My roommate was just married. It was the most beautiful wedding I've ever been to. Let me tell you about it.
1. The bride was beautiful.
2. It was at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. It is the prettiest church in Jacksonville, and I daresay prettiest church between the cathedral in Savannah, GA and Gesu in Miami, FL.
3. My roommate dug deep and hired a choir to sing a polyphonic Mass. They weren't cheap and he got what he paid for.
4. Everybody was beautiful, and they really took the invitation to the TLM seriously. I was impressed with how modestly everyone was dressed. The ladies even dawned courtesy chapel veils provided by the bride and groom!
5. I served the Mass with four of my best friends. (I'm so glad the groom and I share friends.) Three of the servers never served the Traditional Latin Mass before, let alone a Missa Cantata. But they did it for their friend, the groom and God. We had a Crucifer, Thurifer, two Acolytes, and an MC. The guys really practiced hard and I, as the Master of Ceremonies, and the Groom are very thankful to them. NO MAJOR MESS UPS!
6. There was a special Greek incense used.
7. We busted out the Communion cloth for those who received Communion in the Sanctuary. Unfortunately, the rails did not have a cloth for the lay faithful. Hopefully the pastor will see our example and adhere to the rubric.
8. I am also deeply touched, and admit... a little tickled, that my friends put my fathers Mood^3 blocks out at the reception. I hope people enjoyed them. I know a couple of people took them home. I know he would have enjoyed seeing people turn the blocks for the first time.
While the Traditionalist in me wants to nit pic some things, this joyous post is not the time or the place. My prayers are with the newly wedded couple. My father RSVPed he was going. It was very sad not having him there. He wanted the Bride and Groom to have a beautiful wedding, and would have been proud with the way things went.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pray for us.
St. Nicholas of Bari, Pray for us.
St. Mary, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, Pray for us.
