Poll: almost half of UK Mass-goers would attend TLM

The lovely and persistent Anna Arco, one of my favorite writers for the UK’s best Catholic weekly, The Catholic Herald, has an interesting article which escaped my noticed as I winged my way Gothamward.

My emphases and comments.

Poll: almost half of Mass-goers would attend older form

By Anna Arco on Friday, 3 September 2010

Almost half of English and Welsh Mass-goers would attend Masses in the traditional form of the Roman Rite if it was celebrated in local parishes, a new study has shown. [I can’t possibly imitate the style of Damian Thompson, but, giving the old college try: Cricket sounds from Eccleston Square…?]

The survey, which used a sample of 800 people who identified themselves as Catholic, showed that 66 per cent of practising Catholics [NB: practising.  That might mirror some of the findings in the USA.  If people are going to Mass regularly, they would be happy to attend also the more… what can one say… challenging? complete?… adult? … experience of Holy Mass?] would be happy to attend the traditional Latin Mass once a month if it were celebrated in their parishes.

Commissioned by the French group Paix Liturgique, the survey also showed that Britain had a higher percentage of regular Mass attendance than France, Portugal and Germany.

Although only 19 per cent of Britain’s population identifies as Catholic, 32 per cent of Catholics attend Mass at least once a month, if not more often, compared with 19 per cent of French Catholics and 10 per cent of German Catholics[That high?]

According to the survey, 43 per cent of those Catholics who practice regularly would attend Mass in the Extraordinary Form once a week. Fifty per cent of the Catholics questioned said that they would find it normal if Mass were celebrated in the Extraordinary Form alongside the Ordinary Form in their parishes. The survey also found that 60 per cent of Catholics were unaware of Pope Benedict XVI’s Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum which lifted restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass in 2007. [14 Sept is the 3rd Anniversary of its going into effect.]

John Medlin, general manager of the Latin Mass Society, said: “Broadly speaking these results are the same across Europe. They indicate that among Catholics who take interest in their faith, although there is great ignorance, once people are made aware of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum there is a willingness for people in large numbers to accept the Extraordinary Form.

Once it is explained, there is a willingness on the part of Catholics attached to the Ordinary Form for the two forms of the rite to exist quite happily side by side in the parishes, just as most of those attached to the Extraordinary Form are quite happy to accept the right of those attached to the ordinary form to have Mass celebrated in this way.”

In a statement Paix Liturgique said: “In Great Britain as elsewhere, the argument resting on [NOTA BENE] the lack of interest among the faithful for the application of the Motu Proprio is unfair. When their point of view is solicited in an opinion poll the results are quite different to those obtained when one merely speaks in their name.”

Get out and start inviting people.

Get to work.

Posted in Brick by Brick, New Evangelization, POLLS, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The future and our choices | Tagged
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Benedict XVI to speak to youth about his Hitler Youth experience

From iWireNEws:

Pope To Tell Young People Of Hitler Youth

Published on September 03, 2010  
by NewsDesk – iWireNews ™

VATICAN CITY, ROME

Pope Benedict XVI plans to use his own experience in the Hitler Youth in his message to young people at the next World Youth Day, the Vatican said Friday.

Officials released a partial text of the message the pope has written for the gathering, scheduled for Aug. 16-21 in Madrid, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. He plans to tell young people they must rely on faith and the values found in the Gospels, that job-hunting and economic security are "great and pressing problems" but not the most important issues in life.

Benedict, born in Germany as Josef Ratzinger, was forced to join the Hitler Youth when he turned 14 in 1941. His father was a devout Catholic who opposed the Nazi Party, and the pope has said he dodged meetings of the youth organization.

"We were closed in by a dominant power, we wanted to get out and enjoy the fullness of the possibilities of being human," he plans to tell the World Youth Day of that part of his life.

 

 

Posted in Pope of Christian Unity | Tagged
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REVIEW: “Crucifixion” by artist Daniel Mitsui

I recently received a print by the artist Daniel Mitsui, who has a blog entitled The Lion and the Cardinal, an obvious Patristic reference which never fails to delight me.

The print I received was of the Crucifixion, found on his religious art page here.

This is section of the image of the print.

What you cannot see is the mind-boggling detail of the background or the outer border, which is the text of the Vexilla Regis. There is even a tiny section of the border decorated with Gregorian chant notation of the Vexilla Regis.

Here is a detail.

You can look at the images online, but they do not do justice to the actual print.  Seeing is believing.

I showed it to a venerable priest friend, the great Fr. George Welzbacher – whose knowledge of art is encyclopedic and whose taste is impeccable.

He immediately asked me to order for him a print of the same Crucifixion, as well as two other works on the website.

Unfortunately, Mr. Mitsui does not do online sales.  You must write to him.  I did and hoping to put the two of them in contact.

But you might go to his site and consider getting a print, perhaps as a gift to a priest.  People sometimes have a hard time finding gifts for priests.

A person could spend time with this print considering both the whole and its details and many symbols as points of meditation.  I could picture this framed in a sacristy, at a convenient height above a prie-dieu for a before Mass and after Mass moment.

Posted in REVIEWS, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged
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REVIEW: New, old book of Prayers and Meditation of Card. Newman

I received today a new small book from Baronius Press.

Meditations and Devotions of Cardinal Newman

The forward describes this re-print.  This is an collection fro 1893 of prayers and devotions found in soon-to-be-Blessed John Henry Newman at the time of his death.  It sells now for $34.95, through Baronius Press.  I haven’t yet seen it on Amazon.

The 2010 preface states: "[T]hese were the methods of prayer used by Newman, and indeed every Catholic priest of his time and place."

Newman wrote vocal prayers, litanies, Stations of the Cross, meditations and evening exercises.

Also from the preface: "Newman, like many others, meditated best with pen and paper to hand."

I look forward to exploring this nice, well-bound little volume.

Two ribbons will help.

It fits easily in the hand, and the leather is good.  It lays open well and it is light.

This could be a very good book for a visit to a chapel or even when commuting or traveling.

Posted in REVIEWS | Tagged
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NYC- Manhattan – September TLM news

On the Feast of the Assumption this year, the Church of the Holy Innocents in Manhattan began a regular Sunday Mass at 10 AM in the Extraordinary Form (Traditional Latin Mass). 

I am told it is now the only parish in New York City that offers Mass in the TLM every day of the week

Sundays at 10 AM, weekdays at 6 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM.

The new Sunday Mass has a professional choir to chant the Proper and to sing a polyphonic setting of the Ordinary of the Mass every Sunday

Here’s the music program planned for the Sundays of September:
  

  • 9/5      Morales:        Missa super fa re ut fa sol la
  • 9/12    Ockegham:    Missa au travail suis
  • 9/19    Palestrina:     Missa brevis
  • 9/26    Byrd:            Mass for three voices

For the next two Sundays, I should be at Holy Innocents as celebrant (5 & 12 September).  There will be a convivium after these Masses. 

If you are in the area this Sunday, consider coming to Holy Innocents to support the new Sunday Mass. 

There’s also talk that there will be traditional Vespers at Holy Innocents next Sunday afternoon, 12 September. 

UPDATE 6 Sept 0356 GMT:

Today a write for National Review Online, Michael Potemra, came to the Sung Mass at Holy Innocents and made some comments.

Posted in Brick by Brick, On the road, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged
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QUAERITUR: Can a priest say Mass alone?

From a reader:

My question: is it valid and is it licit for a priest to say Mass when entirely alone?  (ie no server, just the priest, the rites and God)  I know this is not encouraged and that it is always preferred to say Mass with a congregation.  But what about the priest who wants to offer daily Mass (I am one of them) with an unusual ministry, and do not always have access to my parish church?  Or when one travels through a Muslim country?  I cannot find a straight answer on this one.

Yes, it is both valid and licit. 

It is far better, strongly preferred, that a priest have someone else there, to serve and/or make responses.

The reasons for this are two-fold.   First, every Mass is an act for the whole Church.  It is good to have others there.  Second, priests will do a better job of saying Mass when others are there.  It is certainly easier with a server and someone to respond.  However, never imagine that another person has to be there for validity of the Mass.  Ten thousand lay people at a Mass contribute nothing to the priest’s ability to say Mass and consecrate the Eucharist validly. 

Also, a priest is never really alone when saying Mass.

There is an old phrase, "Father said Mass alone today, in the company of all the choirs of angels."

The Church Militant is not the only dimension of the Church that counts. 

The norms covering this state that priests should not say Mass alone "except for a just and reasonable cause" (GIRM 254).  The fact that the priest wants to or needs to say Mass is considered a good enough reason to say Mass alone.  If memory serves, this is clarified also in the Directory for Priests.  If it is a choice between saying Mass alone or not saying Mass at all, the obvious choice is to say Mass. 

The priest performs a magnificent work of mercy when he says Holy Mass for an intention, when he prays for the living and the dead. 

If we really believe what the Church says about Holy Mass, how can we think for a second that the priest should not say Mass every day, alone or not?  Save The Liturgy – Save The World, right?  Priests are not obliged to say Mass every day… but…

I would add the caveat that just because the priest is alone, that doesn’t mean that he is not bound to follow the proper rubrics in which ever Missal he uses, and follow the calendar.  Mass isn’t the priest’s private property.  He must use vessels and vestments and do it reasonably and right.   Also, he should be sure that he observes decorum as to where he celebrates Mass.  This requires conviction and discipline.

Concentration camps will be another matter.  We will deal with that as circumstances require.

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged ,
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WY Carmelite Monks: efforts to block their monastery

From a reader:

Your readers might want to know that there is a strongly vocal minority in the Meeteetse area of Wyoming that is trying to delay or even block the Carmelite Monks from building their monastery.  One public hearing has already taken place and another is coming soon.  The monks need two county permits in order to build.  Please, everyone, PRAY that they get the permits.  In addition, you could add your vote to an online poll on the homepage of the Cody Enterprise newspaper: http://www.codyenterprise.com/

 

 

Posted in The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged ,
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A glimpse into planning for liturgy!

A friend of mine who works in the ad biz (that’s advertisement business for people who live to close to the Vortex) to give me a glimpse into his world.

"But wait, friend!", quoth I.  "This reminds me of something.  What could it be?

Yes, this harks to what we were taught in our über-liberal seminary liturgy colloquium and liturgy preparation planning sessions about how to, yes, plan and prepare liturgy (always pronounced with the italics). 

It could be that this process of blue-skying together lends itself well to planning liturgy. 

I wonder if this is what meetings of the Consilium were like when they presented their liturgy plans to Paul VI?

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wac3aGn5twc&p=77CD2615F3B6A00F]

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged
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NCR’s latest Magical Liturgical Mystery Tour

On the site of the National Catholic Fishwrap, Eugene Kennedy, ex-priest and humanistic psychologist, attacks the "reform of the reform".  He is actually attacking the new translation of the Roman Missal. 

His piece is so turgid that it is hard to know just what he is driving at. 

I caught in the first part that he thinks that those who created and issued the new translation were reacting to a perceived ill in the Church which, in Kennedy’s opinion, doesn’t actually exist.  The new translation is being peddled as snake oil.

In any event, what are we to make of this.  Read it slowly:

"Joseph Campbell termed this massive tear in the fabric of life as "Mythic Dissociation." When this occurs we find ourselves in what poet T.S. Eliot describes as The Waste Land. This basic estrangement from any feeling for the mystical energy of the church as the Sacramentum Mundi, the mystical mirror in which the beleaguered world can see a reflection of its profound longings and strivings, can be observed in the way the sacraments are almost exclusively discussed. They are spoken of as static objects to be regulated rather than living symbols to be celebrated."

Mystical energy?  What would that be? 

Mystical mirror

Do we really want to turn to Joseph Campbell in this matter?

Beyond the fact that this is sheer gobbledygook, note that Kennedy’s notion of liturgy and liturgy language closes us in on ourselves.  It is entirely immanent

Don’t be distracted by the sprinkling of "mystical" in there.  The Beatles did that too, in 1967.  I think Kennedy’s thought is more closely aligned with that than with The Waste Land.

There is absolutely NOTHING transcendent about Kennedy’s view.  His liturgical vision is a a reflection of the world’s "strivings".  For Kennedy, the rites must be constantly adapted to our needs.  Fellow travelers, such as His Excellency Bp. Trautman, believe that liturgical language should be constantly adapted to common parlance and be made immediately comprehensible.  Their approach makes our rites into reflections of ourselves, self-enclosed gazing at ourselves. 

There is no salvation in me or in you.  

Kennedy criticizes the new translation. 

"The new texts, in effect, split our everyday experience of struggling to work and to love from their sacramental symbolization in the renewed liturgy of Vatican II."

No surprise there.  What does surprise is that, at the same time, he is really defending the old, lame-duck texts.

Over and against the new text, Kennedy would retain the lame-duck translation which includes such sparkling gems as this, which appears on the 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time.  We need the Latin first.

Super Oblata:
LATIN (2002 Missale Romanum):
Ecclesiae tuae, Domine, munera placatus assume,
quae et misericors offerenda tribuisti,
et in nostrae salutis potenter efficis transire mysterium
.

Now, in offering next a literal version I am not saying that we should pray this way!  Read this for content, not the clunky style of a …

SLAVISH and CLUNKY LITERAL TRANSLATION:
O Lord, having been appeased take unto yourself the gifts of your Church
which you both mercifully bestowed as things to be offered as sacrifices
and you mightily are causing to transform into the mysterious sacrament of our salvation
.

Now look at the …

Lame-Duck ICEL:
God of power,
giver of the gifts we bring,
accept the offering of your Church
and make it the sacrament of our salvation
.

This isn’t just bad translation.  This is insidious distortion.

Again, it isn’t that the people at ICEL back in the day didn’t know how to translate the Latin correctly.  They didn’t want to translate the Latin correctly.  They understood the Latin content and they rejected it.

They eliminated the concept of sacrifice entirely.  They didn’t like the idea of an God to be appeased, which is at the heart of what Sacrifice is for.  Mystery is banished   Mercy is ignored.  The gifts are all about us. 

You take away from the ICEL version that we actually deserve something from our partner-God, who will do her part after we do ours. 

The Latin, however, tells you something very different.

This, friends, is why Liturgiam authenticam was issued.

Let’s review:

19.  The words of the Sacred Scriptures, as well as the other words spoken in liturgical celebrations, especially in the celebration of the Sacraments, are not intended primarily to be a sort of mirror of the interior dispositions of the faithful; rather, they express truths that transcend the limits of time and space. Indeed, by means of these words God speaks continually with the Spouse of his beloved Son, …

20. The Latin liturgical texts of the Roman Rite, while drawing on centuries of ecclesial experience in transmitting the faith of the Church received from the Fathers, are themselves the fruit of the liturgical renewal, just recently brought forth. In order that such a rich patrimony may be preserved and passed on through the centuries, it is to be kept in mind from the beginning that the translation of the liturgical texts of the Roman Liturgy is not so much a work of creative innovation as it is of rendering the original texts faithfully and accurately into the vernacular language. While it is permissible to arrange the wording, the syntax and the style in such a way as to prepare a flowing vernacular text suitable to the rhythm of popular prayer, the original text, insofar as possible, must be translated integrally and in the most exact manner, without omissions or additions in terms of their content, and without paraphrases or glosses. Any adaptation to the characteristics or the nature of the various vernacular languages is to be sober and discreet.

Kennedy wants us to look into our own little pond and see ourselves reflected. 

The Latin prayer wants to bring us to an understanding of pardon, propitiation, Sacrifice, mystery outside ourselves.

You decide.

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Translation, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, Throwing a Nutty, WDTPRS | Tagged , ,
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MUGS GONE WILD: New Translation Coffee Mug

Coffee MugIt is fun to receive photos from readers of their WDTPRS coffee mugs “in the wild”.

This morning I found this in my mailbox from FH of OH.

Looks like a nice way to start the morning.

This is a new edition of the “Say The Black – Do The Red” mug, which is on the other side.

UPDATE 1758 GMT:

A priest reader, Fr. MG of NY, sent the following note:

Today I inaugurated (baptized?) my new “Oremus pro pontifice” mug at breakfast with Orange Zinger herbal tea – I just can’t drink coffee, even if it’s made by Mystic Monks.  [Unicuique!]

This momentous event took place at the rectory of …. The tea was accompanied by Americanized “huevos rancheros”: a scrambled egg mixed with onions and shredded chicken fried in olive oil, topped with grated sharp cheddar and chunky salsa (medium strength), served on a medium-dark slice of 12-grain whole grain toast.  I don’t usually do more than toast and jam, but the papal mug deserved a more noble entourage.

I also put the corresponding magnet on the fridge to hold up our rectory grocery list, and plan on giving out the other 9 of the 10-pack to friends.

WDTPRS applauds the diligence of this good and wise priest.

Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Benedicto!

_________

This morning I had the Mystic Monk Espresso Blend.

I’m Fr. Z, and I endorse this coffee!

 

Posted in Lighter fare | Tagged
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