Report on PE TLM on New Year's Day

A rather belated report on the Traditional Mass offered in PE recently -

On 1 January - in the old Calendar, the Octave Day of Christmas, or the Feast of the Circumcision - Port Elizabeth Catholics had the privilege of assisting at the first, fully public, Traditional Latin Mass offered in a diocesan parish, since the issue of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. This was probably the first such Mass publicly offered in a diocesan parish in 40 years.

Monsignor John Clark, of St Vincent's Parish, Algoa Park, Port Elizabeth, had been approached by Bishop Michael Coleman to "re-learn" this form of the Mass - he has courageously done so, and has, on a semi-private basis, offered the Mass for the last couple of months at his home parish.

Corpus Christi Parish of Humewood, Port Elizabeth, kindly extended an invitation for this "first" public Mass to be offered in its lovely church, a stone's throw from the PE beachfront on New Year's Day.

Over 100 people - the majority from Corpus Christi, but many from further afield - attended the 9am Low Mass, which was offered at the High Altar (still intact!) of the Church. Several in the congregation brought their old Missals, which may well not have seen the light of the day for 40 or more years. The congregation enthusiastically joined in the singing of traditional hymns - such as "I'll Sing a Hymn to Mary" at the end of the Mass, and appreciated the short, yet thought provoking sermon delivered by Monsignor after the Gospel.

The organisers are very pleased with the response and are hopefull that, in the near future, similar public Masses will take place. Monsignor Clark continues, every Friday at 5:30pm, to offer the Traditional Mass at St Vincent's Church, Dennehout Street, Algoa Park, and all are most welcome.

Details of additional Masses, at St Vincent's and elsewhere, will be posted.

First Sunday Mass in Christ the King Cathedral - Photos

"and when I am lifted up I will draw all men to me" John 12:32

This short photo essay (much delayed) of the first Sunday TL Mass at Christ the King is focussed on some unique aspects of the TLM liturgy.

When you attend a TLM you will see a significant focus on the Cross of Our Lord. In its central position on the altar, in the instructions for the priest to raise his eyes to the crucifix and in the many bows and reverences directed to it. It always reminds me of this wonderful phrase from scripture.

"What shall I offer to the Lord for all He has given to me, I will take the chalice of salvation and I will call upon the name of the Lord" The prayer before the priest receives the Precious Blood.

This prayer reminds us that only when we unite ourselves to the sacrifice of Our Lord do our works have any value or merit.

The servers play a vital part in the Traditional Latin Mass adding to its sacredness and beauty. Historically servers were clerics in minor orders and therefore dress as clerics in cassock and surplice. Here Andrew Martin and Peter Jackson wait to bring the water and the wine while Father offers up the bread.

"mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa"

"Corpus Domini Jesu Christi Custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam"

May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ keep thy soul unto life everlasting. Amen.

"Et Verbum Caro Factum Est"

"And the Word was made Flesh", Two of the genuflections at the Mass mark the Incarnation, one during the Creed and the other here during the final Gospel. The fact of Our Lord's Incarnation is so startling that we fall to our knees in awe.

Photo Credits: Michael Poverello

Fr. Eldred Leslie R.I.P.

Please pray for the respose of the soul of Fr. Eldred Leslie (83).

Fr. Leslie was murdered in his home in Pietermaritizburg.

Despite having being robbed several times and having his house broken into at least 14 times in the last ten years he continued to assist all those who came to his door. The Natal Witness reports that he "gave street children and destitute people food and even paid school fees for some of the children."

It appears that he opened the door to someone and was murdered.

Fr. Leslie was well known for his support of the Traditional Latin Mass and pro-life causes.

He was pastor of the independent chapel of Our Lady and St. Michael.

(No comments please)

Change of e-mail

I have changed the e-mail for the blog to unavocesa@gmail.com.

January/February special events

While the Mass Schedule remains basically unchanged Fr. Shaun von Lillienfeld will be adding a few special events:

Tuesday, 20th January: Feast of Sts. Fabian & Sebastian, Following the 17:30pm TL Mass the faithful will be blessed with and have the opportunity to venerate a first class relic of St Sebastian.

Monday, 2nd February: Feast of the Purification (Candlemas). A Traditional Latin Mass will be said at 17:30pm. This will include the blessing of candles according to the 1962 Missale. If you use blessed candles in your home (and you should) this is the most suitable time to have them blessed.

Tuesday, 3rd February: Commemoration of St Blaise. The 17:30pm TL Mass will be followed by the traditonal Blessing of the Throats.

Wednesday, 25th February: Ash Wednesday. A Traditional Latin Mass will be said at 18:00pm, (this is to allow more people to attend) the ashes will be imposed.

Prayer Request

Please pray for a special intention related to an additional opportunity to celebrate the TLM in Johannesburg. God willing I will be able to make an annoucement in due course.

News Flash: PE Mass very successful

Best wishes for the New Year.

Nicholas Mitchell from PE reports that the TLM on Jan 1st was very successful with over 100 people attending.

Nicholas will post a report and hopefully some photos soon.