EVENTS
Forthcoming
Meeting
Spring Meeting at Gloucester
Cathedral
The Association had a very
successful visit to Derby Cathedral in 2003 where we sang the Dupré Vespers of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated at the main altar which was decorated most
memorably by their altar frontal and which had on it in large letters: Christus
Vincit! We were made most welcome by the Dean, Rev Michael Perham, who
subsequently became Bishop of Gloucester. When congratulating him on his
elevation to the bishopric, he responded by expressing a wish that they might
go to Gloucester some time.
We have the kind permission
of the Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral to celebrate both Mass, in the Lady
Chapel, and Vespers, in Choir, and we have the Bishop of Clifton’s agreement
to both. Vespers will take the place of the Cathedral’s normal Saturday
afternoon Evensong at 4:30pm, and we will have David Cowen, organist at Holy
Cross, Leicester, playing Dupré’s antiphons, hymn verses and Magnificat
verses from his Vêpres de la Vierge.
The timetable of events
will be:
-
Registration
at 10:00am, coffee, then rehearsal for Vespers in the Chapter House,
Gloucester Cathedral from 10:30 to 11:30am under the direction of Philip
Duffy.
-
12:00
noon - Mass in the Lady
Chapel. The Mass Ordinary
will be Missa cum Jubilo (Mass IX).
-
Buffet
lunch at the New County
Hotel nearby.
-
A talk
by Dom Aidan Bellenger,
OSB, Abbot of Downside, on the Benedictines’ connections with
Gloucestershire (the Cathedral was once a Benedictine foundation).
-
Tea,
followed by a final rehearsal of Vespers and the choreography associated
with processing into and out of the Cathedral Choir.
-
4:30pm -
Vespers.
Associates of the Schola
Gregoriana of Cambridge lead the singing of the Chant, and we hope the combined
forces of the two organisations will make this a most memorable occasion.
The cost of the day,
including copies of the music, refreshments and lunch will be £25.
Recent
Meetings
The
Association has continued its policy of holding two meetings each year for
members and others who may be interested in our work. In addition to the formal
Annual General Meeting which is normally held in October, we try to arrange an
interesting Spring Meeting in a less familiar part of the country with
interesting historical associations. One of the objectives is to provide an
opportunity to make available well celebrated Latin liturgy in the new rite for
those who are rarely if ever able to experience it. All our meetings begin with
Solemn Latin Mass followed by a relaxed lunch and conclude with Latin Vespers
and Benediction. Recent events have included:
-
October
2007 AGM
at the Church of the
Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, Mayfair. Solemn Latin Mass was
celebrated by the Parish Priest, Fr William Pearsall SJ, assisted by Fathers
Anton Webb and Guy Nicholls of the Oxford and Birmingham Oratories. The Farm
Street Choir, conducted by David Graham, the Director of Music, sang the
Gregorian Proper and Byrd’s setting of Mass for Three Voices.
After lunch
members enjoyed an illustrated talk on Catholic Church Architecture by Fr
Anthony Symondson SJ. The Business Meeting followed, beginning with
the Chairman’s annual report from Bernard Marriott. The liturgy continued
with Sung Latin Vespers, of the 27th Sunday of the Year, at which the
celebrant was Fr Webb and the cantor Fr Nicholls. The schola comprised of
ALL members was directed by Jeremy de Satgé. The day concluded with
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and singing of the Salve Regina.
-
Spring
2007 Yorkshire, at
St Austin’s, Wakefield. Sung
Latin Mass for the feast of St Anselm was celebrated by Fr Matthew Habron of
St Austin’s, assisted by Fr Guy Nicholls. The choir led the congregation
in Mass I Lux et Origo and sang the Gregorian proper. In the afternoon, the
Yorkshire Catholic historian, Dr James Hagerty gave an informative talk on
“Religion in Ruins”, describing the amazing concentration of religious
houses that once existed in the county, only partly revealed by the evidence
of the ruins that remain today. The day concluded in the fine setting of
Wakefield’s Anglican Cathedral with the singing of Latin Vespers by ALL
members led by Mary Halloran for the Third Sunday of Easter, at which Fr
Nicholls officiated in the presence of the Bishop of Pontefract who extended
a warm welcome to the Association.
-
October
2006 AGM at the
Sacred Heart, Wimbledon. Solemn Latin Mass was celebrated by Fr Kevin
Donovan SJ, assisted by Deacon Anton Webb of the Oxford Oratory and Fr Guy
Nicholls, Parish Priest of the Birmingham Oratory. Music was provided by the
Parish Choir. After lunch Ian Wells, an Old Wimbledonian who had organised
the meeting, found himself having to deliver a talk about the founding of
the church by Edith Arendrup written by the much respected teacher and
historian Richard Milward who was unfortunately too ill to attend and sadly
died two months later. After the Business Meeting and tea break, Fr Nicholls
celebrated Vespers and Benediction in Wimbledon College Chapel.
-
Spring
2006 Derbyshire, at
locations associated with the Derbyshire martyrs, with Mass at All Saints,
Hassop where Derby Cathedral Voluntary Choir sang a Mozart Mass and Mary
Halloran conducted the Gregorian Schola. Vespers and Benediction followed at
the ancient Padley Chapel.
-
October
2005 AGM at Our
Lady of Dolours, Leigh on Sea, with Mass of St Teresa of Avila. Anthony
Bevan directed the Gregorian choir of ALL members who sang the proper and
led the congregation in Mass IX Cum jubilo. There followed an interesting
talk by Fr Stewart Foster, Diocesan Archivist.
-
Spring
2005 Gloucestershire, with Solemn Mass for St George’s day in the Church of the
Annunciation, Woodchester, a visit to Woodchester Mansion and a drive to
Prinknash Abbey for Latin Vespers.
-
October
2004 AGM at St
Mary’s, Chelsea, with Pontifical Mass of the Holy Guardian Angels
celebrated by Bishop Alan Hopes. St Mary’s Latin Choir sang Hassler’s
Missa Secunda with motets by Michael Haydn and Palestrina. Mike
Withers gave a fascinating talk on the development of Church music entitled
‘Lawmakers and Lawbreakers’.
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