Mass in Rome

Members of the Order of St Lazarus 

from around the world gathered in Rome last week for the three-yearly 

General Chapter.

We celebrated Holy Mass in the papal Basilica of St Lawrence outside the Walls.

There has been a church on the site since about 580AD, first commissioned by Pope Pelagius II.

There is a very beautiful chapel in the Basilica where 

Blessed Pope Pius IX is buried.

It is well worth a visit.

 

The procession in to the singing of the Veni Creator Spiritus.

 Mass was celebrated by His Eminence Dominic Cardinal Duka, 

Grand Chaplain of the Order.

 The music and chant of the Mass  was all in Latin, very fittingly for an international gathering. Introit, Communion Antiphon,, Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Credo, Pater and Agnus Dei all led by a splendid choir (such do exist, for those who think Italy is bereft of such a thing). Some parts of the Mass were in Italian (the event was organised by the Grand Priory of Italy) but the Eucharistic Prayer and all the Communion were in Latin. 

There is a fuller report of the whole Chapter at the Grand Priory of Great Britain Order's site.