Our chapel is tiny
and it’s in the basement
of a shop.
But every Sunday
our wee chapel
is filled to capacity
with people
who wish to celebrate
the holy sacrifice of the Mass
in Latin –
just the way
that it was passed down to us
from the early days
of the Church.

Ancient, reverent
and precious.

And in our wee chapel
with its simple, faded furnishings
Our Blessed Lord
becomes truly present
each week
and we see Him
raised on high
at the Consecration.

In the words of
Father Robert Brucciani,
“The most beautiful thing
this side of heaven.”

Really,
who could ask for more?

© Claire Murray, 13th March 2023

I’m trying to learn Credo III
to sing at Latin Mass.
It’s the hardest song
I’ve tried to learn …
ever!

I’m struggling.

Gregorian chant-style.
Nearly five minutes long
and yet no verses, no chorus,
no timing
and, in fact,
no pattern at all
that I can see.

Yikes!!!

Twenty five years
of church folk group music
simply have not prepared me
for this.

Have you ever found yourself
trying to walk behind a crowd
of tiny children
as they jostle and play
in front of you?
The children are totally unpredictable
and you have absolutely no idea
where they’re going next.
Well, learning Credo III
is a lot like that!

Then Mammy springs to mind.
Mammy recently received
her gold Fáinne
for speaking Irish fluently.
She was in her mid-eighties
at the time
and got that gold Fáinne
through determination
and sheer hard work.
If Mammy is capable of that
there’s no way
that I can let Credo III
to get the better of me!

And so here I sit
in the kitchen
while the spuds are on,
with a sheet of music
in my hand
and YouTube on my phone.
I’m going to master this Credo III.
Do you know why?
Because I have that same determination
that Mammy has!

Credo III, here I come!

© Claire Murray, 15th March 2023