Latin masses could make comeback
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE
For hundreds of years, it was the way most Christians
worshipped. Then, in the early 1970s, it nearly disappeared.
It involves a
priest speaking a "dead" language and keeping his back turned to the audience
for most of the service.
And now, thanks to a directive this month from Pope Benedict
XVI, it could start making a comeback.
Mass in Latin, currently confined to
a few parishes in each diocese, was until the early 1960s the only Mass that
Roman Catholics knew. But the church, in an effort to make Mass more
approachable, decided that worship should be conducted in the language of the
people, whatever language that might be given the locale.
Currently about
150 parishes in the U.S. now offer the Latin Mass but the liturgical books are
scarce and only a few hundred priests know the Mass. The director of the Vatican
publishing house told Catholic News Service he doesn't even know who holds the
copyright to the text.
But the pope's statement opens the door for more
churches to adopt the ancient style of worship -- a style that can be seen in
Indianapolis only at Holy Rosary parish.
There, in what was once Indy's
Italian parish, the Rev. Michael Magiera, whose priestly order specializes in
the traditional rites, conducts nine Latin Masses each week. On most weeks,
there are just three services in English.
At 7 p.m. Tuesdays, he has Latin
Mass in St. Mary's Catholic Church, 2300 W. Jackson St., Muncie.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Another article on the Traditional Latin Mass
This article appeared in the July 28th edition of the Muncie Star Press. It is extremely well-written, and ignores the usual blathering of the progressive left.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
You say 'tomato'....
If you want to know more about the diocesan office in charge of matters liturgical, look no further than their official website. Just don't ask for it by name.
A quick glance shows that there is a little discrepancy in the name(s) of the office. The "index" page lists three separate titles:
- Office of Liturgy & Worship
- Office of Worship & Liturgy
- Office for Worship and RCIA
Pick-n-choose mentality. Kinda like the rubrics for Mass.
A quick glance shows that there is a little discrepancy in the name(s) of the office. The "index" page lists three separate titles:
- Office of Liturgy & Worship
- Office of Worship & Liturgy
- Office for Worship and RCIA
Pick-n-choose mentality. Kinda like the rubrics for Mass.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Words to live by...
I would like to post a few articles written by Msgr. Schaedel, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, in the weekly bulletin of Holy Rosary Parish in Indy. Msgr. Schaedel is a very caring, orthodox, a pastoral priest who could very well be one of the upcoming movers and shakers in the Church in the United States.
His words of wisdom have always been enlightening, profound, and honest. So, let's dig in....
[July 1, 2007]
His words of wisdom have always been enlightening, profound, and honest. So, let's dig in....
[July 1, 2007]
Of course, all bishops are teachers and leaders. We look to them for
courageous leadership and correct moral teaching. But the Church is not
clergy. The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ, the People of God. It is up to the laity to be leaven in the
world; they are the voters and decision makers who can change
things. This is the role of the laity. Unfortunately, some goofs
continue to equate lay involvement in the Church with being able to prance
around the sanctuary.
Breaking it down...
Let's take another look at the recent comments of Bishop Higi re: Summorum Pontificum [my comments in red]:
Pope Benedict XVI’s relaxation of restrictions on the use of the Latin Mass leaves unanswered questions regarding the actual practice, says Bishop William L. Higi. [Right. Like "how did we stray so far from the true meaning of Vatican II's preeminent document on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concillium?"]
The pope’s directive was issued July 7 to bishops worldwide. When interviewed by The Catholic Moment, Bishop Higi said he understands the Holy Father’s desire to retain the Tridentine Massas an extraordinary part of Catholic liturgy, and is fully supportive,[wait for it...] but he questions whether it will be possible to provide it in the Local Church .[Someone remind the good bishop about the regulary-scheduled Traditional Latin Mass currently celebrated at St. Mary's parish in Muncie. You know, the one that he approved in 2001 under pressure from the Holy See]
By letter, Bishop Higi asked priests across the diocese to wait to see how procedural details are addressed by the Secretariat for the Liturgy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The pope noted that use of the 1962 Missal “presupposes a certain degree of liturgical formation and some knowledge of the Latin language; neither of these is found very often.” [especially in the local chancery]
Bishop Higi, who was ordained in 1959, agreed.
“Even though I celebrated the Tridentine Mass for several years, I would no longer be able to do so using the Roman Missal of 1962 (the required text) [or the current Missale Romanum] without significant study of the rubrics and a refresher course in Latin,” he said. “I suspect that is true of most of not all priests of the diocese.” [methinks the good bishop doesn't get out too often]
“In this Local Church , pastoral sensitivity suggests an in-depth study of Spanish rather than Latin,” he said. [since when has the good bishop shown pastoral sensitivity to anyone requesting the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass in this diocese? More Catholics attend the Tuesday-evening Latin Mass than do the local regularly-scheduled Sunday Novus Ordo Mass in Spanish]
The pope’s directive states that a priest must be qualified to celebrate Latin Masses before he can celebrate one. But it sheds no light on who decides whose qualifications. [Did I miss something, or are you not the Moderator of the liturgy in the Local Church? Step up to the plate, dear bishop, and offer some training to those who request it. Isn't that why you have a Director of Liturgy for the diocesan Office of Worship?]
The 1962 Missal also requires the use of altar boys – not girls [Hence the name: altar boys] – and they must be capable of responding to the celebrant in Latin. Choirs also probably would have to be trained in the Gregorian chant, Bishop Higi said. [I thought the Church has taught, quite frequently since Vatican II, that parish choirs should be trained in Gregorian chant for the Novus Ordo as well. Has somebody been asleep at the wheel since then?] The 1962 calendar would be followed, because no mixture of the 1962 missal and the current missal will be allowed. Only one form of Communion would be available. [Considering that the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of D.N. Jesus Christ is present in either Species, I don't see the real issue here, unless, dear bishop, you are playing on the fears of the progressives who might read your missives]
Pope Benedict XVI said that any priest, without further permission, could celebrate the Latin Mass without the people at almost any time, and that laypeople could be admitted if they spontaneously requested to do so. It remains unclear whether such a Mass could be scheduled. [It also remains unclear whether or not such Masses could be celebrated on days ending in -y, or by priests with more than two vowels in their last name, or in gothic-style churches, or.......]
The pope’s directive states that where any group of parishioners attached to the Latin Mass “exists stably” it may request a pastor to offer one. Apparently, when only one Sunday Mass is offered, Latin may not be used. [When in doubt, make it up. That's the new episcopal motto for Lafayette]
No definition of “group” or “exists stably” was offered. [Again, who is the Moderator of the Liturgy in this diocese???? What is the definition of "is"?]
Pope Benedict XVI’s relaxation of restrictions on the use of the Latin Mass leaves unanswered questions regarding the actual practice, says Bishop William L. Higi. [Right. Like "how did we stray so far from the true meaning of Vatican II's preeminent document on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concillium?"]
The pope’s directive was issued July 7 to bishops worldwide. When interviewed by The Catholic Moment, Bishop Higi said he understands the Holy Father’s desire to retain the Tridentine Massas an extraordinary part of Catholic liturgy, and is fully supportive,[wait for it...] but he questions whether it will be possible to provide it in the Local Church .[Someone remind the good bishop about the regulary-scheduled Traditional Latin Mass currently celebrated at St. Mary's parish in Muncie. You know, the one that he approved in 2001 under pressure from the Holy See]
By letter, Bishop Higi asked priests across the diocese to wait to see how procedural details are addressed by the Secretariat for the Liturgy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The pope noted that use of the 1962 Missal “presupposes a certain degree of liturgical formation and some knowledge of the Latin language; neither of these is found very often.” [especially in the local chancery]
Bishop Higi, who was ordained in 1959, agreed.
“Even though I celebrated the Tridentine Mass for several years, I would no longer be able to do so using the Roman Missal of 1962 (the required text) [or the current Missale Romanum] without significant study of the rubrics and a refresher course in Latin,” he said. “I suspect that is true of most of not all priests of the diocese.” [methinks the good bishop doesn't get out too often]
“In this Local Church , pastoral sensitivity suggests an in-depth study of Spanish rather than Latin,” he said. [since when has the good bishop shown pastoral sensitivity to anyone requesting the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass in this diocese? More Catholics attend the Tuesday-evening Latin Mass than do the local regularly-scheduled Sunday Novus Ordo Mass in Spanish]
The pope’s directive states that a priest must be qualified to celebrate Latin Masses before he can celebrate one. But it sheds no light on who decides whose qualifications. [Did I miss something, or are you not the Moderator of the liturgy in the Local Church? Step up to the plate, dear bishop, and offer some training to those who request it. Isn't that why you have a Director of Liturgy for the diocesan Office of Worship?]
The 1962 Missal also requires the use of altar boys – not girls [Hence the name: altar boys] – and they must be capable of responding to the celebrant in Latin. Choirs also probably would have to be trained in the Gregorian chant, Bishop Higi said. [I thought the Church has taught, quite frequently since Vatican II, that parish choirs should be trained in Gregorian chant for the Novus Ordo as well. Has somebody been asleep at the wheel since then?] The 1962 calendar would be followed, because no mixture of the 1962 missal and the current missal will be allowed. Only one form of Communion would be available. [Considering that the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of D.N. Jesus Christ is present in either Species, I don't see the real issue here, unless, dear bishop, you are playing on the fears of the progressives who might read your missives]
Pope Benedict XVI said that any priest, without further permission, could celebrate the Latin Mass without the people at almost any time, and that laypeople could be admitted if they spontaneously requested to do so. It remains unclear whether such a Mass could be scheduled. [It also remains unclear whether or not such Masses could be celebrated on days ending in -y, or by priests with more than two vowels in their last name, or in gothic-style churches, or.......]
The pope’s directive states that where any group of parishioners attached to the Latin Mass “exists stably” it may request a pastor to offer one. Apparently, when only one Sunday Mass is offered, Latin may not be used. [When in doubt, make it up. That's the new episcopal motto for Lafayette]
No definition of “group” or “exists stably” was offered. [Again, who is the Moderator of the Liturgy in this diocese???? What is the definition of "is"?]
Bishop Higi's comments on motu propro
Well, Bishop Higi has finally spoken regarding the Holy Father's recent motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. Here's the full text of the article in the July 15th edition of The Catholic Moment. Comments will follow later. For now, just soak it up:
Bishop: Unanswered questions remain about actual
practice
The Catholic Moment
Pope Benedict XVI’s
relaxation of restrictions on the use of the Latin Mass leaves unanswered
questions regarding the actual practice, says Bishop William L.
Higi.
The pope’s directive was issued July 7 to bishops
worldwide. When interviewed by The Catholic Moment, Bishop Higi said he
understands the Holy Father’s desire to retain the Tridentine Massas an
extraordinary part of Catholic liturgy, and is fully supportive, but he
questions whether it will be possible to provide it in the Local Church
.
By letter, Bishop Higi asked priests across the diocese to wait
to see how procedural details are addressed by the Secretariat for the Liturgy
of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The pope noted that use
of the 1962 Missal “presupposes a certain degree of liturgical formation and
some knowledge of the Latin language; neither of these is found very
often.”
Bishop Higi, who was ordained in 1959,
agreed.
“Even though I celebrated the Tridentine Mass for several
years, I would no longer be able to do so using the Roman Missal of 1962 (the
required text) without significant study of the rubrics and a refresher course
in Latin,” he said. “I suspect that is true of most of not all priests of
the diocese.”
“In this Local Church , pastoral sensitivity suggests
an in-depth study of Spanish rather than Latin,” he said.
The
pope’s directive states that a priest must be qualified to celebrate Latin
Masses before he can celebrate one. But it sheds no light on who decides
whose qualifications.
The 1962 Missal also requires the use of
altar boys – not girls – and they must be capable of responding to the celebrant
in Latin. Choirs also probably would have to be trained in the Gregorian
chant, Bishop Higi said. The 1962 calendar would be followed, because no
mixture of the 1962 missal and the current missal will be allowed. Only
one form of Communion would be available.
Pope Benedict XVI said
that any priest, without further permission, could celebrate the Latin Mass
without the people at almost any time, and that laypeople could be admitted if
they spontaneously requested to do so. It remains unclear whether such a
Mass could be scheduled.
The pope’s directive states that where any
group of parishioners attached to the Latin Mass “exists stably” it may request
a pastor to offer one. Apparently, when only one Sunday Mass is offered,
Latin may not be used.
No definition of “group” or “exists stably”
was offered.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Well, check out the liberal secular media headlines for the new Motu Proprio, which were gleaned directly from the Google News main page:
New Rule for Latin Mass worries Critics - USA Today
Pope's move on Latin mass a blow to Jews - Guardian Unlimited
Latin Mass a looming headache for Catholic parishes - Reuters
And these are just the top three headlines. There are many others, but the bottom line on the vast majority of them can be described as follows:
1. The Pope is rolling-back the progress made since the Second Vatican Council in the liturgical field.
2. The traditional Mass is anti-semitic.
3. Only a handful of "crazies" want to celebrate the Classical Roman Rite.
What's sad is that the vast majority of Catholic faithful who enjoy the TLM (Traditional Latin Mass) have no animosity against the so-called "Novus Ordo" Mass at all. They simply prefer the old rite to the new one. They accept all of the changes implemented during and after Vatican II. They love the Jewish people, and most of them are quite educated as well.
But since they prefer the mystery, awe and sacredness of the TLM, they are ostracised and hidden in the closet, away from any "thinking" Catholics.
THIS is the reason that Pope Benedict issued this document. To bring the disaffected out of the darkness and into the light of the Church. He also opened up the window to bring in some fresh air and dissipate all of the stale, moldy air that has built up since the happy-clappy, kumbaya days of the '60s and '70s.
Yes, there will be loonies on the far right who will agitate their pastors and bishops for more and more and more. The mainstream secular media will portray them as being "typical" traditionalists, when in reality, they are not.
It's amazing how the media never portray the typical liberal/progressive as they really are: an arrogant, condescending, aggressive lot who ignore Church authorities at every turn and mock those with whom they disagree.
Our own diocese is typical of how the progressive apparatus operates. A progressive bishop surrounds himself with like-minded individuals in the chancery who mimic his calls for "full, counscious, and active participation" in the liturgy. Of course, they have a skewed understanding of what this actually means.
This bishop's hand-picked diocesan director of worship repeatedly chants her mantra, "active participation uber-alles" while totally stripping all sacredness from the Mass. Innovation takes hold, as the people in the pew are forced to stand when they traditionally knelt. Kneeling to receive Holy Communion is totally forbidden, and we know must process from the rear to the front during the Communion Rite, which defies all logic.
Happy-clappy songs are sung during the propers of Mass instead of what was actually intended to be sung. Everyone must always be "doing" something in order to be relevant.
Then we have pastors who have progressive understandings on the entire concept of the liturgy and the Eucharist (don't get me started) that border on heretical!
Summorum Pontificum is like a hurricane. We are now living in the immediate aftermath.
New Rule for Latin Mass worries Critics - USA Today
Pope's move on Latin mass a blow to Jews - Guardian Unlimited
Latin Mass a looming headache for Catholic parishes - Reuters
And these are just the top three headlines. There are many others, but the bottom line on the vast majority of them can be described as follows:
1. The Pope is rolling-back the progress made since the Second Vatican Council in the liturgical field.
2. The traditional Mass is anti-semitic.
3. Only a handful of "crazies" want to celebrate the Classical Roman Rite.
What's sad is that the vast majority of Catholic faithful who enjoy the TLM (Traditional Latin Mass) have no animosity against the so-called "Novus Ordo" Mass at all. They simply prefer the old rite to the new one. They accept all of the changes implemented during and after Vatican II. They love the Jewish people, and most of them are quite educated as well.
But since they prefer the mystery, awe and sacredness of the TLM, they are ostracised and hidden in the closet, away from any "thinking" Catholics.
THIS is the reason that Pope Benedict issued this document. To bring the disaffected out of the darkness and into the light of the Church. He also opened up the window to bring in some fresh air and dissipate all of the stale, moldy air that has built up since the happy-clappy, kumbaya days of the '60s and '70s.
Yes, there will be loonies on the far right who will agitate their pastors and bishops for more and more and more. The mainstream secular media will portray them as being "typical" traditionalists, when in reality, they are not.
It's amazing how the media never portray the typical liberal/progressive as they really are: an arrogant, condescending, aggressive lot who ignore Church authorities at every turn and mock those with whom they disagree.
Our own diocese is typical of how the progressive apparatus operates. A progressive bishop surrounds himself with like-minded individuals in the chancery who mimic his calls for "full, counscious, and active participation" in the liturgy. Of course, they have a skewed understanding of what this actually means.
This bishop's hand-picked diocesan director of worship repeatedly chants her mantra, "active participation uber-alles" while totally stripping all sacredness from the Mass. Innovation takes hold, as the people in the pew are forced to stand when they traditionally knelt. Kneeling to receive Holy Communion is totally forbidden, and we know must process from the rear to the front during the Communion Rite, which defies all logic.
Happy-clappy songs are sung during the propers of Mass instead of what was actually intended to be sung. Everyone must always be "doing" something in order to be relevant.
Then we have pastors who have progressive understandings on the entire concept of the liturgy and the Eucharist (don't get me started) that border on heretical!
Summorum Pontificum is like a hurricane. We are now living in the immediate aftermath.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Motu Proprio less than 24 hours away.
I don't know about you, but I am all giddy about the upcoming document supposedly "releasing" the classic Roman Rite to all Catholics. Yes, I've read snippets of the motu proprio, and it sounds very enticing, indeed! I'm even more excited about what the Holy Father had to say to the bishops in the accompanying letter.
This document should be available on the 'net around 7 am local time tomorrow.
Stay tuned...
This document should be available on the 'net around 7 am local time tomorrow.
Stay tuned...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)