Traditional Latin Mass Is Freed!

This update is of special interest of our Catholic friends. More about Baby John later!

Deo Gratias! Our forty years in the liturgical desert has finally come to an end. Our beloved Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has issued the Apostolic Letter (given Motu Proprio) "Summorum Pontificum" (click here for Latin, click here for English). In addition he has introduced this instruction with a explanatory letter to Bishops of the world (click here for this letter in English).

The traditional Latin Mass was never abrogated by the Church, but was suppressed by Bishops Conferences through abusive interpretations of Vatican II documents. Now the Holy Father has made it clear that--essentially--the traditional Latin Mass may be celebrated by any priest without seeking permission from his Bishop.

Following is the statement on the subject by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (the order which runs our parish in Atlanta and the Sacramento parish from which Katherine hails):


"FSSP International Headquarters Communiqué (on 7.VII.2007, FSSP Headquarters, Chemin du Schoenberg 8, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland)

"We rejoice at the publication of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum. In reaffirming the essential place of the liturgy itself in the transmission of the faith, in stating that the Missal of Blessed John XXIII may be used by all priests, and especially in encouraging the use of all four liturgical books in force in 1962, the text opens to the whole Church the treasures of these rites. We unite our prayers with all the Church that, the document having been received with generous and pastoral hearts, those who prefer this usage might have access to the full Catholic life according to this ‘extraordinary form’ of the Roman Rite. The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter will continue to look to serve the needs of the Church, and hopes that the success of the chapels and parishes already erected in the last 19 years in so many dioceses will provide encouraging examples for the document’s implementation. Our deepest gratitude to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum."