For many years the traditional Latin Mass was offered at Holy Trinity parish in Boston, Massachusetts, a beautiful church that was closed by Sean Cardinal O'Malley in 2008. Some good, however, has come out of that sad decision, with the cathedral in Manchester, New Hampshire, using several pieces from Holy Trinity's sanctuary, and its stations of the cross, to fill in holes from a 1969 wreckovation. This was Saint Joseph's cathedral following Vatican II:
A profile piece in the latest National Catholic Register shows the leadership of the rector, Monsignor Anthony Frontiero, whose cathedral was designed by Patrick Charles Keely, also the architect of Holy Trinity:
With everything blending like a melodious song and the interior appointments once again in grand Keely design, the cathedral's overseers are eager to finish the nave.
"It has been quite a transformation and only happened because we were given the reredos and the stations," Msgr. Frontiero said. "We were so grateful to the people of Holy Trinity."
Some of Holy Trinity's former parishioners have come for Sunday Mass, including one German-Jesuit priest who served at Holy Trinity.
"They were moved to tears," St. Joseph's rector said. "It looks like a cathedral again."
The Manchester Union Leader published an article 15 months ago as the interior was being restored, complete with an undated photo showing an ornate altar rail, which perhaps will be replicated at the cathedral. In the meantime, at least a poor decision in Boston has resulted in some restored beauty just an hour north.
