Missa Puer Natus Est

Yesterday was a special day for the Parish of the Lord of the Divine Mercy Traditional Latin Mass community with Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo. It was the first time the community celebrated Christmas with a Missa Cantata with incense, a master of ceremonies and torchbearers.


A very solemn and beautiful Mass offered to the Christ child on the Feast of His Nativity. Beautiful! Deo Gratias!

Visitors

The people who visited this blog are from:

Manila
San Pedro, Laguna
Cavite, Cavite City
Tagbilaran
Manila
Ocana, Cebu
Makati, Rizal
Balangbalang, Agusan del Norte
Tagbilaran
Makati, Rizal
Tagbilaran
Leavenworth, Kansas
Makati, Rizal
Makati, Rizal
Pasig, Pampanga
Rowland Heights, California
Sulucan, Bulacan
Makati, Rizal
Quezon, Nueva Ecija
Makati, Rizal

Et Homo Factus Est

For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.

May Christ be born in our hearts. A Blessed Christmas to everyone!

more photos from hallowedground

Latin Mass (Missal of Pope Paul VI) at St. Jerome Parish, Alabang

This came from email:

Hello,
There will be a Latin Mass celebrated at St. Jerome Emiliani Parish in Alabang, beside Alabang Town Center, 11pm on Christmas Eve. Nope, it's not what you think it is. It's just a Novus Ordo Missae celebrated in Latin. The parist priest Fr. Grato Germaretto, an Italian priest told me that it is a "Missa Cantata" with Gregorian chants (of course it is). He also told me that his parish has been observing the tradition of celebrating (Novus Ordo) Mass on Christmas Eve, in Latin for the past 5 years. I asked him whether he would consider celebrating Latin Mass in the Tridentine Rite after all the Holy Father's Summorum Pontificum is in full-implementation, he replied, "maybe next year".

I happened to notice that there is a significant clamor for the Tridentine Mass here in the Diocese of Parañaque. Even some Misa de Gallos, as reported by friends, were celebrated in semi-Latin Novus Ordo Masses, in “Missa Cantata” with Gregorian chants using traditional melodies. In the Presentation of the Child Jesus Parish (inside BF Homes), the officers there told me that there were a lot of parishioners requesting for the said mass. My girlfriend who attends a Simbang Gabi 4 am Mass, told me that at one time she woke-up realizing the Gloria being sung the way it is sang in Divine Mercy Church, plus the Credo, Pater Noster, and the Agnus Dei, all in Latin. It maybe understandable that Novus Ordo Churches are easing the transition and the implementation of Tradition, let us just hope that it wouldn't take a year(s) long, at least here in my Diocese. Let us continue the restoration of Sacred Tradition back into the Novus Ordo Churches.

Instavrare Omnia In Christo,
Armand

Pre-Vatican II Tridentine Mass in Cebu

I found this photo in Skyscrapercity forum of a Tridentine Mass (Low Requiem Mass) taken before Vatican II. The photo was from John Ada and posted by arnold_carl . It's amazing to find discussions of the Traditional Mass in such an unusual place.



Carlos Palad made some very good observation that helped determine that the above picture was definetely pre-Vatican II:

The picture is definitely pre-Vatican II.

Looking at it, I can pick out the following details which help me date this picture:

1) There is no free-standing altar. Only the ad orientem high altar occupies the sanctuary

2) The communion rail is covered with an elaborate houseling cloth, which was obligatory in the Mass until made optional by Bl. John XXIII in 1961

3) The pulpit midway down the church is still in use, and is apparently decorated with fine fabrics

3) ALL the women are wearing veils, and the veils are predominantly black, which is really the tradition (only unmarried young women wore white veils; black veils are for the married and widowed)

4) The catafalque in the middle of the church is very tall and elaborate, something not often seen even in contemporary traditionalist liturgies. The candles around it are also very tall.

Kuya Dennis helped identify it as a Low Requiem Mass while Armand sent us photos on how the church looks today:

2nd Sunday of Advent (PLDM)

These are another set of pictures taken from the Parish of the Lord of the Divine Mercy in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines during the 2nd Sunday of Advent Traditional Latin Mass.

Who says the youth wouldn't like Latin or the Traditional Mass?

Venite Adoremus

Philippine Romanism

Photos taken from the First Sunday of Advent Mass according to the Missal of Blessed Pope John XXIII, Parish of the Lord of the Divine Mercy, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City.

TLM on November 17 as requested by Our Lady of Fatima Devotees from Diocese of Malolos

Sent through email:

Msgr. Moises Andrade will celebrate a sung Traditional Latin Mass as requested by Our Lady of Fatima devotees from different parts of the Diocese of Malolos this Saturday, Nov.17, 10am, at the National Shrine of OL of Fatima, MacArthur hi way., near Fatima College, Valenzuela ( 5 min drive form Monumento w/out traffic). Nov. 25, TLM at 8pm at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine will be celebrated by Fr. Joseph Skelton.

Spread the word, everyone is invited!

Dennis

TLM Offered in St. James the Great, Ayala Alabang

I just received this from email:

Annuntio Vobis Gaudium Magnum,

We had the first Sung Traditional Latin Mass according to the 1962 Missal 6pm last night at St. James the Great Parish in Ayala Alabang with a less than a hundred people in attendance. Msgr. Moises Andrade was celebrant at the High Altar donning gold vestments while I was at the prgan with an impromptu schola chanting the Missa di Angelis. Thanks to the initiative of parishioner, former Malacanang Protocol Adviser Ambassador Daniel Victoria who is an expert with the pre-Vatican II liturgical rubrics, serving as Master of Ceremonies to several bishops and cardinals starting with the late Cardinal Santos in the 1960's. We learned a lot from his detailed experience at his residence afterwards. I will announce the future Alabang TLM at our yahoogroups. Those near the Caloocan, Malabon or Valenzuela area may attend Sung TLM every Sunday at 8pm with Msgr. Andrade at the National Shrine of OL of Fatima at Valenzuela near Fatima College.

We need voulunteers to be Mass servers and part of the choir/schola!

Dennis

Request for Prayers

A grand uncle of mine, Dr. Virgilio Remo, a former Mayor of Cuenca, Batangas and the younger brother of Lola Eli and Lola Ancion, has passed on last Sunday. I thank you in advance for including him in your prayers.

Archbishop Ranjith on ongoing Episcopal "Rebellion"

I really find it strange why some openly disobey the Pope with regards to the Traditional Mass. Some even add or remove words from the Holy Father's mouth just to down play his intentions with regards to the Traditional Mass or add or remove words to focus on an entirely different and irrelevant issues. Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith, the Secretary of the Congregation of Divine Worship has this to say from an interview in papal news website Petrus:

[Translation taken from Rorate-Caeli website:]

Your Excellency, how has Benedict XVI´s motu proprio which liberalized the Holy Mass according to the Tridentine Rite been received? Some, in the bosom of the Church itself, have turned their noses...

"There have been positive reactions and, it is useless to deny it, criticisms and opposition , even from theologians, liturgists, priests, Bishops, and even Cardinals. I frankly do not understand these rifts, and, why not [say it], rebellion towards the Pope. I invite all, particularly the Shepherds, to obey the Pope, who is the Successor of Peter. The Bishops, in particular, have sworn fidelity to the Pontiff: may they be coherent and faithful to their commitment."

In your opinion, what causes these displays against the Motu Proprio?

"You know that there have been, by some dioceses, even interpretative documents which inexplainably intend to limit the Pope's Motu Proprio. These actions mask behind them, on one hand, prejudices of an ideological kind and, on the other, pride, one of the gravest sins. I repeat: I call all to obey the Pope. If the Holy father decided to promulgate the Motu Proprio, he had his reasons, which I fully share."

Benedict XVI´s decision to liberalize the Tridentine Rite seems as a just remedy to the so many liturgical abuses sadly registered after the Second Vatican Council with the 'Novus Ordo'...

"See, I do not wish to criticize the 'Novus Ordo'. But I laugh when I hear it said, even by friends, that in a [certain] parish, a priest is 'a Saint' due to his homily or to how he speaks. The Holy Mass is sacrifice, gift, mystery, independently of the celebrating priest. It is important, fundamental even, that the priest be put aside: the protagonist of the Mass is Christ. I do not understand, thus, the Eucharistic celebrations transformed in shows with dances, songs, and applause, as it frequently happens with the Novus Ordo."

Monsignor Patabendige, your Congregation has repeatedly denounced these liturgical abuses...

"True. There are so many documents, which have nonetheless painfully remained dead letter, [which] have ended up on dusty shelves or, even worse, in wastebaskets."

Another point: one often hears very long homilies...

"This also is an abuse. I am opposed to dances and applause in the middle of the Masses, which are not a circus or a stadium. As for the homilies, they must relate, as the Pope has underlined, exclusively to the catechetical aspect, avoiding sociologisms and useless chatter. For example, priests often veer towards politics because they have not prepared well the homily, which must, instead, be scrupulously studied. An excessively long homily is synonymous with a scarce preparation: the correct time for a sermon must be of 10 minutes, 15 at most. It must be acknowledged that the culminating moment of the celebration is the Eucharistic mystery, which does not mean downplaying the Liturgy of the Word, but clarifying how a correct liturgy must be applied."

Returning to the Motu Proprio: some criticize the use of Latin during Mass...

"The Tridentine Rite is part of the tradition of the Church. The Pope has duly explained the motives for his measure, an act of liberty and justice towards Traditionalists. As for Latin, I wish to underline that it has never been abolished and, what is more, it guarantees the universality of the Church. But I repeat: I invite priests, Bishops, and Cardinals to obedience, setting aside every kind of pride and prejudice."

A year ago...

Exactly a year ago, October 29, 2006, I attended my first Traditional Latin Mass in Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Masambong, Quezon City. After having spent 15 years of my life in Catholic institutions that never had anything traditional but rather "culturally youth oriented" Masses, even without any background in Latin and traditional rubrics whatsoever, I felt I was at home because I knew that this was the same Mass countless saints assisted at and even died for...I knew I was in Calvary.

Glorietta 2 Blast

An explosion rocked a shopping mall in Makati City Friday afternoon. Eight people died and at the latest count, a 129 others were injured. Authorities immediately rushed to the scene to secure the area, conduct a search and rescue and investigate the incident. Authorities earlier suspected that it might have been caused by an LPG tank, however, as they saw the extent of the damage, they are now not ruling out other possibilities.

This is truly a sad day. I ask you dear readers to join us in praying for those who have died and to ask for strength for those who were wounded and injured.

Photos taken by a fellow blogger here.

What Does the (Latin) Prayer Really Sound Like?

Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, popularly known as Fr. Z, has an audio project in his blog called
"What Does the (Latin) Prayers Really Sound Like?" The service is primarily intended for priests who want to use the 1962 Missale Romanum, to make them a little more comfortable and confident by being able to hear the prayers before they have to sing or say them.

The lay people are also invited to hear the prayers that "...by hearing the prayers ahead of time and get them in their ears and hearts, their active participation is made much more profound. Active participation, as the Church desires, is first and foremost active receptivity."

PRAYERCAzT 01: 20th Sunday after Pentecost - 1962 Missale Romanum

PRAYERCAzT 02: Preface of the Most Holy Trinity

Bishops who void Summorum Pontificum: Do not allow yourselves to be used as INSTRUMENTS OF THE DEVIL

There are several statements from bishop's conferences and individual bishops giving their own interpretation of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum that are very restrictive to the point of voiding the Holy Father's motu proprio. Read on what Archbishop Ranjith, Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline, has to say:

[From Fr.Z's wdtprs.com]

A kind reader sent me this fascinating excerpt from a talk given by His Excellency Most Rev. Malcolm Ranjith, Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments.

the talk was entitled “Faith, Obedience and Theology” and was delivered at the annual meeting of the Dutch Latin Liturgy Association (Vereniging voor Latijnse Liturgie) in ’s-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) on 6 October 2007.

He gave the talk in English, but the person who sent it to me translated it from Dutch. So, it probably varies a little from the original English, which perhaps someone out there can dig up for us.

Read this, with my emphases.

“The motu proprio Summorum Pontificum on the Latin Liturgy of July 7th 2007 is the fruit of a deep reflection by our Pope on the mission of the Church. It is not up to us, who wear ecclesiastical purple and red, to draw this into question, to be disobedient and make the motu proprio void by our own little, tittle rules. Even not if they were made by a bishops conference. Even bishops do not have this right. What the Holy Fathers says, has to be obeyed in the Church. If we do not follow this principle, we will allow ourselves to be used as instruments of the devil, and nobody else. This will lead to discord in the Church, and slows down her mission. We do not have the time to waste on this. Else we behave like emperor Nero, fiddling on his violin while Rome was burning. The churches are emptying, there are no vocations, the seminaries are empty. Priests become older and older, and young priests are scarce.”

NB: His Excellency has made a connection between Pope Benedict’s decision to promulgate Summorum Pontificum and a remedy for ills in the Church, namely, empty churches and empty seminaries.

Thus, this the Pope’s provisions are willed by God, for they comes from Peter as something for the good of the Church. They seek the defend the Church and build her up at critical points of attack by the devil, namely, what happens in a church (worship of God and sanctification through the sacraments, especially Holy Mass) and what happens in a seminary (men are formed to be alter Christus).

Thus, anyone who resists the provisions of the Motu Proprio, aimed at healing these problems of the Church, actually aids the Enemy of the soul and becomes the devil’s pawns.


We don’t have time to waste.

Philippine National Anthem (Pacquiao-Barrera Fight 2)

Manny Pacquiao won yesterday's match via a unanimous decision. I'm glad I was able to catch the fight via the live telecast at the San Juan Arena and still make it to the 1:30pm Mass. Most unforgettable was the way Kyla sang the Philippine National Anthem. She has proven that one can sing our Pambansang Awit with humility and still clearly emanate the pride and honor of being a Filipino. She did so without even the use of unnecessary ad libs. She just sang the way it should be sang and yet we felt every note arousing our sense of nationalism and patriotism. Very well done Kyla. Very well done.

Kneel before the Lord thy God

What makes it hard for us to genuflect before our God? We, the lay people, religious nuns and brothers, extraordinary ministers, seminarians, altar servers, church assistants and helpers, even priests, pass before the tabernacle with the sanctuary lamp lit or before the exposed Blessed Sacrament and just do a simple bow when we should genuflect! Sometimes we even just ignore the Divine Presence. What makes it so difficult for us to give due reverence to Jesus who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament? Are we afraid and ashamed that our fellow "catholics" would accuse us of worshiping and genuflecting before a wafer or cookie? Has genuflecting become a scandal? Are we afraid that they would accuse us of superstition? Is this an "inculturation" thing that prevents us from doing so? If the statues could move, they would already have knelt and worshiped.

Lord, we ask for Your forgiveness and mercy. Teach us to humble ourselves before You, to give due reverence to You, our Lord, our Saviour, our King. Give us the courage not to be afraid and ashamed to kneel, genuflect and give you due reverence when people accuse us of worshiping a cookie when it is really is Your Body, it is really You who Is truly present. Amen.

Extraordinary Form offered in Bohol

Here are photos of a Low Mass (Traditional Latin Mass) offered by Fr. Joseph Skelton, Jr. at Assumption Shrine, Dauis, Bohol. The photos are courtesy of Fr. Skelton through Carlos Palad sent through email.






Says Fr. Joseph Skelton: "This Mass which is always offered in Latin has already helped me spiritually and through its rich rituals I have come to connect in a profound way with our spiritual ancestors in the worship of God who never changes but always changes things! To God be the glory!"

Deo Gratias!

Lord of the Divine Mercy Week Day Private Mass Continues

The weekday private Mass offered by Father Zerrudo continues. He says "We are presently trying our best to make the Mass according to the 1962 Missal more readily available to all." The weekday private Masses shall be offered this week from Monday to Saturday at 3:00pm except on Tuesday at 8:00am. He is appealing for altar servers who would assist at his private Mass and also some of the parishioners to sing Gregorian Chant.

The Eclessia Dei Society of St. Joseph is also currently publishing Sunday Mass missalettes for those who cannot afford to buy a missal. The missalette contains English translations of the Propers of the Mass and other inspirational materials from legitimate sources.

September 16 Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Extraordinary Form)

The following are photographs of the Mass according to the extraordinary form being offered in Metro Manila, Philippines. The photos are courtesy of Dennis Raymond Maturan. You can visit his flicker account for more photos.

Lord of the Divine Mercy Parish (Father Mitchell Joe Zerrudo)


National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima (Monsignor Moises Andrade)

Sermon (Transcript) of Fr. Calvin Goodwin, F.S.S.P. Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross

I would like to thank maryz who posted her transcript available here. It saved me a lot of time transcribing the remaining 30%. The audio is available here for download courtesy of EWTN.

First of all, we members of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter whom you see at the sanctuary today would like to thank Mother Angelica, Mother Vicar, and the Poor Claire community for their gracious invitation to celebrate this Mass here today in this magnificent church. We are particularly grateful to Bishop Folley of the Diocese of Birmingham for supporting our presence here today and to the members of the EWTN staff and board of directors of this tremendous enterprise born of Mother Angelica’s faith and wisdom and which has been so fruitful for the needs of the church all around the world now for a quarter of a century.

There are so many things that can be said on this momentous occasion of the coming into full legal power in the church of the Holy Father’s motu proprio on the traditional Mass. I will do no more than offer a few reflections as the least of all the members of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. There are many who would be able to offer more eloquent and apposite thoughts. My comments reflect only my own poor grasp of the gift that the successor of Peter offers to the Church in his teaching and his decrees in the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. I could never claim to represent the Priestly Fraternity as a whole or any other ecclesial body, just me.

Father Trigilio said to me this morning before Mass, he was looking at this preaching stole and he said “Wow! That’s really beautiful.” And I said. “Yes. Our theory is if the preaching can’t be good at least it can look good.”

Today marks a moment, a great moment in the history of the Church in modern times. This Mass offered today for the needs and intention of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, is a concrete and visible token of that interior reconciliation within the church which the Holy Father has both called for and made possible through his recent motu proprio which restores the traditional liturgical rights of the church to a central place at the heart of the church’s life.

Certainly no one, now, is unaware of the painful confusions and divisions which afflicted the church’s interior life during recent years. The Supreme Pontiff bears poignant witness to these afflictions when in the letter to the universal episcopate which accompanied the motu proprio “I am speaking from experience since I too lived through that period with all its hopes and its confusions and I have seen how arbitrary deformations of the liturgy cause deep pain to the individuals totally rooted in the faith of the church.” And so the Vicar of Christ making use of that personal authority which binds the Universal Church and which is his alone has determined that the healing of those painful wounds must begin and it must begin at the heart of the Church, in the sanctuary, in the Holy Sacrifice which makes present on the altar that very exultation of the saving passion of Christ which is commemorated in the feast which we celebrate here today. So, therefore, let any spirit of suspicion which has led to divisions of amongst Catholics be banished once and for all by this proclamation of the vicar of Christ were he says “What earlier generations held as sacred remains sacred and great for us too and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful” and we cannot fail to note that the ancient feast which we celebrate today here bears witness to the fact that out of the most abject suffering that the world has ever witnessed, the ignominious passion and death on the cross of the Son of God there emanated reason for joy and exultation, a joy and exultation that will endure so long as this world endures and indeed is crowned for all eternity in heaven so too, though the Church has witnessed contradictions and conflicts throughout her history, she the unspotted bride of Christ always emerges intact to continue her mission for the honor God and the needs of souls. Out of this conviction, the Vicar of Christ offers to the whole church an invitation to what he calls an interior reconciliation much needed and long awaited and so deeply appreciated by faithful Catholics everywhere.

Still, it is not sufficient to take advantage only of the joy of this great moment. We must apply ourselves to the task of appreciating more fully the substance of the mind of the Church as articulated by the successor of Peter. What, then, does the Holy Father had in mind as he restores the immemorial rite of Mass along with all the traditional liturgical rites and uses of the Latin rite? What does he expected to achieve in the life of the Church?

Well without attempting to speak for him, let us briefly look at the rite itself so as to glean from its evident nature and character what it is that the Supreme Pontiff wishes to offer through its restoration to the attention of the whole church. Certainly, we will find there in the rite itself the elements revelatory of the essence of authentic Catholic liturgy for as Pope John Paul II of blessed memory reminded us just a very few years ago “…in the Roman Missal so called of St. Pius V, one finds the most beautiful prayers with which the priest expresses the deepest sense of humility and reverence before the Sacred Mysteries. These reveal the very substance of what liturgy is.”

No doubt, much of the ceremony of today’s Mass will be unfamiliar to many. Two things in particular will probably stand out. One, is that the Mass is celebrated entirely in Latin. The other is that for much the greatest time of the ceremony the priest celebrant prays facing the altar. These phenomena are by no means the only significant ones but they are both immediately different to what many have become accustomed in the liturgy as most often celebrated in recent times. Yet these phenomena, however much they may bring with them the shock of the unfamiliar, are none the less integral to the most central principles of liturgical prayer in the Catholic Church and they are hallowed by an unbroken tradition which, as the Council of Trent solemnly defined, is rooted in the liturgy of apostolic times. Still, given the more common liturgical practice of recent times, it should cause no surprise if good and sincere people simply ask “Why is the Mass in a language that I don’t understand and the rites in a configuration which makes it impossible for me to see what’s going on?” It should be made clear then.

This venerable rite of Holy Mass in no way has in its goal the obscuring of the elements of the Mass, just the opposite. It is so constructed as to be eminently revelatory as Pope John Paul said “…of the very substance of that liturgy is.” There is no need nor would it remain to the context of a sermon in order to analyze elements which may have contributed to certain confusions and anomalies during the time of tumultuous change in the Church’s life. For his part, and this is surely sufficient for us, the Holy Father clearly comprehends the historical context and does not forebear to draw certain difficult but unavoidable conclusions when he says “…in many places the new Missal actually was understood as authorizing or even requiring creativity which frequently led to deformations of the liturgy which were hard to bear.” Beyond that, it is surely our priority to note, first, the profound compassion with which the Vicar of Christ seeks to bind up the wounds of those who have suffered and then the sober and insistent fashion in which he summons the whole church -- bishops, priests and faithful to that interior reconciliation without which our service of God, liturgically or otherwise, would be gravely impaired.

All the varied rites of the Church stand together in offering to God the same worship which His human creatures owe to Him and all this rites, singly and together, are equally bound constantly to reflect upon the fidelity and constancy with which they do so. The texts of today’s Mass, of today’s feast, reveal to us, as well as any, a great deal about the authentic essence of liturgical prayer. In the Introit we read “May God have mercy on us and bless us. May He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us.” What do we perceive here, if not the reality that in this world we are threatened by a darkness, a darkness founded in elements of sin and error and further the acknowledgment that it is God’s merciful action that we must await to effect the dispelling of that darkness.

In the Gospel we read just how that darkness is dispelled. It is through Christ alone, Christ our Light and it is Christ Himself who guides us by the light of truth, that light which saves. “Whilst you have the Light, believe in the Light that you may be children of Light.” What is our response to the action of God who saves us in Christ, the Eternal Light? It must be to believe in that Light. Thus in Holy Mass everything builds on that belief in the Light, but, and this should lead us to a profound reflection, the initiative is God’s and Christ alone is, in the Incarnation, the means of that initiative.

Just a few days ago at the beginning of this week, the Holy Father gave an elocution in Germany in which he reflected upon the essential elements of Catholic liturgical prayer. These are his words: “In all our efforts on behalf of the liturgy, the determining factor must always be our looking to God. We stand before God, He speaks to us first and then we speak to Him. I ask you to celebrate the sacred liturgy with your gaze fixed upon God within the communion of saints, the living Church, of every place and time.” The liturgical prayer of the Church is therefore first of all something given to us by God, something which we receive, something to which we are obliged faithfully and humbly to conform ourselves, our hearts, our minds. What is obscure in a world so convinced of its self sufficiency is made plain in the eyes of faith turned and lifted toward Him. It is given and revealed to us, in fact by God, through an unbroken tradition of rites which embody that tradition that stretches back directly to the Apostles themselves. The world’s cultural inclinations and fashions pass and fade away -- but the Light remains constant.

The ancient character of the Church’s liturgical actions, its words, gestures and ceremonies reflect this enduring Light in a concrete and sensible way. The words pronounced at the altar today are, to a very significant degree, the same words, the gestures and motions are the same as those used by Blessed John XXIII and St. Pius V, by St. John Vianney and St. Dominic, by St. Miguel Pro and St. Edward Campion, by the martyrs of North America and the martyrs of the Crusades, by St. Maximillian Kolbe and St. Augustine of Hippo. Hallowed words, hallowed gestures, hallowed action, hallowed not only by use but by where they come from, that precious and holy tradition that has sanctified individuals, made devout families, given abundant vocations and martyrs to the Church and to the honor of God for almost two millennia. As the Holy Father states in Summorum Pontificum “…it is evident that the Latin liturgy has stimulated in the spiritual life of very many saints in every century of the Christian age and strengthened in the virtue of religion so many peoples and made fertile their piety.”

You know that in the Eastern rites when people come in to the church there is a wall called the iconostasis, beautifully decorated, which separates their gaze from what is transpiring in the sanctuary. In the ancient times of the church, when it is time for the most central part of the Mass to begin, a curtain used to be drawn, across the sanctuary, in order to withhold from profane gaze the Sacred Mysteries. No longer is such a curtain drawn, it is not needed, because God, in the Holy Ghost, has guided the Church to that same reality represented in the Eastern church by the iconostasis with a sacred language, a none-everyday, special language devoted only to the Church’s holy endeavors. It serves as a verbal curtain drawn over the mysteries being carried out at the altar to remind us that, yes, there is a wide and fathomless gap between the incomprehensible majesty and holiness of God on the one hand and our human sinfulness and smallness on the other. It is a gap which cannot be breached by human presumption or initiative or comprehension. It is a gap unbridgeable by anything we do and is overcome only by what God does in our Lord Jesus Christ and which we receive from Him.

The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has repeatedly warned against the tendency in modern times for prayer, liturgical prayer for the community to drift towards a celebration much of itself and Pope John Paul II insisted in a pointed analysis of elements on dignified and inappropriate to liturgical prayer that “…it is necessary to purify worship of deformations, of careless forms of expression, of ill prepared music and text which are not very suited to the grandeur of the act being celebrated.” In all the several liturgical rites and uses of the Church, then, all of them, we are in common urged to seek only those elements which authentically and worthily reflect the august sacrifice they embody.

Thus today in the ancient Roman Rite, we bow as did our fathers in the Faith, we kneel as those before us did many centuries ago, we prostrate ourselves before the awesome re-presentation on the altar of the Sacrifice of the Cross. The Epistle of today’s feast reminds us that even at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of those that are in heaven, on earth and under the earth -- the Church Triumphant, the Church Militant and the Church Suffering. If this is the appropriate action to the mention of the Holy Name, how much more reverence and devotion should inform our acknowledgement of His actual Presence on the altar? Nothing casual, but instead a communal turning “toward the Lord.” Once again, the words of our Holy Father, “A turning to the Lord in gratitude, love and awe, for what is donated to us by a merciful God and which we could never achieve on our own or make happen for ourselves.” And by this humble submission, we are united, as St. Paul reminds us, to the Church Triumphant in heaven and the Church Suffering in purgatory and offering to God our common homage.

The first thing, then, that we have to understand, is that this Mystery takes us beyond the limits available to unaided human understanding. It cannot be grasped or encompassed by puny human intellect alone, darkened as it is by the inroads of sin. We can find our way to it only through a humble and reverent and faith-founded attentiveness. Not a passivity, mind you, but an attention which is in fact the activity most essential to our participation in Holy Mass. As Pope John Paul II put it, making his own the words of St. Augustine from so long ago, but still wholly normative for all authentic Catholic worship. “The highest music is one that arises from our hearts.” It is precisely this harmony that God wants to hear in our liturgies. The most perfect participation in that Sacrifice is in fact exemplified by Our Blessed Lady at the foot of the Cross. And what is it that Our Lady does there, at the foot of the Cross? Nothing in fact that mortal eyes can perceive. What does she say there, at the foot of the Cross? Nothing that mortal ears can hear. And yet no human being ever was or ever could be more fully or more intimately involved in that Sacrifice than she was at that moment, because her heart and soul and being were united to her Son and to what He was doing for us all. As always, she shows us the Way.

Thus, with Our Lady at the foot of the Cross, we too can only be present and wonder, asking ourselves in union with the prayer of the priest at the altar, Quid retribuam “what return shall I make to the Lord for all that He hath given unto me?” This is both the beginning and the goal of participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Everything that fails to lead to that reverence and interior union, or which impedes it, impedes authentic participation, and all the elements of exterior participation consonant with these principles will inevitably have the character of authenticity. And when that Sacrifice is crowned in the moment of Holy Communion, what is it that we do? We receive. We receive what we could never fashion or make for ourselves, but which is freely and mercifully and lovingly given to us by a loving and merciful God in His Son, our Savior, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Son of God, a moment above all for devout and humble receptivity.

This is the moment of Mt. Tabor, when the apostles are rapt in silent wonder, their heads bowed low in awe and holy fear, until, as St. Matthew tells us, Jesus came and touched them and then, looking up, they saw only Jesus. That is a text in which the early Christians, and Christians of all time, will certainly have recognized their own rite of Holy Communion. Through this rite of Holy Mass and not infrequently without particular verbal comprehension, saints and martyrs have been raised up in the Church. Simple people and children have entered into heroic holiness, not because they grasped or saw, but because they revered and believed. How we need today -- how young people need that simple and humble faith of a Therese of the Child Jesus, who said at the very end of her life, “I always sought only the Truth.” How we need that simple and humble faith of a Bernadette, who attested, when questioned by the priest, that she did not understand the awesome message -- I use the word “awesome” several times in this sermon in honor of Mother Angelica -- that she did not understand the awesome message that Our Lady had chosen her to convey, but nevertheless her faith in our Lady was real and wholly unshakable. And thus that faith became richly fruitful for her own relationship with God, as well as for the mission that had been entrusted to her. Yet how many have forgotten that their first responsibility in this world is to know God through the exercise of the virtue of faith? The world’s modalities are insufficient in themselves for Divine Worship. We must surrender to the Christ, our Light who alone guides us beyond the world’s deceptions to the realm of divinely given revelation. And that revealed truth is made present here today and every day that Holy Mass is celebrated in all the approved rites of the Church through the renewal of the Sacrifice of the Cross.

Finally, let us be clear: No one here has the slightest intention of proposing the immemorial liturgy as some solution to the Church’s trials or troubles. The purpose of liturgical prayer is, in any case, not to fix things in the Church but so to unite us to Christ our Lord that we can navigate this troubled sea of this world, always oriented towards -- and one day finding our repose in Him. But the Church will surely benefit so much from the reintegration into her life of this “most beautiful thing this side of heaven,” as Fr. Faber once memorably described the ancient rite of Holy Mass. Priests will benefit in their interior life, and countless souls will benefit from that silence in which alone the voice of God may be discerned. No, this Mass is not a challenge to the Church, nor an act of condemnation, nor an act of politics, but an immeasurable enrichment of the Church’s life. It is a sign of restoration, a sign of renewed vigor and self-awareness for and in the Church. We should familiarize ourselves with the provisions that the Holy Father has made in Summorum Pontificum, ponder them for the wisdom they embody beyond their immediate practical prescriptions.

The Sacrifice of the Cross in this ancient and venerable form is to be exalted, as is the Cross itself, in this ancient and venerable feast that we celebrate today.

Lola Eli

A grand-aunt of mine, Lola Elisa Roque passed away yesterday, September 17. In behalf of her children and grand children, I thank you in advance for including her in your prayers.

Summorum Pontificum Implementations

Updated...

Father Mitchell Joe Zerrudo will be offering private Masses according the the Missal of Blessed John XXIII for the whole week (this week) at 3pm except this Tuesday which will be offered at 8am.

Monsignor Moises Andrade is offering the Mass (Missa Cantata) according to the Missal of Blessed John XXIII every Sundays at 8pm at the National Shrine of our Lady of Fatima, Fatima Ave. Pag-Asa Subdivision 1, Marulas, Valenzuela City.

Travelling through Time

The film, the Passion of the Christ, felt like a time travelling experience. People who saw the film felt like they were brought back in time, back physically to the events that changed human history forever. There were mixed reactions from the people, some wept, some kept silent. The imagery that the director Mel Gibson used was so powerful that the people were so focused from the start of the film to its end.

Unknown to many, the events of Calvary is made present every day. Every time a priest offers Mass, the sacrifice at Calvary is made present. The people who are present in the Mass are invited to cease to be spectators or viewers but to become united to that great sacrifice at Calvary.

Father Zerrudo asks: Keeping in mind that in each Mass we are truly present at the foot of the cross, how should we conduct ourselves?

At Calvary we meet two groups of people: a group who entertained themselves by mocking our Lord and reviling Him shouting: If He is the Messiah, the chosen of God, and the King of Israel let Him come down now from the cross, that we may see, and believe in Him. Another group was present, some of the disciples of our Lord together with His mother stood by Him at the foot of the cross in silence, interiorly contemplating the sacred mystery unfolding before their eyes.

Should we come to Mass expecting to be entertained with a show? Should we come to Mass expecting something new to see? That holy sacrifice our Lord did at Calvary was never a show, never an entertainment for those who followed and believed Him. Our Lady was not at the foot of cross just to watch her beloved Son die. She was at the foot of the cross to unite herself with the suffering and death of her beloved Son. So too, must we focus to unite ourselves, body, mind, heart and soul with the sufferings of our Lord each time the Mass is offered.

A very beautiful thought to ponder upon

This is a very beautiful thought to ponder upon:

What is it that our Lady does there at the foot of the cross? Nothing, in fact, that mortal eyes can perceive.
What does she say there at the foot of the cross? Nothing, that mortal ears can hear.
And yet no human being ever was or ever could be more fully or more intimately involved in that sacrifice than she was at that moment because her heart and soul and being were united to her Son and to what He was doing for us all.

The above was an excerpt from the sermon given by Fr. Calvin Goodwin, FSSP during the EWTN televised Traditional Latin Mass, Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross.

Actual participation is first and foremost an interior contemplation of the sacred mysteries unfolding before us.

September 14: Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross

Here are some pictures of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass taken at the Lord of the Divine Mercy Parish as we celebrated the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross.

A New Day Begins...

A new day begins, not only in the life of the traditionalists, but more importantly, in the life of the whole Church. Today, the Roman Mass according to the Missal of Blessed John XXIII, a revision of the Mass that dates back to Pope St. Gregory the Great, codified in the Council of Trent, popularly known today as the Traditional Latin Mass or Tridentine Mass, has marked its return and is now known as the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

The altar awaits us.

Archdiocese of Jaro to Celebrate Summorum Pontificum

In addition to the earlier post, the Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo will also offer a Mass according to the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.

At the Nuestra Senora Dela Candelaria Metropolitan Cathedral of Jaro, Iloilo (located in the Island of Panay, one of the Visayas Islands located in the middle of the Philippines), Fr. Melvin Castro, Chancellor of the Diocese of Tarlac, will celebrate a Traditional Latin Missa Cantata at the main altar of the Cathedral on September 14, Friday, 6:00 PM.

The Cubao and Jaro Masses on September 14, 2007 will be both held at 6:00 PM. There is a symbolic significance to this. In the Philippines, daily mass-going is alive and well, and daily masses are often scheduled around 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The 6:00 (or 6:30) PM mass often attracts larger crowds than the morning mass, because it is the mass that is most convenient for working people. Celebrating the TLM on such an hour, therefore, signifies the full integration of this rite of the Mass into the liturgical life of the churches concerned. It also allows the TLM to be introduced to more people who, perhaps, have never seen it before.

Thanks to Carlos for the news.

President of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Celebrates the Traditional Mass

An excerpt from Carlos Antonio Palad's email reads:

I have the great joy of announcing to you that His Excellency, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo D.D., Archbishop of Jaro and currently President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), celebrated a Missa Cantata according to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite last September 11, 2007, 7:00 PM (Manila time) at the Carmelite Monastery Church in Lipa City, Province of Batangas (located south of Manila).

Summorum Pontificum Thanksgiving Mass

Updated...

The Latin Mass community in Metro Manila Philippines will have a thanksgiving Mass (Missa Cantata) in the extraordinary form on July 14th, Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, at 6:00pm in celebration of the implementation of the apostolic letter given motu proprio Summorum Pontificum of his holiness Pope Benedict XVI. A Low Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 15th at 3:00pm. On Sunday, September 16th, after the 1:30pm Mass (Missa Cantata), there will be procession in honor of the Holy Cross and Mother of Sorrows. Everyone is invited to come and join us in prayer and thanksgiving.

Kindly refer to the map for directions on how to get to the Lord of the Divine Mercy parish church.

Lola Ancion

A grand aunt of mine, from my mother's side, Consolacion Remo-Alday or Lola Ancion, passed away last Sunday, September 2, 2007, a day after her 100th birthday. In behalf of her children and grand children, I thank you in advance for including her in your prayers.

Visitors from Sienna College and Canada

Two Sundays ago, a good number of students from Sienna College attended the Traditional Mass. I feel that they are lucky for having theology/religion professors who introduced them to the rich and beautiful expression of worship found in the extraordinary form of the Roman Liturgy.

The week before, we met Anthony, a balikbayan from Canada. He is a Batangueño FSSP seminarian, probably the first Filipino FSSP seminarian. He went back to Canada last week to continue his studies. Good Luck Anthony!

Online Tutorial on the Latin Mass (1962 Missale Romanum)

Priests wanting to say the Traditional Latin Mass can check out an online tutorial of the ordo and rubrics complete with video and images. It will also have tutorials for altar servers and sacred music soon.

www.sanctamissa.org

Brought to us by the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius.

Extraordinary Reverence

Photo from FSSP

Because we are creatures approaching our Creator, the traditional mass, with the extensive rubrics composed of bows, genuflections, vestments, signs and incense teaches the faithful to approach God with a contrite and humble heart. Indeed Jesus is our brother and friend, but we must never, never forget that He is our God, our King who sacrificed Himself by suffering and dying on the cross for our sake. That thought alone should be enough to compel us to bow when we call upon His holy name, to kneel or genuflect in front of His presence, to offer to God an extraordinary Mass with all our love.

This is the traditional roman mass, the extraordinary form, freed by His vicar, Pope Benedict XVI, to be made fully available come September 14 to all faithful of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. Thank you, our dearest Holy Father. Thank you to the many bishops and priests who expressed their support to you. Long live Pope Benedict XVI!

The little bookstore that could

Mainstream bookstores in Manila in most cases do not carry a good number of orthodox catholic books. One would either have to go online to order or just wait and pray until these books hit their shelves.

With the continuous threats and offensives from the secularist world, every Catholic should know where to find quality reinforcements, in other words, orthodox.

Fortunately in Greenhills, City of San Juan, there is a specialty bookstore that offers the widest range of various topics about the Catholic Church, from Apologetics to Church History, from Philosophy to Spirituality, from Doctrine and Dogma to Social Teachings written by well known catholic authors such as Aquinas, More, Chesterton, Hildebrand, Ratzinger, Hahn, Keating, Ray, Madrid, Sheen, Newman, Groeshel to name a few.

Totus Bookstore is a perfect resource not only for the faithful, but for the priests and seminarians as well.

Visit Totus Bookstore online here.

Summorum Pontificum Contact Database

The Summorum Pontificum Contact Database of LumenGentleman Catholic Studies has now included the Philippines in the list of countries. The contact database is a means to connect the faithful who want to assist in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite with the Catholic priests who want to say the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.

Whether you are a faithful who can help either by serving, training altar servers, sing in a schola, play an instrument (approved for the Traditional Mass), purchasing a vestment and/or books, or just by being there in the Mass, or a priest who can say the Mass, train other priests, or who wants training you may want to add you name and contact information to the list.

Other available countries are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Spain, France, United Kingdom, India, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, United States, Ireland, Hungary, and South Africa.

Jesuit History and Ignatian Spirituality

Yesterday, July 31, was the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. For his feast day, John Brown SJ and Carlos Esperanza SJ created, the Jesuit Review, a 10-part series of internet videos focusing on Jesuit/Ignatian spirituality, Jesuit history and contemporary Jesuits. Each part will be available for a week.

Check it out here.

CBCPnews Poll

CBCPnews has a poll: Do you agree with the latest pronouncement from the Vatican allowing the Latin Mass upon the request of the laity?

I have reservations to polls as it will only make the Latin Mass vs. Novus Ordo sort of a popularity contest instead of just following the decrees of Pope Benedict XVI and appreciating the rich traditions of the Roman Rite. Well I voted YES just to show my support to the Holy Father, and the Traditional Latin Mass.

St. Paul's Bookstore, CBCP Monitor

After a day's work, I sometimes pass by St. Paul's Bookstore in Gateway Mall to see what's new. I usually browse over the books and magazines to see what catches my interests. It has been a long time since I bought a book in St. Paul's, and with so many things to read, I find it hard to find time to read all the books I buy.

This evening, while browsing inside the bookstore, I found a newspaper from the CBCP called CBCP Monitor. The first thing that came into my mind is: Does it have the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum in it? I was glad to know that the July 9-22 issue has it. I can't wait for the next issue.

CBCP also has a new online news site: cbcpnews.com. There's not much content yet, nevertheless, check it out.

Public celebration of the Traditional Mass by the Pope

The first public Traditional Latin Mass of the Pope after his motu proprio Summorum Pontificum could happen this first Sunday of Advent according to Vatican sources.

Source: Italy Global Nation

Traditional Mass in the Visayas

There is a Global Registry of Traditional Latin Masses approved by Legitimate Authority. Here is list of approved Traditional Latin Masses from the Visayas. Please note that it was last updated seven years ago. There could be changes over the past years.


Archdiocese of Jaro-Iloilo

At least every-Sunday Indult Masses:

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church
Tanza, Iloilo City 5000
Island of Panay
Celebrants: Msgr. José Buenaflor, Fr. Sozonte Cataluna; Msgr. Alba
Sundays: 4.00 p.m.
Updated in 2000

Other than at least every-Sunday traditional Latin Masses:

Chapel of Barangay Poblocion South
Parish of the Immaculate Conception
Oton, Iloilo, Island of Panay
Celebrant: Fr. Juan Tubola
Wednesdays, 1st Fridays, 1st Saturdays: 6.30 p.m., after Perpetual Help Devotions

Carmelite Convent Chapel
La Paz, Iloilo City
Celebrant: Msgr. José Buenaflor
1st Fridays & Saturdays

Diocese of Bacolod

At least every-Sunday traditional Latin Masses:

Immaculate Conception Parish
Bakyas, Mansiligan, Bacolod City
Every Sunday: 3.30 p.m.
Sunday Rosary & Confessions: 3.00 p.m.
Updated: 29 August, 2000

Traditional Mass in Malate, Manila?

During last night's episode of "Salitang Buhay," guest speaker, Mr. Carlos Palad, a member of Defensores Fidei Foundation and Una Voce America announced that a Traditional Mass in Malate, Manila is in the works. He also said that he is actually personally involved in the process. Perhaps this will take effect after 14th of September 14. This is a welcome opportunity for people in that area unfamiliar with the Traditional Latin Mass experience a sense of the sacred. Perhaps we will see more of the extraordinary form here in Manila soon.

"Salitang Buhay" (Word Alive) hosted by Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD is a Philippine radio program aired over DZMM (630khz) every Sunday nights 9:00pm to 10:15pm (Manila Time).

Traditional Mass attendees from neighboring provinces

Traditional Latin Mass attendees of the Lord of the Divine Mercy are not only from within Metro Manila itself but some are also from neighboring provinces of Rizal and Cavite. As one of our readers, Mr. Frank Chow, pointed out, these people "...are there because they want to be there more than anywhere else at that particular time." A two and a half hour commute just to meet the Lord and worship Him with utmost love and reverence through the traditional way is definitely worth it.

Talk on Summorum Pontificum on Philippine Radio

From one of NLM's readers:

This coming Sunday, July 22, 2007, 9:00 - 10:15 PM Manila time (that's GMT + 0800 H), Carlos Antonio Palad, an associate of Defensores Fidei Foundation (a Philippine-based apologetics society) and a member of Una Voce America will be guesting on the "Salitang Buhay" (Word Alive) radio program of Fr. Bel San Luis SVD on DZMM 630 khz Radyo Balita. Mr. Palad will discuss Summorum Pontificum and give an introduction to the Traditional Latin Mass. The radio broadcast will cover Metro Manila and all of Luzon (northern Philippines). It will also be simulcast over SkyCable's DZMM TeleDyaryo TV Channel (the TeleDyaryo simulcast will also be available via streaming media download through www.abs-cbn.com)

A discussion regarding the Motu Proprio and Traditional Latin Mass on one of the popular radio stations would be most helpful in conveying the message of the Holy Father as it will reach a lot of people here in Manila and Luzon.

Fr. Bossi Released

Fr. Bossi, the Italian priest kidnapped in Southern Philippines, has been released.

From abs-cbnnews.com

Bossi recovered alive

Father Giancarlo Bossi, the Italian priest abducted last month by suspected extremists in Zamboanga Sibugay province has been recovered alive, a report reaching abs-cbnNEWS said Friday.

Bossi, 57, had grown thin from more than a month in captivity.

Authorities took him to a military camp in Zamboanga City following the recovery.

The Italian priest was kidnapped on June 10 in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Pope regularly celebrates Traditional Mass in private.

Pope Benedict uses older ritual for his private Mass

Vatican, Jul. 16, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news), who recently issued a motu proprio allowing all Catholic priests to celebrate the old Latin Mass, uses the older ritual himself for his private Mass, CWN has learned.

Informed sources at the Vatican have confirmed reports that the Holy Father regularly celebrates Mass using the 1962 Roman Missal.

In his motu proprio Summorum Pontificum the Pope says that the older form-- the form in universal use before the liturgical changes that followed Vatican II-- was never abrogated.

Since becoming Roman Pontiff, Benedict XVI has always used the new ritual-- which he identifies in Summorum Pontificum as the "ordinary form" of the Roman rite-- for public celebrations of the Eucharistic liturgy. However few people have witnessed the Pope celebrating his private daily Mass.

Unlike his predecessor John Paul II, who regularly invited visitors to attend the Mass that he celebrated each morning in his private chapel, Benedict XVI has made it his regular practice to celebrate Mass with only a few aides. The Pope's closest associates have established a reputation for preserving confidences.

Pope Benedict has long been known as an ardent defender of the Catholic liturgical tradition. In the early 1990s he raised eyebrows in Rome by writing a laudatory preface to the book The Reform of the Roman Liturgy, in which Msgr. Klaus Gamber decried many of the liturgical changes of the past few decades.

Then-Cardinal Ratzinger also traveled to Wigratzbad, in Bavaria, to ordain priests for the Fraternity of St. Peter, a group devoted to the use of the traditional liturgy. He performed those ordinations, as well as Mass on Easter Sunday in 1990, using the 1962 Roman Missal.

World Bishops' Reactions

Rorate Caeli has a compilation of Bishops' reactions to Summorum Pontificum.

Link here.

Thank you Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Yesterday was a very special day for us regular Classical Mass attendees. It was our day to thank and honor our Lady of Mt. Carmel. As Father Jojo pointed out, the Summorum Pontificum of Pope Benedict XVI was released July 7, 2007, the first day of the novena to our Lady of Mt. Carmel. We saw new faces including third order Carmelites wearing their traditional garments and veils.

Father Jojo and the third order Carmelites lead a procession around the vicinity of Sikatuna Village while we prayed the rosary. Most of those who joined the procession were above middle age and yet they were able to walk under the heat of the afternoon sun. Truly a sign of great love and devotion for our Lady.

The Extraordinary Form

This is a beautiful picture of the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite. Thanks to New Catholic of Rorate Caeli for letting me borrow the picture.

Reactions to Motu Proprio: CBCP President Statement

Here is the statement coming from the CPCP President, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo.

STATEMENT ON THE "TRIDENTINE" MASS

We fully welcome with respect and appreciation the recent Apostolic Letter of Pope Benedict XVI on the "Tridentine" Mass. It clarifies for us the status of the Tridentine Mass in the Latin Language.

In accordance with the Apostolic Letter ("Motu proprio") entitled "Summorum Pontificum" of Pope Benedict XVI, the celebration of the so-called Tridentine Mass, which is in the Latin language, as approved by Blessed Pope John XXIII in 1962 continues to be fully permissible as an extraordinary form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass was never forbidden or abrogated.

The so-called "New Mass" which was introduced after the Second Vatican Council and approved by Pope Paul VI in 1970 has become more popular among the people because it allowed the use of some approved adaptations, including the use of the popular languages and dialects. It became the ordinary form of the Mass, widely celebrated in the parish churches.

When may the Tridentine (Latin) Mass be celebrated? According to the letter of Pope Benedict XVI, it may be celebrated by catholic priests of the Latin Rite: a) in private masses, b) in conventual or community mass in accordance with the specific statutes of the Congregation, c) in parishes upon request of the faithful and under the guidance of the bishop (in accordance with Canon 392). In such Masses, however, the readings may be given in the vernacular.

This permission given by Pope Benedict XVI means that the Mass in Latin and in accordance with the formula of the Council of Trent, hence Tridentine, with the celebrant's back to the faithful may be celebrated, as it was never forbidden or abrogated. For new priests, this will require formation in the Latin Mass.

Now, we are instructed that in the liturgy of the Mass, there is the ordinary form which is that approved by Pope Paul VI in 1970 after the Vatican II; and there is the extraordinary form - the Tridentine (Latin) Mass which is that approved by Blessed Pope John XXIII in 1962. The two forms will have their way of leading the faithful to the true worship of God in prayer and liturgy; and may even be a factor for unity in the Church.

+Angel N. Lagdameo
Archbishop of Jaro
President, CBCP
JULY 9, 2007

Sources:
CBCP Online.net President's Page
In and Out of Season