The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego

Friday Evening Sung Mass

2009-07-09T01:29:00.000-07:00

The monthly Mass for the intentions of the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego will be sung on:

Friday evening, 10 July 2009, 7:00pm.
St. Augustine's Monastery Chapel
3266 Nutmeg St.,
South Park, San Diego CA, 92104

Fr. Harry Neely OSA, celebrant.

The propers and ordinary will be sung in Gregorian chant by a schola of the Brothers, and will include Mass VI (Rex Genitor), the motet "O quam suavis", and the solemn tone Salve Regina.

Appropriately, Friday's mass in the Extraordinary Form is for the Feast of Ss. Rufina and Secunda, and the Seven Holy Brothers, the dominant theme of the mass being brotherhood or fraternity.

The public are welcome to attend.

A New Oratorian Beato!

2009-07-06T17:47:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy year for John Henry Cardinal Newman! It is no accident that a society bearing his name led the opposition to the giving of an honorary Doctorate of Law to Barack Obama a little over a month ago, in strong defense of the integrity of Catholic doctrine and its social application. Had he been alive in the flesh he could not have been more present. Then three days ago, on 3 July 2009, his first miracle approved by a board of cardinal theological consultors, Pope Benedict XVI signed the decree which cleared the way for the beatification of perhaps the most famous, and most Catholic convert to our faith in modern times.

Birmingham, England (city of the cardinal's own Oratorian congregation) has been mentioned as a possible site for the beatification, although Westminster Cathedral might be the most desirable option, as this is a beato for all England, for all the English speaking world, and for all the world in general. The great London Byzantine cathedral has a new Cardinal, H.E. Vincent Nichols, and a new, more orthodox direction: a new English beato would be the crowning glory, and the liturgy would afford a platform for projecting all three.

Is it likewise any accident that this particular saint, one of the most intellectually incisive of this or any other age, probably more prolific and philosophically influential than any recent prelate outside the late pontiff John Paul II, has had his beatification delayed for so long, until just now? Looking at the contemporary assault on the church being waged by the forces of relativism and secularism, and the burgeoning trend not of resistance, but of re-conversion within the church itself by a younger generation of hierarchs seeking the implementation of the hermeneutic of continuity, can there be any doubt as to why the Almighty has waited until now to prove his saint's intercessory efficaciousness?

Cardinal Newman is so much more than the benign "advocate for the cause of students" that the frequently banal "Newman Centers" of American secular universities make him out to be. In fact, Cardinal Newman was an advocate of specifically Catholic education and therefore Catholic students, and held forthright and unwavering convictions regarding the integrity and undeniability of Roman Catholic doctrine, and of the inevitability of conversion as a result of their rational logic. To paint him as oecumenical in the modern sense is no longer an option. This is a Roman Catholic beato to the core.

Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman's voice is poised to echo ever louder in the face of this contemporary assault. And even though Our Lord and His vicar may save canonization for another crisis and another needful generation, the Cardinal's Oratorian sons and brothers rejoice at his renewed presence among their congregations, and in the church at large.

Soon to be Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, intercede for us, for Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, and for the Congregations of the Oratory.

The Precious Blood Robes: And Then there were Two!

2009-06-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego are now possessed of a pair of Precious Blood Robes, the robes worn by the Brothers at London, who are also members of the Archconfaternity of the Precious Blood. The robes are worn by the Brothers when participating in liturgical processions, or with cotta when assisting at the altar on appropriate feasts, such as the Feast of the Precious Blood (July 1), or when participating in Musical Oratory.

The robes are here modelled by Brother Richard Dawes, and Chorus Breviarii member and Postulant, John T. Velasco. The second robe was made by La Mesa Tailors of Linda Vista, San Diego, Ca., to a pattern by Mrs. Nunzia Pecoraro, wife of George Pecoraro, one of the Brothers. Mrs Pecoraro is a professional costumier, who works for San Diego Opera and the Old Globe Theatre, among others. The Brothers wish to express to Mrs Pecoraro and to La Mesa Tailoring their sincere gratitude for work expertly undertaken, and expertly completed. (Spot the replica!)

This detail shows the perfectly matched piping, buttons, and the red stitching around the button holes, all evidence of the attention to detail paid to the exact reproduction of the Precious Blood Robe copy (and yes, for those who know, the curious little button at the top of the back, under both the collar and mantle, is duly in place!). A keen eye will notice however, a slight difference in the weave of the two black fabrics. The original robe (right) is wool, which after experimentation proved too hot even for the sub-tropical climate of San Diego. Instead, a double thickness of cotton fabric was used, which achieves a weight and hang similar to the woolens, but provides suitable breathability.

The achievement of the first Precious Blood Robe (in all probability) to be manufactured on this continent in the last hundred years, if ever, is due to the extraordinary generosity of the London Brothers who made it possible, through the donation of one of their own, for yet another level of completeness in the expression of the Oratorian life of our distant chapter to be realized. We are not only grateful, but indebted, and if unable to repay the debt in attendance or material contribution, we will ever seek to do so through spiritual affection and prayerful devotion. Brothers, we thank you.

St. Philip's Celebrations 2009

2009-06-08T00:41:00.001-07:00

The 2009 observance of St. Philip's Feast was accomplished with the greatest degree of fullness yet attained by the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego. With the exception of Ronald Clemente, currently serving with the United States Army Reserve in Afghanistan, all of the admitted Brothers forming the "Western Chapter" of the Brothers of the Little Oratory at London were present in San Diego for this year's celebrations.

These include Mssr's Ashley Paver (Cincinnati, OH), John Polhamus, Roberto Lionello, Thomas Gray, David Latorre, Richard Dawes, John J. Velasco, Christopher Velasco, George Pecoraro, Robert Keim (Maple Hill, KS) and Wayne Lam (Orange County, CA). They were joined in choir by Mssr's Jon T. Velasco, James Covalt and Jeffrey Morse (Sacramento, CA), currently postulants.

Parcipating clergy included Fr. Carl Gismondi, FSSP, Deacon Jose Zepeda, FSSP, and Fr. Justin Ramos, O. Praem., who very graciously travelled all the way from St Michael's Abbey in Silverado for Vespers and Holy Mass, thus ensuring solemn liturgies on both occasions. To him, and to Fr. Gismondi and Deacon Zepeda, the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego offer their most profound, solemn and joyful gratitude.

On Sunday 24 May the Musical Oratory was given in St. Joseph's Cathedral in downtown San Diego, with a musical offering by Dr. Alison Leudecke, playing the 1931 Austin organ, which was originally installed in the old cathedral-church, demolished in 1942 to make way for the present building. Dr. Leudecke's program included music by the early 20th century titular organists of the great Parisian churches and Cathedrals. For her time, her talent and the treasure of her generosity, the Brothers thank Dr. Luedecke profoundly. The Brothers also wish to thank the Cathedral Rector and Pastor of St. Joseph's, Fr. Peter Escalante, for once again allowing us to praise God in the historic seat or our Diocese.

Dr. Luedecke's program included the Th. Dubois "Toccata in G Major," the "Te Deum of Tournemire," the "Ave Maria: Ave maris Stella" of Langlais, "Incantation pour un jour saint" by Langlais, "Nigra sum" from the Dupre Vespers of the Blessed Virgin, the "Veni Creator Spiritus" of Durufle, and for the recessional the "Final" of the Vierne Organ Sym #1. Apart from the first and last pieces, each of the pieces during the musical offering was preceded by a brief selection of chants sung by the assembled Brothers, each illustrating and quoting the main themes used as motives in the organ pieces. Hymns included "This is the Saint", "True Sons of Philip", and in the middle, a hymn written by An Oratorian Brother of three stanzas on the theme of conversion, sung in a metricized version to the famous and familiar chorale-theme from the Saint-Saens "Organ" Symphony #3.

The Musical Oratory was held to the rear of the crossing aisle of the Cathedral, and necessitated only the moving of an armed chair and a small side-table, and a kneeler for Fr. Gismondi. About forty attended the concert, minus the Brothers - but bear in mind that this was the Memorial Day weekend. Next Year St. Philip's day precedes it by a week, so in some ways this year might be looked on as a tune up for a more propitious calendrical placement. We hope to transcribe Fr. Gismondi's fervorino from one of the video-tapes in the near future.

Also of interest was that during the Musical Oratory, Robert Keim read from the life of St. Philip by Bacci, wearing the Precious Blood robe, as is customary apparel for Brothers at Musical Oratory. This robe is the customary habit of the Archconfraternity of the Precious Blood, and is used for public or ceremonial wear outside of liturgical function in the sanctuary. The Brothers upon reception at London, are enrolled in the Archconfraternity, which was brought to England by Fr. Frederick William Faber, founder of the London Oratory. This use marked the robe's first appearance in San Diego. More are currenty being made for the use of the San Diego Brothers.

On Monday, 1st Vespers of St. Philip Neri were sung in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Coronado, Ca., across the bay from downtown San Diego. The use of this architecturally noteworthy church was graciously granted by Pastor Michael Murphy, and use was overseen (on Memorial Day holiday) by parish Organist Holly Jones, who also contributed a festive prelude and postlude. To both of them and all who helped facilitate the Vespers, the Brothers extend their heartfelt gratitude.

Fr. Gismondi was Hebdomadary, with Fr. Justin Ramos, O.Praem. 1st Asst, and Deacon Zepeda FSSP 2nd. Psalmody was carried off well, accompanied by Mr. Spencer Velkey, to whom the Brothers offer great thanks. The office hymn "Pangamus Nerio" was sung to the tune written in 1895 by William Sewell, arranged for SATB choir, String Quartet, and Organ. At exposition the choir sang the Croce "O sacrum convivium", and the sopranos sang an original Tantum Ergo by An Oratorian Brother, accompanied by the string quartet. Following the procession to the Lady Altar the choir sang the Soriano "Regina Caeli", and the hymn "True Sons of Philip."

This year's vespers were Solemn three-cope vespers, with three matching gold copes borrowed from St. Anne's Parish, Santa Sophia Parish, and Fr. Justin Ramos personally. For their great generosity and trust the Brothers thank particularly Fr. Gismondi, Fr. Peter McGuine, Pastor of Santa Sophia Parish, and Fr. Ramos. The three copes are approximately one hundred years old, being made of Cloth of Gold manufactured in Lyons, France. The panels on the copes are machine stitched, but hand-tinted, creating stitching of great accuracy, yet shading of amazing subtlety. To view them in use is itself a prayer.

As previously stated, on St. Philip's Day there were no fewer than eleven of the twelve San Diego Brothers in attendance, Christopher Velasco particularly managing to come down from Long Beach prior to his college Graduation the next day. He served as a torchbearer at communion. Combined with Jeffrey Morse, Jon T. Velasco and James Covalt, there were fourteen Brothers and postulants involved in the ceremonies (two of them in the choir-loft).

The Brothers served the Solemn High Mass beautifully, which was well attended, and the music went off with great beauty and dignity. The ordinary was the Hassler Missa "Dixit Maria", with the Verdonck Ave Maria at offertory and the Croce "O sacrum convivium" at Communion. A quartet of men sang the chant propers. Afterwards five of the Brothers took the Father and Deacon to a local steak-restaurant (which just happens to have a 1610 carved interior of English oak) for a festive "thank you" dinner.

Believe it or not, that is only a brief sketch outline of the activities to do with this year's Philiptide in San Diego. Were the writer to elaborate this entry would be many times as long. In fact, having made St. Philip's Novena leading up to the feast, and considering the number of new venues, and strands of good will upon which it was necessary to pull in order to draw these various elements together, elements musical, material, and clerical, the true results of this year's efforts were the miraculous granting of wish after wish, desire after desire; request after request. More than once we abandoned ourselves to the disposition of the Lord and the intercession of our Saint, and each time everything came together just as we had prayed it would. Literally, nothing went wrong; well, except that the recorder failed to capture the choir's fine performance at the Mass, which is in fact nothing more than a warranted mortification of the writer's pride!

No, if I may speak personally, the visible change eminating from this Philiptide seems to be only that I have added a seventh holy-card to the lower edge of my framed Guadalupe in what I call my "Lady Chapel". Really, that's about the total extent of the tangible, observable results of all of the aforementioned, except a few left-over programmes. But when I look at that little card (itself typeset by a Brother literally half-way around the globe), it means more to me than all the gold vestments in the world. And the best part is, after all the effort, expense, and sleep deprivation it took to bring these 2009 celebrations to reality, I know I'm not the only one that feels that way.

Deo Gratias!

1st Vespers of the Feast of the Ascension and PHILIPTIDE EVENTS

2009-05-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday evening, 20 May 2009 at 7:00pm, the Brothers of the Little Oratory, with Fr. Carl Gismondi F.S.S.P. as hebdomadary, will sing 1st Vespers of the Feast of the Ascension at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 621 Sicard St., Sherman Heights, San Diego 92113. The public are invited, there is no charge.

We remind readers that the Novena to St. Philip will begin on Monday 18 May, and conclude with the Philiptide events of:

Musical Oratory, Organ Music of the Great Parisian Churches,
24 May 3:00pm
St. Joseph's Cathedral,

1st Vespers of St. Philip,
25 May 7:00pm
Sacred Heart, Coronado,

and Solemn High Mass for the
Feast of St. Philip,
26 May 7:00pm,
St. Anne's, Sicard Street.

Message from a future Monk

2009-05-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Br. David Olds, soon to be resuming his novitiate with the Order of St. Agustine, sends the following summary message of thanks for good wishes and encouragement. The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego came to know David Olds some years ago while he was beginning his Augustinian journey with the community here in North Park, San Diego. We assure David of the continued prayers of his Oratorian friends in Christ, and of our hope that, while we will see him in spirit with constancy, we will see him physically sooner than later!

"Dear All, sorry to put this in a mass email. I was so excited I had to send it ASAP
as I sit here at work.

Just wanted to thank all of you for your prayers over the last few weeks.
As you know I will be continuing my formation with the Augustinians in San
Francisco. I will be moving in next month.

I just received my acceptance letter from The University of San Francisco
today! I know it is through His grace and your intercession! Thank you!

My Thanks to Bishop Cordileone, Fr Gary, Fr Tom, Fr Jim, Fr Rex, Fr Bob,
Helen, Tristan, John, Uncle Rich, Uncle Steve, Sean and my best bud Shane!

Pax Christi, Dave"

San Diego Brothers' May 2009 Schedule of Events

2009-04-26T23:21:00.000-07:00

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego are pleased to announce the following liturgical events for May 2009, including the schedule of Philiptide events.

Sunday, 3 May 2009, 4:00pm
Paschal Vespers for the 3rd Sunday after Easter and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Fr. Carl Gismondi, Hebdom.
St. Anne's Church, Sicard St., Sherman Heights

Saturday, 9 May 2009, 9:00am
Gregorian Chant Lady Mass
(OF, Latin, Ad Orientem)
Fr. Zilverberg (visiting)
St. Augustine's Monastery Chapel,
South Park, San Diego

Sunday, 10 May 2009, 6:45pm
Paschal Vespers for the 4th Sunday after Easter and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Fr. Zilverberg, Hebdom.
St. Mary's, Escondido, Broadway and 13th

Wednesday, 20 May 2009, 7:00pm
First Vespers of the Feast of the Ascension and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Fr. Carl Gismondi, FSSP, Hebdom.
St. Anne's, Sicard St., Sherman Heights

Philiptide Events Schedule

Sunday, 24 May 2009, 3:00pm
MUSICAL ORATORY - Free Concert Spirituel
(Featuring grand organ music of Duruflé,
Dupré, Vierne, Tournemire, et al.)
St. Joseph's Cathedral,
3rd & Beech, Downtown San Diego
(length of concert spirituel, 1hr15min.)

Monday, 25 May 2009, 7:00pm
Solemn First Vespers of the Feast of St. Philip Neri and
Benediction fo the Blessed Sacrament
Sacred Heart Catholic Church,
655 C Avenue, Coronado 92118
Fr. Carl Gismondi, FSSP, Hebdom.

Tuesday, 26 May 2009, 7:00pm
Solemn High Mass for the
Feast of St. Philip Neri,
Fr. Carl Gismondi, FSSP, Cel.
St. Anne's, Sicard St., Sherman Heights

May is a very special month, being the Month of Our Lady, the Month of the Ascension of the Lord, and the Pentecost of the Holy Spirit, setting for the feasts of St. Monica and St. Maria Magdalena dei Pazzi, and of course the setting for the Novena and tide of our Holy Father St. Philip Neri.

With the onset of Summer, May truly crowns the year. Let us then crown this May with our prayers, especially in this time or heightened pestilential anxiety. The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego cordially invite you to join your prayers and your voices with ours this May, in praise of God, Our Lady, and all the Saints.

Gaudete omnes in Domino, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Always and Everywhere...Felix Pascha

2009-04-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego wish the solemn joy of Easter to all with whom we are in contact. We thank you for your support both moral, material, and liturgical, and look forward to singing Christ's praises with you once again in chant, psalms and canticles during the coming course of our 8th year. God Bless and Save our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, Roger, our Archbishop, Robert our Bishop, and all the clergy and religious of the Diocese of San Diego. Our Lady of Victories and St. Philip Neri, intercede for them.

9th consecutive Annual Tenebrae Service sung at St. John's

2009-04-09T00:57:00.000-07:00

The Brothers of the Little Oratory, and members of Chorus Breviarii Gregorian Chant Schola, sang their 9th consecutive Annual Tenebrae service on Wednesday evening of Holy Week, in the church of St. John the Evangelist, Normal Heights, San Diego.

Fr. Harry Neely, O.S.A. served as Hebdomadary and sang the 1st lesson from the Lamentations of Jeremias.

The Brothers and CB members numbered ten in choir, and around thirty members of the public attended.

Numbers were down this year owing to the fact that advertising of this service was conducted strictly via the internet, for the first time.

The service ran to two hours fifteen minutes exactly.

First photographs arrived from the family of Jon T. Velasco. Professional photographs were taken by Miss Jean Perko, and will be added as they become available.

For now, enjoy these images from Tenebrae of Holy Thursday 2009.

Lenten Evening Prayer and Farewell Reception for Bishop Cordileone

2009-03-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

The following announcement was received this morning with a request to publicize it as possible, which this blog is certainly happy to do.

"EVENING PRAYER FOR LENT & RECEPTION FOR BISHOP SALVATORE CORDILEONE

The Faithful of the Diocese of San Diego are invited to attend the celebration of Evening Prayer (Vespers) for Lent followed by a Reception for Bishop Cordileone on Sunday, March 29th at 4:00 p.m. at Mission San Diego de Alcalá, St. Francis Center."

Please mark this appointment in your datebooks. This is a splendid opportunity to both thank Bishop Cordileone in person for his service to his native Diocese, and to send him on to his new one with our heartfelt prayers.

AMDG

The Brothers salute the new Bishop of Oakland, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone

2009-03-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

"VATICAN CITY, 23 MAR 2009 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, auxiliary of San Diego, U.S.A., as bishop of Oakland (area 3,798, population 2,466,692, Catholics 406,947, priests 433, permanent deacons 112, religious 843), U.S.A."

This morning the news that was not entirely unexpected became public. Bishop Cordileone is to leave us. The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego offer their dear Bishop their unceasing prayers and good wishes, and their heartfelt thanks for the many opportunities he gave us to exercise our spiritualities through liturgical work at levels we never expected to attain. However long it may be before we see him again, if we are so blessed, the memories, the experiences we shared with him, and the expanded spiritual horizons he inculcated in us, will both sustain and propel us towards a holier future. God Bless you, Bishop.

Speaking personally, it has been a great grace to know and serve this extraordinary man, indeed the greatest grace I have know in this diocese through the years. He has helped so many to recover, nurture and find growth in Catholic identities long undernourished. His manifold kindnesses and sensitivities, combined with a firm and assertive guidance has changed the lives of so many in our Diocese it would be difficult to count them.

Of his many extraordinary personal qualities, let me highlight but a few: he is accessible. He laughs. He is intellectual. He has a rare common touch. He is interested. He listens. He has no liturgical axe to grind; his concern is always for the quality of the liturgical act. He knows his own mind, but is concerned with the perceptions of others as well. He loves his ministry. He truly loves the Roman Catholic Church. I could go on, but I will leave it to his future biographers.

Without him we will be bereft for a time, but we will go on. May he go from strength to strength. May the hand of the Almighty rest firmly upon him. May he visit us one day in Eminence. May his rise continue, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the benefit of all. "Virgam virtútis tuæ emíttet Dóminus ex Sion: domináre in médio inimicórum tuórum" : The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion : be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies...and in the midst of your countless friends, as well.

God Bless the Bishop of Oakland, His Grace Bp. Salvatore Cordileone! Deo Gratias.

Brothers sing Laetare Sunday Vespers as work on St. Anne's Sanctuary continues

2009-03-23T02:13:00.000-07:00

On "Laetare" Sunday the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego sang Vespers for the 4th Sunday in Lent at St. Anne's Sicard St., with one attendee coming from as far as Los Angeles. Fr. Carl Gismondi, F.S.S.P. officiated. Sitting in choir was newly ordained transitional deacon, Jose Cepeda, F.S.S.P. The liturgy was performed in the midst of the sanctuary renovations, which continue apace. The marble flooring of the Sanctuary is now in, as is the altar-rail. Carpeting has been removed in preparation for the installation of a parquet floor, and the reverberation in the modestly sized church is noticeably increased. These changes are already creating a markedly sympathetic singing space, and Gregorian chant will be doubtless be well served at St. Anne's.

The Brothers received indispensable assistance in this celebration from Mr. Hans Mosler, who assisted as Ceremoniere, and Mr. Spencer Velkey who ably accompanied his first traditional vesper service. To them we offer our sincere thanks.

Brothers' Schedule of Lenten Events Mar/Apr 2009

2009-02-24T16:01:00.000-08:00

The Brothers of the Little Oratory are pleased to announce the following schedule of services in which they will participate during Lent 2009:

Thursday, 26 February 2009
Begins approx. 10:00pm
Office of Compline and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Founder's Chapel, USD Campus

Sunday, 8 March 2009
7:00pm (following the 5:30 mass)
Vespers of the 2nd Sunday of Lent
St. Mary's, Escondido
(116 South Broadway, Escondido)

Friday, 13 March 2009
7:00pm
Brothers Lenten Mass (EF, public invited)
Fr. Harry Neely, OSA, cele.
St. Augustine's Monastery Chapel
(Nutmeg and 33rd St., South Park)

Sunday, 22 March, 2009
4:00pm
Vespers of the 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare or Rose Sunday)
St. Anne's Catholic Church
(Sicard and Irving Streets, San Diego)

Wednesday, 8 April, 2009
7:30pm
Tenebrae of Holy Thursday
(Office of Matins and Lauds)
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church,
(Park Ave. and Polk St., Normal Heights)

Brothers Declaration of Petrine Unity: We Stand Firmly with Benedict XVI

2009-02-23T11:45:00.000-08:00

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego, along with the members of the Chorus Breviarii Gregorian Chant Schola and Liturgical Prayer Group, wish to make the following public statement regarding those liberal churchmen who are currently in open resistance to the program of continuity and church unity undertaken by our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI:

Healing divisions is a difficult task. People come to like the social security of their ghettos. They fear what lies beyond its walls. Hence the boundaries separating the Roman and Orthodox churches has entrenched itself for nearly a thousand years. Many of us may live to see its millennial anniversary. Preventing the entrenchment of such a division is, to his credit, clearly important to Pope Benedict XVI. And he has made very clear, since the first months of his pontificate, the importance that he sees fit to attach to continuity both in worship and in doctrine. Yet this Pope not only theorizes, he acts - unilaterally and in keeping with his Petrine privilege, much to the displeasure of a dominant liberal faction which seeks and has sought since the Council to monopolize its control of church praxis. But that was not the vision of the Council, nor was it the intention of Pope John XXIII. True evenhandedness takes far more courage than monopoly, and Pope Benedict XVI is demonstrating that courage and being vilified for it by the Church and Social Left. We must and will speak and act in his defense.

Therefore the Brothers express their undying gratitude to our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI for his work to repair decades of driftage and dissolution in the identity of the Catholic faithful. His courageous work has freed the church from the icepack of decadent and monopolistic liberal theology, and is promoting new growth from both the oldest branches of the church, and the youngest. The Barque of Peter is moving once again, as the breath of the Holy Spirit fills her sails. Yet forces within the church work obstinately to obfuscate and obstruct, even threaten, both the Holy Father and his work as the Vicar of Christ. This is occurring both in the religious and secular press, and even among the hierarchies of Western Europe, to their shameless culpability. The statement of the Austrian Bishops was a disgrace.

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego wish to make it clear that we will be neither silent nor invisible in the face of such disloyal opposition to our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. Most of us have grown up in the era of the dissolution of our Catholic identities, and we have worked from before the beginning of this pontificate, with little encouragement either material or ecclesial, to reclaim it for ourselves through our dedication to the offices of the Roman Breviary both in private and in public, and to an interpretation of the liturgy rooted in the Hermeneutic of Continuity. As laymen we have done work of our own volition that our priests ought to have fostered in us and in themselves all along. Now, for the first time in our adult lives we have a Pope who not only encourages, he acts in our interests. We will act both in his promotion and his defense.

We EXPECT our Diocese to do the same. It is not to its credit that no voice has yet been heard in firm support of the Holy Father while the likes of the Austrian Bishops, the Tablet in London, and Mr. Richard McBrien, Pelosi, Fr. Kennedy in Australia, and Card. Lehmann in Germany resist him to his face. We are seeing with increasing clarity the potential for treachery that they, and their accompanying political slant and vision, bring with them from the depths of the 1960's. REMEMBER: it was THIS Pope who approved the statutes of the Neo-Catechumenal Way; it was THIS Pope who accommodated the State Bishops of the People's Republic of China, and the faithful they mislead; and it is also THIS Pope who seeks to reconcile a group of traditionalists who are more Roman Catholic than either of the other two aforenamed groups.

Should he decide that is possible, then it is not up to the liberal churchmen among us to criticize. It is for them to assent and support our Holy Father. We look eagerly forward to the day when the cracks in the facade of Christianity are healed from the bottom up, not with a superficial bridge of ice which spans the gap but melts when the examining sunlight of doctrine and dogma is shined upon it. But liberal churchmen need to know that such cracks exist on both the left AND the right. And BOTH require the same urgent attention.

We have suffered patiently the years of the Post-Conciliar "child-church"; we have longed to grow up and to put away the things of childhood and to become Men of faith, yet we have seen our spiritual ambitions repeatedly slapped down over the years. We have turned BOTH cheeks already. We will not be slapped again. And so we say now, before the ecclesial situation develops past the editorial stage: There is ONLY ONE ROCK, and we stand firmly upon it; we stand firmly WITH Peter, with Pope Benedict XVI, if necessary between him and the wolves who would undo him. We will defend him both with prayer AND action, with Faith AND Works. If we, as devoted lay-faithful can be so bold in our support, we have every confidence that our Diocese can do the same. We call on the Diocese of San Diego to stand even before us, in support of the Holy Father and his program of church unity.

Epiphany Eve and the Blessing of Holy Water at St. Anne's, Sicard Street.

2009-01-21T23:29:00.000-08:00

On Monday evening, January 5 2009, the Brothers of the Little Oratory, joined by the Santonino Ensemble, provided music for the First annual Blessing of Holy Water on the Eve of the Epiphany at St. Anne's, Sicard Street. This short liturgical service originated in the eastern churches, and was incorporated into the Roman Ritual in 1890.

Approximately sixty parishioners attended the service, an excellent turnout for a service which has been less familiar on the West coast than perhaps in the Eastern states, where a greater concentration of our Eastern Uniate brethren have helped keep the service alive of recent years.

The service began with a selection of Epiphany hymns and carols sung before the entrance of the liturgical procession. Then, the two cantors kneeling at the communion step, the Litany of the Saints was chanted by John Polhamus and Richard Dawes. Following the Litany of the Saints, three psalms were sung without antiphon.

After the Psalms, the prayers of exorcism against Satan and the Apostate Angels were read over the water, and the salt was exorcised as well. Interestingly, this is the only instance in the Rituale - outside the rite exorcism of a demon from a physical person - where the prayer of exorcism is used.

The Magnificat was then sung. An interesting feature of this service as it appears in the Roman Ritual, is that both the Benedictus and the Magnificat are given under the same antiphon, either to be sung depending on whether the service takes place on the morning of Epiphany Eve, or in the evening.

Following the Magnificat, Fr. Gismondi blessed the Holy Water brought to the church by the faithful for use in their homes during the year, going over the all the containers three separate times, each time sprinkling salt into the open tops in the shape of the Cross and blessing them in the names of the Holy Trinity. Fr. Gismondi was served by MC Chris Gomez, and FSSP seminarian Rhone Lillard.

Each name of the Holy Trinity was uttered in blessing only once, Father then proceeding to make the sign on the cross with salt into each container. This took some time, and during the intervening silences, descrete organ improvisations were performed.

Following the Blessing of the Water, the assembled faithful were sprinkled with Holy Water, and the Te Deum was sung. Having left Christmas and its octave behind, the service concluding with the three verse version of What Child is This, sung with a certain martial flavour which matched the text, a text which already looks forward to Holy Week and Easter. With this fitting conclusion to the first Christmastide at the new Parish of St. Anne, we may now well sense the approach of Lenten seriousness with a certain awed excitement.

"Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary."

(William Chatterton Dix, 1865)

The work of preparing the church for restoration continues; many ceremonies will have to be relearned or learnt anew; all will have to make their fullest effort to plum the depths of Holy Week's shattering profundity. Many have waited long years for this opportunity, and the Brothers look forward to doing their part to enhance the experience.

Many thanks, once again, to Jean Perko, for her excellent photographic work.

Befitting Conclusion of a Splendid Liturgical Weekend

2008-11-27T17:45:00.000-08:00

After serving and singing for the Pontifical Requiem Mass on Friday, the Brothers of the Little Oratory concluded the weekend by celebrating Vespers at St. Anne's on Sunday, Nov. 23 (last Sunday after Pentecost). Hebdomadary was the parish pastor, Fr. Carl Gismondi, F.S.S.P. , to whom we are grateful for his availability and kindness. Fr. John Lyons, O.M.V. sat also in choir. With the exception of the two priests, all in choirs were Brothers of the Little Oratory, wearing the white Philippine collars around their necks. The seventh brother, our very own Fratellino, was busy in the choir loft playing the organ. Immediately following the ceremony, the Brothers prayed the Exercises for Sunday. We thank Ms. Rachel Gray for graciously sending us photographs of the event.

A Palestrina Mass for Immaculate Conception at St. Anne's, Sicard Street

2008-11-25T12:45:00.000-08:00

Sung Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated on Monday Dec. 8th at 7:00pm at St. Anne's Church, Sicard St. in San Diego. The La Jolla Renaissance Singers will contribute the Mass Ordinary in sacred polyphony, which will be the Missa "Hodie Christus natus est" for double-choir by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. The LJRS are a local choir currently directed by Prof. William H.C. Propp, which was founded in 1964 as the UCSD Madrigal Singers, yet in all their long history, they have never sung the Catholic mass liturgically. The presence of St. Anne's parish and the Holy Mass on a daily basis in our diocese now makes that possible. A schola of the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego have also been invited to sing the chant-propers of the mass. The Brothers of the Little Oratory return many thanks to Fr. Carl Gismondi, F.S.S.P. for providing the opportunity to manifest this happy synthesis of local resources "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam", to the Greater Glory of God.

Requiem Review

2008-11-25T11:31:00.000-08:00

The Brothers of the Little Oratory wish to thank all who were involved in the Pontifical Requiem Mass offered on Friday, 21 November 2008 by H.E. Bp. Salvatore Cordileone for the repose of the soul of Msgr. Anthony Ferrero. The Brothers also wish to acknowledge that the mass was attended by the family of Marie Breda, who died this past October 14th at the age of 5 years. As little Marie had not yet attained the age of reason she of course had no need of a Requiem, however the Bishop remembered the intentions of her family in the Pontifical Requiem Mass.
Special thanks also to Fr. Richard Perozich for his hospitality; to Mr. Enzo Selvaggi for the generous use of his Vestments; to Ms. Catherine Florentino for the regalia associated with the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre; and to Mr. Richard Dawes for producing excellent mass booklets.

Pontifical Requiem Mass on November 21st

2008-11-06T07:01:00.000-08:00

Pontifical Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 21 November at 3:30pm in St. Mary's Church, Escondido, CA by H.E. Bp. Salvatore Cordileone, for the repose of the soul of the Rev. Msgr. Anthony Ferrero of the Diocese of San Bernardino. Msgr. Ferrero died this October 12th, and will be remembered in San Diego for having served as Assistant Priest in Bp. Cordileone's Solemn Pontifical High Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross in 2005. The Mass will be served by the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego, with polyphony provided by members of the Bach Collegium San Diego. More details as they become available.

All Souls Day in the Campo Santo, San Diego

2008-11-06T02:16:00.000-08:00

Every All Souls Day for the past few years, in order to obtain the graces associated with visiting a Cemetery and there praying for the Dead, I have visited the old Campo Santo cemetery in Old Town, San Diego, formerly associated with the Immaculate Conception adobe chapel in Conde Street.

This is the oldest burying ground in the city, the first outside the Presidio itself, and while it attracts more than its share of tourists and visiting school children, it is still consecrated ground, and the locally historic graves with their restored wooden enclosures and descriptive legends are a direct and moving link to the original civic settlement, now all but invisible in the welter of development and urban sprawl.
Though it is fairly heavily touristed, and the graves are frequently decorated with a fresh flower or a votive candle, it is still unusual to see someone actually praying there, so I have considered it not only a pleasure, but a duty to return there at least annually as a member of the church militant. I also encourage others to do so as well, as often as possible.

I won't try to be comprehensive, but only to offer a representative sampling of the memorials and markers. But one in particular caught my eye this year. The boundaries of the Campo Santo have shrunk somewhat since its heyday, and just outside the Southwest gate of the cemetery, in the middle of a wheel-chair access cut in the sidewalk, is a very small brass button set into the concrete, about the size of a half dollar, which says "Grave Site."

I wondered how many people on foot or on wheelchairs walk over that button every day, and never know that they are walking on someone's final resting place. It is, perhaps, the most innocuously marked grave I think I've ever seen, and before this year I didn't even know that it was there. I stopped and prayed, crossed myself, and in leaving Old Town, promised not to forget that unknown soul. It's what I'd want someone to do for me. Requiescant In Pace...Margherita, Jesus, Concepción, Mamoudes, y todos.

Vespers of All Hallows '08 at St. Anne's, Sicard St.

2008-11-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

Under the motto of “Reclaim All Hallows’ Eve for Christ,” the fifth annual 1st Vespers (opening evening prayer) of the Feast of All Saints (or All Hallows) was sung in the new Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter Traditional Parish St. Anne on 31 October 2008.

The Vespers were served and sung by the Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego, Fr. Carl Gismondi FSSP officiating. Translational booklets in Latin, English and Spanish were specially prepared for this liturgy.
Choral music, including a Magnificat setting by Hernando Franco (ca. 1580), a Maestro da Capella for the great Cathedral at Mexico City, was contributed by members of the BACH Collegium San Diego led by John Polhamus.
Other choral music included the Magnificat Antiphon "Angeli, archangeli" set by Andrea Gabrieli (ca. 1585), and at Benediction the motets "Ave Virgo Sanctissima" by Francisco Guererro, and "O quam gloriosum" by T. L. de Victoria.
The success of the liturgy was facilitated in no small measure by the restoration of the Altar to its original position earlier in the day. The work took most of the day, and was finished only an hour before the scheduled time for Vespers. The difficult cleanup was accomplished by parishioners in time for a crowd of fifty, plus fifteen in the choir loft and another fifteen in the sanctuary to enjoy the interrupted architectural flow from the doors, through the generous sanctuary, all tending ultimately to the altar and the tabernacle.

All were thus able, led by their priest, to face Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament together from beginning to end. Other restorative work will include St. Anne's chapel, the reredos surrounding the altar, paint and carpet issues, and the replacement of the communion rail. As the photographs clearly show, the work of restoration is far from done but, said Fr. Gismondi, "This was an auspicious liturgical christening for the restored altar."

Following the Vespers and Benediction, the faithful circled the church in a solemn candlelight procession, led by the liturgical choir chanting the Litany of the Saints.

All making a solemn processional entrance into the church, the faithful returned to the pews for the final prayers and dismissal, then sang the fervent hymn "For all the Saints", accompanied by the choir, organ and strings of the Santoniño Ensemble.

Special Thanks to Jean Perko for taking these excellent photos!

"American Soldier of the Little Oratory"

2008-10-24T22:32:00.000-07:00

Although on the other side of the globe by distance, and a world away by culture, our Frater Ronaldus is still united with the Brotherhood in San Diego. Ronald is stationed in northeastern Afghanistan (location withheld), serving our country with the U.S. Army fighting in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), under command of the First Infantry Division (1st ID).

Afghanistan, almost unanimously Muslim, has sporadic pockets of tribal/animistic religions, a small Hindu population, and a comparable Christian population. Frater Ronald keeps united with the Brothers of the Little Oratory by daily prayer and good works. It may very well be the first time the Oratorian Spiritual Excercises have been prayed in this Islamic Republic, although the Land was under British control from 1839-1919. We’ll leave it to other researchers to see.

Saint Philip Neri, Patron Saint of the U.S. Army, Pray for us and Protect our Troops! HOOAH!

(Frater Ronald is shown in Afghanistan by his Humvee vechicle with his copy of the "Manual of the Little Oratory".)

Polyphony for 1st Vespers of All Hallows

2008-10-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

1st Vespers of the Feast of All Hallows will feature a program of special polyphony contributed by members of the Bach Collegium San Diego. The program will include:

~ Claudio Monteverdi: "Magnificat" Primo Tuono ca.1610

~ Andrea Gabrielli: Antiphon "Angeli et Archangeli" (sung as the repeat of the Mag. antiphon).

~ T.L. de Victoria: Motet "O Quam Gloriosam" (sung as a motet at Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament).

Updates to the Musical Program will be published in coming days. All are welcome to attend this special liturgy which seeks to "Reclaim All Hallows' Eve for Christ" by returning Christian Substance to the secular Halloween celebration. Halloween may have its place in the calendar of worldly fun, but it is definately behind the procession of Saints whose lives and sacrifices have begun the work of building Christendom through the centuries.

Please join us on October 31st, 2008 at 7:00pm,
St. Anne's Church,
621 Sicard Street,
San Diego 92113
as we "Reclaim All Hallows' Eve for Christ!"

My Admission to the Little Oratory

2008-10-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

The 7th of January A.D. 2007, was a memorable day for me. That was the day when I became a brother of the Little Oratory in London, through a beautiful ceremony that is recorded here:

On that day, during the Sunday Exercises, the candidates were blessed with a relic of St. Philip Neri and made Brothers by the Rev. Fr. Ronald Creighton-Jobe, Cong. Orat. Lond., who was impeccably assisted by Mr. James Cross. I am grateful to an Italian friend of mine, Federico, who had come to London with me and shot the movie of that happy event.

Reclaim All Hallows Eve for Christ!

2008-10-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

The Brothers of the Little Oratory in conjunction with Fr. Carl Gismondi FSSP will celebrate 1st Vespers of the Feast of All Hallows (All Saints) at 7:00pm in the Church of St. Anne, 621 Sicard St., San Diego CA 92113.

For Catholics All Hallows Eve is about much more than just candy, tricks and treats, ghouls and goblins: it is a time to celebrate the golden array of Holies who shine around the throne of Almighty God. Parents, make All Hallows Eve into something truly important for your children. Encourage a costume of a Saint, rather than a spectre. "Reclaim All Hallow Eve for Christ" with us at St. Anne's on Oct. 31st. We hope to see you there!

Further information will be posted shortly.