Last Sunday, a large congregation assisted at a magnificent Solemn High Mass at St. Mary’s Norwalk. The occasion was the emergence of the Latin Mass community from the basement of the Church and into the mainstream of the parish. Going forward, a sung Latin Mass – a Solemn High Mass to the extent possible – will be celebrated each Sunday at 9:30 in the main church.
In his homily Fr. Greg Markey noted how many of the faithful departed would have rejoiced to to see the rehabilitation of the Traditional rite by Pope Benedict XVI: Evelyn Waugh, Klaus Gamber… He commended the Society of St Gregory in New Haven for keeping alive the celebration of the Traditional rite and its music in this region for so many years. The mass of St. Gregory is also a real link to first generation of immigrants – largely Irish – who had so little yet built and furnished this church. Later much was altered or destroyed. Yet the same high altar remained. This day the first solemn high mass in more than forty years was celebrated on this altar.
It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the TLM in the main church after so many months. These photos show, however, the extent of the devastation in the sanctuary of St. Mary’s attributable to the “stripping of the altars” of the last 40 years. A project is germinating to restore the sanctuary – and the entire church – to its former glory.
The proclamation of the gospel in the midst of the people by Stephan A. Genovese – the permanent deacon serving at St. Mary’s.
Fr. Markey quoted from a newspaper article describing the consecration of this church in 1868. A solemn mass was celebrated coram episcopo. We may not be there yet…
The first solemn Mass on this altar in over 40 years. The altar retains the steps needed for celebration of the solemn form.
“Many have wished to see this day….”
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