At the end of October, 26-28 October to be precise, is the annual Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage to Rome. People from all over travel to Rome to participate in traditional liturgy, processions and talks… and to make contacts and greet old friends.
I have kicked myself the times I did not go. Also, it is a nice birthday present to myself. [You can click the flag to make a donation toward my expenses.]
I will be in Rome from about 23-30 October. Alas, a too short visit.
During that time, it would be nice to catch up with people who read these pages. Perhaps there will be a chance for a “blognic”. I’ll have Mass each day as well.
Benedict XVI’s 2007 Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum was of monumental importance for the future revitalization of the life of the Church.
It was important from the day it was issued. It is even more important now that we are all suffering from The Present Crisis.
Let’s be clear about something.
We who are engaged in the restoration of our sacred worship through tradition aren’t so engaged because we think we are better or holier than everyone who uses the newer forms. While we want to take to heart the positive admonishment of Paul at the beginning of his first letter to the community at Corinth, we recognize that we are sinners in a Church founded precisely for sinners. The older forms of the Roman Rite teach us something about our identity which the newer forms – especially the way they are celebrated, but in themselves as well – do not.
We are our rites.
That’s why we have to have a restoration of so much that was lost. If we are going to find our way our of The Present Crisis, we need the untrammeled might that flows from tapping into Tradition which is itself a gift from God.
We must do all we can, each according to our vocations, to help in the revitalization and restoration of Catholic identity. The use of the older, traditional forms of sacred liturgical worship will be of great value as we pick our way through the rubble and go forward together.
¡Hagan lío!
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Father Z., the TLM is everything, and right now, a lifeline. It has to be really difficult to keep the TLM going when there is no support for it from Rome and in the church generally, but it is critical to keep it going, regardless. What a glorious work, mostly unacknowledged here but known by God, to defend the authentic worship of God as He intended it.
Father Z., I am looking forward to seeing your photos. You are correct in saying that 7 days is far too short a visit. Rome is a great city and one can spend months visiting all the churches and ancient Roman sites, eating and drinking in small family-owned restaurants.
The TLM is a lifesaver for many Catholics like me. Slowly, slowly, the TLM is making its appearance in many parishes, alas, not in mine.
[I lived in Rome for many years. Been there. I think most of my meals will be “in” at the short-let apartment. It is also a way save a huge amount of money.]
We ought to have a revival of the movie For Greater Glory, about the Cristero war. To me one of its most striking features was the depiction of Holy Mass in the Cristero refuges. The priest facing east, along with his people, looked like a general leading his troops into battle. The new Mass, as currently celebrated in too many places, bears no resemblance to this. The new Mass, as currently celebrated in too many places, would be entirely out of place in the Cristero hideaways, or at the fugitive altars of the Recusants, or in the trenches of World War I, or in the bombed-out cathedral of World War II. It’s a disconnect worth meditating on.
[You make a good point. The older form nourished the faith of Recusants and Cristeros, and probably still forms the identity of many Chinese Catholics. It was the Mass of all the saints we celebrate and which the Church asks us to imitate.]
Father Z,
That photo looks like it’s from WWII Europe, is that correct?
Secondly, do you know anything about copyright? I may like to make a print of it for use in my classroom.
“I have kicked myself the times I did not go.”
I sincerely hope that means you will go next year, Father, because it is my prayer to be able to go, as well. To see you there would put the cherry on top of what would be my first trip to Rome. Deo volente !
How would one (ç est moi) who happens to be in Rome at this time find you? I just ordered my ticket for the Friday meeting.