-
-
BackForwardPauseCaption
-
The Rosary Altar SocietyOur experience of the liturgy is heightened by the various elements used for the celebrations: vestments, linens, sacred vessels, candles, bells, and more. The St. Anthony of Padua Rosary Altar Society works to ensure that these are well maintained, thus helping to preserve the liturgical patrimony of the parish for future generations.
St. Martin de Porres once said that "anything, even sweeping, scraping vegetables, weeding a garden, and waiting on the sick could be a prayer, if it were offered to God." The work of the Rosary Altar Society is made more profound by the prayers united to it, especially as they are so intimately connected with the sacrifice of the Mass.
To learn more about the Rosary Altar Society, or to find out how you can help, send an email to dominicanrite@sapparish.org.
-
-
-
Liturgical Enhancement FundThe ministry of the St. Anthony of Padua Rosary Altar Society includes the acquisition and ownership of new vestments, aimed at further enhancing the liturgical practice of our parish. Since August of 2025, the Rosary Altar Society has raised over $25,000 to purchase custom vestments for the parish. The Society has been able to purchase a set of vestments in white, green, and purple, and plans to acquire matching vestments in the other liturgical colors.
Through your prayerful generosity, you can help the Rosary Altar Society reach its goal of providing these beautiful vestments for the parish. To donate, see form on this page, or contact dominicanrite@sapparish.org.
These use a special fabric which has Dominican imagery woven in - the Rosary, a dog with a torch, and the Dominican crest. Embroidered on the back of the chasubles is the crest of the Spanish Province of the Order of Preachers. At the parish's foundation in 1915, New Orleans was under the care of this province, so the crest is painted on the wall behind the altar in our sanctuary.
It features symbols of St. Dominic's life, centered around the cross and crest of the Order. The star calls to mind a vision his godmother had at his baptism of a star on his forehead. The lily and palm branch represent his purity and preaching. The dog and torch represent the Order of Preachers, whose mission is to spread the Gospel message like fire around the globe. The Rosary was entrusted to the Dominicans as a special devotion to help in their contemplation and preaching; even today, the Church entrusts promotion of the Rosary to the Order of Preachers. Above the crest is the Order's motto, "Veritas," which means "truth" - it highlights the Order's charism to preach the truth for the salvation of souls.
-
