The Visitation

In the Rosary Basilica, there are side altars for each of the fifteen traditional decades of the Rosary. The mosaics illustrating the mysteries are very striking: here is the one for yesterday’s feast, the Visitation:

It is easy to miss the fine altars that are in each of the chapels. They are all different, and all have their own six candlesticks. Again from the altar of the second joyful mystery:

Here is a close-up of the tabernacle. In case you can’t make it out, the text reads “Benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus” (blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus). The “J” is wrong – Fr Z recalled Fr Reginald Foster pointing out to Pope John Paul II that there is no “J” in Latin.

We had our Mass today in the Chapel of St Michael (the Archangel). I spoke on the Visitation, reminding people that Jesus was just an embryo when he was recognised by St Elizabeth and St John the Baptist. Linking with the pilgrimage theme, I spoke about the need to truth and reconciliation in pro-life matters.

I offered Mass yesterday for Fr Scott Haynes who was been ordained at St John Cantius Church in Chicago earlier (owing to the time difference). Please say a prayer for him and for the Society of St John Cantius. You can see more about the ordination at the Ward Wide Web.

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