In Italy there have been problems with the implementation of Summorum Pontificum, along the lines of what Msgr. Perl explained at a conference last month in Rome, despite the rosy picture painted by the new Archbishop of Florence and Secretary of the CEI (Italian Bishops Conference).
I picked up from the Papa Ratzinger Blog today news from an article in Il Secolo XIX good news about a TLM celebrated in Sestri Levante, in Liguria in the province of Genoa.
A TLM was offered in the little church San Pietro in Vincoli, in the historic center of Sestri. This was the first TLM there since Summorum Pontificum. There were not so many younger people, as we tend to see in the US and England, but the place was full.
Apparently the group had been rebuffed by various priests. The local bishop designated Fr. Mario Ostigoni, a priest from Chiavari, to say Mass for the people.
Mattone su mattone, amici, mattone su mattone.
We need lots of patience and solidarity in prayer.
Fast and pray for priests, that their hearts will soften and minds open.
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Ladrillo por ladrillo, Padre Z.
http://www.monterey-tlm.blogspot.com
I know very little about the situation in Italy with regards to the TLM. I am somewhat surprised there would be so much hostility
from the Italian heirarchy with regards to the TLM. Is there someone there who can offer an explanation without resorting to polemics? Tom
TJM asks the very same question that is in my mind. I know the Secretary (Mons. Bertolli ?) admitted a while back that there were “diverse sensibilities” within the CEI on this subject. I suppose he couldn’t say outright that the bishops disagreed with each other. But what’s the problem ?
I cannot speak with 100% knowledge but it has been my experience that the Church in Italy is where the Church in the USA was in the 1980’s. That may have something to do with it. There is a real decline in youth attendance at Mass in Italy. Whereas in the UK and US since the late 1990’s there has been a resurgence of Catholic devotional piety and Eucharistic piety among Catholic Youth thanks to JP II and a growing interest in Tradition thanks to Papa Ratzinger. I find that many Catholic Youths in the US, atleast this is how it worked for me, came to a great interest in the TLM either through Music, Art, History or the resurgence of traditional catholic devotions, e.g. Eucharistic Adoration & the Rosary. If not a combination of all of these.
JP II in may ways laid down the groundwork for Traditionalism to become a reality amongst the youth and not just a nostalgic look at history but an actual “lived experience”, to use the words of many TLM critis, in our own times. Thank God we now have Pope Benedict to further enhance, explain and educate us on Tradition. My generation has been taught to question everything and not just accept the status quo. So, as I did through Music at an early age, I came to realize that there was more to the Mass than we currently celebrate in the NO and I wanted to know more about this and why we don’t use sacred polyphony, Gregorian Chant, and many other prayers and rites proper to the TLM at Mass in the NO. I think similar are the experiences of other Catholic youths. Discovering the TLM, Eucharistic Adoration & The Rosary, helped me realize the importance of prayer and the beauty of my Catholic Faith.
Once the Youth of Europe are greatly re-exposed, and not just once every two years at a WYD, to the grandeur, the beauty and the importance of prayer they will discover again the great gift the TLM is to our faith. Like Fr Z always says, Brick by Brick.
I am sorry for making two posts. I didn’t get the chance to finish my thoughts before that last post was submitted.
As the youth becomes more and more aware of their Catholic faith in its fullness the course of direction of the Church in Italy and anywhere else for that matter will also begin to move in that direction. The current practicing Catholic youth is already more conservative and more orthodox than its preceding generation. Likewise we see the bishops in the US and UK, at least the “younger ones” are along those same lines. The Church will continue, as Fr (sadly I must call him this) R. McBrien points out in another post, will be chosen due to their faithfulness to the Holy See.
All in all the prospects are bright for the future in regards orthodoxis and orthopraxis. In regards the Church having its freedom to be apart of the public square and other things…well that is unknown but surely not as bright right now. The fact that there are descenting or displeased bishops in Italy right now will change as time changes all things except those which originate outside of time and space. Most bishops these days try to please people and make them happy, if that means giving them more traditional devotions and pious customs, including the TLM, they may not like it but they will not stop it.
Philip-Michael,
Thanks for your response. Much of what you have stated makes a great deal of sense.
Tom