SP March 31, 2008

Cardinal Zen's Pontifical Mass and Vespers

Chasabules....Get your red hot Chasabules here.

SP March 30, 2008

Mass of Ages: Ignacio Barreiro on implementing Summorum Pontificum

SP March 27, 2008

L’OssRom: Darío Card. Castrillón Hoyos on Summorum Pontificum

Easter Triduum: Church of St John of Jerusalem and Others (Usus Antiquior)

SP March 26, 2008

A man worthy of remembrance
17 years ago, Archbishop Marcel-François Lefebvre died in Martigny, Switzerland, on March 25, 1991. Regardless of one's opinion of some events of his life, or of some of his decisions, or of some of his stronger words, it would be wrong not to acknowledge that without him the struggle for the preservation of much of what we cherish would probably have been lost.

TLM in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh
The TLM resumed to-day at noon in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh, Co. Cork after more than forty years. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop John Magee of Cloyne. He clearly knows how to celebrate the TLM and how to celebrate it well. Indeed, he celebrated pie, attente ac devote.

SP March 25, 2008

Fr. Joseph Fessio speaks to the NLM about the Usus Antiquior and the Reform of the Reform
Behind the idea of the “Reform of the Reform” is the fact that the implementation of the renewal of the liturgy called for by the Second Vatican Council went far beyond what the Council anticipated and constituted what Cardinal Ratzinger called a “breach” or “rupture” in the liturgical tradition that was unprecedented.

SP March 24, 2008

Bishop Williamson Responds
—Bishop Williamson of SSPX responds to questions I raised last week about whether the gates of hell have prevailed.

Motu Proprio miracles: Notre-Dame de Paris
The Parish Priest of Saint-Eugène, one of the few Parishes in which the Traditional Mass is celebrated in the Archdiocese of Paris, announced today at the end of the Solemn Easter Mass that the Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Vingt-Trois, has already decided to hold a Solemn Mass in the Ancient Use of the Roman Rite in one of the greatest buildings in Christendom, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris (Notre-Dame de Paris).

“A devastating and catastrophic mistake”
Priests praise return of traditional Latin Mass; say discouraging its use for so long was an error

Latin Mass is under fire in Oakland

SP March 22, 2008

Interview with Msgr. Guido Marini, the Papal MC

...This means that the Church proceeds on her way through history without losing sight of her own roots and her own living tradition: this can require, in some cases, also the recovering of precious and important elements which have been lost, forgotten along the way and which the passing of time has rendered less shining in their authentic significance. When that happens it is not a return to the past, but a true and enlightened progress in the liturgical field."

And in this progress it is impossible not to mention the Motu proprio Summorum Pontificum: "Considering attentively the Motu proprio, as well as the letter addressed by the Pope to the bishops of all the world to present it, a twofold precise understanding emerges. First of all, that of facilitating the accomplishing of "a reconciliation in the bosom of the Church"; and in this sense, as has been said, the Motu proprio is a most beautiful act of love towards the unity of the Church. In second place, and this is a fact which must not be forgotten, that [sc. understanding] of favouring a reciprocal enrichment between the two forms of the Roman rite: in such a way, for instance, that in the celebration according to the Missal of Paul VI (ordinary form of the Roman rite) 'can become manifest, more powerfully than has been the case hitherto, the sacrality which attracts many people to the ancient usage'

."

SP March 21, 2008

Holy Thursday, FSSP Rome

SP March 20, 2008

Benedict XVI proclaims that baroque is back

The Pope's sartorial choices are provoking rage among liberal Catholics, says Anna Arco. But there is a deep theological point to his finery

SP March 19, 2008

Vatican to issue conciliatory note to Jews: sources


Images from Saint Louis Abbey

SP March 18, 2008

Pontifical Mass in Altötting - A teaser

SP March 17, 2008

Hatfields & McCoys: Restoration of the Latin Mass revives long feud over who's demeaning whom.
They lead with

"Next week, Catholics around the world using the old Latin Mass will utter a controversial Good Friday prayer that calls for the conversion of Jews. Many Jews thought that it had been retired almost 40 years ago."

The it takes 11 paragraphs until the truth comes out. Well, not actually the truth.

Under some pressure from Jewish groups, Benedict tweaked some aspects of the Good Friday prayer last month. He removed the age-old references to Jews’ “blindness” and the request that God “take the veil from their hearts.”

F.S.S.P in Wyoming

Dr. Peter A. Kwasniewski Associate Professor of Theology & Philosophy at Wyoming Catholic College writes:

In the spirit of the motu proprio, I would like to share with you some photos of the recent visit of Fr. James Jackson, F.S.S.P., to Wyoming Catholic College. We are blessed at this new Catholic college with a rich liturgical life, Laus Deo. There is a single collegiate Mass each day that the majority of the students, faculty, and staff attend. On Mondays it is in the Extraordinary Form. Tuesday through Thursday is the Ordinary Form in English, with Gregorian chant for the responses and Mass parts. Friday is the Ordinary Form, chanted all in Latin. Starting soon, Saturdays will be the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (sung, of course; our chaplain has biritual faculties). Sunday is the Ordinary Form done solemnly, with the College Choir singing Renaissance polyphony and the Schola singing Gregorian antiphons. We are rightfully proud of the Church's liturgical treasures and we want all of our students to be enriched by them during the four years they spend here.

Thank You Dr. Kwasniewski

SP Update

Definitive text of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum published

Gianni Cardinale reports in today's issue of the semi-official daily of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Avvenire (transcript), that the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum has been finally published in the official gazette of the Holy See, the Acta Apostolicae Sedis (dated September 7, 2007, and including the official acts of the preceding months), with the following changes:

• A subtitle was given to the motu proprio: «De uso extraordinario antiquae formae Ritus Romani» ("On the extraordinary use of the ancient form of the Roman Rite");


• In article 1, the word «conditiones» was replaced with the more correct form «condiciones», with no change in meaning ("conditions");


• In article 3, the word «plerumque» was replaced with «habitualiter» (our translation remains "habitually");


• In article 5, § 1, «continenter» was replaced with «stabiliter», avoiding the notion that the group of faithful would have to be continuous in a certain parish - it only has to exist in a stable, but not necessarily in a permanent and continuous fashion;


• In article 7, «non potest» ("cannot")was replaced with «non vult» ("does not want to"): «Art. 7 If a group of lay faithful, as mentioned in art. 5 § 1, has not obtained satisfaction to their requests from the pastor, they should inform the diocesan bishop. The bishop is strongly requested to satisfy their wishes. If he does not want to arrange for such celebration to take place, the matter should be referred to the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei”.»

More from the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei

We wish to acknowledge receipt of your lcttcr of 7 November 2007 addressed to His Eminence Cardinal Dzirio Castrillôn Hoyos and beg your indulgence for not having managed to respond sooner due to the volume of mal which we have received since the promulgation of the Motu Propilo Suummorum Pontificum and the many matters which have required our immediate attention. We will respond to your questions in the order in which you have raised them, pointing out at the same time that we are expecting the publication of an instruction on the application of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum sometime in the relatively near future and this should deal in more detail with some of the questions which you raise.

It is too difficult to make categorical statements about whether every parish. where there is interest, should provide the extraordinary form of the Mass on a weekly basis. There are many variants involved including the number of the faithful, the availability of’ priests etc. This matter would have to be considered from many practical perspectives.

The Motu Proprio itself does not speak specifically of college and university chaplaincies. but in article 5, 5 it states quae non sunt nec paroeciales nec conventuales Rectoris ecclesiae est concedere licentiam de qua supra. This is understood as referring also to college or university chaplains.

The correct word, that which is contained in the Motu Proprio signed by the Holy Father is stabiliter and the instruction should deal specifically with its correct interpretation.

With prayerful best wishes I remain
Since y yours in Christ,
Rev. Msgr Camille Perl
Secretary

Via Fr. John Zuhlsodorf

SP March 14, 2008

New appointments point toward upgrade of Ecclesia Dei commission
Pope Benedict XVI has promoted two officials of the Ecclesia Dei Commmission, apparently upgrading the Vatican body that oversees pastoral provisions for traditionalist Catholics.

Old-style Mass attracts following

EAST PALO ALTO — With reverence, the Rev. Larry Goode raised the Eucharist high above his head and prayed aloud in the sacred language:

"Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccata mundi."

At that, many congregants looked down at their Latin-English missal and silently read the translation — "Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who taketh away the sins of the world."

SP March 13, 2008

Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos to Celebrate Pontifical High Mass (Usus Antiquior) in Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 14 June 2008

Canons of St. John Cantius provide usus antiquior instruction to Superiors of Missionaries of Charity in USA

SP March 11, 2008

Williamson of SSPX -- Yeah, That Helps
Bishop Williamson on the Jews, the Pope, and um...Bishop Williamson.

Usus Antiquior in Rome with Card. Castrillón Hoyos

Prayer for the Jews: Bertone tells Jewish leaders: "We ask for reciprocity"

SP March 10, 2008

Extraordinary Day On Long Island
Yesterday I had the honor and privilege to attend a Solemn High Mass of the Extraordinary form at which the Most Reverend William Murphy, Bishop of Rockville Centre on Long Island, conferred Papal honors and the title of Monsignor upon Fr. James Pereda M.A., M Div., J.C.D., Judicial Vicar.


Latin Mass education series begins Monday
A week-long education series focusing on the traditional Latin Mass will be held during the week of March 10-13 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Frontenac.
Fr. James Jackson, FSSP, will conduct the nightly programs, which will be followed by the Tridentine Mass — the form of the Mass used for centuries until the 1960s.

Bishop D'Arcy Steps Up

From Bishop D'Arcy of the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend

... Mindful of all those who treasure the Latin rite and indeed of many young people who find themselves better able to worship in it because of what they sense as a strong sense of mystery, the pope has made it possible for the older Latin rite to be celebrated without any special permission.

Indeed since Pope John Paul II allowed this under some conditions and encouraged bishops to be open to it, in a special apostolic letter in 1988, we have been blessed to have in our diocese what is now called the extraordinary form. This is the Mass that I grew up with and prayed at Our Lady of Presentation Church in Brighton, Mass., the Mass I celebrated for the first 10 years of my priesthood. It has been celebrated every Sunday in each end of our diocese since 1989.

In Fort Wayne, several senior priests have made this available. I salute Father Dan Leeuw, Father Adam Schmidt, and there have been others. In the South Bend area, one thinks especially of Father Jim Seculoff, who celebrated this Mass both in St. Mary, Bristol, and also in St. John the Baptist, South Bend. More recently several priests of Holy Cross have filled in, Father Jerome Esper, CSC, and Father Tom Blantz, CSC.

A special new priest
When Pope Benedict XVI issued his motu proprio, I thought immediately of Father George Gabet, FSSP. Father George is a native of St. John Parish, New Haven, and attended Bishop Dwenger High School, where among other things, he played football.
Several years ago, I had the privilege of ordaining Father George according to the old rite, the rite by which I was ordained 51 years ago at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. For many years, my good friend Dominic (Nick) Harris has asked me to bring in a member of Father George’s community, the Fraternity of St. Peter, to give assurance that this Mass could be celebrated well into the future. The significant number that attend the Mass in Fort Wayne are worried that with priests aging, they may not have anyone to celebrate this Mass. Father George is a member of a religious congregation called The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and they are dedicated to the celebration of Mass under this form. ...

Read the Rest Here.

Some More on Fr. George Gabet.

SP March 9, 2008

A Young Father Meets the Old Mass

SP March 7, 2008

The Remnant Calls for civility in discussion over Good Friday Prayer

It’s no secret that Traditional Catholics find themselves engaged in their own war of words over Pope Benedict’s Good Friday prayer and its ramifications. The question is this: Can we maintain a Chestertonian level of civility as we hash this out? I believe we can and we must.

"A convenient and available church”
San Francisco archdiocese gains Latin Mass, Santa Rosa diocese loses one

SP March 6, 2008

CONFIRMED: Personal Parish for the Traditional Mass in Rome

SP March 5, 2008

Fr. John Zuhlsdorf relays another message from the PCED on the rights of seminarians and the Latin proficiency requirements for saying the TLM.

Dear Mr. Dankers,
We wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 14 November 2007 and beg your indulgence for not having managed to respond sooner due to the volume of mail which we have received since the promulgation of the Motu Proprio Summorum Ponsijicum and the many matters which have required our immediate attention.
With regard to your questions, we can state the following:
1. Candidates for the priesthood in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church have the right to be instructed in both forms of the Roman Rite.
2. Those responsible for the formation of candidates for the priesthood in the Roman Rite olthe Catholic Church should provide for the instruction of their candidates in both forms of the Roman Rite.
3. There is no plan to implement a generalized Latin test for seminarians and priests who wish to celebrate Mass according to the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, but it is expected that those who celebrate should have a sufficient mastery of Latin to he able to read, pronounce correctly and understand the sacred texts which they must recite or sing.
We expect that these matters will soon be treated in an instruction on the application ofthe Motu Proprio Summorum Poniftcum.
With prayerful best wishes for a Blessed Lent and Holy Week, I remain

Sincerley Yours in Christ
Rev. Msgr. Camille Perl
Secretary

Image from Fr. Fessio's Mass in the Usus Antiquior at Ave Maria

SP March 3, 2008

Extraordinary Form On Long Island
—Some good news for the Extraordinary Form on Long Island. Traditional Confirmation coming to LI.

Old rite revisited

A reverential silence fills the sanctuary of St. Mary’s Cathedral, gently broken by a murmur of Latin.
With his back to the congregation, the priest recites the liturgy, familiar prayers in a foreign tongue.
Orémus. Let us pray.

Yes, let us.