Rorate Caeli

Ten-hut! First Solemn High Mass at West Point for cadets in six decades

We received a short report from a reader on one of the more unusual places to see a Solemn High Mass take place: 


There was a Solemn High Mass at West Point Academy on Friday, January 11, 2019. Captain Randy Shed asked Fr. Donald Kloster if he could organize the first Solemn High Mass at Holy Trinity Chapel in at least 57 years. Captain Shed then asked his pastor about the possibility of a Solemn High Mass at West Point. Rev. Fr. Major Sean Magnuson was very gracious to us and gave us the needed permission. 

About 120 faithful attended in the pews. About half were from West Point Academy and the other half were civilians from New York and Connecticut.



The schola had nine men and they were directed by our St. Mary's Parish (Norwalk, CT) Choir Master David Hughes. There were seven servers and two Masters of Ceremonies (Mr. Bill Riccio and Mr. William Haffey).

Fr. Donald Kloster was the Priest Celebrant (Assistant at St. Mary's Norwalk, CT); Fr. Michael Novajosky was the Priest Deacon (Pastor of St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport, CT); and Fr. Timothy Iannacone was the Priest Subdeacon (Assistant at St. Pius X Fairfield, CT).