Sicut Cervus

Sicut Cervus

lundi 1 février 2016

Sacra Liturgia Summer School 5-17 August 2016

La Garde-Freinet

(Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)
83680 France

5-17 August 2016

An English-language liturgical summer school following on from the international Sacra Liturgia conferences the successful 2014 & 2015 summer schools organised by the Monastère Saint-Benoît of the Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon, France.

Bishop Dominique Rey at I Pontifical Vespers of St Benedict
Summer School 2015
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 Mass at the Throne for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (15 August) celebrated by Bishop Dominique Rey, the Bishop of of Fréjus-Toulon, and pilgrimages and pilgrimages to and the celebration of solemn Mass in the Royal Basilica housing the relics of St Mary Magdalen at St Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume and the chapel housing the relics of St Roseline of Villeneuve (†1329), and a visit to the ancient Cistercian Abbey of Le Thoronet (details below).

Solemn Mass at the Chapel of St Roseline of Villeneuve
Summer School 2015
The summer school includes practical formation in Gregorian chant (for beginners and for those more advanced), and in the ceremonies of the usus antiquior for priests wishing to learn how to celebrate Low Mass, how to serve as deacon and subdeacon, and for seminarians and servers who wish to learn more about the rites and how to serve as a Master of Ceremonies. 

The daily schedule of this year's summer school has been modified to give more time for practical training in the mornings (approximately 14 hours of tuition), with presentations and discussions (presenters and topics to be announced) taking place in the evenings after vespers.


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, meals and transport. For further information on the village, including local accommodation available for rent, see here. The secretariat may be able to help individuals in finding accommodation in the village if necessary.

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 August there are buses 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.

A "masterclass" for Masters of Ceremonies (experienced servers, seminarians and clergy)
- Participants in this masterclass should have access to at least the ceremonial books mentioned above.

Registration is possible for the whole Summer School
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. 

In addition to the daily schedule below, the programme includes the following pilgrimages:

Wednesday, 10th August, 18h00: Vespers in the Parish Church of St Michael, Grimaud.

Friday, 12th August, 16h00: Solemn Mass in the Royal Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalen, St Maximin la Sainte-Baume, followed by veneration of the relics and vespers. A private visit to the sanctuary of St Mary Magdalene in the mountains of la Sainte-Baume is possible beforehand.

Saturday, 13th August, 11h00: Solemn Mass in the Chapel of Saint Rosaline of Villeneuve, Les Arcs, followed by the veneration of the relics and sext. A private visit to the Abbey of Le Thoronet is possible in the afternoon.


Sacra Liturgia is profoundly grateful to the Very Reverend and Reverend Curé’s of Grimaud, St Maximin la Sainte-Baume and Les Arcs for their kind welcome.

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
Practical training: Chant/Ceremonies: 10h15
Break: 11h15
Practical training: Chant/Ceremonies: 11h30
Sext: 12h45
None: 14h00

Vespers: 18h00
Aperitif & social time/Evening talk: 18h30
Compline: 19h30