Picking up where he left off in his 2004 post in which he pled with readers to "Take the Red Pill," Steve Skojec once again examines the relationship between appearance and reality in the Church in, "Out of the Rabbit Hole" (1P5, May 6, 2016).
La Croix: You received, on the past April 1st, Bp. Bernard Fellay, Superior-General of the Society of Saint Pius X. Is the reintegration of the Lefebvrists in the Church once again being considered?It seems one can expect just about anything from this pontificate. In the meantime, our correspondent, Guy Noir, asks whether this is in fact newsworthy, stating that he isn't sure. "I'd be interested in what Fellay says about Francis!" he writes, "Does that make me heretical?" Funny man.
Pope Francis: In Buenos Aires, I always spoke with them. They saluted me, they asked for [my] blessing on their knees. They consider themselves Catholic. They love the Church. Bp. Fellay is a man with whom we can dialogue. It is not the case of other somewhat strange elements, such as Bp. Williamson, or others who have radicalized. I think, as I had expressed in Argentina, that they are Catholics on the path to full communion. During this Year of Mercy, it seemed that I should authorize their confessors to pardon the sin of abortion.[*] They thanked me for this gesture. Before that, Benedict XVI, whom they respect greatly, had liberalized the Mass according to the Tridentine Rite. We dialogue well, we do a good work.
May 15, 2016 – Pentecost Sunday
First Tridentine Mass of Fr. David Johnston
Congratulations to Fr. David Johnston, who was ordained to the sacred priesthood for the Diocese of London, Ontario on April 23. He has been studying the Tridentine Mass and will celebrate his first Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Sunday, May 29 at 1:30 PM for the Latin Mass community of London, Ontario at Holy Angels Church in St. Thomas. We look forward to Fr. Johnston joining our roster of regular celebrants of the Traditional Latin Mass in our region.
Corpus Christi Mass at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral
On Thursday, May 26 at 8:30 PM, Detroit’s Blessed Sacrament Cathedral will host its third Tridentine Mass in modern times, for the Feast of Corpus Christi. Juventútem Michigan is once again organizing the Mass, though people of all ages are welcome. Fr. David Bechill will be the celebrant, and Archdiocese of Detroit Director of Music Joe Balistreri will lead the music. A procession with the Blessed Sacrament will follow the Mass.
Additional Corpus Christi Masses & Processions
Additional Corpus Christi Masses with Eucharistic Processions will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 7:00 PM at St. Josaphat Church; and on Sunday, May 29 at the Oakland County Latin Mass Association/Academy of the Sacred Heart Chapel in Bloomfield Hills at 9:45 AM, at St. Alphonsus Church in Windsor at 2:00 PM [and at Assumption Grotto at 12:00 NOON].
Those who participate in a Eucharistic Procession for Corpus Christi may gain a Plenary Indulgence, under the usual conditions of Confession within 20 days, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions, and freedom from attachment to sin.
Updated List of Tridentine Masses in the Region
Below is an updated list of churches in metro Detroit and Windsor which offer Holy Masses in the Extraordinary Form on a regular or semi-regular basis. If you have additional information or corrections, kindly e-mail the address at the bottom of this column, and we will publish the updates. Please note that the weekly Masses at Immaculate Conception, Lapeer are no longer being held. St. Stephen, New Boston, may still hold occasional Masses, but they are not published on any available schedule.EWTN Live Episode Now On-Line
- St. Benedict Tridentine Community at St. Alphonsus Church, Windsor: High Mass at 2:00 PM on Second through Last Sundays of the month; Benediction after Mass on Second Sundays
- St. Benedict Tridentine Community at Holy Name of Mary Church, Windsor: High Mass at 2:00 PM on the First Sunday of the month, Low Mass at 7:00 PM every Tuesday
- Oakland County Latin Mass Association at the Academy of the Sacred Heart Chapel, Bloomfield Hills: High Mass every Sunday at 9:45 AM
- Old St. Mary’s Church, Detroit: High Mass on First Fridays at 7:00 PM
- St. Josaphat Church, Detroit: High Mass at 9:30 AM every Sunday, Low Mass at 7:00 PM every Monday and First Friday
- Ss. Cyril & Methodius Church, Sterling Heights: High Mass at 6:00 PM every Saturday
- St. Edward on the Lake Church, Lakeport: High Mass at 2:00 PM every Sunday, Low Mass at 8:00 AM on First Saturdays
- Assumption Grotto Church, Detroit: High Mass at 9:30 AM every Sunday, Low Mass at 7:30 AM Monday-Saturday and 7:00 PM Monday-Friday
- Sacred Heart Church, Imlay City: Low Mass at 8:00 AM every Thursday
- Our Lady of the Scapular Parish, Wyandotte: Once per month on varying dates and times; check parish bulletin or web site
- Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Beverly Hills: High Mass on the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) at 7:00 PM
- St. Hyacinth Church, Detroit: Special occasions; dates will be reported in this column
- St. Albertus Church, Detroit: Special occasions; dates will be reported in this column
- Holy Redeemer Church, Detroit: Special occasions; dates will be reported in this column
The May 4 episode of EWTN Live featuring Extraordinary Faith and the Traditional Latin Mass is now available for viewing on-line at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwnZAIniJzU&t
Tridentine Masses This Coming Week
- Mon. 05/16 7:00 PM: Low Mass at St. Josaphat (Pentecost Monday)
- Tue. 05/17 7:00 PM: High Mass at Holy Name of Mary (Pentecost Tuesday)
- Sat. 05/21 8:30 AM: Low Mass at Miles Christi (Pentecost Saturday)
Primavera - literally, 'the first green' -- is Springtime. Nature shows her loveliest, maidenly beauty at this very time. The famous, mysterious paintings by Botticelli comes to mind when I see the enticing, chaste blossoms of early spring. A tree just outside the rectory show herself at the most arresting just now. That tree -- which perhaps should be removed because its jumbled roots entangle the ground and stress the rectory's basement walls -- I can't get myself to take down simply because at this very time of year she dazzles me with her beauty. Ah! the season of love! Holy Church, seizing the opportunity, makes us look upon the loveliness of the Virgin Mary, She whose month this is. Both virginal and yet maternally fruitful, Holy Mary is the apogee of created beauty, of holiness and supernatural grace. Because this is the month of Mary we have the May Crowning today and the First Communion of our children. The comeliness of innocence is difficult to speak of in words but so readily recognized when seen. Children, springtime, Virgin Mary -- the three go naturally together, as various facets of this singular, perennially youthful manifestation of beauty.
It would be easy to fall prey to pessimism or cynicism over so many bad things happening in our world these days. It's a temptation to which we must not yield, not even an inch. Just as nature obstinately puts forth her glories in spring, just as the emergence of the sun causes life daily to spring up, just so God bestows the marvels of supernatural blessings upon His undeserving children day after day. We need to pull ourselves out of any self-indulgent tendencies towards moroseness about the many things we might (justly) find worthy of complaint and, with St. Paul, look above, upon the things of heaven, rather than down upon the base, sorroful things here below. I'm not suggesting we acquire the technique of "positive thinking" -- a vain, secularist, stupid exercise -- but that we recognize the truth of stubbornly insistent goodness in prevailing over evil, of beauty over vulgarity. In terms of our faith, it's the truth of Christ's victory over the devil, even though he, in the short run, is given his allotted time and influence to fulfil his providential role in making us struggle, fight, for the truth and for the kingdom of God so that by contending with him we might merit for ourselves a place in heaven.
Be ye then of good cheer, though you will surely have a share in the woes of this life. Spring is a reminder of the good things of God and an invitation to look above the many wicked beckonings of the evil one, and to persevere in hope. The Virgin Mary is the Mother of holy hope, Mater sanctae spei. We turn to Her with confident love, She who never abandons us "unaided" (as the Memorare reminds us).
Some great days just ahead of us. Next Sunday will be Pentecost, that once minor Jewish festival forever converted into a Christian feast of momentous significance through the coming of the Holy Spirit. We will celebrate the day with full solemnity at the 9:30 Solemn High Mass with the 'Credo' Mass by Mozart. The Men's League will gather to appear before the Eucharistic Lord this Saturday at 6:30 a.m. adoring and petitioning Him for things many and untold. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred not this Tuesday but one week from then -- on the 17th. Our friend, Father Aiden Logan will return here to give a talk on patriotism (a much neglected topic) on May 22 in a fundraising event for the K of C. Then, of top-drawer significance, Corpus Christi Sunday will greet us on May 29th with its stirring, inspiring prayers and chants composed by St. Thomas Aquinas. This day concludes with the Eucharistic Procession and the four-fold blessing with the Blessed Sacrament. Concerning which I want to sent out a general call to our parishioners to see if any families (or individuals) would set up and adorn the outdoor altars for Corpus Christi Sunday, altars upon which the Lord will repose. We need four such altars by four families or persons. It's an honor for anyone to undertake this, a task which is -- I think -- not too onerous and immensely rewarding. If you think you'd like to do this for the Lord and for your parishioners, please call the rectory soon and let us know. You'll be given particulars about what's to be done and what the parish will supply for you.
In fine I should mention the feast of the Sacred Heart June 3 which we will observe with all due solemnity this year, accompanied by Schubert's Mass in G Minor at the 7:00 evening Mass; the special Mass at 9:30 a.m. June 5, the day of Canonization of Saint-elect Stanislaus Popcaynski, founder of the Marians, whereupon the Schubert Mass will again be performed and the image of the Saint will be blessed, and an open banquet will be offered to all in the gym following the Mass. (More about that day later.)
For the moment, however, delight in the pleasant expectation of these joyful celebrations in these most lovely days of Primavera.
Fr. Perrone
May 8, 2016 – Sunday After the Ascension
The Doctors of the Church
Have you ever wondered just who are the “Doctors of the Church”? We’re not talking about the Vatican Physician Corps here. The term may be casually used, but it actually refers to a very specific set of individuals, known for the depth of their grasp of the faith and the orthodoxy of their teaching. Interestingly, there are some relatively recent additions to the list. The below table, taken from catholic.org, provides the complete list, showing name, lifespan, and the date of designation by a Pope.Book Review: The Wonders of the Mass
- St. Athanasius, 296 – 373, 1568 by Pius V
- St. Ephraem the Syrian, 306 – 373, October 5, 1920 by Benedict XV
- St. Hilary of Poitiers, 315 – 367, May 13, 1851 by Pius IX
- St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 315 – 386, July 28, 1882 by Leo XIII
- St. Gregory of Nazianzus, 325 – 389, 1568 by Pius V
- St. Basil the Great, 329 – 379, 1568 by Pius V
- St. Ambrose, 339 – 397, September 20, 1295 by Boniface VIII
- St. John Chrysostom, 347 – 407, 1568 by Pius V
- St. Jerome, 347 – 419, September 20, 1295 by Boniface XIII
- St. Augustine, 354 – 430, September 20, 1295 by Boniface XIII
- St. Cyril of Alexandria, 376 – 444, July 28, 1882 by Leo XIII
- St. Peter Chrysologous, 400 – 450, February 10, 1729 by Benedict XIII
- St. Leo the Great, 400 – 461, October 15, 1754 by Benedict XIV
- St. Gregory the Great, 540 – 604, September 20, 1295 by Boniface XIII
- St. Isidore of Seville, 560 – 636, April 25, 1722 by Innocent XIII
- St. John of Damascus, 645 – 749, August 19, 1890 by Leo XIII
- St. Bede the Venerable, 672 – 735, November 13, 1899 by Leo XIII
- St. Gregory of Narek, 951 – 1003, February 21, 2015 by Francis
- St. Peter Damian, 1007 – 1072, September 27, 1828 by Leo XII
- St. Anselm, 1033 – 1109, February 3, 1720 by Clement XI
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090 – 1153, August 20, 1830 by Pius VIII
- St. Hildegard of Bingen, 1098 – 1179, October 7, 2012 by Benedict XVI
- St. Anthony of Padua, 1195 – 1231, January 16, 1946 by Pius XII
- St. Albert the Great, 1206 – 1280, December 16, 1931 by Pius XI
- St. Bonaventure, 1221 – 1274, March 14, 1588 by Sixtus V
- St. Thomas Aquinas, 1226 – 1274, April 11, 1567 by Pius V
- St. Catherine of Siena, 1347 – 1380, October 4, 1970 by Paul VI
- St. John of Avila, 1500 – 1569, October 7, 2012 by Benedict XVI
- St. Teresa of Avila, 1515 – 1582, September 27, 1970 by Paul VI
- St. Peter Canisius, 1521 – 1597, May 21, 1925 by Pius XI
- St. John of the Cross, 1542 – 1591, August 24, 1926 by Pius XI
- St. Robert Bellarmine, 1542 – 1621, September 17, 1931 by Pius XI
- St. Lawrence of Brindisi, 1559 – 1619, March 19, 1959 by John XXIII
- St. Francis de Sales, 1567 – 1622, November 16, 1871 by Pius IX
- St. Alphonsus Ligouri, 1696 – 1787, July 7, 1871 by Pius IX
- St. Therese of Lisieux, 1873 – 1897, October 19, 1997 by John Paul II
Reader James Murphy follows up on our April 17 book reviews with a recommendation of a third book by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan, OP: The Wonders of the Mass. While most of us are familiar with the great benefits of attending Holy Mass, this brief 42-page book enumerates the graces that come from the Mass in great detail. One excerpt:By the Mass we offer to God the greatest praise, the greatest glory He could possibly desire. We give Him most perfect thanks for all the benefits He has bestowed on us. We make more reparation for our faults than by the severest penances.As with Fr. O’Sullivan’s other books, this one is filled with anecdotes of how Saints and ordinary people alike have benefitted from devotion to the Mass. He also points out that reverently celebrated Masses will attract more converts to the Faith. The book concludes with a list of practical recommendations in a chapter entitled, “How to Hear Mass with Profit”.
Fair warning: You will want to go to Mass more often after reading this book.
Miles Christi Mass Format
We have received many expressions of concern about the format of Mass being employed at the Miles Christi Family Center on Saturdays. They have chosen a format which is not supported by mainstream liturgical authorities, that of a Low Mass with sung Introit and Mass Ordinary, in essence a hybrid between a Low Mass and High Mass. This is an innovation this author has not seen in 30+ years of visiting Tridentine Mass sites across the globe, and is most definitely odd. Occasionally one sees practices in the Extraordinary Form that are out of the norm, but which circumstances make necessary, for example a priest with mobility problems omitting genuflections. However, this particular innovation has thin justification. Several people including this writer have explained to the regional superior that official references do not permit this particular format, but so far he has been unwilling to make a change.
Let us be grateful that the majority of local Extraordinary Form Mass sites faithfully follow the rubrics.
Tridentine Masses This Coming Week
- Mon. 05/09 7:00 PM: Low Mass at St. Josaphat (St. Gregory Nazianzen, Bishop, Confessor, & Doctor)
- Tue. 05/10 7:00 PM: Low Mass at Holy Name of Mary (St. Antoninus, Bishop & Confessor)
- Sat. 05/14 8:30 AM: Low Mass at Miles Christi (Vigil of Pentecost)
Even our Lord Himself, though divine, in His human nature received authority from His Father ("All authority has been given to me, both in heaven and on earth...."). It was said of Him that He had been "appointed," and that He did not take the honor of priesthood upon himself, but was called to it by the Father (cf. Hebrews 5:5). He Himself said that as He had been sent from the Father (in the Incarnation), so it was that He was sending His apostles (the very word means 'those who are sent'). So then, no one in the Church has authoritative position without having divine authority which comes from Christ -- authority that's not merely subjectively felt to have been received, but which was truly, legally, lawfully conferred upon him. (So much then for ministers and self-made reverends who have no apostolic leg to stand on, no matter how much they may feel themselves to have been "called" to ministry, no matter how talented or dedicated to the Gospel they may be. No one can start his own religion, his own church.) A validly ordained and lawfully deputized Catholic priest is one who has been literally called (and not merely subjectively felt to be called) to holy orders by his bishop and who has been given by him the mandate to preach, teach, and to absolve sinners in the sacrament of Confession.
This instruction on the Church authority as derived from Christ and made actual through apostolic succession, Ordination, and through the exercise of juridical power rooted in divine authority, led me to think about the architecture of our parish church. In a tour I gave of it to some visitors I mentioned that ours is a traditional cruciform church, that is, it was made in the form of a cross, a design wherein the most sacred part is the sanctuary -- the place where Christ's head would be on the cross if one could get the aerial view of the church building. This traditional architectural shape of a church contrasts with the modernistic circular design of many churches built since the 1960s, a form which reflects not the hierarchical body of Christ (with Christ at the position of the head and His bodily members in the transept and the nave), but rather an egalitarian assembly of people where there is no head, no position of leadership, but where all are in equal placement, 'in the round.' This model does not reflect the Catholic theology of the Church (Christ being the Head, and His members subordinated to Him) but represents a protestant, individualistic, self-ruling kind of society where there is no true authority but where everyone, including those said to have been "ordained," are of equal position and status.
Needless to point out perhaps, architecture matters. The modern architecture, so prevalent in many Catholic churches, makes the laity feel that they are equal in position and authority to the priest who is merely their "presider" for the liturgy, or the appointed "president." In such case, lay people feel they have been "empowered" (a favorite slice of Saint Suburbanite jargon) to decide for themselves what they will believe and be taught, empowered to fashion their own liturgies, and to rule in areas proper to the ordained priesthood. One then out not to underestimate the power of art (here, of architecture) either to reinforce and sustain true, orthodox faith or else to usurp it.
We are regarded as being a traditional parish by many people, rightly so. Our church's very shape reflects the inherent hierarchical structure the Church, that is, which it has of its very nature, due to the express will of its divine Founder. Your parish priests, however unworthy, have been called by the Church to perform the ministerial service needed for the salvation of your souls. This is not a matter of self-imposed tyranny over you, of an outmoded pre-Vatican II "model" of the Church; it is rather of the very essence of the priesthood. And so, when one walks into our church building for the first time one gets a sense of this theological structure from its very architectural structure. And so it is that those of a modernistic frame of mind rightly feel discomfort upon entering our church. They sense there the majesty of God and His authority looming over them. Our church building itself is a catechetical lesson in Catholicism.
