Rio de Janeiro

Our Lady of Glory

A beautiful and historic church in Rio de Janeiro, built in 1739, set on top of a small promontory in what is now the centre of a bustling city. Looking at old paintings of Rio as a small settlement, this church seems to appear in every one I saw demonstrating its importance and place in history of this old Portuguese colonial settlement.

Fr.Jose Edilson de Lima, a priest of St. John Vianney in the diocese of Campos hears confessions before assisting Fr Sergio Costa-Couto offer his first Mass in the Usus Antiquior.

This magnificent statue of Our Lady takes pride of place above the High Altar.

The new Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, His Excellency Orani João Tempesta O. Cist. specifically requested that a Mass in the Usus Antiquior be offered in the Archdiocese. Thank you, your Grace.

The tabernacle was set far back from the Altar resulting in the Ciborium being reached by the ingenious use of the tabernacle key. This was of sufficient length not only to reach the key hole but to use as a hook to grab the shelf upon which the Ciborium rested. The shelf itself was placed on runners so it could glide out sufficiently for the Celebrant to reach.

After Mass Father continued to explain the meaning of the Mass and engaged in a lively question and answer session. The average age of the congregation seemed to be in the mid/late twenties.


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Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

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Visit to Lanherne Convent

The main entrance to the Convent.

A view from the organ loft.

To the left of the high altar you can see the grill behind which the community join in the Mass. Recently they were given lessons in singing Gregorian chant and judging by the quality of the singing during Mass they must have been very attentive students.

The recess on the right contains a side altar where the Blessed Host is reserved. This may seem strange to some who feel that Our Lord should be in the tabernacle on the high altar, but, when you consider the devotions of the religious behind the grill you may say yes, He is in the correct tabernacle; always visible to the nuns who have dedicated themselves to Our Lord.

Fr. George celebrating the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord.

As it was a beautiful day Father decided after Mass that it was appropriate for us to take tea and biscuits outside on the lawn near the Grotto. This rounded of a wonderful visit to this young, vibrant community.

In your charity please pray for the religious of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI), founded in 1970 and erected to an Institute of Religious Life with Pontifical Right in 1998.

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Wigratzbad Ordination 2009

The newly ordained Fr. William Barker FSSP giving individual blessings. A truly glorious occasion. Deo Gratias.

Fr. Barker offers the Sacrifice of the Mass for the first time.

Fr. Leworthy (left) and Fr. de Mallery (right) with Fr Barker after Mass.

Three wise men? Well certainly the gentleman in the centre is.

The rogues flanking His Excellency Bishop Schneider are none other than Leo Darroch, President of Una Voce International, and Joe Shaw, Chairman of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales.

Our intrepid little band enjoying the sights of Lindau before flying home.

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