Blog Archives - THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY IN WREXHAM

New Bishop for Salford

30/9/2014

Bp. Arnold

From the Vatican Information Service:

Vatican City, 30 September 2014 - The Holy Father has appointed Bishop John Stanley Kenneth Arnold, auxiliary of Westminster, England, as bishop of Salford (area 1,800, population 2,603,000, Catholics 267,938, priests 284, religious 280), England. He accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Terence John Brain, upon reaching the age limit.

Congratulations to Bishop Arnold, who of course c onfers the Sacrament of Confirmation using the Extraordinary Form on behalf of the Latin Mass Society.

Bishop Arnold was ordained Bishop and appointed as an Auxiliary in the Diocese of Westminster on 3rd February 2006.

This coming Sunday - Holywell

23/9/2014

Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be celebrated at St Winefride's Church, Well Street in Holywell this coming Sunday - the XVI Sunday after Pentecost.

The celebrant is Fr. Francis Doyle and Mass begins at 1130am. Everyone is very welcome to attend!

Opening Mass for new Shrine Church in Preston

23/9/2014

A reminder that High Mass in the presence of the Bishop of Lancaster, The Right Rev’d Michael Campbell, O.S.A. will take place at Noon this Saturday (27th September) in the second Church to be handed into the care of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.

The church is St Walburge situated at Weston Street in Preston.

Built between 1850 and 1854, as a Jesuit Church by Catholic architect J.A. Hansom, the church is a fine example of the Gothic revival style and features a daring and magnificent hammerbeam roof. The 309-foot spire is the third tallest in the country.

The North can now boast two dedicated centres for Liturgy and Sacraments in the Extraordinary Form. Pray for a third in Wales!

The Mass will celebrated by the Prior General of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, the Very Rev’d Monsignor Gilles Wach and refreshments follow after Mass.

CDF head meets Bishop Fellay SSPX

23/9/2014

From the Vatican ...................
Vatican City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) – The Holy See Press Office has issued a statement to confirm that this morning from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a cordial meeting took place at the premises of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith between Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Society of St. Pius X. The meeting was also attended by Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, S.J., secretary of the same Congregation, Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia, O.P., adjunct secretary and Archbishop Guido Pozzo, secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, along with two assistants from the Society of St. Pius X, Rev. Niklaus Pfluger and Rev. Alain-Marc Nély.

During the meeting, various problems of a doctrinal and canonical nature were examined, and it was decided to proceed gradually and over a reasonable period of time in order to overcome difficulties and with a view to the envisioned full reconciliation.

and later from the SSPX ...................
On Tuesday September 23, 2014 his Excellency Bishop Benard Fellay, Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X, met with Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. With Bishop Fellay were Frs. Niklaus Pfluger and Alain-Marc Nély, First and Second Assistants General of the Society. Cardinal Müller was accompanied by Monsignor Luis Ladaria Ferrer s.j., Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Monsignor Joseph Augustin Di Noia o.p., Assistant Secretary; and Monsignor Guido Pozzo, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.

The meeting took place in the offices of the Congregation for the Docrine of the Faith from 11:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. The goal of the audience was to allow Cardinal Müller and Bishop Fellay to meet for the first time and to discuss together the status of the relations between the Holy See and the Society of Saint Pius X. This was their first encounter since the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the end of Cardinal William Jospeh Levada’s term as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

During this cordial meeting, doctrinal and canonical difficulties were discussed, and the current situation of the Church was mentioned. It was decided to continue the discussions in order to clarify the points of contention that remain.

Surely not? Foul play in Rome

20/9/2014

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke

The Rome rumour mill suggests that Cardinal Raymond Burke will soon be stood down from the Apostolic Signatura where he serves as Prefect. He has already lost his position in the Congregation for Bishops.

If the rumours are correct, traditionally minded Cardinal Burke will be appointed "Cardinal Patron" of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

This is neither a promotional or lateral move.

The American Cardinal has been a staunch defender of the Catholic understanding of Marriage – contrasting with the views of Cardinal Walter Kasper, who keeps making a whole series of suggestions that fly in the face of current Church teaching.

The German Cardinal who was described by the Holy Father as "a clever theologian, a good theologian" shortly after the last conclave will make these views heard at the up and coming Synod next month.

For years, Kasper has advocated efforts to allow divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion. He failed to persuade Saint John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI but the scene in Rome is quite different these days.

Clearly in any debate, Cardinal Burke would be a great advocate for the upholding of the status quo by the maintenance of the faultless teaching of Holy Mother Church. But, remove him from the Curia and perhaps his automatic invitation to the Synod could be in jeopardy?

Now in my last blog post, I made reference to the Professional Foul. To continue in the use soccer metaphors, this could be a professional foul of World Cup proportion!

Granted, these rumours could be complete and utter rubbish, but if they do become fact – well, it does not take a great detective to work out who played the foul!

The Professional Foul

17/9/2014

While the red card on 'Summorum Pontifcum' will not be shown, the professional foul is a tactical means at thwarting the Traditional Mass.

Last Sunday was the 7th anniversary of the implementation of Summorum Pontificum.

In 2007, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Our dear Pope Emeritus 'liberated’ the use of the 1962 missal and with it said that the Extraordinary Form (as it was termed) and the Ordinary Form (Novus Ordo) were in fact two versions of the same thing – the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Traditional Catholics rejoiced. Great enthusiasm flowed from clergy and laity and the growth in the number of Old Rite Masses available and those attending them is evident in each edition of 'Mass of Ages'.

Yes, it is fair to say that in the intervening 7 years things have developed well: new Mass venues, enthusiastic diocesan clergy, supportive members of the Episcopate and the establishment (in England at least!) of orders such as the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter typifying the progress made.

The ‘freeing’ of what always was, is and will be forever sacred allowed priests, supported by committed laity, to bring about the growth I refer to above.

However, a reality check!

Some of the barriers that existed before Summorum Pontificum still exist.

Using football parlance, we call it locally, ‘the professional foul’ – defined as a deliberate act of foul play intended to bring about an advantage for the perpetrator. Professional fouls are usually committed to prevent an opponent from scoring.

Example: Enthusiastic priest desires to celebrate the Latin Mass but is thwarted by virtue of assignment. He is sent to a parish with no defined group whose spirituality is traditionally minded and therefore the threshold of Summorum Pontificum is not reached. Result: no Latin Mass.

Or, in accordance with Summorum Pontificum, A priest and defined group establish a Traditional Mass only for the priest to be sent elsewhere. The stable group is destabilised and seek the Mass elsewhere, end of stable group. Result: no Latin Mass.

Unlike many ‘trads’ I don’t immediately point to Rome and lay the blame at the door of the Holy Father. Although those playing the professional foul perhaps have grown in confidence and seem to feel they will ‘win over’ the referee since the change in papacy!

The referee, Pope Francis will not tear up Summorum Pontificum, like football, blowing the whistle will disrupt the flow of the game - however the growth we have been so blessed with has stalled somewhat. The professional foul is more prevalent as those playing it gain more confidence.

This isn’t a sales pitch for the LMS but stable groups need representation and support and that sort of support can be given via the Latin Mass Society.

An irony is that LMS membership has declined since Summorum Pontificum. Don’t be complacent and think the good fight has been fought and won in Summorum Pontificum- the professional foul is still being played.

Join the Latin Mass Society today.

Great News in the North East!

15/9/2014

Ancient and Sacred in the North East

I had the pleasure of meeting Andrew and Jayne Armstrong whilst I was on the LMS Latin Course at Pantasaph last July. Hailing from the North East, both are involved locally promoting the Mass of Ages.

I am really pleased that they will shortly take on (with Philip Dillon) the roles of Local Representatives in the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese. They will succeed David and Theresa O'Neill who have well represented the Society for many years in January.

Additionally, Andrew informs me that a Juventutem group has been founded for Catholics aged between 16 and 36 who are attached to the Traditional Mass. A blog has been started which can be viewed here.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

13/9/2014

Sunday 14th September is the great Feast Day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Legend has it that Empress Helena found the True Cross under a growth of basil, which was said to have sprung up at the foot of the Cross where the Blood of Christ fell, joined to the tears of his Most Holy Mother on Calvary.

In some places, basil is blessed and distributed to the faithful on this Feast as well as arranged as a bouquet at the foot of the Crucifix. The Feast today honours His Most Precious Blood and His Passion upon the Cross.

St. Albertus Magnus says: “A simple remembrance of Christ’s Sufferings is worth more than fasting on bread and water every Friday for a year and scourging one’s self unto blood.”

St. Augustine commented: “What price, what avarice, what anger can be cured otherwise than by the humility, the poverty, the patience of the Son of God? All these virtues are found in carefully meditating on that way of pain which Our Savior went and along which we should follow Him.”

Pope Clement XII and Benedict XIV have granted many indulgences to this devotion which may be applied to the poor souls in purgatory. Commemoration of the XIV Sunday after Pentecost is made in the Mass.

This is one of those few times when the Traditional Mass and the Novus Ordo celebrate the same Feast Day.

A Low Mass will take place on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at St Francis of Assisi Church, Llay.

Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage to the Eternal City

13/9/2014

Bookings for the Latin Mass Society pilgrimage to Rome will remain open until the 22nd September.

Cardinal Burke and Cardinal Pell each to celebrate Old Rite Masses during this year's Pilgrimage

Cardinal Pell has agreed to celebrate Mass in the Extraordinary Form on 24 October and Cardinal Burke has committed to celebrate in the Old Rite on 25 October. Both these Masses will form part of this year's pilgrimage.

Organised by an international group of friends of the Traditional Latin Mass (The Cœtus Internationalis Summorum Pontificum), this annual Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage to Rome is at the same time an act of gratitiude to the Holy See for the landmark recognition in 2007 of the legitimate legal, moral and pastoral status of the Old Rite, and also a reminder that the Traditional Mass is here to stay and has so much more to offerin restoring the Faith in the wider Church.

There will be members of the faithful attending from around the globe. The Latin Mass Society has decided to organise travel and accommodation to anyone from England and Wales who wishes to attend what promises to be a spectacular and inspiring few days in the Eternal City.

The LMS package includes:

Air flights to and from Rome Fumicino airport from London Gatwick

Coach transfer between the airport and hotel

Four nights' accommodation in a hotel close to the Vatican (bed, breakfast and 3-course evening meal)

Inclusive day-trip by coach to Norcia, home of St Benedict and now home also to a community of Traditional Benedictines.

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

LMS PILGRIMAGE TO ROME in connection with ‘Summorum Pontificum’ Commemorative Event

Period: 22 – 26 October 2014 inclusive

Accommodation: DOMUS BONUS PASTOR is a former religious house comparable to any good 3-star hotel and is near St. Peter’s Basilica: Via Aurelia, 208, 00165 Roma, Italy

Four nights' accommodation with breakfast and 3-course evening meal.

Flights: (London Gatwick – Roma Fumicino via Nowegian Airlines) Check-in luggage up to 20 kg per person is included, as well as the coach transfer in Italy.

Outbound flight: DY2500 22 OCT 2014 Gatwick-Fumicino dep. 1740 arr. 2110

Return flight: DY2501 26 OCT 2014 Fumicino-Gatwick dep. 2155 arr. 2320

Cost £580 (excluding any supplements and insurance). Owing to the short timescale, payment must be made in full at the time of booking.

Single room supplement: £88 total for 4 nights

Optional coach trip to Norcia (must be confirmed at time of booking)

Booking deadline (no exceptions): 22 September 2014

Any cancellations after 10 September will be subject to a cancellation fee of £300, as moneys will have then been paid to the travel providers and we would incur cancellation charges ourselves.

You must arrange your own travel insurance.

Bookings can be made via the LMS Website here

Cardinal Burke on "Who am I to judge"

7/9/2014

Cardinal Burke

The "Who am I to judge" comment made by the Holy Father on the flight back to Rome from World Youth Day in Brazil seems so long ago. But those few words are still the topic of many discussions......

His Eminence Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, prefect of the Apostolic Signatura has given an interview which in which he decisively rectifies the false notions about Pope Francis’ “Who am I to judge” quote that has been used frequently to suggest a change in Church teaching on the matter of homosexuality.

Host Thomas McKenna of Catholic Action Insight questioned Cardinal Burke about instances where people must make judgements in light of Pope Francis’ “Who am I to judge” phrase.

“We have to judge acts, we have to,” Cardinal Burke replied. “All day long we make judgements with regards to certain acts; this is what the natural law is: to choose good and to avoid evil.”

The Vatican Cardinal added that while we can judge acts as gravely sinful we can’t say that a particular person is in grave sin, since “perhaps you are committing them without even knowing that they are gravely sinful, or perhaps you are committing them without fully consenting, who knows?”

“That kind of judgement is a part, but the acts themselves we have to judge, we couldn’t live a good and moral life otherwise,” he added.

McKenna followed up by noting that it would be wrong to interpret the Pope’s phrase to indicate support for homosexual “marriage,” and Burke agreed.

The Cardinal then addressed the hot button topic of tolerance and intolerance at the heart of the debate.

“I’m not intolerant of people of same-sex attraction,” he said. “I have great compassion for them and especially in our society today where many young people are led into the same-sex activity where they might not have been in the past because of complete relaxation of morals and a corruption.”

“I have great compassion for them but that compassion means that I want them to know the truth to avoid sinful acts for the sake of their own good for their own salvation and so you try to help the person,” he added. “Now that today isn’t well received by an aggressive homosexual agenda but that doesn’t mean that it’s not the right approach to take.”

Cardinal Burke warned that should we remain silent due to pressure from the aggressive homosexual agenda, we would be “presiding over the destruction of our society.”

For Cardinal Burke the approach is not only theoretical but also practical. He related that after a confirmation Mass a mother approached him angrily accusing him of calling her daughter evil. When he asked to what she was referring she spoke of columns he wrote in the diocesan paper about the traditional definition of marriage. Her daughter, she said, was “married” to another woman.

Cardinal Burke relates his response to the angry mother: “’No’, I said, ‘the acts which your daughter is committing are evil. Your daughter is not evil, but she needs to come to understand the truth about her situation.’”

The head of the Apostolic Signatura said there is much misunderstanding about the matter today “and sadly it leads to a lot of good people not doing what they should do, to help someone who is suffering in this condition.”

Holy Mass at Buckley and Llay during September

4/9/2014

The second weekend of the month, that is Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September, will see Holy Mass celebrated in the Extraordinary Form as follows:

Saturday 13th - Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Jubilee Road, Buckley at 1230pm. This will be a Missa Cantata on Our Lady's Saturday.

Sunday 14th - St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Llay Chain, Llay. Also at 1230pm. This is a Low Mass for the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

As always, the Latin Mass Society is thankful to the clergy concerned (Father Doyle at Buckley and Canon Lordan at Llay). Everyone is most welcome to come along and experience the reverence of the Traditional liturgy.