ROAMIN'
CATHOLIC
By Charles A. Coulombe
ARTICLES
LETTERS
NEWS
Contents © 1997
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.
At Mass with Mozart
St. Andrew's, Pasadena, towering over Raymond Avenue, looks like a Roman Basilica. Built along the lines of Santa Sabina in Rome, this church played St. Peter's basilica in The Thornbirds. The structure of St. Andrew's has remained virtually unchanged since Vatican II., except in two areas. The altar, formerly under the still remaining baldachino, has, of course, been removed, and the baptistery has been converted into a gift shop, with the font forming part of the sales counter.What is Mass like in such a church? The 12:30 P.M Mass on October 5 was well-attended, with a large Latino contingent, and some (mostly older) Anglos. Prior to Mass, various folk, including the acolytes (both young, one boy and one girl), pranced past the tabernacle (kept screened off to the far right of the altar); only a lady who was picking the offertory elements made a nod as she passed it. A well-dressed white-haired cantor with fierce mustachios came out and boomed out an exhortation to sing, in the course of which he pointed out that song can be the word of God. The selection chosen for the processional hymn was "Gather Us In."
The Gospel concerned Jesus' forbidding of divorce. The celebrant, (and Pastor) Msgr. Tobias English, spoke about the great loss of belief in marriage, but reaffirmed the Church's teaching that it is indissoluble. He said that a Catholic marriage can be terminated only "by death or an annulment."
The mood of the Mass changed with the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Although Msgr. English used the second eucharistic prayer, starting with the chanted "Agnus Dei," the choir performed such pieces as "Panis Angelicus" and Mozart's "Ave Corpus Verum.". While the choir sang these communion songs, the Eucharistic ministers made their appearance. Two were to wield the chalice, and the third took over a single line of host distribution. Reception was primarily in the hand, though a few tell-tale tongue users could be seen.
The recessional was accompanied by Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" with the lyrics, "Joyful, Joyful we adore thee." As we filed out, people passing directly under the choir (who were actually in the choir-stall, to the rear of the church) applauded. From there most trooped across the street to the parish festival, to enjoy Mexican and Filipino food, games, and prizes.