By James Monti —
Described by one co-organizer, Dr. Jennifer Donelson, as a four-day ascent of Mount Tabor to be with the Lord and with one another, the Sacra Liturgia New York 2015 conference began on Monday afternoon (June 1) with introductory messages of hope and encouragement for the progress of the new liturgical movement initiated by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, bolstered by news that His Holiness Pope Francis has expressed his desire that his predecessor’s liturgical movement should by all means be continued. This first day was graced by the most distinguished presence of one of the greatest promoters of Pope Benedict’s liturgical vision for the Church, Raymond Cardinal Burke, likewise esteemed for his apostolic courage in upholding the Church’s timeless teachings on marriage, family life and chastity, greeted by repeated avid rounds of applause. The best news of the day was related by the founding father of the Sacra Liturgia conference series that began in 2013, Dom Alcuin Reid. He announced what came as an unexpected and happy surprise for the organizers: a message of support to the conference from Robert Cardinal Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. In his message Cardinal Sarah revealed that when upon being asked by Pope Francis to head the congregation he in turn asked His Holiness what he desired him to do in this office. The Holy Father replied, “I want you to continue to implement the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council, and I want you to continue the good work in the liturgy begun by Pope Benedict XVI.” The day climaxed with a profound keynote address by Cardinal Burke on seeking truth, beauty and goodness through the fitting celebration of the sacred liturgy, followed by a stunningly magnificent celebration of Solemn Vespers in the cardinal’s presence at the Dominicans’ Manhattan Church of Saint Catherine of Siena.
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