Sung Mass and Juventutem Social for young adults at St Mary Moorfields, London, Friday, 27 April
LMS Pilgrimage to Littlemore, Saturday, 5 May
Mass Map - Latest Listings
High Mass at Downside Abbey on Saturday, 5 May
New Mass Listings for England and Wales
Report on Training Conference at Belmont Abbey
SSPX and Vatican negotiations - a further cautious move forward
No Response Yet From SSPX to Vatican, But Letter from Bishop Fellay to His Clergy
Holy See and SSPX 'On verge of reaching agreement'
Latest FIUV Traditional Position Paper Published: Liturgical Orientation
LMS Training Conference Booked Out!
A Happy and Blessed Easter to You All
Last Night's Tenebrae at St Mary Moorfields, London
Public Masses at Belmont Abbey Training Conference, 16-19 April
Something to Make You Think
Don't Forget: The Government Still Plans to Legalise Same-Sex 'Marriage'
The Stations of the Cross for Those on the Move in London
St Catherine's Trust Family Retreat, 13-15 April - Last Chance to Book!
Mass Listings for Holy Week and Easter
Your Help Required if You Live in Leeds
Walsingham Pilgrimage Promotional Video
Latest Traditional Position Paper from FIUV
Day of Recollection at Ware on Saturday, 14 July
"Renew your faith by attending Holy Mass. Keep your mind focused on the mystery that is unfolding before your eyes. In your mind's eye transport yourself to Calvary and meditate on the Victim who offers Himself to Divine Justice, paying the price of your redemption." ~ Saint Padre Pio
Join Juventutem London for Sung Mass this Friday, 27 April, the feast of Saint Peter Cansius.
Sung Mass Friday, 27 April, 6.30pm Saint Mary Moorfields Catholic Church, 4-5 Eldon Street, London, EC2M 7LS.
Music will be provided by Cantus Magnus and the Juventutem London Schola.
After Mass there will be a social downstairs for those aged 18-35 with an exception for priests and religious. The Mass is, of course, open to anyone of any age. It is only the social events that are designed for 18-35 year olds.
This Mass and all our monthly Masses are offered for the work of The Good Counsel Network, a pro-life pregnancy centre that reaches out to mothers in desperate need of support, who would otherwise feel they have no other option than to have an abortion. Their work is founded on prayer and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
"For the sake of obtaining that eternal life no works of piety ought to seem too hard to a true believer, no toil too heavy, no pain too bitter, no time spent in labor and suffering too long or too wearisome. For if nothing is sweeter or more desirable than this present life which is so full of calamities, how much more desirable must that other life be deemed which is so far removed from all sense of evil or fear of it, which will in every conceivable way always abound in the unspeakable and unending joys, delight and happiness of heaven." ~ Saint Peter Cansius
Latin Mass Society Pilgrimgage to Littlemore
in honour of Bl John Henry Newman
Saturday, 5 May
2.30pm: Sung Mass in Greyfriars (SS Edmund and Fridesdwide, 182 Iffley Road, Oxford OX4 1SB)
5pm: Vespers in The College, Littlemore (College Lane, OX4 4LH)
After Mass a party of pilgrims will walk from Greyfriars to Littlemore, via the former Church of St Ignatius in St Clement’s, following the footsteps of Bl. John Henry Newman, who attended St Ignatius’ following his reception into the Church.
Mass and Vespers will be accompanied by the Schola Abelis.
In addition to our regularly updated Mass Listings, you can also track down Traditional Masses in your part of the country by consulting our Mass Map. This too is kept up to date as we receive new information and we have just incorporated dates for the coming three months. If you know of any Traditional Masses that aren't listed, please let us know.
The annual High Mass at Downside Abbey near Bath, Somerset, takes place the Saturday after next. Please go along and support the Mass at this wonderful venue. The music looks particularly interesting. The details are as follows:
High High Mass at Downside Abbey
Saturday, 5 May 2012 at 11am
Celebrant Dom Boniface Hill, OSB
The Abbot of Downside will preach
Music will be sung by the St John's Festival Choir
Missa O Rex Gloriae by Lobo
Offertory motet: Ave Jesu Christe by Peter Phillips (c.16th English recusant exile)
Communion motet: Ave Maria by Clemens non Papa
The latest Mass listings for England and Wales (and a few other locations) for the May to August period can now be downloaded here.
Paul Waddington writes:
'Nine priests and eleven laymen attended the priest and server training conference organised by the Latin Mass Society, and held at Belmont Abbey, Hereford, during Low Week. Two of the clergy were attending for the first time and learned to celebrate Low Mass. Others studied either Missa Cantata or Missa Solemnis. The servers were also divided between beginners, who learned to serve Low Mass, and others who studied the more advanced forms.
'There was a sung Mass each morning at the High Altar of the Abbey Church, and Benediction each afternoon. Some students also found time to attend the office sung by the monks of the Abbey.
'Belmont Abbey proved an excellent venue, the Abbot and community being very welcoming, and the Abbey Church having several side altars suitable for tuition. The group filled Hedley Lodge, the Abbey’s guesthouse, which provided comfortable and convenient accommodation for the participants as well as excellent food.'
Photos of the event will follow soon.
The Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei today issued the following confirmation:
'The text of the response of His Excellency Bp. Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, requested during the meeting in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of March 16, 2012, was delivered on April 17, 2012. This text will be examined by the Dicastery and submitted afterwards to the judgment of the Holy Father.'
Fr Lombardi, head of the Vatican Press Office offered the following comment:
'Today's news means that yesterday Bp. Fellay's response, that had been requested by Cardinal Levada at the last meeting, was delivered to the Congregation, to the Ecclesia Dei Commission, to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Now, this response, it is a reponse that, according to the words of those who could see it, is a very different response from the previous one, and this is encouraging, we proceed forward. But, naturally, we also find in the response the addition of some details or integrations to the text of the doctrinal preamble that had been proposed by the Congregation for a doctrinal agreement, and this response will be discussed, it will be examined first by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in one of its meetings of the next few weeks and, afterwards, it will also naturally be examined directly by the Pope. It can be said that steps forward have been taken, that is to say, that the response, the new response, is rather encouraging, but there are still developments that will be made, and examined, and decisions that should be taken in the next few weeks. I think the wait will not be long because there is the desire to reach a conclusion in these discussions, in these contacts.'
The Society of St Pius X's General House at Menzingen has also issued a statement as follows:
'The media are announcing that Bishop Bernard Fellay has sent a “positive response” to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and that consequently the doctrinal question between the Holy See and the Society of St. Pius X is now resolved.'The reality is different.
'In a letter dated April 17, 2012, the Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X responded to the request for clarification that had been made to him on March 16 by Cardinal William Levada concerning the Doctrinal Preamble delivered on September 14, 2011. As the press release dated today [April 17] from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith indicates, the text of this response “will be examined by the dicastery then submitted to the Holy Father for his judgment.
'This is therefore a stage and not a conclusion.'
So the outlook for an agreement still looks encouraging - nobody has closed off that possibility - but there remains much work to do. The PCED then the Holy Father need to consider Bishop Fellay's response and then consider the response to that. It is important to bear in mind that, all through the negotiations between the SSPX and the Holy See in the last five years, each time the next agreed stage in the process has been reached, there is a frenzy of speculation in the media (including online media) that the talks have either collapsed or are on the verge of success! Such an approach ignores the cautious, quiet manner in which both the Holy Father and Bishop Fellay have always worked on this and other matters. Let us watch and pray for success.
Photo credit: DICI.org
So far Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Society of St Pius X (SSPX) has not issued a response to the Vatican's request of 16 March for 'clarifications'. However, Rorate Caeli carries an interesting report from Italy of a letter by Bishop Fellay to the bishops and priests of the SSPX. The possibility of an agreement is certainly not being ruled out.
We repeat our request for prayers for a successful outcome to the negotiations.
There is intense speculation in the media and on the blogosphere that an SSPX response to the Vatican's request of 16 March for 'clarifications' on its position may be imminent. The SSPX was given a month in which to respond and that month is almost complete. Rorate Caeli blog reprints an article in the French newspaper Le Figaro that suggests an agreement may be announced very soon.
We would emphasise that at present this is all speculation. Nevertheless, we strongly urge all to offer prayers for a successful conclusion of the Holy See's negotiations with the SSPX.
Dr Joseph Shaw, LMS Chairman and member of the FIUV Committee writes on the Rorate Caeli Blog:
'I can now publish the fourth in our series, on Liturgical Orientation - that is, the celebration of Mass ad orientem rather than versus populum.
'This is another topic, like that of Communion in the Hand/on the Tongue, where the traditional position is strongly supported by many 'Reform of the Reform' types and conservative Catholics. Indeed, the strength of feeling expressed on this subject by Pope Benedict in 'The Spirit of the Liturgy', and Cardinal Schonborn in a retreat preached before Bl. Pope John Paul II, is quite remarkable: both are quoted in the paper.
'Despite this, of course, the great majority of Catholics still assist at Mass celebrated versus populum, and in some places those wishing to celebrate the Extraordinary Form ad orientem have to go to great lengths to make this possible, with temporary steps and the like. With this paper I hope that FIUV can make a contribution to a much-needed debate which effects the whole Church.
'The next paper will be published on 1st May, on the Vulgate and the ancient Latin Psalters.'
All the papers published so far can be downloaded from the FIUV website or from the LMS website here.
The LMS's Eighth Priests' and Servers' Training Conference begins on Monday, 16 April at Belmont Abbey in Hereford. We are encouraged by the fact that the conference has been oversubscribed. As a result, we have had to find extra accommodation for the priests and servers wishing to come on the course as the normal accommodation building has been filled. The Abbey has been extremely kind and offered us extra rooms in the Abbey itself for clergy attendees. We are very grateful to the Abbot and the Community for their help.
If you are in the area, there is daily Mass in the Traditional Rite in the Abbey church, which is open to members of the public. You are very welcome to come along. The times are given here.
A Holy Sacred Triduum and a Blessed Easter to you all from everyone at the Latin Mass Society.
Full details of Holy Week and Easter Masses can be seen here.
A hat tip to Mac McLernon of Mulier Fortis for this report (and two YouTube clips) on Tenebrae last night (Holy Wednesday) at St Mary Moorfields in the City of London. The choir was Cantus Magnus, directed by Matthew Schellhorn, and a fine job of it they did!
Cantus Magnus will be providing music for the whole of the Sacred Triduum at St Mary's (organised by the Latin Mass Society). Tonight (Maundy Thursday), Mass starts at 6.30pm, which is a joint LMS/parish Mass. Full details here.
Photo credit: Mac McLernon
The LMS Priests and servers' Training Conference will be taking place between Monday, 16 and Thursday 19 April at Belmont Abbey, Hereford, HR2 9RZ. If you wish to book a place, there is just time, but you will have to hurry.
Masses and other ceremonies open to the public will be as follows (in the Abbey Church):
Monday, 16 April: 5.15pm Benediction
Tuesday, 17 April: 11.00am Sung Mass, 5.15pm Benediction
Wednesday, 18 April: 11.00am Sung Mass, 5.15pm Benediction
Thursday, 19 April: 11.00am Sung Mass
Many Traditional Catholics, including LMS members, took part in the 40 Days for Life Vigil in Bedford Square, London, last week. You may be interested, not to say moved, by this extraordinary story posted by Caroline Farrow on her excellent blog The Catechesis of Caroline. The Guardian report referred to in her posting featured an interview with a pro-abortion protester speaking about 'what her mother had campaigned for' at the time of the 1967 Abortion Act. This posting gives an insight into one aspect of that campaign by the pro-abortion activists. God has already judged these people. What they need from us is our prayers.
Back in February, the Coalition for Marriage started their petition against the Government's plans to legalise same-sex marriage. Despite other items dominating the news recently, the threat hasn't gone away. If you haven't done so already, please sign the petition against the Government's proposals. So far over 384,000 people have signed, and the number is growing.
Here's an interesting and inspiring idea - a method for praying the Stations of the Cross whilst travelling on London's Underground. The Stations of the Cross are not just for Lent, of course, and prayer can sanctify the most humdrum of daily routines.
http://www.stationsofthekingscross.com/
Places have been going well on the St Catherine's Trust Family Retreat at the Oratory School, near Reading which takes place in less than two weeks' time. There are a few places left, but you'll have to hurry. There are discounts for LMS members. Full details and online booking are available here.
Full listings of Masses and other services during Holy Week and for Easter Sunday are downloadable here.
There are full Sacred Triduums (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil) at the following locations:
New Brighton, Wallasey
Reading
Leeds
Lanherne, Cornwall
London - St Mary Moorfields, (central London)
London - St Bede's, Clapham Park, (south London)
London - St Margaret's Convent Chapel, Canning Town (east London)
There are other Masses and ceremonies during Holy Week at other churches. Full details, arranged according to diocese, can be seen here.
Will you be in Leeds this week? We urgently need someone with a digital camera to take a few pictures of the Sacred Triduum at Leeds University RC Chaplaincy.
If you are around on either Maundy Thursday (7.30pm), Good Friday (3pm) or Holy Saturday (7.30pm), and plan to attend any of the Traditional liturgies at Notre Dame Chapel, 5-7 Mark's Avenue, Leeds LS2 9BN, please let us know info@lms.org.uk or phone Neil Walker, our Leeds Local Rep on 01274 786432. Thank you.
PS you don't have to be a professional photographer, just willing to take a few snaps for the record!
The LMS Walking Pilgrimage from Ely to Walsingham takes place from 24 to 26 August and we are taking booking now. If you need a bit more persuading, have a look at this promotional video on YouTube.
You can book your place now here.
The latest in the series of Traditional Position Papers from the International Federation Una Voce (FIUV) was published yesterday and can be read on the FIUV website here.
The latest paper is on 'The Manner of Receiving Holy Communion' and has received the approval, inter alia, of Bishop Athanasius Schneider. All three papers published so far can be read on the LMS website here.
A Day of Recollection will be held at St. Edmund’s College, Ware on Saturday, 14 July 2012 at 11am.
The retreat will be preached by Mgr. Gordon Read, The LMS's Regional Chaplain for the South-East. Solemn High Mass in the Traditional Rite will be celebrated at 12 noon and there will be Solemn Vespers and Benediction at 3.30pm.
The cost of the Retreat will be £6. Please bring your own lunch. Tea & coffee will be provided.
For more information contact: Mike Mason on telephone no. 01983-567996 or Mobile: 07810-778160. link link2