The Washington Times’ ubiquitous Julia Duin reports that Latin, chant, smells, and bells are all the rage in Catholic parishes. Not exactly a surprise to some of us, but nice to see others are noticing it. Understandably, given the complexity of the dispute over the Liturgy since Vatican II and the word count allowed for a story, she doesn’t get the differences and recent history of the Tridentine Mass and the Novus Ordo exactly right, but close enough.
She profiles one parish in McLean, Virginia, that will begin offering the NO Mass at one Mass every other Sunday starting in Lent and is also offering Latin for liturgy classes on the side. The pastor reminds us and his parish that Pope Benedict recently said that all Catholics should know at least our basic prayers in Latin.
I just know that an NO Mass would be successful here in Salem, if I could convince my pastor that it would. Maybe I’ll show him this article.
Technorati Tags: Catholic, chant, Latin, liturgy, Mass, Tridentine
It isn’t just aging Boomers who’d love to have full access to the Mass in Latin. My college-age children often comment about their desire for it here in AL. Sadly, I don’t think it will happen as long as Bishop Foley is in Birmingham.
Wait, I’m cofused.
“She profiles one parish in McLean, Virginia, that will begin offering the NO Mass.”
There is a diocese that only offers the Tridentine (traditional Latin Mass) and now they are kicking around offering the Novus Ordo?
Do you mean the Novus Ordo in Latin as opposed to the Novus Ordo in the vernacular?
Novus Ordo in Latin
Boy,
They actually want the liturgy as the Council intended it with all the beauty and symbolism so linked to Scripture. I am happy for us. Hopefully a reunion with the SSPX will help us with our liturgy that we all deserve.
Brendan
FYI, Dom, Stella Maris parish in Beverly has an English Mass with Latin chant monthly on Sunday at 5 p.m. The schedule has varied recently, so check with the parish or with me for details.
You mean St. Mary’s
“You mean St. Mary’s”
If my memory serves me correctly, the corner stone says Stella Maris.
According to the Archdiocese of Boston’s parish directory, it’s St Mary Star of the Sea.
http://www.stmarystar.org/
I don’t know if this’ll help clarify this for anyone; I live in the Arlington diocese and I can tell everyone with absolute certainty that there is no true Tridentine Rite Mass in this diocese with the exception of an SSPX or an independent church offering the Tridentine Mass albeit illicit. The Bishop of Arlington has made it clear that he will not grant the indult to say the Tridentine Rite in his diocese.
My family and I travel to Old St Marys in Chinatown in DC to attend that Mass at 0900 every sunday. It’s WELL worth the 50 minute drive. The new Monsignor is doing a wonderful job saying this mass even though he was not accustomed to saying the Latin Mass prior to his arrival at Old St. Marys. He asked for this assignment knowing that St Marys has the Tridentine Mass.
It’s clear that these pastors in the Arlington diocese whom I know to be very solid and orthodox priests are saying the Novus Ordo in Latin.
It’s a step in the right direction but in my mind it’s a compromise that we/they should not have to be making. The Tridentine Rite was never abrogated but a solid majority of Bishops pretend it was although they certainly know better.
Ah yes, I was just kidding about Santa Maria Stella Maris. I’m a local kid.
I went to grade school at St. Mary’s in 5th grade (1968-69). Due to the fact my folks couldn’t get all my siblings in St. Mary School the following year, my parents transfered us to St. Margaret School in Beverly Farms. I remained there from grades 6 through 8 (1969-72). St. Margaret School closed its doors in 1973. FYI, both St. Mary’s and St. Margaret’s were staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SND).
Interestingly enough, I have a clear recollection of attending Christmas morning Mass in 1970 that was celebrated by the then Pastor (I forgot his name.). It was entirely in Latin and I had no real recollection of the “old” Mass at that point (age 12). In my young mind, Mass was Mass and all I knew is that I was obliged to go. The catechetics in that period were very experimental, with more emphasis on experience than knowledge. Sadly, the SWhen I went to Communion, it was under the old form…I replied “Amen”, not noing any better. I suspect it was a High (“Tridentine”)Mass and was probably one of the last times it occurred at St. Mary’s.
strike: “Sadly, the S” Thanks.
Michael Davies once attended a Latin Mass according to the reformed liturgy at the Brompton Oratory. He was heard to say that if all parishes did the “Novus Ordo” (a term I dispise for its frequent pejorative usage) the way they did, “there wouldn’t be any problems.” Such is the attitude of Father McAfee, the pastor of the church in question (who would do the Old Mass in a heartbeat if they let him). I’ve been to Latin Masses using the new books when, at any one time, I honestly could not have known the difference. And if I can’t tell…
It is truly amazing how misinformed and/or hostile most priests are about the Church’s insistence that the faithful be able to sing and/or recite at least some of the parts of the Mass in Latin.
You must be young, David. I can tell the difference. It’s very, very simple.
I will be very happy when & if we get a proper latin mass here, whether NO or Tridentine. And even happier when they manage to get rid of the lousy despicable brain-rebooting modern “musak” that threatens to make every catholic in christendom (what’s left of it) tone-deaf for life.
“You must be young, David. I can tell the difference.”
Oh???
I was born on Childermas Day, 1954, if you must know (and obviously, you must).
David, I was born 3 days after you…maybe we’re still younger than MichiganCatholic…
So you know what “Childermas Day” is? A gal after my own heart!