Now that the motu proprio has been issued to allow the wider use of the 1962 Missal, some have asked if we will use the permission in this parish. Unless the archbishop specifically requests that we do, there are no plans to have this rite of the Mass here at the parish.However, I should add that I am happy that the Holy Father has responded to the desire of so many of the Faithful in this positive way. We’d be the last place to squelch legitimate diversity. The principle of “unity in diversity” forms part of the foundation of the generous decision of Pope John Paul II to allow for the Pastoral Provision and our own liturgical use.
For a time we did offer the Mass according to the 1962 Missal. It was requested by our (now) Archbishop Emeritus Patrick F. Flores as his response to a petition from a group of Catholics who said they desired the celebration of the Tridentine Rite on a regular basis in the archdiocese. I agreed to provide this rite of the Mass on a weekly basis and on days of obligation. Our parish was an obvious place to offer this. The sanctuary was already arranged for an eastward-facing celebration. Our parish musicians were more than capable of providing the proper music. There was an exisiting dedication to celebrating all aspects of the Church’s liturgy with care and in accordance with the rubrics.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t a happy experience for us. We made every effort to incorporate this into our Mass schedule so it would be seen as an integral part of the parish, but those who had requested the rite wished for it to be very much separate. While we provided bulletins for the Mass, including parish announcements, the Tridentine “organizers” made it a point to throw ours away and provide their own. There were attempts to engage other celebrants for the Mass without even mentioning it to me as the pastor of the parish. There were complaints to me if I used any Sacred Hosts from the tabernacle, and people would refuse Holy Communion if I did, because the Hosts “might be from the English Mass.” In following the rubrics of the Mass, I would receive complaints from some because “that’s not the way I remember it being done.” All I could do was assure them that the rubrics were being followed to the letter. The result was that fewer of those who had requested it continued to attend, and the congregation became more and more comprised of those who didn’t necessarily have an attachment to the tradition Latin Mass, but attended because the time happened to be convenient for them.
I know these things aren’t the fault of the 1962 Missal. The problems arose because of people’s attitudes and expectations. However, it’s not a situation I want to repeat unless I am told I must – but in saying that, be assured I would be immediately obedient if the archbishop told me that he wished for the motu proprio to be implemented here.
When we ceased using the 1962 Missal for our weekly Latin Mass, we began using the Missal of Paul VI for this Mass. The celebration continued to be carried out in a traditional way, eastward-facing with incense, excellent organ music and a men’s schola providing proper chants. When we made the change to the Pauline Missal for the Latin Mass, the attendance began to grow and it was seen simply as one more parish Mass. Of our four Sunday Masses, three are celebrated in English according to the liturgy of the Anglican Use, and one is celebrated in Latin. This seems to work for us very well. Our people are fully capable of participating in either rite of the Mass, and this diversity is accepted as a normal part of parish life.
I hope our experience might be cautionary for those parishes which will be implementing the provisions of the motu proprio. There will be a temptation for some people to erect an “us and them” attitude. There may be a creeping sense of exclusivity (“We attend the real Mass.”). There may be the danger that some will see their life in the parish as consisting only of taking part in the traditional Latin Mass with little or no need to be integrated into the totality of the parish.
On the other hand, perhaps our experience was unique and no other parishes will have these difficulties. Our Holy Father has granted this out of his pastoral love for the Church. We need to work and pray that it will produce the intended good fruits.
Update: here is a follow-up post about this.
23 comments:
Hello, Father.
I am sorry to hear more of the details concerning the abuse of the opportunity for the 1962 Missal at Our Lady of the Atonement. To put it succinctly, that is terrible! While my preference is for the sung Novus ordo correctly celebrated in Latin, I attend the 1962 Mass in this diocese because, although the former option was available for many years at least somewhere in the county, it is no longer. In fact, while there was diocesan permission for the 1962 Mass (but no other sacraments besides Penance) isolated in a convent, there was real and public animus against a parochial Sunday Mass in Latin of any kind by the bishop's spokesman, editor of the diocesan newspaper, so as you can see exclusivity cuts both ways. I often wonder, rather morbidly, I suppose, but sadly how I will be buried if I have no parish.
All I desire is a dignified Mass, with appropriate music on Sundays. As you know, I am very willing to attend Mass in English according to the Anglican Use if that is what it takes. I am also willing to "do the music" if need be. But for now, it looks like the 1962 for me ... at least on those Sundays when I make it there at least twenty-five minutes before Mass; otherwise, there are no seats left and I have to leave for a depressingly halfhearted HaugenHaas "liturgy" in a nearby parish, where there is at least plenty of room.
Thanks for providing a forum that allows me get this off my chest, as it were.
Daniel Muller
Fr. Phillips,
If you come out with a Second edition of the Book of Divine Worship, would you consider petitioning the Holy See to bring into closer conformity with the Old Rite, as was the case with the Anglican Missal or English Missal?
The use of the Novus Ordo canons was one thing I found lacking in my copy of the BDW.
Even before the BDW was printed, we knew there was great need for revision, improvements and additions. Our ideas about this have been solicited, and we hope to see many of our suggested changes in a subsequent edition. When that will be, I do not know -- although it would make sense to hold off any printing until the new translation of the Missale Romanum is approved so that we could incorporate the necessary material from that at the same time.
Father, Thank you for this fine post. I belong to a parish that welcomed in people from SSPX and our experience has been, if possible, even worse. Our pastor ended up in the hospital from the stress, bickering, and outright threats to the point where restraining orders had to be issued against members of this “holier than the Pope” group. Having been one of those “refugees” from SSPX I am in a unique position to sound the alarm. Out of the entire group (about 50 families) my husband and I are the ONLY ones who integrated into the parish. I am the Youth Minister and we both help teach RCIA. Since I am a lay person some people have been less than cordial re: my caveats.
Adrienne, thanks for your comments. We really do need to pray for those priests and parishes through whom the motu proprio will be implemented. There is great potential for wonderful fruits to ripen, but Satan does like to get his cloven hoof into things and try to stir up the dust!
There is an interesting thread going on Fr. Z's blog, http://wdtprs.com/blog/
An insightful post Father, I’ve been following your blog for some time and I’ve always found it as a excellent way to get insight in the world of Anglican Use (which I’ve had the pleasure of watching on DVD…)
As a devotee of the TLM, I hope/pray you reconsider and offer Mass according to the 1962 missal, your parish is a perfect place for it to be celebrated (for not just for an “elite” few but for everyone else). But after reading your experience, I can’t blame you for not willing to do so again.
It’s a sad, missed opportunity, these “organizers” had excellent venue to offer it (much unlike where they say the TLM over here, which is hidden away at a mausoleum…which can get very chilly at times) and could of built up a strong, vibrant (and integrated) community but sadly due a lack of charity (and graciousness) they squandered that. A real shame. It’s exactly that type of mentality that turns me away from “traditionalism” and should be addressed and dealt with.
Hopefully the motu proprio can restore the TLM to its proper place in the Catholic Church and away from being associated with people like those you dealt with.
Father Z’s rules of engagement comes to mind:
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2007/07/fr-z%e2%80%99s-5-rules-of-engagement-for-after-the-motu-proprio-is-released/
---
On an unrelated note, does the Anglican Use have its own calendar or is it the same as the rest of the Roman rite?
God bless!
Wilf, thanks for your thoughts on what I posted. As I wrote above, if the archbishop indicated that he wished us to offer the Mass according to the 1962 Missal, I would, of course, comply.
Meanwhile, our Latin Mass according to the Missal of Paul VI is very beautiful, with proper music and ceremonial. The church is filled for that Mass, as it is for the Anglican Use Masses. Right now, there seems to be no desire amongst the people to change to the 1962 Missal, and I'm a believer in the old cliche, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
To answer your other question about the calendar: we follow the Latin Rite calendar, but with some additions of English saints particularly important to us. Also in that same vein, there are some saints' days which are optional memorials in the Latin Rite calendar which have been upgraded to obligatory memorials for us.
Father,
Your experience is unfortunately not surprising to me, though no less disappointing. The good news is, I think, that the Motu Proprio will help to alleviate this condition over time, by re-integrating those who favor the 1962 rite into the life of the Church.
There is nothing wrong or irreverent with any of the Masses being said now at Our Lady of the Atonement.
What the MP should do is to fix some of the other nearby parishes who don't use any Latin, whose priest is more like a master of ceremonies who does stand up comedy instead of an alter Christi, who don't use bells for the consecration, who don't use any incense, whose choirs are closer to the altar than the tabernacle is, who use Barry Manilow music instead of Gregorian Chant, who allow chatty parishioners to disrupt pre-mass prayers with talk about the NBA, clothes, football, etc., who invite parishioners up before the final blessing to give a commercial about the blood drive going on, the next retreat, begging for money, etc.
God bless Pope Benedict XVI for doing this....FINALLY !
Fr.- I am at least in part responsible for a regular Latim Mass- according to the 1962 books and celebrated by a FSSP priest at a technically Anglican Use parish in S.C. The parish long ago scrapped the Anglican Use for the standard NO but Mass is celebrated ad orientum. I understand your concerns and experiences but urge you to reverse the manner in which you may be looking at SP.The focus seems to be on the faithful and priests requesting the 1962 -now to be called "extraordinary" Mass rather than the ordinary asking a priest to celebrate such a Mass (there may be a fe examples of this actually occuring in modern times but I suspect no more than a few.
I particularly like the
'co-equal" treatment- the 2 parts of one Rite that appear in SP. I have already read 3 or 4 comments from pastors on sites similiar to yours along the same line. It is indeed disappointing but I suspect the will of the Holy Father will out. God Bless! James
Father,
I enjoy both the Anglican use and the Latin NO Masses at the parish, although I still hope you reconsider implementing the motu proprio. Perhaps, in order to avoid creating a separate Tridentine-only community like you described, you could celebrate the Tridentine Mass on special occasions; like the time you used the Latin NO Mass for the 2006 confirmation. Those who are attracted to the Tridentine Mass will be able to visit and then check out the other liturgies that Atonement parish has to offer.
Also, Father, I remember that one problem you told me about the Tridentine Mass was how it used a different lectionary, and so you had to write a different sermon to correspond to the readings. Apparently, the motu proprio is giving an option for using the modern three-reading, three-year lectionary with the Tridentine Mass, and also for reading them in the vernacular. Anyway, just something for you to think about.
Fr. Phillips,
it was truly providence that I ran into you at the airport this morning after having read your blog for the first time the night before.
I wholeheartedly agree that there is no excuse for such uncharitable behaviour.
My own experience with a TLM crowd is that, aside from a few exceptions, they are wonderful people. I do recognize that in some places, the indult has been treated as a "wicked step child" and shuffled around from place to place. I pray that this group in San Antonio has found a home were their wounds can be healed and their charity restored, if not already, perhaps very soon with the release of the Moto Proprio.
God Bless,
Matt McDonald
http://rcpstudy.blogspot.com
I actually think that if a special occasion old rite Mass were to be offered at Our Lady of the Atonement, the most appropriate would be the Sarum use, rather than the 1962 edition of the Roman. That would be a bit more in keeping with the character of the parish.
Fr Phillips,
To what do you attribute the growth in attendance at the Latin Pauline Mass you do? I personally think this is the future of the church, but many priests are reluctant to do even a Pauline Mass in Latin, much less a Tridentine Mass.
The Motu Proprio is finally out!!!
Hopefully we can address the problems Fr. Phillips (keep up the good work) faced and that the Pope mentioned in his letter. Deo gratias!
Father, I found your post very insightful, and very sad.
I think the situation was different in your case from most other cases. What orthodox Catholics are looking for is a parish setting with a reverent liturgy where they and their families can live a full, faithfully Catholic life. People attempt to do this in many ways: reverent Novus Ordo parishes, Eastern Rite parishes, an Anglican Use parish, or their local Traditional Latin Mass. With this in mind, we can see that there are two sorts of people who attend Traditional Latin Masses: the sort of people I just described, and extreme Traditionalists. In your case, I would venture that all the former sort of people were already parishioners at OLA, since you offer what the orthodox people want; this meant that the only people left in your Archdiocese who were devoted to the Latin Mass were the more extreme Traditionalists (not to say absolutely all of them were bad, but you catch my meaning).
In contrast, one Sunday the priest scheduled to offer my local Indult Mass forgot and didn't show. We begged one of the priests from the parish where our Mass is offered to fill in for us, and he very graciously offered an ad orientem Novus Ordo in English for us (he isn't trained to say the Old Rite). Everybody stayed (except for about two people), everybody knew the responses, and we had the usual number of communicants. We then gave our fill-in priest a round of applause when he came into the coffee room after Mass, and sent him some thank-you notes. We definitely made a friend that day.
Dear Father Phillips:
I read with great interests and some sadness the reflections on your prior attempt to accommodate traditionalist Catholics by celebrating the traditional Rite of Mass. I apologize in the name of some of my traditionalist brethren who perhaps have not acted appropriately in response to your attempts to accommodate their spiritual needs. While much of the conduct which I have observed is inexcusable, a great deal of it is at least understandable. Some Catholics have been carrying around with them a sense of betrayal by those that they trusted the most.
Clergy and hierarchy generally treated traditionalists as second-class citizens, or worse, for many years now. I remember well the day our assistant pastor came to class to “explain” the introduction of the Novus Ordo Rite to us. I remember the very classroom, my comments to the priest, even where I was sitting, in the 7th grade in my Catholic school. I will never forget the sense of betrayal I felt at that time. I felt that I was duped – that the Catholic Faith I had loved was an illusion. Subsequently I lost my faith for many years before coming back to the Church (thank God.) For several years after my return I confess that I had a chip on my shoulder, much like those whom you have unfortunately encountered. I believe that Our Lady eventually delivered me from that misdirected bitterness.
The traditional Rite of Mass as developed throughout the ages is a thing of great beauty and perfection. I have no doubt that you are providing a great service to devout Catholics now by the reverent way that you celebrate the Liturgy. I have never been to your parish, (I’m originally from the Northeast and currently live and practice law in Southern California.) I have heard many good things about your parish, and I admire your efforts to advance the Faith. As confident as I am of the efficacy of your current ministry, I am equally certain that celebration of this most venerable Rite would be a salutary act, bringing graces, and, eventually, healing to many Catholics under your pastoral care, as well as abundant graces to yourself and your parish.
God bless you, and thank you for your interesting and enlightening comments.
Sincerely yours,
Robert B.
Hi Father, I was just looking over the Motu Proprio which states "In parishes where a group of faithful attached to the previous liturgical tradition exists stably, let the pastor WILLINGLY ACCEDE to their requests for the celebration of the Holy Mass according to the rite of the Roman Missal published in 1962." Thus, you should grant it without the need for the Archbishop to request it. I am sad to hear about your previous experience, but I am more alarmed to hear that so soon after the Motu Proprio was published, you already decided to, for lack of a better word, disobey. Is the Tridentine Mass not Holy too? Are the Tridentine Mass sheep not yours to watch over too? If all the other pastors follow your reasons, then the Motu Proprio will come to naught and the "smoke of Satan" will continue to choke the Roman Catholic Church. With all sincerity, I mean no disrespect Father. I beg you to reconsider the stance you have publicly declared because I am scandalized.
Anonymous said......(7/8)
"In parishes where a group of faithful attached to the previous liturgical tradition exists stably, let the pastor WILLINGLY ACCEDE to their requests for the celebration of the Holy Mass according to the rite of the Roman Missal published in 1962."
As a member of Our Lady, I don't think the above statement is true. Most of the members that I know wish to retain the Anglican Use liturgy, afterall this parish is primarly for former Episcopains who have found refuge in this parish.
I agree with Father Phillip's decision not to introduce the MP in the parish.
Gregorian
Me on the motu and the AU.
Sorry if it sounds a little critical of the latter.
And sorry your experience with crazy people ended the use of the 1962 Missal at Our Lady of the Atonement. Under the circumstances I can see why you switched to the Pauline use but doing it traditionally Brompton Oratory fashion.
Sed abusus non tollit usum.
Anyway, about the motu...
TE Déum laudámus: * te Dóminum confitémur...
Here is my take on the Motu Proprio for what its worth. It does state “In parishes where A GROUP OF FAITHFUL attached to the previous liturgical tradition EXISTS STABLY...." Here, in my opinion, are some of the keys. First of all how are you going to define "a group"? Two people; three; four or how many will be considered "a group"? Not only that but it says "exists stably". To me it means that this "group", of however many you want to say, is actually participating in the full functions of the parish life. Are they active in CCD, willing and FAITHFUL participants in parish activities, AND are an integral part of the Parish or are they just in the background and not fellowship with the rest of the parish because they are TLM and they fail to recognize the Novus Ordo?
I'm no expert in these things but I see right off on Art 1 that states "The Roman Missal promulgated by Paul VI is the ORDINARY expression of the 'Lex orandi' (Law of prayer) of the Catholic Church of the Latin rite...." That means that the now known Novus Ordo Mass is the
way the mass should be celebrated and we will NOT see wholesale changes to the TLM. The TLM’ers need to recognize this and be obedient to the changes made by Paul VI. They stand much to gain by doing this but will continue to loose in refusing to recognize that the Novus Ordo is the “ordinary” expression.
Art 1 also states "It is, therefore, PERMISSIBLE to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass following the typical edition of the Roman Missal promulgated by Bl. John XXIII in 1962 and never abrogated, as an EXTRAORDINARY form of the Liturgy of the Church..." It is permissible but not a requirement and the TLM will be celebrated only as an "Extraordinary" form and not at every mass.
It also states WILLINGLY. It does not say he MUST. Fr. Phillips is right in that caution should be exercised by all involved. My fear is that many devoted to the TLM will rush in to their pastors and DEMAND that the TLM be celebrated. That would only alienate the priest and could have disastrous consequences.
My personal feeling is that if the TLM is celebrated, that’s great. If not then I am happy with the current mass as long as it is celebrated with reverence and the priest AND the faithful don't add their own "feel good" diversities to the Novus Ordo Mass. Of course my preference too is the AU mass. This is what is so great about the Catholic Church; the diversity that exists. However, we must remain united and not upset the applecart by having the “holier than thou” attitude.
Oh Fr. I pray you reconsider. I'm so so sorry a group of prideful, antagonistic folks ruined your experience with offering the TLM for your parish.
The possibility of a regular TLM within a parish as vibrant and faithful as OLOA would be such a blessing to San Antonio. Considering the options in SA for those who prefer/are attached to/desire the Mass of Pius V being able to have a Mass in a church large enough to accommodate all the large familes, decorated in a way to raise ones thoughts to the transcendent, with an orthodox priest who will teach about the tenets of the faith, enough of a parish life to offer the families and children a sense of true Catholic community...what a blessing it would be for the Catholics searching for such a place.
http://www.catholic.org/prwire/headline.php?ID=4076
Learning to Serve at the Altar: The Traditional Latin Mass
9/8/2007 - 14:46 PST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
Catholic PRWire
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 - The new website of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius of Chicago (www.SanctaMissa.org)has just launched a new tutorial in how to serve the Tridentine Latin Mass.
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This "Tutorial for Altar Servers" provides a:
1) a flash video demonstrating a Low Mass with one server
2) a cheat-sheet for Altar Servers learning the Mass in a downloadable PDF file format
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5) the superb serving Manual of the Archconfraternity of St. Stephen.
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http://www.sanctamissa.org IL, US
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