I am very much afraid that the rumours indicating that there will be a final and total suppression of the Latin Mass will take place in Holy Week this year are, in fact true. It appears our Holy Father , Pope Francis was waiting for the death of Pope Benedict in order to bring this about. This is truly, truly terrible for the Church but far, far worse then this are ongoing rumours of changes to the Novus Ordo Mass which may make it invalid. Pray God these are not true. We will see. “What was sacred to previous generations remains sacred and great to us; it cannot suddenly be completely forbidden or even harmful.” —Pope Benedict XVI in Summorum Pontificum, July 7, 2007 "The intentions of the new... legislation... are becoming increasingly clear: the traditional liturgy (and teaching, because that is what it is ultimately about) is to be made more and more invisible and pushed over the edge... If possible, the 'normal believer' should no longer come into contact with what has been Catholic for two thousand years." —A report Saturday, February 4 -- two days ago -- on the German website summorum-pontificum.de on what is said to be the likely publication later this spring of an "Apostolic Constitution" which will further restrict celebration of the old Latin Mass in the Latin rite (link) "This current information, which apparently goes beyond the status of mere rumours, also names Holy Week as the publication date of the document -- i.e. probably the anniversary of Paul VI 's Constitutional Missale Romanum -- on the 3rd of April." —Ibid. (see also link) "By asking that the traditional missal be completely abandoned in the near future, by convening a synod on synodality to make it impossible to go back, the current pontiff wants to definitively destroy the principle of the hermeneutic of continuity that broke down on the day Benedict XVI gave up. Instead of seeking such continuity, the present Pope is rooting for the phenomenon of rupture, which is becoming perceptible in all areas of the Church. Everything that is rooted in tradition is mocked, presented as sclerotic, accused of clericalism or immobilism... From now on, we must pray that a pope, definitively freed from the Council and the issues linked to it, will be able to write a new page of the Church, by reaffirming the eternal principles of Catholicism.” —by the Franch Catholic author Côme de Prévigny in an essay entitled "The Death of Benedict XVI: The Failure of the Hermeneutic of Continuity," first published by Renaissance catholique, republished by Rorate coeli on January 27, 2023 (link) "Perhaps the greatest sin that men of the Church can commit is to forget what the Church has always been." ——Italian Catholic writer and Vaticanist Andrea Gagliarducci in his latest "Monday Vatican" column published today, February 6 ***
Letter #42, 2023 Monday, February 6: Old Mass There are new reports on the possible issuance (perhaps on April 3), of further restrictions on the use of the old rite when celebrating Mass. Two articles originating in Europe over the weekend claim that unnamed "sources" in Rome have just once again "confirmed" that there does exist a draft of an "Apostolic Constitution" which would further limit the use of the old, pre-conciliar liturgy — the old way of celebrating Mass and the sacraments (for example, baptism and ordination) — which Pope Benedict XVI in 2007 said should be preserved in the Church as an honored and venerable rite. Here are links to those two articles: here (in German; but there is a button you may click on to get an English translation)) and here (in Italian). The intent seems to be to codify definitively the new liturgy — the "new Mass" promulgated by Pope Paul VI on April 3, 1969 (see also link), to replace the old Latin Mass used for centuries prior to 1969 — as the sole liturgy of the Latin-rite in the Church. Let's take a slightly more in-depth look at this argument... *** Many do not regard this as an important matter. They see it as peripheral, even irrelevant. Others, however, see it as important, even critical and central, for the future life and faith of the Church. Why the two views? Essentially, because observers have different views of whether the two liturgies are in such contrast as actually to affect the belief of the faithful. In other words, because of differing views about whether one liturgy or the other is more effective in communicating what the Mass has always tried to communicate: the spirit of Christ, his very life, to those who are "in communion" with Him, and through Him and in Him, with the Father. Some would speaks in terms of "grace": that whatever, in liturgy or in life, is more "Christo-centric," whatever draws souls closer to Christ, calls souls to become centered on Christ, more effectively provides and instills that "grace" which (in a mysterious way which professional theologians may debate and more ordinary mortals may simply meditate upon in silence) is the life of the soul — the energy which makes the soul, that central mystery what the core of every human being, rich, vibrant, alive, oriented toward faith, hope, and love, oriented toward the sacrifice of one's own will and the embrace of the will of God in order to find one's own will more completely than ever before... Some people think the two forms of the liturgy, the old and the new, are equally Christo-centric (and so equally valid) but are simply different "esthetically." In other words, superficially. Not essentially. That is, some think that "older" people (people born before, say, 1955 or 1960, before the beginning of the Second Vatican Council), and people with a connection to European aristocratic traditions, and so to the venerable old Latin language, simply "like" (esthetically) the old liturgy, with its so-called "solemnity" and "formaltiy" (though an old Mass in an old chapel is able to be extraordinarily simple and accessible and thus, in some way, also "un-solemn" and "informal"), with its use of Latin (and some Greek), with its use of incense and prescribed gestures, and so forth, while "more modern people" (people born after, say 1960 or 1965, after the Council) and less "Euro-centric" people (people from the countries far from the old European "homeland" of the Catholic Church) simply "like" the new liturgy, the "Novus Ordo" promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1969, with its "less solemn" aspect, its use of the vernacular (not Latin), its "informality," its lesser use of any prescribed gestures, and so forth. Still, others are persuaded (for many and various reasons) -- in keeping with the old saying "lex orandi, lex credendi" ("the law of praying is the law of believing") which means that the way one prays ends up affecting and shaping the actual beliefs of people — that the "new Mass" does not orient people as unswervingly and completely toward God as the "old Mass" did. This is simply what some actually believe. They have been persuaded it is so. So, when they hear that Rome is progressively eliminating the "old Mass," they conclude Rome has misunderstood something, Rome has underestimated the deep and soul-strengthening piety, and belief, that the old liturgy signified, and actuated (as Pope Benedict wrote), for millions upon millions over centuries. They simply cannot understand why Rome would wish to break completely, suppress completely, this traditional praying, this traditional invocation of God, this traditional, Christ-centered liturgy. And, surprisingly, Rome has up to now not really made any truly persuasive argument to these people for why Rome wishes to do what Benedict XVI said just 15 years ago could never be done: "What was sacred to previous generations remains sacred and great to us; it cannot suddenly be completely forbidden or even harmful.” (Pope Benedict XVI in Summorum Pontificum, July 7, 2007) And all of this causes spiritual anguish, and anguish of conscience, for many simple believers of good will, who sense that their anguish of conscience is of no concern to the men who have been entrusted with these decisions. And so they live in a type of spiritual desolation, which is accentuated by each turn of the screw as Rome slowly but surely suffocates the practice of the old liturgy. All comments, criticisms, suggestions quite welcome. Just send by return email. I will publish a few of the letters sent to me, with your permission. —RM ***
"What was sacred to previous generations remains sacred and great to us; it cannot suddenly be completely forbidden or even harmful.” (Pope Benedict XVI in Summorum Pontificum, July 7, 2007)
Ita hard not to think he was the pope seen by Jacinta---"poor little Holy Father. We must pray much for him."
True. The Holy Father became "very small" in his position as Pope Emeritus, much like he said our Church would become very small.
One day , please God, the truth will come out into the open, into the Light from the dark in which it has all been hidden. Even now it is at least starting to come out.
With the terrible events in the Church these last few years most especially during the ten years of the Pontificate of our present Holy Father I have been drwn to follwo the words of St Paul when he said in Scripture: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things. So I take this to be to focus on all that is good and positive and Light and Holy and not to be going into ranting , negative, dark, always critical mode. Not to get myself down and feel like all is lost. So what positive things have I found in the last ten truly abominable, horrific, terrible years of the present Pontificate? I think firstly it has been not to take the Our Holy Mother the Church for granted. The Church truly is our Mother and I suppose like nearly all Catholics I just assumed she would always be there for me. Now, in these latter years what a huge, huge gift I have in,say having the Mass every day, of going to confession every week. Of being taught sound Doctrine by the Pope and those in Spiritual Authority. But now I regard these as Gifts freely given. I love and appreciate them so much more. Countless heretical Clergy have forced me to relearn and reread much of the Catholic Faith and kind of reeducate myself. Ask myself why I believe what I believe and this has really deepened my Faith. I was brought up in a Traditional Catholic family were we had the Latin Mass in our front room every Sunday. I was never really gone on it all. But the very fact that has come under attack so fiercely from Pope Francis and the Vatican has drawn me back to it all. It is contrary of me but the very fact that these heretics hate it so much causes me to love this Ancient Liturgy so much more. It has caused me to do as Jesus said and to Read the Signs of the Times. As the Church has become Apostate, Heretical, Corrupt and rotten I have seen how this fits into the Great Chastisement and Purification to come. It gives me and I know a Great Paradox a great, great hope. I know the Church is undergoing a Purification even as it rots and stinks to Highest Heaven. I can see in the Crucifixtion and Death of Our Holy Mother the Church her Resurrection. I see huge numbers of really Saintly Catholics rising to defend the Church. This has been a real eye opener . I could go on and on. But try this yourself. Seek the positive, the holy, the good you might be surprised. People talk about Holy anger? I see so many getting angry but what good does it do? Better simply to take it to the Lord in prayer. To trust in the Lord, it is His Church and He well knows how to take care of it.
Several Lents ago I gave up listening to all music except for the Ave Maria. There’s actually a 3 hour loop of it on you tube. When I was in the car or taking my dog for a walk— that’s what I listened to. Very powerful.
I would say one hour at mass is worth a thousand years elsewhere. Psalm 84:10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
what Francis will do with the eastern rite catholic parishes that celebrate beautiful liturgies such as that of Saint John Chrysostom, considering this possible document elevating the New Mass as an Official Rite of the Church?
I grieve not over the loss of the TLM, because its enemies can at best bury it, but never destroy it. As Pope Benedict correctly stated: "What was sacred to previous generations remains sacred and great to us; it cannot suddenly be completely forbidden or even harmful.” Even when they bury or cover it over, it is not the end of the story; it is part of the Church's Liturgical treasure! Akin to the Resurrection which proved Christ could be buried, but not destroyed, so too the Holy Mass of the Ages may be covered over, but will quickly be restored in all Her beauty! It's akin to the Kingdom itself! Matthew 13: 44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. This apparent loss will be reversed and upon its recovery will be more reverenced than ever and its detractors will be covered in shame! Malachi 1:10 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands. 11 My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.
I wonder about this too. The Maronite Mass is beautiful in Aramaic. I would hate to see it "modernized".
I agree. "The seed must die in order to bear much fruit" The Mass of the Ages cannot be destroyed. It can be "imprisoned" for a season but those who hate it and impose these draconian restrictions merely reveal themselves. And they are old--clinging to their "modernist" heresy. They will die. Young priests and young people with their wonderful large families will see it return.
Did you know that the Carthusians celebrate a Latin Mass which is different than and much, much older than the Tridentine Rite? As far as I know they kept it after Vatican 2 and did not change over to the Novus Ordo? Wise old Carthusians. The reason they kept their Ancient Mass was they said it was much, much better for prayer. We could learn from them. https://chartreux.org/moines/en/liturgy/ 'The celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice is the centre and summit of community life: every day the monks gather to celebrate the Lord’s Passover. The Carthusians have preserved their own rite of Mass, which dates back to the 11th-12th centuries, and which has a monastic origin but is a branch of the Roman rite. This Eucharist can only be concelebrated on days when the Carthusian life has a community character: Sundays and major feasts. On other days there is only one celebrant at the altar and the Eucharistic prayer is said in a low voice. The community participates in this Eucharistic liturgy through Gregorian chant, interior prayer and communion. The community prostrates itself in adoration during the consecration. It is characteristic of the Carthusian rite of Mass that the priest is almost always alone in the sanctuary (the other ministers withdraw when their service is completed), that he extends his arms like Christ on the Cross during the Eucharistic prayer, and that there is no final blessing.'
