The Old Mass Returns

Inside the Vatican ^ | April 23, 2010 | Robert Moynihan

[NYer]

For the first time in 40 years, the old Latin Mass will be celebrated in the largest Catholic Church in America, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Time: 1 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, April 24, commemorating the 5th anniversary of the installation in 2005 of Pope Benedict XVI as Pope
 

 

By Robert Moynihan, reporting from America

[resources: Inside the Vatican]

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The old Mass

 

In a way, I find the use of the term "extraordinary form" to describe the "old Mass" a bit unfortunate.

 

Because, after all, it was so ordinary, that old Mass -- ordinary in the sense that it was celebrated every day, every weekday and every Sunday, for centuries, in the Roman Catholic Church.

 

Ordinary in that it was the Mass of Newman, and Chesterton, and Pius X, and John XXIII, and of all those millions who came before us.

 

Why should the celebration of that old Mass, the Tridentine Mass, be considered something unusual, something astonishing, something arousing wonder, as if it were "extraordinary."

 

Why not just call it "ordinary?

 

For really, it is just the old, ordinary Mass, which our fathers and mothers attended -- the place and time where they asked forgiveness for their sins, and praised God for His holiness, and encountered Christ in the consecration, and entered into a type of real union with Christ through the mystery of communion.

But today we are astonished that the extraordinary rite of the Mass is celebrated, because it has become so rare.

 

For 40 years, it has been virtually banned, and only in 2007, with his much-discussed -- and  much-opposed -- motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, did Benedict XVI make clear to the Church that this Mass was truly, in some profound way, ordinary, even if he called it "extraordinary."

 

Ordinary, because legitimate.

 

Not banned, not despised, not condemned. Accepted, embraced, even honored.

 

Hence... extraordinary.

 

And, in fact, he was right: it is extraordinary.

 

It is extraordinary because it is rooted so deep in our tradition that it goes back even beyond Jesus, to speak to us in the moving, unforgettable poetry of King David of Israel...

 

Extraordinary because it goes back even beyond Scripture, beyond the New Testament itself, as its prayers derive ultimately from the prayers of the first Christians, who prayed them even before the New Testament canon was set with certainty...

 

Extraordinary because it was the school of sanctity for countless saints, century after century, in every nation of the world...

 

"Introibo ad altare Dei" -- "I will go up to the altar of God" (the first words of the Mass)

 

Tomorrow, this Mass, ordinary and extraordinary, will return to the largest basilica in America, the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

 

It would be a shame if the Basilica were not filled for this Eucharist. If you are in the area of Washington, and can take the time out of your day to attend the Mass, it might be a moment when past and future intersect, when old prayers are heard once again as if new.

 

It might be, in fact, something extraordinary.

 

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Triumphant Celebration
 

 

Note: The following article appeared in the April edition of our magazine, which was a special 100-page collector's edition commemorating the 5th anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II and the 5th anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI. The issue was praised two days ago in the Osservatore Romano, the Pope's own newspaper. (We urge anyone who would like to have a copy of this special issue to order one by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-789-9494, or by going to our web site: www.insidethevatican.com)

 

Triumphant Celebration of the Catholic Faith

 

By George "Pat" Morse

 

Many felt in 2005 that, after long and noble service to the Church over his many years in the Vatican, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger would spend his remaining years as Sovereign Pontiff in the role of somewhat of a caretaker of the achievements of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, not choosing to take on all of the many interests and facets of crushing problems, even crises, brewing and existing throughout the Catholic world.

No way. Not for Pope Benedict XVI. Virtually from Day One, his agenda began to unfold and it was a powerful, courageous, no pussy-footing and little negotiating away of his obligations. Off to America soon after assuming the Chair of St. Peter and, while I was critical of what I considered his failure to lay into the bishops for lack of leadership against our deadly moral decline, his visit was a success for his agenda. He was not just the new Pope — he was clearly the leader of the world-wide Catholic Church, and he would lead. And he has.

Most notably was his courageous success with the failed effort of his predecessor to grant to every priest the right and privilege of celebration of the “Old Mass.” In one fell swoop, the issue was settled with his dramatic issuance in 2007 of his Apostolic Letter, Summorum Ponti­fi­cum, granting to every priest the right to celebrate the historic Latin Mass without the necessity of approval by his bishop. Instantly, while not achieving expressions of delight, the overt opposition has been largely diminished and the increasing response by the priests and the people is proving the correctness of the action by His Holiness.

Also important is the impetus being generated by His Holiness to carry forward his oft-referred to “reform of the reform.” The “New Mass” is being brought back into greater conformity and the “Protestant-satisfying” features are eliminated. Sacred music and the more generous restoration of appropriate use of Latin, will create a more beautiful Novus Ordo Mass pleasing to those devoted to that service.  

In an era of crisis for the Universal Catholic Church, Benedict XVI has al­ready proved himself and there is no reason to believe that he will not continue to lead with wisdom and courage. He is a gift of God in a time of great peril. Thanks be to God!

And that brings us to the subject of this reflection: the “Magnificent Gift” being brought to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception by the exceptional effort of the Paulus Institute under the leadership of its president, Paul King, and his Board of Directors.

On April 24 this year (a date perhaps divinely inspired because it is Benedict’s  anniversary date as Supreme Pontiff), His Eminence Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, President of the Ecclesia Dei Commission under Pope John Paul II and until recently under Pope Benedict, will be the celebrant of this Pontifical High Mass at the National Shrine, a superb selection because His Eminence devoted himself for years to the shared desire of the Popes for the return of the Traditional Mass to its proper role in the salvation of souls and the glory of God. [See below for a report on why Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos will not celebrate this Mass, but will be replaced by His Excellency Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa, Oklahoma.]

To describe further the magnificence and sacredness of this Mass and all its triumphant beauty and holiness, as it is offered to Almighty God, would only fail in comparison to what those who attend will experience. Wherever you are, if you can possibly attend, you will always be grateful for this invitation. Your faith will be inspired and strengthened and His Eminence will be pleased to meet and greet you. And, if you want to let us know you are coming, we will put you on a list that we will see he receives, probably for greeting after the Mass at the reception.

Now, to a very important acknowledgement:

This entire effort, over a period of several years, was the inspiration of the President of the Paulus Institute, Paul King, its president. Paul and his Board worked tirelessly to return this magnificent Pontifical Mass to the National Shrine after a lapse of almost half a century and they have done it with a splendor that will, I am certain, make His Holiness delighted and proud because he will, as will his Ambassador in the United States, the Apostolic Nuncio, be aware of this great celebration of faith. Paul is to be especially commended for the care which has been taken to obtain the cooperation of Church leaders, especially His Excellency, Archbishop Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, whose warmth and assistance is most gratefully received.

The Paulus Institute is also grateful for the warm and eager cooperation of the many organizations, the various Papal and other Catholic Orders of Knighthood, the bishops and clergy, the Latin Mass parishes in Washington and Baltimore and, as well, those Catholics who, thankfully, will be attending the “Old Mass” for the first time in years, or ever. It will be an exciting and spiritually invigorating experience.
And, thus, we express our gratitude to Paul and his colleagues and welcome the opportunity to learn more about the Paulus Institute as we share the great religious experience of the Pontifical High Mass. For our readers unable to attend, we shall report to you in the near future.

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The Announcement of the New Celebrant

 

Tulsa Bishop Edward Slattery to Celebrate Latin Mass at National Basilica in D.C. Saturday

The Paulus Institute today is pleased to announce His Excellency Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has agreed to celebrate the first traditional Latin Solemn High Pontifical Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in nearly 50 years. The Mass will take place this Saturday, April 24, at 1 p.m.

The Paulus Institute was formed for the propagation of sacred liturgy. The traditional Latin Mass planned for April 24th honoring Pope Benedict on his five-year inauguration anniversary is a historic liturgical event and all Catholics are invited to attend; no tickets are needed.

"We are pleased and honored to have His Excellency, Edward Slattery, come to Washington to celebrate what will be a historic event and a major step toward the restoration of sacred tradition," said Institute President Paul King. "The richness of our Catholic tradition will be visible to all the world on Pope Benedict's fifth anniversary."

In consultation with originally scheduled celebrant, Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, the Institute yesterday agreed to seek another prelate in order to maintain the solemnity, reverence and beauty of the Mass.

The Latin Mass will feature several choirs singing sacred choral music and Gregorian chant, and will be aided by numerous priests from the region. It will be aired live on EWTN beginning at 12:30 p.m.

[NYer]

She smiled at me and said, “Because, as a Catholic, I USED to be able to go to ANY Catholic Church on the Planet, and it would be in the SAME Language as it was at home!

:-) I still recall the experience as a 5 year old child when my mother (who worked for Scandinavian Airlines and traveled free) to Rome. To get there and back, we had to stop in Copenhagen where we attended Sunday Mass. The fact that it was in Latin made it comprehensible. We felt right at home. Okay - that was more years ago than I care to remember ;-)

[monkapotamus]

Yes it’ll be repeated later tonight.

[AnAmericanMother]

Latin just isn't that hard.

Besides, probably 85 or 90 percent of the Mass never changes, so repetition alone will teach it.

Obviously TV watchers had a front row seat and excellent sound quality, but I was amazed at how much I did understand. I even figured out which Gospel passage was being read before Fr. Z started his translation -- of course, when you hear "Venit autem Iesus in partes Caesareae Philippi" it's a dead giveaway!

[ELS]

the choir had some absolutely wonderful sopranos

It was the choir from the Shrine. They are very good. I picked up a CD recording of their singing Vespers in the crypt church when Pope Benedict XVI was there. Listening to it now ... wonderful ... Byrd Tavener

[Bigg Red]

I grew up with Latin Mass, and it was wonderful. In those days Catholic school students actually studied Latin, so we knew what it all meant and could translate pretty readily. I never could quite accept all the VCII changes.

^^^
Same here. I confess that I frequently have to ask God’s forgiveness during Mass for the resentment I am feeling about the current liturgy.

[AnAmericanMother]

Unfortunately, our worthless cable company moved EWTN to a premium channel, so we don't get it :-( . Otherwise, I would record the whole thing.

They say they're going to encore it at midnight tonight.

[ELS]

Yes it’ll be repeated later tonight.

I checked their schedule and they will be replaying it at midnight ET. Thanks.

[narses]

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[AnAmericanMother]

Which Byrd composition are they singing?

And which John Tavener? The modern John Tavener who composed "The Lamb" and the "Hymn to the Virgin", or the John Taverner of the sixteenth century who composed the "Western Wynd" Mass and the motet "Audivi vocem de caelo"?

[EDINVA]

At least you are still going!

My brother is the absolute worst on not having gotten into the ‘new’ Mass. Don’t think he’s ever missed a Sunday or Holy Day Mass in his life BUT ... He won’t do the peace thingy. Just won’t do it. Don’t even MENTION the women who help distribute the host. Always gets into ‘debates’ with the priests. Just a joy to have in the parish ;)

[left that other site]

So in that way, the LATIN serves the same purpose as the HEBREW for Jewish People, so that the Prayers and Hymns and Liturgy are the same no matter what country one is visiting.

You are correct about the Homily though. Or any exposition of the Word...Could pose a problem! LOL.

But as St Paul said in 1st Corinthians, if one doesn’t understand something in the service, wait till it’s over and then JUST ASK! LOL!

[Venturer]

As kids we used to translate ,Dominus Vobiscum, (The Lord be with you),as Dominic go frisk em’.

[AnAmericanMother]

I'm certainly not shy! I always ask!

When you're travelling in a foreign country, though, you just have to take what you can get! At least we were in church!

If we were in Haiti, I could ask one of our friends to give me a summary of the homily. Schoolbook French will do you no good with Creole . . . a friend of mine who has a degree that entitles her to teach French in France couldn't make heads or tails of Creole!

[Excellence]

This guy teaches the Latin for the Mass since 1998:

http://www.lphrc.org/

[Bigg Red]

Blognic?

[ELS]

Which Byrd composition are they singing?

Laudibus in Sanctis

And which John Tavener?

Dum Transsiset Sabbatum - John Tavener (c. 1490-1545)

I'm not there, yet, but for the Magnificat they will be singing a version by Victoria.

[AnAmericanMother]

< chant tone > "My father can play dominoes better than your father can play dominoes." < /chant tone >

I was pleased to hear quite a bit of chant that I recognized -- and antiphons too.

[SevenofNine]

Set your DVR

[Bigg Red]

I feel as your brother does, although I do not argue with my priest. I will not do the handshake, although I grit my teeth and feebly wave at people. Also, I avoid receiving my Savior at the hands of anyone but a priest, and I especially resent the female extraordinary ministers.

[left that other site]

I am TOO POLITE to say “How Long Ago?”.

But I WILL tell you this:
I remember Prayers in Public School!

Life was different then.