Feast of the Assumption at St. Benedict’s in Richmond

In celebration of the one-hundredth anniversary of Saint Benedict parish in Richmond, Virginia, a Traditional Solemn High Latin Mass was offered this year on the Feast of the Assumption.  Fr. James F. Kauffmann, SSL, the pastor of Saint Benedict, joined with Fr. Robert Novokowsky, FSSP, and Fr. Karl Marsolle, FSSP, Pastor and Parochial Vicar, respectively, of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Richmond, to offer the Mass for the greater glory of God and Our Lady.  Father Novokowsky was Priest, Father Marsolle Deacon, and Father Kauffmann Subdeacon for the Mass.

Over 600 congregants of St. Benedict’s and faithful from the area were in attendance.

The choir sang the Missa Brevis by Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967) under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Axel Theimer of Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, who was accompanied by Mr. James A. Dorn, choirmaster and organist at St Benedict Church.   The propers were sung by the schola from St. Joseph Church, led by Mr. David Pedersen, choirmaster.  Additionally, the choir sang Ave Maria by Franz Biebl (1906 – 2001) and Ave Maris Stella by Edvard Grieg (1843-1907). Prelude music was performed by the St. Benedict Trombone Quartet.

Very great thanks to the celebrants for the beautiful Mass, and to Father Kauffman and parishioners of Saint Benedict on their one-hundredth anniversary as a parish.