The congregation of about 100 was a good mix of ages (mostly at the back, as is the Irish custom!) The choir sang the propers from the Graduale and Victoria's Requiem for six voices, as well as the motet Versa Est in Luctum (Lobo), Gregorian Chant and Organ.As of January, the monthly Saturday afternoon usus antiquior Mass at St Paul's will move to Sunday - a great blessing for those who attend.
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Deo gratias! My wife is a former parishioner of St Paul's. In fact, we met at an EF Mass there.
"mostly at the back, as is the Irish custom!"
Also here in Scotland (where most Catholics are of Irish extraction - myself included). Perhaps we're being mindful of the Pharisees who took all the prominent places in the synagogue.
An old Irish priest of my acquaintance used to say "Come early and get a seat at the back!"
But why in black? It's so incredibly gloomy and depressing! How does it signify the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection?
Why not purple which is both a sign of mourning and penitence and hints at Easter as well?
Sitting in the back can be used to leave early and for some to get a head start.
In some religious houses, while in choir,the Rector sits in the back to see who is there and who is missing.
It is also a good place to avoid the "post V2 kiss of peace".
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