Mass at the Fitzgeralds'

I visited Simon and Margaret Mary Fitzgerald today to celebrate Mass for a group that meets at their house each week. Mass is celebrated in the traditional Roman rite with permission of the Bishop. There are confessions and Rosary before Mass, devout preparation and thanksgiving, followed by tea and sandwiches and the exchange of news and views on current issues in the Church. It is great to catch up with Tom Van der Linden, Daphne McLeod, and Ruth and Michael Real.

People decorate their houses in various ways - who am I to judge? Simon and Margaret Mary decorate theirs with statues of the saints. I remembered to take my camera today so just a few snaps - there are dozens of smaller statues too - have you seen a statue of St John Berchmans or St Benedict Joseph Labre anywhere else? (Click on any of the pictures for a larger version.)

Our Lady and the Child Jesus in the front garden


St Joseph and St Francis welcome you at the front door


St Francis hiding in the back garden


St Anthony and St Vincent de Paul see you in the front door


Our Lady and various ikons help you to prepare for Mass


St John Eudes reminds you how to have devotion to Our Lord and his Blessed Mother


The Pietà in the conservatory reminds you of the sacrifice of Christ


The altar prepared for Mass


Our Lady watches over the celebration of Mass


That last statue of Our Lady gives me ideas for our statue in the Church. It is rather plain but has a lot of devotion invested in it. I'm sure the sacristy team would love to get some lace and damask and decorate it for the various seasons of the year - and go overboard for the major Marian feasts.

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