Summorum Pontificum August 30, 2007

Alexy II Praises Letter on 1962 Missal

ROME, AUG. 29, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's move to allow for wider celebration of the Roman Missal of 1962 has received a positive reaction from the Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow.

"The recovery and valuing of the ancient liturgical tradition is a fact that we greet positively," Alexy II told the Italian daily Il Giornale.

Fr. Z comments on Archbishop Nichols at conference on the older Mass


More Fr. Fessio on the Motu Proprio.


Short Video Series #5 - Type the Caption here (15min) >>> Play

Summorum Pontificum August 29, 2007

Summorum Pontificum at the University of Notre Dame
Excerpt:After several weeks of promising rumors, Campus Ministry has determined on a very favorable course of action regarding the Tridentine liturgy: a regularly-scheduled recited mass in the Extraordinary Form will be celebrated in the chapel of Alumni Hall dorm (it's generally considered one of the most beautiful on campus, and possessing a fine high altar, shown above) at 8 AM on Sundays

Note****Equally important, the Fighting Irish will be kicking off the football season on Saturday vs. Georgia Tech at 3:30. I am sure the Pope will be watching.

Fr. Z has a book review Book review: Bradshaw, L. A guide to the Celebration of Low Mass according to the traditional Roman Rite.

And this is much better than Bingo Nite! Don't you think?

SP Varia

From EWTN

The World Over Live will be taping a program on Pope Benedict XVI's recent motu proprio on the Traditional Roman Mass, Summorum Pontificum. Our guests will be bishops and canon law experts who will be able to answer your questions on this very important document that restores the use of the pre-Vatican II liturgy (1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII). Email us your questions now to worldover@ewtn.com or Click Here and we just might use your's on the show."


The taping will occur on Thursday, August 30. It will air on the September 14, 2007 World Over Live.

At CMR.
Of Footballs and Insults
——The liturgy is not a football.

Bishop Fellay Speaks

Rorate Caeli has an amazing series of excerpts of interviews done with the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, Bishop Fellay.

Some excerpts:

"We have never moved away from the Church. We have always been and are Catholics, and we have always worked with the intent of remaining so. There are difficulties with the authority, but that does not mean that we deny it [the authority]."
...
"We have never intended to build a parallel Church or authority"..."The official Church has put us aside. We have been marginalized. That is true. Yet, they cannot say or prove that we are on the outside. It is interesting that in the motu proprio which rehabilitated the ancient Mass of the Tridentine Rite, the Pope says that the reason for his action is to work towards the internal reconciliation in the Church. He is speaking about us. We have thus here the declaration of the Pope himself that we are not schismatics," he affirmed.
...
-[La Nación] Do you foresee the future extinction of the current Mass?

-"The Latin Mass appears now [to be] an extraneous body because it was said to be forbidden for 50 years. But one will take the place of the other. This motu proprio which rehabilitates the ancient rite will generate a movement which, at first, will be slow. It will demand time, but it will slowly grow. I am certain [of this]."

There is much more, please be sure to read the whole thing.

Tupelo Two Step

From a letter to the editor in the Diocese Of Jackson Mississippi.

Do we really want to go back?
Dear Editor
Lex Grandi, Lex Credendi.
“Have you ‘heard’ Mass lately?”
In recent months I have seen reports of a move in the church to make the Mass of Pope Pius V (Tridentine Mass) more available to the laity. This would include returning to the Mass being “said” by the priest with his back to the people. A recent article on this subject in the Tupelo paper, the Daily Journal, quoted one lay woman who attends this Mass describe the priest as the pilot and the laity as passengers. She said she would not want the pilot flying her plane to be facing the passengers.
I have some questions I wish to raise regarding the Mass of Pius V.
1. Does the Mass of Pius V give the worshipper a sense of God’s presence (the holy) among the worshippers gathered or is the “holy” only present on the altar?
2. Does the Mass of Pius V give the worshipper a sense of being gathered together for corporate worship or private, personal devotion?
3. Does the Mass of Pius V help foster in the worshipper a sense of their own priesthood (per baptism) which enables them to offer the Mass with the priest (per ordination)?
4. Does the Mass of Pius V promote in the worshipper a sense of God who is immersed in the world and their life, or a sense of God removed from the world and their life? A God removed from flesh or a God made flesh?
5. Does the Mass of Pius V help convey the bond of intimacy between God and his people intended by the covenant ritual or does it promote a sense of God’s aloofness from his people?
One of the most potent tools the church has to catechize both the priests and laity is the way Mass is celebrated, whether that of Pius V or Paul VI. These two forms of the Mass operate from very different theologies. They convey very different ideas about God, Jesus, holiness, priesthood, laity, worship, and spirituality – I believe the Mass of Pius V, with its heavy emphasis on the transcendent nature of God contributed to most Catholics not receiving Holy Communion at Mass. It took Pope Pius X to make it a law of the church for Catholics to receive Holy Communion at least once-a-year for them to be in good standing in the church. I am old enough to remember those days.
Do we truly want to go back to an experience of Mass where the priest’s role is described as “saying Mass” and the laity’s role that of “hearing Mass”?
“Lex orandi, lex credendi.”

Fr. Henry Shelton
St. James Parish, Tupelo

Who wants to answer this one?

Summorum Pontificum August 27, 2007

Give Tradition Some Time
I keep hearing people saying things like, "there aren't many people in my parish who want the Traditional Latin Mass." Well there probably aren't many people in those parishes who "like" or "want" to do penance, live a life of devout prayer, or "take up their cross" and follow Jesus Christ.

Latin Mass in Maine? Don't Count on it.
In July, Pope Benedict XVI issued a ruling granting priests the right to hold Latin Masses without the approval of the region's bishop starting in September, but don't count on it happening quite that soon on the Seacoast.

Father Z takes on The Tablet on the Archpb. of Glasgow’s harsh provisions for the older Mass

Summorum Pontificum August 24, 2007

Altoona Strikes Again
GUIDELINES For the celebration of Mass in the Extraordinary Form Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown

Florida has gone off the Deep End!

Summorum Pontificum August 23, 2007

Summorum: Innovative Opposition
In Baton Rouge, the hits just keep on comin'. I have to give this priest from some credit, he does not just recite the party line. This is some innovative opposition.

Florida has gone off the Deep End!

TLM in Diocese of Joliet, IL
Jake, Elwood, and especially the Penguin would be pleased.

Fr. Maxime Babel Kouakou Gbende asks "Can't we all just get along?"

Summorum Pontificum August 22, 2007

Amazing Article by Fr. James V. Schall, S.J. on the motu proprio. (HT to Fr. Z)

Father Z. . the fisking machine, is up to his ol' tricks in A “Parish Life Coordinator… Coordinatrix” writes in the bulletin about Motu Proprio and Buffalo, NY: expansion of older Mass

“OMNIA YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE LATIN MASS BUT WERE TOO TIMIDUS TO POSTULARE” ---So reads the invitation to a series of informational sessions on the Traditional Latin Mass hosted by Una Voce Columbus featuring Keynote Speaker Fr. Kevin F. Lutz. If you live in the area, check it out.

Now Hong Kong has a regular Latin Mass

How many motu proprios will it take to stop this? (HT to the Curt Jester)

Before and after images of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in London

Summorum Pontificum August 21, 2007

Summorum Open Questions
John Allen reports that Bishop Trautman is seeking answers to some open questions regarding the motu proprio. Questions such as altar girls and communion under both species.

The Curt Jester has "Top five surprising results to Summorum Pontificum"

Also take a look at Pardon Me Grandma, Your Contempt is Showing
Mother of four and grandmother to nine, Patty McCarty put her disdain for the Pope, The Church, the mass, and the Eucharist on display at the National Catholic Reporter. She thinks the Pope should let her say the Latin Mass.

Driving stick.
——Brilliant, simply brilliant analogy of the situation with the Latin Mass. (HT to Some Have Hats)

Father Z. wants to know of you are a newbie or an old veteran to the "Extraordinary Form"

Summorum Pontificum August 20, 2007

The editorial staff at the National Catholic Reporter is despondent and disconsolate. Find out why at the Creative Minority Report in 'The 6th Circle of Hell'

Read Gerald at the Cafeteria about the true meaning of active participation as told by Archbishop Godfried Danneels of Brussels. You will be surprised by "The Tyranny of Words"

and the Traditional Latin Mass Returns to Lithuania

A sense of the sacred
For the first time in more than 30 years, Roman Catholics in Vermont had a chance to attend a traditional Latin Mass last week, and the overwhelmingly positive response means there likely will be more to come.

About 1,000 Catholics from across Vermont, New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire packed the pews at Burlington's St. Joseph Co-Cathedral on Wednesday, spilling out into the vestibule for the 90-minute ceremony.

Read the entire story.

Keep Up The Good Work

I hope we see many more reports like this one out of Vermont.

High turnout at Latin Mass

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Last week about 1,000 Catholics from Vermont, New York and Massachusetts attended the state's first Latin Mass in 30 years.

And officials say the overwhelming turnout means the Roman Catholic Diocese of Vermont likely will offer more Latin services.

For the record Diocese of Gaylord: Clarification about obligation to use English

Summorum Saturday

The Priest who made the disparaging remarks about the TLM in the CNS column, denies he said those things. Get the lowdown at the Curt Jester.

Here is a list of Reasonable Pastoral Objections (Humor)

Fr. Z has the scoop on one Pastors' less-than-willing reception of the request for the extraordinary form.

From the Buffalo New comes "Latin Mass could expand in Diocese of Buffalo"

A Cause for Great Joy!

from NLM

DENTON, Nebraska - AUGUST 17, 2007 - For the first time in its 26 year history, Mother Angelica's Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) will be broadcasting a live Solemn High Mass at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama on September 14, 2007 at 8:00AM EST.

EWTN has asked for the assistance of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, an international Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right, to help celebrate this "extraordinary" form.

This past July 7th, Pope Benedict XVI affirmed the beauty and importance of the Tridentine Mass by issuing Summorum Pontificum, a papal document encouraging and confirming the right of all Latin Rite priests to use this more ancient use of the Mass starting September 14th. The Tridentine Mass was the normative liturgy experienced by Latin Rite Catholics prior to the Second Vatican Council.

"Most Catholics have not seen this heavenly celebration in over 40 years," said Father Calvin Goodwin, a professor at the Society's international English-speaking seminary located in Denton, Nebraska. "We are very excited to help EWTN and to support the Holy Father's call for a wider presence of this form of the Mass. This is a cause for great joy."

Priests and seminarians from Denton, Nebraska will travel to Alabama and provide the celebrant, deacon, subdeacon, preacher, master of ceremonies and altar servers.

Lost in Translation

The Daily Democrat of Woodland California has an article about the extraordinary form in a local parish, Holy Rosary.

"What's that saying? 'Lost in translation?'" asked Father Uriel Ojeda of Holy Rosary. "Nowadays everything tries to be inclusive. At least having the Latin keeps us unified in a certain way in that if we can't agree on the translation, we can agree of the source."

Read the article here.

And Gerald at the Cafeteria has the best headline of the day with In the land of ilk and Mahony

We Have A Winner!

The winner for the most off the wall response to the Motu Proprio by a bishop is.....His Excellency Mario Conti, Archbishop of Glasgow.

This would be funny were it not for the poor folks who live in this diocese. Check out some notable quotables:

Notice that there is to be a "stable group", a single request does not establish such a group. Moreover the group is to be identified as adhering to the earlier liturgical rite. A vague hankering [Yes, he actually said this!!, I have half a mind to start a new blog called 'A Vague Hankerin'] for the old days is not an adherence to the earlier rite; this document has been issued to attempt to address serious divisions, not a generalised longing for days past. The word "adhere" is fundamental to the use of the extraordinary form. I find it difficult to envisage that there are any "stable groups" in our diocese who "adhere" to the 1962 Missal.
...
"Priests ordained after 1970 are unlikely to be qualified to celebrate the Mass according to the 1962 ritual. It is certainly clear that a one week course would be insufficient to so qualify a priest. The discernment is mine... As the chief liturgist of our diocesan community I expect to be consulted so that I may confirm that any particular priest, before he begins to do so, is "qualified" to celebrate the extraordinary form in parishes. In that way I may exercise my responsibility in collaboration with you and help prepare in my mind the required report to the Holy Father which he requests within the next three years." [Translation - Not on my watch kids! No way...never. Any of you 'priests' get any funny ideas, remember, I am the big dog around here and I am not afraid to open a can of liturgical whoop-ass on you right wing wackos!]

Father Z. uses up his whole red pen on this one.

Summorum Pontificum August 15, 2007

New Yorker Petitions Cardinal Egan to Celebrate Midnight Mass in Latin

Excerpt: A parishioner from a small town north of New York City has started an online petition with a simple, respectful request to his Cardinal-Archbishop: “Please offer this year's Christmas Midnight Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.”

"Pope Benedict's release of the motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum, was possibly the most significant event of his pontificate, yet many millions of Catholics have no idea this paradigm-shattering document even exists," stated Patrick McGrath, who has lived most of his life in and near Stony Point, New York.

"Then I thought that my own Archbishop, Edward Cardinal Egan, has it within his power to take the Extraordinary Form from out of the shadows and in front of the Klieg lights, quite literally."

Fr Z. on Norms on the Motu Proprio imposed on priests by the Bp. of San Diego

OLD RITES, NEW NEEDS

With the Latin Mass Society in the UK reporting new interest in the celebration of the Tridentine rite, many priests are wondering where to turn for help... Listen Here

Summorum Pontificum - August 14, 2007

Father Z. comments on Shocking Memorandum of Diocese of St. Augustine (FL - USA) on the Motu Proprio

Some good news from Dublin.

Diocese of St. Augustine

Gerald at the Cafeteria is Closed has the remarkable letter of the Director of Liturgy on behalf of the Bishop.

Please do not read if you have issues with your blood pressure.

Check it out Here

Summorum Pontificum - August 13, 2007

Father Z. is a work horse. Check out Archbp. Myers of Newark on the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum
And this wonderful story A new “personal” extraordinary use parish in Omaha

This story will come as no surprise. The sedevantists are none to happy about the motu proprio. Read Church resistant to Vatican II

The Singapore Catholic News has anything you ever wanted to know about the motu proprio in
Summorum Pontificum Q&A

He Said What?

Well it seems that the blogosphere has been thrown into a tizzy as a result of Fr. Rob Johansen spilling the beans on the Bishop of Gaylord, Michigan. His excellency has seemingly overstepped his bounds and incredibly forbids the use of Latin, period.

Until other law is promulgated, all liturgies in the Diocese of Gaylord are to be celebrated entirely in English by the presiding celebrant.
...
The use of other languages in songs and hymns...can be used occasionally, but must never overshadow the use of English.

Any variance from this policy must be requested on an individual basis from the Bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord using the form [You just can't make this stuff up!]that can be obtained from the Secretariat for Worship & Liturgical Formation or the Office of the Bishop.

This Policy takes effect immediately.[Bold in original]

Wow! Father Z. takes a crack at it here.

Plus, the Bishop of Brooklyn has a piece in the Tablet (Brooklyn Diocesan Newspaper)

What Would We Do Without Experts?

Elizabeth Harrington is the education officer with the Brisbane archdiocesan Liturgical Commission and she has something to say to all you amateurs. Shut up and Keep Away.

SOMETIMES it seems that everyone is an expert on liturgy and that personal preference carries more weight than the considered judgement of someone with years of study and experience in the field.

The self-proclaimed liturgy “experts” will often quote liturgical law to prove their point.

Read my take at Creative Minority Report.

Father Z. is at it again. This time he comments on the wonderful response of the Bishop of Colorado Springs.

Response of Most Reverend Glen J. Provost Bishop of Lake Charles La.

The reponse of the Bishop of Lake Charles, La. You can find the source here and Fr. Z. gives it the once over here.

My dear People of God, there are two matters that I wish to address. Some of you have posed questions concerning two recent Vatican documents. The first is the Holy Father’s Motu Proprio allowing for greater freedom in celebrating the Latin Mass and the other is the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s “Responses to some questions regarding certain aspects of the doctrine on the Church”. Documents from the Vatican often involve fine points that the popular press, in the interests of simplicity and ease, find difficult to convey. I cannot presume to answer all of the questions that have surfaced, but I would pray that what I say offers some clarification. I would address them in order.


THE TRIDENTINE MASS
A Motu Proprio is a document of great importance issued by a pope on a matter that adjusts a practice in the Church. In this case, the Motu Proprio is entitled “Summorum Pontificum” and states clearly that the Mass promulgated by Pope Paul VI (as celebrated today in our parish churches) and the Mass of Pope St. Pius V, reissued by Blessed John XXIII (typically called the Tridentine Mass and celebrated at present only with special permission) are, and I quote, “two usages of the one Roman rite.” In Pope Benedict XVI’s letter to the bishops, he writes, “It is not appropriate to speak of these two versions of the Roman Missal as if they were ‘two Rites.’ Rather, it is a matter of a twofold use of one and the same rite.” At a practical level, beginning September 14, 2007, any priest, competent in Latin and in the rite itself, can celebrate the Mass of Pope St. Pius V, in the form published by Blessed John XXIII. No further permission is needed. The role of the bishop is to insure “that all is done in peace and serenity” (the Papal Explanatory Letter to Bishops of July 7, 2007). This, of course, I intend to do.

Is this a return to the past? Pope Benedict XVI does not think so. Nor do. “What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too,” the pope writes. If one studies the history of the Church carefully, one finds that the Church has always found room for multiple usages in the Roman Rite. I recall as a child encountering the “Dominican Rite” with its slight variations while serving Mass or learning about the ancient “Ambrosian Rite” celebrated in Milan, Italy. The history of the Church is rich, and the Church is universal. It is much broader than anyone can possibly imagine. In effect, what Pope Benedict XVI has done is respond to a need. In providing for the normal celebration of an older form, the pope is answering the need many have expressed. There are those for whom the older usage of the rite is expressive, uplifting, and prayerful. Why not provide for this need without prejudice to the newer rite? As the pope states, “Let us generously open our hearts and make room for everything that the faith itself allows” (the Papal Explanatory Letter to Bishops of July 7, 2007). As bishop, my role is to act as moderator for the liturgy in the diocese. For that reason I must insure that the Mass of the Roman Rite is celebrated authentically and reverently, whether in the form promulgated by Pope Paul VI or the form of Pope St. Pius V promulgated by Pope Blessed John XXIII.

SP Varia

UCAN: Priests asked not to refuse providing pre-Vatican II Latin Mass

The Patriot News has an article on the motu proprio entitled "A timeline of the Latin Mass"

Excerpt: "I remember Vatican II with great joy, and I am so saddened that there seems to be a move by this pope to make it a thing of the past or even say it was misguided," said a eucharistic minister from Lemoyne, asking not to be identified for fear of offending people she serves.

The church "should be a rudder and help us move forward into the centuries," said Lou Gehosky, 66, of New Cumberland. "But this is worse than an anchor."

Plus, I am beginning to think that Chicago is spoiled.

NLM Reports that the Extraordinary Form is making a comeback at Lourdes in " Classical Use to have prominent place at August 15th French "National Pilgrimage" in Lourdes"

Oy Vey Maria?

The Ave Maria University Office of the Chaplain has issued a document about the liturgy on campus (see below). AveWatch asks:

Is AMU adopting an attitude in which they assume an authority in all ecclesiastical matters (especially the liturgy) superior to that of the Bishop of Venice (their Diocese)? Some believe so. If the local Bishop is responsible for the spiritual needs of AMU, there should be no need for "directives" as if AMU approves of the Bishop (or even the Pope's "motu proprio").

And Fr. Z comments:

I understand the need for order in the life of an institution.
The tone and "directives" here strike me as being both pompous and, frankly, inflammatory. If they are trying to avoid conflict by means of these directives, I bet they will fail.
That said, I am very pleased that there are Novus Ordo Masses in Latin at that school. I hear good things about Ave Maria. I also hear disturbing things. I am an outsider, but it seems to me that their controversies are being generated from within.

The document:

DIRECTIVE ON LITURGY AT AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY (August 4, 2007)

We give thanks to Almighty God, as we accustom ourselves to the excellent facilities of our permanent Campus. At this time, the Administration of the University have given this directive on our liturgical practice. It is hoped that all our efforts will enable us to continue to have beautiful and dignified liturgies, always fully in accord with the mind and the liturgical law of the Church.

The ordinary location for most of our Masses this semester will be the “Ballroom,” set up for worship, on the first floor of the Student Union. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved there only, until further notice and until the air conditioning functions properly in the “Ark Chapel” (near the Chaplain’s Office) and in the “Library Chapel” (tentatively to be called “Our Lady’s Chapel”).

The liturgical timetable remains largely the same, except that the first Sunday Mass will be at 8:00 a.m. (rather than 8:30 a.m.) to accommodate time constraints, and the 5:15 p.m. Sunday Mass will be at 8:00 p.m. at the request of Student Life (5:15 p.m. only on August 26, no 8 p.m. Mass that day). The 7:50 a.m. weekday Mass may have to be adjusted to 7:30 a.m. to accommodate class schedules, but this remains to be determined upon the arrival of students after August 20. Thus, starting August 26, the ordinary Liturgical Schedule will be:

* Mass: Sunday: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 noon, 8 p.m.
* Mass: Weekdays: 7:50 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 5:15 p.m.
* Mass: Saturday: 9 a.m., 4 p.m. (Vigil for Sunday)
* Confessions: Sat.: 9:30-10:30 a.m., Sun.: 11:15-11:45 a.m., Mon.-Sat.: 2:45-3:45 p.m.
* Liturgy of the Hours (in Ballroom or in Ark Chapel): Morning Prayer: Sunday at 9:30 a.m., Saturday at 8:30 a.m., Weekdays at 7:30 a.m. (may be adjusted in Sept.); Evening Prayer: daily at 5:15 p.m.; Night Prayer: daily at 9:20 p.m.
* Evening Rosary Walk: 9 p.m. daily, from Student Union

The 8:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday will be in Latin, in the ordinary Novus Ordo form. The 7:50 AM Masses on Tuesdays and Thursdays will be in Latin, in the ordinary Novus Ordo form. Normally all other Masses will be in English.

The practice of celebrating Mass ad orientem is accepted at the first Mass of the morning for a priest or priests having a personal preference for this practice. However, ad orientem is not considered the ordinary or obligatory practice at Ave Maria University. At all other Masses the priest or priests are directed to celebrate Mass facing the congregation.

It may happen that a priest wishes to celebrate the extraordinary form of the Mass of the Roman Rite, a Mass in accordance with the Roman Missal of 1962, commonly called a “Tridentine Mass.” This may be out of personal preference or in response to requests from the faithful. In accord with the provisions of “Summorum Pontificum,” the Holy Father’s apostolic letter given “motu proprio” (“on his own impulse”), arrangements will be made beforehand through the Chaplain’s Office to celebrate properly the Tridentine Mass in the Ark Chapel or in the Library Chapel. At the present time, the Tridentine Mass will not be available in the “Ballroom.”

The University’s opening Mass on August 27 will be in English, with the priest facing the people.

Respectfully submitted,

Office of the Chaplain

To SSPX or Not to SSPX?

That is the question. This question arises from a letter sent to parishioners pre-motu by Fr. Jay Scott Newman in South Carolina in which he stated that it is sinful to attend a mass at an SSPX chapel. Brian Mershon has addressed the issues at length in a piece entitled "SSPX in schism? You can believe Fr. Newman... or you can believe the Church" Fr. Z has also now weighed in on the topic.

It makes for a very interesting topic. Give it a look.

Summorum Pontificum - August 7, 2007

Read Part II of that Chico Enterprise Record article that so surprised me the other day.

From the Standard Speaker from Pennsylvania comes a fairly positive article Churchgoers can choose Latin Mass.

30 Days has the full text of the interview with Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos referenced a few weeks ago. Ht to Rorate Caeli.

From the Memphis based Commercial Appeal comes an article entitled With priests freer to celebrate in Latin, more Masses may follow older tradition

Great New Resource for the Extraordinary Form!

The Canons Regular of St John Cantius have launched a new website dedicated to the Latin Mass according to the Missale Romanum of 1962. This wonderful new site (www.SanctaMissa.org) contains online tutorials and guides for all the rubrics.

This is a terrific resource for all those interested in learning more about extraordinary form of the Roman rite, especially priests.

From the site:

Welcome to Sancta Missa!
Your resource for the Latin Mass according to the Missale Romanum of 1962. It is our hope that this tutorial will assist Priests to learn how to say the Tridentine Mass and for the Faithful, to learn how to pray the Mass with greater devotion and fervor.

To My Surprise

What started out as a cookie cutter article on the motu proprio, takes a surprising turn. Read my reaction in I Love Surprises.

Fr. Z. has the low-down on the Bp. of Altoona-Johnstown on the Motu Proprio

And some more Fr. Fessio.

Summorum Pontificum - August 4, 2007

The St. Louis Review asks what's all the hubbub about in No Need for Mass Confusion

Fr Z. Has been busy fisking with Bishop of El Paso reacts to the Motu Proprio and Statement on M.P. by the Bishop of Kalamazoo

And Catholic Culture has a "Dossier on the Motu Proprio of Benedict XVI: Summorum Pontificum cura"

SP Roundup

Fr. Z. on In the UK: a conference for priests on the older form of Mass

Rorate Caeli reminds why it is so important to fix our liturgy. To keep the craziness from spreading. Read 'A Vatican II Moment'

Check out Alphonsus with his take on “Arbitrary Deformations of the Liturgy”

And finally we have
Benedict XVI's liturgical armistice: 'Summorum Pontificum' by Fr Glen Tattersall HT to NLM

Fr. Fessio Video Comments

At Air Maria.

Bishop of Fargo

Continuing our flip-flop of positive and negative responses to Summorum Pontificum, let's take a look at a positive response.

Read the Bishop of Fargo on the Motu Proprio entitled: Two missals: One beautiful treasure of love.

The Other End of the Spectrum

A few days ago we wrote about the wonderful and remarkable response of a Virginia pastor to the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. His response was open, supportive, and educational. Now I present another response from a pastor in the Midwest that is equally remarkable, if for the exact opposite reason.

A reader sent me a copy of the correspondence that he had with his pastor resulting from his inquiry about the 1962 missal at his parish. This reader asked that he and his pastor remain anonymous to prevent any embarrassment for the pastor. The reader told me "he's not a bad guy, to be honest. i think he's just tired & wants to retire."

The following is an excerpt with my emphasis.

Having been ordained in 1962 I celebrated the Eucharist according to the 1962 Missal for several years before the changes of the Second Vatican Council were implemented. So I remember very vividly mumbling, in a language that I did not understand , with my back to the people, who were reading a translation of the Mass in their missals, or praying their rosary in English. Certainly, anything but an active participation in the Eucharist. I also remember the great joy that I experienced when I was able to celebrate the Eucharist in English and hear the people in the pews responding to the prayers with real understanding. I don’t ever want to go back to the pre-Vatican II celebration of the Eucharist.

Read the entire sad letter at Creative Minority Report