The Most Reverend Joseph Nathaniel Perry, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago, offered a Pontifical High Mass for the Dead at the Faldstool for the souls of deceased Catholic leaders of the pro-life movement on Friday, 25 January, after the March for Life in Washington, D.C.
The Mass was organized by Juventutem Michigan, under the leadership of Mr. Paul Schultz, Esq. Offered at Saint Mary, Mother of God church, the Mass attracted approximately 450 people (including several dozen who had to stand in the narthex and back of the nave), mostly Catholics in their 20s and 30s who were visiting Washington for the March. Several priests from the Fraternity of Saint Peter, Institute of Christ the King and various dioceses served as ministers and sat in choro. The parish schola of men, under the direction of guest conductor Wassim Sarweh, chanted the propers and ordinary of the Requiem Mass. A choir of six men sang several polyphonic motets.
The following are some photos taken by Juventutem volunteers:
And, courtesy of parishioner Mr. Matthew Balan, two minutes of video and audio can be found here.
The same church hosted a Missa Cantata at 8 a.m., offered by the Reverend Father Gregory Pendergraft, F.S.S.P., in remembrance of, and for the repose of the soul of, Miss Nellie Gray, sponsored by the Paulus Institute. (Father Pendergraft later served as MC for the pontifical Mass.) Numerous Low Masses were also offered the morning of the March for Life, including by visiting priests of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. All of the Masses featured full pews, again mostly comprised of young adults.
More photos and details about the Pontifical High Mass for the Dead at the Faldstool may be viewed here.
If you are interested in learning about the distinct rubrics of this Mass, I recommend reading Chapters XVII and XVIII of Father Fortescue's "Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described" here.
