THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS
The Gospel Procession for the Assumption of the BVM
St. Mark's rejoices in its catholic heritage and Hawaiian mission roots, and both are evident in our worship. In addition to Sunday morning, the mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday. The Monday mass uses the Anglican Missal; the remaining days follow the Book of Common Prayer.
On Sundays the Low Mass at 7:30 am uses traditional Elizabethan language. It includes a sermon, and at the conclusion we sing a hymn. Our High Mass at 10:00 am uses incense every Sunday, and enjoys high quality music from gifted musicians. The Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:15 pm is a sung mass and includes chants and hymns. Children are welcome at all of our masses.
All masses celebrate our Hawaiian mission roots. Queen Emma is the minor patron of the church, and she, along with her husband, King Kamehameha IV, are invoked in our list of saints at most services. The church is blessed with a Shrine to the Holy Sovereigns.
The faithful light candles before an icon of Saint Damien at St. Mark's. Father Damien de Veuster was the Roman Catholic priest who cared for the victims of Hansen's Disease (leprosy) in Kalaupapa, Moloka'i. We also commemorate Mother Marianne Cope, who when Father Damien died, provided the necessary leadership and care for the patients of Kalaupapa. Father Damien and Mother Marianne are the patron saints of persons with leprosy, persons with HIV/AIDS, outcasts, and the state of Hawai'i. They are regularly invoked to pray for us, along with our patronal saints, St. Mark and Queen Emma.
We practice Marian devotion. We pray the Angelus frequently, and during the Easter season, we pray the Regina coeli. We offer a Votive Mass to the BVM on certain Saturdays each month; the Rosary is said following the Saturday mass. We also observe many of the historic Marian feast days, and during the month of May we have a May Crowning. The church has a statue of Mary with the Christ Child, while the chapel has a statue of Our Lady of Peace.
Once a month we celebrate a Parish Requiem. This is a time to remember and pray for the dead who now rest in Christ. The names of the deceased are read at the requiem mass. Consult the Parish Calendar for the specific dates.
During the Lent we walk the Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings. After the Stations we celebrate Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Benediction is also celebrated with Evensong, and on the feast of Corpus Christi.
The elevation at the High Mass of the Epiphany of Our LordThe Sacrament of Confession is offered regularly throughout the year. Individual appointments may be scheduled with the clergy as well. Depending on the day, confessions may be heard in the Mary Chapel or in the confessionals at the back of the church.
The clergy of St. Mark's pray the Daily Office privately, however there are times when the office is read publicly. Evening Prayer is said before the Saturday vigil mass, and Morning Prayer is said before the Sunday low mass, as well as the mornings masses on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Noonday Prayer is read before the mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
All are welcome to come and worship and pray with us. Upcoming Holy Day worship times are listed in the Calendar as well as in Upcoming Events.