Sunday, September 29, the Dedication of St. Michael the Archangel, was a very special day for St. Gregory's Traditional Latin Mass Community in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. On that day, sixteen young members of the Community received the Sacrament of Confirmation from the local ordinary, Archbishop Mark Coleridge. The venue was St. Joseph's church in Kangaroo Point, where Community Masses are celebrated on Sundays, Saturdays and Feast Days. On this historic occasion the Sacrament of Confirmation according to the traditional Latin rite was conferred by the Archbishop of Brisbane for the first time since Vatican II. The Confirmation was followed by a Pontifical Low Mass, also a first since Vatican II. Archbishop Coleridge is relatively new to Brisbane, having been installed in May, 2012.
The Archbishop was expertly assisted in his liturgical duties by the Master of Ceremonies, Fr. Damonn Sypher, FSSP, who is originally from Queensland. Mr. Shane Coles, who for many years has trained an ever-increasing team of altar servers, also played an important role. Thanks go to Mr. Stephen Hodal for his dedicated work in preparing the sixteen confirmandi for the Sacrament. Last but not least, mention must be made of the Community choir, who, under the baton of Dr. Fiona Walsh, the long-serving Choir Director, contributed beautifully sung polyphony suitable for the occasion. The congregation joined in with the choir in singing Veni Creator Spiritus and Salve Regina. The proceedings finished with a most stirring rendition of the Recessional, Holy Michael, Great Archangel. The Archbishop joined everybody in the celebrations that followed and stayed for a considerable time. He seemed to be enjoying himself as much as the Community members.
A most uplifting and joyous occasion! Deo gratias!
[h/t reader]
