, Deacon Trevor Fernandes was the deacon, and Damian Zablocki was subdeacon. Many other clergy were in attendance. A procession through the streets of the neighborhood, preceded by an Italian band, followed. The service concluded with Benediction.

In his homily Bishop Serratelli spoke of the beauty of Mt Carmel – the only biblical appellation of Our Lady – and how it exemplified the beauty of the Blessed Mother. The Blessed Mother, in turn leads us to follow Christ and thus we ourselves become beautiful in God’s eyes. Several of the Italian hymns sung at the service also refer to the beauty of the Virgin Mary – perhaps this an Italian insight? Certainly the altar, the vestments and the music reflected this sense of the beautiful. And such beauty is not “aestheticism” but is a manifestation of truth.

(above and below) The “Call to the Order of Deacon” of Damian Zablocki by Bishop Serratelli. Damian Zablocki – the subdeacon in this liturgy – is a seminarian in the diocese of Paterson and the Bishop requested to do the official Call to the Order of Deacon at this Mass.

Once again the “photo op” of the clergy involved in this mass.

For additional photos -including some of the vesting of the bishop – see HERE.