The Saturday evening Mass on June 11th, three days before Flag Day, June 14th, which commemorates the adoption of the Stars & Stripes as our official standard by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777, was indeed a blessing. Two veterans proudly carried our new Papal and American flags, placing them in front of the altar rails. At the conclusion of the Mass, Fr. Stephen, joined by celebrant Fr. Anthony, blessed the new flags and sprinkled each with Holy Water. Fr. Stephen thanked the donors and the PPC for working to acquire the new banners for the church.
A heartfelt thanks to our veterans for their service, to Fr. Stephen for his lovely words and blessing, to Senator Golden’s office for the donation of the American Flag and stand, and to the anonymous parish donors for the Papal Flag and stand.
All the best,
The St. Anselm Publicity Committee
Blessing Of Processional Banner (Adapted)
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Whose Church is like unto a fortress of armies
bless these flags, so that all who fight
under these standards for Thy sake,
those in the armed forces of the United States
and the Swiss Guard of the Vatican,
and those who live under these standards,
O Lord God, may through the intercession of Mary Immaculately Conceived patroness of the United States
and blessed St. Michael patron of the Vatican,
Sts. Martin and Sebastian patrons of the Swiss Guard
overcome their visible and invisible enemies in this life,
and after the victory reign triumphantly in heaven.
Through thee, Jesus Christ,
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
and the Holy Spirit, for all eternity. Amen.