St. John Cantius Church in Chicago
Posted on 06/10/2004 10:17:30 AM PDT by NYer
St. John Cantius Church in Chicago
On April 19, Cardinal Adam Maida of Detroit announced to his Presbyteral Council that beginning next fall the Tridentine (also known as the Traditional Latin Mass) will be celebrated in the Archdiocese. This will take place in perhaps two parishes. The frequency of these Masses has yet to be determined.
While a few Council members expressed some reservations, there was a general acceptance of the Cardinal’s decision.
One of the chief concerns voiced was that those who will the celebrate the Tridentine Mass and those who will participate in it must also accept as valid the Novus Ordo or the Missa Normativa as well as liturgical reforms mandated by the Second Vatican Council. Another was that very few priests in the Archdiocese knew Latin very well.
In light of this news from Detroit and the concerns expressed by the Presbyteral Council , I would like to share with you what has taken place under similar circumstances in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
A number of years ago, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin asked the pastor of John Cantius Church, Father C. Frank Phillips, C.R. to celebrate the Tridentine Mass at his discretion at St. John Cantius. Subsequently, there were--and still are--two Tridentine Masses celebrated on Sundays, as well three Novus Ordo Masses, including the Saturday evening anticipated Mass.
What has been the upshot of this "innovation" in the Archdiocese of Chicago? For one thing, about two hundred former families of the Society of St. Pius X and other independent chapels were brought into the parish and into full communnion with the Catholic Church. For another, many young families, including home-schooled families, come to the Tridentine Mass from all over the Chicagoland area, including parts of Indiana. But it should be noted that the Tridentine Mass has not decimated the attendance at the Novus Ordo Masses. In fact, the Mass on Sundays having the greatest attendance is the 11 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass said in Latin.
Why do so many attend the Tridentine Mass here? There are a number of reasons. Some simply like to follow along in their missals praying silently. They also love the beautiful sacred music played and sung at the 12:30 p.m. Mass. They also identify Latin with worship. It is in fact an aid to worship. Of course, they have as well the English translations in their missals. And it must be admitted that many had identified the Novus Ordo Mass, as it was in fact celebrated improperly elsewhere, as being far from edifying and conducive to the worship of Almighty God.
In my opinion, I think there is another key factor. The children here really like the Traditional Mass. When one looks down from the choir loft at the families, the children are praying, they are worshipping. Rarely is there seen a coloring book or other such thing in an attempt to keep them from being bored. Still another reason: many high school and college age students are attracted to the Tridentine Mass as it is celebrated here, because it is a beautiful experience, an experience which obviously the world cannot provide. A beauty which has been obviously lacking elsewhere in their lives.
Having said all of these things, it should be well noted that our Novus Ordo Masses are well-attended also. This is true, certainly, in part, because they too are celebrated reverently, as well as in full conformity with the teaching of the Second Vatican Council and the directives of the GIRM ("The General Instruction of the Roman Missal.") As noted above, it the 11 a.m. Novus Ordo Latin Mass that is the best attended on Sundays. It also is accompanied by beautiful sacred music, including Gregorian chant, which the Church tells us: "All things being equal, Gregorian chant should hold a privileged place, as being more proper to the Roman liturgy. (GIRM, 41)
I believe that when the Tridentine Mass is celebrated in Detroit, many of the same things noted above in conjunction with St. John Cantius Church will occur there as well.
Fr. Seeley is a priest of the Society of St. John Cantius. He is Associate Pastor at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago.
Related: Cardinal Maida OK's Tridentine Mass for Detroit
And, of all people, Bernardin was the instigator of the Tridentine Mass in Chicago!
A peaceful coexistence can and should exist.
When you pray you rise to meet in the air those who are praying at that very hour, and whom save in prayer you may not meet.
Khalil Gibran on Prayer
This is one more (of the few) issue that I'm in total agreement with you on. Make both masses available to everyone and and long as it's orthodox and reverent, let people worship as they please.
What a revolutionary concept! /sarcasm
It also shows that, contrary to what some would claim, the Missa Normativa can be celebrated reverently and properly, and that generous application of the Traditional Latin Mass can also help in that regard.
I would love to see such co-existance become the norm, allowing those who are attached to each form of the liturgy their preference.
You are absolutely right! Both liturgies are valid - let both be celebrated and let catholics choose which liturgy best meets their spiritual need.
They don't make em like that anymore.
The Novus Ordo Latin mass at St. John Cantius hardly resembles the typical Novus Ordo. In this mass, the priest faces the altar and sings the mass in Latin, many would probably see little difference, at least externally, between this mass and the high Tridentine mass. Even the English Masses at this parish are not like the typical NO masses since they use altar rails here and only priests and deacons distribute communion.
Almost like an oxymoron? No?
Would be interesting to see which would become the more popular.. I know where I would be....
I was thinking about you when I saw it. I'm going to find out mass times today and will certainly be checking it out ASAP.
"Make both masses available to everyone and and long as it's orthodox and reverent, let people worship as they please."
So, what are we to do with those that are irreverant - ie the other 99% of NO "Masses"? Are we allowed (outside of free will)to worship at those that are irreverent?
YOU worship at the Tridentine Mass. I thought that's what you wanted.
YOU avoided the question. It's not what I want that matters.
Or do you, like some, insist that the Novus Ordo has to go?
You are still avoiding the question. It was directed to AAABEST, but if you want to dialogue, sinkspur, it helps if we stay on topic. So please answer the question or pipe down, please.
The answer to your question is: go to a Tridentine Mass if you're not happy with the Novus Ordo Mass.
According to the evening prayers in my Saint Andrew Daily Missal (Tridentine), irreverence at mass is a sin against the First Commandment. Therefore, I don't think you are allowed to worship at those masses.
"According to the evening prayers in my Saint Andrew Daily Missal (Tridentine), irreverence at mass is a sin against the First Commandment. Therefore, I don't think you are allowed to worship at those masses."
Yes, I understand MY irreverence at Mass would be sinful. My question is: is one allowed to attend a Mass that is irreverent? I ask this because I so often see people talking about the reverence of the Traditional Latin Mass as opposed to the NO. Where do we draw the line? Liturgical dancers in tights?
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