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Ad majorem Dei gloriam

("To the greater Glory of God")

The monogram translated above is the motto of Grace Church; it guides everything we do, think, say or sing; it is why our wonderful Church -- dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin and All Saints -- is here in the manner and style which you see about you when you visit.

In 1888 the Catholic Revival in the Episcopal Church was brought to Elmira by a preaching mission. It remains here and alive in Grace Church where we live committed to Catholic discipline and practice.

The most important part of this discipline is the offering of the Holy Eucharist or Mass, which is the principal service on the Lord's Day. "Eucharist" is a Greek word, which means, "to give thanks." It is also the word used in the New Testament to describe what the president of table fellowship does in the name of all present. The word "Mass" has obscure origins, but is thought by many to come from the dismissal in the Latin Rite: "Ite missa est" - "Go, the Mass is ended." (freely translated)

The splendor and elaboration of our liturgy varies from time of day, day of the week, week of the month and season of year. At early hours on Sunday and during the week on ordinary days the Mass is low. This means minimal ceremonial, no music and few, if any assisting ministers. Properly there is always a homily or sermon at Mass.

At later hours on Sunday, the Eucharist is choral. There is organ music, choir, often a liturgical procession, congregational hymns and many of the fixed parts of the liturgy are sung. Sung Mass and Solemn Mass are the same rite but on a grander scale. There is more music, candles, ministers and ceremonial and virtually the entire liturgy is sung.

Some of our Customs at Grace Episcopal Church

Incense

Incense has been a part of religious worship since before the time of Jesus. It has always been offered as a mystical way of giving glory to God. It creates an aura, which suggests the majesty of the creator as its fragrance permeates the room. Symbolically it has been seen as the movement of prayer rising to God. Psalm 141:2 says, "Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense and the lifting up of my hands an evening sacrifice." The rubrics on page 143 in the Prayer Book suggest the use of incense.

Who may receive Holy Communion?

All baptized Christians are welcome at the altars of Grace Church. Individuals may receive Holy Communion in their own tradition. Within the Episcopal Church, we believe that our Lord is truly present in the Sacrament of the Altar and present in a mystical fashion that we are wary of defining too carefully.

The Sign of the Cross

We acknowledge specific blessings from God by covering ourselves with the sign of the cross. At Baptism we are signed on our foreheads with chrism (holy oil) and each time we receive a blessing or absolution or Holy Communion we act out that identification with the Sign of the Cross. Signing the forehead, lips and heart at the announcement of the Gospel is our prayer that we might understand in our minds, proclaim with our lips and believe in our hearts what God has done through his Son

Genuflection

Genuflection (literally "bending the knee") is an act of obeisance to our Blessed Lord's presence in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar. A candle burning above the altar indicates that the Sacrament is reserved there and genuflecting is appropriate. If the Sacrament is not reserved then a slight bow of the head reverences the altar itself as the earthly throne of our heavenly Lord.

A profound genuflection at the words "And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost" in the Nicene Creed is a reverence for the fact that our Lord humbled himself to be among us as "one who grasps not at God," but who became man "for us men and for our salvation."

Crucifixes

Crucifixes are crosses with the crucified body of Jesus fixed on them. These images may offend some people. We should remember that the cross is not just a pretty symbol, but an instrument of death devised for the one who came to save the world by those he came to save. Within Grace Church there is a dramatic and beautiful carved crucifix up on the rood which is fixed to the beam over the choir. The crucifix behind the pulpit reminds us that it is Christ crucified whom we preach.

Holy Water Stoup

A Holy Water Stoup is in the screen at the entrance to the Lady Chapel. It is a pious custom to sign oneself with Holy Water upon entering and leaving the church as a sign of one's Baptism.