Ancient Mystery Celebrated in the Heart of West Virginia
Mass of the Ages to be offered in Weston, West Virginia
Father Timothy Grassi will offer the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite Mass on Sunday, April 6th at 4:00 pm at St. Patrick's Church in Weston, West Virginia. Gregory Gray, organist, and singers from the Charleston area will provide the music.
The celebration will be a Sung High Mass, conducted in Latin in the traditional manner according to the 1962 Roman Missal. This Mass was celebrated in the Catholic Church from the sixteenth century until 1970, though its roots go back to the sixth century. In the wake of Vatican II and the introduction of the Mass of Paul VI, the traditional Mass has been offered only on rare occasions in West Virginia.
The current celebration was organized at the urgent request of the faithful of North Central West Virginia and accords with the will of Pope Benedict XVI. The Holy Father noted in the apostolic letter Summorum Pontificum issued July 7, 2007 that, "In parishes, where there is a stable group of faithful who adhere to the earlier liturgical tradition, the pastor should willingly accept their requests to celebrate the Mass according to the rite of the Roman Missal published in 1962."
Faithful of West Virginia have eagerly anticipated such an opportunity. Devotees of the Mass of the Ages from all over the state are expected to make the pilgrimage to Weston to experience this glorious event.
Organist Greg Gray stated that a number of talented singers from the Charleston area will be on hand "to chant the Propers of the Mass and to sing those parts pertinent to the Choir only. We will also provide organ and choral music for a prelude, and polyphonic pieces at the Offertory and Communion. There will be a rousing, joyous organ postlude!"
The Reverend Timothy Grassi will celebrate the Mass. Father Grassi has been offering the Mass of the Ages at his home parishes, in Thomas and a nearby mission in Parsons, once a month on Sunday and several times during the week for several months.
Additional contacts:
Father Timothy Grassi: ourlm@yahoo.com
Gregory Gray: gregorious1@verizon.net
W. Garrett Gannon: gannon2006@hotmail.com