For the first time this past Sunday evening, they parked along Msgr. Gleba Prkwy outside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Syracuse for the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the one only Roman Rite. Earlier in the week, by order of Bishop James Moynihan, St. Stephen of Hungary, the longtime home of the indult in Syracuse, had been closed due to financial considerations. I can only imagine that this closure was a blow to the hopes of the indult community, which has long desired a personal parish. Since the basilica can’t very well be given over to the FSSP - though that would be wonderful! - if the bishop ever accedes to this request, some other church will have to be found and, likely, shared, as it is in many other dioceses, with a dwindling Novus population.

Yet though the occasion was in some respects unfortunate, my first visit to the basilica and, indeed, the Mass itself confirmed my feeling that the move to Sacred Heart will, on the whole, be an improvement from the situation at St. Stephen’s. The beauty of the basilica will not cause someone to faint dead away, but it is impressive and very traditional, with only the addition of a solid Novus table before the high altar to mar its credentials. If anything, it’s a little over decorated - in good Polish style, of course - but my tastes incline more in that direction anyway. The organ has a good timbre and even the choir, perhaps through the help of some additional members, sounded better.

The Mass itself was well attended. I couldn’t say whether there were more people than a typical Sunday at St. Stephen’s, though the presence of Ambrosius’ in-laws was some addition. I would say, at least, that there were no less than a typical Sunday at St. Stephen’s. From the pulpit, Msgr. Gleba, who also happens to be the rector of the basilica (after him is the street in front of the church named) was pleased by the sight: he was pleased by the numbers on this first Sunday at the new location and said that he could already imagine how it will look when the house is packed. I imagine that many of us felt the same way: I think that the location and time is bound to help the numbers increase, even without the help of Summorum pontificum.

Through this coming school year, Sacred Heart will almost certainly be our regular Sunday destination - the new 4PM time also helps, now that we have a baby. I hope that we can meet some of you there!