A Merry Christmas to Everyone
Traditional Mass in Architectural Gem in Bath
Liturgical Calendar for 2011 Now Online
Beautiful Candlelit 'Rorate' Mass at Dawn in Oxford Attracts Good Numbers
Historic Pontifical Mass in Leicester
Advent Day of Recollection on Isle of Wight Attracts Good Numbers In Spite of Cold Weather
Extraordinary Form Mass Returns to St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne
Great Success at Traditional Rite Confirmations
Westminster Bishop celebrates the Latin Mass Society’s Annual Requiem Mass in Westminster Cathedral
First Latin Mass Society Walking Pilgrimage to Walsingham a Great Triumph
Great Success for the Traditional Rite at Downside Abbey
Latin Mass Society Introduces a Walking Pilgrimage to Walsingham
Bishop Athanasius Schneider to attend Training Conference
LMS Residential Training Conference for Priests Wishing to Learn the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) at Downside Abbey, Somerset
On behalf of the officers, committee and staff of the Latin Mass Society, may we wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Holy New Year.
Our lists of Masses in the Extraordinary Form on Christmas Eve (including Midnight Masses) and Christmas Day can be found here. We hope you are able to get to one of them.
If you missed Pope Benedict XVI's Thought for the Day broadcast on BBC Radio 4 this morning, you can listen to it here.
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There will be Mass at St Alphege's Church, Oldfield Lane, Bath, Somerset BA2 3NR on Sunday, 16 January at 12 noon. The celebrant will be Dom Boniface Hill, OSB, of Downside Abbey.
St Alphege's is one of the most striking Catholic churches in England, and will make a beautiful setting for this celebration of the Extraordinary Form.
Directions are available by consulting our Mass Map.
The online version of our Ordo for 2011 is now available to view on this website (Find a Mass > Liturgical Calendar 2011), complete with notes on the Missal, Breviary and Indulgences. You can also buy a spiral-bound hard copy of the Ordo.
At 7 o'clock this morning (Saturday, 18 December), over 50 people attended the Sung 'Rorate' Mass in honour of the Blessed Virgin at the Oxford Oratory. The Mass, which started when it was still pitch black outside, was illuminated throughout solely by dozens of candles on the sanctuary and a few in the nave of the church. Members of the congregation each held a small candle too.
It was a Missa Cantata, celebrated by Fr Daniel Seward, Cong. Orat., parish priest of the Oxford Oratory, and MC'ed by Fr Joseph Welch, Cong. Orat.
By the time Mass had ended, the sun had risen and it was snowing gently in Oxford. It is worth noting that turning out on a freezing cold, dark morning to attend Mass in Latin is the sort of thing that would be dismissed as 'too difficult' for ordinary Catholics to do nowadays, by some, but, as the Fathers of the Oratory proved this morning, an encouraging number of people, including the young, will respond if they are called.
There are more photos of the event here on the LMS's Flickr page.
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Father Thomas Crean OP writes:
The Rt Rev. Malcolm McMahon OP, Bishop of Nottingham, celebrated a Pontifical High Mass at the Throne at the Dominicans’ Holy Cross Priory, Leicester, on Wednesday 8 December for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It was the tenth anniversary of his episcopal consecration and he was assisted by a large congregation of over 200.
Father Leon Pereira OP, Prior and parish priest of Holy Cross, acted as Assistant Priest, and Fr Thomas Crean OP and Br Gregory Pearson OP were Deacon and Sub-deacon respectively. The Deacons at the Throne were Fr John Cahill and Fr Dominic O'Connor, priests of the diocese of Nottingham. Brother Mark Davoren OP was Sub-deacon of the Cross. Also present in choir were priests of the dioceses of Nottingham and Clifton, monks of Farnborough Abbey, and Dominicans from St Dominic's, Haverstock Hill in London. Richard Hawker was MC.
Despite the icy weather, the Mass was very well-attended by parishioners and many others. The Holy Cross choir, directed by David Cowen, sang Byrd’s Mass for three voices, with the proper chant from the Dominican Graduale. The bishop entered the church to Elgar's ‘Ecce Sacerdos Magnus’.
After Mass, Bishop McMahon blessed a handsome new shrine to the English and Welsh martyrs. This theologically rich sculpture, designed by Jeff Kindleysides in collaboration with the Prior of Holy Cross, incorporates the novissima verba (last words) of many of our martyrs.
The evening may without exaggeration be described as an historic occasion, since it is believed to have been the first time in more than forty years that an English ordinary has celebrated Pontifical Mass at the Throne. After the Traditional Papal Mass itself, this form of the Holy Sacrifice must rank as the fullest expression of the Catholic liturgy.
The efforts put into arranging the ceremony will no doubt continue to bear fruit for the restoration of Tradition within the Church in the years ahead.
More pictures of the event here.
There is also a video of the event on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6gdwfER2gY
Fr. Simon Leworthy led the Day of Recollection at St Mary's, Ryde, Isle of Wight on 29 November. In the morning Father spoke about the “Four Last Things” and in the afternoon the theme was the “Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary”. Both subjects were most relevant for the Advent Season.
Despite the very cold weather, the average attendance throughout the day was 35. Father reminded the congregation of the prominence of Our Lady and St. John the Baptist in the Mass readings during this season. He stressed the importance of turning back to Our Lord and of opening our heart to give a bigger welcome to the One who has been revealed to us. He reminded us that it is our faith that enables us to believe what has been revealed. The Sacrament of Penance (Confession) is an important aid in assisting us to make a fresh start; to turn away from sin, and to prepare our hearts for the coming of our Saviour at Christmas.
In addition to the two talks, Father heard Confessions, gave Benediction, led Devotions and concluded the day by offering Holy Mass.
On Saturday, 20 November 2010, a High Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite was celebrated in the Cathedral Church of St Mary, Newcastle for only the second time since the liturgical changes following the Second Vatican Council. The Mass was organised by the local branch of the Latin Mass Society (who arranged a previous celebration in 2008). The cathedral dean, Fr Peter Leighton, and his curate, Fr Chris Warren, were very helpful in making the necessary arrangements, and Fr Warren was present in choir on the day.
The celebrant was Fr Shaun Swales, the deacon was Fr David Phillips and the sub-deacon was Fr Michael Brown. The choir was that of St George’s Anglican Church, Cullercoats under their director, Shaun Turnbull, and the organist was Peter Lock. The choir sang Victoria's Missa O Quam Gloriosum, Missa de Angelis (Angus Dei I &II), Viadana's Exsultate Justi in Domino and Franck's Panis Angelicus. The organist played Muffat's Toccata at the Offertory and J. S. Bach's Piece d'Orgue as the Recessional.
The Proper of the Mass was sung by the newly-named Schola Sancti Baedae from Jarrow under their director Dr Michael Dunn. The serving team was led by LMS joint diocesan representative, David O'Neill, as MC with Aidan McGregor as thurifer, Martin McGregor and Frank Walker as acolytes and Keith McAllister as crucifer.
There was a congregation of about 150 with representation from across the diocese.
David O’Neill, LMS Representative, said: “This was a wonderful achievement and it is very encouraging to see the ancient form of the Mass return to the mother church of the diocese. We plan to organise more celebrations and hope our Ordinary, Bishop Seamus Cunningham, will be able to join us in choir”.
More pictures can be viewed here.
Bishop George Stack, auxiliary bishop in Westminster, administered Confirmations in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Rite) at St James’s Church, Spanish Place, London W1 on Saturday 20 November. 39 candidates received the sacrament – 30 children and 9 adults. This was the seventh year of the annual ceremony organised by the Latin Mass Society.
Permission for the Old Rite Confirmations had been given by the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.
The candidates’ day began with a meeting in the Lady Chapel with Bishop Stack. The bishop greeted each candidate individually and then spoke about the importance of Pope Benedict’s speech to youth on 17 September at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham on the theme of “I have come so that they might have life and have it to the full”. The bishop also gave each candidate a prayer card.
The Confirmations then followed. During the ceremonies the bishop was assisted by Fr Christopher Colven, Rector of St James’s and Fr Andrew Southwell, LMS National Chaplain. Also on the sanctuary, among others, were Fr Armand de Malleray FSSP, Fr Simon Leworthy FSSP, Fr Tim Finigan and Fr David Irwin.
The liturgical ceremonies concluded with Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The choir and organist of Spanish Place provided the music, and a large congregation of almost 300 family and friends joined them in singing the Veni Creator Spiritus (with alternate verses in the setting by George Malcolm) and the Veni Sancte Spiritus. During Benediction the traditional hymns Christus Vincit and Tantum Ergo were sung and the choir sang Elgar’s ‘O Salutaris in F’. The vernacular hymns sung were ‘Come Down O Love Divine’ and Blessed John Henry Newman’s ‘Praise to the Holiest’.
After the ceremonies, a reception for the bishop and congregation was held in the crypt. All those present thanked Bishop Stack for his pastoral concern for those attached to the Extraordinary Form by means of an enthusiastic round of applause.
Bishop Stack then spoke briefly and cut the celebratory cake. Whilst having a well-earned cup of tea, he met and chatted with the newly-confirmed and their families.
Confirmations in the Extraordinary Form are becoming ever more popular. On 31 July, Bishop Peter Doyle confirmed 9 candidates in his cathedral church of Our Lady Immaculate and St Thomas in Northampton and later in November St Philip’s School, Kensington, will have its own Extraordinary Form Confirmations with Bishop Alan Hopes, also an auxiliary bishop in Westminster.
The Rt Rev. John Arnold, auxiliary bishop in Westminster, celebrated a Pontifical High Mass of Requiem in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 6 November for the repose of the souls of all deceased members and supporters of the LMS. Father Nicholas Schofield was Assistant Priest, Fr Andrew Southwell, LMS National Chaplain, was Deacon and the Sub-deacon was Fr David Irwin. Gordon Dimon of the LMS was MC.
A congregation of some hundreds heard the men of the Cathedral Choir sing the plainsong Requiem Mass.
The Mass was followed by a homily by Bishop Arnold and then the traditional ceremonies of Absolutions at the Catafalque. The coffin for the occasion was supplied by the Fairways Partnership, Funeral Directors.
Before Mass, a wreath was laid by Dr Joseph Shaw, Chairman of the LMS, and other LMS Committee members on the grave of Cardinal Heenan in the cathedral nave in thanksgiving for the Cardinal’s efforts to preserve the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Father Patrick Hayward read prayers for the occasion.
Doctor Shaw said afterwards: “This was the second time that Bishop Arnold has celebrated the LMS’s annual Requiem Mass and we are most grateful to him. We also thank Canon Christopher Tuckwell, the Cathedral Administrator, and Fr Alexander Master, the Cathedral Precentor, for their help”.
Note: The Extraordinary Form has now returned to many of our cathedrals throughout England and Wales and the LMS is actively seeking to introduce further Masses.
On the second day the pilgrims continued to Oxburgh Hall, owned by the Bedingfeld family, and which has been in Catholic hands since the Middle Ages. A sung Traditional Mass was celebrated in the private chapel.
On Sunday the pilgrims continued their way to Walsingham where they prayed in the Slipper Chapel and walked the ‘Holy Mile’ from the village to the Catholic shrine. Many, by tradition, were barefooted. Finally, sung Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of Reconciliation by Fr Redman.
Most of the pilgrims were young and greatly enthused by the combination of the physical effort involved and Mass and devotions in the Traditional form. LMS Chairman, Dr Joseph Shaw, completed the walk and said:
“This is simply a trial run. There is a noble tradition of walking pilgrimages to Walsingham which the LMS wishes to revive, so next year we are planning a much bigger and even more heartfelt pilgrimage and we invite all young people, and not so young, to join us. We are determined through hard work and penance to return the Catholic Faith to England and Wales”.
The Latin Mass Society’s residential training conference for priests wishing to learn the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) held at Downside Abbey, Somerset, from Tuesday 10 August to Friday 13 August was a great success.
The highlight was the Solemn Pontifical Mass celebrated at the Faldstool by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, auxiliary bishop of Karaganda in Kazakhstan on the Thursday. Father Andrew Southwell, LMS National Chaplain, and Rev. Matthew McCarthy FSSP were Deacon and Sub-deacon, with Canon Marcus Kunkel ICKSP as Assistant Priest. There were over thirty priests in choir and a congregation of more than 100.
During the conference twenty priests received intensive tuition in the celebration of the Usus Antiquior and eleven laymen were instructed in serving the Mass.
Bishop Schneider gave a well-received keynote lecture on the priest as ‘Eucharistic man’ and was also the main speaker at the closing conference dinner. His book, Dominus Est, which advocates receiving Holy Communion on the tongue whilst kneeling has attracted worldwide attention.
The conference included daily Sung Mass, Lauds and either Vespers or Compline in the evening; there was Benediction after Vespers.
Father Ray Blake, the well-known blogger, who attended the conference, said:
“Downside was a tremendous experience. Most of all I enjoyed the sense of fraternity amongst the priests, the solidarity, the sharing of our love for Holy Mother Church and her liturgy”.
Doctor Joseph Shaw, LMS Chairman, said:
“This conference was the sixth to be organised by the LMS during the last three years. Over 100 priests have now attended, of whom about 85 now regularly celebrate Mass in the Usus Antiquior. The LMS will organise a further two conferences in 2011”.
The Latin Mass Society is organising a Walking Pilgrimage from Ely to Walsingham from Friday 20 August to Sunday 22 August. There is a noble tradition of walking pilgrimages to Walsingham which the LMS wishes to revive. The pilgrimage is inspired by the great Paris to Chartres Traditional annual walking pilgrimage which attracts thousands of young participants.
The LMS pilgrims will leave Ely on Friday 20 August after a 7.00 am blessing in Ely Cathedral. Accommodation will be in tents. There will be daily Mass in the Traditional Latin Rite concluding with a Traditional Mass in the Chapel of Reconciliation at Walsingham at 2.30 pm on Sunday 22 August. This will be open to all.
The pilgrimage will be restricted to adults for this year whilst any practical problems are ironed out. It is hoped it will be much larger next year.
Dr Joseph Shaw, LMS Chairman, said: “I am very excited by this pilgrimage – it’s the sort of practical and challenging devotion which young people in particular find of great benefit. This is just one of the evangelical activities by which the LMS is responding to Pope Benedict’s call for a fresh presentation of the Faith in Europe”.
For registration and full details potential pilgrims should e mail the organiser, Paul Smeaton, on paulsmeaton@hotmail.co.uk or telephone the LMS office on 020 7404 7284.
The Latin Mass Society has announced that Bishop Athanasius Schneider ORC, Auxiliary Bishop of Karaganga in Kazakhstan, will be attending the forthcoming priests’ training conference to be held at Downside Abbey from Tuesday 10th to Friday 13th August. Bishop Schneider will celebrate a Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form in the Abbey Church at Downside on Thursday 12th August at 11.00am. He will also deliver a lecture as part of the conference.
Around 30 priests are expected to attend the conference where tuition will be given in the celebration of Mass in the older form. Some will be beginners, and will be studying Low Mass; whilst others with more experience will be expanding their skills to include Missa Cantata and Missa Solemnis. Tuition will also be provided for altar servers.
Bishop Schneider is best known for his defence of the traditional practice of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue and kneeling. His book, Dominus Est, originally written in Italian but now available in English, deals with this subject in some detail.
The public will be able to attend the 11.00 am Mass in the Abbey Church each day of the conference, but will be particularly welcome at the Pontifical Mass on the Thursday.
There are a few last minute places available at the Downside conference. Priests and potential servers interested in attending should contact the Latin Mass Society by telephoning 020 7404 7284 for further information and an application form.
The Latin Mass Society of England and Wales (LMS) is organising a residential training conference for priests wishing to learn the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) at Downside Abbey, one of England’s most prestigious monasteries.
The conference will run from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 August 2010 and will feature Traditional liturgies in Downside’s beautiful chapel together with a Gregorian Chant schola and polyphonic choir.
Expert tuition in the celebration of Mass in the Usus Antiquior will be provided on a small group basis. There will be tuition in Low Mass, Missa Cantata and Missa Solemnis and there will be streams for beginners and more advanced students. Tuition will also be given in the other sacraments and in Latin.
There will be opening and closing High Masses, daily Mass, Offices and Rosary. There will also be a closing Conference dinner with guest speaker.
The subsidised fee to participants is only £115.00 which includes all accommodation, meals and training materials. There are limited places and priests are asked to register as soon as possible.
Further details and registration forms can be obtained from the LMS office (Tel: 020 7404 7284, e mail: info@latin-mass-society.org) or from the conference organiser, Mr Paul Waddington (Tel: 01757 638027, e mail: paul@gooleboathouse.co.uk.
Running alongside the training for priests, the Society of St Tarcisius (the LMS’s newly-formed sodality for Traditional altar servers) will organise a residential training course for servers and MCs. Further details can be obtained as above.
Paul Waddington said, “This is the sixth training conference the LMS has organised and we are delighted to be going to Downside Abbey. The Pontifical Commission ‘Ecclesia Dei’ has recently praised our work which makes us more determined than ever to provide training to every priest in England and Wales who seeks to learn the Usus Antiquior.”