As of late, the splendor and beauty of the Sunday and Feast-Day Masses at the Lord of Divine Mercy Parish have been greatly enhanced thanks to the following:
1) A new cantor who sings the Gregorian chant -- melismas and long "a"s and "o"s and all -- of the propers of the Mass (Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory and Communion) instead of the recitative that had been previously employed. (Yes, we finally have real Gregorian chant! And in this coming year, the TLM community is committed to finally form a choir or "schola" to sing Gregorian chant.)
2) The Christmas and January 1 Masses where celebrated with all the works -- incense, master of ceremonies, torchbearers, etc. The Tridentine form of incensing the altar -- with its multiple genuflections by the priest and servers -- is really so beautiful. (No, it is not the same as in the Novus Ordo. Not that I'm attacking the Novus Ordo, which I also respect and which I attend on weekdays, but you have to see the way it's done in the TLM to know what incensing really looks like.) Hopefully, January 6 will be celebrated with the same intensity and solemnity.
I would like to add here that Fr. Jojo Zerrudo's sermons are really outstanding, and deserve to be podcasted. If you want to go to a Mass where the priest really delves deep into the Biblical readings and their doctrinal and moral meanings, go to Lord of Divine Mercy. Fr. Zerrudo shows that priests don't have to crack jokes (although he is funny at times) or try to be "relevant" in order to communicate the meaning of the Word of God to the congregation. (By the way, his sermons are long -- 30 minutes -- but very substantial, and the congregation doesn't fall asleep).
(...)
So, if you would like to see liturgy the way it was done in the old days, sung to traditional chant -- please do come on January 6!!!
January 6 is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord: Missa 'Ecce Advenit'
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