SOLEMN VESPERS for the OPENING OF THE NUNS' JUBILEE

3:58PM—Before Vespers began Sr. Mary Catharine our liturgy directress made a mad dash around the choir getting members of the different branches of the Dominican Order to volunteer to do the intercessions. While Fr. Kieran seems rapt in prayer, Fr. John Paul and Sr. Donna Jo obviously found something amusing about all of this!

4: 05PM—After the bells pealed out in raucous delight Vespers began with the singing of the "O Sacrum" and was followed by the blessing of the Advent Wreath by our chaplain Fr. Kieran Fergus, OP. Then everyone began an energetic chanting of the "Conditor Alme Siderum." The psalms and reading followed.

4:20 PM—According to the Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours, the Hebdomadarian or another person may give a short homily on the Reading. Here you can see the view through the little windows that open up into the Choir. Sr. Mary Martin who preached on the importance of our Jubilee, the necessity of the Holy Preaching today. All this was masterfully wrapped around the Reading. Click here to read Sister's homily, which has been posted on our website.

4:25 PM— Srs. Mary Catharine and Denise Marie, chantresses, lead the singing of the Short Responsory from the middle of the choir.
Sr. Angela lights the Advent wreath at the beginning of the Magnificat.

Rich Sophie, TOP, incenses the congregation as we sing the Grassi 3-pt Magnificat. Sr. Maria wrote a beautiful gregorian chant antiphon for this Vespers. By the time we were half way through everyone was singing this awesome Magnificat.

Friars, nuns, sisters and members of our Dominican Fraternity chapter did the intercessions which were written for this Solemn Vespers. Here, Sr. Arlene, Prioress General of the Caldwell Dominicans prays an intercession.

Sr. Marie of the Precious Blood, Prioress of Corpus Christi Monastery, Bronx, NY does another.

Fr. John Paul Walker, OP concludes the Office with the Blessing.

5:54PM—Following the group photo there was a few moments of showing off our beautiful choir and general standing around waiting to go down to the reception. (Instructions from the crew: Make sure they don't go down to quickly! We need time!) Here Fr. John Paul and Fr. George Schommer pause to allow their picture to be taken for posterity.

5:55PM—Our invaluable music directress and organist, Sr. Maria, wastes no time in greeting the brethren! Welcome to Rosary Shrine.

Sr. Maria and Sr. Maria Pia of the Bronx monastery. Italian power!

Later: Photos from the party. Someone did stop eating and take pictures, didn't they?