Rorate Caeli

You Report: Votive TLM for Blessed Karl of Austria



From our friends at the Knights Of Columbus Woodlawn Council 2161 Traditional Latin Mass Guild comes this report (photos via the talented 17-year-old Katherine Wilson of Pittsburgh, Pa.):

On Friday, October 21st, 2011, a Solemn High Mass was offered by Fr. Gregory Pendergraft, FSSP (pictured above), at St. Mary Mother of God Church in Washington, D.C., for the Feast of Blessed Emperor Karl of the House of Austria.



In attendance were His Imperial and Royal Highness Archduke Christian of Austria (pictured above at a discussion after Mass) and his wife, Her Imperial and Royal Highness Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria, along with members of the Knightly Orders of Malta, St. George, and the Holy Sepulchre, as well as over 300 faithful and members of the local Knights of Columbus council. After Mass, the faithful were able to venerate a relic of Blessed Karl.



Afterward, there was a talk and reception in the church hall. Archduke Christian spoke about his grandfather, Bl. Karl, and related several stories told to him by his grandmother, Servant of God Empress Zita of Austria, whose cause, he informed his audience, is to publicly commence soon. The date chosen for Blessed Karl's feast day was the date of his marriage to Empress Zita and this year's commemoration marked the 100th anniversary of their wedding.

Also present at the reception was Brother Nathan Cochran, OSB, Vice-Postulator of the Cause of Blessed Karl and North American director of the Emperor Karl League of Prayers for Peace Among Nations, who had literature about Bl. Karl available for distribution.