Mystery Worshipper: Amanda B. Reckondwyth
Church:
St Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Fredericksburg
Location: Virginia, USA
Date of visit: Sunday, 5 April 2026, 8:00am
The building
The church proper is an attractive modern building. But today’s mass was held In the Fredericksburg Convention Center, a sprawling concrete structure with an enormous inner space. A large, attractive rendering of the risen Christ, attended by angels, had been set up in the entranceway. White metal folding chairs had been arranged in sections in the interior space, with an altar set up in their midst. Behind the altar was an electronic organ and choir seating. The convention center was being used today in anticipation of overflow Easter crowds. There would be two masses in English and one in Spanish.
The church
The church’s many ministries and outreaches are well documented on their website. I’ll just mention their school, Holy Cross Academy, which (quoting from their website) ‘forms young men and women to be saints, scholars, and leaders in the image of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother.’
The neighborhood
Fredericksburg is a rather small city about 40 miles south of Washington, DC. Founded in 1728, it was named in honor of Frederick, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King George II, and was home to many prominent families in colonial times. A major Civil War battle took place here, resulting in extensive damage. But many of the colonial houses and shops have been carefully restored and lovingly maintained, and downtown Fredericksburg is a delightful romp through America’s colonial past. The church proper is located in a pleasant upper middle class residential area. The convention center is situated in what is called Central Park, a conglomeration of one shopping mall after another spread out along a winding parkway.
The cast
One of the parochial vicars, along with a supply priest, concelebrated the mass. They were assisted by the pastor, other parochial vicars, crucifer, thurifer, a veritable army of acolytes, lay readers, and extraordinary ministers of the eucharist. The principal celebrant was vested in gold, the concelebrant in a white chasuble with blue orphreys. Most of the acolytes were vested in cassock and surplice – and I’m pleased to say that there was not one of them who was wearing anything on his feet other than black socks and black leather shoes. However, some of the acolytes were vested in alb and black scapular. I would learn later what the difference signified – read on!
What was the name of the service?
The Resurrection of the Lord.How full was the building?
I couldn’t begin to count the chairs. The convention center can accommodate over 3,000 people, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s how many chairs had been set out – and they were all occupied! Most people were dressed casually but nicely. Some were in their Easter finery. But alas, I fear the days are long gone when folk dressed up in fancy new clothes for the Easter Parade. And although some women wore mantillas on their head, I didn’t spot a single Easter bonnet on any of them!
Did anyone welcome you personally?
An usher handed us a service booklet and wished us a Happy Easter.
Was your pew comfortable?
As comfortable as a metal folding chair can manage to be.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
People arrived in throngs and quickly found seats. There was some visiting, but in that large a space any sound they might have made was swallowed up.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
As the altar party processed in, we sang ‘At the Lamb’s High Feast’ – well, the choir did anyway, although true to Catholic fashion most of the congregation remained silent. To be fair, I did see some mouths move. The mass proper began with the customary ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’
What books did the congregation use during the service?
A very nicely prepared service booklet contained everything we needed – well, almost everything. The Confiteor and certain other prayers were nowhere to be found. In addition, the booklet contained alternate music for the later service plus readings and prayers for the Spanish service. I found this distracting – I would have preferred separate booklets for each of the three masses.
What musical instruments were played?
As mentioned, an electronic organ was stationed behind the altar. There was also a children’s choir of about a dozen or so youngsters. Although the organ was well miked and speakers had been scattered throughout the interior space, the choir itself could hardly be heard. Whether this was due to poor miking or to the fact that young children were singing, I don’t know.
Did anything distract you?
At candle lighting time, it seems that there is always one candle that won’t take the flame. Today it was the paschal candle. After trying unsuccessfully for at least five minutes, the poor acolyte finally succeeded in getting it lit. The flame sputtered almost right from the start, however, and I found myself wondering if it was about to go out. But it managed to remain lit.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
It was a very traditional, very formal, mass. Incense in abundance at all the proper moments. The Kyrie was chanted in Greek, and the Victimae Paschali sequence in Latin to the Gregorian setting, but with organ accompaniment. The chant is in the Dorian mode, but the organist concluded it with a major tonic chord that ruined the effect. Most of the music was traditional – no Singing Nun stuff in this parish, thank you very much. At the eucharistic prayer we were asked to remain standing inasmuch as kneelers had not been provided. Most did; some, however, sat; and a few knelt on the bare floor. Bells at the consecration. The exchange of peace was rather tame, with most people nodding to one another rather than shaking hands or embracing. No visiting, no idle chitchat. Communion was ministered from several stations throughout the space. We received under the species of bread only, with a paten held under the chin. The station I visited was equipped with prie-dieus at which we could kneel to receive on the tongue, or remain standing to receive in the hand. At other stations most people received standing, although some knelt on the floor. After communion, and after the dozen or so ciboria had been purified, leftover communion was carried out in solemn procession with a candle at the front and rear – no bell, though.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
18 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
6 — The principal celebrant tried to speak clearly and referred to notes only occasionally. But the nature of the space itself made for difficult listening, regardless of how well the pulpit was miked or how strategically the speakers had been placed throughout the space. And I thought he began well but rambled a bit as time went on, even wandering into political territory now and then.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
This is the day the Lord has made! Belief in the Resurrection is central to the faith of every Christian. It is a belief of great joy, and as real today as it was 2,000 years ago. If Christ had not risen, our faith would be all in vain. Everything revolves around the central tenet that Christ is with us. His own people rejected him, but he died so that our sins would be put to death and so that we would receive new life. His story is our story. Whom will we follow – the risen Lord, or those who would deny him? As we are about to renew our baptismal promises, we will say no to darkness and half-truths, and yes to God’s glory. The Blessed Mother shows us the way of one who has surrendered one’s life to the Lord.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
The dignity with which this mass was celebrated, under circumstances that would tax the resources of even the most skilled organizer of events, was heavenly. And among the several selections of traditional music, one that especially stood out for me was the communion hymn ‘I am the Bread of Life.’ Of all the Singing Nun ditties, this is one of few, in my opinion, that rise to the level of being worthy to be sung in church and will stand the test of time.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
If I have to nitpick over anything, it would be the confusion that arose at offering time and at communion. The offering was received by an army of ushers (all dressed in black suits) passing dozens of baskets in various rows and sections. Our section managed to get a basket passed to it twice, and I noticed that the same was happening in other sections. And at communion, although several stations had been set up, no instruction was given as to who was to use which station, and I noticed confusion among several people as to where they should go.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
After the concluding hymn, ‘Jesus Christ is risen today,’ and the altar party’s recessional, people began to clear out as quickly as the size of the crowd would permit. The clergy were stationed at strategic spots to greet the faithful. I managed to make my way up to the pastor and asked him what the difference was between the acolytes who wore cassock and surplice, and those who wore alb and scapular. ‘The girls wear alb and scapular,’ he replied. He went on to say that an effort was made to vest the girls in similar fashion to habits that nuns would traditionally wear. I must admit that they looked very smart – I wouldn’t have minded seeing all the acolytes similarly vested regardless of sex. I also complimented the pastor on the fact that all the acolytes were appropriately shod in black, and he said that it had taken a long time to arrive at that point.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
None was offered. We retired to my sister’s house for breakfast.
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
8 — I do not travel often to Virginia in general or to Fredericksburg in particular, but I was in town visiting my sister for Easter. This seems to be a parish that has got its liturgical and musical act together, which is something I always look for in a church. Should I find myself in these environs again, I would love to attend mass in their church proper.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Yes.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time ?
How well everything moved along considering the difficulties and limitations of the space – and ‘I am the Bread of Life’ at communion. That was one of my mother’s favorite hymns, and we sang it at her funeral.