FROM FATHER JAY SMITH: THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE

For thirty-six years, in two separate parishes, I preached, presided, and officiated a lot, and so, it must be said, I also talked a lot. For several reasons, I’ve not been doing much of any of that lately. My life is different now. The rhythm has changed, which means my habits have had to change as well. I’m learning to pray without being in charge. Of course, my ego needs must be confronted. There’s no need to mutter the words of the Eucharistic Prayer during Mass—the celebrant is doing just fine. The rector at your new parish doesn’t want to hear your liturgical opinions. You don’t always have to talk during Bible Study. It’s OK. You’ll survive.

But there is an issue deeper than all that. There are times in life when God’s still, small voice seems to say, “Can we talk? Just you and me? And by you, I mean you, just you, without the chasuble or the collar. There’s not going to be a lot of structure. There’ll be some silence and some waiting, but let’s see how it goes.” This sounds lovely, but it isn’t always. Change is hard. Thomas Merton thinks it means letting the true self emerge, but Merton also knows that the false self doesn’t surrender without a fight.

Lately, I’ve been reading Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection’s anthology, The Practice of the Presence of God. [1]

Brother Lawrence (1614–1691) was a French Carmelite lay brother, born Nicholas Herman into a poor family, part of France’s peasant class. He was literate but didn’t have a lot of schooling. During the first third of his life, France was embroiled in the Thirty Years War (1618–1648). Brother Lawrence joined the French Army when he was around sixteen and sustained a wound to his leg that would trouble him for the rest of his life. During this time, he had a transformative experience:

The first time I saw Brother Lawrence, he told me that God had granted him an exceptional grace at his conversion. At the time, he was eighteen years old, still living in the world. One winter day, he looked upon a tree stripped of its leaves. Reflecting on this sight, he thought: in time, its leaves will appear anew, followed by flowers, then the tree’s fruit. All of a sudden, he received a profound insight concerning God’s providence and power—a vision that never faded . . . [2]

This experience is something special in the history of Christian spirituality. It took place entirely in nature and it was entirely God-centered. It wasn’t a vision. It didn’t lead to ecstasy. The tree wasn’t a symbol, and it wasn’t God. As he considered the tree, Lawrence, still Nicholas, saw with great clarity that God had created the tree and it had created him and it had created everything else. And this had convinced him that God was always and everywhere present to the creation—intimately and lovingly present. And there’s more: if God is in every moment present to us, sustaining us, keeping us alive, being merciful to us, and loving us, then we, too, are also participants in “the presence,” though we may not know it, since the Spirit must awaken us to the presence of God.

Out of this experience, after several failed experiments, and when he had finally become a Carmelite, Brother Lawrence began to live out the practice of the presence of God while working as cook in the Order’s friary in Paris.

The practice is neither esoteric nor complicated. He describes it this way:

During our work and other deeds . . . and indeed, even more so during our external devotions and spoken prayers, we ought to pause for a moment . . . to adore God in the depths of our heart . . . Since you are aware that God is present . . . in your deeds, that He is in the depths and center of your soul, why then not pause at least from time to time in your outward occupations—even in our vocal prayers—to adore Him inwardly, to praise Him, to beseech Him, to offer Him your heart, and to give Him thanks? [3]

That’s the practice: to develop the habit of turning to God early and often, telling God what’s in your heart, and then pausing to listen, trying to remain open to the presence. For a newly retired priest, such a practice is a gift.

One more thing. For Brother Lawrence, the fruits of the practice can never be hoarded. When grace flows, it tends to overflow. Service happens. Generosity happens. Love happens, and sometimes love means cooking an omelet for someone who’s hungry. Brother Lawrence shares this wisdom:

It is not necessary to have great things to do. I turn my little omelet in the pan for the love of God. When it is finished, if I have nothing else to do, I prostrate myself on the ground and adore my God, from whom the grace to make it came, after which I rise happier than a king. [4]

The experience of the presence of God makes us happy, shows us how to be creative, convinces us that we are loved, and teaches us to love. Perhaps this is the better portion that can never be taken away from us (Luke 10:42). — JRS

Father Jay Smith served at Saint Mary’s first as assisting priest, then as assistant, curate, and associate rector between 1998 and 2025. He and his husband, José Vidal, live in Columbus, Ohio.

PARISH PRAYERS

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

We pray for those who have asked us for our prayers, for Burks, Steven, Heather, Theodore, Laura, Arielle, Marat, Sveta, Kofi, Kay, Blaise, Jon, 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, 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 August 2: William Schekeler (1880), Angeline Clark Prentice (1895), Elizabeth Flinn (1998), and Joseph Fitzpatrick (2007).

IN THIS TRANSITORY LIFE

In the July 5 issue, we announced the death of parishioner Robert Picken, and Fr. Peter R. Powell offered some memories of Bob. The funeral plans are now available. There will be a Requiem Mass in the Lady Chapel at Saint Mary’s on Tuesday, August 25, at 10:30 AM. Fr. Powell will be the preacher. The Committal will follow immediately in the Mercy Chapel.

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. 

The Transfiguration — The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is this coming 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 at Saint Mary’s.

Ice Cream Social — The Virgin Mary might be “clothed with the sun,” but we can beat the heat with an icy treat. Join us on August 16 at Coffee Hour (after the 11:00 AM Solemn Mass) for an ice cream social.

Ordination of Mtr. Elis — Our new curate, Mtr. Elis Lui, was ordained to the diaconate in February and will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, September 12, at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. The liturgy begins at 10:30 AM. Fr. Sammy and Fr. Matt will be attending her ordination, and we warmly welcome all Saint Marians to join us!

YSM & Cyclones Game — Grab your baseball caps and join The Young Saint Marians on Sunday, September 6, at 2:00 PM for a Brooklyn Cyclones game at Coney Island! Tickets are estimated to cost $22 or less. Please RSVP by Friday, August 21, to youngstmarians@gmail.com, and tickets will be purchased that same weekend. Feel free to reach out with any questions, and we’re looking forward to a fun afternoon!

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.”

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.

WEEKDAY MASS COMMEMORATIONS

Monday, August 3 — Feria
Tuesday, August 4 — Feria
Wednesday, August 5 — Feria
Thursday, August 6 — The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Friday, August 7 — John Mason Neale, Priest, 1866
Saturday, August 8 — Parish Requiem (Dominic, Priest and Friar, 1221)

Click here for detailed monthly calendars.

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, August 8, given that the Assumption falls on the third Saturday.

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, August 23.

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

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 here to contribute.

ABOUT THE MUSIC ON THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Sunday’s organ voluntaries are two of the Eight Little Preludes and Fugues, a set of concise organ pieces traditionally attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). More recent scholarship suggests that they might actually have been composed by a Bach pupil, very likely Johann Tobias Krebs (1690–1762), or his son, Johann Ludwig Krebs (1713–1780). The uncertainty of the origin of these works notwithstanding, these well-known eight Preludes and Fugues have figured largely in the instruction of generations of organists and are very suitable as voluntaries in liturgical settings. BWV 555 in E minor, played as this morning’s prelude, is the third of the set of eight. It begins with the most introspective of the eight preludes. The fugue which follows is introduced by a chromatic theme which is then skillfully developed. BWV 557 in the relative major key of G, played for the postlude, is a more extroverted work and is the fifth of the set of eight. It begins grandly and then takes on the free spirit of the keyboard toccatas of its time. The stately fugue which follows is a study in melodic suspensions and resolutions. The remaining six of the Eight Little Preludes and Fugues will be offered as voluntaries on subsequent Sundays in pairings by relative major and minor keys.

The setting of the Mass is the Mass for Four Voices of William Byrd (c.1540–1623). Byrd composed settings of the Latin Mass for three, four and five voices. The Mass for Four Voices dates from about 1592 and was probably the first of the three to be composed. The whole business of Latin Masses in post-Reformation England needed to be a somewhat clandestine matter to protect those involved from the possibility of arrest. This being the case, Byrd’s part books were undated and without title page or preface, nor was the printer (Thomas East) identified. Fortunately, Byrd’s settings survived the period in which their performance, if not their very existence, was illegal and are now they rightly regarded as great treasures of Western music. Although composed with the Continental Tridentine liturgy in mind, Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices was also influenced by the pre-Reformation Mean Mass of John Taverner (c.1490–1545), particularly in the opening of the Sanctus. The older Taverner setting had already served as a model for settings by English masters Christopher Tye (c.1505–c.1573), John Sheppard (c.1515–1558) and Thomas Tallis (c.1505–1585). Byrd’s four-voice Agnus Dei ends with a particularly expressive Dona nobis pacem.

The motet sung during the administration of Communion is also by William Byrd. His modest four-voice motet Sacerdotes Domini has been a staple of Anglican choral repertoire for generations. It was first published as No. 35 in Byrd’s Gradualia I of 1605. The motet’s text, found at Leviticus 21:6, is liturgically specified as the Offertory for the Feast of Corpus Christi and for Votive Masses of the Blessed Sacrament.

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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 also 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.

[1] It is an enjoyable thing to learn more about this straightforward, direct, charismatic, awakened mystic and about the ways in which his letters, conversations, maxims, and biographies were collected and transmitted. It is a surprisingly ecumenical story. There are two new English translations of The Practice of the Presence of God that have emerged from the Roman Catholic world, though from quite different ends of the Catholic theological spectrum. There is some good introductory material to be found on these websites:
https://carmelite.com/brother-lawrence-of-the-resurrection/
https://carmelitesofboston.org/history/our-carmelite-saints/brother-lawrence-of-the-resurrection/
It may also be of interest that The Practice of the Presence of God has for many years been a source of strength to Pope Leo XIV: https://angelusnews.com/news/vatican/pope-leo-book-lawrence/
[2] First Conversation with Abbé Joseph de Beaufort, dated 3 August 1666, in The Practice of the Presence of God, Catholic Classics, trans. Matthew K. Minerd from the original MSS, with an introduction and commentary by Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., and Rebecca Dougherty (West Chester, PA: Ascension Press, 2025), 17.
[3] “Necessary Practices for Acquiring the Spiritual Life,” No. 4, in Ibid., 90.
[4] Abbé Joseph de Beaufort, “The Life of Brother Lawrence: The Ways of Brother Lawrence,” in Ibid., 126.