A Modern Roman Rite Priest reports on Classical Roman Rite Training

The New Liturgical Movement ^ | June 30, 2007 | Shawn Tribe

[Frank Sheed]

Saturday, June 30, 2007

A Modern Roman Rite Priest reports on Classical Roman Rite Training

posted by Shawn Tribe

[One of the Father's who visits the NLM recently attended the FSSP "boot camp" for priests wishing training from them as regards the classical Roman rite. The following is his report, both of what occurred and, even more interestingly, his personal experience. I've chosen to eliminate his name for the sake of anonymity. If he chooses to reveal himself in the comments, I shall leave that to him.]

"I would characterize my experience as frankly stunning, and even life changing. I must admit that the experience has recast my understanding of the priesthood to some degree."

by a Diocesan Priest

I. Summary of the Training

This past week I returned from what one priest called the Traditional Mass Boot Camp, hosted and taught by the fine priests, deacons and seminarians of the Fraternity of Saint Peter at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton NE. Being a “Novus Ordo” priest and having little exposure or opportunity to experience the traditional Rite, this weekend was nothing short of amazing.

Arriving on Monday we jumped right in with an introductory session on the Mass covering various basic principles such as the attitude and composure of the priest, and the centrality of the Mass as a sacrifice. Wasting no time we began our practicum, our class was broken up into small groups of three, according to experience with the traditional Mass and Latin skills. Over the course of the five day we had workshops on the vesting prayers, the Low Mass, the Requiem Mass, Gregorian Chant, the sung Mass, and Exposition and Benediction. These were covered in depth in class and the practicum sessions, which were and hour and a half to two hours long.

The daily schedule began with private Mass from 6:00 to 8:00 AM and ended with Compline at 9:00 PM. The resources and materials that the Fraternity provided was copious and pedagogically geared for a priest to learn the traditional Mass. Any priest who is willing to learn and take the time necessary can confidently know that he will be able to offer the Mass with the proper reverence and confidence that the Rite demands.

On our final day on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul we were privileged to pray the Solemn High Mass in choir with the Nuns the Carmelite Monastery of Mary Jesus and Joseph in Valparaiso, NE a short drive from the seminary, this was absolutely the crowing event of the week, beautify offered by Fr. James Fryar FSSP, accompanied by the Deacons and seminarians of the seminary and the angelic chants sung by the Carmelite Nuns.

II. Personal Observations

Being a priest of the modern Roman rite I was admittedly nervous and lacking confidence due to my lack of experience, I felt that I perhaps had got into something that was over my head, but the graciousness and patience of the members of the Fraternity of Saint Peter quickly overcame any misgivings I had.

I must confess that I was worried that there might be some looking down upon a "Novus Ordo" priest such as myself in a “Traditionalist” environment such as this, but the respect and genuine affection and gratitude that was shown me by the priests, deacons and seminarians of the FSSP was most edifying and humbling. I cannot speak highly enough about these excellent and truly humble men, who most joyfully offer themselves for the life of the Church.

One of the many remarkable things that struck me about my experience this past week was that these men of the FSSP and others like them have preserved for the entire Latin Rite the living memory and tradition of the Church in a unique way.

I would characterize my experience as frankly stunning, and even life changing. I must admit that the experience has recast my understanding of the priesthood to some degree.

Also, by this intensive introduction to the ancient Roman liturgical tradition, I now more fully understand the paradigm shift and rupture that Ratzinger/Benedict XVI has spoken of. I can’t help but feel that once the adolescent rebellion of liturgical abuse and rejection of our living heritage subsides, they will be there to help all of us reclaim and reinvigorate the Latin Rite in a way that is truly organic and faithful to our roots, strengthening and in some areas reestablishing a vibrant Catholic identity.

I wish to thank my benefactors who enabled me to attend this workshop; it was a profound privilege for me to go. I will remember you in my prayers and my intentions at the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Posted by Shawn Tribe on title="permanent link">30.6.07   

[Frank Sheed]

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[Frank Sheed]

One of the many remarkable things that struck me about my experience this past week was that these men of the FSSP and others like them have preserved for the entire Latin Rite the living memory and tradition of the Church in a unique way.

I would characterize my experience as frankly stunning, and even life changing. I must admit that the experience has recast my understanding of the priesthood to some degree.

[Frank Sheed]

Comments from Fr. Z. on WDTPRS:

There is a good piece at NLM. In a nutshell, a diocesan priests spent time with the FSSP learning about the older form of Mass. The experience changed him.

I would characterize my experience as frankly stunning, and even life changing. I must admit that the experience has recast my understanding of the priesthood to some degree.

Also, by this intensive introduction to the ancient Roman liturgical tradition, I now more fully understand the paradigm shift and rupture that Ratzinger/Benedict XVI has spoken of. I can’t help but feel that once the adolescent rebellion of liturgical abuse and rejection of our living heritage subsides, they will be there to help all of us reclaim and reinvigorate the Latin Rite in a way that is truly organic and faithful to our roots, strengthening and in some areas reestablishing a vibrant Catholic identity.

This is exactly the point I have been hammering all along.

Pope Benedict is convinced that the Church has a right to her own language, symbols and identity.

I direct your attention back to what I wrote elsewhere on this blog:

Pope Benedict is working to re-root celebrations of Holy Mass in the tradition whence it emerged. He has written that it was unreasonable that a rite of Mass so important to the Catholic Church for so long should suddenly be virtually forbidden. He wrote in the past about how liturgy grows slowly and organically, from rites and cultures enriching each other. The Novus Ordo, stitched together by experts on table tops, constituted a break in this process. Derestriction of the older form of Mass will help to heal people hurt by the loss of the older rite. Widespread celebrations will have an impact on the way the Novus Ordo is celebrated… and vice versa! It cannot be otherwise. This has already been happening. ...

... Above all, the document will make concrete Benedict XVI’s desire for a “hermeneutic of continuity”. A “hermeneutic” is a principle of interpretation, like a lens through which you examine a question. In his 2005 Christmas address to the Roman Curia, His Holiness spoke of a “hermeneutic of discontinuity and rupture” used by many after the Council. This resulted in a terrible break with our tradition. For many it is as if nothing good or worth preserving happened before Vatican II. Pope Benedict is working to reestablish continuity with the past, though not uncritically, through a “hermeneutic of reform”. Derestriction of the older form of Mass must be seen as part of his vision for this reform, this rebuilding of continuity with the Church’s tradition.

The fact is that even now younger priests who have learned about the older Mass change their way of saying the newer Mass. At the same time, celebrations of the older Mass today are more than likely so much better than they were before the Council precisely because of the experience (good and bad) gained from the last few decades.

[AnAmericanMother]

This is very encouraging! I agree that having the TLM in the mix will mean more reverent celebration for all, even those who never attend a TLM.

[Tax-chick]

Good article. I can’t help wondering if Shawn(ee) Tribe’s parents had a little too much Guinness before they filled out the birth record, though.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Can we please stop using the bogus term “classical” for traditional? It’s a made up, neo Cath, modernist terminology.

Otherwise, very nice testimonial. I hope more priests come away with the same conversion of heart and mind.

[NYer]

Anyone have a link to a listing of these boot camps?

Unrelated but still on topic, we had a Baptism/Chrismation today at our Maronite Catholic Church. There were only 3 of us able to sing the appropriate hymns but the visitors caught on quickly and hummed along. For those unfamiliar with the Maronite approach to this Sacrament, I can only describe it as truly reverent and beautiful. Midway through the proceedings, the priest tells everyone to rise and face West. This is the Rite of Exorcism and we repeat the prayers of the priest on behalf of the child. The priest then commands us to face East and we all turn towards the Tabernacle as he intones the words of the Creed. Immediately following Baptism, Father announced to all assembled that the baby would now be sealed through the Sacrament of Chrismation (Confirmation). The entire service ended with Father leading us all in a candlelight procession, to dedicate the child to Mary who leads all people to her Son. He carried an icon of the Blessed Mother and was followed by the parents carrying the baby, the godparents and the guests. During the procession, Father chanted the Litany to the Blessed Mother, in Arabic. (I know the beautiful melody but not the words).

As I helped to collect candles and missalettes, I could overhear the various conversations. One woman, from Switzerland, asked for a copy of the missalette, saying she had never experienced anything so beautiful before. Nearby, a young couple were discussing the prayers. I invited them to return one Sunday, for Divine Liturgy. The husband balked, saying he was not Catholic. Not a problem I assured him, he is always welcome. Asked to which denomination he belonged, he said Episcopal Church. He has left the church and is now wandering in the desert. Once again, I extended an invitation to attend Mass. He refused saying he carried God in his heart. I suggested it would be better to receive Him on his tongue for Jesus said: "Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you will not have life within you". He then excused his Catholic wife who works 7 days per week. Amazing the excuses people find, isn't it?

If you ever have the opportunity to attend a Maronite Baptism, grab it and enjoy its magnificence.

[Jaded]

There is a lady I work with who grew up Catholic in New York City in the 50’s and 60’s. Recently we were discussing the Catholic church. She became most hostile over the changes wrought by VII. She said that overnight things that were considered a sin suddenly were not. She felt like VII stole the Catholic identity. There are probably more like her.

[Frank Sheed]

http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2007/03/fssp-una-voce-announcement.html

From Rorate Caeli. This is the FSSP in conjunction with Una Voce. A PDF file is linked at this site.

F

[RobbyS]

I now more fully understand the paradigm shift and rupture that Ratzinger/Benedict XVI has spoken of. I can’t help but feel that once the adolescent rebellion of liturgical abuse and rejection of our living heritage subsides, they will be there to help all of us reclaim and reinvigorate the Latin Rite in a way that is truly organic and faithful to our roots, strengthening and in some areas reestablishing a vibrant Catholic identity.

Excellent comment.

[Macoraba]

So many people don’t know the diffrence between Tradition with a large “T” and tradition with a small “t”.

The mass is a sacrifice is large “T” but how it’s celebrated is a small “t”.

Large “T” never changes!!! Small “t” can change.

[ELS]

If you don't want to go through the Rorate Caeli site, you can go directly to the Una Voce site (the PDF file is there as well).

UVA Launches Priest Training Workshops

There were three week-long (five day) workshops offered in June. The demand was greater than anticipated and more workshops are being planned. I believe that some may occur in September, but no plans have been formally announced, yet.

[Frank Sheed]

Super! Thanks!

[Frank Sheed]

Lord willing, the next year will see a return to terminology that we can all accept. For now, even those in the know are going to make mistakes. It has been a long time coming, Deborah.

F

[narses]

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[afraidfortherepublic]

Thank you for the beautiful description of the Maronite Baptism ritual. I had no idea that it was so different from the Roman rite. Prayers in Arabic? This surprises me.

On another note, I hope and pray that you are feeling better.