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Snippets at article's end: ...Institute of Franciscan friars destroyed in a similar way The destruction of the Little Sisters...follows a pattern similar to the Vatican-induced collapse of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI), an order of Franciscans that followed a more traditional pattern of community life and that made free use of the traditional Latin Mass in accordance with the rites prevailing in 1962... Just as in the case of the Little Sisters, Braz de Aviz brought about the removal of the superiors of the FFI from their positions, and even the founder, Fr. Stefano Maria Manelli, was sent...

May 31--LINCOLN -- A cardinal from the Vatican, surrounded by 50 priests. Gregorian chants floating through clouds of incense.A 3 1/2 -hour Mass, sung in Latin mostly by priests facing the altar.A cathedral packed to standing-room-only with lots of families with lots of children, women and girls in veils, men in suits, boys in neckties and close-cropped haircuts.Catholics kneeling to take communion.The ordination at Lincoln's Cathedral of the Risen Christ on Friday seemed oh-so-retro. But it was hardly an exercise in nostalgia. It was more like back to the future for a small but growing minority that seeks a louder...

When Pope Benedict XVI loosened restrictions on celebration of the pre-Vatican II Latin Mass last July, Notre Dame University’s campus ministry immediately began planning how to implement the change. Notre Dame is just one of a number of Catholic colleges and universities that viewed the Pope’s July 7, 2007, Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum as a signal that the form of the Mass dating to 1570 should be available on their campuses. Others, such as Jesuit-run Fordham University in New York, began offering the Mass of Blessed John XXIII at the behest of students.“It’s actually been a lot of fun to...

On Wednesday afternoon the Secretary of State, Tarcisio Card. Bertone gave the Motu Proprio to 30 bishops from around the world on Wednesday afternoon in the Apostolic Palace. The bishops were explicitly chosen and invited for this. (I am guessing that they were heads of Bishops Conferences.) Pope Benedict XVI later came to the meeting. The document is three pages long, though what the format is in not revealed. It is clear from the way this was done that the Holy Father wanted to make sure that bishops got this document in this way, rather than having to read about...

BOSTON – April 4 – The Archdiocese of Boston announced on Sunday, March 25th that beginning Sunday, April 22, that the traditional Latin Mass will move from the historic Holy Trinity Parish in Boston's South End. Parishioners plan to appeal the move. At this time, the plan approved by His Eminence, Sean Cardinal O'Malley appears to be proceeding. The March 25th announcement calls for removal of the Latin Mass parishioners of Holy Trinity (German) Church (http://www.holytrinitygerman.org/) in Boston's South End, which represents three quarters of active parishioners to be transferred to Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church (http://members.aol.com/maryimmoflourdes/hist/history.htm) in Newton Upper...

What are the consequences of the release of the old Mass? The Holy Father has an enormous sensitivity to liturgical spirituality and would like to retain a treasure of the Church – not for the museum but as a living inheritance for society so that people who have sensitivity towards tradition will be able to savour this richness. I am constantly surprised that young people who have not known the Old Rite before discover the peace and mystery of the Old Mass. What is important is that the two Rites do not oppose each other but one should see the...

A Radio Vatican commentary from Father Eberhard von Gemmingen SJ, Director of German Speaking Programmes. The aristocratic Jesuit is often on German TV and was granted an early exclusive interview with the new Pope, who he studied under at the University of Tübingen. Weekly Commentary In all probability Pope Benedict will give the permission to celebrate again the traditional or Tridentine Rite. It would however be completely wrong if Catholics started to quarrel over this, some of them full of joy about this reversal, the others full of anger.

Holy Trinity has a rich history that makes it part of not only Roman Catholic German-Americans heritage, but of the collective historical inheritance of Bostonians and all Americans. Technically the property "belongs" to the Archdiocese, but rightfully it belongs to those parishioners whose blood, sweat and tears (and that of generations gone before) built and maintained the property with love and devotion to the glory of God. The parish is solvent from what I understand. Why close it? For what possible reasons? To turn the church building into condos? I hope that members of Holy Trinity will not "go" quietly....

(This post is predominately addressed to Indult Mass attendees, but anyone with constructive suggestions is welcome) The Erie TLM Apostolate is celebrating a special High Mass next Sunday to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Apostolate. (N.B.: I can pass along more details to anyone in the area who is interested.) A group of students from the Newman Club here at Grove City College would like to attend, and I've decided to be the one to try to organize everything. This brings me to a few questions that I had in making sure that everyone that will be going is...

There is a slow but steady increase in appreciation for the Church’s ancient liturgy. Requests for the Traditional Latin Mass continue to grow and, much to the delight of Latin Mass devotees, some bishops now are establishing Latin Mass parishes in their dioceses. St. Gianna’s Latin Mass Community in Tucson is a stellar example. Fascinatingly, the bulk of the interest comes from young Catholics. Who would have diivined this development 35 years ago when the “old Mass” seemed destined to become passe? Recently, I received a surprising request from an unlikely place: Arizona State Prison. One of the inmates -...

The French national newspaper Le Figaro reports today some interesting words from the first Superior of the new Institute of the Good Shepherd, said at Mass yesterday: Father Laguérie is convinced that the Roman wind blows in the right direction. And he even believes he knows that "Rome is about to publish a document destined to restore the Traditional rite to its place, to liberalise its usage."When would this document come? Just read Father Laguérie's exact words in the church of Saint-Eloi, in Bordeaux, transcribed by the Centre Saint-Paul of Paris (thanks to Le Forum Catholique): "...one may say,...

Last weekend the first of the weekly Tridentine Masses was celebrated at St. Lawrence Church in Alexandria. In March, Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde granted permission to two parishes to celebrate the pre-Vatican II form of Mass. The Mass was offered on the feast of Pope St. Pius V. The Tridentine form is celebrated in accordance with the 1570 Roman Missal promulgated by Pope Pius V for the Latin West and revised in 1962. Ancient rites, those older than 200 years, were able to retain their traditions. Following the Council of Trent, Pope Pius wanted to standardize worship in...

Apr. 21 (CWNews.com) - During a closed-door meeting on March 23 with the College of Cardinals, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) indicated that he plans a move to allow broader use of the old Latin Mass. The exact nature of the Pope's move, and its timing, remain matters of intense speculation. As the French bishops concluded their annual assembly on April 7, Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard revealed that the Pope is expected to issue directives "in the coming weeks or months" that would appeal to traditionalist Catholics. The French cardinal confirmed that Pope Benedict is particularly anxious to find ways...

Vatican, Apr. 21 (CWNews.com) - An influential Vatican prelate has expressed cautious optimism about the prospects for an eventual restoration of full communion between the Holy See and the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX). Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, the former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, told the I Media news agency that Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) is keenly interested in restoring normal ties with the Lefebvrist group, and confirmed that the topic was discussed at length during a March 23 meeting of the College of Cardinals.

I by no means am a theological scholar. I am just a late twenties Catholic who came to his senses about the Novus Ordo in mid-2005, but I would be remiss if I didn't offer my comments on some things that are percolating in the Church right now. This Maundy Thursday may mark the “granting” of an “Universal Indult” for the Tridentine Mass (also known as the Traditional Latin Mass) by Benedict XVI which would allow a “freer and wider” use of the Tridentine Mass. The collective Traditionalist world is holding it’s breath in anticipation of this granting. My question...

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 9, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI has appointed three new members to the commission that is working for a return to full communion for members of the Society of St. Pius X. The three appointed to the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei" are Cardinals William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Jean-Pierre Ricard, archbishop of Bordeaux and president of the French episcopal conference; and Antonio Cañizares Llovera, archbishop of Toledo and primate of Spain. The commission's president is Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy. The Commission "Ecclesia Dei" was instituted...

Vatican City, Apr. 10, 2006 (CNA) - A source at the Vatican has told CNA that during Holy Week Pope Benedict XVI may grant universal permission to use the Missal of St. Pius V, the liturgical rite used in the Church before Vatican II. According to the source, the announcement could come “between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday,” but the exact day has not yet been set.  Nevertheless, the source said the decision has already been made by the Holy Father and that it’s “only a matter of time” before it is publicly announced. “A minor official gesture by the...

What will this Friday's meeting of the Pope with the heads of dicasteries look like? In fact, nobody outside of the most exclusive papal circles knows for sure. From what we gathered and published in the past, this is what the meeting could look like. ___________________________ First option: a meeting for the ratification of a Papal decision: One of the possibilities is that His Holiness, with the results of the first consultative meeting (of February 13), and emboldened by the "free pass" (the "via libera") garnered at the pre-consistory meeting (of March 23), will announce some strong decisions regarding...

The responses just keep pouring in. All thanks to everyone for being so kind and helpful.... As the list is growing long, I'm just going to name the precincts which are reporting, and whatever conditions have been placed upon the respective indults (and if you're late to the party, you can find Round One and Round Two at the links). The Corned Beef Indult for the Traditional Celebration of St. Paddy's Day has been conceded in the (arch)dioceses of: Springfield in Illinois -- provided "one other day is observed as a day of abstinence in its place."Jefferson City --...

1962 Sunday Missal Mass Readings/Propers for the Second Sunday After Pentecost   Colors:  White   INTROIT  Psalms 17: 19, 20The Lord became my protector, and He brought me forth into a large place: He saved me, because He was well pleased with me. -- (Ps. 17. 2, 3). I will love Thee, O Lord my strength: the Lord is my firmament, and my refuge, and my deliverer. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- The Lord became my protector . . .   COLLECT - Make us, O Lord, to have both a perpetual fear and...