Oratory at Lewiston, Maine Celebrates First Anniversary Mass

Here are some photos of the Mass of thanksgiving for the first anniversary of the foundation of the Oratory (in formation) of St Philip Neri, in Maine. I have a particular interest in this as a former student of mine from Thomas More College is a novice at the community.

It was on Tuesday, August 6, the Feast of the Transfiguration, a sung Mass in Latin in the Ordinary Form at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine. The propers and the ordinary for Mass were sung by the Saint Cecilia Schola of the Basilica under the direction of Scott Vaillancourt, Director of Music. Fr. Marc Caron, moderator, was the celebrant and homilist. Fr Caron tells me: 'This was a first for us: to celebrate Mass in the ordinary form in Latin ad orientem. The readings were sung in English. The English Oratories have made this form of celebration a trade mark of their efforts at liturgical renewal. We are grateful for the opportunity to make our small contribution to that effort in this part of the Lord's vineyard.'

As someone for whom the beauty of the liturgy at the English Oratories was central to my conversion, I know just what he means and I want to give this new community every encouragement!

The Oratory website is here: http://spnmaine.org/