Corvopolis - II

Some photographs of St Michael's Cathedral, Wagga Wagga:

Mass at St Mary's Chapel (dedicated by Bp William Brennan on the 8th of September 1991, so its patronal feast is Our Lady's Nativity), Vianney College, was quite impressive: all the seminarians in choir, all in cassock and surplice; all and sundry bowing their head at the Holy Name; a sermon on St Justin Martyr, pointing out how the pains of study are necessary, that we be able to give a reason for our hope, and be able to defend the Faith against intolerant secularism; communion administered by intinction to all, on the tongue.

The "low" Mass (all said, no singing) was about as reverent and devout as possible in the modern form, saving only that it was not eastward facing, and communion was received standing.  (Thank God for the communion plate!  I nearly dropt the intincted Host when Fr went to communicate me – it is much harder to give communion on the tongue to people when they are standing than when they are kneeling, especially when the communicant, like myself, is tall.)  

The seminarians start each day with Lauds at 6.20 am, then a half-hour meditation before Mass: very rigorous.  I was edified that after Mass ended, they all knelt to make thanksgiving for about 10 minutes or so.  A nice custom followed at Vianney is that, Mass ended, before the priest genuflects, he leads the seminarians in an Ave, then an invocation of the saint of the day and of the patron of their College, St John Mary Vianney, patron saint of parish priests.  I pray God make them all one day to be holy priests as he was.