A Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated today for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict XVI at the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist in Stamford, CT. The celebrant was Fr. Cyprian La Pastina. The Deacon and homilist was Canon Joel Estrada, ICKSP.

At a time when many Catholic bookstores and gift shops have closed in Fairfield County, Connecticut, St. Mary’s Bookstore in Norwalk has kept going and even expanded its hours. This inviting store, where many parishioners stop by after Mass to chat and browse, was founded by Father Greg Markey when he was pastor at St. Mary’s. It’s easier than ever to visit, open five days a week. It is in the school building, with a separate entrance from the parking lot.

Tuesday & Thursday: 9AM to 4PM
Wednesday & Friday: 9AM to 3PM
Sundays: 9AM TO 2PM

The following churches have scheduled Traditional Masses for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary on February 2

Connectictut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, CT, 1 pm, Solemn Mass, blessing and distribution of candles, procession. Bring your own candles to be blessed. *Note: The 8 am Low Mass is cancelled for this day. The 1 pm Mass is sponsored by the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny for the Regina Pacis Academy community. All are welcome to attend.

St. Pius X, Fairfield, CT, Missa Cantata, 7 pm, Fr. Richard Cipolla, celebrant.

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, CT, 7:45 am low Mass, 6 pm, Solemn Mass starting with the Blessing of Candles and Procession.

Sacred Heart Oratory,, Georgetown, CT, 6 pm, blessing of candles, procession, Mass, polyphonic choir

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury, CT, 8 am low Mass, 6 pm blessing of candles, procession and high Mass. Please bring your candles beforehand to be blessed

St. Martha’s Enfield CT, 7 PM, High Mass

New York

Church of the Transfiguration, 29 Mott St, New York, NY, 7 pm, Solemn Blessing of Candles, Procession and Traditional Latin Mass

Holy Innocents Church, New York, NY, 6 pm Missa Cantata, blessing of candles and procession

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New York, NY, 7 pm Missa Cantata

St. Josaphat Church, Bayside (Queens), NY, 7 am

Notre Dame in New Hyde Park, NY (Long Island), 7:00 PM

New Jersey

Our Lady of Sorrows, Jersey City, 7 pm, blessing and distribution of candles, procession.

Corpus Christi Church, South River, NJ, Missa Cantata, 7 pm, blessing and distribution of candles with procession, bring your candles to be blessed.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Lyndhurst, NJ, Missa Cantata, 7 pm, blessing and distribution of beeswax candles.

The feast of St. Agnes is January 21. The complex of ancient Christian buildings erected around her tomb from the time of Constantine to the 7th century is one of the most impressive sights in Rome.

(Above) The interior of the basilica. The columns were all taken from earlier Roman buildings. Note how those closest to the apse are of more splendid stone.

See Macadam, Alta (with Annabel Barber), Blue Guide Rome at 490-492(Somerset Books, London, Tenth Edition, 2010)