Posted by Tempus Fugit on December 30, 2000 at 12:36:41:
In Reply to: Re: HAPPY NEW YEAR posted by Magnolia Mary AKA Devorgilla on December 30, 2000 at 01:50:55:
You heard more latin there than we had in Castlebar. Your mention of the high masses brings back memories of our time in the choir and serving mass. The high mass was a great spectacle. All that pomp and ceremony as you said along with the smell of incense. I well remember getting the gold chains of the thurible all caught up, and one "Fr." Pat J. was not al all amused! Kyrie Eleison, Agnus Dei, Pater Noster and the never to be forgotten Tantum Ergo at Benediction.
I will always remember the lady (Mrs D....) who used to sit up near the top of the church and could she belt out the hymns at benediction. She'd put Tammy Wynette to shame!
Anyway, back to Latin. The only latin I heard this Christmas was Adeste Fidelis at the 11.15 mass on Christmas Day, sung by the folk choir. Unfortunately, I'd say that very few of them knew the meaning of what they were singing because Latin is only taught in a very few schools nowadays. What a pity, because it give a great grounding in the basics of English and indeed other languages.
Anyone out there with any more memories from this time or what about serving at the stations out the country? There must be a few good laughs about. Sorry girls, only the boys were allowed to serve mass in those days........times have changed