August 15, 2009 marked the 450th anniversary of the first Catholic Mass at Pensacola, Florida. Earlier Masses had been said during exploratory expeditions in the continental U.S., but this was the first at a settlement, albeit one that would last for little more than a year. Dominican priests of the Tristan de Luna expedition celebrated Mass on August 15, 2009, Julian calendar, near Pensacola Florida. The Dominicans were Fathers Pedro de Feria, as vicar-provincial of Florida, Dominic of the Annunciation, Dominic de Salazar, John Macuelas, Dominic of Saint Dominic, and a lay brother.
As the Blessed Virgin Mary is the patroness of the US, it was fitting that the date was the Feast of the Assumption. A reenactment occurred with a Mass on August 15th of this year in Pensacola. The King and Queen of Spain visited Pensacola in February as part of the celebrations.
In 1959 the Knights of Columbus erected a cross, pictured above, at the site of the first Mass in Pensacola. 450 years is a huge span of time in human affairs, and it is the Mass, the everlasting sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, that unites us with those Catholics so long ago, the early pioneers of our Faith in our Land.
I often found it ironic how the New World was originally “Catholic”, only later to become conquered and at last dominated by Protestantism by none other than our great American forefathers.
What is the Feast of the Assumption? Is that he former Holy Day of Obligation honoring the Mother of God? The one which much of our bishopric have decided is too inconvenient?
The Inconvenient Mother of God.
I put that up there with the inconvenient Immaculate Conception, too.
“Hello! I want to let you know about an awesome group called “Kepha, the Brotherhood of the Iron Will.” Kepha is a growing brotherhood of Catholic fathers and sons in seven states that are faithful to the Holy Father. We promote the Culture of Life through monthly retreats and shared daily prayers and provoke each other to Heaven according to our motto, “Dynamic Orthodoxy, Infectious Joy.”
Kepha’s is a high-octane Catholicism rejecting spiritual laziness and moral compromise. We are under the patronage of our “BIG 3”: St. John Bosco, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Kepha members agree to live by 5 commitments : Apologetics, Brotherhood, Charity, Mortification and Prayer.
Kepha is a non-profit organization with chapters in Texas and Louisiana. If you know of any men who are looking for an excellent way to strengthen their relationships with their sons, then please tell them about Kepha.
You can find out more information on our web site at http://www.kepharocks.org
You can read an article about Kepha, our founder Brent Zeringue wrote here http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0102fea4.asp
We look forward to hearing from you!
God bless you!
Corey Harned
I wonder if the god-haters will push to remove all crosses from the national veterans’ cemeteries.
[…] cross was placed on the island to commemorate the location of the first Catholic Mass in the United States. Pensacola Beach was the site of that Mass over 450 years ago and the Knights […]