Regina Cæli

Regina Caeli Conference: Mary's Seven Sorrows

2011-08-25T00:05:00.002-05:00

Memphis Regina Caeli Latin Mass Community is hosting a conference on Mary's Seven Sorrows on October 7 - 8 (Friday to Saturday). The speaker is Fr. Chad Ripperger, PhD. Please see brochure for more information and registration.

BROCHURE:
http://www.4shared.com/document/qkesx22A/sevensorrows.html

“On the tongue and while kneeling”

2011-08-02T15:58:00.001-05:00

“On the tongue and while kneeling”
Cardinal offers guidance on receiving Communion, urges correction of liturgical abuses

Lima, Peru

Link to the article:
http://calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=a0a3cf49-ad3e-442c-88d4-97ce6e70f06e

Thank you note from Fr. Bravata

2011-07-14T13:45:00.001-05:00

Dear Regina Coeli Community,

Thank you for your most generous gift and all the support you have given me through the years. You have richly blessed me. May God bless you always. Know my prayers are with you.

In Christ,
Fr. Kevin Bravata

Prayer Request

2011-05-25T19:38:00.002-05:00

A note from a Regina Caeli community family:

Yesterday, our hometowns of Piedmont and OKC were devastated by tornadoes. While our families are OK, we have some dear church friends who were not so lucky and I am asking you for your prayers. Our church community (St. Damien's, FSSP) has been devastated. Two families have completely lost their homes and all of their belongings. These are large families with young children. However, I especially ask for your prayers for the Hamils. Their 15 month old, Cole, was killed. Their 3 yr. old, Ryan, is still missing and presumed dead. The 5 yr. old is undergoing surgery for a fractured skull and leg and is in critical condition. The mother, Catherine, who is 5 months pregnant will also be undergoing surgery for a dislocated/fractured hip. We feel very helpless being in Memphis right now and unable to go physically help out but we know prayers are more powerful than physical help we can give.

Sisters of the St. Benedict Center and FSSP Father Visit Memphis

2011-03-25T14:00:00.005-05:00

There will be a retreat hosted by the Blessed Sacrament Home School Group. It will be a girls' retreat and vocation conference on the weekend of April 2nd, given by the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters (from St. Benedict Center in Still River, MA) and Masses said by FSSP Father Pendergraft. To register for the retreat, please click on THIS LINK.

Because Father and Sisters are in Memphis that weekend, the following will occur and is open to anyone who would like to join (regardless of registration for the retreat):

9am Latin Mass at St. Michael's on Friday, April 1st (First Friday), said by Fr. Pendergraft.
Dinner at Newk's with the Sisters on Saturday, April 2nd (see the link above).
The 8:30am Blessed Sacrament Latin Mass on Sunday, April 3rd will be in honor of Fr. Murphy's 62nd anniversary, said by Fr. Pendergraft. There will be a reception afterward and then talks from the Sisters and Fr. Pendergraft.

"To God Who Giveth Joy To My Youth"

2010-11-14T20:33:00.004-06:00

FSSP recently produced a wonderful vocation video:

The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter is pleased to announce the completion of a 28 minute film entitled “To God Who Giveth Joy To My Youth”.

The title, taken from the opening words of Mass in the Extraordinary Form, captures the essence of the Fraternity's total formation process and life at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary.

Intended for generous, young men discerning a priestly vocation, this production provides an visual description of daily life within the walls of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary. Thus, this film will prove to be an informative and instrumental tool in their vocational process.

In the Church, the members of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter's have the unique charism of sanctifying themselves through the celebration of Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Throughout the seminary's intensive seven year program, each of the various aspects and stages of formation has this purpose in mind, the worthy celebration of the Mass.

Explore how this seminary, drawing from the Church's rich tradition of priestly formation, seeks to form zealous priests in various areas including Thomistic philosophy and theology, spiritual direction, Gregorian Chant, manual labor and recreation.

Discover how one seminary receives a man and prepares him for his transformation into an Alter Christus, “Another Christ”.

Media Contact
Father Joseph Lee, FSSP
Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary
7880 West Denton Road
Denton, Nebraska 68339
phone (402) 570-2707
emailjlee@gmail.com

About the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter
Established in 1988 by Pope John Paul II, the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter is a Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right. The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter strives to serve the Catholic Church by means of its own particular and specific role or objective, i.e. the sanctification of priests through the faithful celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Through the spiritual riches of the Church’s ancient Roman liturgy, the priests of the Fraternity seek to sanctify those entrusted to their care. The Priestly Fraternity instructs and trains its priests to preserve, promote, and protect the Catholic Church's authentic liturgical and spiritual traditions in over 16 countries worldwide. The Fraternity has over 200 priests and 125 seminarians studying in its two international seminaries in Bavaria, Germany and Denton, Nebraska. For more information, please go to http://www.fssp.org/.

About Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary
Located in rural Denton, Nebraska, is the English-speaking seminary for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. Men from all over the world, come to study for the priesthood in the seminary’s seven year program. A few represented countries include Australia, Hong Kong, the French West Indies and England. For more information, please go to http://www.fsspolgs.org/.

Chant Intensive in New Orleans in January, 2011

2010-10-13T22:35:00.000-05:00

Gregorian Chant Intensive course will be available in New Orleans during Jan. 3-7, 2011. Scott Turkington and Prof. William Mahrt will teach the classes. For more information, click on here.

"Is the Old Rite of Mass more Meritorious than the New Rite of Mass?"

2010-10-12T13:04:00.005-05:00

Is the old rite of Mass more meritorious than the new rite of Mass? Fr. Chad Ripperger, professor at St. Gregory’s diocesan minor seminary and Our Lady of Guadalupe seminary, both in Nebraska, answers the question.

"[...] since the new rite is valid, as to the intrinsic sacrifice, the agency of the Church and the agency of the priest as a public person, it is the same as the old. Also as mentioned, we cannot pass judgment on the priests or faithful who go to these respective Masses since we do not have access to their interior lives and cannot judge with certitude who is more holy. It is possible to have beautiful decora in the new rite of Mass, even though the decora used by many in the new rite is often lacking. However, when we consider the rituals themselves, it is possible to arrive at which is more meritorious.

The new rite is “streamlined” in the sense that those who wrote it sought to simplify the ritual. This resulted in less pomp, so in this respect we may say the old rite is more meritorious than the new. We have mentioned in a prior article (56) that the old rite excels the newer rituals with regard to the virtues. Specifically, the old rite proceeds more from charity than the new insofar as the old rite is more ordered to God and less ordered toward the people. This is manifest not only in altar orientation(the new rite can be said oriented) but also in the fact that references to the upernatural virtues were reduced in the propers. Also, the new calendar reduces the glory of the saints. Since charity is love of neighbor for the sake of God, it is hard to see how charity could govern a reduction of the glory of God through the saints. The readings are said toward the people in the new rite, rather than as something offered back to God by facing God the Son Who shall rise in the east. In the old rite, the epistle and the Gospel are read facing God as in the form of a sacrifice offered back to Him. Many parts of the new rite are said facing the people (such as the introductory and penitential rites) rather than to God, as in the prayers at the foot of the altar in the old rite. In these and in other ways, the new rite is less ordered to God and therefore does not manifest the virtue of charity as well.

Some parts of the new rite are the same as the old. It is possible, provided the manners and gestures associated with these parts remain the same, that the new and the old rite can have the same merit in respect to these. Yet most of the parts that remained the same in the new rite (here we are thinking at least about the Latin versions of the prayers) had the gestures changed from the old rite. The Gloria in the old rite contains gestures that were dropped in the new rite, and the Gloria is not said facing God externally since the prayer is not said oriented. The first Eucharistic canon, which is in large part taken from the canon in the old rite, has had a vast majority of its gestures stripped away. These gestures constitute an additional merit, such as the gestures of the signs of the Cross made over the oblata and things of this kind.

The new rite, as a form of prayer, is hard to pray mentally since there are more things said out loud, and the general tenor of Vatican documents on the subject encourages a form of active participation that requires more things occurring on the side of the laity. The old Mass, since it is less activist on the side of the laity, tends to make it easier for them to pray the Mass. While the old rite stresses a more interior active participation, the new rite, with a lack of periods of silence as exist in the old rite, makes the ritual less meditative. In fact, the periods of meditation in the new rite are somewhat artificial and are not integral to the ritual as such but serve to stop the ritual rather than being a part of it. In other words, the priest stops the rite so the people can meditate, rather than having the people meditate while the ritual is in progress, as is the case in the old rite. As a result, in the new rite it is harder for people to lift their minds and hearts to God. The requirement of attention as part of prayer is more difficult and so, in that respect, the new rite is less meritorious than the old because God is more pleased with those things that easily draw us to Him.

We have already noted elsewhere (57) that the old rite fosters greater humility than the newer rituals. This means that the newer ritual as a prayer has less of one of the conditions that make prayer efficacious. In this respect the old rite is more meritorious than the new. We have also mentioned elsewhere (58) that the old rite manifests the Faith more clearly. In this respect the old rite is more meritorious than the new, since prayer has an efficacy based upon how the Faith is manifested in the prayer itself. In connection to the clarity of faith, we have also seen (59) that the old rite is more beautiful than the new. The more beautiful a thing is, the more it pleases God. The more beautiful it is, the greater glory it gives to God. Because the old rite is more beautiful than the new, it is more meritorious than the new. In effect, the prayers of the old rite of Mass better express the desires and intentions of an authentic Catholic faith, since they contain the faith in a clearer fashion. The prayers of the old rite of Mass foster a greater sense of our unworthiness and need for humility and sorrow for our sins. The prayers are more ordered toward God and suit Him better since they contain a proper supernatural dimension.
Conclusion

It is safe to say that, objectively speaking, with respect to the ritual itself the old rite of Mass has an ability to merit more than the new rite of Mass. While this merit is accidental, since the essential or intrinsic merit of the Mass, which is the Sacrifice of Christ, is the same in both rites, it is nevertheless something serious. Since the faithful are the beneficiaries of the fruits derived from this aspect of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we have a grave obligation to consider the impact that this factor may be having on the life of the Church. While it is not our intention to denigrate the new rite, we must recognize that the ritual of Mass used in the old rite is more meritorious and therefore more beneficial for the people who assist at it and for the priests who offer it."

For the full reading of Fr. Ripperger's article, click on"Merit of A Mass."

Altar Server Classes

2010-10-03T14:30:00.002-05:00

Here is an update on the upcoming altar server class (summarizing Mr. Hunter's notes). The first class will be on Tuesday, Oct 12, at St. Michael's, at 5:15PM sharp. If you are interested or have questions, please send an email to this site (memphisLatin@gmail.com).

Description of class: We will begin by studying the Latin responses at Mass, including correct pronunciation and syllable emphasis at St. Michael's Church, and will then proceed to rubrical training at Blessed Sacrament Church. The class will be on Tuesday evenings, starting October 12, beginning at 5:15PM sharp, with each class to last one hour. The course of study will take approximately six weeks, depending upon how students advance through the schedule. It will conclude with Mr. Hunter's personal assessment of each one’s readiness to begin observing at the altar at Sunday Mass. Course material will be provided.

Qualifications for boys: The youngster must have received his First Holy Communion, and should be at least eight years old (although we have taken them younger, on a case-by-case basis). He must come from a family who attends the Tridentine Mass regularly, but not necessarily at Blessed Sacrament, and is dedicated to it. He must be capable of fairly intense memorization, have an attentive mind, be willing to dedicate his time to the course of instruction, and be completely dedicated to serving Our Lord at His holy altar when scheduled to do so. Those are subjective qualities, to be sure, but each boy will be asked if he meets those qualifications at the first session.

Details on class (including directions to sacristy): The Latin classes will be held in the servers’ sacristy, on the Epistle side, at St. Michael’s. To get to the sacristy, come in the back door of the church. It is at the very back corner of the church, under a covered walkway leading to the school. Come in the door, into the hallway, and turn left. The servers’ sacristy is at the end of the hall. There will be signs pointing the way. Please observe silence in the hallway, as it is directly behind the high altar, where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.

The classes will begin on Tuesday 12 October, and each week thereafter, at 5:15 PM, sharp. During Latin training, we must begin on time, as Mass begins at 5:30, and we must all be in the sacristy, with the door closed, when Mass begins. We should be finished by 6:15, but not later than 6:30. After Latin training is complete, we will move to Blessed Sacrament, to begin rubrical training. Another announcement will be made then at the proper time.

Priest's inspiring testimony on Latin Mass

2010-09-07T23:25:00.002-05:00

Below is a link to an inspiring testimony by a parish priest on the Latin Mass:

Why am I So “Into” the Extraordinary Form of the Mass?
Posted by Fr Christopher Smith

http://www.chantcafe.com/2010/09/why-am-i-so-into-extraordinary-form-of.html

A first class relic of Pope St. Pius X at Nativity!

2010-05-26T14:06:00.000-05:00

A first class relic of Pope St. Pius X has been placed in Church of the Nativity’s altar. Saints beneath the altar are a part of the Book of Revelation, and relics in the altar are referred to twice during the Latin Mass. Pope St. Pius X work included promoting orthodoxy, renewal of all things in Christ through Mary, frequent reception of communion, and use of Gregorian Chant in Mass.

Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest - Choir Camp for Children

2010-05-16T20:32:00.009-05:00

Announcement from Aristotle Esguerra at CMAA forum:

"The Institute is pleased to offer a unique opportunity to children age 9-15: a completely immersive experience in Catholic choral music and musicianship. The splendid campus of the Ursuline Motherhouse of Mount Saint Joseph in Kentucky will provide the ideal setting for the camp.

Choristers who attend the choir camp will enter a world of daily prayer and music-making with their fellow campers. The personal musical advancement the choristers make will be comparable to a full year of standard weekly choir rehearsals. Classes are taught by practicing Catholic musicians.

The cost is $360 for the first camper, $310 for the second, and $250 for each camper thereafter. A limited amount of space is available. You may register online.

See the brochure [PDF] for more information and a complete schedule. Please direct questions to Mr. Nick Botkins (314-771-3100) at the Institute's St. Francis de Sales Oratory.

- Brochure (PDF)
- Register Online
- Register by Mail (PDF)

May Crowning - May 2, 2010

2010-04-24T18:45:00.003-05:00

Our Brunch potluck in honor of the Crowning of the Blessed Mother is Sunday, May 2nd. The crowing will take place in the church in between the 8:30 and 10:30 Masses at Blessed Sacrament.

Please email Terri at gloriapatri@bigriver.net to sign-up to bring something for the potluck

All girls and young ladies should bring flowers to give to the Blessed Mother. Girls and young ladies can also wear flower wreaths on their heads.

This would be a wonderful day to invite other families to attend Mass and participate in the crowning. Everyone is welcome.

There will be a soccer game at a nearby park following brunch. Please bring a change of clothes and plan to go to the park after Mass.

Mini Gregorian Chant Training

2010-03-15T07:56:00.001-05:00

Some of the mothers have requested Gregorian Chant training on Sundays because their children cannot make the monthly workshops. So, starting this coming Sunday (March 21), there will be short chant training lessons for children/teens, alternating weeks for boys and girls. This Sunday, March 21, will be a boys' training. Altar boys are strongly encouraged to join. Immediately after eating donuts, there will be training in the convent (building across the street of Blessed Sacrament) for 15 minutes. Girls' training will begin on March 28. Parents are welcome to attend as well.

Monthly Gregorian Chant Workshops

2010-01-18T10:16:00.004-06:00

UPDATE: Monthly workshops are canceled until further notice.

There will be monthly Gregorian Chant workshops every 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Anyone can attend. No previous experience needed. Please join if you have interest in Gregorian chant.

Gregorian Chant Workshop
2nd Tuesday of each month
Starting February 9, 2010
7:30pm to 8:30pm
St. Michael's Catholic Church on Summer Ave

If you would like to read some introductory material in advance from the textbook we will be using, please look at this link.

Guide to Singing Chant (on pages 169 to 179 on the book itself, 179 to 189 on the browser). You may want to set View Mode on the bottom left to "Scroll" for easier reading.

Hope to see you there!

Gregorian Chant Workshop in Florida

2010-01-17T08:42:00.000-06:00

Musica Sacra Florida announced an opportunity of chant workshop in March.

Sponsored by the Florida Chapter of the Church Music Association of America  in conjunction with the Department of Music, Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, Florida.

Friday & Saturday, March 19-20, 2010

Brochure and tentative schedule

This two-day workshop will present both beginning and advanced musicians with lectures, breakout sessions, and rehearsals that will enrich their knowledge of Gregorian chant and its use in the Roman Catholic liturgy.

Led by a faculty of chant specialists from around the state, attendees will learn more about the history of Gregorian chant and its role in the liturgy as well as experience the chant in the context of both the Divine Office and the Mass. Beginning chanters will be introduced to the basics of notation and rhythm according to the classic Solesmes method. Experienced chanters will learn new repertoire and advance their understanding of rhythmic and interpretive nuance. Resources and practical methods for the cultivation of Gregorian chant in the life of the parish will also be discussed. A special breakout session will be devoted to helping priests and deacons with their liturgical chants.

This workshop is ideal for choir members, parish music directors, music students, teachers, parents, seminarians, deacons, priests, and anyone who is interested in learning about the heritage of sacred music within the Roman Catholic Church.

Registration fees are $40 or $15 for students (with I.D.) and include the price of instructional materials and instruction. Overnight accommodations will be available at AMU’s Xavier Conference Center. Participants can choose among various options for room and board. For prices and options, click above at “Brochure and tentative schedule”.

Pre-registration is required.  Deadline: Friday, March 5th, 2010

Contact Information:   Susan Treacy  (239) 280-1668 or susan.treacy@avemaria.edu

Faculty:

Keynote Speaker: Jeffrey Tucker – Managing Editor, Sacred Music
Mary Jane Ballou – Director of the Schola Cantorae, St Augustine, FL
Jennifer Donelson – Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Timothy McDonnell – Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, FLs
Michael O’Connor – Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, FL
Susan Treacy – Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, FL

Winter Chant Intensive 2010 Sound Files

2010-01-09T20:36:00.004-06:00

Aristotle A. Esguerra of the Recovering Choir Director graciously introduced Richard Chonak's recordings of 2010 Winter Chant Intensive at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, S.C. The wonderful chant workshop was led by Scott Turkington. The propers are from the Feast of the Epiphany.

Prelude: Ecce advenit (C. Tournemire)
Prelude: Ecce advenit (M. Durufle)
Introit: Ecce advenit
Gradual: Omnes de Saba
Alleluia: Vidimus stellam
Homily: Fr. Gregory Wilson on: the manifestation of God
Offertory: Reges Tharsis
Hymn: Crudelis Herodes
Sanctus: Mass I
Agnus Dei: Mass I
Communion: Vidimus stellam
Motet: Cor Jesu (William Webbe)
Chant: Christus vincit
Postlude: Pièce d’orgue: Gravement, Lentement (Bach: BWV 572), Larry Long, organ

Gregorian Chant Propers and Ordinaries in PDF and MP3

2009-12-09T21:33:00.010-06:00

Corpus Christi Watershed made a great contribution by making scores and music files of Gregorian Chant Propers available at the following website: http://www.renegoupil.org/chants/.

The chants follow the Traditional Latin Mass calendar, so you can download and listen to the Gregorian Chant Propers of the liturgical season.

Institute of Christ the King also made scores of Gregorian Chant Propers available at: Sacred Music Library of Gregorian Chant Propers in PDF

And here are additional source of scores and audio files of Gregorain Chant Propers: All Masses of the Liturgical Year - Tridentine Rite

PDF files of Simplified propers are also available: Chant Abreges (1926) Graduals and Alleluias, Simplified Graduale (by Richard Rice).

Lastly, you can download music scores and listen to the Gregorian Chant Ordinaries at the following website: Kyriale. Enjoy!

"Gregorian Chant has always been regarded as the supreme model for sacred music, so that it is fully legitimate to lay down the following rule: the more closely a composition for church approaches in its movement, inspiration and savor the Gregorian form, the more sacred and liturgical it becomes; and the more out of harmony it is with that supreme model, the less worthy it is of the temple. The ancient traditional Gregorian Chant must, therefore, in a large measure be restored to the functions of public worship, and the fact must be accepted by all that an ecclesiastical function loses none of its solemnity when accompanied by this music alone." - Pope Pius X, Tra le Sollecitudini, 1903.

"Finally, while respecting various styles and different and highly praiseworthy traditions, I desire, in accordance with the request advanced by the Synod Fathers, that Gregorian chant be suitably esteemed and employed as the chant proper to the Roman liturgy." - Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis, 2007.

Sacred Music and Gregorian Chant Summer Program for High School Students

2009-12-01T19:47:00.005-06:00

June 16 - 20, 2010. For rising juniors and seniors in high school. Only 20 spaces available.
Christendom College, Front Royal, Virginia.
Guest Speaker is Father Zuhlsdorf (aka "Fr. Z")!

For more information, please visit: http://www.christendom.edu/admissions/summermusic.shtml

Winter Chant Intensive 2010 in Charleston, South Carolina

2009-11-15T11:24:00.012-06:00

CMAA (Church Music Association of America) hosts a Winter Chant Intensive 2010 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina. It will take place on January 4-8, 2010.

The workshop will be directed by Chant Master Scott Turkington (Stamford Schola Gregoriana). He has an international reputation, with specialization in the Solesmes tradition. He is a co-author of The Gregorian Chant Masterclass, and a marvelous teacher with singers of all skill levels.

Tuition for the course, which includes catered lunches on Tuesday through Friday, is $245. And there is a donation of $245 support for one person who is planning to attend the workshop. So you only have to pay for the stay in hotel.

The registration deadline is Monday, December 14, 2009. Late registrations: add $25; subject to space availability. Here is a preliminary schedule and please click on here for more information and registration.

Audio Files from Sacred Tradition Conference

2009-11-14T20:45:00.008-06:00

The audio files from the Sacred Tradition conference are available. Unfortunately, the recording setup cut out using the direct feed, and there was only enough time to get the backup device recording for the first talk. So, the first talk is available in its entirety, but only the first couple of minutes of the second talk was captured. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Once on the site, you have the option to either download the mp3 files to your computer OR you may listen on the site directly.

Link to Talk 1:
http://www.4shared.com/file/152371382/b47837b8/Tradition1.html

Link to Talk 2: [NOTE: CUT SHORT, less than 2 minutes long]
http://www.4shared.com/file/152364137/2edc1710/Tradition2-CUT.html

Instructional diagram:

Press release from the Fraternity of Saint Peter

2009-11-14T13:53:00.004-06:00

From the Fr. Demets' Blog: Press release from the Fraternity of Saint Peter. Fr. Laurent Demets is a FSSP priest in Cherokee Village, Arkansas, United States.

Watch a Solemn High Tridentine Mass Broadcast Live on EWTN

DENTON, Nebraska (13 November 2009) On Saturday, 21 November 2009, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady, Father Laurent Demets, a member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, will celebrate a Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. To be televised live on EWTN at 7:00AM (CST), this special Mass will take place at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama.

About the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

Established in 1988 by Pope John Paul II, the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter is a Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right. The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter serves the Catholic Church by means of its own particular objective, i.e. the sanctification of priests through the faithful celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Through the spiritual riches of the Church’s ancient Roman liturgy, the priests of the Fraternity seek to sanctify those entrusted to their care. The Priestly Fraternity instructs and trains priests to preserve, promote, and protect the Church's authentic liturgical and spiritual traditions. The Fraternity has over 200 priests worldwide. Over 125 seminarians study in its two international seminaries in Bavaria, Germany and Denton, Nebraska.

About EWTN

Founded by Mother Angelica, the EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in more than 150 million television households in 144 countries and territories. EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

Watch The Mass Live Online!
www.ewtn.com/audiovideo

Media Contact
Father Joseph Lee, FSSP
Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary
7880 West Denton RoadDenton, Nebraska 68339
402-570-2707
emailjlee@gmail.com

Sacred Tradition Conference

2009-10-30T18:53:00.002-05:00

Fr. Chad Ripperger, FSSP, PhD returns to Memphis on Friday and Saturday, November 13 - 14, 2009. The topic of the conference will be "Sacred Tradition: Be thou vigilant". To register and/or RSVP for the dinner, please refer to the brochure by clicking here.

The schedule is as follows:

Pre-Conference:
Friday, November 13th
Feast day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, V (traditional)
6:15 a.m. Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
4:30 p.m. Sacrament of Penance
5:30 p.m. Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
6:15 p.m. **Reception and Dinner with Father Ripperger (Must RSVP by Monday Nov 9)

Conference:
Saturday November 14th
Feast Day of St. Josaphat, BM (traditional)
7:00 a.m Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
7:30 a.m. **Continental Breakfast (Gym)
8:00 a.m. **Conference Begins
11:30 a.m. **Conference closes—Fr. Ripperger available for blessing of articles and brief meet and greet (Gym)

**For adults only, with the exception of nursing infants and older teens (15 & older)
Note: There will NOT be 3:15pm Mass at Blessed Sacrament on Friday, Nov 13.

Feast of Christ the King Family Picnic

2009-10-18T20:56:00.004-05:00

Sunday, October 25, 2009
11am
Freeman Park, Bartlett, TN

The park has BBQ grills, picnic tables, tennis courts, playground, and fields for games including soccer. A soccer game and field day type activities are planned. Please bring your own food and dessert to share. Please bring balls, toys, and games. You may want to bring chairs. We will meet near the children's playground and tennis courts.

Map of the location:

View Larger Map

EWTN Televised Traditional Latin Mass

2009-10-12T21:11:00.002-05:00

Archive – EWTN Televised Traditional Latin Mass

Mini-Chant Handout Links

2009-10-01T20:02:00.008-05:00

Dates listed are when sheets were GIVEN. They are DUE at the next lesson.
The Parish Book of Chant (PBC) can be found here: LINK

Boys:

June 6, 2010 - LINK (Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday)
May 16, 2010 - LINK (pages 5-6, Victimae Paschali)
April 25, 2010 - PBC (see above) page 167 in pdf or 157 in book, #65 O Filii et Filiae
April 11, 2010 - PBC page 131 in pdf or 121 in book, #28 Regina Caeli

Girls:

July 11, 2010: LINK (Mass IX - Cum Jubilo - In festis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis)
June 13, 2010 - 3 links: Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei
May 23, 2010 - PBC (see above) page 160 in pdf or 150 in book, #58 Crux Fidelis
May 9, 2010 - PBC page 167 in pdf or 157 in book, #65 O Filii et Filiae
April 18, 2010 - PBC page 131 in pdf or 121 in book, #28 Regina Caeli

Second Worldwide Rosary for Unborn to take place in October

2009-09-23T21:18:00.007-05:00

Catholic News Agency (CNA) reported about the "Second Worldwide Rosary for Unborn", which has been organized by Patrick Benedict, a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament and a member of the Traditional Latin Mass community in Memphis.

CNA: Second Worldwide Rosary for Unborn to take place in October

Memphis, Tenn., Sep 20, 2009 / 06:02 pm (CNA).- The second annual Worldwide Rosary for Unborn Babies is scheduled to take place from Friday Oct. 16 to Sunday Oct. 18. Participants in the event will pray at least one Rosary on any of these days for the intention of an end to the killing of the unborn.

Last year’s Worldwide Rosary was one day only. A press release from the Memphis-based St. Michael the Archangel Organization, which is coordinating the event, said the addition of Friday was particularly intended for students at schools, while the addition of Sunday was intended to help encourage people to pray the Rosary before or after Masses.

St. Michael the Archangel Organization is also seeking volunteers to publicize the Worldwide Rosary and to translate information into other languages.

The group’s website is at http://www.saintmichaelthearchangelorganization.org/.

Pope desires FSSP to be given full pastoral care of faithful

2009-09-23T12:53:00.005-05:00

From the New Liturgical Movement:

Fr. John Berg recently celebrated a Solemn Mass for the German congress, Freude am Glauben (Joy in the Faith). He went on to celebrate another Solemn Mass for the annual meeting of the German Pro Missa Tridentina association in Wiesbaden this 19 September. At this conference, Fr. Berg mentioned some interesting details of his audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in July (cf. FSSP Superior General and Benedict XVI). According to Fr. Engelbert Recktenwald FSSP,

"Pope Benedict XVI wishes that the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter be entrusted, beyond the celebration of Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form, at as many places as possible, with the cura animarum, i.e. the full pastoral care. This was reported by Fr. John Berg, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, at the Annual Meeting of Pro Tridentine Missa, which was held today in Wiesbaden. Fr. Berg had on 6 July, a private audience with the Pope, during which he was able to speak for fifteen minutes with him at his desk in the papal library. The Holy Father was very interested in whether the Fraternity was able to exercise its apostolate without obstacles, as intended. He inquired whether its priests, where they operate, could really work pastorally for the souls."

Fr. Ripperger's Articles, Audios and Videos

2009-08-22T22:36:00.007-05:00

Articles

The Spirituality of the Ancient Liturgy: Part 1 by Father Chad Ripperger, F.S.S.P.

The Spirituality of the Ancient Liturgy: Part 2 by Father Chad Ripperger, F.S.S.P.

Conservative vs. Traditional Catholicism: Distinctions with Philosophical Differences by Fr. Chad Ripperger, F.S.S.P., Spring 2001

Source: The Latin Mass - The Journal of Catholic Culture and Tradition

Sensus Traditionis: Text Online from Fr. Ripperger's website

Audios & Videos

Sensus Traditionis: Audios and Videos of Fr. Ripperger's Conferences

Chant Propers and Ordinaries in full for Tridentine Mass

2009-08-12T20:20:00.003-05:00

Propers - Music scores: Sacred Music Library of Gregorian Chant Propers in PDF

Propers - Audio files and scores: All Masses of the Liturgical Year - Tridentine Rite

Propers - Handouts: Latin/English Propers Handouts

Ordinaries - Audio files and scores: Kyriale

Birmingham (AL-USA): TLM workshop for laypeople - 15 Aug

2009-07-16T09:57:00.003-05:00

Click on the image to enlarge.

Birmingham (AL-USA): TLM workshop for laypeople - 15 Aug from Fr. Z's website.

5th Sunday after Pentecost, St. Francis De Sale Oratory, St. Louis, MO

2009-07-07T22:04:00.016-05:00

The above picture was taken at the Low Mass in the morning, July 4th, 2009. Click on the image to enlarge. And the following clips were taken at the Solemn High Mass on the 5th Sunday after Pentecost (July 5, 2009)

St. Francis De Sales Oratory, Institue of Christ the King Sovereign Priests.

Website: http://www.institute-christ-king.org/stlouis

Excerpts from the website: "In June of 2005 St. Franics de Sales 'parish' was closed by the Archdiocese of St. Louis because of population shift and was consolidated with another neighborhood parish. The building was scheduled to be torn down.

In July 2005, the church building, and campus was given to the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest to maintain and administer the sacraments according to the 1962 Missal. The Archbishop of St. Louis, His Grace, the Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke erected the church as an Oratory of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest . Today, St. Francis de Sales Oratory serves the whole archdiocese of St. Louis and is the center of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite."

The restoration project: http://www.traditionfortomorrow.com/ "Currently the Institute is raising the necessary funds to restore the magnificent church building entrusted to their care. The most immediate need involves the 300-foot-tall steeple, which is gradually pulling away from the building, because of inadequate foundation support. Repairs to the roof, restoration of the stain-glass windows, the frescos and other renovations are also needed to maintain the church’s grandeur as a place of worship and inspiration."

Gloria - Mass XI (Orbis factor)

Polyphony - Agnus Dei

Tutorial on Chant Pitch

2009-06-20T14:19:00.002-05:00

Tutorial on Chant Pitch, power point file. This is a very useful aid in learning chant notation.

Superior of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal Visits Memphis

2009-05-10T16:31:00.004-05:00

The Superior of Fr. Benedict Groeschel (of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal) will be visiting Memphis! The Friars are considering establishing a community here (at the convent / yellow house next to Blessed Sacrament Church) to work with the poor.

There will be a Holy Hour this Tuesday, May 12, from 5pm to 6pm with Benediction by the Superior. Please join us and pray that the Franciscan Friars will have a community in Memphis. It would be a great blessing for the parish and the Memphis area.

Latin Mass choir / schola members are encouraged to come to sing during the Benediction. Also, there is choir practice immediately after the Holy Hour on Tuesday (instead of Monday this week).

Indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday

2009-04-13T22:30:00.003-05:00

This coming Sunday (April 19th) is Divine Mercy Sunday, and a plenary indulgence is available to those who take part in prayers and devotions honoring Divine Mercy, or to those who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, exposed or reserved in the Tabernacle, recite one Our Father and the Apostles Creed, adding a devout prayer to Our Merciful Lord.

The other requirements are those for any plenary indulgence, that is, receive Holy Communion on the day of the action, have no attachment to sin, even venial sin, and receive Sacramental Confession within twenty days of the action. If one has confessed within twenty days prior to or after Sunday the 19th, that requirement is met.

About the Latin Mass: Conclusion

2009-04-02T16:19:00.002-05:00

The Latin Mass and the English Mass are similar but different. One was born from the other, but unmistakably has differences in objectives due to differences in presentation, as has been discussed for the past year in these articles.

The intention of these articles has been to have you not feel intimidated by the Latin Mass, and to understand more fully what you are experiencing. Even if you don’t know Latin, you will recognize the structure and dialogue of the Mass from the English Mass. If you venture to try attending a Latin Mass, take with you the sensation from the Psalm portion of the English Mass of trying to communicate with God through heartfelt dialogue. This is what the Latin Mass is about in many ways throughout the Mass.

At either Mass, the moment of consecration and the sight of the parishioners processing forth to meet our God are profound, and may be a preview of some of the sights of heaven.

We must always remember that regardless of which Mass we attend, reverence is the key for all participants, at the altar, in the pews, and behind the music. We must always, always strive to not give the sense that any element of what we celebrate is a canned product. It would be best for the priests, instead of preaching to put on a show, to preach with humility. Promote all holy vocations, not just those that involve working in a soup kitchen. Present the Eucharistic Prayer as an important part of the Mass and not as an afterthought which follows the homily. Assess what your core Eucharistic Prayers, sung responses, and hymns will be, to establish your identity as a Catholic church without risking an excess of variability. And always keep the prescribed phrasing of the prayers unchanged. These are some of the key ideals that are important to be mindful of, since the English Mass, through its structure, use of vernacular, and choice of modern music, seems to be more susceptible to deviating from them.

Accomplishing the elements of the Mass in a proper and reverent manner helps to enforce that the Latin Mass and the English Mass are indeed two different forms, the extraordinary and ordinary form, respectively, of the same Roman rite, as noted by our Holy Father.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

About the Latin Mass: The Music

2009-03-07T17:33:00.001-06:00

Most of the hymns normally used for the English Mass are not used for the Latin Mass. There are a few exceptions, such as “All Creatures of Our God and King” and “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”. This is likely a by-product of the differences between the English Mass and the Latin Mass as presented in previous articles. The English Mass focuses on showing Christ as the fulfillment of the prophesy and the law, and what we are called to do in this world, while the Latin Mass focuses on themes such as our communication with God, Christ’s passion, and adoration of the Eucharist at Mass.

As a result, hymns expressing what we are called to do are not used in the Latin Mass. Similarly, hymns that focus on self rather than God, and those that focus on peace and justice are also not used. It’s not that these concepts are bad, but it is clear to me, as a cantor and as the one responsible for selecting Nativity’s music for the Latin Mass, that these hymns simply would not fit the format and themes of the Latin Mass. Hymns that refer to Christ in the first person are not included, as they represent our interpretation of God’s communication to us, as opposed to our communication to Him. Many hymns also do not qualify as a result of having non-Catholic composers.

There are volumes of hymns that have been written recently in the name of liturgical revolution, which arguably are necessary to compliment the changes made for the English Mass, but which also add to the excessive variability of the English Mass. There are also many hymns which are musically challenging and show off the ability of the choir, but may be too difficult for the congregation to sing.

The hymns that remain may be referred to as the classics – they have withstood the test of time. Most of the hymns are Gregorian chant, sung in Latin, but many are also in English. These hymns are not heard as the “same old thing”, or as tired and worn out. Rather, the open ear will recognize them as our effort to communicate at a higher level with God, to help bring us closer to the threshold of God’s heavenly kingdom. They are a form of prayer to God, each fitting the themes and periods of the liturgical year.

The classics are certainly available for use in the English Mass, but sadly, most have been forgotten or ignored.

You will find that the Latin Mass community has different viewpoints as to whether the congregation should sing at the Mass. Some feel it distracts from their prayer and participation in the Mass, while others feel that the music is a means for them to pray and participate in the Mass. At Nativity, we provide copies of the hymns for a given Mass at the back of the church, so that those who want to sing can sing.

The ordinary parts of the Mass, that is the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Credo, the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei, are not sung at a Low Mass. These as well as the readings and prayers are sung at a Missa Cantata, or Sung Mass. However, the musical complexity of the sung prayers, and the need for the priest to sing many of the prayers may, unfortunately, prevent the use of a Missa Cantata.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

Catholic Marriage Conference

2009-02-04T22:07:00.004-06:00

Fr. Ripperger, FSSP Returns to Memphis!

Adam and Eve: Call of the Original Order

The Regina Caeli Latin Mass Community will be hosting Fr. Chad Ripperger of the Fraternal Society of St. Peter to speak on Catholic Marriage March 7th at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (and a Teen Talk at St. Michael's Catholic Church on March 6th).

Please click here for the brochure or contact Crowell7@msn.com for more information.

To have the brochure emailed to you, please contact memphisLatin@gmail.com

About the Latin Mass: Hail Holy Queen

2009-01-30T14:43:00.001-06:00

At the end of the Latin Mass, the priest kneels at the foot of the sanctuary, and leads a series of prayers, beginning with prayers to Mary. These prayers were originally added by Pope Leo XIII, then designated by Pope Pius XI as an offering for the deliverance of post World War I Russia from communism. The prayers will always have significance, to defend us from evil, Godlessness, and worldliness.

Mary means many things to us as Catholics, and here we call to her as our intercessor. We begin with three Hail Mary prayers, as said during a rosary. We then say the Hail Holy Queen prayer, asking for her help to always be moving toward an everlasting communion with Christ. The priest then prays to God to, “look down in mercy on Thy people who cry to Thee,” and, invoking the help of the Church, asks for the conversion of sinners. We then pray to St. Michael the Archangel, acknowledging that we are in fact in a battle with evil. We conclude by asking for mercy from the sacred heart of Jesus.

Near the sanctuary, one often finds in a Catholic church a statue of Mary to assist our focus while we pray to her for her intercession. At the Church of the Nativity, we are fortunate to have a large portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe to serve this need.

This article concludes by recalling the beauty and hope of the Hail Holy Queen prayer:

Hail holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee we do cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us.
And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V: Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

Traditional Latin Mass at St.Michael's Catholic Church

2009-01-11T14:07:00.010-06:00

January 11th, 2009, 9:30am

About the Latin Mass: Communion

2008-12-30T12:28:00.001-06:00

We, as Catholics, have the privilege of receiving the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ during communion. From time-to-time, it is worthwhile to review and consider the various aspects of how we receive Him, to hopefully grow in our understanding of communion where possible.

During the Latin Mass, we receive communion directly from the priest, on the tongue, while kneeling at an altar rail, with our hands held low.

The means of receiving at Latin Mass highlights two aspects of communion. First, we are meeting Christ at a threshold, between the sacred sanctuary from where He chooses to come to us, and our temporal world. Second, receiving on the tongue fulfills an implied contract, that we will receive and directly consume the purity of the Host. In the English Mass, the recipient should begin to consume the Host in the sight of the priest, deacon, or Eucharistic minister, so that the intended fate of the Host is confirmed. In reality, due to receiving in the hand, and to keep things moving, the recipient begins to consume the Host just after walking away. Because of these concerns, I now receive on the tongue even when attending English Mass.

After beginning to attend Latin Mass two years ago, I recalled that, in preparation for my first communion in 1973, we were taught not to chew the Host. Although there is nothing in today’s Catechism that confirms this, it is a tradition, slows the process, and helps ensure that the Host is directly consumed. The Host should be retained between the tongue and the roof of the mouth, which is consistent with the Latin Mass response said before coming forward for communion, taken from scripture paraphrasing the Roman soldier, which translates to, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.” Our communion with Christ should be lasting, so that we can reflect on Him.

After returning to the pew, I first look at the crucifix, to envision being at the foot of the cross, and to consider simultaneously the once-lifeless body of Christ, and the miracle of His eternal, living sacrifice outpouring from Him. I then turn to the painting in Nativity’s church of the resurrected, forgiving Christ, to also consider this aspect of Him.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

About the Latin Mass: Ecce Agnus Dei

2008-11-29T13:19:00.001-06:00

Christ, Agnus Dei meaning “Lamb of God”, the eternal and living sacrifice, is elevated by the priest during the Ecce Agnus Dei and is presented before us, in preparation for communion. There is an interesting difference in the phrasing used at this point during the Latin Mass and the English Mass.

The Latin Mass phrasing, “Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit pecatta mundi,” or “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” was said by John the Baptist upon first seeing Christ in St. John’s gospel. To behold something is to recognize its beauty, and to acknowledge that something special is happening. A related word, “beholden”, includes an element of owing thanks.

The English Mass phrasing, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” is certainly a statement of fact, but may not fully express the thankfulness we have in our hearts at that moment for Who we are witnessing, and will receive, and may not fully recognize the phrase’s biblical roots.

I once heard an English Mass priest use the phrase, “Behold the Lamb of God,” instead of, “This is the Lamb of God,” and looking back at attending English Mass, it is one of the few examples where I am thankful for the change of phrasing by the priest.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

Jeannette Butterick

2008-11-27T22:59:00.000-06:00

Jeannette Butterick, faithful attendee of the Latin Mass (who usually sat in the left front row at Blessed Sacrament), was diagnosed with metasized breast cancer 1/2 year ago, which spread to her bones and beyond. She was bedridden the last 4-5 months and passed away Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008. Please pray for the repose of her soul.

Here is the information sent on Wednesday to a good friend.

Wanted to let you know that my dear friend and yours, peacefully drew her last breath today around 2 PM. She was so ready to meet her Lord and she received Holy Communion around 12:30 PM. Today in addition to the usual prayers I prayed the Memorare and knew she was very weak. Yesterday she had asked for Fr Victor to come and hear her confession and receive the Annointing of the Sick. She said she wanted all the sacraments she could get. He also gave her the Apostolic blessing. She ran the good race and a crown awaited her.

The rosary will be Sunday evening at Canale and the funeral at 10 AM Monday at St Louis. Please pray for her family.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, may she rest in peace, Amen.

Guide for Latin Mass

2008-11-16T22:46:00.004-06:00

Standing, Sitting, Kneeling
According to the custom of England and Wales
At High or Low Mass, the triple bell at the celebrant's Domine, non sum dignus is the signal for the faithful to approach the altar rails for Holy Communion. Anyone standing in the aisles should kneel for the Ecce Agnus Dei.

Low Mass
As the priest enters, the congregation should kneel.
From beginning to Gospel - kneel
At the Gospel - stand
At the Credo - stand
During the Offertory - sit
From the Sanctus to the Last Gospel - kneel
At the Last Gospel - stand
Post-Missal prayers and exit of priest - kneel

High Mass and Missa Cantata
During the processional entry - stand
During the Asperges - stand
From beginning to Gloria - kneel
At the intoning of the Gloria - stand

If the congregation sings, remain standing. If the choir only, sit when the clergy do.
Rise with the celebrant for:
Dominus Vobiscum and Collects - stand
At the singing of the Epistle - sit
At the singing of the Gospel - stand
At the notices and for the Sermon - sit
At the Credo - stand

As at the Gloria. Rise with the celebrant for:
Dominus Vobiscum, Oremus - stand
During the Offertory - sit

Rise when the congregation is incensed
Preface dialogue to Sanctus - stand
Sanctus, Canon, Communion - kneel
Dominus Vobiscum and Post Communion - stand
At the Blessing - kneel
Last Gospel to exit of clergy - stand

This information can also be found at:
http://www.latin-mass-society.org/congreg.htm

About the Latin Mass: The Pax Domini

2008-10-28T14:29:00.001-05:00

There are arguably many moments where calmness and inner peace are experienced during the Latin Mass. Experiences may vary, but unquestionably, one such moment occurs during the Pax Domini, the Lord’s Peace. The priest raises the Host to chest-level before him, and over the Chalice forms with the Host three consecutive signs of the cross, while saying, “Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum”, that is, “The peace of the Lord be always with thee.” We respond, “Et cum spiritu tuo”, or, “And with thy spirit.” The Pax Domini and response are sung during a Missa Cantata.

This solemn and humble rubric shows us that God is present before us, and that we are receiving Christ’s peace. This, as we know as Catholics, is an inner peace we receive that the world cannot give us. The gesture also reminds us of the Minor Elevation, “Per ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso”, or “Through Him, and with Him, and in Him,” the words given to us by St. Paul and St. John, for which the sign of the cross is made thrice with the Host at the Latin Mass, and also our baptism, when the sign of the cross is imparted onto our foreheads thrice in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The conveyance of the Pax Domini is one of the biggest differences you’ll find between English and Latin Mass.

In the English Mass, “The peace of the Lord be with you always,” is said with the Host and the Chalice on the altar, which emphasizes the imparted peace verbally, followed by us offering each other a sign of Christ’s peace, providing us a means to be Christ-like in our actions towards others.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

URGENT: 2008 Election Novena

2008-10-22T20:12:00.003-05:00

Please join in a Rosary Novena for the upcoming election. This is being requested and initiated by Fr. Corapi. To view his message and get more information, please read his document by clicking here.

The Novena starts on the October 27th (Monday) through November 4th (Tuesday, Election Day).

Spiritual Warfare Conference

2008-10-05T16:35:00.003-05:00

Memphis to Host Seminary Professor

The Regina Caeli Latin Mass Community will be hosting Fr. Chad Ripperger of the Fraternal Society of St. Peter to speak on spiritual warfare issues–particularly angels and the demonic—Nov. 7th & 8th at St. Louis Catholic Church.

Fr. Ripperger brings an extraordinarily strong background to the subject of intelligent spirits. Having studied at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome where he received his doctorate in philosophy, Fr. Ripperger taught seminarians Dogmatic and Moral Theology and Philosophy, as well as demonology, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska.

Strongly urging the use of sacramentals, particularly the St. Benedict Medal and the scapular, Fr. Ripperger will explain how the Church's use of sacramentals remains an ever important practice, and what Catholics can do to protect themselves from the spiritual Enemy. The conference is FREE. For more information, one may contact gloriapatri@bigriver.net, or click here to download the flier.

About the Latin Mass: Eucharistic Prayers

2008-09-24T13:05:00.000-05:00

The Eucharistic Prayer, known in the Latin Mass as the Canon, is central to the structure of the Mass. It surrounds and includes the Words of the Institution, beginning with the Sanctus and ending with the Minor Elevation.

The Church in both heaven and on earth is brought forth to celebrate and be present for the culmination of the sacrifice of Abel, the offering of the only son of Abraham, and the presentation of bread and wine by Melchizedek, to be taken to the heavenly altar, and through Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, become the Eternal and Living Sacrifice of Christ for His Church. We hope to join in union with the Church Triumphant through His eternal redemption.

Recent editorials have stated that, because the Eucharistic Prayers of the early Church were spontaneous and presented many varying themes, our Eucharistic Prayers of today should also vary. Four Eucharistic Prayers were approved post Vatican II for English Mass use, with Prayer I being similar to the Canon. Eucharistic Prayers have since been made available for reconciliation, for childrens’ masses, and for unity.

The counterargument is this: When do the variations become excessive such that the Mass no longer feels like a Mass, and the core of what we believe becomes confusing? The Canon developed into the very elements that are central to our belief about the Eucharist, which deepened during the early middle ages. It is something that is a constant in our lives, to return to and have renewed by the priest each time we attend Mass, more important than ever in the ever-changing world around us.

Do the Unity prayers include and adequately stress all of the essential elements? At several points during the Unity prayers, the congregation is supposed to respond “Unify us, O holy and faithful God”. Does “us” mean the congregation, or the Church of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, in heaven and on earth, including our union with our Lord? Do the Unity prayers ask for or assume redemption? Does the Reconciliation prayer cloud our understanding of receiving reconciliation and renewed state of grace prior to attending Mass?

Variation has its use, but we need to remember that everything has a place and a purpose.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

Gregorian Chant Weekend

2008-09-07T20:58:00.005-05:00

There will be a Gregorian Chant weekend at Clear Creek Monastery in Hulbert, Oklahoma October 10 - 12. The chant weekend will bring in the choir directors, as last year, from nearby polyphonic choirs/scholas in OK City and Tulsa, as well as Fr. Bachmann, choral master monk for Clear Creek Monastery.

Instruction covers:
Reading Gregorian Music
Modality
Psalmody for compline
Solfeggio
Rhythm
Elementary Latin
Mass XI Orbis Factor
Ant. Aperges Me
Communion Chant

Accommodations available for men in monastery guest house $50 @
or for women/children in the Guest Log Cabin $35 @.

Workshop cost is $25 per family; $20 per individual.
Workshop begins Friday, October 10 at 6pm and ends after Sunday High Mass - approximately 12 noon, October 12, although there is a picnic following High Mass.

For more information on the retreat, please contact the Clear Creek Monastery at
(918) 772-2454.
To learn more about the monastery, please visit:
http://www.clearcreekmonks.org/ and
http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2008/slideshows/monks/index.aspx

Gratitude for Frank Nobel's Generosity

2008-08-31T10:39:00.005-05:00

The Latin Mass parishioners at Blessed Sacrament are deeply grateful to Frank Nobel for his recent contribution. Frank donated an Allen digital computer organ in August of 2008. He was able to purchase the organ through his Navy retirement funds. Frank, who is a native Memphian, served in the Navy for twenty years from 1949 to 1969. He has been a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament since 1974 and is an invaluable member of the community. In addition to the donation, he regularly takes care of church events and the grounds. Parishioners see him every Sunday and Holy Days at Blessed Sacrament. Thank you, Frank Nobel, for your support and love for the Church!

About the Latin Mass: The Incarnation

2008-08-26T14:30:00.001-05:00

The Latin Mass Credo is a recital of the Nicean Creed, which is what we believe as Catholics. Note that “credence” comes from the Latin word credo. The Credo has existed for nearly as long as the Church, and separates our one true faith from all heresies, continuing to serve that purpose today.

The high point of the Credo is the Incarnation, “Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine: Et homo factus est.” Incarnatus means that God chose to become embodied in the human form of Christ our Savior. The English Mass Profession of Faith does not contain the word incarnation, but does establish this concept in its translation. As the Incarnation signifies the beginning of God’s final revelation to us, we view it as the most significant moment in history, and we genuflect in reverence.

The English Mass shows a sign of reverence by a bowing of the head, omitted by many parishioners. Bowing one’s head is typically used as a quiet and solemn communication with God, such as during prayer. Genuflecting is a means of further collectively humbling ourselves in thankfulness before God, who chose to humble himself for us. The high point of our belief is reinforced with this physical and lasting rubric.

During this past Lenten season, Blessed Sacrament, with permission from the diocese, collectively genuflected during the Incarnation. This is also a rubric that I borrow from the Latin Mass for use when attending an English Mass.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

About the Latin Mass: The Alleluia

2008-08-01T14:55:00.001-05:00

Al-le-lu-ia. This sung word of praise to God in the English Mass is the prelude for the reading of the Gospel. The Alleluia is accompanied by a brief sung verse from the Gospel, thematic in nature but not necessarily related to the Gospel reading. While the Alleluia is sung, the priest moves to the left and prays before the altar, before continuing to the lectern on the left to read the Gospel, unless it is read by a deacon.

The sung Alleluia, as is the case for many elements of the English Mass, actually comes from the Latin Mass. The various sung Alleluia tones heard in the English Mass are based upon the Latin Mass Alleluia tones and accompanying sung verses available for each feast of the liturgical year.

In the Latin Mass, the Alleluia completes the theme presented by the Psalm portion of the Introit reading, which was read prior to the Kyrie. Portions of the Psalm are reinforced, and present themes of mercy, hope, salvation, joy, or the desire to not be foresaken. The Alleluia, at a Missa Cantata or a High Mass, is sung by the cantor and choir, but is also always read by the priest. When the priest is finished reading the Alleluia, he proceeds in the silence of all to the left to pray before the center of the altar, in preparation to continue to the left side of the altar to read the Gospel.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

About the Latin Mass: The Confiteor

2008-07-10T12:52:00.000-05:00

At the beginning of the English Mass, we make a general Confession, the “I confess”, and ask for mercy and forgiveness prior to hearing the Word and receiving Communion. This is not a substitute for the state of grace received in Confession, but still raises our awareness of sin. Celebration of the English Mass often omits the “I confess” by asking for mercy and forgiveness through the “Lord have mercy” or “Kyrie”.

As with many elements of the English Mass, the “I confess” comes from the Latin Mass, in this case the Confiteor, which is said by the priest and then by the people and servers, prior to the priest going to the altar of God.

The rubrics and phrasing help enforce our contriteness for our sins. The priest bows at the waist to recite the Confiteor, and all say, “Mea culpea, mea culpea, mea maxima culpea”, which is “My fault, my fault, my most grievous fault”, while lightly striking our breast three times. This rubric stays with us during the Mass and subsequent week, to remind us of what we strive to overcome.

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have voted to change the English Mass phrasing of, “through my own fault”, to, “My fault, my fault, my most grievous fault”, to better reflect the Latin Mass phrasing, but this has not yet reached our churches. Keep the accompanying rubric in mind, however, even before encountering the revised phrasing.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

Musica Sacra

2008-07-03T22:15:00.005-05:00

"An authentic updating of sacred music can take place only in the lineage of the great tradition of the past, of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony" (Pope Benedict XVI, June 24, 2006)

[Polyphony] O magnum mysterium- Tomás Luis de Victoria

Sheet Music found at: http://wso.williams.edu/cpdl/sheet/victoria/vict-om1.pdf

[Polyphony] Ave Maria

Sheet Music found at: http://wso.williams.edu/cpdl/sheet/victoria/vic-ave1.pdf

Q: Does chant have to be in Latin?

A: When the Church speaks of Gregorian chant, she means Latin chant. Latin is especially preferred because it is the language of the Church. It is the language in which the chant was composed, and the chant melodies are constructed around the accentuation, phrasing, and articulation of the Latin text.

Other forms of plainsong do not have to be in Latin, and most vernacular languages can be used in chantlike styles. Indeed, it can be useful and feasible to chant some liturgical texts in the vernacular. But such a project has limits. Chant adaptation requires changing familiar words to fit the music, or modifying the music to fit vernacular texts. One might question the usefulness of such an exercise. The purpose of liturgy is not purely pedagogical, else the entire liturgy could be written in the style of a newspaper article.

The purpose of sacred liturgy is far deeper and more complex: it is to draw us out of time and place so that we might more clearly perceive eternal mysteries. The liturgy is not primarily a teaching session but rather “an encounter between Christ and the Church… The preparation of hearts is the joint work of the Holy Spirit and the assembly, especially of its ministers. The grace of the Holy Spirit seeks to awaken faith, conversion of heart, and adherence to the Father’s will” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1097–8). The relative remoteness and changelessness of the Latin language, especially when united to the chant with its purity of form, helps to realize this encounter by leading us away from the ordinary and toward the transcendent.

Q: What is polyphony and what makes it specially suited to liturgy?

A: Polyphony literally means many voices. Polyphonic music has two or more voice parts that move independently (or contrapuntally) to weave a musical fabric. The term generally applies to sacred vocal music from the late Middle Ages through the Renaissance. Polyphonic music occasionally sounds chordal (or homophonic), but the contrapuntal style is generally distinguished from the homophonic style in its approach to harmony. In homophony, chords are presupposed, and voice parts are written chiefly to fit into a chord. In counterpoint, voice parts are written more as individual melodies, with chords resulting from the simultaneous tones of the independent lines. This emphasis on the individual vocal lines shows the influence of chant, from which polyphony grew organically. The “golden age” of sacred polyphony lasted from about 1400 until 1650, but composers of later eras continued to favor the contrapuntal style, especially when writing for the church.

Q: Aren’t chant and polyphony too hard for regular parishes?

A: As with any art, sacred music ranges from very simple to very complex. From the earliest days of the Church, congregations have sung the simpler chant melodies. Collections like the Liber Cantualis (published by Abbey of Solesmes) and Jubilate Deo of Paul VI (1974) contain chants that everyone can sing. At the same time, the fullness of the Gregorian repertoire, consisting of several thousand chants for every purpose, requires experience, practice, and often a high level of mastery. The same is true of sacred polyphony. Many congregations can sing four-part hymns, but more complex contrapuntal pieces require a well-trained choir to sing on behalf of the praying community.

For hundreds of years, parishes around the world have fostered choirs and promoted choral singing. To ensure the preservation of the Church’s treasury of sacred music, the Council insisted that choirs “must be diligently developed” (¶114). While professionals can greatly enhance performances of sacred polyphony, nothing prevents amateurs from singing this music, and even directing it, if necessary. It can be hard work, and demands more of performers and listeners than popular styles. But only the best is good enough for the God we worship.

Full text of the "Frequently Asked Questions On Sacred Music": http://www.musicasacra.com/pdf/smfaq.pdf

Sacred Music Colloquium XVIII (Loyola University, Chicago, June 16-22, 2008)

2008-07-01T17:48:00.000-05:00

Fr. Robert Pasley, KHS, of the Diocese of Camden,

singing the Tonus Solemnior at Thursday's Mass at the CMAA colloquium.

1. Very Insightful Articles on Sacred Music and Liturgy:

+ Gregorian Chant as a Paradigm by William Mahrt

+ On Music in Catholic Worship by William Mahrt

+ On Wings of Song by William Mahrt

William Mahrt is Associate Professor of Music at Stanford University, President of the Church Music Assocation of America, and editor of Sacred Music.

+ Stanford professor's Palo Alto choir keeps Gregorian chant alive (San Francisco Chronicles, Sunday, December 23, 2007)

2. A wonderful lecture on Sacred Music:

+ "The Success of St. John Cantius" by Fr. Frank Phillips, the pastor of St. John Cantius, Chicago.

3. Audio Files of Gregorian Chant and Polyphony

sung at the Sacred Music Colloquium XVIII (June 16-22, 2008)

+ O Salutaris by William Byrd, directed by Jenny Donelson

+ Requiem Graduale, Mahrt's choir

+ Prelude to Holy Hour, Messaien, Le Banquet Celeste, played by David Hughes

+ Litany of Loreto for Holy Hour

+ Tu Es Petrus by Palestrina, directed by Horst Buchholz

+ Messiaen, played by David Hughes

+ Tu solus qui facis mirabilia, Josquin, directed by William Mahrt

+ Urbs Beata Jerusalem, Lassus, directed by Wilko Brouwers, organ improvisation by David Hughes

+ Introit: Dilexisti justitiam, Mode VIII, directed by William Mahrt, preceded by organ improvisation by David Hughes

+ Gradual: Specie tua, Mode V, directed by Scott Turkington

+ Gospel in Latin as chanted by Fr. Robert Pasley, new chaplain of the CMAA Fr. Pasley's Tonus Solemnior

+ Ave Maria, Bruckner, Sunday final Mass, directed by Horst Buchholz

About the Latin Mass: The Procession

2008-05-31T08:29:00.001-05:00

During the procession at the start of the Latin Mass, which is initiated by the ringing of bells, the priest in persona Christi carries the primary items necessary for the Holy Eucharist. It is an immediate reminder to us as Catholics that we come to know Christ our High Priest, Temple, and Eternal Sacrifice not only in Word but also in Sacrament.

The priest holds in one hand a consecrated chalice of gold or gilded silver. Draped over the chalice is a white purificator, later used wipe away the Precious Blood. The water and wine are brought forth in cruets separately during the offertory.

Lying on the purificator is a paten holding the host. This and other hosts, which have already been placed on the altar in a ciborium, will become Christ upon the altar. The paten and host are covered by a white pall, to preserve and to keep out impurity, and are also covered by a silk veil, colored to match the season within the liturgical year.

Lying on top of the veil, held in place from above by the priest’s other hand, is a burse containing a white corporal, which is unfolded and placed on the altar to contain any Fragments which may fall from the Blessed Host during Mass. The corporal is later carefully refolded by the priest to retain all Fragments. The sacristan washes the purificator and the corporal following Mass, and returns all from this cleaning directly to the earth, so that nothing is lost.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

Holy Communion during Papal Mass on Corpus Christi

2008-05-30T22:43:00.006-05:00

"Kneeling in adoration before the Lord" is "the most valuable and radical remedy against the idolatries of yesterday and today... Kneeling before the Eucharist is a profession of freedom: those who bow to Jesus cannot and must not prostrate themselves before any earthly authority, however powerful. We Christians kneel only before God or before the Most Blessed Sacrament because we know and believe that the one true God is present in it, the God who created the world and so loved it that he gave his Only Begotten Son (cf. Jn 3: 16). " (Benedict XVI, May 22, 2008)

Full text of the homily can be found at:
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/or/or_eng/text.html

About the Latin Mass: The Beginning and the End

2008-05-09T12:20:00.000-05:00

The biggest difference you’ll find between the English Mass and the Latin Mass occurs at the beginning and at the end of Mass. The Latin Mass is framed at the beginning and at the end by the “Introibo ad altare Dei” – I will go to the altar of God, and the “Last Gospel” – actually a reading of the beginning of the Gospel of John.

The idea as written in Psalm 42/43 is presented by the priest at the foot of the altar, which is to go to the altar of God, who brings the joy of our youth, a time when we were innocent, happy, and not yet fully aware of our sinful nature and mature sin. In maturity, this is what we seek to overcome and return to, with the help of God.

Psalm 42 of the Old Testament is also searching for the light and truth to come into the world. This is shown to be fulfilled in Christ Jesus at the end of Mass in the reading of John – the light and truth has come in the Word made Flesh - although the world did not recognize Him. Note that everyone genuflects at the words “And the Word was made Flesh”.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.

Priestly Fraternity To Distribute Free Copies of New Latin Mass DVD

2008-05-02T20:36:00.005-05:00

2-May-2008 -- Catholic News Agency

Priestly Fraternity To Distribute Free Copies of New Latin Mass DVD

Introduction of the DVD

by Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, President of Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei

Denton, NE, May 2, 2008 (CNA).- The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), in cooperation with EWTN, will soon release an instructional video on the 1962 Latin Mass. A free copy will be available to any priest or seminarian who reserves the video on its web site.

The video includes over three hours of footage on two DVD discs, giving a step-by-step explanation and demonstration of the Low Mass in the Extraordinary Form. The production includes multiple appendices with instructions on the general principles of gesture and movement, as well as commonly encountered variations in the elements of the Mass.

Also featured is a real-time demonstration of the Mass, which is viewable from multiple camera angles on demand. A spiritual commentary on the Mass, as well as an explanation from an FSSP priest on the liturgical principles of the Extraordinary Form are also included.

Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Ecclesia Dei Commission, provides an introduction for the DVD. The Ecclesia Dei Commission is tasked with the implementation of Pope Benedict’s Motu Proprio on the 1962 Latin Mass.

In the cardinal’s introduction, he explains that Pope Benedict XVI hoped to foster a “spiritual and theological richness” by promoting wider use of the Mass of St. Pius V through the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.

The cardinal also emphasized that this Mass was a universal gift.

“All this liturgical richness, all this spiritual richness, and all the prayers so well-preserved during the centuries, all of this is offered by the Rome of today for all. As a gift for all, it is not a gift merely for the so-called traditionalists. No, it is a gift for the whole Catholic Church,” Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos said.

The “sacred silence” and contemplation of the ancient rite, the cardinal said, “makes present the Lord Jesus in an expression of rich liturgical beauty, as the conqueror of death and sin… this rite brought unity to the faith and became the single expression through which the Church adores God.”

The cardinal said that parishes and priests should make available the Extraordinary Form so that “everyone may have access to this treasure of the ancient liturgy of the Church.” He also stressed that, “even if it is not specifically asked for, or requested” it should be provided. Interestingly, he added that the Pope wants this Mass to become normal in parishes, so that “young communities can also become familiar with this rite.”

The DVD has also been reviewed by Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli, Chairman of the Committee for Divine Worship of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Priests and seminarians can reserve a copy of the DVD at http://www.fsspdvd.com/.

Versus Deum (Ad Orientem) - Benedict XVI

2008-05-01T12:13:00.005-05:00

Pope celebrates Mass ad orientem, speaks on Baptism

Vatican, Jan. 14, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) baptized 13 infants, the children of Vatican employees, in keeping with a Vatican tradition on the feast of the Baptism of Christ.

The Holy Father used the ad orientem posture, facing in the same direction as the congregation, using the magnificent altar of the Sistine Chapel rather than portable altar that had been set up in previous years. This provoked widespread comment, with many journalists reporting that the Pope had revived an old liturgical tradition. (In fact, the ad orientem posture was never abolished.)

Msgr. Guido Marini, the new master of ceremonies for papal liturgies, said that the traditional posture was used to emphasize the "beauty and harmony of this architectural masterpiece," as it was originally designed for liturgical ceremonies. He noted in a public statement that in celebrating ad orientem, the Pope was not breaking with existing practice but "making use of a possibility contemplated by liturgical norms." Still the Pontiff's return to a traditional practice revived rumors that Pope Benedict will soon celebrate a public Mass using the "extraordinary form"-- the traditional Latin Mass.

The Pope baptized 8 girls and 5 boys at the January 13 ceremony. (One of the boys was named John Paul.) In his homily he reminded the parents and godparents that in Baptism the child enters "into a personal relationship with the Creator, and this lasts forever."

"It is for this reason that Christian parents bring their children to the baptismal font as soon as possible," the Holy Father continued; "knowing that the life they have communicated to them invokes a fullness, a salvation, that only God can give." By having their children baptized promptly, he said, "the parents become God's collaborators, transmitting to their children not only physical but also spiritual life."

"Unfortunately," the Pontiff continued, "man is capable of extinguishing this new life through sin." For other animals, death means only the end of life, the Pope observed. But for humans "sin creates an abyss which risks swallowing us up forever." Christ went into that abyss himself, he said, to give mankind the opportunity to escape it.

Later on Sunday, at his midday Angelus audience, Pope Benedict reflected on the Baptism of Christ, noting that the event marked the beginning of Christ's public life. "By having Himself baptized by John together with sinners, Jesus began to take upon Himself the burden of sin of all humanity," he said.

The Pope continued: "The whole of Christ's mission may be summed up in this way: Baptism in the Holy Spirit to free us from the slavery of death and open us to heaven-- in other words ... to true and full life."

FSSP Silent Contemplative Retreat

2008-04-27T17:21:00.004-05:00

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola
The First Week

A Silent Contemplative Retreat

For Men – June 12 – 15, 2008
For Women – June 19 – 22, 2008

Retreatmaster - Fr. James B. Buckley, F. S. S. P.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary
7880 West Denton Road
Denton, Nebraska 68339
402-797-7700

Link to Schedule

Link to Application

Limit is 30 participants.
Please check with Geoffrey Coleman at the seminary for availability before applying.

NATIVITY ORGANIST NEEDED AND LAITY CHOIR FORMING

2008-04-05T15:00:00.000-05:00

Church of the Nativity is in need of an organist to help the cantor lead the music for the Traditional Latin Mass.

Also, choir practice will begin April 13 at 10:10 AM after Mass in the front chapel, and continue as announced, to prepare for a Missa Cantata on Trinity Sunday May 18, and in order to form a new choir. All new members from the laity are welcome!

Sacred Music Colloquium XVIII

2008-04-03T14:31:00.007-05:00

Sacred Music Colloquium XVIII

Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois

June 16-22, 2008

"Seven Days of Musical Heaven"

Sponsored by the Church Music Association of America

Extensive training in Gregorian chant and the Renaissance choral tradition under a world-class faculty
You can choose between a chant fundamentals class, two intermediate and two advanced chant classes
Choral experience with one of four large choirs singing sacred music of the masters such as Palestrina, Isaac, Victoria, Byrd, Tallis, Josquin, and many others
Daily liturgies with careful attention to officially prescribed musical settings

These are the videos featuring scenes from last year’s event.

For further information, click on the image or the link.

Traditional Latin Catholic Mass: Easter Sunday

2008-03-30T14:43:00.000-05:00

filmed at Our Lady of Sorrows Church

Chicago, 1941

narrated by

Rt. Rev. Mgs. Fulton J. Sheen

Homeschool Conference March 14-15, 2008

2008-03-09T14:56:00.004-05:00

Traditional Catholic Priest Featured at Conference:

Please mark your calendars and attend the 9th annual homeschool conference featuring Fr. Chad Ripperger,FSSP, PhD. I am confident that you will thoroughly enjoy his talks on "A Return to Reverence", "Dangers of Modern Psychology", and "Common Pitfalls of Catholic Parents". He has taught at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Nebraska and is a frequent contributor to Latin Mass Magazine.

I beg you to show your support of this traditional priest so that we will have momentum to get more traditional priests like him here in Memphis in the future!

Blessings in Our Lady,
Julie Crowell

There is a link to the brochure below:

http://www.blessedsacramenthomeschool.org/07-conference/2008-brochure1-28.pdf

Please contact Julie Crowell (crowell7@msn.com) for more information or for registration.

Building a Catholic Culture

2007-10-23T06:32:00.000-05:00

Recovering subtle signs of our Catholic Identity!
10/22/2007 - PST

By Hugh McNichol
Op/Ed

Growing up in a Roman Catholic, inner-city parish of Saint Gabriel really left little room to think of expressing one’s Catholic identity on a regular basis. For the most part, we didn’t even know there was anything other than Catholicism out there as a means of religious expressionism. Of course, once in a while we would try to get into the local John Chambers Presbyterian Church…to see what it looked like, or maybe even an excursion into the Greek Orthodox Church at 28th and Snyder, but that was about it.

The ethnically insulated parish of Saint Gabriel was especially protective of our unique Catholic identity and we expressed that identity on a daily basis even if we did not realize it. Let me give you a few “Catholic-isms” that pervaded our neighborhood. Of course on Fridays, throughout the whole year the fragrances of flounder and other fish by-products, usually Mrs.Pauls could be orafactorilly noticed throughout all of Gray’s Ferry, the fast before the reception of Holy Communion was observed before Sunday Masses(hence the large participation in the 6:30 am Mass), Catholic uniforms dominated the scene every day in Saint Gabriel’s School, every night Catholic sporting events came to an instant conclusion at the ringing of the Angelus and visiting other local Catholic churches was just about as ecumenical as we would dare to go!

Catholic identity is not just part of parochial life in the 1960’s and 1970’s it is really an indoctrination into every aspect of life without question. Expressions of Catholic identity were everywhere, when people walked past the front of the Church, they sometimes genuflected or blessed themselves, grade school boys and girls wore the Rosary on the belts of their pants and school uniforms, Marian statues poked their images of the Mother of God through lace curtains and immaculately clean front windows. Perhaps a lot of this recollection is nostalgia for a Catholic existence that is no longer around…much like the quaint Ireland of John Wayne’s; The Quiet Man is gone forever as well. However my point is simply this…there was nothing wrong with our neighborhood recognitions of our uniquely Catholic and Irish identities on our parish level.

There was always something uniquely reassuring about being Catholic, in a neighborhood that is missing from my modern Catholic parish. Perhaps it is the slower pace of neighborhood living. We walked to school, walked to church and for recreation played sports on the neighborhood gridiron and baseball diamond. There are some people in Gray’s Ferry that never even learned how to drive, because the entire essence of their earthly existence was in the parish Church and neighborhood. Maybe the evolution from a neighborhood parochial system to the sprawling suburban parish complex is part of the blame for the erosion of visible Catholic identity over the past 50 years. Whatever has caused the Catholic individual to loose self identity or religious expressionism needs a serious reconsideration in our modern parish Catholic cultures.

Spiritual exercises like the May Procession, which marched all over the neighborhood is something we as Catholics need to reconstitute in our parish experiences. Catholic pride and the resurgence of such pride might be the key to 21st century evangelization and the acceptance of Catholic moral and ethical teachings. The Gospel message stands alone as the true content of Catholic social teaching and religious evangelization, however a little old fashioned Catholic expressions of faith cannot hurt either.

Perhaps our Catholic parish communities can start with little things to encourage a revitalization of Catholic public and internal identity. Lets start with recognition of the sacred nature of our liturgical assemblies, and understand that Catholic Mass is a transcendent interaction with our Eternal God, not a mere communal social gathering…but an expression of Divine Presence among us. A restoration of sacred signs and symbols and actions such as dressing appropriately in Church, genuflecting in reverence of the Blessed Sacrament, participation in the Eucharistic Liturgy and the common applications of Catholic love and courtesy in all aspects of our lives would be an appropriate beginning to a Catholic evangelization of the entire world.

Little things such as observance of Holy Days of Obligation, Fridays of fast and abstinence, Eucharistic adoration, May processions and similar actions not only enhanced Catholic religious identity in the 20th century it solidified our common Catholic beliefs as a Sacramental People imbued with a unique religious identity and dignity that makes all of us proud to be Catholic.

While the days of parochial schools and isolated ethnic neighborhoods are part of the passage of American Catholic history, some aspects of this cultural anomaly are well worth reviving and remembering. Neighborhoods like Saint Gabriel’s in Grays Ferry nurtured Catholic identity not because Catholic ideals and lifestyles were forced on the parishioners…they nurtured our Catholic identity because we were uniquely proud of our Catholic faith and Irish heritage.

As part of Catholic renewal and evangelization in the 21st century let’s impart a bit of South Philly Catholicism to all of our children and neighbors and show them clearly that being Catholic is a proud theological tradition that deserves emulation and modern participation. Don’t be afraid to show your Catholicity, order the fish on Fridays, go to Mass on a daily basis, vote in elections with Catholic morality in mind and remember all of the Catholic niceties that Sister Mary taught you when Catholic parochialism was the only …ism you have ever known.

Contact: TriNet Technologies Consultants Inc
http://graysferrygrapevine.blogspot.com DE, US
Hugh McNichol - Author, 302-6339348

Only in Hollywood: Chance meeting after Mass leads to 'Bella'

2007-10-22T20:12:00.000-05:00

Link

By Paula Doyle

The back story of Metanoia Films, opening its first feature film, "Bella," nationwide Oct. 26, could be called The Miracle on Bedford Drive.

That's where former 20th Century Fox entertainment lawyer Leo Severino met Mexican pop singer/telenovela soap opera star Eduardo Verastegui --- outside Good Shepherd Church in Beverly Hills after attending mid-week Mass in 2004.

Severino, 35, couldn't help but notice Verastegui, 33. Besides being the only other young person at church, he was unabashedly devout, praying after Mass with head bowed and raised hand touching the church's indoor statue of Christ near a side exit.

"I was really moved by that," said Severino, who was struggling to reconcile his Catholic faith and new job responsibilities requiring that he draw up contracts for programs "not exactly what the Blessed Mother would be watching on her television.

"I was going to daily Mass just praying for deliverance and guidance from the Lord. I didn't know it was going to come in the shape of a 6-foot-1-inch, ridiculously good-looking Mexican superstar," said Severino. Not wanting to interrupt Verastegui during his private devotions after Mass, he passed by without saying a word on his way out to the parking lot.

He did the same thing a couple of weeks later, but rolled down his car window to exchange introductions with the mystery man as he walked in front of Severino's car. Even though Severino is the U.S.-born child of Colombian parents, and a fluent Spanish speaker, he didn't recognize the actor because he never watched Spanish television.

It wasn't until he returned to work and looked Verastegui's name up on the Internet that he discovered he had just met the "Brad Pitt of Latin America" --- a former Mexican pop singing sensation and a Spanish soap opera star on the verge of making it big in American films. At this seemingly storied time in this life, however, Verastegui was also at a personal crossroads.

"He had been going through a lot in his life," said Severino. "After 12 years of a career, he found himself empty and broken. He had achieved everything that most people would want: fame, money, power, all the women in the world, selling out soccer stadiums with screaming girls. That sort of thing."

While studying English for a part in the American film, "Chasing Papi," Verastegui was challenged by his tutor, a devout Catholic woman, who asked, "If you love God, why do you still offend him?" It was a defining, "St. Paul-getting- knocked-down-moment," according to Severino.

Soon after, Verastegui went to confession to a priest in Los Angeles, Legionarie of Christ Father Juan Rivas, and started daily Mass attendance. He was thinking about giving up his career and making a mission trip to the jungles of Brazil.

Father Rivas pointed out that Hollywood is an even bigger jungle that needed Verastegui in it. The priest assured the actor that God would send him like-minded people. "When he and I met, it was like two pieces of a puzzle," said Severino.

Stunning family and friends, Severino quit his lucrative corporate job soon after meeting Verastegui, who had already decided to form a film company with award-winning filmmaker, Alejandro Monteverde, 30, a Mexican native and graduate from the University of Texas film school. Severino became a third partner and producer, in charge of business affairs, for the fledgling film company.

Papal blessing

In November of 2004, just as their pooled finances began to run out with no investor prospects in sight, the partners were invited by Father Rivas to meet Pope John Paul II. Verastegui bent down to kiss the Holy Father's hand and John Paul II gave them an extended blessing.

Within ten days of returning to Los Angeles, the phone rang. Sean Wolfington, an Internet marketing entrepreneur and financier who had provided some digital marketing assistance to Steve McEveety, a producer of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," had heard about the young Catholic filmmakers while visiting Los Angeles.

The trio took a meeting with Wolfington, who flew them to Philadelphia to meet his uncle/partner Eustace. Impressed with the young men's passion to make movies that entertain, engage and inspire, the Wolfingtons made a commitment to fund Metanoia Films and underwrite its first film project, "Bella," without seeing a script. "It was an incredible leap of faith," said Severino.

Inspired by real-life events, "Bella" tells the story of a group of Spanish-speaking immigrants in New York City who befriend a young struggling pregnant waitress. Verastegui plays the lead character, José, and Emmy Award winner Tammy Blanchard plays the waitress, Nina.

"The life of Nina is based on one of my best friends," said Monteverde, the film's director who wrote "Bella's" first draft in a mix of Spanish and English. "She didn't have a José in her life, so I always wondered, what would happen if a broken soul had somebody to guide her? And that's how I created the film."

"Bella" was shot on a movie budget shoe string compared to most studio films. The movie was filmed in 23 days, with no financial margin for re-takes. "It was like bungie jumping every single day," said Monteverde, whose wife, actress Ali Landry plays "Celia," a young mother in the film. Recently, the Monteverdes welcomed the birth of their first child, Estela, named after Alejandro's grandmother.

Many of "Bella's" characters are based on Alejandro's family and friends in Mexico. José has two brothers in the film, as does Alejandro in real life, and the father's character in the film is modeled on the director's own father. Among the laugh-generating lines in the script was a similar oft-repeated saying by Alejandro's father to his mother: "I always have the last word, and it's 'Whatever you want my love.'"

"There are so many more laughs than we wrote in the script, so many more tears," said Severino, who recently returned from a 16-city trip in 19 days speaking before advance screening audiences in a grass roots campaign to promote the film which won the 2006 Toronto Film Festival People's Choice Award.

The romantic drama about people's capacity for love in the face of unexpected challenges has received endorsements from the U.S. bishops, the Knights of Columbus and pro-life groups around the country. In a letter written on behalf of "Bella" from Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali and San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer, the movie was called "inspiring."

"[Bella] tells how the unconditional love of a friend allows a woman in crisis to make life-affirming choices for herself and her child. As chairs of the Committees for Communications and Pro-Life Activities, we encourage you to promote this movie's life-affirming and hope-filled message," state the prelates.

As the film's Oct. 26 nationwide opening in 32 markets rapidly approaches, Metanoia's producing and marketing team of mostly 20- and 30-something young adults is holding its collective breath. If the film holds its own at the box office, "Bella" is scheduled to expand to additional cities after week two. Plans are for the movie to be released in Mexico in December.

"We're waiting to see what God has in store for us," said Monteverde. "Our hope is that we can make more films like this, because [these movies] bring people to a place of redemption."

A review of "Bella" will appear in The Tidings Oct. 26. For information on where Bella is playing, log on to www.bellathemovie.com.

Newsletter - October 2007

2007-10-18T10:50:00.000-05:00

Enjoy.

Download Here.

Person in Need

2007-10-17T13:36:00.000-05:00

Father Bravata has forwarded an e-mail concerning a lady who lives in Germantown, and who has a desire to attend the Tridentine Mass each Sunday. While we do not know much by way of details, she lives near Cameron-Brown Park, off Farmington Road, and does not have access to regular transportation.

If anyone feels that they could assist this lady, please respond to either Father Bravata or Mr. Hunter, to arrange contact. It is believed she is indifferent as to which of our chapels she attends, only that she wishes to attend Mass in the Extraordinary Form, but has no means of getting there. It would seem that, once again, our Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven, is looking to us to assist someone in getting to Mass. We continue to be blessed.

In amoris Reginae Caeli,

-Mr. William Hunter

Sunday, 21 October - No Mass at Church of Nativity

2007-10-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

Due to Father Morgera's involvement with Retrouvaille, Mass in the Extraordinary Form will not be celebrated this upcoming weekend. Father Bravata will be celebrating Mass at Blessed Sacrament will still be held at 8:30 am.

Catholic League warns of "Atheism for kids" movie, book series

2007-10-17T11:44:00.000-05:00

New York, Oct 11, 2007 / 11:00 am (CNA).- A new movie starring Nicole Kidman will belittle Catholicism and promote atheism to children, warned Catholic League President Bill Donohue.

The movie The Golden Compass is being produced by New Line Cinema and Scholastic Entertainment. It is based on the first volume of the His Dark Materials trilogy of books, written by the militant English atheist Philip Pullman.

“Atheism for kids. That is what Philip Pullman sells," said Mr. Donohue.

He continued: "The trilogy, His Dark Materials, was written to promote atheism and denigrate Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism. The target audience is children and adolescents. Each book becomes progressively more aggressive in its denigration of Christianity and promotion of atheism."

Mr. Donohue cautioned that a watered-down version of the film will deceive people into buying the books for children. "The movie is bait for the books," he said. "To be specific, if unsuspecting Christian parents take their children to see the movie, they may very well find it engaging and then buy Pullman’s books for Christmas."

The Catholic League is conducting a nationwide two-month protest of Pullman's books. It has also prepared a booklet titled "The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked" for those concerned about the movie. Its website is http://www.catholicleague.org

Full Article can be found here.

Susan G Komen links with Planned Parenthood

2007-10-17T11:19:00.000-05:00

Subject: Statement from the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis Regarding Susan G Komen for the Cure

Archdiocese of St. Louis
Position Statement on Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Issued 7 June 2006; revised 29 March 2007

The Respect Life Apostolate of the Archdiocese of St. Louis acknowledges the beneficial work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, in the area of breast cancer detection, prevention, research and treatment. Due to its policy allowing affiliates to offer financial support to abortion providing facilities and its endorsement of embryonic stem cell research, the Respect Life Apostolate neither supports nor encourages participation in activities that benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

This position is based on the following facts:

1. Public records indicate that Susan G. Komen for the Cure ("Komen") affiliates in at least 22 states (Missouri is not among them) have provided sizable grants to local Planned Parenthood chapters for breast health care services.1

Despite Komen donations for breast health care services, Planned Parenthood (the largest single abortion provider in the country) stated in its 2004-2005 annual report that 9,900 more abortions were performed and 26,000 fewer breast exams were provided in 2004 than in 2003. 2

Donors cannot control how an organization designates its funds. Therefore, money donated for a specific service, i.e. breast health care, directly frees up funds to support other areas of an organization’s agenda, i.e. contraception services, “safe” sex education and abortion services.

2. The Komen website dismisses the link between procured abortion and increased risk of breast cancer.3 However, the research of Joel Brind, Ph.D., a professor of Endocrinology and founder of the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, and the work of Dr. Janet Daling,4 a leading cancer epidemiologist and pro-choice advocate, invalidate a dismissal of the link. Daling said, “I would have loved to have found no association between breast cancer and abortion, but our research is rock solid, and our data is accurate. It’s not a matter of believing, it’s a matter of what is.”5

3. Komen endorses embryonic stem cell research that requires the destruction of embryonic human life, stating that “embryonic stem cells…have the most potential” for cancer stem cell research.6 The destruction of human life at any stage of development is never morally acceptable. Embryonic stem cell research is also unnecessary since adult stem cell research has a proven record of cures and treatments.

Based on these documented facts, the Respect Life Apostolate (RLA) does not endorse Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The RLA encourages you to contact Susan G. Komen for the Cure (5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250 Dallas, TX 75244) and call for an end to all associations between Komen affiliates and Planned Parenthood, recognition of the link between breast cancer and abortion, and a refusal to support research that leads to the destruction of any human life. Our hope is that the Komen Foundation will focus all funds on research to find causes and cures for breast cancer and refuse to give financial or other support to any abortion provider or organization that promotes the destruction of human life.

Rather than supporting any Komen fundraising, the Respect Life Apostolate encourages you to direct your donations to the following local hospitals that provide breast cancer services and patient support groups:

St. John’s Mercy Medical Center
Mail to: SJMMC Donations
12800 Corporate Hill Drive
St. Louis, MO 63131
Check: David C. Pratt Cancer Center
Memo: Breast Cancer Development

St. Mary’s Health Center
Mail to: St. Mary’s Health Center Foundation
6420 Clayton Road
St. Louis, MO 63117
Check: St. Mary’s Health Center Foundation
Memo: Empower and Engage Breast Cancer Program (patient support)

DePaul Health Center
Mail to: DePaul Foundation
12303 DePaul Drive
Bridgeton, MO 63044
Check: DePaul Health Center
Memo: Breast Cancer Programs

SSM St. Joseph Health Center
Mail to: St. Joseph Health Center
Foundation Office
300 First Capitol Drive
St. Charles, MO 63301
Check: St. Joseph Health Center Foundation
Memo: Breast Cancer Programs

St. Anthony’s Medical Center
Mail to: St. Anthony’s Medical Center – Cancer Center
10010 Kennerly Road
St. Louis, MO 63128
Check: St. Anthony’s Cancer Center
Memo: designate for breast cancer research or patient support services

________________________________________

1 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation & Planned Parenthood: The Visible Link. Right to Life of Indianapolis, August 2005.

2 Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (2007). 2004-2005 Annual Report. Retrieved March 27, 2007 from <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/PPFA/report-05.pdf>

3 see "Factors That Do Not Increase Risk of Breast Cancer." Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 27 March 2007. <http://cms.komen.org/Komen/AboutBreastCancer/AbcFactorsNotRelatedtoRisk>.

4 see Daling JR, Malone KE, Voigt LF, White E, Weiss NS, Risk of breast cancer among young women: relationship to induced abortion., Journal of the National Cancer Institute 86: 21, 1584-92, Nov 2, 1994.

5 "The Cover Up." Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer. 27 March 2007. <http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/coverup3.htm>.

6 “Cancer Stem Cell Research Shows Promise.” Frontline: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s Newsletter. (Fall 2006). 29 March 2007 <http://cms.komen.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/komen_document/006137.pdf>.

Public Square Rosary - 13 October 2007

2007-10-11T07:18:00.000-05:00

Announcing the 2007...

Public Square Rosary

Your future is clouded by Terrorism. Abortion. Same-sex "marriage." Depression. Suicide. Crime. Corruption. Broken families. God's law is transgressed. Blasphemy is rampant. What is the solution to so many problems?

At Fatima, Portugal, the Mother of God asked us to pray the Rosary, do penance, and amend our lives. Did we listen? Not really. Let's start a new moral crusade. Take the Rosary off the rearview mirror and start praying. It's time for a Public Square Rosary Campaign.

Come and pray the Rosary. Let's honor the 90th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima's apparition, 1917-2007. Remember: There will be no peace in our lives or in society unless we honor God and obey His law.

What: Public Square Rosary
Where: St Ann Church in Bartlett
(in parking lot on Stage Road)
When: Saturday Oct 13, 2007
12noon-2pm
Other: Bring chairs, blanket & umbrellas if necessary

For more information, contact: John Vetter
email johnv"at"deltadatainc.com Telephone Number 1-901-283-2760

Coordinated nationally by Tradition Family Property and its America Needs Fatima Campaign
Email: publicrosary@tfp.org
www.tfp.org
Phone: 1-866-584-6012

PLEASE, DRESS MODESTLY

How to Say the Rosary in Latin

2007-10-11T07:03:00.001-05:00

Saying the Rosary daily with your family is a great devotion that unites you will many other Catholic families. You can also learn to say the Rosary in Latin as well. Pope Benedict XVI has said that all Catholics should know some of the basic prayers in the official language of the Church. Here is a great way to start.

"How to Say the Rosary in Latin"

Altar Boy Training

2007-10-10T08:27:00.000-05:00

Altar boy training will begin Wednesday, November 7th, from 5.30 to 6.30 at Blessed Sacrament Church (Map). Interested boys should be of at least 8 years in age and have received their First Communion. Interested fathers are also encouraged to learn.

Becoming an altar boy takes considerable study and dedication. Accordingly training sessions will continue on a regular basis until the entire class masters their latin responses and necessary rubrics. That being said, all boys can and do learn to serve properly with the right mindset. Questions can be left in the comments below. Those interested should email crabstu@msn.com.

Back In Print

2007-10-06T08:46:00.000-05:00

Dr. John Senior (1923-1999), a devout follower of the Traditional Mass, was a well known Catholic professor and thinker of international reputation. He authored The Way Down and Out (1959), The Death of Christian Culture (1978), The Restoration of Christian Culture (1983), Pale Horse, Easy Rider (1992), and The Idea of a School (1994).

Of those works, The Restoration of Christian Culture has been a very popular book since its initial printing with Ignatius in 1983. Unfortunately, now long out of print it has been very difficult to obtain this landmark writing which has been described as "everything you need to know about restoring integrity and substance to bland, decadent post modern existence". However, it is now available again. Fiercely Catholic and unapologetic, Dr. Senior offers blunt commentary based upon traditional Catholic thought of how one should combat the challenges of modernity. See here for details.

Details on purchasing provided for information purposes only. REGINA CÆLI Latin Mass Community is not affiliated nor in business with the publisher.

Opportunity Knocks

2007-10-02T23:16:00.000-05:00

+J.M.J+

It should be noted that on a Sunday in October (I do not recall which), Father Morgera will be involved in one of his “retrouvaille” weekends. It is shown in the bulletin of Blessed Sacrament of this past Sunday, and probably in that of Nativity. Regina Caeli Latin Mass Community will attend Holy Mass on that October Sunday at Blessed Sacrament Church, en masse. In like manner, on Sunday 25 November, Father Bravata will be in Italy, leading a pilgrimage. On that Sunday, Regina Caeli Latin Mass Community will attend Holy Mass at Nativity Church.

By these two examples, we should realize the great gift we have been given, both being examples of the blessings attendant to Summorum Pontificum. Some have bemoaned the fact that our Community has divided into two units of that same Community, but the fact is, we are now blessed beyond what we ever dreamed possible: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Tridentine Rite, celebrated in two parishes, each Sunday! In addition, when one or the other of our chaplains is out of town, or otherwise diverted from us, we now have the built-in ability to attend Holy Mass at our other location! .I see that we will be doing a great many things in communione. It is time for everyone within our Community to realize these blessings in their true light, and stop focusing on the “split” of the Community as being something negative.

Some of us, because of our attachment to our chaplain there, or previous parish mmitments, or convenience, have chosen to attend Holy Mass at Nativity Church. Others, for some of the same reasons, or because their souls are more fulfilled by the traditional atmosphere of Blessed Sacrament, have chosen to move back there, taking advantage of the provisions of the Motu Proprio. Both choices are good. They do bring with them challenges, and opportunity

It should also be pointed out that, at Nativity Church, the Mass is now attended by 50 – 60 souls, while at Blessed Sacrament, always the stepchild of Our Lord, attendance is at about 40. Nativity is a dynamic place. It was doing OK when we got there, and will do fine when we are gone. Our real challenge should be clear. We have been given an opportunity, which I see clearly as a calling, to help Blessed Sacrament, through the Graces gained by the Community and by its efforts, to rebuild parish life at Blessed Sacrament into something more than a stopping-off place for an hour on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, and as a place of worship for ethnic groups, who are there, then gone. If we are to help rebuild Blessed Sacrament, the entire Community will have to be involved, to some extent, and for some of us, to a great extent. At this point, I do not know exactly how we will get it done, only that, if we pray and are willing to work, and if the Holy Ghost wills it, we will be able to do it. But we cannot do it if we fail to see the opportunity in its true context, and to appeal to God the Holy Ghost, through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven, for help in it.

-Mr. William Hunter

Dare to Dream!

2007-10-01T17:17:00.000-05:00

No Pontiff has used the old Missal for 40 years: it could happen on 2 December

Luigi Accattoli

CITTÀ DEL VATICANO – A new direction for culture and rites in the Vatican: Yesterday the Pope nominated Giovanni Maria Vian director of L’Osservatore Romano and consecrated as bishop the Milanese priset Gianfranco Ravasi who will have the role of "minister of culture"; in the next few days there is awaited the nomination of the new "master of ceremonies" to replace Archbishop Piero Marini. After the arrival of the new master of ceremonies it is "probable" that the Pope will celebrate a Mass with the old rite, in St. Peter’s, obviously entirely in Latin: it could happen in 2 December, the first Sunday of Advent.
...
Nothing precise is known about the Pope’s intention to give bishops an "example" of his own choice to use the older rite, byeond the reception of requests of the faithful, as the Motu Proprio he published in July provides. The rumor is circulating both on the lips of those who hope in such a gesture, which says that he would definitively clear "through customs" the old Missal which is still encountering resistance in spite of the recent derestriction; and also among those who fear that the Pope is making the gesture because it would be "another step away from the Council".

"Right now it’s only a rumor", says a monsignor who is neither for or against it, "but everyone is talking about it around here and I believe he is going to do it even if he risks stirring up some polemics, because Catholics who are less than 50 years old have never seen a Pope celebrate Mass with his back to the people and speaking the ‘Eucharistic Prayer’ in a low voice." In the meantime, the ‘court’ which accompanied the Pope in these celebrations was abolished and I really want to see how an old papal Mass would be carried out today!"

Link

Great Interview - Request Widest Dissemination

2007-09-23T12:52:00.000-05:00

Daily Traditional Mass Restored
Diocesan priest speaks out on tradition, the Mass and the Pope's MP

Editor’s Note: We are very pleased to present the following interview of Father John Echert— pastor of the Church of St. Augustine (site of the Indult Mass here in St. Paul/Minneapolis since 1984) and the Church of the Holy Trinity (So. St. Paul). Ever since Pope Benedict XVI released his historic motu proprio in July of this year, we have maintained that not only the prayers of traditional Catholic laypeople have been answered, but also those of countless tradition-minded priests within the diocesan structure of the Church. It is also our contention that a seismic shift in the direction of Tradition is taking place. As persecution of the Church throughout the world becomes imminent, it shouldn’t surprise any Catholic that God in His mercy would allow this dramatic restoration of the Old Mass (even on a daily basis) as part of the process by which we might all strengthen our resolve and prepare our souls for whatever eventuality may be in the offing. Fr. Echert’s courageous compliance with the wishes of the Holy Father is well worth considering and perhaps could be seen as a model for other diocesan priests trying to return to Tradition during these turbulent days in the life of the Church. MJM

Michael Matt: Can you give us some background on your priestly career thus far, i.e., your areas of expertise and maybe a word or two on the apostolates you’ve served?

Fr. John Echert: I was ordained twenty years ago, though my awareness of a vocation to the priesthood goes back about forty-five years (I just turned fifty).

Even as a little boy I knew that I wanted to be a priest, and expressed that dream to my parents and any priest who would listen. Without doubt my vocational awareness was awakened by the traditional form of the Mass, even at that young age. My parents were in the church choir and I have lasting memories of the beautiful music, the smell of incense, and the graceful movements of the priest in the sanctuary. Were it not for those early experiences which occasioned a very strong desire in me to be a priest, I do not know that I would have found sufficient inspiration in subsequent years.

As for my assignments as a priest: after having served three years in a large suburban parish, I was sent away for studies in Sacred Scripture to the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and the Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem, after which I spent a dozen years teaching in my field at the local major seminary and Catholic university. During this period I also served as a Catholic Chaplain in the Air Force Reserves and Air National Guard, and was twice deployed to desert locations in connection with the War in Iraq. Five years ago I began assisting at the local Indult Parish, and a bit over two years ago I was assigned as pastor of two parishes, one of which is that same Indult Parish at which I had assisted.

MJM: So, how is life these days for a tradition-minded priest serving in the military chaplaincy?

Fr. Echert: I have been connected with the military since 1975, at which time I enlisted in the Air Force right out of high school. Years later I received a commission as a Catholic Chaplain. With regard to the issue of serving as a priest in the military, it is not without its complexities. When we are serving our own religious communities we have full freedom to operate as we would with any civilian congregation or individual. But when we function within the context of the broader military community, there are limitations.

Recently, as a response to a Protestant Chaplain who was too evangelical with troops, the military curtailed many aspects of our public function as chaplains. This actually seems preferable to having the troops exposed to evangelization by non-Catholic chaplains and to requiring Catholic chaplains to dumb-down their invocations to the lowest common religious denominator—which is now quite low, given the plurality of religions and chaplains in the military.

The military follows the principle of “religious liberty”: one has the right to any religion, but no religion is favored or excluded—unfortunately! Once in Kuwait I had a Satanist request to use the chapel altar, and in Qatar I had Wickens request religious support. In both cases I did not accommodate them but these are examples of “religious liberty” at its worst. Still, at least one fourth of our military troops identify themselves as Roman Catholics on their dog tags (whether or not they attend Mass), and we represent the largest single religious group. Let me add that with regard to the present situation in Iraq, over time I have reconsidered my position on the war and its aftermath; still, my months of priestly ministry to the troops there were rewarding. As they say, “there are no atheists in foxholes”—or behind sand dunes.

MJM: So, some years ago you began offering the Traditional Mass. Why?

Fr. Echert: I began offering the traditional form of the Mass about five years ago, at a time when there was a need for a priest to assume primary responsibility for the weekly Indult Mass. I had the advantage of college Latin studies and so my language skills were functional. I was encouraged by close traditional friends to learn the Mass and request permission from the local bishop to say the Mass at the Indult parish.

I learned the Mass through videos, attending the Tridentine Mass itself, and with the assistance of a priest friend who was steeped in tradition. For weeks I offered the Mass in private and, once comfortable and after approval, I began offering the weekly Indult Mass. Beyond my love for the traditional language and form of the Mass, I was also becoming more familiar with aspects of traditional thinking, through books and publications (to include The Remnant) and conversations with tradition-minded Catholics.

MJM: In the first sermon you preached after July 7, 2007, you said something that hadn’t, to my knowledge, been considered before: You said it is well within the spirit of Pope Benedict’s motu proprio for a priest to actually initiate with his parishioners the discussion of the benefits of restoring the old Mass. Can you explain?

Fr. Echert: The Holy Spirit works in many ways and through the instrumentality of human beings. If we are called to evangelize the nations with regard to Christ and the Church, it is also legitimate—and imperative, may we say—to evangelize with regard to tradition, including the traditional form of the Mass. In other words, instead of waiting for the Holy Spirit to whisper to the souls of the faithful or for someone to stumble into the world of tradition, should not traditional parish priests be inclined to introduce the souls entrusted to them to the traditional form of the Mass? It seems to me that the allowance of the Holy Father that any priest can privately offer the traditional Mass without restriction, at which the faithful may be present, suggests this as support for this view and even a means to accomplish this end of the evangelization of tradition.

MJM: You recently restored weekday Masses according to the Traditional Rite both in your Indult parish as well as in the other parish (non-traditionalist!) you serve as pastor (thus providing Catholics with daily access to the Traditional Mass). Can you tell me why you took this dramatic step in accord with the MP?

Fr. Echert: The past model for the now defunct Indult system often became the means to contain, control and restrict the traditional Mass and Sacraments—the “leper colony” approach. The new model allows for an expansion of the traditional Mass and Sacraments to any parish or community which desires it, with minimal restrictions (faithful who request it and a priest capable of offering it). While I could have continued with the old model and scheduled all additional traditional Masses at the former Indult parish, I didn’t do that because I see a positive value in introducing this venerable form of the Mass into my other parish as well, with the consequence that more Catholics will have contact with and access to the Tridentine Mass. Again, it is a method of the evangelization of tradition.

Thus, I used the following strategy: in the former Indult parish, I changed some weekday Masses to Tridentine; but in the other parish, I also added some Tridentine Masses to the existing schedule. In both cases, I have heard very few complaints from those accustomed to English Masses only—many of whom are now attending both forms of the Mass and learning more about tradition every day. I suspect that Pope Benedict XVI sees value in having the Novus Ordo and the Tridentine forms of the Mass side-by-side in parishes in order that contact with the traditional Mass by the faithful will eventually lead to a reform of the Mass of Paul VI or a complete return to the traditional form.

MJM: Communion rails are reportedly being reinstalled and table altars permanently removed from some churches that now offer the old Mass around the world (most recently, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin designated St. Kevin's church in Dublin as a chaplaincy where Mass will be celebrated regularly using the 1962 Missal, and the priest in Dublin is now permanently restoring the interior of the church building to accommodate the Traditional Mass.) What are your thoughts on this development and how do you account for such a strong desire among priests to implement Benedict’s MP that they’d voluntarily renovate their sanctuaries to facilitate this initiative?

Fr. Echert: In my own parishes, this is being accomplished even now. In the former Indult parish we have eliminated the free-standing altar completely, even for the Novus Ordo Masses. By the grace of God and with many words, my Parish Council (with only one traditionalist among the dozen members) was recently persuaded of the value of this change. Many parishioners who attend only English Masses urged me to eliminate the free-standing altar, and several guest priests who have assisted us at the English Masses later told me that saying the Mass ad orientem was a most reverent experience for them. In my other parish, which has only now been introduced to the Tridentine Mass, we are presently soliciting funds to restore the Communion Rail that was discarded decades ago. Again, even from among those who are only familiar with English Masses, there are many who support this restoration plan.

Two months ago, I had our parish carpenters rebuild the front steps to the High Altar, which, ironically enough, they were quite happy to do since a previous pastor had long ago directed these same men to remove them.

MJM: On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, you compared the Church’s rediscovery of the traditional Mass to the rediscovery of the true Cross in AD 312. This is a fascinating analogy and I wonder if you would be good enough explain what you mean by it.

Fr. Echert: It is the comparison of something which is most sacred and precious that had been lost—or taken—that has now been restored to its rightful place. In one case it was the most sacred relic of the Church: the True Cross of Christ; in the other case it is the most sacred worship of the Church: the Traditional Mass. Just as our Lord taught in the parables recorded by Saint Luke (chapter fifteen): there should be great cause for rejoicing when that which is lost has been found! In many ways, having been nearly without the traditional form of the Mass for forty years (practically speaking), I anticipate that as this Mass is more widely restored to its rightful place, the faithful will appreciate it all the more—that is the experience of many already.

MJM: Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis was, I believe, the first bishop to introduce daily Masses according to the old Rite after the MP (I’m told he’s now set up a program to teach Latin and the old Rite to the many young priests requesting instruction, as well). Bishop Finn, who himself recently offered the Old Mass in Kansas, also seems to be looking in that direction, as does, obviously, the Archbishop of Dublin, Ireland. Is such a thing possible here in St. Paul, and is there any move to establish traditional personal parishes here?

Fr. Echert: Thus far there has been no official communication to priests in this diocese with regard to the implementation of the motu proprio. I am not complaining about that silence, as it is preferable to other dioceses in which there have been directives which may thwart its implementation. I know of several priests—mostly young—who are interested in learning the Tridentine Mass and hope for opportunities to say it publicly. I have an open invitation to them to offer Mass in my two parishes.

For the short term, then, it appears that in this diocese my parishes will remain the primary parishes to serve traditional faithful, though I know of Catholics in many other parts of the diocese who are requesting the traditional Mass of their pastors. This is the beauty of the motu proprio: it falls to the faithful and pastors (the grass roots) to bring about the resurgence of this Mass, rather than from the top down—which did not work well or at all, in countless dioceses.

As to personal parishes (those which are strictly and fully traditional), I pray that such parishes will be allowed in every diocese and region worldwide. It is a very complicated matter to have a fully functioning mixture of Novus Ordo and Tridentine faithful and Sacraments in the same parish and it would be preferable for both pastor and congregation that there would be exclusively traditional parishes. My hope is that one day I will serve as pastor of such a parish. Locally we have had the support of the Ordinary for a limited use of the Tridentine Mass since the Indult was first granted; pray for a generous response to the allowance of the Holy Father for bishops to establish personal parishes in their dioceses.

MJM: In an interview with Vatican Radio on September 13, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos explained that Pope Benedict's MP affirms the right of any priest to use the "extraordinary form" of the Latin liturgy even without his bishop’s permission. The Cardinal seems intent to prevent certain liberal bishops from frustrating the Pope’s plan to restore the old Mass as they did with John Paul’s 1988 MP Ecclesia Dei. Why do you suppose the Pope is so determined to establish wider use of this Mass that he would even encourage his priests to offer it without their bishops’ permission if it comes to that?

Fr. Echert: The Pope is affirming a universal right which belongs to all clergy in good standing with the Church, as is fitting for his supreme office and the matter at hand. One thing I learned in the military: a subordinate authority does not have the right to countermand the law of a higher authority. In spite of the fact that Pope John Paul II asked for generosity on the part of bishops in establishing Indult parishes in their dioceses, this approach did not work. In my own state, there were only two Indult parishes with weekly Sunday Masses, which meant that many Catholics had to drive incredible distances to attend a Tridentine Mass (one man drove 500 miles round trip to my parish). Had this motu proprio entrusted primary responsibility to the bishops to establish the traditional Mass, there is no reason to believe the outcome would have measurably exceeded that of the Indult in the past.

In spite of incredible pressure to the contrary—as was widely reported—the Holy Father entrusted responsibility for responding to the needs of the faithful into the hands of pastors. And while there will be many pastors who will not comply, there are many more parishes than dioceses, and traditional Masses will soon be found scattered everywhere.

MJM: There are a few traditionalists who still argue that so-called “approved” traditional priests are more or less in business only to undermine “unapproved” traditionalist priests. Judging from your sermons, however, undermining anyone except modernists and liberals doesn’t seem to enter your mind. You seem to have a good relationship with the priests in the SSPX, for example, and I’ve heard you recommend The Remnant from the pulpit. Is it fair to say, then, that you offer the old Mass because you regard its restoration as vital for the life of the whole Church and that you are not attempting to undermine anyone?

Fr. Echert: I offer the traditional Mass for its own value and for what it has to offer to the faithful and the future of the Church. I have never offered the traditional Mass with any ulterior motive of undermining other expressions of tradition. I am on good terms with priests who belong to the SSPX and have worked with the local Society pastor on some pastoral issues of mutual concern. I am an avid reader of The Remnant and many other traditional publications and books. These are difficult times and sadly there is much discord among traditionalists. Even at my Indult parish there is not universal agreement on many of the fine points of liturgy, theology and strategy, and so the issues get battled out in the parking lot or at coffee and donuts in the church hall. I know that there are many Catholics and clergy in particular who view the Indult as a means to keep Catholics from SSPX and other expressions of tradition but this has never been a motive or goal for me. I believe that the multiplicity of adherents to tradition has collectively helped to bring about this important step of Pope Benedict. As you note, I principally go after the modernists, who should be the common enemy of all traditionalists—and all Catholics!

MJM: Father, put your prophet’s hat for a moment. How’s all this going to end? If the Mass is restored widely and throughout the whole world, would that change everything, or is it too late?

Fr. Echert: It is never too late, unless we are living in the end times, of which I am not yet convinced. It will be like seed which is widely scattered but in a variety of difficult and sometimes extreme conditions. Here and there a seed will take root but it will be some time before the field is clothed in the mantel of tradition. There will be many clergy who will resolutely oppose it and refuse it to the faithful, but there will be others who will enable it.

There are certainly some initial hurdles, but, over the course of years—less than a blink of the divine eye—this Mass will be widely found throughout the Church. One of the looming questions is what impact it will have upon the Novus Ordo Mass. Will there be a “reform of the reform,” as some suggest, or a replacement of the reform with the traditional form? One concern I have is that some priests—including some good-willed priests who are misguided—will offer Tridentine Masses in their parishes, but may allow some modern practices to infiltrate the traditional Mass: altar girls, the new lectionary, Communion in the hand. Hopefully, clarifications from Rome will prohibit such aberrations.

Let me sum up my hope with this biblical lesson: forty is often a number of testing (Israel in the Old Testament, our Lord in the New Testament). We have wandered through a veritable desert for forty years but now have a glimpse of the Promised Land (forgotten land). We have not yet arrived, by any means, but we have taken a giant step in the right direction. May the Lord now speed us on our pilgrimage back to tradition!

MJM: If you had to choose one rite of Mass to offer exclusively every day for the rest of your life which would it be, New or Old? Why?

Fr. Echert: The traditional Mass, hands down! It was the Mass which first inspired in me a vocation to the priesthood and it is the Mass which I intend to offer until my last breath on earth.

Editor's Note: Please forward this interview to as many priests as you possibly can. Also, The Remnant is giving out free physical reprints of the interview upon request. Those requests can be emailed to editor@remnantnewspaper.com, requested by telephone at 651-204-0145, or sent via snail mail to:

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September 23: Saint Padre Pio

2007-09-22T19:53:00.001-05:00

St. Padre Pio 1887-1968
“Pray, hope and don’t Worry!”

St. Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us!

Good News to Read About!

2007-09-22T17:02:00.000-05:00

From the recent article in the Commercial Appeal.

With priests freer to celebrate in Latin, more Masses may follow older tradition
By James Dowd
August 6, 2007

The recent decision by Pope Benedict XVI to relax restrictions surrounding the Latin Mass is a welcome return to tradition, some local Catholics say.

And while the Latin or Tridentine Mass is celebrated in only two parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, if enough Catholics express interest, other congregations may soon follow suit.

At Bartlett’s Church of the Nativity, the Latin Mass is celebrated every Sunday, except for the third one in the month. On that day many parishioners travel to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Midtown for the Latin Mass that’s celebrated there.

"There’s a group of us that goes to Latin Mass wherever it’s celebrated. It’s the way we worship," said Joseph Lenzi, 94, after Sunday’s morning service at Church of the Nativity. "There’s a reverence to it and a mystery. It just seems to bring the holiness of our faith alive."

On July 7, the pope issued a directive freeing priests to celebrate the ancient Mass without first having to obtain a bishop’s permission. That requirement had been in place since the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s, when the Mass was modernized to be celebrated in local languages.

Bishop J. Terry Steib will discuss the pope’s directive at a quarterly series of meetings with all priests in the diocese this autumn.

"So far I haven’t been approached by any parishioners wanting it," said Father John Geaney, diocesan spokesman and priest at St. Augustine Catholic Church in South Memphis. "But it’ll be easier to add a Latin Mass now if people do want it."

The Latin Mass differs from the modern version in ways other than language. The priest faces away from the congregation for much of the time and during Holy Communion the consecrated Host is placed in a communicant’s mouth, not on the palm.

"The Latin Mass is so pure, it’s so reverent, I just feel more spiritual when I worship this way," said Drew Sill, 30. "And I like the fact that the Latin Mass is the same in every culture in the world. It brings us all together in community."

On Sunday at Church of the Nativity, more than 75 showed up for the Latin Mass, which sometimes attracts more than 100. The crowd included a large number of young families and children and at least 10 percent of the women wore head coverings during the service.

One of them, Delores Ryan, 71, believes the traditional ways are best. And she said folks who don’t understand Latin aren’t at a loss—a printed translation of the service makes it easy to follow.

"The Bible speaks of women covering their heads and our way of worship was the same for hundreds of years until it was changed after Vatican II," said Ryan. "I want to continue those practices. It’s more meaningful to me this way."

Father Michael Morgera, who’s served at Church of the Nativity for three years, said response has been growing. He’s considering offering a morning Latin Mass during the week.

"Latin has been the universal language of the church and it’s the same, whether in Bartlett or in Hong Kong," said Morgera, 56. "In the Latin Mass there’s very much a sense of the awe of God and how we stand before Him and need His mercy and care. The prayers are profound."

—James Dowd: 901-529-2737
More info:

The Latin or Tridentine Mass is celebrated at two parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis at various times:

Church of the Nativity
5955 St. Elmo 382-2504

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
2564 Hale 452-1543