Saturday, January 30, 2016

Candlemas Events: Philadelphia, Jersey City and Grand Rapids

Once again, it is very heartening to hear from churches which are making a real effort to celebrate the liturgy of a great feast day with high-quality sacred music from the great Catholic tradition. Here are notices for those in the areas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jersey City, New Jersey, and Grand Rapids, Michican.

The Cathedral Basilica of Ss Peter and Paul in Philadelphia
Music by Palestrina, Josquin des Prez and Arcadelt.


St Anthony’s Church, Jersey City, New Jersey


Palestrina’s Missa Brevis will be performed for Candlemas on Tuesday, February 2nd at a Traditional Latin Solemn High Mass in downtown Jersey City’s historic St. Anthony’s Church, starting at 7:00 PM. The church is located at Monmouth St. between 6th and 7th. The church parking lot is located on 6th St. between Coles and Monmouth Street, and is easily accessible from the Grove Street PATH, the Newport PATH and Light Rail stop.

The renowned Cantantes in Cordibus choir, directed by Maestro Simone Ferraresi, the noted composer, pianist and conductor, will sing the Mass. Maestro Ferraresi studied at the Conservatory of Music in Ferrara, Italy where he earned his degree with highest honors; at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna he studied with world renowned pianist and musicologist Paul Badura-Skoda. He specialized in the interpretation of classical composers; at the Royal Academy of Music in London, he was awarded the Diploma of the Royal Academy of Music – the highest examinable award given, and three special prizes for best performance in the final recital.

A social event for young adults will follow the Mass, since a strong drive behind St. Anthony’s performance of this classical sacred masterpiece is the presence of many young parishioners who have recently joined the growing parish in a quickly gentrifyng city.

Sacred Heart Parish and Academy - Grand Rapids, Michigan


Sung Mass (OF) with Blessing and Procession of Candles at 7:45 am
Music by the Sacred Heart Academy High School Singers
Plainsong propers and Ordinary
Lumen ad revelationem/Nunc dimittis (Victoria)

Solemn Vespers and Benediction at 5:00 pm
Parish Choir
Latin antiphons/English psalms
Magnificat: Tone 8, Morley fauxbourdons

More recent articles:

For more articles, see the NLM archives: