Welcome to this Mass from St Canice’s Church
for the Solemnity of Mary, Our Lady Help of Christians
Our intention this morning, through the Covid-19 crisis, is to ask for Our Lady’s help.
We offer the Mass for the sick and dying, for those struggling with unemployment.
We offer it in thanks for those dedicated to their care at home or in hospital.
And we request our Blessed Mother’s help in finding treatments and cures for this affliction,
and her inspiration for carers accompanying those close to death.
The Lady Chapel – The special venue for our Mass
Although simplicity was a feature of the St Canice church building that developed over 1888 and 1889, it was always intended to have one special feature, the Lady Chapel.
The architect, John Bede Barlow sketched a design for its altar, which was constructed in Italy from Carrara marble, with an Annunciation scene below, delicately carved by Primo Fontana.
Two stained-glass windows are another feature, imported from the house of Hardman, in Birmingham, England.
The chapel’s decoration was completed in 1894 when the painting of Mary ‘Our Lady of the Angels’ arrived from Italy and was placed in its marble setting above the altar. The mosaic floor was also added at this time.
“Suns under the Moon” Oil on Canvas ©2020 Reynier Llanes
As we view this artwork “Suns under the Moon” © by Cuban artist Reynier Llanes, let’s remember the exceptional spirit of self-sacrifice of our healthcare workers.
The painting portrays their humanity and love, naming them ‘suns’ because they radiate goodness. Patients are represented as sunflowers, responding to this radiance.
A good feeling with the Canice community springing back into life.
Today, we filmed the Mass of Intercession on the Solemnity Our Lady Help of Christians, Patroness of Australia, whose Feast Day falls on May 25th. We bring our petitions to Our Lady to protect us through these times of COVID-19, and for development of an effective cure.
We thank those in this photo, who participated in the celebration of the Mass; who provided wonderful music and song. We also acknowledge Giovanni Portelli for the filming and the photos.
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(Catholic Voice) The entrustment prayer, agreed by Australia’s Bishops this week, seeks Our Lady’s intercession for the safety of all our people especially in this time of the pandemic.
A Prayer for the Pandemic reads:
“O Immaculate Mary, Help of Christians, Queen of heaven and earth, and tender Mother of humanity, at this time when a pandemic threatens all your children, we entrust to you our nation, Australia, and all who live in this country.
“We commit to your intercession all the members of our community, beginning with the weakest ones, from the unborn to the sick, the disabled and the elderly.
“We commit to you our families, our young and old, and all who are vulnerable, those who are quarantined or anxious.
“We entrust to your Immaculate Heart those who have lost their livelihood or employment, our pastors and other essential service workers, and our leaders at this time.
“We implore your intercession especially for the protection of doctors and nurses and those who minister to the contagious sick in this crisis.
“Reign over us Mother of God and teach us how to make the Heart of Jesus reign triumph in us and around us, as it has reigned and triumphed in you!
“St Joseph, Pray for us.”
The Australian Bishops,
(after Michael Musgrave had already conceived this project
and presented it to me),
entrusted the nation during this pandemic
to Mary Help of Christians.
This Mass was recorded on Tuesday 19 May
in St Canice’s Chapel of Our Lady
for her Solemnity on Monday 25 May.
Fr Paul
thank you.. a special mass beautifully presented. The music was inspirational and fitted perfectly.
A tonic indeed for these trying times.
Peter, Thanks for your endorsement. Much appreciated. Michael and All
What a beautiful Mass and the side Chapel at its best.
Thank you all, perhaps especially Fr Paul and Michael.
Tim and Janet
Tim and Janet, Glad you enjoyed. The preparation, filming and editing was a big job, but we feel that the effort was worthwhile.
There’s a number of our elderly parishioners who are still feeling anxious about the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary driver behind this Mass was to provide a level of comfort. We decided to focus on the Solemnity of Mary, our lady help of Christians Feast Day to thank Maryfor getting us this far, and pray for an effective cure to soon be found.
There was a team of eight of us social-distancing in this special Liturgy. We were all ‘singing from the same hymn book’ (actually from the detailed script written by Fr Paul). We all agreed that the Special Liturgy gave a sense of ‘welcome’, and it generated a good feeling seeing our parish springing back to life after the period of lockdown.
The other important aspect of this Mass is that it was filmed in the Lady Chapel, an historical and architecturally beautiful space that has not been used for Liturgy probably for a century.
Music, provided by our usual cantor and organist, suggest to people that sense of normality is returning.
We acknowledge the contributions of healthcare workers, and use artwork by a Cuban artist in Florida. The story behind it as compelling as the painting itself. The painting and the story is on the webpage for people to understand the background.
Michael
My sincere gratitude for praying for all of those who are in the frontlines of this pandemic. Here in Miami wishing all Australians good health and courage in these trying times.
Michael, thanks for your response. I know of your health challenges, and trust that The Mass brought comfort in facing them. Michael