Traditional Latin Mass Returns to Croatia Despite Opposition From Bishops
Solemn High Mass at Thornley, Co Durham
Launch of Juventutem Oxford Announced
International Petition to Defend Summorum Pontificum Launched
Latin Mass Society Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Caversham, Saturday, 26 February at 11.30am
Summorum Pontificum – Rumours and Counter Rumours
Pilgrimage to York in Honour of St Margaret Clitherow on Saturday, 26th March 2011
Thought for the Day: Liturgical and Private Prayer
Successful Training Day for Servers in York
Diaconal Ordinations for the ICRSS (Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest)
Altar serving weekend at St John Fisher House in Reading on 18-19-20 February 2011
Men's Retreat in North Wales
Sacred Triduum at St Mary Moorfields in the City of London
LMS Offers Financial Support to Young People Attending WYD 2011 in Madrid
Vocation discernment weekend with the Fraternity of St Peter at St John Fisher House in Reading on 8-9-10 April 2011
News From the Isle of Wight
February Edition of Mass of Ages Magazine Now Available
Pilgrimage to York and Sung Mass at the High Altar of York Minster
We reported recently on the situation in the Catholic country of Croatia where repeated refusals by the local bishops to allow celebrations of the Traditional Latin Mass led to the direct intervention of the Holy See to order that Mass in the Extraordinary Form be made available regularly on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation.
The first of these regular Masses was celebrated on Septuagesima Sunday at St Martin's Church near the cathedral in Zagreb, the Croatian capital. The celebrant was Fr Stanislav Vitković.
A full report and more photos of the Mass in this beautiful Baroque church can be seen here.
Many thanks to the Croatian gentleman (an LMS member) who phoned the LMS office to tell us about this report.
Photo credits: Toma Blizanac
On Tuesday 22 February 2011 – the Feast of St Peter's Chair – Fr Gary Dickson celebrated his first Missa Solemnis in the church where he is parish priest. Such Masses have been celebrated in the church of Sacred Heart and English Martyrs but with visiting celebrants. Fr Gary was trained in this form at previous Priests' Training Courses run by the LMS and by brother priests of the diocese. This is the first time that the parish priest of this church has celebrated this solemn form of Mass in over 40 years. Fr Dickson was assisted at the altar by Fr David Phillips as deacon and Fr Michael Brown as sub deacon. Low Mass in the EF is celebrated at this church every Sunday.
Fr Simon Henry preached a wonderful sermon on the effects of the changes in our liturgy since Vatican II and contrasted the sense of reverence which, in too many cases, has been lost. He quoted from both Pope Pius XII's papers – before his election to the See of Peter – which was prophetic in the way he has been reviled over the years and from Pope Benedict XVI looking forward to a return of holiness in the Church. Also in choir was Fr Aldo Tapparo of the Archdiocese of Birmingham based in Oxford.
The music was provided by the Schola Sancti Baedae under Dr Michael Dunn who sang Missa de Angelis, the Proper from the Liber Usualis and the motets Attende Domine and Ave Verum. As a special treat for Fr Gary the 3 Lydon sisters sang Cesar Franck's Panis Angelicus during communion.
The evening finished with a buffet laid on by the ladies of the parish. The intention of the Mass was 'In thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI and Summorum Pontificum. More than 75 were in the congregation.
You can see more photos of the event on the LMS Flickr page here.
Photo credit: Frank Erskine
Following the successful launch of Juventutem London in November, another group of the international movement for young people attached to the Extraordinary Form is starting up.
The first meeting of Juventutem Oxford will take place on Wednesday, 2 March. The regular Wednesday evening Mass at SS Gregory & Augustine, 322 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 7NS at 6pm will become a Sung Mass. A social gathering with drinks will follow.
See the Juventutem London Blog for details.
In light of the recent rumours of a threat to the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, an international online petition to the Holy Father has been started. For background and links to this story, see the LMS Chairman's Blog.
This Saturday (26 February) sees the Latin Mass Society Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Caversham, near Reading.
Traditional Sung Mass with Polyphony: Votive Mass of Our Lady. Starts 11.30am.
The Medieval Shrine, which already existed at the time of the Norman Conquest, was rebuilt and solemnly blessed and dedicated by Archbishop Francis Grimshaw of Birmingham in 1958.
Mass will be accompanied by the Schola Abelis of Oxford.
It will be celebrated by Fr Armand de Malleray FSSP, who is based in Reading.
Our Lady & St Anne’s Catholic Church,
South View Avenue,
Caversham,
Reading, RG4 5AB.
Directions with a map can be viewed here or on our Mass Map.
On Tuesday and Wednesday rumours began to circulate on Traditional websites and blogs that the clarificatory document being prepared by Pope Benedict on Summorum Pontificum had been ‘hijacked’ by determined clerical opposition in Rome and had been seriously watered down to the point where it reduced Summorum Pontificum to little more than an ‘indult’ and the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite to little more than a tolerated museum piece for people with antiquarian tastes.
It seems incredible that these rumours can be accurate. Firstly, it would mean the Holy Father contradicting the clear meaning of the wording of Summorum Pontificum. Secondly, such a retreat would be the defining moment of his papacy – previously, the very publication of Summorum Pontificum was regarded by the Pope’s friends and foes alike as its defining moment. Thirdly, it would probably destroy the doctrinal talks ongoing with the Society of St Pius X (SSPX). All the positive actions towards the Extraordinary Form of Pope Benedict’s papacy have been designed to make it possible for the SSPX to enter into dialogue with the Vatican, i.e. they have been confidence-building measures. To publish a document which in effect retreats from Summorum Pontificum would destroy that confidence and make it very difficult for the SSPX publicly and unambiguously to ‘return’ to unimpaired communion with Rome.
LMS members and supporters should bear in mind Pope Benedict’s words in his Letter to the Bishops which accompanied Summorum Pontificum in July 2007. The words reflected on the maelstrom of rumour and supposition which swirled through the media before the Motu Proprio was finally published: “The document is the fruit of much reflection, numerous consultations and prayer. News reports and judgments made without sufficient information have created no little confusion. There have been very divergent reactions ranging from joyful acceptance to harsh opposition about a plan whose contents were in reality unknown”.
Let us hope and pray that the Holy Father’s words apply to the new situation of rumour and confusion in which we find ourselves. Dr Joseph Shaw, LMS Chairman, gives his own thoughts here.
The pilgrimage will begin at 1.30pm with a Missa Cantata at the High Altar of York Minster. This will be followed by a procession from the minster, via The Shambles and Ouse Bridge to the Church of the English Martyrs in Dalton Terrace, where Benediction and veneration of the relic of St Margaret Clitherow will take place at 4pm.
Use of York Minster is by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter.
It was originally intended that Benediction would be at the Bar Convent, but because of the numbers that are expected to attend, this has been transferred to the English Martyrs’ Church.
Because of the parking restrictions in force in York, visitors travelling by car are advised to use the Park and Ride facilities. The Askham Bar car park, on the Tadcaster Road near to the A64 to the south-west of York, will be the most convenient as the buses from there pass near to both the Minster and English Martyrs’ Church. It would be wise to allow half an hour to get from the car park to the Minster by bus.
One of the LMS’s favourite priests, Fr Ray Blake, recently posted some musings on the status of silent prayer in the liturgy as commonly experienced in England and Wales today. What follows is an abridged version. What Fr Blake’s thoughts suggest is the ever-increasing importance of the Traditional Rite in influencing parish celebrations to return to the overwhelming encounter with the Divine which is the hallmark of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.
I had a discussion with a group of priests recently on silence in the liturgy. We all thought it was necessary but for the most part absent, certainly at Sunday Mass. Most of the priests suggested adding pauses in the Liturgy, even to the point of saying, "We are going to have thirty seconds of silence before ...". I couldn't help reflecting that imposed silence was used as a punishment in schools when I was a child. In the Liturgy one priest's silence becomes a whole congregation’s waiting.
I must admit to a personal problem I have of integrating personal prayer with liturgical prayer. I think it all hinges around silence, and, yes, a problem with actuoso participatio. I suspect in the minds of most people there is little integration between private prayer and liturgical prayer; at best the liturgy is a form of lectio divina but isn't really what most Catholics would identify as "prayer". It is a problem, a very serious one. Personal prayer for most people under a certain age is silence. Sitting on one's own, meditating, silent reading or reflection has replaced family Rosary, Litanies, the Angelus and all those things which were the mainstay of Catholic prayer, and although they are not liturgical, they certainly are corporate and vocal and therefore akin to the liturgy.
The question can be asked in most parishes: when does prayer actually take place? The readings can be read in a non-didactic prayerful way, the sermon can be preached to speak more of God than the preacher, we can use the preferred silent option for the Offertory; all this should lead to the most profound prayer of all, the Canon or the Eucharistic Prayer, but as the Pope says in his book, The Spirit of the Liturgy, "the Eucharistic Prayer is in crisis": his suggested remedy is not only a re-orientation of the Mass but also a return to the silent Canon.
One of the things that caused comment during the Papal visit last autumn was the quality of the silence at the Masses. Also, one of factors not commented on at the time was the Pope's use of Latin for the Eucharistic Prayers. The use of Latin has a tendency to veil the liturgy; its incomprehensibility helps the liturgy become a sort of focused silence.
Acknowledgement: marymagdalen.blogspot.com
The Society of St Tarcisius, the sodality founded by the LMS to support men and boys who serve the Traditional Mass, held another of its Servers' Training Days last Saturday (12 February), this time in York at the Church of the English Martyrs. It was a great success, with 20 students attending (both men and boys, of all ages and abilities), some travelling from as far as London to be there.
As with previous training days, there was tuition according to levels of experience, with two groups concentrating on Low Mass and one group, for more advanced students, on Missa Cantata.
The day concluded with a Missa Cantata, enabling the servers to put into practice what they had been practising. The music for the Mass was provided by the Rudgate Singers.
There are more photos of the day on the LMS Flickr page.
Photo credit: Mike Forbester
H.E. Raymond Cardinal Burke ordained three new deacons for the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest on 30 January, 2011 in the ICRSS seminary in Gricigliano, Italy. (For those curious about numbers in recent years: in 2010, the ICRSS had one new deacon and three new priests. In 2009, they had six new deacons and five new priests.)
A magnificent photo gallery of the ceremony can be found here.
The day before the ordinations, on 29 January (Feast of St Francis de Sales), Cardinal Burke offered a Solemn Pontifical Mass in Treviso. The pictures can be found here.
Cardinal Burke was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI during a consistory over the weekend of 20-21 November 2010.
On Monday 22 November Cardinal Burke celebrated a Mass at the North American College, Rome, during which he preached an inspiring sermon on the tasks of a cardinal, chief among which is to be “intrepid, even to the shedding of his blood for the building up of the Christian faith, the peace and harmony of the People of God, and the freedom and the extension of the Holy Roman Church”.
You can read Cardinal Burke’s sermon in the February issue of Mass of Ages, magazine of the Latin Mass Society. You can order copies here.
(Acknowledgement: rorate-caeli.blogspot.com)
Photo credits: Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest
There's still time to book a place on the altar server's weekend being run by the Fraternity of St Peter at Reading. Here are the details:
• For Catholic laymen between 18 and 35 years of age (under 18 please contact Fr De Malleray).
• Starts on Friday, 18 February 2011 at 6pm – ends on Sunday, 20 February 2011 mid-afternoon. Led by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP.
• Venue: St John Fisher House is the residence of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter in England & Wales. Bishop Crispian Hollis of Portsmouth authorised its canonical establishment in Reading on 1st August 2010.
• Address: 17, Eastern Avenue, Reading RG1 5RU
• Access: 27min from London Paddington by direct trains up to every 10min, and from London Waterloo. Direct trains from Oxford, Bournemouth, Bristol, Newcastle, York, Birmingham, Gatwick Airport, Southampton Airport, etc. Direct ‘RailAir’ buses from Heathrow to Reading train station every 20min. Motorway: M4.
• Limited overnight accommodation: please book now.
• Programme: In a convivial atmosphere, among Catholic laymen (students and professionals), learn how to serve Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite or improve your liturgical knowledge.
During meals, at coffee or during a walk in the nearby university grounds, ask all the questions you wish about the liturgy or share your experience and interest among like-minded young Catholic laymen.
Fr de Malleray will also talk on the spirituality of the Mass. Holy Mass each of the three days (Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite); time for prayer and for optional private talk with Fr de Malleray. Evening film. On Sunday morning, Solemn High Mass at St William of York Church in Reading, with Fr de Malleray, FSSP, Fr Leworthy, FSSP and visiting Fr Angel Alfaro, FSSP (superior of our mission in Colombia). After Mass, at St William of York Church circa 12.30pm, Fr Alfaro will give a presentation of his ministry in Anolaima and Bogota .
• Cost: no set price for students or unemployed – any donation welcome ; others: £50 suggested. Booking: malleray@fssp.org
The Benedictine monks of St Joseph de Clairval Abbey in France will be coming to Pantasaph in north Wales from 18 to 23 August to give a silent retreat for men, based on St Ignatius's Spiritual Exercises. Mass will be celebrated in the Extraordinary Form.
For more information about the retreat, see the St Joseph de Clairval website. Registration details are here. You can also write to the Abbey at this address:
Abbey Saint Joseph de Clairval
Spiritual Retreats
21150 FLAVIGNY SUR OZERAIN
France
Telephone: 33 3 80 96 22 31
Fax 33 3 80 96 25 29
H/T Fr Tim Finigan
We are delighted to announce a new venue for the Sacred Triduum in central London this year. Liturgies for Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday will be celebrated at St Mary Moorfields, 4/5 Eldon Street, London EC2M 7LS.
The LMS would like to thank the parish priest, Fr Peter Newby, for agreeing to host the ceremonies in his parish.
Fr Newby, who already celebrates Mass in the Extraordinary Form at St Mary's every Friday at 7.45am, will be celebrating the Mass of Holy Thursday himself, which will be a combined LMS and parish Mass.
The schedule is as follows:
Holy Wednesday (20 April) Tenebrae, 6.30pm
Maundy Thursday (21 April) Sung Mass, 6.30pm
Good Friday (22 April) Good Friday Liturgy, 5.30pm
Holy Saturday (23 April) Vigil and High Mass, 5.00pm
World Youth Day (WYD) takes place in Madrid this year from 16 to 21 August. Thousands of young Catholics from around the globe will be attending in the presence of Pope Benedict.
Juventutem, the international youth movement for people aged 16 to 35 who are attached the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, will be attending again to give a powerful witness to the traditional Mass and orthodox belief before gathering of many thousands. In addition to Traditional Latin Mass each day at WYD, Juventutem has also organised a Retreat in the week prior to WYD near Bilbao.
The LMS, as part of its on-going policy of supporting young people, are teaming up with Juventutem and offering financial sponsorship to any young person in England and Wales who goes to Spain with Juventutem. The LMS's financial support means that you will pay just half the price of Juventutem's already very reasonable prices, plus half the cost of your airfare.
• For Catholic men between 18 and 35 years of age (under 18 please contact Fr De Malleray).
• Starts on Friday 8th April 2011 at 6pm – ends on Sunday 10th April 2011 mid-afternoon. Led by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP.
• Location: St John Fisher House is the residence of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter in England & Wales. Bishop Crispian Hollis of Portsmouth has allowed for its canonical establishment in Reading on 1st August 2010.
•Address: 17, Eastern Avenue, Reading RG1 5RU.
•Travel: 27mn from London Paddington by direct trains up to every 10min, and from London Waterloo. Direct trains from Oxford, Bournemouth, Bristol, Newcastle, York, Birmingham, Gatwick Airport, Southampton Airport, etc. Direct ‘RailAir’ buses from Heathrow to Reading train station every 20min. Motorway: M4.
• Limited overnight accommodation: please book now.
• Programme: Spiritual conferences, socials, Holy Mass each of the three days (Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite), silent prayer, private talk with Fr de Malleray, FSSP. Fr de Malleray will explain what is a vocation in general and to the priesthood in particular. Read here the Holy Father’s recent Letter to seminarians. Extract: “The proper celebration of the Eucharist involves knowing, understanding and loving the Church’s liturgy in its concrete form. In the liturgy we pray with the faithful of every age – the past, the present and the future are joined in one great chorus of prayer. As I can state from personal experience, it is inspiring to learn how it all developed, what a great experience of faith is reflected in the structure of the Mass, and how it has been shaped by the prayer of many generations.”
• Cost: no set price for students or unemployed – any donation welcome ; others: £50 suggested.
St. Mary’s Parish in Ryde on the Isle of Wight was pleased to welcome Fr. Armand de Malleray (Superior of the Fraternity of St. Peter in England and Wales) once again.
Father has been here many times before. On this occasion he sang the Latin (EF) Mass on the 4th Sunday After the Epiphany. Lodovico de Viadana’s Missa L'Hora Passa was sung by the parish’s newly-formed Gregorian Schola under the direction of Andrew Duxson (Director of Music). Over sixty people were in attendance.
There was a reception afterwards in the church crypt where Father met many of the congregation and expressed his gratitude to the choir for an excellent performance which enhanced the liturgy. He was also pleased to meet and encourage Rev. Jonathan Redvers-Harris (Vicar of All Saints Anglican Church), who is continuing to explore the possibility of joining the Ordinariate established by the Holy Father.
The following day, its being the Feast of St John Bosco, Fr. de Malleray offered Mass in St. Mary’s and preached on the importance of the education and formation of young people in the Faith. St John Bosco founded the Salesian Order and the Order of Our Lady, Help of Christians for the education of poor children.
Father mentioned the negative influences in today’s society which undermine the growth of young people’s Faith. We must do all that we can to support our young people so that they grow in the likeness of Christ. Father referred to the World Youth Congress in Madrid in the summer as an opportunity for young Catholics to meet and to explore and share their Faith in a truly Catholic atmosphere, adding that he would, as at previous WYDs, accompany members of Juventutem.
Related News: The LMS is offering sponsorship to any Catholic (under 36) who wishes to attend World Youth Day in Madrid with Juventutem. See here for more details.
The new edition of our quarterly magazine is now available to order online. We also have free downloads of taster articles from the current issue, so you can try before you buy!
The Latin Mass Society Pilgrimage to York in honour of St Margaret Clitherow will take place on Saturday, 26 March.
There will be Mass at the High Altar of York Minster (Missa Cantata) at 1.30pm followed by a procession, beginning from the Minster at 3pm via St Margeret Cltherow's house in the Shambles, past the site of her execution on Ouse Bridge and finishing at the Bar Convent, where there will be Benediction followed by veneration of St Margaret's relic at 4pm. There will be tea served afterwards at the Convent.
Pilgrims are encouraged to attend this national event from all over England and Wales. If you live in the Birmingham area, Dr Matthew Doyle, the LMS Local Rep for Birmingham and Black Country, is organising a coach from Birmingham to York. Details of the coach can be found here.