Tridentine Latin Mass
Lutheran Pastor Becomes Trad Catholic Priest
24/08/10 17:15
Here is a
fascinating interview with a Lutheran Pastor who
became a traditional Catholic priest. I find it
fascinating in many ways--most especially how this
man was treated by the so-called Catholic bishops in
his own diocese when he informed them of his desire
to convert.
Interview with Sten Sandmark from DICI on Vimeo.
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TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC FAMILY LOOKING TO ADOPT
15/08/10 14:04
I have agreed to help a family that is seeking to adopt a baby--they currently have children but are unable to have anymore. If you know of any situations involving a healthy, young, drug-free and alcohol-free couple who are looking for a good traditional Catholic family to adopt their child please email me ...realclearreligion@gmail.com. Depending on the number of responses we could potentially start an adoption matching aid for traditional Catholics through this site.
THE LATIN MASS IS MORE MERITORIOUS AND EFFICACIOUS THAN THE NOVUS ORDO
23/12/09 10:45
Are certain masses more meritorious and efficacious to your soul than others? Is the Novus Ordo inferior to the Tridentine in terms of obtaining grace? This may be a foolish question to many --but so many are in the dark and consider the two rites to be of equal value. They are not. The following article entitled the Merit of A Mass by Father Chad Ripperger F.S.S.P., which originally appeared in Latin Mass Magazine lays it out beautifully. Beware however once you read it you will refuse to put up with anything less than the best and most efficacious of worship.
"Among the traditional faithful there appears to be a kind of intuitive sense that the old rite of Mass is more efficacious than the new rite. Many believe that they derive more spiritual gain from the old rite of Mass than from the new. However, to give a more precise expression to the intuitive sense of which is more efficacious, the new or the old rite, it is necessary to make several distinctions. Since the purpose of this article is very specific, i.e. to ascertain which ritual is more meritorious or efficacious, certain issues regarding the value or efficacy of the Mass will be avoided.1
Yet, to answer the question of whether the old rite of Mass is more efficacious than the new is of paramount importance. It is the point of departure between priests of the respective rites, since each holds that he is saying the Mass that is best for the faithful.2 Nevertheless, the question is a key one since, in the end, whichever ritual is more meritorious ought to be the one that the Roman authorities encourage. Since one of the primary obligations of those in authority in the Church is the glory of God through the salvation of souls, they have the obligation to encourage and, in some cases, require the ritual of the Mass which is most efficacious.
I. Distinctions of Merit
The distinctions within the different kinds of merit of the Mass are first founded on a distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic merit or value. The Catholic Encyclopedia says:
We must also sharply distinguish between the intrinsic and the extrinsic value of the Mass (valor intrinsecus, extrinsecus). As for its intrinsic value, it seems beyond doubt that, in view of the infinite worth of Christ as the Victim and High Priest in one Person, the sacrifice must be regarded as of infinite value, just as the sacrifice of the Last Supper and that of the Cross. …But when we turn to the Mass as a sacrifice of impetration and expiation, the case is different. While we must always regard its intrinsic value as infinite, since it is the sacrifice of the God-Man Himself, its extrinsic value must necessarily be finite in consequence of the limitations of Read More...
GET THEE TO DAILY MASS
11/05/09 14:27
"The heart of liturgical worship is the Mass. Just as the redemptive work of Jesus reached its culminating point on Calvary by His death on the Cross, so too the liturgical action, which continues His work in the world, has its climax in the Mass, which renews and perpetuates on our altars the Sacrifice of the Cross. Jesus has willed that the precious fruits of redemption...be applied and transmitted to each of the faithful in a particular way by their participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. This fountain of grace which Jesus opened on Calvary continues to pour over our altars; all the faithful are obliged to approach it...Holy Mass is truly the "fountain of life". By offering and immolating Himself continually on our altars, Jesus repeats to us, "If any man thirst let him come to Me and drink."
The Sacrifice of the Altar "is not merely a commemoration of the Passion and Death of Christ, but is a true and proper sacrifice, in which, by immolating Himself in an unbloody manner, the great high priest renews His previous act on the Cross. The Victim is the same, so is the Priest, nothing but the manner of offering is different -- bloody on the Cross, unbloody Read More...
LET NOVELTY CEASE TO ATTACK ANTIQUITY
28/04/09 14:12
These are the famous words of Pope St. Celestine in the year 431 to the Ecumenical Council at Ephesus. Years later St Vincent of Lerins adhered to this rule when he cited it in his own doctrine --where quod ubique, or universitas est incertum, i.e. where universal agreement on a point of doctrine is uncertain, the faithful must then inquire into the quod sempor or antiquitas i.e. into the constancy and antiquity of the churches teaching on the matter.
St Vincent stated: "Let nothing more be granted to novelty because no addition should be made to antiquity, let not the clear belief of the ancients be polluted by an intermixture of mire."
And what does the bible say on the topic of tradition and novelties:
"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us." 2 Thessalonians 2:15
"Now I praise you because you remember me in everything, and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you." 1 Cor. 11:2
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us." 2 Thessalonians 3:6
Our culture is obsessed with change and novelty. Our political leaders shove change down our throats and disregard the wisdom of those who came Read More...
QUIET REVOLUTION IN BRITISH PRIESTHOOD
09/08/08 21:20
"We are witnessing an unusual sight: a Roman Catholic solemn mass, celebrated according to an ancient Latin rite effectively outlawed 40 years ago. And it’s taking place in the 13th-century chapel of Merton college, Oxford, which has been Anglican for 400 years." Damian Thompson
The rest of this article is a must read. The quiet revolution that is sweeping across Catholicism is nothing short of miraculous and reveals God's mercy and love for His people.
While on the subject of the latin mass, I have re-posted an excellent video showing the transformation of an altar for latin mass. (also if you haven't seen this one --you really should!).
Finally, I highly recommend The Spirituality of the Ancient Liturgy Part I and The Spirituality of the Ancient Liturgy Part II, both by Father Chad Ripperger, F.S.S.P. which appeared in the Latin Mass Magazine.
WHY THE LATIN MASS?
20/04/08 22:16
-- Bishop Fernando Arêas Rifan of Brazil, on the Latin Mass quoted by Zenit.
MASSIVE APPEAL TO LATIN TRADITION
28/10/07 22:05
Since July, when a decree from Pope Benedict XVI lifted decades-old restrictions on celebrating the Tridentine Mass, seven churches in the Washington metropolitan area have added the liturgy to their weekly Sunday schedules.
"I love the Latin Mass," said Audrey Kunkel, 20, of Cincinnati. "It"s amazing to think that I"m attending the same Mass that has formed saints throughout the centuries."
In contrast to the New Order Mass, which has been in use since the Second Vatican Council in 1969 and is typically celebrated in vernacular languages such as English, the Tridentine Mass is "contemplative, mysterious, sacred, transcendent, and [younger people are] drawn to it," said the Rev. Franklyn McAfee, pastor of St. John the Beloved in McLean. "Gregorian chant is the opposite of rap, and I believe this is a refreshing change for them."
Susan Gibbs, the director of communications from the Archdiocese of Washington, said the attraction demonstrated by the young adults is "very interesting."
Besides the liturgy"s rich historical content and spiritual Read More...
ITALIAN BISHOP FORBIDS LATIN MASS DESPITE POPE'S MOTU PROPRIO
17/09/07 12:40
Naples, Sep. 17, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Bishop Raffaele Nogaro of Caserta, Italy forbade the celebrate of the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass on Sunday, September 15, despite the permission granted by Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) for all priests to use the older liturgical form.
The Italian daily Il Messagero reports that Bishop Nogaro ordered Msgr. Giovanni Battista Gionta to cancel plans for a Mass using the 1962 Roman Missal at the Shrine of St. Anne. Msgr. Gionta, who had scheduled the Mass at the request of local Catholics, posted a note at the shrine to announce that he was changing plans. "I obey the bishop," he explained.
Il Messagero said that Bishop Nogaro ordered the cancellation of the Mass "so as not to set a precedent." The bishop said that he was taking action to help his people pray properly, since "to mumble in Latin serves no purpose."
Elsewhere in Italy the effective date Read More...
REACTIONS TO THE MOTU PROPRIO AND THE RETURN OF THE TRIDENTINE LATIN MASS
08/07/07 16:53
From Newbusters--LA Times Claims Latin Mass 'Leaving Some Polarized'
Here is the L.A. Times most negative take on the move to Latin: Traditionalists are pleased, but others see an erosion of Vatican II reforms.
From National Post: What's Latin for 'No one is happy?'
From the Epoch Times: Latin Mass a Looming Headache for Catholic Parishes
Here is a bishop who has fought back the tears about the return of Latin, and more creation of false conflict by the secular liberal media: Bishop mourns Latin decree, Jews ask for clarity
A claim that the motu proprio is welcomed by the Bishops of England and Wales: Bishops of England and Wales welcome Pope's call for unity
Some reaction from the Society of Pius Read More...
LATIN AND THE MASS: THE MORE DEAD THE LANGUAGE THE BETTER
30/06/07 06:36
"The Latin language is venerable on account of its origin and its antiquity; it is the language in which the praises of God resounded from the lips of Christians during the first centuries. It is a sublime and solemn thought that the Holy sacrifice is now offered in the same language...with the very same words as it was offered in times long past, in the obscurity of the Catacombs." The Catechism Explained, The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Spirago & Clarke (1927)
"There is also an element of mystery about the Latin tongue; it is a dead language not understood by the people. The use of an unknown tongue conveys to the mind ... that a mystery is being enacted. In the first centuries of Christianity a curtain used to be drawn during the time from the Sanctus to the communion to conceal the altar from the sight of the worshippers. This is now no longer done, but the use of an unknown tongue has something of the same effect, by inspiring awe..." The Catechism Explained, The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Spirago & Clarke (1927)
The use of Latin also protects the Church against error and Read More...
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN
14/06/07 20:53
"The church's windows are broken, its beige bricks are sooty, its paint is chipped. The 300-foot steeple, a hallmark of the St. Louis skyline, is pulling away from its foundation. One day it could tumble into traffic on Gravois Avenue.
St. Francis de Sales church, often called the Cathedral of South St. Louis, is an ideal home for a group of Roman Catholic priests devoted to restoration. But restoring this 19th-century neo-Gothic church to its former glory is only one reason St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke assigned the priests to oversee St. Francis de Sales.
The real mission of the group, called the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, is the restoration of the traditional Latin Mass.
The 1,600-year-old Mass isn't used much today, but it's making a comeback.
That effort will get a boost Friday when Burke — one of the most devoted supporters of the old Latin rite among U.S. bishops — will ordain two deacons of the Institute at the Cathedral Basilica. Burke has ordained members several times in Italy, where the institute is based outside Florence. But Friday will mark the first time members of the 17-year-old institute will be Read More...
THE WORLD'S CONFUSION OVER THE RETURN OF THE LATIN MASS
03/05/07 15:29
This following article from Slate is entitled "Can the Latin Mass Make a Comeback?". It seems like asking if water or air can make a comeback. It is as if the return to the Tridentine Latin Mass is a mere trend, when in reality all of creation awaits the return of its mystery, reverence and grace.
"When word began to spread last year that Pope Benedict XVI might release a document that would allow some changes in the ways Catholic worship on Sunday mornings, the reaction in some quarters approached giddy enthusiasm. "It's coming … it's coming!" wrote one blogger of the imminent release of the papal decree. (As it turned out, its release was not so imminent. Catholics who were waiting are still waiting, though reports now suggest the announcement could come in a few weeks.)
Most Vatican documents, it's probably safe to say, are not designed to provoke such fits of anticipatory glee. So, how to explain the excitement?
The long-rumored document—said to take the form of a motu proprio, a personal initiative of the pope—would allow for broader use of the Tridentine, or, as it's commonly known, Latin Mass, by permitting Read More...
THE LATIN COUNTERREVOLUTION
28/04/07 21:04
Here is secular analysis of the Pope and his mission to restore latin to its proper place in the Church, from Expatica:
"Pope Benedict XVI may have raised a few eyebrows with his red Prada shoes and Father Christmas-like "camauro" hat but the German-born pontiff is no revolutionary on Catholic Church matters.
No one was surprised then when the German-born Pope Benedict XVI issued strict rules on how to celebrate Mass and reaffirmed the importance of the celibacy rule for priests this month.
However, there was one minor aspect of this apostolic exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis (Sacrament of Charity), that will likely make waves: His decision to encourage the use of Latin in Church.
"I ask that future priests, from their time in the seminary, receive the preparation needed to understand and to celebrate Mass in Latin, and also to use Latin texts and execute Gregorian chant," the pope wrote in his message to clergymen and ordinary Catholics.
The traditional Tridentine Mass in Latin was replaced with updated liturgies in local Read More...
A COUNTER CULTURAL PRIEST
21/03/07 15:21
It is precisely because of counter cultural priests like Fr. Johnson that the Tridentine Rite was kept alive and so many are now anxiously awaiting the motu proprio.
Here is Fr. Johnson's obituary from the L.A. Times:
Father Daniel Johnson, a champion of pre-Vatican II Roman Catholic traditions and the centuries-old Tridentine Mass, has died. He was 77.
Johnson died Sunday at a Duarte hospital after a long illness.
"He was a pioneer in reforming liturgical reform," said Michael J. Sundstedt, a longtime parishioner at St. Mary's by the Sea in Huntington Beach, where Johnson served as pastor for 25 years before retiring in 2004.
When Johnson arrived at the tiny wooden church in 1978, it was in danger of closing because membership had dwindled to about 400 people, church administrators recalled.
Johnson began walking door to door in the neighborhood, sometimes in the rain, inviting people to church. He also visited the Huntington Beach Pier every evening, striking up conversations.
Read More...
