One of the tales
that I used to hear
about Daddy and Uncle Hugh
growing up in Derry
was about the triple-decker Mass
which took place
every Christmas morning
at 6 am.

Daddy and Hugh
used to run up
to St Eugene’s Cathedral
where three Masses would be said,
one after the other,
before racing home
to open their Christmas stockings.

As a child, I was appalled –
imagine having to sit through
three Masses
before getting to open
your presents!

But in recent years
I began to view it differently.
A triple-decker Mass???
Wow!
My eyes would light-up
at the thought
and yet my heart would be saddened
by the thought
that triple-decker Masses
are consigned to tales
of long-ago.

But last week
I heard about a special Latin Mass
in Newry –
the Mass of All Souls
which is offered
for the poor souls in Purgatory
who are being cleansed
before entering Heaven.
And not only would one Mass be offered
for the Holy Souls –
but three Masses would be offered!
A triple-decker Mass,
just like Daddy and Hugh
used to attend!

So, with some excitement,
we went to the Mass.

Three times
the priest ascended
the altar steps.

Three times
we heard readings
from Sacred Scripture.

Three times
at the Consecration
bread and wine were transformed
into the body, blood,
soul and divinity
of Jesus.

And three times
at the end of Mass
we heard that beautiful
second Gospel reading –
“In the beginning
was the Word …”

We emerged
from our three Masses
steeped in reverence
and peace,
feeling truly blessed
and privileged
to have been able to attend
such a rare and special Mass.

It’s well over eighty years now
since Daddy and Uncle Hugh
ran to triple-decker Mass
on Christmas morning.
And I’ve just discovered
that triple-decker Masses
are not consigned
to the long-ago –
they still take place in Newry.

Isn’t that just wonderful???

© Claire Murray, 2nd November 2023