So… rumor has it that the Instruction on Summorum Pontificum will be released soon. Spies say “within two weeks” of the time I am writing, which is 9 May, Monday. We know it won’t be today.
When will it be?
Have a wild guess? Have a reasoned guess?
Pick your date and then give your reasons in the combox.
If you were to ask me, if I were Pope I would release it on the anniversary of my ordination, 26 May, the Feast of St. Philip Neri, co-patron of Rome. But, hey… I’m not Pope and I don’t think Papa Ratzinger will remember.
On what day will the Instruction on Summorum Pontificum be released?
- Dream on. It'll be delayed again, at least more than two weeks. (51%, 515 Votes)
- 13 May, Friday (17%, 170 Votes)
- 17 May, Tuesday (5%, 50 Votes)
- 18 May, Wednesday (4%, 43 Votes)
- 20 May, Friday (3%, 34 Votes)
- 15 May, Sunday (3%, 28 Votes)
- 19 May, Thursday (3%, 28 Votes)
- 21 May, Saturday (3%, 27 Votes)
- 22 May, Sunday (3%, 27 Votes)
- 16 May, Monday (2%, 22 Votes)
- 23 May, Monday (2%, 21 Votes)
- 14 May, Saturday (2%, 19 Votes)
- 10 May, Tuesday (1%, 10 Votes)
- 11 May, Wednesday (1%, 9 Votes)
- 12 May, Thursday (0%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,006
I picked “Dream On…” If I recall correctly, it was originally supposed to be released around Easter. Then they predicted the very beginning of May. And now it’s nearly mid-May and they’re saying “within two weeks.” At this rate, we’ll be lucky if we get it by July. (maybe on the fourth anniversary of SP, who knows?)
I don’t understand what’s taking so long. As I recall, the final draft of the document was approved by the Holy Father over a month ago. Oh well–I guess patience is a virtue…
May 15: Feast of St. Dymphna. She is the patron saint of those who suffer from mental and nervous disorders, and the Holy Father now needs her help in attacking those pathologies of faith and reason.
Our Lady of Fatima, ora pro nobis !
I want it tomorrow. I voted for tomorrow. St Antoninus, make it tomorrow!
May 31 Feast of the Visitation
May 30th for St Joan of Arc may be more appropriate.
Definitely after Pentecost. Pope Benedict XVI doesn’t want to ruin the Easter season for some people.
@Rich: LOL!
Friday, May 13th. Feast of St. Robert Bellarmine on the 1962 Kalendar.
It cannot come too soon…and then it needs to be enforced
Friday the 13th, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
13th – Our Lady of Fatima and also my son’s birthday! ;-)
I chose dream on, because I remember this exact same thing happening about 4 years ago when Summorum Pontificum was released. Everyone thought it would be on the Feast of Pope St. Pius V, and then it was released almost randomly on July 7th (Feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in the 1962 Calendar).
Who knows really. As long as it is released.
On the Feast of St. Mathias, Apostle!
I say in festo S. Roberti Bellarmino (a.d. III Id. Mai.).
It makes sense to issue the Instruction on the feast of such a heroic saint. Terror of heretics, champion of the Counter Reformation, Doctor of the Church: it would be an unequivocal strength to date such an important document under the aegis of such a day!
I still think it will be your feastday because I think Pope Benedict reads your blog and now he will change his planned date to a better one! He’s probably thinking : “…By golly I should of thought of that date before! Lucky I logged on to WDTPRS today!! While I’m at it I should order a few truck loads of Mystic Monk to make sure the Vatican is providing good Cappuchino’s!”
I picked May 13 for Fatima, but I’m guessing it’ll be closer to the October 13 Fatima miracle…
I’m reminded of what Cardinal Pell said some years ago, when asked when the new English translation of the 2002 MR would be ready. “At least two more years”, he replied. He gave this same reply for several years, every time he was asked. Always, at least two more years.
In that spirit, I predict today that it’ll be at least two weeks until the SP instruction is released. I’ll say the same thing in a week, and then in another week, and thereafter until if and when it actually does appear, at which time I’ll be quite surprised.
I’m randomly guessing May 27th (Augustine of Canterbury OF/Bede the Venerable EF)
Since it’s ready anyway, it would have been nice to have released it on May 5 (Feastday St. Pius V).
I have a soft spot for Ascension Thursday considering the calendar issues involved.. And yes, the Thursday.
WAAAAAAY beyond two weeks. SP itself was supposed to have been imminent during the pontificate of JP2, for it was said to be coming in 2005, but it was not issued until 2007, and not effective until late 2007.
Here’s a 2nd question for everyone…once the instruction is issued, how long will it take to issue an instruction on the instruction?
May 13th for three reasons:
1) Our Lady of Fatima
2) St. Robert Bellarmine
3) Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament
According to the poll numbers when I voted, I am one of three who voted for May the 12.
Our Lady of Fatima, May 13th
To paraphrase what the Curt Jester wrote a few years back:
I selected tomorrow–Tuesday, May 10.
Someone has to be the optimist!
I chose May 19th in much the same way I would play “quick pick” lotto….It is anyone’s guess, but if it was truly signed and given to Bishops last month then it seems harsh on the lay faithful to be kept dangling. Many people just want to help implement and gain access to Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form. I just pray it really is the end of much stubborness on all sides and there is no need for an “Interpretation” of the “Clarification” of the “Moto Proprio” from several years ago. Pray for Pope Benedict XVI and his Pontificate.
I agree with those that say May 13. May 13 is the Traditional calenders Feast of St Robert Bellarmine. Plus the date of Fatima.
One word: Fatima.
It was a tough choice, considering that OL of Fatima was one of the dates, but I chose Sunday May 15, World Day of Prayer for Vocations, because I believe there is a very close connection between an increase in vocations and Benedict’s “Marshall Plan.” As Fr. Z has often remarked, reforming the liturgy is the “tip of the spear,” and you can’t reform the liturgy without faithful priests. The sure way of attracting more good vocations is by way of the wider celebration of the Extraordinary Form.
May 11th, because it is my birthday, and the Holy Father knows just what I wanted as a gift! ;)
My anonymous source in Lazio (not sure where that is at… somewhere in Italy) wrote me two weeks ago to expect the release of the Instruction three weeks after the beatification of JPII. So, I’m going to trust my coy cloak and dagger friend, and say May 22.
I say May 15
My Spiritual Father, Our Priest will celebrate his 10 year anniversery to the Priesthood on that day. He LOVES the TLM and Holy Mother Church. We will also be having a Procession of our Lady The Mother of God that same day after the TLM ………..so for me May 15
I was sure…ABSOLUTELY sure it would be issued on Holy Thursday, so I didnt even vote!
May 13 – Feast of Our Lady of Fatima and my Birthday! It would be a wonderful gift from the Holy Father!!
May 15th…which is also the feast of St. Dymphna… (I’ll say no more…)
May 31st for the Feast of the Visitation.
My guess? June 12, the holy feast of Pentecost. May the Holy Spirit of God renew Mother Church.
To be honest, I say it will die down until people forget about it. Next Lent the blogs will pick up the story and to get people worked up just like the last few years. I don’t mean to be difficult but the release of this document over the last few years doesn’t have a good track record. I am not usually a doubting Thomas but i will believe it when I see it.
I went with the 11th, as that’s the feast of SS. Philip and James–in the Roman Calendar. What better way to affirm the “EF” than by affirming the Roman Calendar. They’re also apostles which makes them key to both sacred and liturgical tradition.
I said the 20th because a) it’s my friend’s ordination to the transitional diaconate, and b) it’s a Friday, which is typically the best time to release things that might induce negative feelings because it gives time to brood over things during the weekend.
May 18
Because that’s the anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens
;-)
I picked* either the 25th or hopefully the 31st for reasons I feel are pretty obvious.
*I actually picked “dream on…” because the above weren’t actually choices.
But Father, but Father! Let’s put some money on it!
The losers agree to donate to your blog in te amount that corresponds to the days their guess was off.
5 days would equal 5 dollars. I’m in, so who’s with me?
I chose “Dream on…” Reason: wheels at the Vatican turn very slowly.
I would say the 20th of May, as I believe that the feast of St Bernardine of Sienna is celebrated in both the EF and OF on the 20th. What better way of showing the unity of the roman rite in both its forms?
From catholicculture.org, March 08, 2011 : A Vatican document following up on the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, which called for broader use of the traditional Latin liturgy, will be released within weeks , according to Italy’s leading Vatican-watcher. .
Don’t forget, Church measures time in centuries. And what is few weeks more or less compared with all Eternity? It’s not like the salvation of souls depends on it. Or.. is it?
Happy B.D. St. Louis IX. May 15 is also my birthday, so I picked that.
I picked May 18-the anniversary of Blessed John Paul II’s birth.
May 32nd is my guess.
I love being right!