Special Offerings of the Latin Mass for Thursday, August 15, 2019: The Feast of the Assumption of Mary Into Heaven

(source: https://lourdesprayerrequest.com/prayer___assumption_of_the_blessed_virgin_mary)

Hello everyone, I realize I have been away for a long while, but my family duties take first priority right now in my life alongside my full-time work. It doesn’t leave you much time for other pursuits unfortunately including the spiritual realm.

However, allow me to take this brief opportunity to announce some special offerings of the Latin mass in the archdiocese of Toronto this coming Thursday, August 15, for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.

Normal offerings of the Latin mass of the Archdiocese of Toronto parishes can be found, at the tab at the top of this web page called “Known Latin Mass Listings in the Archdiocese of Toronto and External Dioceses in Ontario”

As for the special offerings, there are two offerings being held at diocesan parishes this Thursday evening.

The first offering, with credit due to Mr Paul Alexander Griffiths on Facebook for informing me, is as follows, At one of the normal parishes who hold daily Latin Mass:

1) Holy family Catholic Church, (1372 King St. W., Toronto Ontario.)

• Mass start time is 6 PM, 
• Confessions starting at least 5:45 PM, maybe earlier (NB, if long lineups persist, the Oratorians do not shy from doing confession in the first part of the Mass if needed!)
• The Mass is advertised as a Solemn High Mass aka Missa Solemnis in the parish bulletin.

The second offering, is at a parish known to the Latin Mass and polish communities, one I endorse for being open to all parties looking for assistance/worship space for holding Latin Masses, in addition to holding their own weekly offering Saturday 9am, and on special feast days. The details are as follows:
2) St. Mary’s Polish Catholic Church, (1996 Davenport Rd., Toronto Ontario.)

• Mass start time is 7 PM.
• Unknown if the priest will be available for confessions. There might only be one priest around, the one carrying out the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. 
• This mass will be a Missa Canatata, as I've been informed a choirmaster from a lay organization will be assisting to provide Gregorian Chant

I hope you will pass on word to your family/friends and attend one of these offerings. I especially encourage you to attend and support these parishes that hold the Latin Mass as in the current situation in our Archdiocese, it is these parishes whom are taking leadership for holding the bulk of Latin Mass offerings outside of normal scheduled times.

Should I not have family or other important duties, I will likely attend the Holy Family offering with a close friend of mine, as it would allow me an hour earlier to get home to my wife and 17 month year old son, especially after waking up at 430am to begin the day and travel to my work.

So hopefully I will see you there, but don’t let my choice discourage you attending St Mary’s. The pastors and community there are excellent and have the correct approach to the Latin Mass in terms of charity and navigating the current political and liturgical climate in the Church.

Regardless, support your closest community, or any holding these special offerings, and may the sacred liturgy that fed the Saints these past few centuries, feed your soul too and inspire you to be better disciples of Christ.

Pax, Julian.

Two Special Latin Mass Offerings for the Feast of Candlemas this Saturday, Feb 2nd!

Hello Everyone,

In the Archdiocese of Toronto, we have been blessed with not only one, but TWO special Latin Mass offerings for this coming Saturday, February 2, 2019! Both offerings will be Missa Cantata/Sung High Mass, whereas normally at these parishes only a low Mass/Missa Lecta is offered at these times!

1) HOLY FAMILY, TORONTO: The first is at Holy Family Parish, served by the Oratorians of St Phillip Neri. The Oratorian Parishes are only one of two parishes (I count them as one, despite having two actual parishes,) who offer daily Latin amass in Toronto including SUNDAY OBLIGATION Masses. The details are as follows:

Date: Sat, Feb 2, 2018
Time: 8:30 am
Location: Holy Family Church
Address: 1372 King St W., Toronto ON
Confessions prior to Mass? YES (minimum 15 Min before Mass)


2) ST. MARY's POLISH CATHOLIC CHURCH, TORONTO: The second offering was one that I received by word of mouth and phone texting, thanks to a good colleague of mine in the Latin Masses here in Toronto. This will be at St Mary’s Polish Catholic Church near Davenport and Ossington.

This offering at St Mary’s is being allowed under the excellent pastorship of Fr Kazimirez Brzozowski, whom is open to hosting offerings of the Latin Mass from ALL lay organizations and choirs in the Archdiocese. He also is Celebrant for his own parish Latin Masses. This has included my colleagues of St Patrick’s Gregorian Choir and I last year for Christ the King 2018. Out of respect and admiration for the good and Holy Father and his parish, I announce the following offering:

Date: Sat, Feb 2, 2018
Time: 9:00 am

Location: St. Mary’s Polish Catholic Church

Address: 1996 Davenport Road, Toronto, ON
Confessions prior to Mass? No, no priest set aside for communion time (unless perhaps you ask Fr. Kazimirez in emergency, in good time prior to Mass.)

As a note, there is no large-scale parking available for St. Mary's, one will have to park in the neighboring side streets surrounding the parish.

I do hope that you will be inspired to attend and spread the word. I will, circumstances permitting, be attending one of the offerings. Perhaps I'll see you there.

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

REPORT: Rorate Caeli Mass on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church in Toronto

REPORT: Rorate Caeli Mass on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church in Toronto

Hello Everyone, 

I come to you with a special report in this liturgical Season of Advent. If you have not seen this post on my blog, or examined other social media blogs dealing with the Latin Mass in Toronto, there are a number of special offerings, aside from normal Latin Masses at parishes that offer them, that have been or are to come in the Archdiocese of Toronto. In particular over 3 straight Saturdays including this Saturday past, Missa Cantata/High level Latin Masses are being offered at St Mary’s Polish Catholic Church at Davenport and Ossington area in Toronto, 1996 Davenport Road. 

Fr. Kazimirez and his parish have been great supporters of the Latin Mass, hosting their own weekly and special offerings, as well as allowing lay organizations/choirs to organize special offerings of the EF at St. Mary's (including my allies of St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir, with whom recently organized an offering for Christ the King in October 2018.) 

As I did last year, and again this year, I was privileged to have the ability to rise early in the morning, to experience one of the richest liturgies in the Extraordinary Form (EF)/ Latin Mass the Catholic Church has to offer, the Rorate Caeli Mass in Advent. 

As this year’s mass was publicly announced (on the St. Mary's website,) and held at an Archdiocese of Toronto parish, I bring to the faithful a report of the Rorate Caeli 2018 Mass in Toronto, held at St Mary’s. 

PREAMBLE: What is special/different about Rorate Caeli?

As per the Fraternal Society of St Peter, they describe the Rorate Mass as the following: 

"The Rorate Caeli Mass is a traditional Advent devotion wherein the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Advent is offered just before dawn. In many instances families and individuals travel an hour or more, rising and arriving very early for this stunningly beautiful Mass. The interplay of light and darkness speak to the meaning of Advent and the coming of the Light of the world.

The Mass takes its title, Rorate Caeli, from the first words of the Introit, which are from Isaiah 45:8:

“Rorate, caeli, desuper, et nubes pluant justum, aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem.”

“Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Saviour.”

The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. Because it is a votive Mass in Mary’s honor, white vestments are worn instead of Advent violet. In the dimly lit setting, priests and faithful prepare to honor the Light of the world, Who is soon to be born, and offer praise to God for the gift of Our Lady. As the Mass proceeds and sunrise approaches, the church becomes progressively brighter, illumined by the sun as our Faith is illumined by Christ.

The readings and prayers of the Mass foretell the prophecy of the Virgin who would bear a Son called Emmanuel, and call on all to raise the gates of their hearts and their societies to let Christ the King enter; asking for the grace to receive eternal life by the merits of the Incarnation and saving Resurrection of Our Lord."

REPORT:

Upon entering the church, the whole of the body and sanctuary was covered in darkness, save the multitude of lit candles in the sanctuary, and smaller candles lit on every windowsill. 

In attendance for the actual Mass, was about 30-35 laity in the pews including myself, though with celebrant, servers and choir thrown in, that makes for a total of 40-45 people offering their prayers/participating in the sacred liturgy of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 

While the numbers were about the same as last year’s attendance, I can happily say the demographic has been changing, reflecting the overall gravitas of youth and young adults seeking the spiritual nourishment that the Latin Mass provides. Last year when I attended, from a visual glance around me, I and maybe one other soul were young men under 40, the rest older parishioners of St Mary’s and women. 

This year, when I looked around, I saw two young adult couples, another young man from (my first MC’d) October Christ the King Mass, and another young man with a relative (perhaps one of the acolyte’s brother and mother?) For a smaller crowd at a EF this is a marked jump in demographic, and proof that giving solid liturgy to the youth attracts them to the church, so much so to get them out of bed on an early Saturday morning, and forsake their favourite past-time of weekend sleeping in! 

As for the liturgy itself, every member on the altar was nearly flawless in their execution of the liturgy. Though I would not expect nothing less from pastor Fr Kazimierz who has been doing the EF a few years now, and the serving corps of whom most members I have has the pleasure at serving at the altar of the Lord with. Those servers are all veterans in our diocese, made of a combination of parishioners of St Mary’s and have assisted masses of (in most cases) all lay organizations/choirs who organize Latin Masses in Toronto, and those involving the EF chaplains of past and current in our Archdiocese. 

The choir was sacred and sanctimonious in their chanting of the hymns, propers, and the chosen Mass setting IX: Votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary 1. Mass setting IX was fitting as the sound of the setting has a strong, yet docile and tempered pace, well suited to the gradual rising of the sun and illumination of the parish interior over the Mass. 

As per usual in my reporting, to give you a sample of immersion into the Latin Mass, I post here some of the main posts of the Homily by Fr Kazimierz from my recollection:

• Even in the Old Testament God allowed for many miracles out of love for his holy people and to give hope to all of us, the faithful. 
• Examples are the exile of the Jews out of Egypt from their Egyptian captors as well as the parting of the red sea.
• God continues to show his love and mercy and hope for the people of the faithful even in the time after king David. He did so with Achaz as in the Epistle of the Mass (Isaias 7:10-15.) Surrounded by their enemies, God nonetheless gave to Achaz and the Jewish people, a sign of hope and promise forelling of the coming of Christ being born to the blessed virgin Mary. 
• With Regards to Mary and her Fiat, She was open to the Lord’s grace, his blessings, and mercy, in accepting the great task and privilege of bearing Jesus Christ in pregnancy. Mary is the mother of God because of His own incarnation, of Christ being born of the blessed virgin Mary.
• In this time of Advent me we to reflect on the blessed virgin Mary’s obedience to our Lord and may we be open to his divine well as was Marie when she in obedience excepted being the mother of God and mother of Jesus Christ.

In all, this liturgy was a beautiful way for one to prepare themselves to celebrate his nativity on Christmas Day. It contained a beautiful serenity, so much so, that after I consumed the Lord in the Sacred Species of the Eucharist, I felt a movement of peace and warmth within me after reading some post-communion prayers from my old pre-Vatican II prayer Missal, “The Key to Salvation.” This Sacred liturgy was definitely the “warm cup of cocoa” to melt the spiritual cold of one’s heart and there is no one better (save Christ) to do so than His Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the key focus of the Rorate Caeli Liturgy. 

If one wishes they could come to such a sacred liturgy you have one more chance this coming Saturday, December 23, 2018. Fr Kazimierz will be celebrant for another Missa Cantata at St Mary’s Polish Catholic Parish. This liturgy will also be special as it is an Ember Saturday for the Season of Advent (of the Winter ember days,) containing five Scripture readings prior to the Gospel. There is still time to prepare one’s heart and mind, spiritually, this Advent, with a gorgeous and sacred Latin Mass in the Archdiocese of Toronto.

Enjoy the accompanying pictures. Of note: notice the smoke of the incense rising up in the candlelight of the altar, and that the stained glass window over the altar has, in it's center, but who else ... the Blessed Virgin mary 

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin. 

PS. As to the prayer I was reading after consuming the Sacred Host, this is the prayer from “The Key To Salvation,” “Act of Love:“ O beloved Jesus, where shall I find words to express my gratitude and love? O inestimable pledge of God's love for man! O inexhaustible fountain of divine graces! O boundless mercy! O divine charity! Hail O merciful Jesus! O may my soul be sensible of Thy adorable presence and may I see how sovereingly sweet Thou are in the sacrament of Thy love. Yes, O God of goodness!  I love Thee with my whole heart, my whole soul, and above all things. O divine Jesus, do Thou confirm these holy resolutions in my heart, and frant that I may always be able affectionately to exclaim with Thy holy apostle: Thou knowest, Lord, that I love Thee. 

Special Offerings of the Latin Mass in the 2018 Season of Advent in the Archdiocese of Toronto, and Outskirts for the Christmas Season

Hello Everyone,

Provided here is a listing of offerings for the Season of Advent 2018, for Latin Masses in the Archdiocese of Toronto, outside of those normal offerings at the usual Latin Mass parishes on my listings web page. These offerings are publicly posted on the hosting parishes` websites, OR are from the Facebook groups that I follow for the Latin Mass, and additional information from my few close colleagues in Faith in the Latin Mass.

Only occasional exclusion will be made, which are those offerings that contravene my blog goals, as seen here in No. 4. Those listings must be found elsewhere on other Latin mass community/blog pages on the Internet.

For the most solemn/popular days of the year, this blog makes exception to coverage of offerings in other dioceses. Please stay tuned for more info come closer to the end of this Month.

NOTE: Not listed are regular, Sunday offerings. For regular locations and times, please see my Known Listings page for Ontario.

Apology: My apologies to Mater Dei Latin Mass community. It is a Facebook group I follow, that I had forgotten about. Recently it had posted activity. You are now added to my Listings page, and your remaining Masses outside regular, Sunday obligation are added. 

Updated as of: December 26, 2018

LITURGICAL SEASON OF ADVENT: Archdiocese of Toronto

Saturday, December 8, 2018 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception)

1. St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church, 1996 Davenport Rd. [http://stmarypolishchurch.ca/en_CA/parish_news/]

• 9:00 AM MISSA CANTATA/HIGH or SUNG MASS

Saturday, December 15, 2018 - Feria/Votive Saturday (RORATE CAELI PERMITTED)

(source: https://fssp.com/rorate-caeli-masses/)

1. St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church, 1996 Davenport Rd. [http://stmarypolishchurch.ca/en_CA/parish_news/]

• 7:00 AM MISSA CANTATA/HIGH or SUNG MASS FOR RORATE CAELI (see link under photo above for more info on what the "Rorate Caeli" Mass is about) 

Saturday,, December 22, 2018 - Ember Saturday in Adventide/Season of Advent

(source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/shadrach-meshach-and-abednego-bible-story-verses-meaning.html)

1. St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church, 1996 Davenport Rd. [http://stmarypolishchurch.ca/en_CA/parish_news/]

• 9:00 AM MISSA CANTATA/HIGH or SUNG MASS

LITURGICAL SEASON OF CHRISTMAS (Incl. Christmas Eve and Jan 1st)

Monday, December 24, 2018 - The Nativity of our Lord, First Mass at Midnight

CORE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO

1. Holy Family Catholic Church (1372 King St. West, Toronto, ON.) 

• Midnight - Solemn High/Missa Solemnis 
• Confessions will be heard an hour before Mass begins

Tuesday, December 25, 2018 - The Nativity of our Lord/Christmas Day (Third Mass, during the day time)

1. Holy Family Catholic Church (1372 King St. West, Toronto, ON.) 

• 1130am - Solemn High/Missa Solemnis 
• Confessions will be heard an hour before Mass begins

2. St.Vincent De Paul Catholic Church (263 Roncesvalles Ave., Toronto, ON)

• 930am - Low Mass/Missa Lecta
• Confession will be heard at least 15 min before Mass

3. St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Church (2210 Lawrence Ave E., Scarborough, ON) - See HERE for PDF Version

• 1:00pm - Low Mass/Missa Lecta

Wednesday, December 26, 2018 - St. Stephen, Martyr

1. Holy Family Catholic Church (1372 King St. West, Toronto, ON.) 

• 1130am - Low Mass/Missa Lecta
• Confessions will be heard at least 15 min before Mass begins

Tuesday, January 1, 2019 - Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God 

1. Holy Family Catholic Church (1372 King St. West, Toronto, ON.) 

• 1130am - Solemn High/Missa Solemnis (Third Mass, during the day time)
• Confessions will be heard at least 15 min before Mass begins

2. St.Vincent De Paul Catholic Church (263 Roncesvalles Ave., Toronto, ON)

• 930am - Low Mass/Missa Lecta
• Confession will be heard at least 15 min before Mass

3. St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Church (2210 Lawrence Ave E., Scarborough, ON) - See HERE for PDF Version

• 1:00pm - Low Mass/Missa Lecta

PERIPHERIES OF TORONTO

Tuesday, December 25, 2018 - The Nativity of our Lord/Christmas Day (Third Mass, during the day time)

1. St. Patrick's Schomberg (91 Church St., Schomberg, ON) - For all listings, see this bulletin

• 1030am - Low Mass/Missa Lecta

Tuesday, January 1, 2019 - Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God 

1. St. Patrick's Schomberg (91 Church St., Schomberg, ON) - For all listings, see this bulletin

• 1030am - Low Mass/Missa Lecta

OTHER DIOCESES

Tuesday, December 25, 2018 - The Nativity of our Lord/Christmas Day (Third Mass, during the day time)

1. St. Mary's Parish, Kitchener (56 Duke St. West) 

• 1.00pm - Low Mass/Missa Lecta

Thursday, December 27, 2018 - St. John the Evangelist, Apostle

1. St. Michael's Ukranian Catholic Church (48 William St., Coniston, ON) - Mater Dei Latin Mass Community (SUDBURY)

• 6:00 PM Missa Lecta/Low Mass
• Confessions from 5:00pm - 5:45pm

Friday, December 28, 2018 - Holy Innocents, Martyrs
1. St. Michael's Ukranian Catholic Church (48 William St., Coniston, ON) - Mater Dei Latin Mass Community (SUDBURY)

• 11:00AM AM Missa Lecta/Low Mass
• Confessions from 10:00am - 10:45am

Tuesday, January 1, 2019 - Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God 

1. Our Lady of Mount Caramel, (51 Albert St E, Hastings, ON, in Peterborough)

• 1:00pm - Low Mass/Missa Lecta

2. St. Mary's Parish, Kitchener (56 Duke St. West) 

• 1.00pm - Low Mass/Missa Lecta

3. St. Michael's Ukranian Catholic Church (48 William St., Coniston, ON) - Mater Dei Latin Mass Community (SUDBURY)

• 6:00 PM Missa Lecta/Low Mass
• Confessions from 5:00pm - 5:45pm

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

REPORT: Missa Cantata/Sung High Mass for Christ the King, October 28, 2018 1PM St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church Toronto

REPORT: Missa Cantata/Sung High Mass for Christ the King, October 28, 2018 1PM St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church Toronto

Hello everyone,

Once again, the St Patrick’s Gregorian Choir of Toronto (SPGC,) based out of St Patrick’s Catholic Parish, Toronto (Redemptorist,) organized their annual offering of the Latin Mass on the Feast of Christ the King in the Extraordinary Form/Latin Mass Calendar.

This Missa Cantata/Sung High Mass took place last Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 1 pm and was held at St. Mary’s Polish Catholic Church, 1996 Davenport Rd in the Archdiocese of Toronto.

Of note was three particular items for this offering of the Mass:
1) For SPGC this was the first occasion organizing a Higher level Latin Mass at this parish. St Mary’s has never been asked by the choir to be used as a Mass site, although other lay organizations, and even the parish itself, had held/holds Latin Masses respectfully.

2) A seminarian who has assisted with St Patrick’s Gregorian Choir in the last few offerings and is a regular member of the schola, completed his pre-seminary studies and was accepted into St Augustine’s this fall. This was his first EF Mass since being accepted into seminary, as well as his
first time in the liturgical role of Acolyte 2.

3) After 7 years of being loyal to SPGC and assisting in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and dealing with much over my time alongside the choir, this author, made his debut for the first time in the Master of Ceremonies (MC) role in the EF liturgy! 

Pre-Mass Details/preparations 

After a change in celebrant and location of the Mass times, it was eventually settled that St Mary’s, under the pastor-ship of Fr. Kazimierz, our celebrant, would be host to the TLM for this annual offering of SPGC Christ the King, 2018.

Thankfully, St Mary’s has been involved with the hosting of the EF in the last few years, including their own Saturday 9am Missa Lecta/Low Mass, as well as special high and solemn Masses on feast days and solemnities in past, in partnership with another lay organization. As such, the parish was well equipped for the celebration of the Latin Mass, with many of the liturgical items in stock, such as framed altar cards and their own 1962 Missal. Only Acolyte/processional candles were supplied by the SPGC.

As usual, the choir devoted their weekly Sat evening practices for the last few weekends, to rehearsing for this EF Mass, in addition to their weekly duties, for the Saturday Novus Ordo vigil Mass at 5pm at St Pat’s (a vernacular Mass with Latin and Gregorian Chants in the musical portions)

On the serving end, preparation for my role as MC was undertaken starting with the last offering of SPGC in June 2018, whereby I was permitted to shadow the prior MC, Mr. Giovanni at practice. In between offerings, while dealing with full-time work and parenting a young 7 month old son, private preparation was undertaken via a combination of written and video resources including: my personal copy of the Missale Romanum 1962, (see here,) the “Gold Standard” Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, and YouTube video of other Latin High Masses, especially one of Christ the King Missa Cantata, to prepare for the role. Private serving practice for mastery of footwork/positioning went on alongside the Choir on the 20th October, and a full serving practice was held with the choirmaster, Surinder, present on the eve of October 23rd @ St Mary’s.

The Actual Mass

On Sunday October 28, 2018, the Mass took place at 1pm at St Mary’s. A modest showing of 30-40 people were present at the Mass, mostly residents from the Parish. Considering that promotion of this Mass on my blog and media various sources (e.g. the Archdiocese website, the Catholic Register) was delayed for a myriad of reasons including a postal strike (for the Register newspaper), this turnout was great for a smaller parish and less advance notice.

Overall, the liturgy was conducted decently, save minor mistakes with a side offering of high nervousness, and some off-timing on my part. Timing is quite different in real life versus recordings of the chants. Thankfully the serving contingent was made of experienced servers, some from the parish who have served the EF, others of my allies in the EF, including the seminarian who was a quick study for Acolyte 2. Fr Kazimierz was excellent as our celebrant, clearly knowing his role as celebrant, and also being a great assist to me as first time MC.

After much sweat (in our cassocks and clergy robes,) effort, and prayer, the liturgy was conducted as reverently as possible, despite my nervousness. Not one complaint was voiced to the choir by anyone in attendance. The choir, as usual, demonstrated their abilities and experience in their chanting, and lifted the souls of the faithful (alongside the sanctuary contingent) on High to our King.

The musical selections for the Mass, combined with the ordinary Liber chants for the Mass were:

Organ Prelude
Introductory hymn: Praise to the Lord the Almighty, by Lobe Den Herren
Introit: Dignus et Agnus (Liber)
Kyrie: XII (Pater Cuncta)
Gloria: XII
Graduale: Dominabitur (Liber)
Alleluia: Potestas Eius (Liber)
Credo: II
Offertory: Postula A Me (Liber)
Sanctus: XII
Agnus Dei: XII
Communion hymn: Panis Angelicus
Communion Antiphon: Sedebit Dominus (Liber)
Closing Hymn: Rejoice the Lord is King by Gospal

In addition, I present some of the points of Father’s short, but succinct and poignant homily for the feast of Christ the King:

- The Feast of Christ the King has a significance, of which it’s analogy of kingship may not seem as relevant to modern Man, as the Monarchy/active Kingdoms have been replaced with democratic governments and symbolic monarchies.
- However, the analogy does apply to us as a Catholic Church, even in today’s world.
- A King wields authority over his subjects and is responsible for their well being. His subjects, in turn, are to respect the authority of the King and his rulings and governance of the kingdom.
- Christ is NOT just an earthly “King” who appeared once in time, he is our Divine King in Heaven, who wields authority over Heaven and Earth, though now he resides in his True Kingdom of Heaven.
- Jesus ensured that his divine authority and care as our King, would persist in this earthly kingdom via his Bride, the Holy Catholic Church. Through it, He bestows through Apostolic Succession, his authority to Holy Mother Church. As His Holy Bride, it is through She where His authority over his subjects, us the Faithful [ed note: who consist of the “Communal” Body of Christ.]
- Because our King is so closely linked to the Church in His authority as its head, and on earth, The Pope as His Vicar, and his bishops as ordinary arbiters and judges of the Magisterium of His teaching authority, those who attack the Church Herself, the Magisterium and Her teachings, and/or Herself as a whole, attack Christ directly.
- This even applies more directly to us, the laity within the Church! When we attack Her Magisterium, and those who are it’s guardians up to the Holy Father itself, you attack Christ directly!
- In the end he asked us to pray to the The Lord that we may be His loyal subjects and to be obedient to His Will and Holy Mother Church.

Finally, I present to you numerous photos from the Mass, a combination of those submitted with thanks by a young man in attendance, as well as some of my own and the Choir:

  The choir preparing for the Liturgy

 Likely, the Collect. I, as MC am to the right of the Celebrant, Fr. Kaz(miriez), on the Epistle side, during the Mass of the Catechumens (Liturgy of the Word.) I point to the prayer in the Missal before he begins. 

Incensation of the altar before the offertory of water and wine

More incensation of the altar in the Mass of the Canons (Liturgy of Eucharist.) The crucifer has been employed to take the altar Missal off while the Celebrant incenses the altar. I, as MC on the right, and the Thurifer to Fr's left, assist him in incensation, by lifting his arms when he genuflects. 

Consecration of the wine into the Blood of Christ. I am just below the celebrant's right, Thurifer is incensing Fr. as he lifts up the chalice. 

Communion of the servers. Here we say the "Confiteor" a 2nd time in the liturgy, a common practice at higher Masses for the servers. 

Communion of the Choir post-Mass (they cannot descend for communion during the Mass)

More communion of the Choir. 

What took place was a beautiful and sacred offering of the Mass, and all parties present that day, assisted in that Sacrifice of the Mass, even the laity in the pews with their prayers to Christ. Hopefully you have enjoyed this report, and perhaps in future, you will join our Lord in the Latin Mass at one of these offerings or those of Toronto, or other parishes. It is not just sentiment why the EF/Latin Mass is nicknamed “The Mass of Ages” that lifts the soul to higher callings.

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin

ANNOUNCEMENT: Missa Cantata/High Latin Mass for Christ the King on October 28, 2018 1:00 pm in Toronto!

Hello everyone,

Once again, time has past, and that time of the season has come. On the 12th anniversary of their formation, the St Patrick’s Gregorian Choir will be organizing their annual offering of the Extraordinary Form (EF) of the Roman Rite aka the TLM, Tridentine Mass, 1962 Missal ...) on the Feast of Christ the King, according to the Liturgical Calendar of the EF.

The details pertaining to the Mass are as follows:

Where: St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church
Address: 1996 Davenport Rd., Toronto, ON
When: Sunday October 28, 2018
Time of Mass: 1:00 pm

The poster is attached here:

As a personal, yet liturgical point of interest, I will be serving our Lord on the altar in a prominent capacity. After much service in the Extraordinary Form, this being my 7th anniversary, it was decided by the organizers that I will be debuting as Master of Ceremonies.

The SPGC has arranged for a celebrant, but in terms of serving, they are always open to new young boys and men of any age, having done, at least, their first Communion, who would like to altar serve in the Latin Mass.

If interested, please contact the choirmaster, Surinder Mundra @ 416 731 4485, or myself at torontotlmservers@gmail.com, and we will arrange for you to be part of the Mass in some way.

The servers will be practicing this coming Saturday, October 20 @ 630 pm at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in downtown Toronto, at 131 McCaul St. (University Ave. and Dundas St. W.) It is near St. Patrick`s subway station on the TTC.

Please spread word and use your email or social media to inform your family and friends of this sacred and holy event, and also come out to support the SPGC, as well as myself in my new liturgical endeavour.

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin

High Mass/Missa Cantata in Archdiocese of Toronto Saturday, August 25th 1230pm EST

(Source: https://achristianpilgrim.files.wordpress.com/)

Hello everyone,

I would like to announce another special offering of the Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, herein the "EF") in our Archdiocese of Toronto, happening before Summer’s end. While I will not be involved liturgically (full serving compliment!,) others whom I have served with will be assisting at the altar of our Lord for this Mass.

The offering of this Latin Mass will be at the level of Missa Cantata/High (Sung) Mass, with Fr Russell Asch, Chaplain of the EF in the Archdiocese of Toronto as Celebrant.

The date and time of this offering is Saturday, August 25 at 12:30 PM. This will be held at the chapel for the Carmel Heights Seniors' facility located in Mississauga at 1720 Sherwood Forest Circle. Follow the link for a map.

As an interesting footnote the liturgical acolytes a.k.a. altar servers as well as the liturgical music of sacred Gregorian Chant, will not be organized/provided by the usual lay organizations or choirs, who normally hold offerings of the Latin mass at the higher levels in the Archdiocese of Toronto.

The servers will be composed of young men who already serve their home parish and/or extra-parish offerings of the EF, and a choir of young adults in our Archdiocese. This is an extraordinarily positive sign! This shows that young people in our Archdiocese are willing to go the distance, with some additional help when needed, to bring full, liturgical worship that people are craving, to the faithful in our local and universal Church.

This also shows that the EF alive and well in the Archdiocese of Toronto, and has expanded beyond its normal groups and parishes in our Archdiocese, and in the overall life of the Church. Who knew this would happen back in the mid 2000’s when the EF first re-emerged in Toronto’s faith life, outside of the one 1988 "indult Mass" at St Vincent De Paul.

As an important note: NO, this does not fulfill your SUNDAY obligation. You must still attend a Saturday Vigil Mass in a Valid and LICIT rite of the Church, OR Sunday Mass including either form of the Roman Rite.

Regardless, if you are looking for that beautiful endnote to the Summer in your faith life, or are genuinely curious, come one and all to this sacred offering of the Latin Mass.
Come experience real mercy and reverence in the Latin Mass, and see that Hagan Lio Pope Francis keeps telling youth to do!

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

Report: Missa Cantata/High Mass in the Extraordinary Form for Sacred Heart June 8, 2018 7pm EST

Hello everyone,

Once again St. Patrick’s Gregorian Choir, (herein, SPGC,) based out of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in downtown Toronto, began their season of organizing Latin masses a.k.a. the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, with a Missa Cantata or High Mass, last month on Friday June 8, 2018 at Saint Edward the Confessor Catholic Parish in North York, Ontario, within the Archdiocese of Toronto.

It is the pleasure of this author, once again serving the Lord Jesus Christ on the altar for these offerings, to be reporting on this sacred beauty of a liturgy in the Church.

Mass Preparation

At first, it was possible there would be no offering of Sacred Heart, due to the choirmaster`s other commitments in the classical music sphere within the city of Toronto. As of June 1st, Fr. Russell Asch who is now the official Chaplain for the Latin Mass in the Archdiocese of Toronto, agreed to be the celebrant for a Mass for the Feast of the Sacred Heart. In addition, an experienced Master of Ceremonies, Giovanni, who has frequently aided Fr. Asch in carrying out Latin masses in the Archdiocese, and training of servers for those Masses, assisted in recruitment of servers to serve the Lord on the altar, as well as performed the duties of the liturgical role of Master of Ceremonies for this offering.

As soon as the necessary people were gathered, a serving practice was held the night of Wednesday, June 6, at the confirmed parish for the Mass. The practice went quite well, and it helped that the servers present, including myself, were already experienced in serving the Latin Mass.

At the choir end of things, the SPGC, of who most of the members are veterans, practiced their repertoire for the Latin mass, and it was easily mastered as many of them have been with the choir over the years, including singing the Gregorian chant propers, specific for this feast as per the Liber Usalis, as well as being familiar with the Mass setting (No. 12/XII, For Feasts of the Third Class, ``Pater Cuncta,``) chosen by the choirmaster, Mr. Surinder S Mundra.

Prior to the day of the Mass, Giovanni and choirmaster Mundra went over the chants that were going to be used in the musical repertoire, so Giovanni would be able to predict timing on the altar, and for servers to be cued at the appropriate times, as well as for Fr. Asch's intonations, chanting etc.

The Day of the High Mass, June 8th.

With all servers and clergy in place, the sacred liturgy of the Latin mass was carried out well. The serving was nearly flawless without hesitation by any server involved, and everything went seamlessly. This includes my service to the Lord in the role of crucifer and the ringing of the bells (with some minor roles such as removing the Roman Missal for one of the incensations of the altar, and directing people at communion to the 2nd step,) during the Mass of the Canons a.k.a. the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

As per my usual reporting of these events, below are the usual pictures of the altar pre-Mass:

Further, once again Fr Russell Asch preached an excellent homily with points that teach new insights into our faith every day. Of the points I can recall, he preached on this relating to the Sacred Heart:

• When it comes to devotion to the Sacred Heart, there is history behind the devotion, and even up to today it’s symbolism persists in the Church, despite it being not as popular or well known as other devotion in the Church.
• A poignant note that happened around the late 1200`s or start of 1300`s, is the vision of St. Gertrude whom was allowed in her vision to rest her head near Christ`s wound and could hear the beating of the Sacred Heart. 
• St John Capistrano and another saint or individual, were mentioned, more in regards to devotion to a part of Jesus. For St. John Capistrano, that would be the sacred and Holy Name of Jesus, particularly attributed to a victory during the invasion of the Ottoman Turks against Christian cities, such as Belgrade, where his victory occurred.  
• The promotion of the devotion of Sacred Heart, was attributed directly to St. Mary Margaret Alacoque, to whom Christ directly revealed the desires of his Sacred Heart, as well as the particulars of the devotion such as Communion on the 9 First Fridays. 
• The Jesuits hold the devotion to the Sacred Heart quite prominently in their order. St. Claude de Colombiere, SJ, was the spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Fr Asch at this point showed the two sides of a red badge of olden days, the ``League of the Sacred Heart,`` one side having the sacred heart with light rays emitting from itself, the other side with Christ with arms extended (as seen below:)

(Source: https://www.sacramentals.org/SacredHeart.htm)

• The Passionist order of priests, hold the Sacred heart dearly though Christ`s Passion, death, and resurrection, with their heart emblems on their clerical robes, as well as their adjoining sisterly order, the Passionist Nuns.

• It is fitting that the symbolism of Jesus' Sacred Heart represents much of Christ giving himself, his whole self, to us in his ultimate sacrifice and act of mercy, and taking upon all our sin and suffering. Even pagan cultures, recognized the legitimacy of this symbolism to some extent. 
• On this relevant note is the death of one of our Canadian saints in this regard, St. John de Brebeuf, one of the "Canadian Martyrs."
• The Iroquois were NOT a friendly tribe of the Native Canadians to those priests who were trying to promote Catholicism in Canada. In 1649, the Iroquois attacked villages where the priests were doing their work, and attacked the village where St. John was, taking him hostage.
• St. John suffered brutal torture at the Iroquois' hands, of which Fr. Asch only describes some of the grotesque actions they took against John, but most noteworthy was that after St. John died, they cut our his heart and ate it raw. To them, the heart was the seat of the soul or the everything of a person, and to consume it would bestow life or vitality to them, as well as deliver the finishing blow to totally annihilating and enemy. 

• This symbolism with meaning, is also present in our faith lives, via the feast days of our Church. Each major feast day in the Church, points to a specific part of Christ`s life, whereby God allowed the Lord into our lives, and Christ poured our himself in the ultimate act of mercy and love, in his birth, passion, death, and resurrection. This is evident in Church solemnities and feast days, from Christmas, up to this very feast of the Sacred Heart. Some examples given were:

• The Feast of the Purification/Candelmas (Feb 2nd:) Here, candles are blessed and lit, representing Christ entering into the world as the Light of Hope for our salvation. This also commemorates historically Christ being presented to the Temple as first born son, which Jews were obligated to do. We Christians reflect this in the Sacrament of Baptism, baptizing our children as soon as they are born. 
• The Feast of Corpus Christi (June 2nd in the EF calendar, or Body and Blood of Jesus in the Novus Ordo on a Sunday usually in June:) When priests actually allow a Eucharistic Adoration procession to take place, often children who had (or will have) their Sacrament of First Communion take part, donned in their first communion clothes or all white, spreading a path of red rose petals as they go (e.g. Here at New Liturgical Movement.) The rose petals, represent the blood spilled by Christ from his wounds, including the lance piercing on the cross. 

After the Mass was concluded, and Fr. had done the Dismissal (a.k.a. "Ite Missa Est.") Fr. knelt at the foot of the altar and did the Act of Consecration and Reparation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Such an act receives a plenary indulgence when recited on this Feast of the Sacred Heart in the Church, under the usual conditions (Confession, Communion, and prayers for the Intentions of the Pope (1x Our Father, 1x Hail Mary, some people add 1x Glory Be) (See here, ``The gift of the indulgence.``)

Despite the short notice and planning of this offering in one weeks time, and small promotion of the offering only online (e.g. on Facebook(TM) groups and this blog,) about 40 to 50 lay faithful (including one priest or seminarian in semi-Jesuit cassock) were in the pews. Some of these included commrades in EF serving (and their significant others,) and/or fellow Brothers and Sisters of Christ of the clergy or servers. They were treated to a beautiful and sacred liturgy in the Archdiocese of Toronto! Even more so is the fact that even 40 to 50 individuals came to this offering in a short time frame, speaks for the Latin Mass and it’s growing interest and importance in the daily life of the church, as well as that the faithful are willing to spread news of when such offerings are held, and to invite others to be part of the Mass in the pews.

To all those who attended, we hope that you were spiritually moved and fulfilled by what you experiences, your senses aroused, and your souls enlightened to Heaven`s high, with all the angels and saints. Special gratitude is given to Fr. Pat, pastor of St. Edward the Confessor, who allowed another Latin Mass in his parish.

As for the next offering of the Latin Mass by SPGC, unless circumstances permit an offering in between, it will likely be on Sunday October 28, 2018, for the Feast of Christ the King in the EF calendar, which will be the 12th anniversary of the formation of the choir.

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

CONFIRMED! Latin Mass Announcement! MISSA CANTATA (High Mass) for Sacred Heart THIS FRI June 8 in the Archdiocese of Toronto!

Hello everyone,

The St. Patrick’s Gregorian Choir, stationed within the Archdiocese of Toronto at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Downtown Toronto (link to parish here,) will be organizing and providing their voices in singing the liturgical music for, their annual offering of the Latin Mass/Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The details of the Mass for this feast day are as follows:

Where: St Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, Toronto (North York,) Ontario, in the Archdiocese of Toronto.
Address: 75 Churchill Ave, Toronto, ON.
When: Friday, June 8, 2018
Time of Mass: 7 pm E.S.T.

The celebrant for this Mass will be Fr Russell Asch, recently promoted to the Chaplain of the EF in the Archdiocese of Toronto, and now stationed at St Lawrence the Martyr in Scarborough (in place of transferred Fr Steven Szakacski.)

As a side note, I will be joining my friends in Faith of the SPGC choir, once again in a liturgical role on the altar, in service to our Lord.

For more information or questions, you may contact Surinder S. Mundra, choirmaster of SPGC at 416 731 4485. In addition, should you be interested in participation for this mass or in future, via serving or singing, you may also contact Surinder who will connect you for the appropriate part of the Mass (serving/singing).

You may also contact me at my blog e-mail (torontotlmserving@gmail.com) and I can put you in touch with Surinder and/or those in charge of serving for these Masses. Be advised if you desire to serve this Mass, you must have availability for Wed June 6 in the evening for a practice, site TBD. At this point any additional servers would be likely a boat bearer, in choir, or as torchbearers as it is now confirmed a complement of 5 servers (including myself) will be assisting.

For anyone and everyone else, please come and attend and encourage your friends to attend. I hope you will take the time to partake in this sacred event and be moved by the EF and all its parts on the altar. This will truly give you a taste of Heaven on Earth!

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

Upcoming Additional Missa Cantata/TLMs for December 2017 in Toronto Outside of Normal TLM Parishes

Hello Everyone,

Thanks to one of my closest of friends, a confidant I can trust in the TLM, I have been informed of some upcoming Missa Cantata offerings in the Latin Mass for the liturgical season of Advent.

After contacting the parish office during the week by email, as well as the pastor himself by phone (surprised calling the main line I got him! Now that's being "pastoral!") to verify the offerings, especially one in particular, I can confirm the following offerings for the TLM, which are ALL being hosted at St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church at 1996 Davenport Road, in the Archdiocese of Toronto. The following offerings have been confirmed:

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - Friday Dec 8, 2017

• St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church, 1996 Davenport Road. 7:00 PM E.S.T. Start Time. 

SPECIAL!!! RORATE CAELI - Saturday Dec 16, 2017

• St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church, 1996 Davenport Road. 5:45 AM E.S.T. Start Time! 
• NOTE: Why so early? From St. John the Bapitst FSSP parish in Arkansas, USA: " The Rorate Caeli Mass is a traditional Advent devotion wherein the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Advent is offered just before dawn .... The Mass takes its title, Rorate Caeli, from the first words of the Introit, which are from Isaiah 45:8: “Rorate, caeli, desuper, et nubes pluant justum, aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem.” “Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Saviour.” The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight ...." 

Ember Saturday in the Season of Advent - Saturday Dec 23, 2017

• St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church, 1996 Davenport Road. 9:00 AM E.S.T. Start Time. 
• Note: St. Mary`s has a weekly Latin Low Mass at this time normally, that all can attend.  

For those looking for spiritual preparation in the anticipation and coming of our Lord, why not go the distance and give our Lord a special, spiritual gift to him in anticipation of Christmas Day. Come and see what the sacred and Holy TLM is all about.

Pax tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

P.S. I, nor those I assist in the TLM (e.g. St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir,) have any affiliation with this parish by ministry or as registered parishoners, nor have been asked by any party in these Masses for assistance with the EF liturgies. Despite my blog goals, because these offerings are being hosted by a parish in the Archdiocese of Toronto, with approval from the parish pastor (to the best of my knowledge,) and despite other online promotion of these offerings, I am promoting these offerings for those who simply want to attend some TLMs during, and in the spirit of, this beautiful season of Advent.

REPORT: High Mass/Missa Cantata on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 7:00pm EST

REPORT: High Mass/Missa Cantata on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 7:00pm EST

(Source: https://www.marylake.com/upcoming-events?tag=Tridentine%20Mass.)

Hello Everyone,

Allow me the privilege to release another report of an offering of a Missa Cantata/High Mass in the Extraordinary Form that occurred during the summer season. On June 10, 2017, 7:00 pm EST the Augustinian brothers of the Marylake Shrine of Gratitude, in King City, ON, graciously allowed for their annual offering of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite/Latin Mass, to take place. This offering has now been offered annually, either for its 3rd or 4th year at the Shrine.

For this offering, Fr. Steven Szakaczki, head of the Latin Mass contingent of the parish of St. Lawrence the Martyr, Scarborough, and veteran priest to the Latin Mass offerings in the Archdiocese of Toronto, was main celebrant for this Mass. Servers were requested independently, via contact by the Master of Ceremonies, including I, the author of this posting, for service at the altar. For this EF liturgy, I was acolyte 2 alongside my longest friend in the Faith, who served as Acolyte 1.

Prior to the Mass Fr. Steven, and all servers in their positions, met at the Shrine for a rehearsal, and to iron out liturgical particulars between our knowledgeable Master of Ceremonies, Giovanni, Fr. Paul, who was the current head prior/brother of the Shrine (and organizer for the choir portion of the Mass,) Fr. Steven, and the servers. Ironing out these particulars was essential, as mentioned before in my prior announcement post here, this Mass fell on an interesting time of year in the EF calendar, the Saturday of an Ember week in the Octave of Pentecost, and thus some changes to the order of the Mass (readings, etc.) needed to be known to all parties involved.

The liturgical differences, due to being an Ember Saturday were:

• On an ember day liturgy, up to 5 additional Old Testament "lessons" of Scripture are added in addition to the standard Epistle. This is followed by a collect after each lesson. As was custom before in the EF, there is the granting to the celebrant of the option of a shorter amount of only one lesson in addition to the main collect, followed by the Epistle, a tract (instead of an Alleluia), a "sequence," and then the Gospel reading. It was decided for the sake of time and unnecessary burden on all present, the shorter option was in effect.
• A sequence was sung (being in the Octave of Pentecost) called the Veni Sancte Spiritus, before the Gospel was proclaimed. This is NOT the same as the "Come Holy Spirit ..." prayer, though ``Come Holy Spirit`` is the literal translation of the title of the sequence, based on its first three Latin words. 

Since I was not serving as thurifer, this year, and got to remain in sanctuary the whole time, I had the privilege of listening to Fr. Steven's homily in full. Here is from my recollection the main points of this homily:

• Where we are today in the calendar of the Novus Ordo, is that we are not celebrating Pentecost anymore, but have moved back into Ordinary time during the weekdays. Unfortunately, in the liturgical changes, the Octave of Pentecost was removed from the calendar. 
• In the Extraordinary Form Calendar, we are on the Saturday of the Octave of Pentecost, specifically the Ember Saturday. While people in both forms may have partaken in the Novenas (for Pentecost or more likely to,) the Holy Spirit, it is unfortunate that this was taken from the Novus Ordo Calendar. 
• We should be truly fortunate in the EF Calendar to have the Octave, to be celebrating the Joy of the Feast of Pentecost, as without this truly remarkable event, there would not be the Catholic Church.
• Before we discuss Pentecost, just what is the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, as revealed to us in the Scriptures, with intention of God and our Lord to exist, sharing the same divine nature as the other Persons. What the Holy Spirit is, is the LOVE of our Lord and his Only Son. 
• When there is a relationship that involves love, there are three persons: the person giving love, the one receiving it, and the Love itself. 
• God the Father, so loved all of us that He gave His Only Son to us, Jesus. God Loved his Son, and the Son loved His Father in Return, that between the two exists the Love that "spirates" from both of them, and that is the Holy Spirit. 
• When we examine the events surrounding Pentecost, we come to the Apostles, who were vital to spreading the Gospel and hence, establishing the Church after Christ's Death, Resurrection, and even Ascension to Heaven. Even after His Ascension into Heaven, the Apostles did not go about an just make the Church happen. They were still fearful of persecution by the Roman authorities, having been so close to our Lord. Further, they likely discussed many things about their Lord, and likely still had much doubt about Him and what He said.
• So here they were, all hiding in the upper room alongside our Virgin Mother, Mary, and some others, waiting out their days in hiding. Then, comes the very paraclete that Our Lord said would be sent to help them carry out His mission. The tongues of fire came down upon them and they were filled with those Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the courage to go out and establish the Church, doing the Lord's work. 
• When they went about doing the Lord's work, filled with the Holy Spirit, they did many amazing works and converted scores of people to our Lord and the Faith, even performing miracles and amazing works! 
• So then, why do we not see many, or any, of these supposed works that happened with the Apostles after being filled with the Holy Spirit, despite many Catholics being baptized and confirmed, and receiving the Holy Spirit with the Sacraments? There are two key reasons
• 1. TRUST - Sadly today, many people, even Catholics, do not place their full trust in the Lord, and in the Holy Spirit. They place their trust in the things of this world, or things of man, many a time being led to sin and unhappiness. The Apostles were able to place their trust in our Lord with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 
• 2. LOVE - When we go about doing our spiritual works, or our lives, we often do not do many things with the Love of the Holy Spirit. [Editor's note: As the Holy Spirit IS LOVE itself, then we must, as Children of God. go about with the LOVE of the Lord in our whole being in what we do, and that LOVE IS the Holy Spirit.] 
• So, on this Feast of Pentecost, may we pray for the opening our hearts to trusting in the Lord, and the TRUST and LOVE that our Apostles exhibited when filled with the Holy Spirit, to be able to serve our Lord fully. 

All in all, the liturgy and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, was carried out in a solemn, reverent, and even joyful capacity, and the chapel was clearly filled with the presence of something "awesome" happening in that holy space, meeting (though not literally replicating) that very same experience the Apostles had in the upper room, being so close to our Lord and His Holy Spirit, in the Latin Mass. 

As for attendance, while not as full as last year, the chapel, which I estimate visually to be capable of holding about 200 bodies in its pews, was almost completely full, with only the odd spare seat in the back couple of pews. That is still a remarkable attendance for an offering in a Chapel, held not in the immediate core of the Archdiocese, AND had only parish posters and some internet promotion, which seems limited to this blog and my requests on some Facebook groups. When you factor all that, there is CLEARLY demand for the Latin Mass, and even some spreading, will bring out a good sizable number of the Faithful, including young people, who thanks to social media are discovering this treasure of liturgy that they rightfully deserve from the Church at large. 

This young acolyte (and assuredly, all present in the pews and involved in carrying out the sacred liturgy) are truly thankful for the generosity of the Augustinian Fathers for offering, even yearly, the opportunity for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite to be offered in their shrine, in the Archdiocese of Toronto. Likewise, Fr. Paul was truly impressed and thankful for the hard work and dedication we all showed, including true reverence for our Lord in the Liturgy, our organization and efficiency in carrying out the Liturgy, and the humility we brought to the Latin Mass. 

We hope that by efforts such as the Augustinian Fathers, more offerings will become established via influence in King City, and surrounding areas of Vaughan, Woodbridge, Aurora, Newmarket, and Brampton. 

Also, it is hoped that this annual tradition will continue in future, as it has been found out that as of this summer, the prior head brother, Brother Paul, who was appreciative of the Latin Mass, will be leaving the Shrine and Br. John Paul Szura, is now the new superior/head brother of Mary Lake. It is with good hope that the new head, Br. John Paul, will continue on allowing the tradition to continue, one which will maintain good report with those who favour Catholic Tradition/the Latin Mass of the faithful in the surrounding municipalities of the Shrine and those in the Archdiocese of Toronto, and further meet the spiritual needs of those faithful and the youth, who truly want a deep and personal connection to Christ in the Liturgy. May the love of St. Augustine and the fraternal order founded on this great saint for our times, continue to thrive in our Archdiocese of Toronto. 

Thank you, Augustinian Brothers, and those in the E.F./Latin Mass for making this sacred event happen. 

Pax Tibi Christi. Julian Barkin. 

Missa Cantata/High Latin Mass at Mary lake Shrine in King City This Saturday June 10th, 2017 7pm

(As advertized on https://www.marylake.com/upcoming-events?tag=Tridentine%20Mass, this is the poster that has been distributed to nearby parishes.)

Hello everyone, particularly those living in King City, Ontario, and the surrounding areas of Woodbridge, Vaughan/Maple, Brampton, Newmarket, Aurora, and Richmond Hill, 

As is now the annual tradition of the Mary Lake Shrine in King City, overseen by the Augustinian Fathers, in the month of June they allow for a yearly celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite a.k.a the Latin Mass. Last year I was able to altar serve that offering as thurifer and the posting of that past offering is here, where I also briefly talk about the Fathers and the Shrine.

Once again, the Augustinian Fathers will be organizing a Missa Cantata/High Latin Mass, with the offering being celebrated by Fr Steven Szakaczki, one of the main priests in our archdiocese of Toronto who celebrates the Latin Mass, and is frequently consulted for such offerings by multiple parties. Fr. Szakaczki also oversees the St Lawrence the Martyr, Scarborough, daily Latin Mass offerings. In addition, a full complement of 5 servers (MC, 2× acolytes, crucifer and thurifer,) including myself as acolyte 2, will be serving our Lord at the service of the altar.

The date of this Mass in the EF is this coming Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 7pm EST start time, at the Mary Lake Shrine of our Lady of Grace, 13760 Keele St., King City, ON, just north of Keele St. and King Rd. This will take place in the Eucharistic adoration chapel, beside the main altar/sanctuary at Mary Lake Shrine. 

Allow me to add some additional notes of generality and of the liturgy:

Generally speaking (and for the laity to attend):

• In the Latin Mass calendar, this is "Ember Saturday" in the Octave of Pentecost. For the laity, there used to be binding laws of partial abstinence from meat and full fasting. Partial abstinence means meat is ONLY eaten at one meal/the main meal of the day. While the current Canon Code of Law of 1983, combined with the change of the Novus Ordo (vernacular) liturgy, the Papal document Paenitemini of Pope Paul VI, and the Vatican II "invention" of Bishop's Conferences, they have made these practices not binding by sin/law in today's Church. STILL, one should always be encouraged to participate in the customs and life of the Latin Mass, such as these. So if capable, do fast and partially abstain from meat this coming Saturday.

• There WILL be confessions before the actual Mass, as the prior has been made aware. A priest will be available for the sacrament in the confessional beside the main altar

Liturgical notes:

• At the decision of the Augustinian Fathers, the regular maximum of five servers will be maintained, with no additional servers to be added in supplementary roles such as boat bearer and torchbearers. Part of this was an organizational decision (as the sanctuary in the chapel is small,) while at the same time, it was also motivated by allowing for the richness of the liturgy to be fully seen and carried out as per the EF/TLM of 1962. Therefore, our acolytes (myself included,) will also be pseudo-torchbearers in the Mass of the Canons from the Sanctuary until after the people's communion. You will receive communion with acolytes as "guards" next to each prie deux.

• As this is the Saturday of Ember days during the Octave of Pentecost, some interesting additions to the liturgy will happen:
• On an ember day liturgy, up to 5 additional Old Testament "lessons" of Scripture are added in addition to the standard Epistle. This is followed by a collect after each lesson. As was custom before in the EF, there is the granting to the celebrant of the option of a shorter amount of only one lesson in addition to the main collect, followed by the Epistle, a tract (instead of an Alleluia), a "sequence," and then the Gospel reading. It has been decided that for the sake of time and unnecessary burden on all present, that the shorter option will be in effect on this day.  

• In addition there is a sequence sung during the Octave of Pentecost called the Veni Sancte Spiritus, before the Gospel is proclaimed. This is NOT the same as the "Come Holy Spirit ..." prayer we know, though ``Come Holy Spirit`` is the literal translation of the title of the sequence, based on its first three Latin words. 

Thankfully, the more senior brothers of the Augustinians here, including the head brother, have a solid appreciation for this form of the liturgy and a good head about how one goes in celebrating this form. As just one example, while all of us servers, Fr. Steven, and the head brother/prior, were waiting outside to begin practice this Monday, Fr. mentioned that he has seen in his many years a true and reverent way of celebrating/serving the Latin Mass, and ways it has not been such. When serving or celebrating, one must not be an "actor on a stage" moving like clockwork. Your movements must not be grandiose, but smooth, and genuine, with an attitude of true humility and service to our Lord at the altar.  

I ask kindly that you please spread word of this offering by any means of communication, and bring any family and friends to this offering. I hope to see some of you there, afterwards, when we will have a post-Mass celebration with refreshments. 

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.