SACRA LITURGIA: Sacra Liturgia Summer School 4-19 July 2015

La Garde-Freinet
(Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)
83680 France

A two week (three Sunday) English-language liturgical summer school following on from the international conference Sacra Liturgia 2013 and the successful 2014 summer school, organised by the Monastère Saint-Benoît of the Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon, France, in association with the Ad Fontes Institute of Lithuania.

Bishop Dominique Rey at the 2014 Summer School

Designed for families, individuals and groups of clergy and laity who wish to holiday in Provence in the South of France whilst having the opportunity to participate in liturgical celebrations according to the usus antiquior, including Solemn Pontifical Vespers celebrated by Bishop Dominique Rey, the Bishop of of Fréjus-Toulon and Solemn Pontifical Mass and Vespers celebrated by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of Maria Santissima in Astana, Kazakhstan. Pilgrimages and visits to historic sites including the Royal Basilica and relics of St Mary Magdalen at St Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume, the chapel and relics of St Roseline of Villeneuve (†1329), and the ancient Cistercian Abbey of Le Thoronet form part of the programme, as do celebrations of vespers with organ in the parish churches of the nearby villages of Grimaud and Saint-Tropez.

Bishop Athanasius Schneider will celebrate
pontifical Mass & vespers and give a conference

The summer school includes practical and academic liturgical formation and discussion. Presenters include Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Dom Alcuin Reid, Father Thomas Kocik and Dr Jonas Vilmas. Bishop Schneider will speak on "Some aspects of the renewal of the Church and its liturgy". Other presenters' topics will be announced in due course. Training in Gregorian chant and in the ceremonies of the usus antiquior will be available for participants (including beginners).

The mountain village of La Garde-Freinet, situated in a wine growing region some 20 km from Saint-Tropez and approximately 15 km from the Mediterranean Sea, is an ideal holiday location with mountain walks, a Provencal market, shops and restaurants. English is widely spoken in the village. Participants will arrange their own accommodation and meals and transport. For further information on the village, including local accommodation available for rent, see here.

The nearest airports are Toulon/Hyeres, Nice and Marseille from which one can hire a car to use in getting to and from the village, for use whilst there, and for the pilgrimages. The nearest railway station is Les Arcs/Draguinan from which in July there are four buses per day to La Garde-Freinet. French railway information can be found here and bus timetables here.

Practical training options:

Low Mass practice (for clergy and seminarians)

- Textbook: J.B. O’Connell, The Celebration of Mass; a Study of the Rubrics of the Roman Missal.. (1964; reprinted by Preserving Christian Publications)

The Sacred Ministers at Solemn Mass including chants (for clergy and seminarians)

- Textbook: Fortescue, O’Connell, Reid, The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, 15th ed., Burns & Oates 2009.

Sung Mass (missa cantata) including chants (for clergy and seminarians)

- Textbook: Fortescue, O’Connell, Reid, The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, 15th ed., Burns & Oates 2009

Serving low, sung and solemn Mass (men and boys)

- No textbook is required, but those who wish may bring: Fortescue, O’Connell, Reid, The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, 15th ed., Burns & Oates 2009

The chant of the Mass and Office (any participants - beginners, intermediate & advanced)

- Tutors will be in touch regarding materials to bring. Most music will be provided.

Registration fees and options for practical training are available on the registration form.

To register please click here.

Registration is possible for one or two weeks

or for individual days.

Registrants are responsible for their own accommodation, transport and meals. Where possible the secretariat will try to help individuals who need to share accommodation or transport.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Normal Daily Schedule

Lauds: 06h00 (followed by private Masses)

Prime: 07h30

Confessions: 08h30

Terce: 08h45

Sung Mass: 09h00

Academic Presentation and Discussion: 10h15

Break: 11h15

Practical training: Chant/Ceremonies: 11h30

Sext: 12h45

None: 14h00

Vespers: 18h00

Aperitif & social time: 18h30

Compline: 19h30

Notes for Specific Days

Sat 4 July: Registration from 15h30 (registration is possible on other days, as people arrive)

Solemn Vespers 18h00 followed by aperitif.

Sun 5 July: Normal schedule (without Presentation and Discussion or training sessions)

Including Solemn Mass 09h00 & Solemn Vespers 18h00 followed by aperitif.

Mon 6 July: Normal schedule

Academic Presentation and Discussion

Tue 7 July:

Solemn Mass 11h00 – Basilica of St Mary Magdalen, St Maximin

Afternoon visit to the cave of St Mary Magdalene at La Sainte-Baume

Vespers as normal at 18h00.

Solemn Mass in the Basilica of St Mary Magdalen

Wed 8 July: Normal Horarium (09h00 Solemn requiem Mass)

Academic Presentation and Discussion

18h00 Vespers – Parish Church of St Michel, Grimaud with organ prelude and postludes.

Thu 9 July: Normal schedule

Academic Presentation and Discussion

Fri 10 July:

Normal schedule up to Terce.

Academic Presentation and Discussion: 09h15

Break: 10h15

Practical training: 10h45

Sext: 12h15

Sung Mass: 12h30

None: 14h00

18h00 Solemn Pontifical I Vespers at the Throne celebrated by Bishop Dominique Rey, Bishop of Fréjus-Toulon followed by aperitif.

Sat 11 July: No Presentation and Discussion or training sessions.

(preparation for pontifical Mass, chant rehearsal &c)

10h30 Solemn Pontifical Mass of St Benedict celebrated by Bishop Athanasius Schneider.

13h00: Shared luncheon with Bishop Schneider (parish hall).

15h00 None

18h00 Solemn Pontifical II Vespers at the Faldstool celebrated by Bishop Athanasius Schneider

19h00 Conference by Bishop Schneider

Solemn II Vespers for the Feast of St Benedict, 11 July 2014

Sun 12 July: Normal schedule (without Presentation and Discussion or training sessions) including Solemn Mass 09h00 & Solemn Vespers & Benediction 18h00 followed by aperitif.

Mon 13 July: Normal schedule

Academic Presentation and Discussion

Tue 14 July: Normal schedule

Academic Presentation and Discussion

Wed 15 July: Normal schedule

Academic Presentation and Discussion

18h00 Vespers – Parish Church of the Assumption, Saint-Tropez, with organ prelude and postludes.

Thu 16 July: Normal schedule

Academic Presentation and Discussion

Fri 17 July:

11h00: Solemn Mass in the chapel of St Roseline of Villeneuve (†1329) at Les Arcs and veneration of the relics. The office of Sext will be sung at 12h30.