Four New Members of International Federation Una Voce
Blessing and Distribution of Roses on St Therese's Day
Donation Details for Lanherne Appeal
SSPX Leaders Meet on 7/8 October to Discuss Holy See's 'Doctrinal Preamble'
Juventutem London Solemn Mass this Friday
LMS Aylesford Pilgrimage on 15 October
Will New Saints be Incorporated into the 1962 Missal?
Report on Dominican Rite Mass in Leicester
LMS Ordo for 2012 Now in Stock
Friday Abstinence (Re)Starts Today
Early Bird Offer for 2012 Walsingham Pilgrimage Expires Tomorrow (15 September)
Bishop Bernard Fellay Gives Brief Interview on Meeting with Holy See
Press Communique from Holy See on 14 September Meeting Between Cardinal Levada and Bishop Fellay of the SSPX
Historic Brinkburn Priory in Northumberland Venue for Solemn Mass in Extraordinary Form
Forthcoming Dominican Rite Masses
John Medlin Retires as Editor of Mass of Ages
Book your place now on the 2012 Walsingham Pilgrimage - Early Bird Offer
Register Now for Traditional Confirmations This Autumn
The International Federation Una Voce, of which the LMS is an affiliate, continues to grow across the world, showing the truly universal appeal of the Traditional Mass across all cultures, ethnicities, and nations. Truly it is the universal Mass; something that cannot be said of a vernacular Mass or a liturgy subject to 'inculturation'! The latest new member groups are from eastern Europe and Latin America. Here is a press release from FIUV President Leo Darroch:
'The International Federation Una Voce Welcomes Four New Members
'The International Federation Una Voce is pleased to announce the admission of four new members. The Federation Council has approved applications from:
'Una Voce Albaruthenia (Belarus),
Una Voce Natal (Brazil),
Una Voce Cuba,
Una Voce Ucraina (Ukraine).
'Since the promulgation of the motu prorio Summorum Pontificum in July 2007 the Federation has admitted twelve new associations: from Malta, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Chile - Casablanca, Philippines, Japan, Portugal, and now the four associations named above. We are also in active discussions with another five groups in Latin America and two in Asia. What is especially encouraging is that all these groups are being formed and led by energetic young people who have found in the traditional liturgy a spirituality they have not been able to find elsewhere. This is our hope for the future in that young lay people will be working with young clergy and religious to ensure that the traditions of the Church will be preserved and fostered.
'The first President of the International Federation Una Voce, Dr Eric de Saventhem, speaking in New York in June 1970, said that the suppression of the traditional Mass had been achieved de facto only and not de jure. It would be unthinkable, he said, for the older form of Mass to be forbidden as one would have to argue that it had been wrong or bad - either doctrinally or pastorally. He thought it perfectly legitimate to ask that the new Ordo Missae should be offered as an additional, alternative way, of celebrating Mass. This was an argument that all the leaders of the International Federation have used regularly when in Rome. The motu proprio Summorum Pontificum has confirmed what Dr de Saventhem said nearly forty years earlier. In his talk he also said:
'"A renaissance will come: asceticism and adoration as the mainspring of direct total dedication to Christ will return. Confraternities of priests, vowed to celibacy and to an intense life of prayer and meditation will be formed. Religious will regroup themselves into houses of "strict observance." A new form of "Liturgical Movement" will come into being, led by young priests and attracting mainly young people, in protest against the flat, prosaic, philistine or delirious liturgies which will soon overgrow and finally smother even the recently revised rites.
'It is vitally important that these new priests and religious, these new young people with ardent hearts, should find -- if only in a corner of the rambling mansion of the Church -- the treasure of a truly sacred liturgy still glowing softly in the night. And it is our task - since we have been given the grace to appreciate the value of this heritage -- to preserve it from spoliation, from becoming buried out of sight, despised and therefore lost forever. It is our duty to keep it alive: by our own loving attachment, by our support for the priests who make it shine in our churches, by our apostolate at all levels of persuasion."
'Everything that Dr de Saventhem prophesied has come to pass. The revised rite of 1970 has indeed been overgrown and smothered by flat and delirious liturgies. For forty years the members of the International Federation have worked unceasingly to keep alive "the truly sacred liturgy" and to prevent it being "buried out of sight, despised, and therefore lost forever". The enquiries being received by the Federation are coming mainly from young people who are not attracted or inspired by these "flat, prosaic, philistine or delirious liturgies" and are welcoming and embracing the venerable usus antiquior of their forefathers. The International Federation Una Voce will continue unceasingly in its work to attract new members and help restore and spread the usus antiquior and the venerable and ancient liturgy of our forbears to our altars.
'Leo Darroch, President - Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce.
'28 September 2011'
The feast of St Therese of Lisieux falls on next Monday, 3 October and at the Mass at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane, London WC2 at 6.30pm, there will be a blessing and distribution of roses.
UPDATE: We now have the IBAN (International Bank Account Number) if you wish to donate to the appeal via international bank transfer. Unfortunately, the Sisters are not able to take payment by card or PayPal. Scroll down this report to the bank transfer details.
As we reported previously, the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate at Lanherne Convent in Cornwall are appealing for a benefactor, or benefactors, to buy their convent from the Carmelites, the present owners, who are reluctantly having to sell the building.
As Franciscans, the Sisters are not permitted to own property themselves, so they are asking if a generous person or persons would do this, to enable them to continue their monastic life at Lanherne. The Sisters now follow the Traditional Mass and Office exclusively. They are attracting many vocations. They are a powerhouse of prayer for the Church. It would be a tragedy if they were to have to move from Lanherne. If you can possibly help, please do so.
Donations can be sent as follows:
By cheque (payable to 'Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate') to:
Mother Superior
Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate
Convent of St. Joseph and St. Anne,
Lanherne-St. Mawgan
NEWQUAY
Cornwall
TR8 4ER
United Kingdom
or by bank transfer:
Account Name: Friends of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Account No. 2
Sort Code 20-87-94
Account No. 03519252
IBAN (for international bank transfers): GB31 BARC 2O87 9400 2126 79
If you wish to contact the convent their email and phone details are:
Tel. 01637 860423
Email: fsi.lanherne@talktalk.net
It is reported on the Rorate Caeli blog that Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior of the Society of St Pius X, will be meeting in Italy with senior figures of the SSPX to discuss the Doctrinal Preamble of the document that was handed to him by Cardinal Levada on 14 September.
We recommend your continued prayers for a successful outcome to the on-going negotiations between the Vatican and the SSPX. Fr Tim Finigan is offering a Mass for the 'speedy, charitable, and just resolution of the juridical status of the Society which is so desired by the Holy Father'.
The regular Traditional Mass and Social organised by Juventutem London (4th Friday of every month) takes place this Friday, 23 September at the newly established venue (for Juventutem, that is) of St Patrick's Church, Soho Square, London W1. Mass starts at 6.30pm. The Social, with a meal and drinks, follows Mass. Full details are on the Juventutem London Blog.
These Masses have been able to have some wonderful music, and this Friday's Mass will be no exception, with works by Lassus and Lotti. Juventutem have now started their own schola (choir) to provide Gregorian Chant (men's voices) and polyphony for these Masses. They are still looking for more people to join the schola, so if you are interested, please email juventutemlondonschola@gmail.com to tell them of your interest.
All are welcome to join the revived Pilgrimage to Aylesford, near Maidstone in Kent. Come and venerate the Shrine of St Simon Stock. There will be investitures in the Brown Scapular for those who wish to adopt this wonderful Sacramental. Also of note at the Priory is the Rosary Way. All fifteen mysteries of the Rosary have a wayside shrine by a path that loops round behind the priory buildings. Full details below (also available in PDF here):
The Rorate Caeli blog has an interesting story about the possible inclusion in the Traditional Missal of saints canonised since 1962 and possible new prefaces.
The source for this is a publication entitled 'The Activity of the Holy See', which is published by the Vatican, but is not an 'official' publication.
The relevant entry from 2010 reads:
'...that a joint commission was set up, with experts of the commission "Ecclesia Dei" and of the congregation for divine worship, for the "updating" of the commemorations of the saints and the "possible insertion of new prefaces" into the preconciliar Roman missal of 1962, to which Benedict XVI gave full citizenship in 2007.'
Fr Thomas Crean, OP reports:
'10 September 2011 saw another historic day for Holy Cross in Leicester, with the first solemn Mass in the Dominican rite for many years.
'The celebrant was Fr Leon Pereira OP, until recently prior of Holy Cross, Fr David Rocks OP was deacon and Fr Thomas Crean OP was sub-deacon. Fr John Cahill, who has recently taken up residence as parish priest in the next-door parish of St Peter's was in choir, along with 2 members of the Confraternity of the Precious Blood, attached to the London Oratory. The schola was conducted by Mr Paul Beardsmore.
'The Dominican solemn Mass differs in many interesting ways from the standard Roman rite: for example, the chalice is brought in by the subdeacon during the singing of the Gloria, and prepared at the sedilia.
'The Mass was followed by a procession of a relic of the True Cross, accompanied by the singing of the Vexilla Regis .'
More photos of the Mass can be seen here.
The LMS's 2012 Ordo is now in stock and available to buy online (below), by phone (020 7404 7284) or by post (please make you cheque payable to 'LMS' and don't forget to include postage - see drop-down menu below for post-inclusive prices).
The Ordo gives liturgical details for every day of the year for Mass according to the 1962 Missal and for the 1961 edition of the Roman Breviary.
A unique feature of the LMS Ordo is that, in addition to information on the universal calendar, it lists variations for the dioceses of England and Wales for the Traditional Rite.
The Ordo is an ideal gift for any priest who celebrates Mass or says his Office according to the Extraordinary Form, or who is thinking about it. Also much in demand by laity who pray part of the Office.
Indispensible!
The recent ruling by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales that Catholics must abstain from eating meat on Fridays comes into force today (16 September 2011).
The law for some years now, that the faithful should either abstain from meat or do some other form of penance, has been more honoured in the breach than in the observance, probably because it has not been preached and also because when you offer people vague options ('some other form of penance') it reduces the force of the injunction, and people don't think they have to bother.
To their credit, the bishops have returned to the simple, straightforward practice of abstaining from meat full stop. If you already do not eat meat (as is the case with some monastic orders and with laity who are vegetarian), then sensibly, you must abstain from another food that you eat regularly.
There has been an unbelievable amount of fuss in the letters pages of the Catholic press and the Tablet over this change. Feigned outrage at being 'forced' to do it or absurd claims that not eating meat is more expensive than doing so (sic), or that it is 'difficult' to think of a meal not using meat (have they no friends who are vegetarian?) all amount to evidence of simple dissent. Their nonsense should be ignored.
Abstinence is a form of penance for our sins. This is something which has generally fallen out of the lives of most Catholics, who have probably never been catechised on the matter. This is therefore an opportunity for pastors to remind their flocks of the central role of penance in the life of the faithful Catholic.
Your attention may be on other matters in the Church at the moment, but don't forget that tomorrow (Thursday, 15 September) is your last chance to book places on next year's Walsingham Walking Pilgrimage at this year's prices! See the details and book online here.
Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior of the Society of St Pius X, has given his reactions to today's meeting in Rome with Cardinal Levada and other senior Vatican officials. The interview can be read here.
Following today's meeting in Rome between Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and other leading Vatican officials and Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior of the Society of St Pius X, the Vatican relased the following communique:
'On September 14, 2011, at the office of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a meeting was held between His Eminence, Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of this Congregation and President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, His Excellency, Archbishop Luis Ladaria, S.J., Secretary of this Congregation, and Monsignor Guido Pozzo, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, and His Excellency, Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, and Fathers Niklaus Pfluger et Alain-Marc Nély, General Assistants of the Fraternity.
'Following the petition addressed on December 15, 2008, by the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, the Holy Father had taken the decision of lifting the excommunication of the four bishops consecrated by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and to open at the same time doctrinal conversations with the Fraternity, aiming to overcome the difficulties and the problems of a doctrinal nature, and to achieve a healing of the existing fracture.
'Obedient to the will of the Holy Father, a mixed study commission, composed of experts of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X and of experts of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, assembled eight times for meetings that took place in Rome between the month of October 2009 and the month of April 2011. These conversations, whose objective was that of presenting and examining the major doctrinal difficulties on controversial themes, achieved their goal, which was that of clarifying the respective positions and their motivations.
'Given the concerns and requests presented by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X regarding the integrity of the Catholic faith considering the hermeneutic of rupture of the Second Vatican Council in respect of Tradition - hermeneutic mentioned by Pope Benedict XVI in his Address to the Roman Curia of December 22, 2005 -, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith takes as a fundamental basis for a full reconciliation with the Apostolic See the acceptance of the Doctrinal Preamble which was delivered in the course of the meeting of September 14, 2011. This preamble enunciates some of the doctrinal principles and criteria of interpretation of Catholic doctrine necessary for ensuring fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church and to the sentire cum Ecclesia, while leaving open to legitimate discussion the study and theological explanation of particular expressions and formulations present in the texts of the Second Vatican Council and of the Magisterium that followed it.
'In the course of the same meeting, some elements were proposed regarding a canonical solution for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, which would follow the eventual and hoped-for reconciliation.'
We recommend all Catholics of good will to pray for the successful outcome of these negotiations.
David and Theresa O'Neill, LMS local representatives for Hexham and Newcastle diocese report:
'The annual EF Solemn High Mass was celebrated in Brinkburn Priory near Rothbury in Northumberland at 12 noon on Saturday 10 September 2011, the feast of St Nicholas of Tolentino. The celebrant was Fr Shaun Swales of Coxhoe, assisted by Fr David Phillips of Stella as deacon, and Fr Michael Brown of Forest Hall as sub deacon. Fr Brown is also the Northern Chaplain of the LMS.
'The Ordinary of the Mass was Hassler's Missa Secunda sung by the Rudgate Singers of York while the Proper was sung from the Liber Usualis by the Schola Sancti Baedae. The serving team was made up of servers from St Joseph's/St Mary's on Tyneside, St Dominic's from Newcastle, St Robert's from Morpeth and St Mary's, Barnard Castle.
'The congregation was well down from previous years but we must surmise that a forecast of heavy rain and strong winds deterred many from journeying to this out-of-the-way Mass. In the event we had warm sunshine both during Mass and afterwards which gave those attending the opportunity of a shared table by the peaceful River Wansbeck and close to the serenity of the buildings which for many centuries housed a community of Augustinian friars.
'It has to be said that we did suffer the forecast weather on the homeward journey.
'Our next special Mass will be a Solemn High Mass in St Mary's Cathedral in Newcastle at 10am on Saturday, 5 November 2011. This Mass will replace the usual OF Mass on that day and we hope to welcome a large congregation. Details of the music will follow soon, as will the names of the sacred ministers.'
To see more photos of the event click here.
One of the glories of the Traditional Mass is the legitimate liturgical diversity that it represents. We emphasise the word 'legitimate' here, in contrast to what sadly passes for 'diversity' in many celebrations of the Ordinary Form!
Since the Instruction Universae Ecclesiae made it explicit (clause 34) that the various traditional uses within the Latin Rite associated with particular religious orders could be celebrated by priests without permission, there has been a quiet flowering of some of these ancient rites of Mass. One such has been the Dominican Rite. The Dominicans voluntarily ceased celebrating their own traditional rite of Mass in 1974 and started using the Novus Ordo instead. Now, in obedience to the spirit of liturgical renewal urgently desired by the Holy Father, younger Dominican priests are once again starting to celebrate this venerable Mass.
Tomorrow (Saturday, 10 September) at 2pm at the Holy Cross Priory, 45 Wellington Street, Leicester, LE1 6HW, there will be Solemn Mass in the Dominican Rite, followed by Veneration of a Relic of the True Cross.
On Saturday, 22 October at 11am at Blackfriars (Priory of the Holy Spirit), 64 St Giles', Oxford, OX1 3LY, there will be Solemn Mass in the Dominican Rite. This will mark the beginning of the LMS Pilgrimage to Oxford.
John Medlin (on the left in the picture opposite) retired from his post as Editor of the LMS quarterly magazine Mass of Ages last week. We wish him well as he plans a rather less hectic life in Cornwall.
LMS Chairman Dr Joseph Shaw has written a longer post about John and what he contributed to the LMS as General Manager and Editor here.
Like many of the best organisers, John often worked quietly behind the scenes, ensuring that things ran as smoothly as possible. If the LMS were a swan, John would have been the legs beneath the waterline. He will take that as the compliment it is!
His eleven years working for the LMS was a period of huge change for the Society and in the Church as a whole, and John managed that process for us extremely effectively and with a patience that must have been tried on more than one occasion! His experience and down-to-earth realism will be much missed.
Brilliant Success
The 2011 Walsingham Pilgrimage has just taken place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and has been a brilliant success.
People found the event a welcome opportunity to reflect on and deepen their Catholic Faith as well as being a great chance to meet other Catholics taking their religion seriously. It also had its fun moments!
Next year we plan to build on the last two years' experience and make it better in a number of ways, but more of that in the coming months.
Last Minute Surge
We had a sudden surge of late bookings, which was great, but from a planning point of view it's better if people book early. So, to give you an incentive to do just that, we are making an Early Bird Offer: If you book your place for the 2012 Pilgrimage now, we'll guarantee to hold the fee at this year's price. You don't have to pay the whole fee now, just a £20 securing deposit or £10 if you're a F/T Student or U-18yo.
2011 prices (the same in 2012 if you book now) are:
Adults (Non-LMS Members) £60
Adults (LMS Members) £50
Full-time Students or Under-18s* £30
*Under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or other designated adult.
Book now for 2012, and you only pay the 2011 prices above.
Next year's Pilgrimage is from 24 to 26 August 2012.
The deadline for the Early Bird Offer is 15 September 2011. You can pay your securing deposit and book online here:
Time is running short if you wish to register your child, or yourself, for the Confirmations in the Traditional Rite which the LMS is organising in London this autumn.
Please contact us in the LMS office as soon as possible on 020 7404 7284 to enable all the necessary arrangements to be made in time.
The deadline for registrations is Thursday, 20 October 2011.
When and where
Confirmations in the Traditional Rite will take place on Saturday, 12 November 2011 at St James's Spanish Place, London W1U 3QY, commencing at 11.30am. The Sacrament will be conferred by Bishop Alan Hopes, auxiliary bishop of Westminster.
If you would like more information, or would like your child, or yourself, confirmed, please contact the LMS Office on 020 7404 7284 or email us as soon as possible.
You can also register online
If you wish to register your child or yourself now online, please read the Explanatory Notes and then complete the appropriate registration form below and follow the instructions given there. If you have any questions, please phone us on 020 7404 7284, and we'll be pleased to help:
Registration Form for an Additional Child
Registration Form for an Adult
Read the report on last year's Confirmations at Spanish Place.