Ritual Notes.

The Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.

This was a solemn high mass using the '62 Roman Missal, with all the stops. (Polyphonic mass setting, all the servers in attendance, six torch bearers, etc.

The church was dark, except for the sanctuary. The people had lighted candles.At the entrance to the sanctuary, we went the short way to the sanctuary. After the 'Procedamus in pace' and response, we went around the church, the same way as last year, but with a station,versicle and collect at the shrine of Our Lady. (The hymn being 'Immaculate Mary'.) bMy boat bearer kept going with the acolytes when I stopped at the altar, and I tried to catch up with him, but he was too far away. After the incensation of the image, and the presentation of a very nice bouquet of roses, the procession continued. The mass setting was the choir's favorite setting* with credo III. Jacque Arcadelt's Ave Maria at the offertory, after the proper chant, and some organ improvisations. I messed up the incensation of the M.C. at the offertory.At communion, the proper chant 'Visitasti terram' was sung with the verses of psalm 66, then some organ improvisations, followed by the hymn 'O Sanctissima'. More improvisations during the last gospel, and the recessional hymn was a rousing rendition of "Hail, all hail great Queen of Heaven!" with full organ on the last verse. I forget what the postlude was. No reception after mass because of the snow.
*I kind of wish that they would use the Palestrina Missa Brevis from time to time like they used to, but now they only use parts of it maybe once a year.