Traditional Nuptial Mass in Oxford

The 'joy and ceremony' of the Traditional Wedding Service and Nuptial Mass demonstrates the rich symbolism, emotional depth, and ceremonial splendour given to us by the Roman liturgy for the great events of our lives, even when celebrated in a very modest way. This isn't the kind of superficial glamour which is purchased by the yard.

The blessing of the ring. In the Traditional wedding ceremony the bridegroom gives a ring and also silver to the bride: 'With this ring I thee wed; this gold and silver I thee give; and all my worldly goods I thee endow.'

Above, the vows. Below, the Schola Abelis, of which the Bridegroom is an active member, singing the Introit: Deus Israel conjugat vos - May the God of Israel join them together.






The Nuptial blessing: a truly magnificent blessing invoking the examples of the Old Testament matriarchs. God is implored to make the bride amiable, as Rachel, learned in heavenly lore, as Rebecca, and long-lived and faithful, like Sara.

Ad multos annos!

Mass was celebrated by Fr Aldo Tapparo in his church, St Anthony of Padua, of which the couple are parishoners.

See more videos of the Chants on the Schola Abelis blog; more photos in my Flickr set (or as a slideshow).

Solemn Mass at St Anthony of Padua, Headington

On Thursday there was a truly magnificent Mass in the Church of St Anthony of Padua, in Headington, Oxford. In what is one of Oxford's most modern church (surpassed in fact only by Holy Rood in south Oxford, which unlike most of the city is in Portsmouth diocese), we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Church with the immemorial Mass in its Solemn form, with deacon and subdeacon. The Schola Abelis accompanied the Mass with Gregorian Chant.

Fr Aldo Tapparo, the parish priest, was celebrant, Br Nicholas Edmonds-Smith deacon (he has in fact recently been ordained to the diaconate), and Fr Anton Webb subdeacon. Br Nicholas preached on St Anthony.

At the end of Mass we venerated a relic of St Anthony of Padua, and we enjoyed a meal together in the parish hall. (The splendid vestments belong to the Oxford Oratory.)

In the lead up to the anniversary Fr Tapparo has redecorated the church to great effect (this is what it used to look like). This was a wonderful way to mark the occasion.

On 11th July the Centenary of SS Edmund & Frideswide (Greyfriars), in the Ifley Road, Oxford, now looked after by the Capuchin Franciscans, will be marked by a traditional Missa Cantata also celebrated by Fr Tapparo, at 7pm. The Traditional Mass is a important part of the future for Oxford's churches.

More photos of the Mass at St Anthony's.

FHC at St Anthony of Padua

Fr Aldo Tapparo, Parish Priest of St Anthony of Padua in Headington, gave First Holy Communion today in his freshly redecorated church (with a new Sanctuary lamp too).

Regular readers may recall earlier photos of Masses there, with some rather - well - unfashionable pastel colours. For example, here is a Mass celebrated by Fr Daniel Seward last winter. (Note the Sanctuary lamp next to the Tabernacle.)

It was a beautiful occasion, illustrating the 'ordinary' Catholic life of Catholics attached to the 'extraordinary' form of the Roman Rite. It is not all solemn liturgies in great or historic churches - not that there is anything wrong with those. It is simply that life also includes low Masses on weekday mornings and family occasions which are important to a small circle of people.

May Dominic's love of the Blessed Sacrament always burn brightly!

Lucy Shaw Cakes provided a suitably decorated cake which was consumed after Mass.

More photos here.