Liturgy

The Mass

The Mass is the central religious service of the Church, which is the celebration of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the rite instituted by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper.

High Mass at St. Thomas is the celebration of the Eucharist with traditional liturgy using the 1549 English Prayer Book. Principal parts of the service are sung by the Priest, choir, and congregation with a Deacon and Sub-Deacon assisting. The solemnity of the Mass is enhanced with the use of incense, rite of Asperges (sprinkling with holy water), Gospel procession, and Sanctus bells.

Low Mass at St. Thomas is the daily celebration of the Holy Eucharist with a simple liturgy said by the Priest without music or incense. Sunday Low Mass is the traditional language mass from the 1549 English Prayer Book. During weekday masses the 1549 Prayer Book is also used.

Benediction

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is an extra-liturgical devotion commonly is used in connection with Evening Prayer on Sundays and greater Holy Days. It consists of the singing of certain hymns, or litanies, or canticles, before the Blessed Sacrament, which is exposed upon the altar in a monstrance and is surrounded with lights. At the end of the service, the priest holds the monstrance aloft and blesses the congregation, making the sign of the cross (hence the name Benediction) in silence over the kneeling congregation.

Evensong

Evensong is the most particularly Anglican service in all of Christian worship. It is derived from the Daily Office of the Church. During the last century, it has emerged as a liturgy of rare and mystical beauty in which the Word is illuminated by music.