Sunday, July 08, 2018

Tridentine Community News - Oregon Sacred Liturgy Conference Report; Commemorations on Sundays; Tridentine Masses this coming week


"I will go in unto the Altar of God
To God, Who giveth joy to my youth"

Tridentine Community News by Alex Begin (July 8, 2018):
July 8, 2018 – Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

Oregon Sacred Liturgy Conference Report

Last week the sixth annual Sacred Liturgy Conference took place in Oregon, this time in Salem, the state capital. What began as a small gathering focused on Gregorian Chant has grown to become one of the world’s largest conventions devoted to traditional liturgy, with around 400 in attendance. Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample, Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska Bishop James Conley, Norcia [Italy] monastery founder Fr. Cassian Folsom, and Fraternity of St. Peter North American Superior Fr. Gerard Saguto were among the heavy-hitters present. Talks were delivered at the Salem Conference Center and in classrooms at St. Joseph Church, located several blocks away.


At one point a speaker asked for a show of hands to see whether attendees’ primary experience of Holy Mass was in the Ordinary or Extraordinary Form. Approximately 60% were OF, however the bulk of the talks and liturgies were about or in the EF. The OF-going majority seemed to welcome the immersion in the Traditional Mass. One could draw the conclusion that when serious discussion of the Church’s liturgy and music is to be had, the EF brings more substance to the table, including centuries of history and promise for the future that the OF cannot claim.

One of the speakers was Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth, the British priest who since 2009 has served as Executive Director of ICEL, the International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Msgr. Wadsworth was in charge of the new English translation of the Ordinary Form Mass and is now working on a new translation of the Liturgy of the Hours. A higher ranking Ordinary Form official would be hard to find outside of Rome. And yet…Msgr. Wadsworth is an occasional celebrant of the Extraordinary Form. He is also founder of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in formation in Washington, DC, which, like its fellow Oratories around the globe, periodically offers the Traditional Mass. A true liturgical scholar such as he cannot help but be engaged with the Traditional Mass; it informs the work he accomplishes with the OF.

This writer was invited to provide training to clergy in how to celebrate the Extraordinary Form, spread out over four 1.25 hour sessions. 2-3 priests were expected to attend, but much to our surprise, 17 priests, 4 permanent deacons, several seminarians, and around 25 laypeople showed up. Beautiful evidence of the ever-increasing interest in the Traditional Mass.


The 2019 Sacred Liturgy Conference will be held May 28-31 in Spokane, Washington.

Commemorations on Sundays

We have had two interesting examples over the last two weeks of how Commemorations are handled differently on Sundays, depending on the kind of Feast being celebrated.

A Commemoration is the addition of a second (or third) Collect, Secret, and Postcommunion prayer. On weekdays one sees Commemorations of secondary saints. The main saint of the day has the first Collect, and additional saints are commemorated with additional Collect(s). The two saints’ positions are reversed, however, in churches dedicated to the secondary saint. For example, on July 12 the main saint is St. John Gualbert and the secondary, commemorated saints are Ss. Nabor & Felix. However, in a church named after Ss. Nabor & Felix, they would become the primary saints, and St. John Gualbert would be commemorated. That is why missals provide a separate set of Mass Propers for the secondary saint; another reason is that a Mass of the secondary saint could be celebrated as a Votive Mass on a Fourth Class Feria or Feast Day.

Sundays are dedicated to our Lord, which changes the rules somewhat: If a special Feast displaces the usual Sunday, and that Feast is of our Lord, there is no Commemoration of the displaced Sunday. If the special Feast is not of our Lord, a Commemoration of the displaced Sunday is to be made, so as to ensure our Lord is always in focus on every Sunday. For example, on June 24, 2018, the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist was not of our Lord, so a Commemoration was added of the displaced Fifth Sunday After Pentecost. However, on July 1, 2018, the Feast of the Most Precious Blood was of our Lord, so no Commemoration of the displaced Sixth Sunday After Pentecost was made.

Tridentine Masses This Coming Week
  • Tue. 07/10 7:00 PM: Low Mass at Holy Name of Mary, Windsor (Seven Holy Brothers, Martyrs, and Ss. Rufina & Secunda, Virgins & Martyrs)
  • Sat. 07/14 8:30 AM: Low Mass at Miles Christi (St. Bonaventure, Bishop, Confessor, & Doctor)
[Comments? Please e-mail tridnews@detroitlatinmass.org. Previous columns are available at http://www.detroitlatinmass.org. This edition of Tridentine Community News, with minor editions, is from the St. Albertus (Detroit), Academy of the Sacred Heart (Bloomfield Hills), and St. Alphonsus and Holy Name of Mary Churches (Windsor) bulletin inserts for July 8, 2018. Hat tip to Alex Begin, author of the column.]

Tridentine Masses coming this week to metro Detroit and east Michigan


Tridentine Masses This Coming Week

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Monday


Tuesday


Wednesday


Thursday


Friday


Saturday


Sunday


* NB: The SSPX chapels among those Mass sites listed above are posted here because the Holy Father has announced that "those who during the Holy Year of Mercy approach these priests of the Fraternity of St Pius X to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation shall validly and licitly receive the absolution of their sins," and subsequently extended this privilege beyond the Year of Mercy. These chapels are not listed among the approved parishes and worship sites on archdiocesan websites.

Saturday, July 07, 2018

Multiculturalism's cheap rationalizations of non-Western pathologies


Fr. George Rutler (Weekly Column, July 8, 2018):

There is no limit to the excuses ideologues will make to promote theory over fact. Consider attempts to justify Aztec human sacrifice in the interest of “multiculturalism.” Archeological discoveries of massive numbers of victims are being explained away as not really significant. The estimable scholar, Victor Davis Hanson, has written: “For the useful idiot, multiculturalism is supposedly aimed at ecumenicalism and hopes to diminish difference by inclusiveness and non-judgmentalism. But mostly it is a narcissistic fit, in which the multiculturalist offers a cheap rationalization of non-Western pathologies . . .”

Like hyperbole about the Spanish Inquisition, refuted by the latest scholarship, the “Black Legend” would have us believe that the Spaniards destroyed a benign and creative civilization in Mesoamerica. The Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún, a missionary and pioneer anthropologist who translated the Gospel into the Aztec Nahuatl language, represents the best of a not unblemished Hispanic cultural imperative that led to the abolition of human sacrifice, though at a cost, for many Spaniards were cannibalized by the Acolhuas, Aztec allies. Similarly, it was the influence of Christian missionaries like William Carey that banned the Hindu practice of “sati,” the cremation of widows on their husbands’ funeral pyres in the Indian principalities. Between 1815 and 1818, 839 widows were burnt alive in Bengal province alone. A general ban was enforced by Queen Victoria in 1861, the year her own husband died, but sati was still practiced in Nepal until 1920.

One estimate has 80,400 Aztec captives sacrificed in 1487 at the re-consecration of the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlán. Although the actual figure may have been lower, the cutting out of hearts from victims still alive is an intolerable barbarity, graphically depicted in the film Apocalypto, which shows such rites among the earlier Mayan people. A mixed-race descendant of Cortez, Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxóchitl, calculated that 20% of the infants and children in the general “Mexica” area were sacrificed annually to appease rain deities, along with men and women sacrificed in honor of the serpentine god Quetzalcóatl, the jaguar god Tezcatlipoca and the aquiline warrior god Huitzilopochtli.

In the sixteenth century, Montaigne, anticipating Dryden’s “noble savage,” sought to cut the primitive cultures a little slack because he saw barbaric acts among his own European peoples. Those who were scandalized by his analogy then are like those today who commit atrocities under the veneer of progressivism. In 1992, a writer in the leftist Die Zeit of Hamburg rhetorically bent over backwards to deny that the Mesoamericans had committed human sacrifice. We know what happened in his own country among the National Socialist eugenicists.

Sacrifices on the altars of ancient temples cannot match the millions of infants aborted today in sterile clinics. Pope Francis has said, “Last century, the whole world was scandalized by what the Nazis did to purify the race. Today, we do the same thing but with white gloves.” Perhaps five centuries from now, revisionists will deny that abortion was ever legal.

Monday, July 02, 2018

July 4th, partisan politics, Canada, and the Feast of August 15th

Fr. Eduard Perrone, "A Pastor's Descant" (Assumption Grotto News, July 1, 2018):
Although I try to keep blissfully free from knowledge of some of the risible affairs euphemistically called politics, I can't remain totally uninformed or unaffected by what passes as the "news." It's a shame and an embarrassment to hear about the conniving and the accusations being flung from political pole to pole. I'll be we're the laughingstock of non-Americans worldwide. "Collusion" or "harassment" or "sex scandal," or gay "rights" or media manipulation of public opinion, and the like -- these have become some of the political "issues" in this sad moment in our country. Certainly there are other things that concern us such as crime, the economy and taxes, health care, international security, immigration, the free expression (or else abatement) of religion. For me, however, these valid and relevant concerns are so buried in the ideological ranting as to give me, if not nausea, disgust when following the daily news.

But on July 4th we manage somehow to put all these divisiveness aside and celebrate Independence Day together. It's a momentary respite in the cultural war, a kind of national truce when all or most of us can be proud patriots and observe a secular sabbath rest from the political wrangling. "One nation under God" is the phrase we utter in common, even though it has itself become a matter of contention.

While we pray together the holy rosary after all our Masses here "for God's mercy on our country," I have been adding to the intentions in my daily private prayers, "for the conversion of our people to the ways of righteousness and of Catholicism." "People" in that intention means our American people, and "righteousness" means "moral goodness." My prayer is that Americans may be delivered from the perverse ideological leanings that have caused so much ruination in our country and that they would be open to the full truth of the Catholic faith -- the one and only Christian religion founded by Christ. That's a tall order, one might say, an awful lot to tack on to one's prayer intentions. Agreed. Yet undaunted by the enormity of it I have now with even greater boldness added to this already heavily-laden intention the same prayer intention for our neighbors in Canada. This comes as a result from speaking to some Catholic Canadians recently who are smarting even more than we from the same philosophical poisons that have been dividing and corrupting us Americans. Religious liberty is seriously endangered for our friends to the north, and it is -- naturally -- the Catholic religion and its moral tenets that are the target for elimination from the governing and even from the minds of Canadians.

Would it be too much to ask you to make the mental (if not outspokenly verbal) intention in your daily prayers, "for God's mercy on our country and on Canada"? It would be a very literal and concrete way of having effective Christian charity on our "neighbor," in this case, our geographic neighbor. Over the issues that trouble and conflict Canadians we stand in a unified worry, for we are all solicitous that the rights of Christ be protected.

While the most blissful month of July is at hand when your pastor tries to forget (not you, but) some of the mundane aspects of parish business, there looms in the not-too-distant future our August 15th celebration. My simple appeal to you is to become much involved in the preparation, the events themselves, and the follow up of Assumption Day 2018. I was reminded at the recent preparation meeting for the feast day that my revered predecessor Monsignor Sawher would goad, urge, and exhort parishioners from the pulpit to take August 15th as a holiday and to clear home calendars so that the entire day could be devoted to Our Lady at the parish. Taking my cue from him I ask you to make this your day of parish involvement and pride by being present and active throughout the day, praying and assisting in the various activities. If Grotto holds a special place in your heart, this is the time to prove it in action. Although it may seem that I'm asking a great favor, the reality is that you will get the greater benefit for the investment of your time and work. Plan now to be a big part of our feast day.

Fr. Perrone

Sunday, July 01, 2018

Tridentine Masses coming this week to metro Detroit and east Michigan


Tridentine Masses This Coming Week

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Monday


Tuesday


Wednesday


Thursday


Friday


Saturday


Sunday


* NB: The SSPX chapels among those Mass sites listed above are posted here because the Holy Father has announced that "those who during the Holy Year of Mercy approach these priests of the Fraternity of St Pius X to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation shall validly and licitly receive the absolution of their sins," and subsequently extended this privilege beyond the Year of Mercy. These chapels are not listed among the approved parishes and worship sites on archdiocesan websites.

Tridentine Community News - Feast days enriched with Plenary Indulgences; Tridentine Masses this coming week


"I will go in unto the Altar of God
To God, Who giveth joy to my youth"

Tridentine Community News by Alex Begin (July 1, 2018):
July 1, 2018 – Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Feast Days Enriched with Plenary Indulgences

Holy Mother Church grants the faithful the opportunity to gain a Plenary Indulgence for themselves or for the Souls in Purgatory by performing certain actions on certain Feast Days of the year. In many cases, little or no extra effort can obtain the Indulgence. The usual conditions apply: Confession within 20 days, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions, and freedom from attachment to sin. The following information and quotes are taken from the currently-in-force book of guidelines, the 2006 Manual of Indulgences, available at: http://store.usccb.org/manual-of-indulgences-p/5-474.htm. All of these statements are prefaced by text such as “A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who...”

Octave Day of Christmas, a.k.a. Feast of the Circumcision (January 1): “Devoutly assist either at the recitation or solemn singing of the Veni Creátor...to implore divine assistance for the course of the whole year.”

Fridays of Lent: “Devoutly recite after Communion the prayer En ego, O bone et dulcíssime Jesu before a crucifix.”

Holy Thursday: “Piously recite the verses of the Tantum ergo after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday during the solemn reposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament.”

Good Friday: “Devoutly assist at the adoration of the Cross in the solemn liturgical action of Good Friday.”

Easter Vigil: “At the celebration of the Easter Vigil...renew their baptismal vows in any legitimately approved formula.”

Divine Mercy Sunday, a.k.a. Low Sunday: “In any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g.: ‘Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!’).”

Pentecost Sunday: “Devoutly assist either at the recitation or solemn singing of the Veni Creátor.”

Corpus Christi: “Devoutly participate in a solemn Eucharistic procession, held inside or outside of a church.”

Feast of the Sacred Heart: “Publicly recite the act of reparation (Jesu dulcíssime).”

Ss. Peter & Paul (June 29): Two plenary indulgences are possible, though not on the same day: A) “Make prayerful use of an article of devotion, as defined by Norm 15, that has been blessed by the Supreme Pontiff or by any bishop, provided the faithful also make a Profession of Faith using any legitimate formula.” Norm 15 identifies these as a crucifix or cross, rosary, scapular, or medal. B) “Visit...a minor basilica [or] the cathedral church...and there devoutly recite an Our Father and the Creed.”

Portiuncula Indulgence (August 2): “Visit...a minor basilica, the cathedral church, [or] a parish church...and there devoutly recite an Our Father and the Creed.”

Feast of Christ the King (Last Sunday in October): “Publicly recite the act of dedication of the human race to Christ the King (Jesu dulcíssime, Redémptor).”

All Souls Day (November 2): “Devoutly visit a church or an oratory and recite an Our Father and the Creed.” This plenary indulgence is applicable only to the dead.

November 1-8: “Devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the departed.” Applicable only to the dead.

Dedication of the Archbasilica of Our Savior (November 9): “Visit...the cathedral church...and there devoutly recite an Our Father and the Creed.”

Seventh Day Within the Octave of the Nativity (December 31): “Devoutly assist either at the recitation or solemn singing of the Te Deum ... to offer thanks to God for gifts received throughout the course of the entire year.”

Feast of the Titular of the place: “Visit...a minor basilica; the cathedral church; an international, national, or diocesan shrine established by competent authority; [or] a parish church...and there devoutly recite an Our Father and the Creed.”

Feast of the Founder: “Visit...a church or an oratory of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life ... and there devoutly recite an Our Father and the Creed.”

Some general terms: “In order to be capable of gaining indulgences one must be baptized, not excommunicated, and in the state of grace at least at the completion of the prescribed works. To gain an indulgence, one must have at least the general intention of doing so….” We will strive to mention any relevant Indulgences, Plenary as well as Partial, in the Latin/English Propers Handouts for each of the above Feasts, and to include Latin and English texts of any associated prayers.

Certain Feasts may be moved to a Sunday in the Extraordinary Form. The rules for Indulgences anticipate this possibility: “If a liturgical celebration or its external solemnity is lawfully transferred, it is understood that an indulgence attached to that liturgical celebration is likewise transferred to the same day.”

Tridentine Masses This Coming Week
  • Tue. 07/03 7:00 PM: Low Mass at Holy Name of Mary, Windsor (St. Irenaeus, Bishop & Martyr)
  • Fri. 07/06 7:00 PM: High Mass at Old St. Mary’s (St. Maria Goretti, Virgin & Martyr) – Celebrant: Fr. Clint McDonell. Choir will sing Missa Octávi Toni by di Lassus. Reception after Mass.
  • Sat. 07/07 8:30 AM: Low Mass at Miles Christi (Ss. Cyril & Methodius, Bishops & Confessors)
[Comments? Please e-mail tridnews@detroitlatinmass.org. Previous columns are available at http://www.detroitlatinmass.org. This edition of Tridentine Community News, with minor editions, is from the St. Albertus (Detroit), Academy of the Sacred Heart (Bloomfield Hills), and St. Alphonsus and Holy Name of Mary Churches (Windsor) bulletin inserts for July 1, 2018. Hat tip to Alex Begin, author of the column.]