The Glasgow Catenians Circle 18 was founded on 20 November 1913. On 23 November 2013, members of the Circle came together with family, friends and visitors to mark their centenary with Mass in St. Andrew’s Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop Tartaglia who was joined for the occasion by Archbishop Emeritus Mario Conti. Support for the music of the liturgy was given by the St. Mungo Singers.
Before the Mass the choir, with Dr. Noel Donnelly on clarsach, provided gentle gathering music (To Christ the Seed; Great God, be near me). The Mass itself was a lovely celebration, with liturgical music ranging from plainsong through Schubert to more modern compositions, including Taizé, the Bellahouston Mass, Dalreoch Agnus, Psalm 102 (Fitzpatrick setting), Celtic Invocation and Be Still for the Presence, and the congregation responded with whole-hearted participation.
In his homily, Archbishop Tartaglia expressed his pleasure at being present for this Centenary – a landmark for a venerable Catholic lay organisation of the Archdiocese. It represented one years of support for the formation of life and faith, the promotion of Catholic family life, charitable works and service to the Church.
The Gospel chosen for the Mass – the passage from St.Luke with the Magnificat – was very appropriate. The Catenians should be sharing in Mary’s hymn of thanksgiving to God. They should also share her trust in the Lord to develop their spirituality and mission – a mission, he suggested, that was even more pressing today. He thanked them for their 100 years of service, with the family as a key part of their mission of evangelisation.
At the end of the Mass, the Archbishop, on behalf of the Catenians, thanked the Cathedral community for making them welcome at the Cathedral, and the choir for the provision of such appropriate music for the celebration.
