FROM FATHER JACOBSON: ON THE FOURTH CENTURY & EASTER WEEK INSTRUCTION

The fourth century was a dynamic period for the Church. Though it began with the Great Persecution of Diocletian in 303, the status of the Church was about to change significantly as Christianity went from being the faith of a persecuted minority to the religion of the Empire. This change began in 306, with Constantine ordering the return of Christian property taken during the persecution, but really gained momentum in earnest after his victory at the Milvian Bridge in 312, which he attributed to Christ’s favor. Shortly afterwards, the Edict of Milan in 313 granted Christians and other groups freedom of worship.

The Church’s position within the Empire continued to grow steadily throughout the fourth century. Notable events for the Church included the First Council of Nicaea in 325, which was called and chaired not by a cleric, but by Constantine, the emperor. The First Council of Constantinople in 381 was also called by an emperor, Theodosius I, shortly after having named Christianity the state religion of the Empire.

Given this dramatic change in the Church’s status within the Empire, a thorough catechesis (instruction) of converts became important as some joined the Church based on motives related to politics and connections, rather than on the faith itself. As a result, the fourth century was a particularly rich period of catechesis due to these circumstances and the desire to maintain the integrity of the faith. In fact, the fourth century could be considered the peak of catechetical instruction given that infant baptism would soon become standard practice and there was no longer a role for a pre-baptismal catechumenate, which soon fell away.

We’ll take advantage of some of the catechetical writings that have survived from the fourth century in the final section of our year-long series on the Eucharist at the Sunday morning Adult Education Forum, which resumes in a week on April 23. We will spend four Sundays in Eastertide studying several fourth-century addresses that were delivered during Easter Week to those who had just been baptized at the Easter Vigil and we will primarily focus on their teachings about the Eucharist.

We will begin in Jerusalem, a city of renewed importance for the Church in the fourth century due in part to Constantine’s mother Saint Helena. Helena traveled to Jerusalem, discovered relics, including those of the true cross, as well as the locations of many sites that were important in the Gospel accounts and upon which Constantine then built churches. As a result, Jerusalem became an important pilgrimage city and its episcopal see went from being of little relevance to one with significant influence on the rest of the Church. To see how the Eucharist was understood in the Holy Land at the time, and to give us an example from the Eastern Church, we’ll focus on the Mystagogical Catecheses by the fourth-century bishop Saint Cyril of Jerusalem. In addition to the importance of his writings, Cyril is also considered to be integral in the liturgical development of Holy Week throughout the Church as fourth-century pilgrims observed local practices in Jerusalem and then brought them back home.

Next, we will move west to Milan for a perspective from the Latin Church by Saint Ambrose. Ambrose is known as an Orthodox, or Nicene, Christian at a time when supporters of the Arian heresy were still rather influential in this part of Italy. His persuasive sermons played a key role in the conversion of Saint Augustine, and he is also remembered as an early writer of Christian hymns. To get a sense of his Eucharistic theology, we will review two of his addresses which were also delivered during Easter Week: On the Mysteries and On the Sacraments. Ambrose is credited with the Western focus on the words of institution at the consecration of the Eucharist (i.e., Jesus saying “This is my Body/Blood”).

This final portion of the 2022-2023 Adult Education Forum will be held at 9:30 AM on April 23, April 30, May 7, and May 14. I hope you can join us! — MDJ

THE PARISH PRAYER LIST

We pray for the sick and for all those who asked us for our prayers. We pray for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this week; for those who are traveling; for the unemployed and for those seeking work; for the incarcerated; for those living with drought, storm, frigid weather, flood, fire, and earthquake.

We pray for all who are in pain and trouble and all who suffer from injustice and oppression of any kind. We pray, too, that God may forgive us for the wrongs we have done: for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty.

We pray for peace throughout the world, and especially for the people of Ukraine, South Sudan, Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Yemen, and Myanmar.

We pray for Gigi, Brent, Carl, Susan, Margaret, Karl, Catherine, Pat, Liduvina, José, Silvia, Bethel, Lauren, Theo, Opal, Debbie, Carlos, Christopher, Jennifer, Harka, Greta, Quincy, Ava Grace, Willard, Virginia, Jim, Phyllis, Jim, Bob, Sharon, Lina, Charlotte,  Bruce, Barbara, Robert, Abe, Gypsy, Hardy, John Derek, Margaret, Silvia, and Allan, priest.

A PRAYER OF THOMAS MERTON

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,

though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore, will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY’S

Our regular daily liturgical schedule, Monday through Friday, is Morning Prayer 8:00 AM, Mass 12:10 PM, and Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM. Holy Hour is offered on Wednesday at 11:00 AM and Thursday’s Mass includes a Healing Service. On Saturdays, Mass is celebrated at 12:10 PM and Evening Prayer is prayed at 5:00 PM. On Sundays, Solemn Mass is offered at 11:00 AM and Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM.

Commemorations during the Week of April 16:
Wednesday, April 19, Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1109
Friday, April 21, Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1012

READ THESE! NEWS, NOTICES AND REQUESTS FOR HELP

Do you have experience in graphic design? The Rector Search Committee would love to hear from anyone in the parish with graphic design expertise who would be willing to help the committee with the layout of the Parish Profile. We hope to have a final text sometime next week. If you have questions or would like to discuss the project, please contact Mark Risinger.

Reflecting on Holy Week: The Week was a beautiful, moving, and prayerful one here at the parish. Those who gathered in the church were joined online by between 50 and 100 people for all the major services. The members of the clergy are so grateful to all those who worked so hard to help their fellow Saint Marians and our many visitors to enter deeply into this most Holy Week. Thank you.

The Flower Guild Seeks Volunteers for this coming Sunday! As we all know, even good things come to an end. This is true of the flower arrangements placed in and around the church for Easter. On Sunday, April 16, beginning after the 11AM Solemn Mass, the members of the Flower Guild will be leading a demolition team of volunteers who will dismantle arrangements and return the decorations, vases, buckets, and other items to their home in the basement. We invite you to stay after Mass and be part of this work. It’s not as creative as decorating, but it’s fun to spend some time with fellow parishioners, to chat while working, and it’s a very helpful and useful ministry. For more information, please contact Grace Mudd.

May Crowning & Annual Meeting of the Parish: on Sunday, May 7, the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Solemn Mass ends with devotions at the Shrine of Our Lady. Immediately following Mass that day, the parish’s Annual Meeting will convene in Saint Joseph’s Hall. Reports from guilds and members of staff will be received. Members of the parish will nominate two parishioners to serve as delegates to the 247th convention of the Diocese of New York, which will take place on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. Reports should be delivered to the Parish Office by noon on Monday, May 1.

Saint Mary’s Book Club. On Sunday, April 23, at 1:00 PM, Father Jay Smith will lead a discussion of Pat Barker’s 1993 novel, Regeneration. The book is set in England during the Great War, and is focused on Siegfried Sassoon, poet and war hero, who has spoken out against the war and, as a result, been committed to an institution for “rest and rehabilitation.” The novel portrays the relationship between Sassoon and a psychiatrist, who has been assigned the morally ambiguous task of returning Sassoon and other young men, shattered in mind, body, and spirit to the front. The novel is well written and explores the difficult interplay between nationalism, patriotism, virility, psychiatry, and modern technological warfare. In some sense, World War I “changed everything” in the Western world. Barker puts a human face on those changes. We’d love to have you join the discussion in April. We are a small group, but we have lots of ideas and opinions. Come share your opinions with us! — JRS

Neighbors in Need: Our next Drop-by distribution event takes place on Friday, April 21. Our biggest needs now are clothing, especially shoes (sneakers or athletic shoes and other sturdy shoes), men’s and women’s pants and tops, and coats for next winter as well as for our current warmer weather. And, of course, donations help us to purchase toiletries and underwear. Please contact us at neighbors@stmvnyc.org for more information about volunteering, making a donation, or about the goals, work, and methods of Neighbors in Need.

Coming Up: Tuesday, April 25, Saint Mark the Evangelist . . . Monday, May 1, Saint Philip and Saint James . . . Thursday, May 18, Ascension Day. Organ Recital at 5:30 PM. Mickey Thomas Terry, Howard University, Washington, D.C., will be the recitalist. Procession and Solemn Mass follows the recital at 6:00 PM . . .  Saturday, May 20, 11:00 AM, Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, the Ordination and Consecration of the Reverend Matthew F. Heyd as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of New York . . . On Saturday, May 20, at 5:30 PM, the members of the AIDS Walk Team will gather in the Lady Chapel for a Vigil Mass. Father Matt Jacobson will celebrate. This will allow them to participate fully in the Walk the following day . . . Sunday, May 28, The Day of Pentecost, Procession and Solemn Mass at 11:00 AM.

AIDS Walk 2023: Sunday, May 21: We’ve gotten off to a great start with twelve members on the team and $31,408 raised! We’re hoping to build on this momentum during Eastertide and surpass our goal of $40,000. To join or to contribute to the Team, visit our page on the AIDS WALK website. Additional detail about our team’s history can also be found on the parish website. Our team captains—MaryJane Boland, Clark Mitchell, and Father Matt Jacobson—welcome your questions.

Ministry of Hospitality: We are seeking your help. We invite the members and friends of the parish to volunteer to “host” a Coffee Hour or reception. That can be done in one of two ways: you can make a cash donation, or you can provide food and beverages for the event. If you make a cash donation, the suggested amount is $100.00. If you would like to do this, please contact the Parish Office or speak to Father Jay Smith.

Donations for altar flowers may be made for many Sundays in Eastertide, upcoming feast days, and other dates through the end of 2023. Dates available include Sundays April 23 and 30; May Crowning on Sunday, May 7; Ascension Day on May 18; Sunday, May 21; and the solemnities of Pentecost, Trinity, and Corpus Christi. The suggested donation is $250 which provides flowers on the high altar; shrines of Christ the King, Blessed Virgin Mary, and Sacred Heart; and/or other locations in the church depending on the commemoration or feast on the calendar. To arrange a donation for the altar flowers for a Sunday or feast day, please contact Chris Howatt. For questions about flowers or the Flower Guild, please speak with Brendon Hunter.

Father Sammy Wood returns to the parish after some days of vacation on Tuesday, April 18.

Father Jay Smith will be away from the parish on vacation from Monday, April 24, until Saturday, April 29. He will be away on retreat between May 9 and May 14.

Father Matthew Jacobson will be away from the parish on vacation from Monday, June 12, until Thursday, July 6.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE CONFIRMED OR RECEIVED INTO THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH?

On Saturday, June 10, at 10:30 AM at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, one of our diocese’s bishops will preside at a Mass during which he or she will confirm and receive. These are important and moving sacramental rites that recall the gift of the Holy Spirit at Baptism and allow the adult candidate to make a public affirmation of his or her faith. If you would like us to present you for confirmation or reception on June 10, please speak to Father Sammy or Father Jay so we can discuss preparing you to receive the sacrament and answer any questions you might have.

ABOUT THE MUSIC ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, APRIL 16, 2023

The organ voluntaries on Sunday are both based upon the well-known Easter hymn O filii et filiae (“O sons and daughters”). The melody of this hymn is thought to be of fifteenth-century French origin. It is found in two different forms in The Hymnal 1982: at #203 the hymnal gives a rhythmic form of the tune, in the manner of a carol, with the text most suitable for Easter Day; at #206 the hymnal presents an equalist plainsong form of the tune with a text most suitable for the second Sunday of Easter and the Feast of Saint Thomas (December 21). Several French composers of organ music since the seventeenth century have composed pieces based upon popular carol melodies. Offertoire pour le jour de Pâques (Offertory for Easter Day) from the First Organ Book of Jean-François Dandrieu (c. 1682–1739) is a continuous set of twelve variations on O filii et filiae. Dandrieu was born into a Paris family of artists and musicians, and he gave a harpsichord performance at the royal court as young as age five. From age eighteen he was organist at the Church of Saint Merri where he was named titular organist five years later. In 1721, he became one of the four organists of the Chapelle Royale of France. His variations on O filii et filiae call forth the characteristic sounds of French classical organs.

Lynwood Farnam (1885–1930) was one of the most highly acclaimed concert organists of his time. He was born in Quebec and, as a young man in Montreal, became organist at Christ Church Cathedral and taught organ at McGill Conservatory. After some years in Boston, Farnam was appointed organist at the Church of the Holy Communion in Manhattan, where he remained until his death. During that time, he toured extensively in North America and abroad, made radio broadcasts and, although he made no phonograph recordings, his playing is recorded on organ rolls which he made for the Aeolian company in 1930. His only surviving composition is his Toccata on “O Filii et Filiae” which he reportedly used to test the sonic capabilities of organs he was to play.

The setting of the Mass on the Second Sunday of Easter is the four-voice Missa secunda of Hans Leo Hassler. Hassler was born in Nuremberg and baptized on October 26, 1564. His musical career bridged the late Renaissance and the early Baroque periods. His initial musical instruction was from his father, Isaak Hassler (c. 1530–1591). Hans Leo left home in 1584 to study in Venice with Andrea Gabrieli (c. 1532–1585) and become a friend and fellow pupil with Gabrieli’s nephew Giovanni (c. 1554–1612). Thus, Hassler was one of the first of a succession of German composers to experience the musical innovations in Italy that were shaping what would later be identified as Baroque style. Hassler was recognized in his day not only as a composer, but also as an organist and a consultant on organ design. Although he was a Protestant, Hassler composed for the Roman church during the early years of his career. His Missa secunda, first published in Nuremberg in 1599, is a model of efficient and concise text setting. The text is mostly set syllabically, and much of the musical texture is homophonic and rhythmically energetic. Often Hassler has the higher two voices and lower two voices singing phrases in playful alternation. These aspects all help to set forth the text with great clarity.

Jacob Handl (1550-1591), also known as Jacobus Gallus, is credited with over five hundred compositions, both sacred and secular, including twenty Masses and hundreds of motets. Slovenian by birth, Handl’s compositions incorporate the influences of the leading Franco-Flemish and Venetian musical schools of his time. His motet Stetit Jesus from Opus musicum III (1587), sung during the administration of Communion on Sunday, sings the post-resurrection appearance of our Lord reported in John 20:19-20. Handl’s motet captures the drama of the narrative. — David Hurd

PRAYING THE DAILY OFFICE

At Saint Mary’s, Morning and Evening Prayer are normally prayed Monday through Friday, Morning Prayer at 8:00 AM and Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM. The Daily Office is not prayed in the church on most federal holidays—which usually fall on a Monday—or on Easter Monday. There are some changes to the schedule on major feasts. On Saturdays and Sundays, Evening Prayer is said in the church at 5:00 PM, though Morning Prayer is not. On the first Sunday of most months, Evensong and Benediction are offered at 5:00 PM. We invite you to join us.

If you are unable to join us but would like to start praying the Daily Office at home, a good place to start is the Daily Prayer website of the Forward Movement, which we recommend.

If you would like some instruction in how to pray the Daily Office, please speak to one of the members of the clergy.

Some other useful resources may be found below.

Book of Common Prayer Online
Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version
Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version
Common English Bible

PRAYING THE “REGINA COELI”

During the Great Fifty Days of Easter, Regina Coeli (“Queen of Heaven”) replaces the Angelus at noonday and before Evening Prayer here at Saint Mary’s. (Regina Coeli—coeli is pronounced “chaylee”— is also rung at 7:30 AM and prayed privately by the resident clergy.) Regina Coeli is one of the four Marian antiphons sung at the end of Compline in the Roman Catholic Church, especially in monasteries—and in many Anglican monasteries as well. The other three are Alma Redemptoris Mater (sung or said Advent to Candlemas), Ave Regina caelorum (Lent), and Salve Regina (Monday after the Day of Pentecost until Advent). The text of Regina Coeli goes something like this (the translation used at Saint Mary’s employs rather traditional language):

O Queen of heaven, be joyful. Alleluia.
For he whom so meetly thou barest. Alleluia.
Hath arisen as he promised. Alleluia.
Pray for us to the Father. Alleluia.

O God, who by the resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ, didst vouchsafe to give gladness unto the world, grant, we beseech thee, that we, being holpen by the Virgin Mary, his Mother, may obtain unto the joys of everlasting life, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

You might consider using this short prayer to punctuate your day. It is a moving experience to hear one of these Marian antiphons sung by monks or nuns at the end of Compline, almost the last words heard before the Great Silence begins. It can be a nice way to end the day outside the monastery as well. If you have access to a music-streaming service, you might explore the many settings of the antiphon.

SAINT MARY’S WINS A PRESERVATION AWARD

The New York Landmarks Conservancy announced its Lucy G. Moses Preservation 2023 Awards this week and Saint Mary’s is one of the twelve honorees.

From the Conservancy’s press release: “From the smallest buildings to the most extraordinary landmarks, to our diverse neighborhoods, the New York Landmarks Conservancy preserves and protects the unique architectural heritage of the City we love. We are on the frontlines, giving New York’s preservation needs a voice, advocating for sensible development, providing financial assistance and technical expertise—all to ensure that the character of our city continues to enrich the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

The Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards are the Conservancy’s highest honors for excellence in preservation. The coveted awards are named for Lucy G. Moses, a dedicated New Yorker whose generosity has benefited the City for decades. The Awards recognize individuals, organizations, building owners, and preservation professionals for their extraordinary contributions to the City. The Conservancy is grateful for the generous support of the Henry and Lucy Moses Fund, which makes the Awards possible.

Since its founding fifty years ago, the Conservancy has loaned and granted $60 million, which has leveraged more than $900 million in some 2,000 restoration projects throughout New York, revitalizing communities, providing economic stimulus and supporting local jobs for architects, contractors, engineers, and preservations professionals. For more information, please visit www.nylandmarks.org.”

The 33rd Annual Awards Event will take place on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 325 Park Avenue, Manhattan, Check-in 5:30, Ceremony starts 6:30. Reception to follow. Tickets may be purchased online.

This edition of the Angelus was written and edited by Father Jay Smith, except as noted. Father Matt Jacobson also edits the newsletter and is responsible for formatting and posting it on the parish website and distributing it via mail and e-mail, with the assistance of Christopher Howatt, parish administrator, and parish volunteer, Clint Best.