FROM THE CURATE: ON HER PATH TO SAINT MARY’S

Last week, while unpacking, I found myself rereading Ten Decades of Praise by Sister Mary Hilary, CSM. Published in 1965, the book is “the story of the Community of Saint Mary the Virgin in its first century,” as its subtitle purports. They were founded in 1865 in New York City, when Bishop Horatio Potter received the professions of five women. Today, the Benedictine nuns are the oldest extant religious order founded in the Episcopal Church.

My own path crossed with the Community many years ago, when I found myself Googling the phrase “Episcopal jobs.” The nuns offer both a summer and a yearlong internship at their convent now in Sewanee, Tennessee. I was a college senior and, after a circuitous path towards graduation, the prospect of gardening and praying with some nuns for a year sounded really good. So, on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I moved to Tennessee.

I knew very little about Sewanee. And I hadn’t really known that the Episcopal Church had monks and nuns. In retrospect, my knowledge of monasticism was merely academic. I quickly learned that actually praying the Daily Office and receiving the Eucharist every day was something different. And spending time with Jesus in Word and Sacrament changes you.

It took a month before the rhythms of Saint Mary’s Convent started to feel familiar. I learned in their chapel how to pray in community. Whatever a nun (or intern) might be doing when the Angelus bell rings, she lays down her work so that she might pray with her Sisters. Whatever happens in the nation or world, the nuns pray for the concerns broadcast nightly on their television. Whatever individual circumstances, the religious community gathers and prays anyway. As my nuns taught me, we pray not because we might change God’s mind with our lists of intercessions. We ask and we give thanks, because all things—both sorrow and joy—we offer up and place into Christ’s own sacred heart. We pray in hope that we might be changed by the Spirit who is already and always interceding for us.

Rereading Ten Decades of Praise, I was delighted by a mention of “the little parochial community of The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, New York” (ch. 11). After the death of Father Brown in 1898, the Sisters of the Visitation, BVM who were founded, lived and prayed here at the Mission House voted to join the Community of Saint Mary. The parish’s history published in 1931 notes “the most regrettable lack of information … concerning the Sisters” (The Story of St. Mary’s, p. 46). Yet the legacy of the 19th-century sisterhoods far outlives what little might be found in official records.

In these first few days of my curacy here at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, I have only begun to join in the daily prayers of this congregation. The stones of this parish church bear the physical mark of the religious orders, clergy, and laypeople who have prayed within these walls and who have been sent out everyday to love and serve the world. The voices of the people in choir pews and around the altars are not yet familiar to me—but I know you will be soon. Each of us carries the habits and cadences of the people who taught us how to pray. When I hear the tower bells ring, it is muscle memory from my time at the convent which prompts me to lay down my work and to go pray in community.

I do not yet know how praying together, joining my voice with yours, discerning together how Jesus is calling us to better love our neighbors in this present time and place, will change me and change you. But I know that we will pray together, in the hope that our finite wills here on earth might be changed towards God’s will, as it already is in heaven.

And thanks be to God. — EL

Mother Elis Lui began her curacy this week at Saint Mary’s. Make sure to introduce yourself and welcome her to the parish this Sunday. Visit the staff page on our website to learn more about Mother Elis.

PARISH PRAYERS

We pray for our sister parish, the Church of All Saints’, Margaret Street, London, and for the Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan in the Anglican cycle of prayer.

We pray for those who have asked us for our prayers, for Steven, Heather, Theodore, Elaine, Laura, Arielle, Marat, Sveta, Heath, Linda, Kofi, Kay, Blaise, Jon, Bob, Riccardo, Jeff, Derick, Phil, Laura, Sue, Emilie, Sharon, Monique, Cassius, Lisa, Ruth Ann, Rosemary, Holly, Becky, Bill, Grady, Chris, Violet, Pat, Allen, Giovanna, Ronald, Jose, Ben, Russell, Robert, Sandy, Desarae, David, Tony, Jan, Carlos, Quincy, Leroy, and Margaret; James, Victoria, and Laura Katherine, religious; Lind, deacon; and John, James, Jay, and Stephen, priests.

We pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died, and for those whose year’s mind is on July 19: Louis Edward Bieral (1891), Francis Austen (1897), Ethel Notman Chambers (1898), Frank John Schoen (1899), Jacob Eiler (1903), and Jeanette Trimarco (1932).

AROUND THE PARISH

Property Committee Forming — The Board of Trustees is actively working to assemble a Property Committee to advise them, manage projects, and interact with vendors. If you have experience in these areas, please contact Fr. Sammy. 

Livestreamers needed — We are looking for additional volunteers to help us livestream Solemn Mass on Sundays. Typically, sixty to one hundred people join us live online on Sundays and then hundreds usually watch the recorded videos afterwards. Our hope is to build out the team so that volunteers would be scheduled to stream about once a month. Our current streamers are Mr. Blair Burroughs and Mr. Steven Eldredge. If you are interested, please speak with one of them, or Fr. Matt, for more details. It isn’t hard to learn!

Cookies are a Call to Community — During the summer months, we simplify Coffee Hour a bit to “Cookies and Lemonade,” though there is still coffee too! We are looking for volunteers to help support this ministry. Please let Fr. Wood know if you would like to bring the cookies and lemonade for a summer Sunday and check out this Substack post he’s shared entitled “Cookies are a call to community.”

The Transfiguration — The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is on Thursday, August 6. The 12:10 PM Mass will be offered as a Sung Mass in the Lady Chapel.

The Assumption — August 15, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, falls on a Saturday this year. Our principal celebration will be a Solemn Mass on the Eve of the Assumption, Friday, August 14, at 6:00 PM. Our guest preacher will be Fr. John Beddingfield, rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity on the Upper East Side and former curate here at Saint Mary’s.

Neighbors in Need: What do we need? — We always need practical shoes in all adult sizes. We need jeans, especially in men’s sizes 32-36—but also women's sizes and pants other than jeans. And, as you may be thinking of a new winter coat, we would love to have your old coat! We accept all kinds of casual clothing: jackets, pants, tops and shoes, but we do not need professional clothing or children’s clothing. Thanks to many wonderful cash donations, we are able to purchase toiletries and underwear. Please speak to MaryJane Boland or Marie Rosseels for more information or send an email to neighbors@stmvnyc.org. The next Drop-by day will be Friday, August 21.

Summer Vacation — Fr. Sammy is on vacation and returns to the office on Tuesday, July 21.

MONTHLY LITURGIES

Parish Requiem — We offer a monthly Requiem Mass in the Mercy Chapel as part of our chapter of the Guild of All Souls. This Mass is typically celebrated on the third Saturday of the month unless a major feast falls on that day. All are welcome. Our next parish Requiem Mass will be on Saturday, July 18.

Rosary Guild — Our Rosary Guild meets in the Lady Chapel after Solemn Mass (and a brief stop at Coffee Hour) on the fourth Sunday of the month to pray the rosary. All are welcome including those who are curious, but have never prayed the rosary before! The Rosary Guild will next meet on Sunday, July 26.

Evensong & Benediction — During the program year, we offer Evensong & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in lieu of Evening Prayer at 4:00 PM on the first Sunday of the month. E&B will next be offered on Sunday, October 4.

THE DIOCESE AND WIDER CHURCH

Education for Ministry (EfM) Open House Zoom — On Tuesday, July 21, at 6:00 PM and again at 7:00 PM, diocesan coordinator Liza Page Nelson will make a presentation about the EfM program with time for Q&A and conversation. This is for people considering or curious about the EfM formation program for themselves and/or their parish communities. Lay and clergy people, formation leaders, current and future EfM participants and mentors, and alums wanting a refresh, are all welcome to join. Registration is required (click here).

Vocations Day: Listening Hearts Retreat — On Saturday, September 26, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Saint Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery, the Diocese will offer an intentional gathering to help those who are beginning to discern a call to lay or ordained leadership in the life of the Church. Seekers will hear from the Canon for Lay & Clergy Formation, the Archdeacon for Diaconal Formation and members of the Commission on Ministry about the ministry of the Laity and Clergy, the expectations of the Commission on Ministry for those seeking ordination, and clear and practical next steps. There will be prayer, a plenary session, breakout groups, and lunch. Break out groups will include sessions exploring priesthood, the diaconate, and discerning lay leadership for your community’s needs. Seekers are encouraged to attend with their clergy person, and the expectation is that participants will be present the whole day. Lunch will be served. Registration is required (click here).

Nightwatch — For the upcoming program year, the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine will offer Nightwatch, a one-night pilgrimage is for students aged 12-18, on the following Fridays: October 30, February 5, and April 9. Nightwatch is an evening spent in the world’s largest Gothic Cathedral immersed in a faith-based program to deepen your spiritual connection with God. Prices are $150 per person or $130 for groups of 15 or more. If cost is an issue, or if you’d like more information, please contact nightwatch@stjohndivine.org. Click here to learn more.

Immigration Legal Support Fund — Last year, the Diocese announced a new Immigration Legal Support Fund to support immigrant families in our congregations and neighborhoods throughout the Diocese of New York. The Legal Fund helps those navigating immigration under urgent and vulnerable circumstances to access legal resources. With your support, we can do more so that no one faces the system alone. Your contribution makes possible same-day response, family preparedness, limited-scope appearances, and urgent filings. Click hear to contribute.

ABOUT THE MUSIC ON THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The setting of the Mass on Sunday is Missa “Il me suffit” by Orlando di Lasso (c.1530–1594).  Lassus, as he was also known, was one of the most prolific and admired European composers of his time. Born at Mons in the Franco-Flemish province of Hainaut, Lassus was well traveled particularly in northern Italy, but was centered in Munich much his adult life. His compositions include about sixty authenticated Mass settings, most of which are elaborate parody works based upon motets, often his own, as well as French chansons, and Italian madrigals from such composers as Gombert, Willaert, Resta, Arcadelt, Rore and Palestrina. Missa “Il me suffit” is based upon a French chanson by Claudin de Sermisy (c.1490–1562), a notable composer both of sacred and secular music who may have been a student of Josquin des Prez (c.1450–1521) and was a singer in the Royal Chapel of Louis XII. Lassus’ Mass, based upon on Sermisy’s chanson, is a reasonably concise setting for four voices. The opening phrase of Sermisy’s chanson is clearly represented in the soprano voice of Lassus’ Kyrie, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei.

The motet sung during the administration of Communion, also by Orlando di Lasso, is Dextera Domini, a setting of Psalm 118:16-17. This setting for four voices was first published in di Lasso’s Sacrae cantiones of 1585.

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Saint Mary’s is a vibrant Anglo-Catholic witness in the heart of NYC. With our identity in Christ and a preference for the poor, we are an inclusive, diverse community called to love God and each other for the life of the world.

This edition of The Angelus was written and edited by Father Matt Jacobson, except as noted. Father Matt is also responsible for formatting it on the parish website and distributing it via mail and e-mail, with the assistance of parish volunteer, Clint Best. Mother Elis Lui assists with editing the newsletter. If you have an idea for an article that you would like to publish in an upcoming issue of The Angelus, Father Matt would be happy to discuss it with you.