Procession and Solemn Mass at the Cathedral of Newark

For the “Year of Mercy.” The pilgrimage started with a procession through an adjacent city park. Unfortunately it seems that most of the park’s many cherry trees had already bloomed.

The pilgrims conclude their walk on a rainy day with the recitation of the Rosary before the cathedral.

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Newark, begun in 1899 and completed in 1954, is one of the largest in North America. Regrettably it attracts few visitors nowadays, primarily because of security concerns, although it is very easy to reach from main roads and parking is abundant. The cathedral was eventually completed in a style derived from 13th century French Gothic cathedrals with an admixture of other elements. For example, the towers, angled to the facade, are reminiscent of those of the church of Ingolstadt, Germany (15th century)

The cathedral is remarkable for the superabundance of sculptural detail, woodcarving, fine metal work and stained glass. The stained glass, from Munich Germany, was the largest order that the Franz Zettel firm of Munich ever received. (Along with the Mayer firm (with which it eventually merged) Franz Zettel supplied innumerable American churches with stained glass into the 1950’s.

(Below) Even the stands to hold restraining ropes are elaborately detailed!

(Above) The cathedral has three rose windows, including the second largest in North America (after that of St. John the Divine in New York)

(Below) Greeted by chant from within the cathedral, the pilgrimage procession enters through the “holy door.”

(Above and below) The pilgrimage was greeted and then blessed by Archbishop Myers. It is a far cry from the reception Traditionalists used to receive in Catholic Cathedrals(one thinks of the earlier years of the Chartres pilgrimage – both in Chartres and Paris)

(above) A large congregation was in attendance.

(Above) Canon Jean-Marie Moreau, ICRSS, was celebrant, homilist and leader of the pilgrimage

(Above) A photo op for the assembled liturgical forces.

(above and below) David Hughes led the musical forces from the sanctuary.

At the procession: Improvisation
Gregorian Mass of Our Lady in Paschaltide: Salve sancta parens
Missa cum jubilo (Vatican Gradual, Mass IX)
Hymn at the Offertory: Ave maris stella (with versets after Victoria)
Motet at the Communion: Beata viscera (Pérotin, fl. c. 1200)
Marian antiphon: Regina caeli (plainsong, mode vi)
Postlude: Improvisation

As at the annual Chartres pilgrimage, the Newark pilgrimage for the year of mercy concluded with the singing of “Chez Nous soyez Reine.”