Bishop Boyea’s Extraordinary Day

Tridentine Community News (October 17, 2010):

Intrepid Diocese of Lansing Bishop Earl Boyea devoted his entire day to the Extraordinary Form last Sunday, October 10. In the morning, he celebrated the opening Mass for Lansing’s Blessed John XXIII Community in the modest crypt chapel of St. Mary Cathedral. Approximately 150 people were in attendance. As we have reported before, this is the first Tridentine Mass Community in our region which has been given the possibility of evolving into a full parish if numbers warrant.


Later the same day, His Excellency celebrated a Pontifical Low Mass at Flint’s All Saints Church for the 21st Anniversary of the Flint Tridentine Community. [not the 20th Anniversary as previously reported.] Deacon Richard Bloomfield, altar servers from St. Josaphat, and the choir from Assumption-Windsor assisted with the Mass. In case you are wondering, those aren’t scoreboards judging Bishop Boyea’s attention to the rubrics; All Saints Parish is celebrating its 100th anniversary. (Photos by Paul Schultz)


In other news from the Diocese of Lansing, on Sunday, October 3, another Extraordinary Form Mass was held at Ann Arbor’s Old St. Patrick Church. Readers may recall that Bishop Boyea asked for this Mass to be initiated. Call the parish to inquire about the schedule for future Masses.

Bishop Boyea Speaks About Summórum Pontíficum

After Mass, Bishop Boyea attended the Flint Tridentine Community’s annual Anniversary Dinner and spoke briefly about Pope Benedict XVI’s Motu Proprio, Summórum Pontíficum.

His Excellency began by stating that he had recently re-read the Motu Proprio. He was struck by our Holy Father’s cover letter intending to quell fears of divisiveness that might arise over the classic Liturgy. He explained that learning to celebrate the Extraordinary Form at St. Josaphat a few years ago has affected his own celebration of the Ordinary Form of Holy Mass. He discovered a “sacrality” in the Traditional Mass which is too often missing in today’s vernacular Masses. The Tridentine Mass makes it clear that the Church’s Liturgy is not about “us”, but about offering worship to Almighty God. Having the EF as a valid liturgical option should remind clergy and laity to strive for reverence in all Masses, both Ordinary and Extraordinary Form.

He mentioned that Pope Benedict envisions the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms enriching one another, and gave the example of the possibility of adding Prefaces and new Feasts to the Traditional Mass, and expanding the readings used.

His Excellency stated that any priest in his diocese is welcome to start offering the classic Liturgy. He told a questioner that if she would like it in her own parish, that she should talk to her pastor. He did, however, caution against having too many small Low Mass sites. He would rather there be fewer, but larger and better quality Mass sites, offering High Masses with music programs befitting the Extraordinary Form.

All Souls Day Masses at Assumption-Windsor

On Tuesday, November 2, the traditional Three Masses of All Souls Day will be celebrated in the Extraordinary Form at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Windsor. At 6:00 PM, two Low Masses will be celebrated on the side altars of the church by Frs. Patrick Bénéteau and John Johnson. At 7:00 PM, a Solemn High Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Peter Hrytsyk at the high altar, followed by Absolution at the Catafalque. This will be the first time in approximately 40 years that the historic side altars will be used for the celebration of Holy Mass. This will be a special day of prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. A Plenary Indulgence may be gained that day by reciting one Our Father and one Credo in church.

Assumption Church is located at 350 Huron Church Road, at University Avenue, adjacent to the Ambassador Bridge. For directions or information call (519) 734-1335 or e-mail info@windsorlatinmass.org.

Tridentine Masses This Coming Week

Mon. 10/18 7:00 PM: High Mass at St. Josaphat (St. Luke)

Tue. 10/19 7:00 PM: Low Mass at Assumption-Windsor (St. Peter of Alcantara)

[Comments? Please e-mail tridnews@stjosaphatchurch.org. Previous columns are available at www.stjosaphatchurch.org. This edition of Tridentine Community News, with minor editions, is from the St. Josaphat bulletin insert for October 17, 2010. Hat tip to A.B.]