Posted on 07/19/2025 9:03:44 AM PDT by ebb tide
In a quiet corner of San Angelo, the past is very much alive. At St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Parish, the ancient rite of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) — also known as the Extraordinary Form — continues to thrive, even as worldwide limitations challenge its practice.
“The Latin Mass is a ascent to Calvary where the Lord Jesus Christ reliving essentially the passion in every Latin Mass,” said Father Freddy Perez, Parochial Administrator, St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in San Angelo.
In 2021, the Vatican issued a decree, Traditionis Custodes, which severely restricted the use of the Latin Mass worldwide.
However, on February 6, 2025, Bishop Michael Sis of the San Angelo Diocese submitted a petition to the Vatican, seeking an exemption for St. Margaret’s Parish. That petition was granted on May 28, 2025, with Pope Leo XIV approving the request, making St. Margaret’s one of the few parishes in the world to be allowed to continue offering the Traditional Latin Mass.
“I mean, I was ready to be obedient and to give my people a beautiful mass no matter what,” said Father Freddy Perez. “I was really much relieved that the Holy Spirit came through, illuminated the right minds, and gave me permission not to suffer.”
The traditional mass dates back centuries, with the priest facing the altar and the mass celebrated in Latin. This was before Vatican II reforms in the 1960s, which introduced the modern Novus Ordo Mass.
For parishioners like Jaron Yarbrough, who converted to Catholicism three years ago, the Latin Mass represents more than just a form of worship; it is an atmosphere of reverence and unity.
“One of the first Masses we ever attended was the TLM,” Yarbrough recalled. “We understood this was different. You can feel the reverence. It’s just a different atmosphere. The atmospher is of reverence towards one goal and this is the eucharist.”
For Father Freddy, the Latin Mass holds a profound personal meaning — a spiritual link to the Mexican martyrs, especially young José Sánchez del Río, who famously cried, “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” or “Long Live Christ the King.” Like many during a time of fierce persecution, he gave his life defending the sacred liturgy.
“During that time, what was the Mass to sustain those people? It was the traditional Latin Mass, or the Mass of the day. I’m pretty sure their capacity of literacy wasn’t as high as it is today, but they still knew that there was something worth defending,” Father Perez reflected.
While St. Margaret’s remains the only parish in the San Angelo Diocese authorized to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass, the community remains hopeful. They pray that more doors will open for the preservation of the tradition, so that future generations may also experience its beauty.
For details on Mass times and the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass at St. Margaret’s, please visit the parish website.
Ping
Hopefully Leo allows for the complete liberation of the Roman Mass. Parishes shouldn’t need “exemptions”.
I think that, unlike his predecessor of blessed memory, Leo is not a small-minded, petty, and vindictive man. This issue means a lot to many of the faithful, and Francis’ restrictions, Moving toward abolition, of TLM was an incredible cut off your nose to spite your face move. Still, institutionalism is what it is, and I think there will be a step by step retreat, at least back to Benedict’s policy on TLM. Remember, supposedly while a Cardinal Leo would celebrate TLM, with permission from Francis, in the Vatican
We can expect some loopiness, such as on climate change, but I remain hopeful on how this pontificate is going to turn out. I gave to Peter’s Pence this year for the first time in a number of years
Like Hamas letting one hostage free.
Yippee.
For those like me wondering on the location of this parish: Texas.
Hear! Hear!
I pray for this pope every day.
Yeah it’s just like that
Given that past management was in the habit of sending only the heads of people who made requests by return post, I think that this is a positive development.
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