Editor’s Note: Several months ago, Dr. Peter Kwasniewski wrote an article for our readers in review of Benedictus, the acclaimed “Traditional Catholic Companion” resource that had just been announced, and which is now in its second print issue (see here). After the recent motu proprio restricting access to the TLM, Benedictus shared a survey with…
The title of this article is taken from the words uttered by Cardinal Egidio da Viterbo in 1512 during the inaugural oration of the Fifth Lateran Council: “Homines per sacra immutari fas est, non sacra per homines.” Against that backdrop, imagine the following conversation between two seminarians, both studying for their dioceses. They have discovered and…
Here is a typical modern situation: A couple – or throuple – hires two television stars to renovate their historic house. The homeowners leave for two weeks while the celebrities argue about what tiles, fixtures, and lamps they plan to install. Meanwhile, an actual crew of laborers work behind-the-scenes to do the real painting and…
Editor’s note: the following statement is issued by French lay faithful led by Notre-Dame de Chrétiente, the organization which leads the Chartres Pilgrimage each year. Please repost and translate this statement freely. This post represents the addition of OnePeterFive as a signatory to the statement. LETTER OF THE FAITHFUL ATTACHED TO THE TRADITIONAL MASS TO…
Each year the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales organises a High Mass at England’s neo-Byzantine mother church, Westminster Cathedral, to coincide with its Annual General Meeting. This year’s High Mass on the Vigil of the Assumption was as majestic and liturgically sumptuous as ever, with a possibly record attendance of 350 – 400…
In a lengthy new interview with COPE, a Spanish radio station, Pope Francis fields questions on a wide range of topics,[1] including his Apostolic Letter Traditionis Custodes (July 16, 2021) that effectively abolished Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum (July 7, 2007) and severely restricts access to the Traditional Latin Mass for priests and laity alike. During…
Editor’s note: see our Erasmus disclaimer. As we approach fifty days after the motu proprio, it is crucial to repeat this fundamental point: the document is founded on a falsehood so glaring and intellectually unsustainable that it inspires admiration for its audacity and flagrant disregard of reality. “The liturgical books promulgated by Saint Paul VI…
Now we can see better where we stand. The traditional Roman Rite has no shortage of enemies in the Roman Catholic Church, especially in the generation of Pope Francis. Regarding the Latin Mass (TLM), Francis’ fellow Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese said back in April that “Children and young people should not be allowed to attend…
Pope Francis has offered two reasons for wishing to bring celebrations of the Traditional Mass to an end: attitudes of some of the faithful which have become associated with this form of the Mass, and the idea that the unity of the Church requires a unity of liturgical rite. Accordingly, some of his defenders have…
About a decade ago, in a Southwestern church in a run-down part of town, I saw it for the first time. From a back pew, I glimpsed something beautiful, perfect. Seeing the priest celebrate it was like being plunged into some heavenly choreography from the Book of Revelation. That first Latin Mass surpassed my understanding,…
We have put up with a lot as Catholics, and we all have our breaking points—some at different moments and for different reasons. “The straw that broke the camel’s back” refers to increasing the load on a beast of burden until the “final straw” makes the beast collapse. “Beast of burden” is a key concept,…
