The Value of the Mass

The Value of the Mass
Up to our own times, it has been the constant concern of supreme pontiffs to ensure that the Church of Christ offers a worthy ritual to the Divine Majesty, 'to the praise and glory of His name,' and 'to the benefit of all His Holy Church - Pope Benedict XVI, Summorum Pontificum

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

St. Louis Part 4, St. Francis de Sales Oratory

OK, so you thought the Basilica of St. Louis and the ordinations were the capstone to my trip? Oh, how wrong you were. All in all, the trip had absolutely no low points, but if I had to pick a favorite part, it would be this. One of the young newly ordained priests, Father Matthew Talarico, had his first Mass there. I was privileged to witness it.





These first pictures are just of the St. Francis de Sales. The church is an amazing German Gothic design. It has 7 altars (including the high altar, pictured last) and 4 confessionals (none of which are storage closets.





Also, if any of you are considering a charitable donation this year, please consider St. Francis de Sales Oratory. The church is in a threatening condition in which the bell tower is slowly pulling away from the main part of the building due to foundation problems. The oratory has to raise a stunning $4 million to save it and receives no help from the Archdiocese or the Institute as a whole. The church is worth saving folks, so please consider it (and no I haven't been asked to say that.)





Here are the pictures of the stunning church:



Altar 1:



Altar 2:



Altar 3:



Altar 4:



Altar 5:



Altar 6:


And at last the High Altar, altar 7:

The organ was also a fine instrument and an intriguing design:

The Pulpit is awe inspiring as well:

And lastly, the outside. The bell tower seems at least 4 stories tall when standing at it's bottom. This is what is threatening the whole structure, and again, it's worth saving. These pictures do not do the church justice. It's a must see if ever in St. Louis.

Awesome isn't it?

Well, I will do the pictures from Fr. Talerico's first Mass on my next post as it is getting late here. I hope you all have enjoyed my pictures.

COMING SOON: Fr. Talerico's first Holy Mass!!!

EDIT: If you wish to help out St. Francis de Sales Oratory, please click this link for contact information.

2 comments:

Father G said...

Zach,

ever think about joining the Institute? If not, think about it...

Zach said...

I can make no comment.