The servers at Holy Rosary were a good group of kids, ranging in age from 12 to 17, an all-male serving contingent, so it was easy to navigate. Kids listened because they were trained in the importance of what they do.
I see this all over the country where all-male servers are the rule. The importance of the job, plus learning the role, gives an almost military-like precision to what the kids did; it is a guy thing.
Bishop Steiner was not only a very compliant prelate, he was a good man and a mensch. He wanted to do things well, and gave himself over to the liturgy.
During the rehearsal for this Mass I met Dr. William Mahrt, who was sub-deacon of the Mass in the days that we still had little guidance in such matters. Dr. Mahrt and I have worked many times together since. I worked for him as MC for the Church Music Association of America’s annual Colloquium this year in St.
Paul, Minnesota.
The night of the Mass was interesting not just because there was a packed church, nor only because the servers and ministers did as well as anyone could have expected, including Bishop Steiner. It was the sermon given by the Bishop that stands out in my mind.
Welcome News from Rome
We knew something was in the works in Rome. We had heard that a papal decree of some sort was going to affect the Traditional Rites.
Bishop Steiner mentioned that and was very positive about it. It was going to be good for the Church.
The Mass took about two hours. The MC was a bundle of nerves before the Mass, but had no need to worry. Still, I was drenched when it was over.
In fact, it led to another trip to Portland for the Byrd Festival and further trip the next year for the Festival and a Mass, this time a Solemn Mass by Fr. C.
The next day or so was relaxing, sightseeing in beautiful parts of the Northwest. But it was time to head for home, and Monday morning we packed up and left for the airport. This time it was a non-stop to Newark.
Yup. Here I go again. Another trip on that damned plane.
About the Author: Bill Riccio, Jr is the editor of the West Haven Voice, West Haven, CT. He is a long time Master of Ceremonies for the Latin Mass.
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