The LMS is at the forefront of Pope Benedict XVI’s restoration of the liturgy, centred on the ‘Extraordinary Form’, also known as the ‘Traditional Latin Mass’. If you love, or are simply interested in, this form of the Mass, with Latin, dignified and profound ceremony, and Gregorian Chant, you can place yourself in the heart of the movement supporting it by joining the LMS. Although independent, we are affiliated to the growing international Una Voce movement, which is currently active in nearly forty countries across all five continents. We will put you in touch with a national network of thousands of like-minded people, keep you informed of Masses and events, and enable you to make the greatest possible contribution to the ‘new liturgical movement’ so desired by Pope Benedict.
The work of the LMS encompasses what was once done by a myriad of sodalities and lay associations:
We are the only group in England and Wales organising in-depth training for clergy to enable them to celebrate the Mass and Sacraments in the Extraordinary Form, with two annual Training Conferences. We also provide support for the Priests and Seminarians of two Traditional Orders working in England and Wales – the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter and the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.
We sponsor an annual Family Retreat for 150 parents and children of all ages (picture left from this year's event), and an annual Summer School for children, organised by the St Catherine’s Trust. Each year we aim to organise Confirmation Ceremonies in the Extraordinary Form.
in May 2010 we founded a servers’ guild, The Society of St Tarcisius, to organise training in the Extraordinary Form and to promote servers’ spiritual development.
We sponsor Young Catholic Adults, who have an annual retreat and other activities for young people attracted by the Traditional Mass. We also sponsor young pilgrims on the annual Paris to Chartres Pentecost Pilgrimage attended by more than 10,000 mostly young people.
In January 2010 we founded the Gregorian Chant Network, which brings together more than thirty choirs singing chant in Catholic churches, and the most prominent groups promoting chant. It organises chant training events all over the country.
Our Masses and Devotions take place throughout England and Wales, from historic private chapels to cathedrals, monasteries and parish churches, for the spiritual good of our members and all Catholics. We arrange Pilgrimages to shrines great and small, including an annual Walking Pilgrimage from Ely to Walsingham.
We organise an annual Residential Latin Course, which is taught in the context of the ancient Latin Mass and its spirituality.
We actively participate in debate in the Catholic and secular print and online media, and represent the views of all those attached to the ‘older form of the Mass’ to our bishops and to the Vatican. We also maintain an informative website, www.lms.org.uk
Our work is carried out by a small staff in our London office, a network of volunteer Representatives covering the whole of England and Wales, and our members, drawn from every age group and walk of life.
By joining the LMS you are adding yourself to the great movement of liturgical restoration. The Society cannot do its work without the active support of members in every part of the country.
Help us in our work of restoration:
- To promote Masses in the Extraordinary Form, Pilgrimages and Traditional Devotions
- To train priests and altar servers
- To train singers in Gregorian Chant
- To foster a love and knowledge of the Latin of the Mass
- To support Catholic families, children and young people
We also publish a quarterly magazine, Mass of Ages, with a comprehensive listing of Traditional Masses throughout England and Wales. These are free to members. We also provide discounts to members at many of our events.
To give them moral and practical support as they re-introduce the Traditional Mass and Devotions into their parishes.
In order to carry on its work of promoting the Mass, sacred music, pilgrimages and devotions.