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Implementation of Summorum Pontificum at Georgetown University (Jesuit)
There are many Catholic "settings". There are not only parish communities, but also more loosely defined academic settings, such as you would find in a Catholic University.
Students have need for spiritual support, ongoing instruction in the faith at their level of apprehension. They need sanctification through the sacraments, especially confession and Holy Mass.
So, it is only reasonable that the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum would spark interest on the campuses of Catholic Universities.
We are seeing that at some Universities (which, by the way should be adhereing to Ex corde Ecclesiae) there is both resistance and also welcome shown to the expressed desires of students for something they believe would nourish their spiritual lives, namely, the older form of Mass. We have seen a pretty fair response on the part of the University of Notre Dame, for example. On the other hand, there less warmth being shown at Franciscan University in Ohio and Ave Maria in Florida.
What is going on at the Jesuits place in Washington, D.C., Georgetown University? It isn’t really known for strong adherence to Catholic doctrine these days.
Here is a report from The Hoya, Georgetown Universities newspaper.
My emphases and comments.
Not bad! Not bad at all!Students Push for Addition of Latin Mass
Campus Ministry Says Training, Scheduling Concerns Pose Problems
By Elizabeth Blazey
Special to The Hoya
Tuesday, October 23, 2007The Latin Mass may be coming back to Georgetown, if one group of students has its way. [Why put it like that?]
Two students submitted last month a formal request to the Office of Campus Ministry for the addition of a Catholic Tridentine Mass on Sundays in Dahlgren Chapel. Administrators said that they are considering the proposal but have not made a decision.
The students first asked Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Timothy Godfrey, S.J. on Sept. 7 for the addition of the Mass on Sundays at Dahlgren Chapel, one of the students, Steven Picciano (COL ‘09), said. Picciano said that at least 50 Georgetown students support this request, and that five Jesuits have already agreed to say the Tridentine Mass should the proposal be accepted.
Fr. Timothy Godfrey, director of campus ministry, said he "will follow the same route as the Archdiocese [of Washington, D.C.] and take time in the implementation of this Mass." He said the archdiocese is working on determining what a "stable group of faithful" entails.
Godfrey said the implementation of the Tridentine Mass has been delayed by logistical complications, including the need to train priests in saying the Mass. Furthermore, he said, the availability of Dahlgren is limited on Sundays, leaving little time for another Mass. [Gosh. You would think that the priests around Georgetown University would be pretty smart and could learn this without much difficulty.]
"Campus Ministry already holds six Masses on Sundays, baptisms, marriages," he said. "Difficulty arises in trying to meet all sorts of needs."
Godfrey said that he is working with Fr. John Langan, S.J., the rector of the university’s Jesuit Community, and that the next step in the process — if the Mass is permitted — is for priests to say the Tridentine Mass in university-sanctioned Masses in Copley Crypt. He said that no specific timeline has been established for making the decision.
Picciano said that, as a result of not having a Tridentine Mass on campus, some students attend Mass at St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Chinatown, and are, "by extension, excluded from the Georgetown community."
"As a Catholic university, it makes sense to meet the spiritual needs of Catholic students," he said.
Picciano said a Tridentine Mass is already said every Friday at 3:30 p.m. in Copley Crypt, typically by Fr. Stephen Fields, S.J., although this Mass is not part of the university’s official schedule of Masses.
Picciano said the Tridentine Mass offers a more solemn, humble and contemplative approach to worshipping God than the contemporary Mass.
"It enhances the atmosphere of Mass," he said. "It’s a way of praying to the highest."
The Tridentine Mass is a traditional Mass that is said in Latin, offers more time for reflection and contemplation, and includes slightly different prayers, [Well… maybe more than slightly in quite a few cases.] although the basic structure of the Mass is the same as contemporary Masses. The use of the Tridentine Mass sharply declined after the Second Vatican Council, which was held from 1962-1965. Pope Benedict XVI reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Tridentine Mass in an apostolic letter released in July.
"In parishes, where there is a stable group [There is that bad translation again.] of faithful who adhere to the earlier liturgical tradition, the pastor should willingly accept their requests to celebrate the Mass according to the rite of the Roman Missal published in 1962, and ensure that the welfare of these faithful [harmonizes] with the ordinary pastoral care of the parish, under the guidance of the bishop in accordance with canon 392, avoiding discord and [favoring] the unity of the whole Church," Benedict said in the letter, "Summorum Pontificum."
According to the letter, in churches that are not parishes or associated with a convent or monastery — such as Dahlgren — it is the duty of the rector to grant permission for the use of the Tridentine Mass.
Fields, one of the five Jesuits who expressed support for the proposal, said the Tridentine Mass can help enrich the spiritual experience of Catholics on campus who choose to attend the Masses, adding that some students are trying to form a Gregorian choir to enhance the Masses.
"I hope that the consequences [of adding the Tridentine Mass] will be a healthy addition to the diversity of worship on campus, a cultivation of contemplative prayer, a renewal of the riches of Gregorian chant, a deeper appreciation of the Church’s history and tradition and a deeper love of the Mass as the principal act of worship of the Church," he said.
"Campus Ministry has been most gracious in honoring the request of the students on campus," [YAY!] Fields said. "The Pope asks that a stable group [bad translation] of worshipers request the Mass and that their pastors willingly accede to it. But some details had to be worked out with the archdiocese, and the students had to identify priests able and willing to celebrate it. It is quite complicated, and the priests need a period of training, which is still going on."
Natasha Labeaud (COL ‘09) expressed support for the offering of a Tridentine Mass on campus.
"I would probably go," she said. "It would be a nice option to have because it relates to the roots of Mass in general."
Since Ave Maria University was mentioned, I’ll comment as a student on the situation there.
According to the chaplain, the extraordinary form will be regularly celebrated on Sundays and Wednesdays, although the university is waiting for permission from the bishop.
I am simply flabbergasted by all the talk of bishops restricting this great document. Ears but do not hear. . .
What an encouragement, the situation at Notre Dame. I hope that Georgetown follows suit.
Comment by Anonymous from Ave Maria — 23 October 2007 @ 11:32 amThis is quite nice!
And what a contrast to the sad situation at Steubenville and at St. Peter’s…
The saddest thing about Steubenville is just that obviously many of the priests there are earnest and pious Catholics. I would have hoped that the same Spirit that animates their love for the Church would be for them the Spirit of Obedience, Who provides consolation even when He takes on paths that are dark to our undertanding.
My heart goes out to Msgr. Piero Marini’s friends and to the good priests at Steubenville who have doubtless been doing their best to be faithful to their understanding of where God is leading His Church. The anti-spam word above me as I type this post is: Pray for our priests. What good advice. God bless them all.
Comment by Jeff — 23 October 2007 @ 12:08 pmTo paraphrase Maggie Thatcher, it’s a funny old post-postmodern world.
Comment by giovanni — 23 October 2007 @ 12:10 pmWhile this is great for the DC area, there is some troubling news out of Saint John’s in McLean (DC suburbs). I believe the priest actually is a frequent visitor to WDTPRS. See below:
http://tlmarlington.blogspot.com
It’s sad to say, but several reports have come in about the first traditional Mass at Saint John’s in McLean—and none of them are good.
Besides the obvious which cannot be easily corrected (hideous round church), the Mass itself is dangerously close to a 1960s hybrid Mass. Organ is played through the consecration and elevation. The congregation pretty much said every single altar boy response but, worse, they sang the entire Pater Noster at the request of the pastor.
The most radical part of the Mass, however, was something I’ve never heard of—a “presentation of the gifts” by members of the congregation. The cruets were brought down the aisle, in total novus ordo style. The pastor claims Pius XII promoted this. The pastor also asked the congregation to recite the “Suscipat Domine.” (!)
Finally, the pastor told the congregation the Epistle and Gospel will be read in English soon, skipping the Latin completely.
This is the second parish in the Dicocese of Arlington to implement a traditional Mass with un-traditional elements. The first was Saint Andrew the Apostle in Clifton, although the associate pastor reportedly says a traditional Mass without the novelties done by the pastor there.
I admit I am biased, as I don’t like the Dialogue Mass or congregational singing. But these abuses are way, way beyond that—these are 1965 and later innovations. Clearly, two priests (the pastors of Saint John’s in McLean and Saint Andrew’s in Clifton) are working hard to merge the novus ordo and the traditional Mass. So, just be aware. Thankfully there are many other options in the Diocese of Arlington and the Archdiocese of Washington for orthodox traditional Latin Masses.
Comment by ortho — 23 October 2007 @ 12:11 pmOrtho,
Comment by danphunter1 — 23 October 2007 @ 12:29 pmIs the Pater Noster permitted, at the Tridentine mass, to be spoken/sung by the congregation?
Also is it wise for the priest at a Tridentine Mass to give the faithful the option of recieving the Blessed Sacrament in the hand.
I have witnessed this, recently.
God bless you.
According to the chaplain, the extraordinary form will be regularly celebrated on Sundays and Wednesdays, although the university is waiting for permission from the bishop.
Comment by Anonymous from Ave Maria
It’s not necessary to get permission from the bishop.
Comment by RBrown — 23 October 2007 @ 12:29 pmTo Ortho,
A parish priest doesn’t need permission from the local
Comment by Uncle Kermie — 23 October 2007 @ 12:40 pmordinary (bishop). However, the SP is silent whether the same
rules apply to non-parish priests and non-parish churches,
such as a Mass at a university or high school. If a bishop
wanted to be difficult, he could try to wield his authority
there. So it’s an unknown whether the SP extends to Ave
Maria University
What the Franciscan TOR priests at Steubenville U. and the priests loyal to Archbishop Piero Marini are doing is scandelous, and is an example of obstinate disobedience (mean spirited and evil). No one should have sympathy for these priests. They are maintaining their obedience etc. to a way of doing things which is now not the spirit of the Church, nor the direction THIS Pope is taking us. The liberals and followers of Piero Marini sigh for the progressive days of John Paul II. His devotees see him in everything, even in a bonfire . (Nonsense). People should get over it. The liturgical days of anything goes are over.
Comment by Matthew Mattingly — 23 October 2007 @ 12:48 pmPerhaps Georgetown campus ministry needs to contact campus ministry at
Comment by TJM — 23 October 2007 @ 12:51 pmthe Univeristy of Notre Dame which implemented Summorum
Pontificum immediately. To think the Jesuits were outsmarted
by the Holy Cross Fathers. O Mores, O Tempora! Tom
Ortho,
The 1958 De Musica et Sacra from the SRC forbids the organ playing during the Consecration and elevation. But at the same time it permits 4 different degrees of dialogue in the Mass, the 2nd degree of which can include all the server’s responses including the suscipiat. It also permits, but does not mandate, the Pater Noster to be said by all in a low dialogue Mass of any degree. It should not be sung in a low Mass, nor does the document permit it to be said or sung in a High or Solemn Mass by the people.
The presentation of the “gifts” was, in fact, done in some places way before Vatican II. The Church even mentions it in some documents on the liturgy, not condemning it but also not promoting it. It does not seem appropriate to introduce it where it was not custom, or in a manner other than how it was done. (We don’t even do it in the NO here)
Congregational singing, at low Masses, during the quiet parts other than the Canon (with another holy silence from the Pater Noster to Communion), is also permitted by De musica et sacra. But not only that, it is actually very traditional to do so. If it is done well, it, I think, is a very appropriate and becoming way for the laity to participate in low Mass.
Comment by Joshua — 23 October 2007 @ 12:53 pmHowever, the SP is silent whether the same rules apply to non-parish priests and non-parish churches, such as a Mass at a university or high school.
No it isn’t, it says that the rector gives permission (see Art. 5.5). At Georgetown (at least according to the above article), this would be Fr. Langan. Hope this helps.
Comment by dcs — 23 October 2007 @ 12:56 pmUncle Kermie,
The motu proprio is not silent on such matters:
From the very same article that mentions parishes:
§ 5 In churches that are not parish or conventual churches, it is the duty of the Rector of the church to grant the above permission.
This would include public and semipublic oratories, such as are found at Colleges.
Here at my college, within the heart of liturgical craziness so to speak, we have had the Old Rite Mass every day starting on Oct. 1. We have a High Mass on Sundays, low on Weekdays. The Mass is only a 1st degree dialogue, but we are planning on having some signing at the daily Masses and adding some of the 2nd degree (minus the preparatory prayers—-cf. Rev. McManus’ books on the 1962 rubrics, the SRC says that if signing is done that the preparatory prayers can be said silently and the dialogue Mass can really start with the kyrie)
Comment by Joshua — 23 October 2007 @ 1:00 pm“It’s not necessary to get permission from the bishop.”
This is very clearly the case, which is why we are so frustrated down here. The following article and survey is accurate, excepting the statement about no moves being made towards facilitating the celebration of the extraordinary form of Mass:
http://avewatch.com/files/a93331decd6a48bd36fcc29c605f4579-160.html
Please pray for the disheartened students at Ave Maria University.
Comment by Anonymous — 23 October 2007 @ 1:12 pmJoshua:
“The presentation of the “gifts” was, in fact, done in some places way before Vatican II.”
There were many liturgical abuses before Vatican II. The liturgy started falling apart right after the turn of the century. And the 1958 De Musica et Sacra was written by Bugini when PP XII was on his death bed.
Comment by ortho — 23 October 2007 @ 1:25 pmFirst of all, the above commenter is WAY out of line in saying that the Mass at St. John’s is an “unorthodox” celebration of the extraordinary form. What an absolutely ignorant and unfortunate thing to say. What puzzles me is how you’re so sure that the allegedly “unorthodox” elements were introduced post-1965. The dialogue Mass has been permitted since the 1920’s with the direct approval of Pius IX, long before the 1960’s. Pius IX, hmmmm, strikes me as having been a pretty traditional guy to me. The Ecclesia Dei Commissison approved the congregation to