July 7th marks the 3rd anniversary of Pope Benedict's Motu Proprio 'Summorum Pontificum', formally 'freeing' the Traditional Latin Mass (it was issued on 7/7/07, however, the provisions of the Motu Proprio had an effective date of 9/14/07, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross). In the MP, the Holy Father invited bishops to send an account of their experiences to the Holy See in three years so that remedies for "truly serious difficulties" which come to light could be sought. Recently, it was reported that Una Voce was likewise preparing a report that they claim "will be of vital importance in the safeguarding of the traditional Mass and liturgy."
Regarding the report, the President of Una Voce noted that "It is no secret that many bishops are against Summorum Pontificum and their reports may well reflect this antipathy. It is for this reason that I have asked our members for comprehensive reports and documentation that truly reflects the situation in their countries so that Rome will be in no doubt about the reality of the implementation of the motu proprio." The organization also presented a report to Pope Benedict for the 2 year anniversary of SP (click here for some highlights).
Overall, looking back at the last three years, it seems that - despite many obstacles - the Motu Proprio has made "a world of difference" for some Catholics, whereas others have not been so fortunate. Perhaps this third anniversary will be a positive turning point for the restoration of Catholic Tradition.
Agimus tibi grátias, omnípotens Deus, pro univérsis benefíciis tuis: Qui vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculórum. Amen. [We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for all Thy blessings: who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.]
Related: The Traditional Latin ('Tridentine') Mass vs. the New (Novus Ordo) Mass | Why the Latin Mass? | Latin Mass Updates: 7/07 & Later | Latin Mass & Catholic Tradition
"[The Tridentine Mass is] penetrated more than anything else by the spirit of true reverence, and it draws those who live it directly into this spirit." (Von Hildebrand)
"It would not be an exaggeration to describe this Missal as the most sublime product of Western civilization, more perfect in its balance, rich in its imagery, inspiring, consoling, instructive than even the most beautiful cathedral in Europe." (Davies)
"[T]he Tridentine Mass is something which must be experienced, and only then will it become clear why, in an article written fifteen years after the introduction of the Novus Ordo Missae, the Tridentine Mass can be termed with perfect accuracy: 'the Mass that will not die.'" (Davies)
[7/7]
Some of Cardinal Levada's remarks at the recent consecration of the newly constructed FSSP chapel have drawn criticism from tradition-minded Catholics who question why the Cardinal couldn't just "let 'em have their day". For example, the Cardinal made reference to the (delusive?) claim that "that the two forms of the usage of the Roman Rite, the Extraordinary and the Ordinary Forms, can be mutually enriching to each other" and claimed - contrary to a recent document - that (gulp) "the new prefaces can and should be introduced into the old Missal".
At the consecration of the chapel - a chapel which is designed specifically for the traditional rite - he also...
* referred to a "beautiful preface" in the Missal of Paul VI for the anniversary of a dedication of a church which he claimed "can help to enrich our understanding of the celebration today"
* spoke of the supposed "continuity that we can see" between the TLM and the NO
* made a comparison (i.e. "It is also the same principle that is operative...") between orders celebrating the TLM and soon-to-be former Anglicans who will preserve "some of the richness of their liturgical and spiritual patrimony" (a "patrimony" tied to an act of disobedience against Christ's Church and for which their orders ultimately lost their validity) after converting to the Catholic Church
* unequivocally asserted that Vatican II is the "work of the Holy Spirit"
* referred to "generous steps" in the Motu Proprio (something demanded even by justice itself is now thought to be "generous"?)
Cardinal Levada has been criticized in the past for not permitting even one public celebration of the TLM under "indult" in his former Archdiocese.
Related: The Traditional Latin ('Tridentine') Mass vs. the New (Novus Ordo) Mass | Vatican II and its Fruits
[3/5]
Some recent statistics that may be of interest...
* Number of episcopally approved (every Sunday) TLM's according to various blogs: U.S.-289; France-156; Italy-73; Germany-49; U.K.-37; Brazil-42; Switzerland-21; Canada-23; Australia-17; Poland-15.
* Double good news: A Protestant group has released new figures indicating that Catholic Church membership is up while membership in Protestant sects has declined. They claim the Catholic Church has enjoyed a 1.49% growth rate in the past year and stands at 68.1 million members.
Related: Traditional Latin Mass Info. | Necessity of Being Catholic For Salvation
[2/19]
The traditional Latin Mass community in New Haven will begin celebrating its 25th anniversary of the return of the ancient Mass on Sunday, February 7, 2010. The festivities are said to include a "series of public functions" marking the quarter-century anniversary of the return of the TLM to New Haven.
Related: Latin Mass & Catholic Tradition
[2/3]
According to the FSSP website, TLM Masses in Calgary, Alberta have been restored (see announcement here). Although the FSSP announcement states that "restrictions have been lifted" and "normal Mass times have been resumed", it does not indicate what caused the reversal. [Previous story here]
[12/8]
Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce recently presented Pope Benedict with a report on the 2 year anniversary of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum (more on the motu proprio here). Even more recently, an abridged version of this report was reported on by the Rorate-Caeli blog. The abridged version of this report is available here. Some highlights appear below... (Note: Italics & an instance of extra punctuation appearing in the original have been omitted below)
* "Perhaps the greatest reason for the current crisis in the Church is that too many people in the Church, particularly in senior positions, no longer accept the authority of the Pope. Where there is dissent, and where personality and self-interest are uppermost, there is decay and lapsation. Where Christ and obedience are to the fore the traditional life of the Church is allowed to flourish unhindered and the spiritual life of the Church flourishes, parish life flourishes, priestly and religious vocations flourish, and the vitality of the faith flourishes. The evidence for this is becoming more clear as each year passes. Those who refuse to recognise this are allowing their own human rationale and agenda to blind them to the undeniable growth that is taking place before their very eyes. They wilfully refuse to see what is becoming incontrovertible."
* "Since the promulgation of Summorum Pontificum the signs, increasingly, are encouraging; tradition is no longer fighting a losing battle, it has been restored to its rightful place in the Church and is now making quite clear progress. It may not be evident in some places but the positive and confident public statements by an increasing number of senior prelates on the Missal of 1962, on a return to the celebration of Mass ad orientem, and on reception of Holy Communion on the tongue and kneeling are becoming more widespread."
* "The iron grip of Modernism is finally being loosened. It is a movement that has no past and no future. It is of the present, selfish and self-centred, with a blinkered vision that does does not extend beyond the minds of its adherents. On the other hand, tradition has a secure foundation, a history, a present, and a future; a continuity."
* "We refuse to loosen our grip and abandon the faith and traditions so dear to our parents and grandparents, our great saints and humble sinners. We are adamant that we will not consign their lives, their faith, their liturgy, their fortitude and sacrifice in times of adversity to the fading memory of history. Tradition is a living thing and cannot be cast aside; it is impossible. Tradition is the lifeblood that flows through the veins of the Church and without it the Church will die. Our faith lives in the vibrancy of tradition as it has lived for 2,000 years and we will not dishonour the memory and steadfastness of our forebears by casting it aside in favour of an experimental modern creation; no matter how many times we are told that the new model is better for us."
* "By his courageous action in promulgating Summorum Pontificum, our Holy Father has now generated a debate at all levels in the Church about what was actually authorised by the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council. For forty years it has been taboo to discuss any aspect of the liturgical reform as though it were to be seen as a sign of disloyalty to Blessed Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI; as an act of disobedience to the Council, and a desire to turn back the great progress we are told, ad nauseam, supposedly has been made under the revised liturgy. Debate has been ruthlessly stifled and the liturgy has deteriorated as the nebulous ‘spirit’ of Vatican II has permeated every aspect of liturgical life."
* "It can be said, with some justification, that a desire for a critical examination of the liturgical reform has been driven, in great part, by the laity. Countless millions of the faithful have given their opinion of the liturgical reforms by abandoning the practice of their faith. This fact is incontrovertible."
* "Since the end of the Second Vatican Council the essential truths of the Catholic faith have been jeopardised in the headlong pursuit of ecumenism; a pursuit, for some, that desired unity at almost any cost. It is the leaders in pursuit of this all-consuming objective that resist any countenance of a restoration of such clearly identifiable ‘Catholic’ Latin liturgy as enshrined in the traditional Mass."
* "The members of the International Federation Una Voce all over the world have provided, once again, their observations on how the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum is being implemented in their own countries during the second year following promulgation... What is clear from these new reports is that there has been a mixed reception of Summorum Pontificum which includes a serious level of episcopal disapproval in many countries. The good will displayed by many bishops has been offset by concerted and continual attempts by many other bishops to thwart the will of the Holy Father. The individual reports from the members of the International Federation Una Voce indicate quite clearly that the motu proprio, a legal document issued with all the authority of the Supreme Legislator, the Successor of Peter, in his attempts to heal divisions and "come to an interior reconciliation in the heart of the Church", is being ignored, and, even worse, is being publicly disobeyed on a scale that can only be described as scandalous."
* "The general picture, despite many areas of concern, does reveal many positive aspects. It must be said quite clearly that the malaise concerning the reluctant implementation of Summorum Pontificum exists primarily within the ranks of the episcopate."
* "...there are many within the Church, both clergy and lay, who have welcomed the motu proprio and are working energetically towards its success, despite the sanctions being taken against them. Particularly heroic are those priests who are suffering the opprobrium of their confreres in their determination to provide the Mass in its Extraordinary form in obedience to the Holy Father, and in their untiring quest for the salvation of souls. And this number is growing as more and more people, both clergy and lay, are being exposed to the beauty, reverence, and spirituality of the Extraordinary form of Holy Mass. "
* "... the internet that is the route by which many Catholics are becoming aware of the motu proprio. This is becoming the predominant means of informing the laity about the initiative of Pope Benedict XVI in making the traditional Mass available once again to priests and lay faithful. The faithful who remember the older form of Mass, and younger people who are discovering the beauty and spirituality of the ancient liturgy, are coming together to form groups and to petition their priests and bishops for Masses in the Extraordinary form. In most places, generally speaking, it is the younger laity and priests who are showing the most interest. And also, generally speaking, it is the older clergy who are most opposed to the restoration of the ancient liturgy."
* "The demand for the traditional liturgy is a movement that is growing and which cannot be stopped, despite the best efforts of bishops and clergy to do so. The form of Mass described by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI as Extraordinary has a pedigree of more than 1,500 years and an imprimatur not only of the present Pope but also, it can be said with complete justification, by the Holy Spirit. With such a measure of support the resistance of some bishops will inevitably fail."
* "Whereas in some places the situation has shown a gradual improvement, it cannot be denied that in many places there has been no progress and there has even been deterioration. In some countries, notably Poland, South Africa, and the USA, there has been a noticeable improvement with more Masses being celebrated and in different locations. In some places, such as Nigeria, the situation has deteriorated; and in most others the situation is relatively unchanged. "
* "There is clear evidence that many in the episcopacy were caught off-guard with the promulgation of Summorum Pontificum and were taken by surprise by the interest in the Extraordinary form, particularly from their priests and by the number of Masses being celebrated. Regretfully, this surprise has now been replaced by a determination to exercise a control that is not within their power to do. It is not too strong to say that many priests are being threatened by their ordinaries and fellow clergy not to celebrate the Extraordinary form of Mass."
* "In the USA, traditional Masses are now being celebrated in 151 dioceses out of 178 and there has been an increase in locations and the number of Masses."
* "FIUV members have provided a great deal of factual information about a lack of cooperation and this information will be provided to the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei."
* "...there is much factual evidence now available about the negative and unhelpful attitudes of many bishops towards their priests and their flocks. Many bishops and priests simply dismiss requests from their flocks or simply ignore them and do not reply. Bishops have removed priests from their parishes for celebrating, or indicating their desire to celebrate the Extraordinary form, but it is usually enough for the ordinary to indicate his hostility to the traditional Mass to deter priests. There is also evidence about the hostile attitudes of priests, in particular older clergy, towards their fellow priests that is dissuading younger priests from celebrating or learning the Extraordinary form. For this reason many priests are now learning and celebrating the traditional Mass in secret."
* "There are many priests who have responded charitably to requests from their laity, or have embraced the opportunity provided by Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate the traditional Mass, but many of these have asked that their names be not made public. It is truly a sad state of affairs in the Catholic Church when a priest is afraid to be named for celebrating the Mass of antiquity; the form of Mass that sustained the Church through centuries and formed countless saints. It is reminiscent of penal times."
* "The problem with Summorum Pontificum, like many documents emanating from Rome in recent years, is that it has not been brought to the attention of the great mass of the faithful. Whereas it has promoted much debate among the clergy and those within the traditional movement, it is a fact that at parish level around the world most of the faithful are unaware of the motu proprio. In many countries there has been a deliberate policy of silence and containment which has proved an effective strategy."
* "While the older generations express an inner contentment after attending the traditional Mass it is the reaction of younger people that is quite dramatic. They are astonished that such a beautiful liturgy was ever replaced and marginalised."
* "Many priests who have expressed an interest in the traditional liturgy to the members of the FIUV have asked for absolute confidentiality. Most are courageous young priests but who are afraid of retribution from their bishops, fellow clergy, and even their parishioners if their interest becomes public. Some are celebrating the Extraordinary form in private until they are able to do so publicly."
* "Despite the obstacles being placed in their way it is an undeniable fact that the numbers of priests (and seminarians) who are expressing an interest in the traditional liturgy is growing inexorably."
[Related: Latin Mass Facts | Why the Latin Mass? | The Traditional Latin Mass vs. the Novus Ordo (New) Mass]
[11/6]
Attention traditional Catholics: Don't miss the amazing "bombshell interview" with the Maestro Perpetuo ("director for life") of the Sistine Chapel, Monsignor Domenico Bartolucci, which is linked to on our site (see "Selected News Links"). In this interview, you may find jewels such as...
* The fact that he has celebrated the TLM "without interruption" since his ordination, and has found it "difficult" to celebrate the Novus Ordo
* Regarding modern (shall we say "festive"?) funerals, he asks if the people have ever read the Gospel (referencing how Jesus cried over the death of Lazarus)
* He says liturgists have been made who "know nothing about theology"
* He worries that people in the future - even the priest - may not understand what transubstantiation is
* He says "twisting the liturgy" became "kind of fashion" where "everybody was trying to be like popes"
* He says young generations of priests while "full of good feelings" may "lack in education"
* He says the liturgical problem is "serious" and says the Novus Ordo has "deficiencies" that are now "becoming evident for everybody"
* He warns about hybrid liturgical measures with compromises "that make God sad and the enemy happy"
Note that Msgr. Domenico Bartolucci has served under five popes.
[8/19]
The Archbishop of Westminster has recently issued a "warning message" to traditional Catholics not to denigrate the Novus Ordo and says that those who think the Novus Ordo is "in some way deficient" are "inexorably distancing themselves from the Church".
Apparently Catholics are supposed to keep their mouths shut and heads in the sand about serious problems such as the lack of reverence, reduced belief in the Real Presence, etc. which may be attributable to the Novus Ordo as well as the fact that abuse is rampant in many parishes and that Protestants who are traditionally fierce enemies of the Mass accept the Novus Ordo (even without changing their theology). We are also apparently supposed to ignore the many bad fruits associated with the 1960's rite as well as the fact that it was created with the assistance of Protestants (heretics) and that its chief architect is a suspected Freemason who said that "The liturgical reform is a major conquest of the Catholic Church" (Archbishop Bugnini)
The Westminster Archbishop failed to address his "warning" statement's necessary conclusion that Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinals Ottaviani & Bacci, and Archbishop Dwyer, etc. must have also "inexorably distanced themselves from the Church" due to their public statements which indicate that the Novus Ordo is "in some way deficient". For example:
"...in the place of liturgy as the fruit of development came fabricated liturgy. We abandoned the organic, living process of growth and development over the centuries, and replaced it - as in a manufacturing process - with a fabrication, a banal, on-the-spot product." (Cardinal Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI)
"We have limited ourselves above to a short study of the Novus Ordo where it deviates most seriously from the theology of the Catholic Mass. Our observations touch upon deviations which are typical. To prepare a complete study of all the pitfalls, dangers and psychologically and spiritually destructive elements the new rite contains, whether in texts, rubrics or instructions, would be a vast undertaking." (Cardinals Ottaviani & Bacci)
"What was intended by Vatican Council II as a means of making the liturgy more easily understood by the average Christian, has turned out to be something more like an *rgy of stripping it of all sense of reverence, bringing it down to the level of commonness where the very people for whom the changes were made now only yawn out of sheer boredom with the banality of the result." (Archbishop Dwyer)
How is it that Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinals Ottaviani & Bacci, and Archbishop Dwyer could have "inexorably distanced themselves from the Church" by speaking the truth? How is that even possible?
Interestingly, the same Archbishop failed to issue a "warning message" to the pro-homosexual "Catholic" organization in his diocese which recently praised s*domite adoption. Guess they were somehow able to avoid "inexorably distancing themselves from the Church" even though they are fostering sin & denigrating Holy Matrimony by placing marriage on the same level unnatural, sinful s*domite unions. He also reportedly supports government s*x education programs called "diabolical".
Apparently homosexual adoptions are okay, "diabolical" sex education for youths is okay, but speaking the truth against the committee-created 1960's rite is bad enough to distance once from the Church inexorably - apparently even including the Pope. Yea, right.
[Related: The Traditional Latin ('Tridentine') Mass vs. the New (Novus Ordo) Mass | Vatican II and its Fruits]
[8/10]
Pope Benedict's letter concerning the lifting of the SSPX excommunications has been released. In that document, written in the "highly unusual style of a heartfelt personal letter", the Pope states that it is his intention "to join the Pontifical Commission 'Ecclesia Dei'...to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith." This Commission had previously been where parishioners could go for recourse if their pastor & bishop did not facilitate their request for the Traditional Latin Mass. Also in the letter is the Pope's observation that "At times one gets the impression that our society needs to have at least one group to which no tolerance may be shown; which one can easily attack and hate. And should someone dare to approach them - in this case the Pope - he too loses any right to tolerance; he too can be treated hatefully, without misgiving or restraint." No doubt that many faithful Catholics are familiar with this unfortunate truth. [3/12]
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