Twice year at Ampleforth
Abbey, there is an Orthodox Liturgy (of St. John Chrysostom) one of
which takes place around the time of the week of Christian Unity.
It's a rather unique event, since it takes place in a Catholic
monastery – with the permission of both Abbot & Bishop of the
Diocese – and the choir, who come from a variety of different
church denominations are directed by Fr. Alexander McCabe from the
abbey. It is really rather wonderful, and I would encourage more
people in the Yorkshire Region to go and experience it for
themselves. The Liturgy itself, is sung in English with music taken
largely from the Russian & other Slavonic liturgical services &
translated into English. The post Liturgy Lunch is also highly
recommended. The Beef Stroganoff this year was simply amazing and it
was hugely tempting to go back & have some more, but one has to
make room for pudding you know!
Sadly, I don't have any
photos for this year, so here are a few from previous years to
hopefully whet your appetite – in more ways than one. :-)
The day after this, saw
the very first (we believe) Gregorian Chant Sunday Mass – in either
Form of the Roman Rite – sung at St. Wilfrid's church in York. We
can't prove definitively that it was the first, so if anyone has
conclusive proof of one taking place previously, I'd love to know.
Following the many very favourable comments received from people (not
all known to me!) I've been asked to form a Schola to sing for the EF
Sunday evening Mass at St. W's each week – starting from 23rd
February. There are 17 people (so far) who've expressed an interest
in singing for this, and whilst I don't expect everyone to turn up
week by week, I think that's more than enough to make a weekly sung
Mass viable. Frustratingly, this means I'll have to drop out of the
main choir that sings at the OF Mass in the morning, for the sake of
my health (which isn't that great atm) more than anything else, as I
know I can't manage 2 Sung Masses a day, especially when I have to
organise the music and take any necessary rehearsals for one of them!
That said, I've already indicated to others that I’ll be supporting
the main choir indirectly, by pointing singers who don't wish to sing
chant (most of the time) in their direction, and also by sourcing
suitable music. However, this is a fantastic opportunity to get a
Gregorian Chant Schola established in York independently of the
Rudgates which will remain separate & sing for Rudgate services
only, and one which I can't possibly turn down!
The final liturgy, was
the following weekend, the Feast of Candlemas, and was for me, the
most enjoyable of the three. This, I'm sure will come as a surprise,
possibly even shock, to some of you who know me personally as it was
an Ordinary Form Mass with the Darlington Ordinariate up in Gainford
with a few ex C of E bits added to reflect the Anglican Patrimony of
course. A marvellous Mass with Mozart, choir anthem (Eccard – When
to the temple Mary went) and hymns sung superbly by both choir &
congregation. This was followed by a parish lunch, which I hadn't
intended staying for but nevertheless got talked into it. The
community there are really rather wonderful, and very persuasive!
Here's a link to some photos from the day. If you're ever free on a
Sunday morning, do consider going to their solemn Mass at St.
Osmund's, Gainford. You'll be made very welcome.
