FROM THE RECTOR: ADMINISTRATION NOT CONSECRATION

While looking online for a book review, I came across reviews of the Reverend Dr. Louis Weil’s book Liturgical Sense: The Logic of Rite (2013). I found my copy on the shelf. And I found a quotation that had caught my eye years before but I’ve never written about it. Vernon Staley (1852–1933) was a priest of the Church of England, a liturgical scholar, and the author of The Catholic Religion: A Manual of Instruction for the Members of the Anglican Communion (1893). It was an important book for generations of Anglo-Catholics. It’s still in print, but I don’t recommend it. Scholarship, not to mention church and society, has moved on. Father Weil's quotation was from a book by Staley that I did not know, The Manual Acts (1913), and it’s spot on.

In Weil’s chapter “The Words of Consecration—or Eucharistic Prayer?” he writes, “The question being posed here is one which Anglican liturgical scholars have been raising for a century. In 1913 Vernon Staley made this observation: ‘It cannot be said too emphatically that the words “This is my body”—“This is my blood,” were not our Lord’s words of Consecration, but His words of Administration. His words of administration, it is true, declare the effect of His previous consecration, but we cannot by any ingenuity twist them to become His actual words of consecration” (Weil, page 94. See also Staley, 17–19). One may observe that “consecration” is unknown to the New Testament; instead, there are words of blessing and thanksgiving (Mark 14:22–24; Matthew 26:26–29; Luke 22:15–20). There is no evidence that eucharistic prayers included these words of administration before the latter part of the fourth century (Paul F. Bradshaw, Eucharistic Origins [2004], 140–42). Over time, the use and meaning of these words are no longer the use and meaning they have in the New Testament.

The first Book of Common Prayer (1549) required the priest to hold the bread and cup in his hands while reciting Jesus’ words of administration (The First and Second Prayer Books of Edward VI [Dent: London 1910, 1964], 222–23). This requirement was dropped in the 1552 book and resurrected in 1662. All Anglican Prayer Books have continued this requirement. I have never presided at a Eucharist where I raised my hands in orans as I addressed the congregation with the words, “The Lord be with you,” and held them there until the congregation concluded the Eucharistic Prayer with its “Amen.” I follow the rules. Again, using Weil's words, presiders act not in persona Christi, that is, in place of Christ, but in persona ecclesiae, as a member of the church, the body of Christ. (Weil, 97–99). The assembly of the baptized is the body of Christ. The Eucharist is the food and drink that sustains its life of faith.

I confess I have taken screenshots of worship I see on the internet—and so far, I have had the self-discipline to delete them. But for all who serve the congregation as ministers of the liturgy, ordained and lay, in his last chapter Weil offers four questions for consideration, an examination of knowledge and, I think, of conscience. His questions are: “Why am I doing this? How did it originate? What does it mean to me? What does it say to the members of the congregation who observe this gesture?” (page 138).

Parishioner Thomas Jayne, in his book Classical Principles for Modern Design (2018), writes, “I define traditional decorating as contemporary decorating using historic models. We use them not because we lack imagination, but because their core elements have been perfected over two millennia” (page 15). Thinking about “core elements” has been very much at the forefront of our worship since March. I look forward to the point in the future when our Eucharist is again celebrated with bread and wine for all of the baptized. —Stephen Gerth

YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR Kelly, Gwendolyn, Renate, César, Barbara, Gladys, Matt, Carmen, Shalim, Brice, Margaret, John, and Marilouise, for all who suffer from COVID-19, for Nicholas and Randy, religious, for Michael, Gaylord, and Louis, priests, and Charles, bishop, for all those who work for the common good, and for all the members and friends of this parish . . . GRANT THEM PEACE . . . November 15: 1881 Theodore Codswise Mitchell; 1887 Laura Chambers Sutton; 1898 Mary Dow; 1907 Sadie Adams Smith; 1939 Anna J. Daingerfield; 1949 Richard Davis Campbell; 1951 Elizabeth Congdon Mason; 1954 Florence Louise Farson Dawson; 1956 Etta Jane Willsie; 1972 Wallace Charles Taylor; 1973 Estelle Moore; 1983 Ralph Burrus Smith; 1997 Noel Julian Blackman.

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN 2021 . . . Our stewardship campaign has begun, and pledge cards are beginning to arrive in the mail. Some statistics may be helpful. We mailed packets to 117 households that pledged last year; to 47 households that did not pledge last year, but did pledge at some point during the previous four years households; and to 698 households that have expressed an interest in supporting the parish in the past. Our goal for the campaign is $400,000. As of November 10, we have received $166,616.00 in pledges from 46 households, 41.7% of our goal. This is a decent start, but we still have a long way to go. We encourage all the friends and members of the parish to return their pledge cards on Sunday, November 22, the Last Sunday after Pentecost and our Commitment Sunday. This will help the Budget Committee in its work. However, if making a commitment by that date is not possible, we will gladly receive pledge cards at any point during the coming year. Our needs are urgent, especially in these days of the pandemic. Our mission is clear. We invite your support.

THE ORDINARY FRIDAYS OF THE YEAR are observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial in commemoration of the Lord’s crucifixion.

AROUND THE PARISH . . . A Reminder about the Parish Office: Our office manager, Chris Howatt, continues to work only three days per week, normally Tuesday–Thursday. You may always leave a message for him on the office’s voicemail (212-869-5830 x 10). For pastoral emergencies, please contact Father Gerth or Father Smith by e-mail or on their landlines . . . Sermons from Father Jay Smith from September 27, October 18, and All Saints’ Day are now online, along with a homily by Father Matt Jacobson for October 13, 2020. Father Stephen Gerth’s sermons through Monday, November 9 are posted . . . Friday, November 20, Clothing Ministry Set-up, 10:00–11:00 AM, Saint Joseph’s Hall and Lady Chapel: 2:00–3:00 PM, Clothing Ministry Drop-by, The Lady Chapel. If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, please contact Brother Desmond Alban SSF.

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY’S . . . Sunday, November 15, Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Adult Education 9:30 AM; Mass 11:00 AM. The church opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 12:30 PM. The preacher is the Reverend Stephen Gerth. The service is played by Dr. David Hurd. He will be joined by cantor, Elaine Lachica, soprano. This service is live-streamed . . . Monday through Saturday, the church opens at 11:00 AM and closes at 2:00 PM. Mass is celebrated daily at 12:10 PM. Please see the Calendar of the Week below, and on the website, for this week’s commemorations.

MUSIC AT SAINT MARY’S . . . The organ prelude on Sunday morning is the last two of the five movements dedicated to the Latin hymn of praise Te Deum laudamus by Dieterich Buxtehude (1637–1707). Buxtehude is one of the most highly regarded composers of the generation before Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). His compositions include a wealth of organ music, pieces both free and based upon pre-existent melodies for sacred texts. His Choralefantasia Te Deum laudamus is a five-movement work is based upon the Solemn Tone plainchant for Te Deum, the ancient Latin hymn traditionally (but doubtfully) attributed to Saints Ambrose and Augustine. The fourth of the five movements is based on the verse Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus (“The noble army of martyrs praise thee”). The chant cantus firmus is heralded by a brief fanfare and then played in long notes on the pedals, accompanied by two additional voices on the manuals. The fifth movement is based on the verse Tu, devicto mortis aculeo (“Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death”). It comprises two sections of strictly imitative counterpoint and a closing section in freer fantasia style.

The musical setting of the Mass on Sunday was commissioned by Saint Cecilia Cathedral and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, from David Hurd, organist and music director at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin. Cecilia, the traditional patron saint of musicians is commemorated in the Roman calendar on November 22. The texts of this Mass in Honor of Saint Cecilia are those of the Roman Missal Third Edition which were introduced into use in 2011. This setting, which includes Kyrie, Credo and several acclamations in addition to the portions sung today, was intended to serve as a setting to be held in common by parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Omaha and beyond. Plainsong style was specified in the commission. Therefore, like historic liturgical chant, the melodies of this setting are intended to respond to and enhance the natural contour and rhythm implicit in the text rather than being driven by a regular pulse or imposed harmonic plan. Accompaniments are included but the vocal lines are conceived also to be performable without accompaniment when desired.

The cantor on Sunday is soprano Elaine Lachica, a regular member of the Choir of Saint Mary’s. During the Communion she will sing With verdure clad from the oratorio The Creation by Franz Joseph Haydn (1782–1809). Haydn’s The Creation was completed in 1798 and was first performed in Vienna at the old Burgtheater on March 19, 1799. The libretto by Gottfried van Swieten portrays the creation of the world as described in the Book of Genesis. The three-part oratorio is scored for soprano, tenor and bass soloists—representing archangels Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael, and in part three, Adam and Eve—chorus, and large orchestra. With Verdure clad, from Part I, is the Archangel Gabriel singing on day three of creation of the beauty of the earth.

Elaine has performed as a soloist with the New York Collegium under Andrew Parrott, Early Music New York, Montreal Baroque, Rebel Baroque Orchestra, Lex Voix Humaines, Waverly Consort, Opera Omnia, Ensemble Caprice, and the Mark Morris Dance Company. She is a winner of the Bruce Haynes International Competition for the rhetorical singing of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. In 2017, a studio recording was released as part of Montreal Baroques Bach Cantata series on ATMA Classique. Elaine is also a winner of a 2016 JUNO for Classical Album of the Year (Vocal) at the Canadian Music Awards as a member of L’Harmonie des Saisons for their CD Las Ciudades de Oro, also released on ATMA Classique. —David Hurd

AN ONLINE CONCERT . . . Our good friends, the Community of Saint John Baptist in Mendham, New Jersey, are presenting an online concert, Music on a Sunday Afternoon, to benefit its Capital Campaign. The Adelphi Chamber Orchestra will play the concert, performing Mozart’s Quartet for Strings, No. 17, in B-flat Major, K. 458 (“The Hunt”) and Dvořák’s Quartet for Strings, No. 12, in F Major, Op. 96/B 179 (“American”). The Quartet will play the concert in the main chapel at the Mendham coven and the concert will be live-streamed on YouTube to an entirely virtual audience. This will be the first event in the Chapel, with its fine acoustics, since the beginning of the pandemic. More information is available on the Community’s website. Tickets are $25.00 and may be purchased online at Eventbrite. The link is here.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION . . . Please note: all the adult-education classes this year begin at 9:30 AM NOT 10:00 AM. On November 22 and 29 and on December 6 and 13, Father Peter Powell will lead a class on the final book in the Christian Bible, the Revelation to John. (The second half of this series will resume during Lent 2021.)

Up Next: In January, after the Christmas break, Brother Damien Joseph SSF will lead the Sunday morning adult-education class in a discussion of Christian mysticism, focusing on four different figures from the Western Christian mystical tradition.

For all these classes, seating in Saint Joseph’s Hall will be arranged to maximize social-distancing. Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide refreshments. All those attending the class must wear a face covering.

FROM THE FRIARY . . . Brother Thomas SSF recently posted a meditation entitled “The Silent Chapel” on the website of the Society of Saint Francis. In this essay, Thomas talks about discernment in hard times.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR . . . Sunday, November 22, Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King & Commitment Sunday, Mass 11:00 AM . . . Thursday, November 26, Thanksgiving Day, Mass 12:10 PM . . . Sunday, November 29, First Sunday of Advent, Mass 11:00 AM . . . Tuesday, December 8, The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the 150th Anniversary of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Mass 12:10 PM. This Mass will be live-streamed.

SAINT MARY’S ONLINE CENTERING PRAYER GROUP . . . The Saint Mary’s Centering Prayer Group continues to meet! The Group meets online, via Zoom, every Friday evening at 7:00 PM. If you are interested in participating, please send an e-mail to this address. The convenors of the group will then send the link to the Zoom meeting.

SOME GUIDELINES FOR ATTENDING SERVICES AT SAINT MARY’S

We are now open for public worship. In order to ensure the health and safety of all, we have instituted the following procedures and guidelines:

-The 47th Street Doors, though open for ventilation, won’t be used for entry into the church. Entry is only via 46th Street. Exit only through the most western 46th Street door (near the former gift shop).

-The Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy and Saint Joseph’s Chapel are closed. The Lady Chapel is open, but all chairs, kneelers, candles, hymnals, and Prayer Books have been removed.

-Facemasks must be worn in the church at all times, except when consuming Communion. Masks should cover both mouth and nose.

-Hands-free sanitizer dispensers are available by the doors and at the head of the center aisle, where Communion will take place.

   -The city, state, and diocese of New York encourages all those attending services to sign a registry and to provide one means of contact. This will be used only if it emerges that an infected person has been in attendance at a particular service and contact tracing is required.

-Everyone must maintain safe distancing (at least 6 feet apart).

-Pews have been marked with blue tape to indicate where seating is allowed.

-Only 44 people will be allowed in the nave at any time (this includes 6 couples or pairs—people who live together—who may sit together).

-All cushions have been removed from the pews. All prayer books and hymnals have been removed from the church. Service bulletins will be provided, but will be removed from the church after each service.

-Electric fans have been removed from the nave of the church. There will be no hand-held fans available at the door.

-A basket has been placed at the head of the main aisle, where pledge envelopes and other donations may be safely placed. There will be no collection taken by ushers.

-Communion (wafers only) will be administered at the foot of the chancel steps. Gluten-free hosts are available. Please inform an usher or a member of the clergy.

-All communicants must proceed down the main aisle, maintain social distance as indicated by the decals on the floor, and return to their seats via the side aisles.

-Restrooms will be available only to those who are attending the service.

If you have questions or wish to make a suggestion, please contact the rector. 

This edition of the Angelus was written and edited by Father Stephen Gerth and Father Jay Smith. Father Gerth is responsible for posting the newsletter on the parish website and for distributing it via e-mail.

The Calendar of the Week

The November 2020 Calendar