REVIEW: TLM training for priests in Chicago

A priest reader sent the following about a TLM training seminary for priests in Chicago.

Dear Fr. Z,

Here is a synopsis of my experience for the Extraordinary Form Workshop conducted by the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius.

We were 10 Priests, 2 Transitional Deacons and 5 seminarians. (Not including the Priests and Brothers from St. John who trained us).

We arrived on Monday for lunch and no time was wasted. Fr. Scott Haynes began the week with a welcome and introduction.  We were immediately divided into groups with an instructor for the Demonstration and Explanation of the Rubrics and Ceremonies.  The first session was made up of three, one hour sessions. We then broke for dinner.  Following dinner, the bookstore was open each day and a time for Confessions.  After a short break, we were divided up once again between those who wanted to work on Latin Pronunciation of the Mass or Tutorial in Gregorian Chant.  I went with pronunciation and worked with a Brother one-on-one.  This session lasted for 45 minutes.  The night concluded with Missa Lecta-Low Mass.

Each day was very similar. Morning started with Mass in the EF. and ended with Mass in the EF. In the morning we had Workshop  (demonstration and practice) for two hours, followed by   Latin Pronunciation or Gregorian Chant.  After lunch, daily Confessions and book store.  Some time for personal review and practice and another workshop with out Mass teacher. In the evening we had talks on various aspects of the Extraordinary Form.

We had the opportunity to experience the EF in various forms of Low Mass and High Mass.

For any Priest, Deacon or Seminarian who wants to learn to offer Holy Mass in the EF or come to a better understanding of our heritage – this is an experience that they should not miss.

The retreat house was also very clean and the food pretty good (seeing that I’m very fussy).

I must say, I was deeply moved and feel the EF is truly, "The most beautiful thing, this side of heaven."

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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16 Comments

  1. Supertradmom says:

    Can we start some sort of group prayer for all the priests in our parishes and Catholic communities who are against the TLM? I would love to have their hearts changed and be moved in grace as this priest has been.

  2. Ann says:

    This sounds like something truly special. I sure would love to see the extraordinary form of the mass said here–with some classes in the responses in latin for us in the pews, and classes in gregorian chant–I would love it!

    Praying for priests in general will cover anything they need!

  3. Lucy says:

    Here in Fresno, we’ve been praying for our bishop’s heart to soften toward the traditional Mass. We have one Traditional Mass every Sunday at 3:30pm, however that time is rough for some folks. Still, we’re grateful for it ! We have FSSP travel here from 2 1/2 hours away every other weekend, and a Rogationist priest who comes every other weekend. We do, however, long to have our own parish dedicated to the traditional so we have a priest available to us. We’re orphans still. We pray for more vocations daily, for our bishop, and for all priests to uphold and be kind toward those who love the riches our faith has to offer from days past. We’re grateful for what we have, but hoping for more in future. I pray for all those who don’t even have what we have.

  4. ssoldie says:

    ‘enough said’ thank you Fr.

  5. Last year I attended the Latin Mass training with the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius in Chicago. I was very satisfied. I especially liked the workshops in Gregorian Chant which accompany the training. The training is upbeat and refreshing. The campus was relaxing. Everything was professional. I highly recommend this training for those who want to learn how to say the Mass in the Extraordinary Form. Training is quite complete.

  6. michigancatholic says:

    Thank you, Fr Z, for writing about this. Some priests want to learn and are only looking for an opportunity like this. It’s good to know where these kinds of things are happening.

  7. fr.franklyn mcafee says:

    “The most beautiful thing this side of heaven “,is often quoted in reference to the traditional Mass but Fr.Faber when he made the remark was specificly referring to the solemn high mass.

  8. mfg says:

    This is such great news. I’m reading about it happening more and more. A couple of years ago while I was still attending an indult Tridentine Mass in a mausoleum in San Diego, staffed by the wonderful Norbertine Fathers who made the 4-hour round trip from Orange every Sunday, one of their number, Father Victor Z (never could spell or pronounce his name) asked us to pray for him because (paraphrasing) he was goiing to New York over a 3-day weekend to put a dozen or so priestrs through their final steps to be cleared to say the Latin Mass. I was very impressed because I knew he had a full plate with teaching at a boys’ prep school, Mass in San Diego (and the Mission in San Juan Capistrano) plus his regular religious order duties. Dedication iws what it takes. Those who have give to others who do not have. Brick by brick.

  9. I would like to invite seminarians, deacons and priests to our next workshop at Mundelein Seminary coming up in July.

    From July 6-10 we will offer:

    Beginner Course
    (Ceremonies & Rubrics of Low Mass, Latin for the Mass)

    Advanced Course

    (Training in Sacrament of Baptism, Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, Nuptial Mass, Requiem Funeral Mass, and Missa Cantata)

    Go to this link for registration forms:

    http://www.sanctamissa.org/workshops/for-priests/

  10. The Norbertine Father, Father Victor, was a former student of mine when he was in high school at Weber High School in Chicago. I am very proud of Father Victor and how he developed his love of the Traditional Mass. I also thank the priests who attended our workshops for their kind words.
    Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R.
    Pastor St. John Cantius
    Founder of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius

  11. alex says:

    Just a note of encouragment for Lucy. I am lucky to know some of your seminarians, and believe me God is hearing your prayers.

  12. Joan Ellen says:

    Thanks be to God!

  13. Fr. Phillips and Fr. Scott,

    It was a great blessing to be with you. Tomorrow I’m reviewing in the morning and training servers in the evening. I’ll celebrate the either later this week or early next.

    Thanks again!

  14. Jonathan says:

    I notice on the DVD of a Christmas mass put out by the Canon Regular that there is a lot of hand kissing going on between the priest and servers, but have not seen this elsewhere. Can you comment on whether this is standard practise, or something particularly associated with the Canon Regular?

  15. The liturgical kisses (i.e. osculations) are a part of the rubrics and ceremony of the Extraordinary Form.

    Oftentimes in the USA, the osculations at the Missa Lecta (Low Mass) and Missa Cantata (Sung Mass) are omitted except at the Offertory at the presentation of the cruets. This American adaptation was suggested in the Baltimore Ceremonial.

  16. Jonathan says:

    Dear Fr. Scott:

    Thank you for taking the time to reply to my questions about the osculations.

    I checked out your website. What a great resource for those of us trying to deepend our understanding of TLM.

    God bless

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