Deacon Jack Carr has worked with Father Niranjan Rodrigo, Pastor of the Church of the Infant Saviour in Pine Bush New York, to post online the Church’s Sunday; March 29, 2020 mass.
You can view the mass from the Church’s web site (found here) or from the videos below.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/401752671
https://player.vimeo.com/video/401770264
The Catholic Company sends out a daily “Your Morning Offering” email (you can sign up here) and today they describe this special Lenten mass called “Passion Sunday” as follows:
The 5th Sunday of Lent is historically known as “Passion Sunday” which ushers in the final two weeks of Lent, called “Passiontide.” Passiontide is characterized by a heightened celebration of Lent as Easter approaches, reaching its peak during Holy Week. During this period the faithful redouble their Lenten penances. It is also customary on this day to shroud all the sacred images in the churches with purple cloths, save the Stations of the Cross. On Good Friday the crucifixes are unveiled, while the other sacred images are unveiled on the afternoon of Holy Saturday in preparation for the Easter Vigil. This imagery calls to mind how Christ hid his Divinity during his Passion and death, no longer performing miracles until his Resurrection from the dead. Likewise, the holy images are veiled in imitation of their Lord, their glory being unveiled with the joy of the celebration of Easter.
Please if you have not already watched a mass today, so as to partake spiritually in keeping this Sabbath Day holy on this Sunday, watch it and pray along with Father. Remember that during the Eucharist celebration you can take part in a “spiritual communion” by reciting the “Act of Spiritual Communion” as Father consumes the blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist during the video by saying the following:
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
You may also notice that the Tabernacle area behind the Altar in the Church Sanctuary has been adorned in marble. Yes, though daily mass may not be going on publicly, Father continues to work on improving our Church so that when it does reopen we will have an even more sacred and beautiful space to return to. Father in a recent email noted that he has been saying daily mass in private and praying for all those in our Parish community. Even though you may not see, the Lord’s work continues behind the veil much like how during these last two weeks of Lent (Passiontide) we cover holy objects to visually reflect how that veil may hide Jesus Christ’s continuing work through his Church and through his disciples (us here today); that work still goes on among us even if at times it is hidden. Saying daily prayers and watching mass are some ways you can participate in that work and keep close to the Lord.
Finally, remember to keep those who are ill, working during this epidemic, our first responders and emergency workers, our military, and all those who have died from this epidemic (especially those who will die alone today so they will not die forgotten) in our prayers by reciting the prayer to “Our Lady of Guadalupe.” Our blessed Mother and Queen Mary who as our Lady of Guadalupe watches over the Americas and all who those who are sick or dying holds a special place in our prayer life during these challenging times. Please spend some time with her each day by reciting the prayer to Lady of Guadalupe below:
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Our Council hopes these resources will help you to keep this Sabbath Day of Sunday holy and to help you “lift the veil” so as to see that the Lord is still near to you today.