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The Motu Proprio, Summorum Pontificum, by His
Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, 7 July 2007, allows for Catholics to
petition their priests to have them offer, or allow to be offered, the
traditional Latin Mass. The document says:
"Art. 5. 1 In
parishes, where there is a stable group of faithful who adhere to the
earlier liturgical tradition, the pastor should willingly accept their
requests to celebrate the Mass according to the rite of the Roman
Missal published in 1962, and ensure that the welfare of these faithful
harmonises with the ordinary pastoral care of the parish, under the
guidance of the bishop in accordance with canon 392, avoiding discord
and favouring the unity of the whole Church. 2 Celebration in
accordance with the Missal of Bl. John XXIII may take place on working
days; while on Sundays and feast days one such celebration may also be
held. 3 For faithful and priests who request it, the pastor
should also allow celebrations in this extraordinary form for special
circumstances such as marriages, funerals or occasional celebrations,
e.g. pilgrimages. 4 Priests who use the Missal of Bl. John XXIII
must be qualified to do so and not juridically impeded. 5 In
churches that are not parish or conventual churches, it is the duty of
the Rector of the church to grant the above permission.
Art. 6. In Masses celebrated in the presence of the people
in accordance with the Missal of Bl. John XXIII, the readings may be
given in the vernacular, using editions recognised by the Apostolic
See.
"Art. 7. If a group of lay faithful, as mentioned in art.
5 has not obtained satisfaction to their requests from the
pastor, they should inform the diocesan bishop. The bishop is strongly
requested to satisfy their wishes. If he cannot arrange for such
celebration to take place, the matter should be referred to the
Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei".
How should one go about all this? Here are a "how-to" and some tips for
you, but first, a few rules to keep in mind as you go along:
- Keep copies of all
correspondence
- Stay organized
and, please, stay focused on
the single issue of
establishing the traditional Mass. Don't get sidetracked by polemics!
- Be as polite and
respectful as you can possibly be
- Look ahead,
forseeing any problems that might arise so you can plan for them and
stay one step ahead of your priest in getting things done. In other
words, make the job as easy for your priest as possible, removing
obstacles in his way
- Don't forget the
importance of prayer! Pray
that your priest grants your request and that things go smoothly!
Forming a Group and
Dealing with Your Priest
First, weeks beforehand, maybe even anonymously, send to your
priest concise but powerful
information -- without polemics!
-- about the traditional Latin Mass, why it's good to offer it, how the
demand for the traditional Sacraments is growing, how traditional
parishes bring about vocations to the priesthood and to the religious
life, etc. Outline to him the
benefits of the "TLM" -- and do so without at all being negative about the Novus
Ordo rite. This is extremely
important! I repeat: do not
be negative about the Novus Ordo rite! Include a copy
of the Motu Proprio, with paragraphs 5.1, 5.2 and 7 highlighted. Whenever you
engage your priest, be respectful, sweet, positive, and avoid all
behaviors and attitudes associated with the stereotype of a "trad" (said
stereotype, sadly, not being such without reason). Forget arguing
about Trent vs. Vatican II. Nevermind whether Dignitatis Humanae conflicts with Quanta Cura. Don't mention any other parish matters. Just
focus on the one thing: establishing the traditional Mass.
Now, think of a name for your TLM group (in the sample flyer linked to
below, I use the name "The Holy Innocents Latin Mass Society") and
create a Yahoo Group
(easily and intuitively done!) so that when you have your "stable group
of faithful," you'll be set up and ready to easily communicate with
them all via email. Be sure to police the Group for any disrespect or
polemics. Show leadership in this regard and don't let anyone, because of their
imprudence, ruin what
you're trying to do.
Now it's time to gather together a group of those like-minded
parishioners who are willing to attend the traditional Latin Mass
("TLM", also known as "the Extraordinary Form," or "EF" for short). One
way to begin this process is to write up a short flyer with a brief
outline of what it is you're trying to accomplish in establishing a
"TLM" in your parish. Do not
"diss" the Novus Ordo, do not
talk about Vatican II, do not
get into polemics, do not be
disrespectful toward your priest, your Bishop, or the Holy Father in
any way. Instead, emphasize the Holy Father's will as indicated in the
Motu Proprio, the needs and desires of the faithful, the beauty of the
"TLM," our Catholic heritage, Tradition, and how the use of Latin helps
bring people of all ethnic groups together to worship as one, in a
truly "catholic" -- "universal" -- way. In other words, stress the
positive! If you're not allowed to leave a stack of these in the
vestibule, hand them out to folks personally, after Mass -- the better
idea anyway, if one must choose and not do both, since the personal
touch always makes things nicer.
If you are not finding enough people at your parish, try handing out
your flyer to folks at parishes nearby, who'd make the drive to your
parish in order to attend the TLM. You might also want to reach out to
any lapsed Catholics you know who'd be willing to make the drive. You'd
be surprised at the number of Catholics who stopped attending Mass
because of the wacky ways of the Novus Ordo -- and who'd be happy to
return to Mass if the TLM were offered.
Download a sample
flyer in .pdf format
Staple these pages
together along with a
pre-addressed and, if possible, pre-stamped envelope
Have each of the like-minded write a letter describing why he wants the
traditional Mass and how he believes it would benefit him, his family,
and the parish as a whole, and have him send that letter to you. Ask each to include all
potential TLM-attending members of his household as signatories to his
letter. Collect (and copy!) these letters to show your priest when it
is
time. Include this request for a letter to be sent to you, for you to
give to the priest later, in your flyer. If you are able, include a
SASE (a self-addressed, stamped envelope) with the flyers you hand out
so folks would be more inclined to comply. If you can't afford the
postage, at least include an envelope pre-addressed to you to make
things as easy as possible for your group's members.
Organize yourselves, establishing leadership for all of this, and
keeping a list of names and contact information (including email
addresses and phone numbers) and a note that indicates the number of
folks living in each household who would be attending the TLM. You will
need this so all
interested parties can stay in contact, get necessary things
done, and keep informed. Be sure to invite each letter-writer to
your Yahoo Group.
If you're having trouble coming up with enough members, you might try
getting creative -- possibly hosting a little gathering at your place
and inviting anyone who's interested in just learning about the TLM, preparing
inspirational teaching materials and some tasty snacks for when they
show up. Teach folks about why the TLM is important, how it can benefit
them spiritually, how it can benefit their family life, etc. Again, if
you do such a thing, stay on the positive side of
things and leave the polemics behind.
What you're after are warm bodies, signatures, letters, folks
interested enough to support
your cause.
Once you've gotten 25 or so letters from committed people, write a
letter to your your
priest, asking if he is willing to offer the Extraordinary Form of the
Mass. Ask nicely. Ask very
nicely. And prepare to be patient and to do some work (more on that
later). Include with your
letter the letters written by your fellow parishioners (which you've
already copied and filed away, right?) A sample letter:
Dear Father,
Hello! I'm writing to request that you offer, or allow to be
offered, the Extraordinary Form of the Mass in accordance with Pope
Benedict XVI's Motu Proprio, Summorum Pontificum (see postscript), and
I ask that it be offered not only on Sundays, but also on weekdays and
feast days. I've spoken with ___ other members of our parish who
also wish to see the Extraordinary Form of the Mass offered here. We're
all very excited about the possibility and many have written letters,
too, for me to give to you (see attached).
If you haven't been trained in offering the traditional Mass,
the other members of our parish and I would be happy to send you to a
"TLM" workshop and/or get to you training videos and materials, to get
training materials for the altar servers, and to do what we need to do
to form a schola. If you're not wanting to learn how to offer the
Extraordinary Form but would allow another cleric to come to our parish
to offer it, I would be glad to try to find a priest who would be
willing visit and do just that. What do you think?
Thank you so much for considering this request, Father!
Yours in Christ,
Your name
Your address and other contact information
Give Father at least a month to respond. Remember that priests are very
busy. After a month or so, re-send your communication along with a note
that shows you are giving him the benefit of the doubt (e.g., "Gosh,
it's been a while since I sent you a package, and I haven't heard back,
so I thought I should send it again in case it got lost!" as opposed to
"Well, Father, it's been a month! What's the deal with you?"). If you
still get no response, talk to him in person to try to get a "feel" for
what's going on. Again, and as always, give him the benefit of the
doubt and be gracious! If you get a negative answer, ask him if there
is anything that worries him about establishing a TLM, or if there's an
obstacle he sees that you could help eliminate. Show him that you are
serious but also sympathetic toward him, understanding about the work
it'd entail for him, and willing to do whatever you can to help. If his
concern is about the costs of training, assure him that your group will
cover the costs, including the costs of travel for workshops, and will provide
all necessary materials. If it's a
matter of his not wanting to learn, ask him about bringing in a
visiting priest. If the latter is OK with him, then start calling
around to the closest places where the TLM is offered and ask the
priests there if they'd mind offering the EF in your parish (try
locating such a priest via the Latin Mass Directory at
Ecclesia Dei website).
Your Priest
Says No or Ignores You: Time to Move up the Ladder
If he still says no or ignores your request after two months and two
letters, it's time to write to your Bishop. The following sample letter
is adapted from a sample letter from Una
Voce:
Your Excellency,
I am a member of ___Name of your Group_ of ___Name of your parish___.
In keeping with the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s recent document
Summorum Pontificum, articles 5.1, 5.2, 7 and 10, I am writing to
request that you have the Mass of Blessed John XXIII offered at ___Name
of your Parish___, or at a nearby parish. I have written to my pastor,
__Name of Priest___, twice in the past two months, but have received no
reply. [OR I have written to my pastor, ___Name of Priest___, but he
has declined to provide this Mass for us.] I request that this
extraordinary form of the Mass be offered on Sundays, feast days, and
week days. I would also like to request that you establish a personal
parish or appoint a chaplain for the extraordinary form of the Mass. I
know of a priest, ___Name of Other Priest___, who has said he is
willing and able to offer this form of the Mass.
I realize that I have written to you 3 times in the past several years
with this request, but in light of the recent motu proprio, I thought
it appropriate to write again.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours in Christ,
Your name
Your address and other contact information
Send to your Bishop this letter and copies of the letters you've
received from members of your group. Give your Bishop a month to
respond, then try writing again.
Your Bishop Says No
or Ignores You: Move up Another Rung on the Ladder
If you
receive no reply or a negative reply after two months and two letters
to your Bishop,
the next step is to write to Ecclesia Dei, the Pontifical Commision in
Rome. A sample letter, again adapted from a sample letter given at
Una
Voce:
His Eminence
William Cardinal Levada, President
Pontificia Commissio “Ecclesia Dei”
Palazzo della Congr. per la Dottrina della Fede
Piazza del S. Uffizio, 11
00193 Roma
ITALY
Your Eminence:
I am a member of __Name of your Parish___, in the
diocese of ________, in the United States of America. I am also a
member of the __Name of your
Group__ in the same diocese.
I respectfully request your assistance in having Mass offered
in my parish, or in a nearby parish, following the Missal of Blessed
John XXIII. I have written repeated requests to my pastor, __Name of
Priest___, and to my bishop, Most. Rev. __Name of Bishop__, but have
not received a positive response from them. [OR Our pastor, __Name of
Priest__, has kindly provided us with the extraordinary form of the
Mass once each Sunday, but we would like to have that form of the Mass
offered daily.] [OR Our Bishop, __Name of Bishop__, has kindly provided
the extraordinary form of the Mass once each Sunday in another parish,
but we would like to have that form of the Mass offered daily.]
Would Your Excellency see fit to provide our group with a
chaplain, or to establish for us a personal parish? That would greatly
assist us in having not only the extraordinary form of the Mass offered
daily, but also weddings, funerals and the other Sacraments regularly
provided according to the earlier ritual. There is a priest in our
diocese, __Name of Other Priest__, who is willing and able to be a
chaplain for us.
Wishing you God’s grace and blessings,
Yours in Christ,
Your name
Your address and other contact information
Making it So
When, at any point along the way, your request is granted, be prepared
to purchase vestments, liturgical vessels, altar cards, training
materials for your priest and for altar boys, and the materials and
training your schola (choir, which should preferably be all male) will
need. Look for beautiful vestments
and liturgical items in parishes that are closing down, and look online
-- from stores that specialize in liturgical vestments and vessels, to
E-bay. Find the most beautiful and traditional items you can afford!
If your priest isn't trained but is willing to be trained, there are
workshops available for him to attend. Be prepared to absorb the costs
of his attending, including the costs of travel, food, and lodging.
Some links to help you with all the above:
Success! What
now?
Once your TLM is established, do all you can to ensure that it is
well-attended and that enough
comes in through the collections plate to keep it financially
viable. Advertise it. Tell others about it. Invite folks from other
parishes.
Make up business cards or flyers to leave in other Catholic churches,
letting people know that the TLM is available in their city. Take an ad
out in your diocese's newspaper or your secular newspaper. Mention it
on
Facebook, on Craigslist, through your Twitter account, in relevant
comment sections in local online media, and other virtual places. Get a
bumper sticker advertising it.
Get a T-shirt advertising it. Get creative!
Whatever you do, do not, not, not play Mr. Liturgical
Expert and pick at your priest for messing up, for being in the
beginning stages of offering the TLM, for doing something wrong
sometimes or making a mistake. Do not bite the hand that feeds! Be
grateful, giving, and encourage your priest onward; do
not make him regret his decision to offer the TLM by making the
experience difficult for him or by forming a community of ultra-picky
ingrates who like to play "smarter-than-thou" with the liturgy. This,
from the "Man
with Black Hat" blog, needs to be read:
Three priests in
one East Coast diocese, who enthusiastically awaited the liberation of
the Traditional Mass, couldn't wait to learn it. No sooner did they,
when they were inundated by complaints from one amateur rubrician after
another, about this or that or the other thing. As a result, they no
longer celebrate the Traditional Mass, at least not publicly.
Sheesh! Keep that story in mind and don't be one of "those guys"! And
also, be a good parishioner!
Attract folks to your parish by being welcoming
of others at Mass. Don't pick on women who aren't wearing veils -- but
do make extra veils available in the narthex. In general, be kind and
don't be an ass. See this page on Mass
etiquette and keep it in mind as you go. You can help newcomers to
the TLM feel welcome by answering their questions, leading them to
online resources, such as this site (FishEaters.com), and/or providing
flyers -- with Father's permission -- that teach about "TLM" and Mass
etiquette." Perhaps Father would allow you to arrange a short class on
the TLM -- what it's like, what to expect, the Order of the Mass,
relevant etiquette, etc. -- announce it in your parish bulletin, and
teach it in your parish hall.
Be sure to thank your priest! Be good to him! Write a letter of praise
about him to your Bishop to counter any negative letters the Bishop
might receive from the "revolutionary types" who get his attention to
complain that there is a TLM available! Encourage others in your parish
to also write such letters to the Bishop.
And, finally, thank God for the
grace of having the "most beautiful thing this side of Heaven" in your
very own parish!
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