Grotto can pack the lounge for one of these, and folks come from other parishes to join in when they are aware. If they get any more popular, the priests will need to begin holding them in the gym. The lounge holds about 100 people, but there were people sitting in places where there are normally no chairs. There were also people listening in the hallway on the benches. I would estimate about 125 people. This picture was taken moments before it began so the full scope of people is not visible. Plus, a little more elevation would have revealed the larger crowd.
The day really started out with Mass at noon, which was celebrated by Fr. Basil Nortz, ORC who was visiting from where he is currently located, in Brazil.
The Mass at Grotto is always celebrated ad orientem. At the 9:30 Latin Novus Ordo, the high altar is used and always with incense. But, the noon Mass is done in English, usually without incense, on the lower, table altar. Many wonder what it is still doing there, but Fr. Perrone says it must remain in place at this time. But, at Grotto, Mass on the low altar is still celebrated ad orientem. In fact, rumor has it that Fr. Perrone even celebrates ad orientem in hotels during conference Masses. But wait - it's not a rumor at all.
Well, blogger was generous in giving me the few photos I was able to upload. It's getting tired, and so am I. More on this subject are forthcoming in another post.