La Desolata

April 8, 2022

We presented the annual Desolata service on the Friday of Sorrows; that is, the traditional Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. When the Servants of Mary (or Servites) were founded in 1233, they chose the Sorrowful Mother as their patroness. Her feast had been celebrated on a variety of dates until 1727 when Pope Benedict XIII extended it to the entire Latin Church, fixing it on the Friday before Palm Sunday.

However, since 1668, The Servite Friars had been celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15th, the day after the the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Pope Pius VII made this her main feast and extended it to the whole Church in 1814. The Friday of Sorrows can be considered the Sorrowful Mother's secondary feast day. On this day, it is traditional to reflect on Our Lady's spiritual martyrdom. It is still recognized, though mainly in Italy and Spain, but here at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we continue the tradition through La Desolata - a commemoration of her sorrows through sacred music and meditations.

It is unknown when exactly La Desolata began at Mount Carmel - presumably since the Servites took charge of the parish in 1904. The music currently used was written in 1933 by Fr. A.S. Dimichino, SJ specifically for the event.

Fr. Mark Franceschini, OSM, a retired Servite friar in residence, provided the meditations, and our fine choir: Ryan Tipton, Megan Arnold, Nina Incampo, Joanne Bur, Phyllis Ursetta, and Diane Dider Vollmer led by Mr. Shaun Steavenson, director of music.

Thank you to all who continue to support this beautiful, unique tradition. Photos provided by Anne Barhyte, Photographer of Life.