What Does The Prayer Really Say?
W D T P R S

Some nuts and bolts.

First, a note a thanks to all of you who are sending e-mail to me.  I can’t possibly answer all the e-mail: there is simply too much!  So, please forgive me if you don’t get a response.   Your e-mail reports and links are really helpful. 

Second, the "stuttering" of the combox is still a problem.  Perhaps part of the repeat posting can be avoided by clicking the SUBMIT button only once.  I often compose comments in Notepad, btw, when I am afraid I might lose my text through a glitch.

Third, some of you have recently given donations through the Donation button on the left side bar.  They are very helpful and I am grateful.  You help keep my chin above the waves!  Tomorrow I will take the latest list of donors with me to the altar: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – and remember you at the Memento of the Living.

Fourth, the PODCAzT stats are pretty good. I am waiting for another one to hit 1000 before I start making another.  Though… my muse might seize me.

Finally, here is a brief snapshot of where my software says you may be connecting from.  Don’t expect precision.  I deleted entries like "United States".  

Bondville, Illinois
Anchorage, Alaska
Dresden, Sachsen
Memphis, Tennessee
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Viola, Illinois
rd. Pest
Kastel Kamblelovac, Spl…
Rochester, Minnesota
Lavagna, Liguria
Brisbane, Queensland
Langsett, Barnsley
Millwood, New York
Paris, Ile-de-France
Goose Bay, Newfoundland
Chorley, Wigan
Pisa, Toscana
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Saint Benedict, Oregon
Grand Junction, Colorado
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Schinnen, Limburg
East Dean, Wiltshire
Havant, Portsmouth
Charlottesville, Virginia
Windsor, Ontario
Langdon, North Dakota
Toledo, Ohio
San Jose, California
Odessa, Florida
South Jamesport, New York
Germantown, Maryland
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Wayne, Pennsylvania
Seattle, Washington
Columbus, Ohio
Burbank, California
Plano, Texas
Bowie, Maryland
Atlanta, Georgia
Weston, Massachusetts
Venezuela
East Wenatchee, Washing…
Oakdale, Pennsylvania
Brisbane, Queensland
Langsett, Barnsley
Millwood, New York
Emmitsburg, Maryland
Velden, Limburg
Mesquite, Texas
Raleigh, North Carolina
Miami, Florida
Vienna, Virginia
South Bend, Indiana
Berkeley, California
Vass, North Carolina
Kansas City, Missouri
Irvine, California
Batavia, Ohio
Irving, Texas
Towson, Maryland
Beloit, Kansas
Livonia, Michigan
Stevenage, Norfolk
Germantown, Maryland
Denver, Colorado
Denton, Texas
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Cordova, Tennessee
Windsor, Ontario
Mesa, Arizona
Fort Collins, Colorado
Houston, Texas
Holmdel, New Jersey
Brighton, Michigan
Greensboro, North Carol…
Los Angeles, California
Brooklyn, New York
Calverton, New York
Brighton, Michigan
Franklin, Louisiana
Ottawa, Ontario
Washington, District of…
Naples, Florida
Kamloops, British Colum…
New York
Manassas, Virginia
Waverley, Massachusetts
Stevenage, Norfolk
Springfield, Virginia
Warren, New Jersey
Kingston, Ontario
Mount Clemens, Michigan
Cincinnati, Ohio
Lubbock, Texas
Campobello, South Carol…
Campbell, Victoria
Muskegon, Michigan
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Chicago, Illinois
Malanay, Pangasinan
Denver, Colorado
Kobersdorf, Burgenland
Stevenage, Norfolk

There is an interesting story coming out of Hungary but I don’t have any specific information yet.  Still, what I read wa a little shocking.

It seems that an imprudent newly ordained priest decided to celebrate his First Mass in the older Rite, without permission of his bishop, at the high altar of the church in his town.  He still needs permission before 14 September.

The bishop reacted rather strongly: he tore out the ad orientem high altar.

I am hoping we can learn more details about this, if it is true. 

Aufnahme während der Primizfeier
Nach Primiz im alten Ritus: Hochaltar abgerissen
Aus Ungarn erreicht uns per e-Mail folgende Zuschrift, die wir zunächst einmal unter Vorbehalt weitergeben. Die von uns eingeleiteten weiteren Recherchen werden durch Sprachbarrieren behindert – wir melden uns, sobald wir genaueres in Erfahrung bringen konnten
 Am 1. Juli dieses Jahres hat ein ungarischer Priester, der am 22. Juni geweiht wurde, in seinem Heimatdorf seine Primiz-Messe im tridentinischen Ritus gefeiert. Er hatte dafür vorher die Erlaubnis von seinem Erzbischof bekommen. Diese Messe war die erste Primiz-Messe, die seit 37 Jahren in Ungarn in diesem Ritus zelebriert wurde. Das Dorf lag allerdings in einer Nachbar-Diözese.
Zwei Monate nach diesem Ereignis, am 4. September hat der Bischof, in dessen Diözese das Dorf liegt, den Hauptaltar der Kirche, an dem die tridentinische Messe zelebriert worden war, abbauen lassen. Dieser Bischof hat sich schon vorher öfter gegen die Tradition ausgesprochen einmal sagte er "Die tridentinische Messe ist schlecht und dem Willen Gottes entgegengesetzt."
Ungarn war einmal ein katholisches Land. Es ist das erste Land, das der Mutter-Gottes geweiht wurde. Bevor der Hl. Stephan, unser erste König starb (da sein einziger Sohn, der Hl. Emmerich vorher starb), hat er seine Krone Maria übergeben. Seitdem ist Ungarn Regnum Marianum. Deswegen ist es für die ungarischen traditionstreuen Katholiken besonders schmerzhaft, wie feindlich einige Bischöfe der Tradition der Kirche gegenüberstehen, und in ihrem Hass gegen die Tradition auch noch die Anweisungen des Papstes missachten.

With a tip of the biretta to NLM I present some good news.   o{]:¬)

Thursday, September 06, 2007
Holy Apostles Seminary
posted by Shawn Tribe

Thanks to a priest of the Canons Regular of Saint John Cantius for this information which relates to some very interesting developments at Holy Apostles Seminary:

Fr. Lang will speak to the seminarians of Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, CT, on Friday, September 7th at the invitation of Rev. Douglas L. Mosey, C.S.B., Rector.

In response to Summorum Pontificum, Holy Apostles [Seminary] will begin publicly offering the Mass according to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite on Saturday, September 8th at 11:00 a.m. in the seminary chapel. The public is welcome to attend.

Rev. John Mary Gilbert, I.S.J, a professor at Holy Apostles Seminary, and Rev. Gregoire Fluet, Pastor of St Bridget Parish, Moodus, CT, and the Vice-President of Holy Apostles Seminary, will offer the Traditional Latin Mass on each Saturday at 11:00 a.m. The brothers from the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius (Chicago) who are seminarians at Holy Apostles Seminary will form the chant schola for the weekly High Mass at the seminary chapel.

Meanwhile… while we are all focused on the gravitational pull the usus antiquior will have on the newer form of Mass, some folks are still making looney proposals.   Get this, from the lefty weekly The Tablet.   

My emphases and comments.

Church in the World
8 September 2007
Netherlands

Dutch Dominicans call for laity to celebrate Mass

William Jurgensen
    
THE DOMINICAN Order in the Netherlands has issued a radical recommendation that lay ministers chosen by their congregations should be allowed to celebrate the Eucharist if no ordained priests are available.  [Are they out of their minds?  This sounds like the leavings of Schillebeeckx to me.]

In a booklet posted to all 1,300 parishes in the country, it says that the Church should drop its priest-centred model of the Mass in favour of one built around a community sharing bread and wine in prayer.  [In other words become Protestants.]

"Whether they are women or men, homo- or heterosexual, married or single, makes no difference. What is important is an infectious attitude of faith," said the brochure, which has been approved by the Dutch order’s leaders. However, the Dutch bishops’ conference promptly said that the booklet appeared to be "in conflict with the faith of the Roman Catholic Church". It said it had no prior knowledge of the project and needed to study the text further before issuing a full reaction.  [And to gather the stake, wood and oil.]

The 38-page booklet, Kerk en Ambt ("Church and Ministry"), reflects the thinking of the Belgian-born Dominican theologian Fr Edward Schillebeeckx. [Thought so.   This was the pure **** we were force fed in my U.S. seminary by the, then, vice-rector and, now, ex-priest who taught sacramental "theology".  We had a constant diet of Schillebeeckx’s books.  I don’t think it is a surpise that, from my class at that seminary and for that diocese, I am the only one from my year still in active ministry.] In 1986 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger warned Fr Schillebeeckx that his views on the Eucharist and lay ministry were "erroneous" but took no action against him. The booklet was written by four Dominicans including Fr André Lascaris, a theologian at the Dominican Study Centre for Theology and Society in Nijmegen. Fr Lascaris was involved in peace work for Northern Ireland from 1973 until 1992 and has published numerous articles and books on conflict, violence, forgiveness and reconciliation. The other authors are Fr Jan Nieuwenhuis, retired head of the Dominicus ecumenical centre in Amsterdam, Fr Harrie Salemans, a parish priest in Utrecht, and Fr Ad Willems, retired theology lecturer at Radboud University, Nijmegen.

The booklet says that many Dutch Catholics are frustrated that combining parishes and closing churches is the main response to the challenge of a dwindling clergy. "The Church is organised around priests and actually finds the priesthood more important than local faith communities," said Fr Salemans [Funny…  does that not sound just like the wacky ideas of Sr. Joan Chittister?] in an interview posted on the order’s Dutch website. "This is deadly for local congregations."

Using the early Church as its model, the booklet said a congregation could choose its own lay minister to lead services. The minister and the congregation would speak the words of consecration together. "Speaking these words is not the exclusive right or power of the priest," the booklet said. "It is the conscious expression of faith by the whole congregation."  [Heresy.]

The ranks of Dutch Dominicans have thinned along with those of other clergy, and now number only 90 men. Since 2000 around 200 parishes in the Netherlands have been closed due to the lack of priests and the fall in church attendance

Here is a nice story.    My emphases.

Traditional Latin Mass Returns to Lithuania

8/19/2007 – 08:39 PST

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 19, 2007 – Fr. Scott Haynes, S.J.C. [These are the canons of St. John Cantius in Chicago] offered the Tridentine Latin High Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Siluva on 8-11-07. This was the first time the Traditional Latin Mass was offered at there since the Communist Occupation of Lithuania. Participants of Ad Fontes (http://adfontes.archangelus.lt/), a study-week of Gregorian Chant for young people, sang Gregorian Chant and rededicated themselves to their Catholic faith.

After attending the High Mass, all received the blessing of Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevicius SJ, the Archbishop of Kaunas, Lithuania. As His Excellency confirmed our commitment to the implementation of Summorum Pontificum, he encouraged us to have devotion to Our Lady of Siluva, and fidelity to Our Holy Father. He asked us to continue our study of the Sacred Liturgy.

This shrine has an interesting history. The Protestant Reformation swept over Europe in 1532, the local governor became a zealous Calvinist as did many nobility. The Catholics of Siluva were weak and did not resist the repression of their Catholic Faith by the powerful gentry. Church property was confiscated and the land turned over to the Calvinists.

With these terrible developments, a parish priest of Siluva found a large rock on his parish property and buried there a chest containing a painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Child, the vestments for Mass, and church documents. He had hope that these again might be used when the persecution ended.

Eighty years later, in 1608, with no active Catholic faith left, Our Lady appeared to a number of children standing on that same rock. She was holding the baby Jesus in her arms. She wept bitterly. Later the Blessed Mother appeared in front of the Calvinist pastor and a large group of people weeping in the same way. The Calvinist pastor asked, “Why are you weeping?” She replied, “There was a time when my beloved Son was worshipped by my people on this very spot. But now they have given this sacred soil over to the plowman and the tiller and to the animals for grazing.”

The eldest man in the community was now about 100 years old and he remembered that it was on that spot under the rock that the Catholic priest had buried the Icon, the vestments and the documents. When the old man, who was blind, opened the chest to see the beautiful image of Mary, he at once regained his sight. This would prove to be the first of many miracles.

The people understood. The Mother of God had appeared in person to chide them for their neglect of the Catholic Faith. The people heeded Mary’s message and began to return to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church founded by her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.

Like that wise elder who opened the treasure chest, Our Holy Father Pope Benedict, in his wisdom and charity, has re-opened the ancient treasure chest of the Traditional Roman Rite.

Nice touch at the end, no? 

The Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum is one dimension of Pope Benedict XVI’s larger vision for the Church, his ecclesiastical "Marshall Plan".

Why do we need the usus antiquior on a wider and more generous basis?  To correct and redirect, reorient, the way we use the newer form of Mass.

For example, take a look at this photo of an ordination in Gricigliano, Italy, where the Institute of Christ the King has its HQ.  The ordaining bishop is His Eminence Antonio Card. Cañizares Llovera, Archbishop of Toldeo and Primate of Spain.

Here is the singing of a Solemn Te Deum by His Eminence Ennio Card. Antonelli, Archbishop of Florence. Cardinal Llovera is also present.

This communicates something about style…. attitude.   It doesn’t mean that parishes have to do this… unless they want to, of course. 

Cathedrals ought to. 

Quantum potest tantum aude!

Day after day, I have had to read disappointing statements from dioceses and bishops.  Of course, there have been a few good ones too!

Here is the official statement of the Bishop of Raleigh, NC, His Excellency Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge.

My emphases and comments.  Do not be alarmed at all the red.  You are in for a real treat!

Implementation of the Apostolic Letter, Summorum Pontificum, of Pope Benedict XVI
in the Diocese of Raleigh

    In his Christmas address to the members of the Roman Curia [Folks, this is dynamite.  This statement begins from exactly the right point: the Pope talks about a hermeneutic of discontinuity and of continuity, of healing, of reform.  Therefore from the opening sentence, everything that follows is placed, consciously, within the vision of Pope Benedict.  Remember, as WDTPRS has been saying all along, this Motu Proprio is part of a much larger vision for the Church, a kind of ecclesiastical "Marshall Plan".] on December 22, 2005, His Holiness Benedict XVI, shared his vision of shepherding the Church on a path of greater unity, continuity, reform, and renewal. [Voila!] As an essential part of this vision, [This guy GETS IT!] on July 7, 2007, the Holy Father released his Apostolic Letter, Summorum Pontificum, clarifying the status and usage of the Missal of Blessed Pope John XXIII, published in 1962, prior to the liturgical reforms of 1970. The document also governs the use of other ritual books in use prior to these reforms.
    Accompanying the Apostolic Letter, the Holy Father also wrote an explanatory letter to all the Bishops of the world providing the context in which the faithful should understand the objectives of the document. The Holy Father explains that the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council found in the 1970 Missal, with its two subsequent revisions, remain as the Forma ordinaria or normal form [hmmm… I am not sure that ordinaria is really "normal", as if in contrast to … what… "abnormal"?] of celebration of the Mass. The use of the 1962 Missal of Blessed Pope John XXIII is to be used as the Forma extraordinaria or extraordinary form of celebration of the Mass. Most notably, the Holy Father states that these two forms are not to be seen as two separate Rites of the Mass, but rather two forms of celebration within the one Roman Rite. The Holy Father clarifies this two-fold reality [I like this description "two-fold".  It suggests a very close, intertwined unity of the two, not a side by side existence.  I think, and I know Benedict knows, that the older use will exert a gravitational pull on on the way the newer form is celebrated.  It already has in the case of many younger priests.  Likewise, I think the newer form as already exerted an influence on the way priests celebrate the older form!  The "two-fold" description is good.] when he stated, “There is no contradiction between the two editions of the Roman Missal.  In the history of the liturgy, there is growth and progress, but no rupture. [yep] What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us, too….”
    Therefore, to implement Summorum Pontificum in every way possible [WOAH!  "in every way possible"...?  Can I believe my eyes?   This statement simultaneously, with the world "possible", looks in two directions.  First, "possible" implies that not everything people might hope for will in fact be immediately feasible.  Second, it conveys that a best effort will be made to do what is hoped for.  I really like that phrase.  It presents real hope, realistic hope, to the people of the diocese.] in the Diocese of Raleigh, it is my intention to maintain the Forma ordinaria as normative for celebrations of the Mass, but also to make the Forma extraordinaria form of the Mass more available to the faithful. [Very good.  In fact, his is harmonious with what the late Holy Father wrote in 1988 in his Motu Proprio Ecclesia Dei adflicta!  Had more bishops been like this we might never had seen Summorum Pontificum.] To this end, resources will be provided to those priests who are able and choose to study how to properly celebrate the Forma extraordinaria of the Mass so that both he and the people of God will best be served. [BAM!  This is perfect.  The bishops is saying that he, the diocese, will provide resources to priests to learn and improve their use of the older books.  However, what is really important here is the statement: "so that both he and the people of God will best be served".  In other words, the bishop is taking care to support his priests in a positive way!  There is no foot dragging.  There is no menacing disapproval.  There is no hint that if a priest wants to do this he will be punished or looked down on or given the third degree.  The bishop is stating that he is going to be a "servant" also to his priests.  Remember that one of the most amazing characteristics of Summorum Pontificum is that it emphasizes the rights of priests rather than bishops.  This has freaked out some bishops.  Many of them are now insisting "I’m in charge here!  I’m the chief liturgist!"  This bishop, on the other hand, has said that he is the servant of the priests.  He is leading by serving.  He is still very much in charge, of course.  In fact, he is more in charge by this attitude than if he had lorded it over his priests.] There are many resources available to priests to aid them in this pursuit and so I direct those priests seeking formation to consult with the Vicar General, the Very Reverend David D. Brockman, [Okay… one can only assume that this V.G. will know what he is doing.  However, give the tone of this bishop’s letter, can we doubt that he will be the right man for the job?] for which formation program will be the most effective. 
    Our Diocese is blessed that we already have priests exercising an effective apostolate [Note the language: "blessed"... "effective"... "apostolate".  All positive!] offering the Mass and other sacraments using the Forma extraordinaria. I am grateful to these priests for their generosity [! ... I would love to meet this bishop and thank him face to face for this letter.] to assist any priest seeking liturgical formation in the Forma extraordinaria of the Mass. In particular, I wish to recognize the Reverend Paul M. Parkerson, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Dunn for his leadership [Again, a very positive word.  He is not troublesome… he is an asset.] in this regard. I also express my gratitude to those in liturgical leadership at Sacred Heart, Dunn for offering liturgical formation in the ministry of altar server [And here he takes a moment to build up the boys serving the Mass and the adults working with them.] for the Forma extraordinaria of the Mass.        
    While Summorum Pontificum does not impose a minimum number [EXCELLENT, Excellency!] of the faithful who may rightfully request the Forma extraordinaria of the Mass from their pastor, the priests of the Diocese of Raleigh, and I, as Bishop, will do everything possible to respond appropriately and generously [Okay… here is that "possible" again.  I don’t know about the demographics of that diocese, in the south and not really an area known for its high percentage of Catholics, I suspect there is a priest shortage.] to the requests for this form with the resources we have. Our Diocesan website will soon convey more information on parish celebrations of the Forma extraordinaria of the Mass in our Diocese.
    In recognition of the effective date of Summorum Pontificum on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on September 14, 2007, I invite [!] the faithful of our Diocese [!] to join me [!] at Sacred Heart, Dunn for a special solemn celebration of the Forma extraordinaria of the Mass. I will be the homilist [!] for the Mass and Fr. Parkerson will offer the Mass as the celebrant.   [It just gets better and better.]
    The richness of the Sacred Liturgy is the heart of our Catholic faith. Both the Forma ordinaria and the Forma extraordinaria of the Mass have been the source of holiness for countless saints throughout history. May the richness of our Catholic liturgical prayer, now made more available to the entire Church, continue to lead us all to that same goal. In the words of our Holy Father, "Let us generously open our hearts and make room for everything that the faith, itself, allows."

+ Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge
Bishop of Raleigh

This is perhaps the best statement I have read by a diocesan bishop so far.

It is distinguished for several things.

• He sets a tone.  It is positive and welcoming.  It is respectful of everyone: the Holy Father, his priests, the faithful, both those who prefer the older form and those who want the newer. 
• He establishes clearly that he does not think priests who want to use the older books are odd or troublemakers or out of step.  As a matter of fact, he seems to acknowledge that learning and celebrating the older form of Mass can be for the priest’s spiritual benefit. 
• He is taking control of the situation by leading and being positive rather than insisting that he is the master and no other.   That is true control, the sort of approach which will make priests want to work with the bishop and follow his decisions when there are problems.  They won’t be afraid of him.
  
• He understands that this Motu Proprio and its provisions, the need for a liturgical practice across the board, must have continuity with the past.

Okay, folks.  I am nearly worn out after reading that.

Thank you, Bishop Burbidge.

I received a question via e-mail from a reader.  It concerns the use of music at a low Mass in the usus antiquior.

Can we have some knowledgeable people help this nice person?

Hello Father;

I have a question. My pastor is planning on adding the 1962 Mass to the weekday schedule. He is going to say a low Mass every Thursday, and has been training with the priest who does our monthly diocesan indult Mass.

I direct the choir that sings chant and sacred polyphony at one of our Sunday N.O. Masses. Our organist, who directs the Polish choir says that the proper antiphons cannot be sung at a low Mass, only hymns. So, that sounds like, on Thursdays we will have a lot of Polish hymns and maybe a couple of Latin Hymns sung almost continuously while Father and the servers say Mass in silence.

Is this true? I would like to prepare to sing the proper introit, offertory, etc, but if they are not permitted at a low Mass, then what we are going to have is a Mass filled with (I hate to say it) the same shlocky Polish hymns we sing at our daily N.O. Mass.

I understand that this music would be fairly continuous throughout the Mass, so there will be no silence, no chant, nothing that makes the 1962 Mass attractive to people.

So that’s my question. Is this true? Are the proper antiphons not permitted at a low Mass?

(I’m hoping that in the future Father will feel confident enough to attempt a high Mass.)

Thank you Father.

I can see a couple problems.

It really sounds like you need to do a Missa cantata rather than a low Mass.

Low Mass moves along pretty quickly.  I don’t think you would have a lot of time for the proper chants. 

A Missa cantata without sacred ministers can be done in two ways, a simpler and a more solemn form.

In the first case, you pretty much follow the rubrics for low Mass.  The priest sings all that is sung at a Solemn Mass, including the Gospel and the Ite, etc.  He can sit while the choir sings the Gloria or Sequence or Creed.  A server who is a cleric in surplice could sing the Epistle and then the priest would not say it himself but only listen.  The choir could sing pretty much everything they would sing at a Solemn Mass.  There wouldn’t be incense but there could be torchbearers.

The fancier form is like the above, but… well… fancier.  This would be the form that was often used in places instead of a Solemn Mass.

 

I am sure some of the readers here will have some personal experiences of this simpler form of the sung Mass, so close to the low Mass but with music.

I think there can be a little flexibility in light of the music notes of the Holy See from the Second Vatican Council and after.  For example, I think we could tolerate also that women might be able to sing in church in a choir even without the explicit permission of the local bishop.  I think we could permit that they sing Gregorian chant or there could be women in a schola cantorum.  I think we might be able to allow women to stand also near where the men are if there is a mixed choir when women must substitute for boys as sopranos and altos.  It would be nice if people attending might also sing the Ordinary in Gregorian chant, as is recommended by Pius XI in Divini cultus, Sacrosanctum Concilium 36 and 54 and by Benedict XVI in Sacramentum caritatis 62.