There has long been a plenary indulgence granted to those who pray
the solemn hymn of thanksgiving, Te Deum, in thanks on the eve of a new
year. In medieval times, the hymn was oft used to conclude coronations,
the signing of peace treaties, or the end of calamities; so Shakespeare
has Henry V say, at the end of the battle of Agincourt, "let there be
sung Non Nobis and Te Deum".
This photo was taken at the end of
our nuptial Mass, after the last Gospel. The altar servers are lined up
for recession betwixt the schola/choir, who are singing Te Deum in
alternation with the organ like this:
