“Voici l’Agneau de Dieu, voici celui qui enlève les péchés du monde.”
With these words – French for, “Behold the lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world” – Father Jonathan Goertz held up the Eucharist to the congregation at Our Lady of Lourdes, Richmond, on Saturday, June 29. The entire Mass, in fact, was said in French – even the homily.
The celebration marked the one-year anniversary of the French Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes, which is held monthly. The June 29 occasion celebrated the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Father Goertz, who majored in French at William & Mary, said that the first French Mass was supposed to be a one-time event, marking the feast of St. John the Baptist last June.
“There was such a response, we decided to continue it,” said Father Goertz. “Now, I’m starting to think about sustainability – is this something that can last beyond my tenure at this parish?”
Joselina Coello, who hails from Quebec and speaks French at home with her husband and children, was one of the people who approached Father Goertz about the first French Mass. Her daughter, Gabriella Coello-Beillette, played the organ during Mass and sang. Her son, Alejandro Coello-Beillette, was the crossbearer.
“In Quebec, the feast day of St. John the Baptist is the feast day of the French speaker in Canada,” Alejandro explained. “When we learned Father could speak French, we asked him if he could do a Mass for us, and he said yes.”
“Last year, over 50 people came to the first one and asked, ‘Can we continue?’” said Joselina. “Now, we see people here from Congo, Togo, Cameroon, France and Canada.”
After Mass, there was a potluck brunch featuring French foods like croissants and quiche, as well as fruit and coffee. About a dozen people stayed for an hour, many of them conversing in French.
Valerie Collins, who was born in Paris and moved to Richmond 29 years ago, said that Father Goertz’s French impressed her.
“His French is good. He’s got an American accent, but he’s really good,” said Collins. “He’s doing an outstanding job.”
Stephanie Mayer, a parishioner at St. Mary’s, Richmond, also grew up speaking French – her mother was from France and knew no English when she immigrated.
“My husband and I were preparing for our wedding, and we were going to France for a benediction with my family,” said Mayer. “It was amazing timing – there was a French Mass here not even three days before we left.”
In addition to those who speak French as a first language, the Mass has attracted the attention of other Francophiles.
“I worked for a French company in Ballston, and it sparked my interest in the French language and French culture,” said Chuck Mason, a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes, who attended the Mass and reception. “It’s a challenge mentally to learn a new language. You kind of feel like you’re getting exercise for your brain.”
The brunch came to an end when the parish commons had to be cleared for another reception, this time for a baptism in the Hispanic community. Father Goertz remarked that his language studies are finally paying off.
“It was an interesting diversion for many years,” he said. “Now, I’ve found out it was useful.”