So I reverence the great devotion that many Catholics have for the Latin Mass. But, as I’ve written before, if something brings someone closer to God (and I’m speaking of the many Catholics who treasure the Mass in Latin) it should be reverenced.
In general, celebrating and participating in the Mass in English helps me feel closer to God, since this is the language in which I speak to God in my private prayer. So I find Mass most powerful when it is celebrated in the vernacular. And I have enjoyed Mass in the vernacular in many languages-in English of course but also in Spanish on both the Lower East Side of Manhattan and in Loyola, Spain in Kiswahili, Luganda and Kinyarwanda during my time in East Africa in French during several pilgrimages to Lourdes in Italian while visiting Rome, in Vietnamese and Tagalog at the Religious Education Congress in Los Angeles and in Arabic and Hebrew in various churches and shrines in the Holy Land. Still, I feel more comfortable with Mass in the vernacular, which is what I celebrate every day, both in my Jesuit community and in local parishes. They also helped me to feel strikingly connected to the past, knowing that I was hearing words that had been spoken by priests (and saints) and heard by the faithful (again, including the saints) for centuries. I found those Masses rich and beautiful, particularly as they invited me into the mystery and beauty of the liturgy of the Eucharist. While I have never celebrated a Latin Mass as a priest (I’m using a shorthand for several variations of the Mass in Latin), I have as a Jesuit attended several, both before and after the publication of Pope Benedict’s own motu proprio, “ Summorum Pontificum,” in 2007.įather James Martin analyzes Pope Francis’ new decree. The rules are meant to conform to the mandates Pope Francis published a little over a year ago in his motu proprio Traditionis custodes, as well as more specific restrictions the Vatican issued in December.For many Catholics, the Holy Father’s motu proprio “ Traditionis Custodes,” restricting the celebration of the Latin Mass, was a difficult document to read, as well as a surprise, even a shock. And I trust that he is acting always through his church.’” It's not what I would do if I was the bishop. It's not what I would do if I was the pope. I'm trusting that the Lord is at work in his church that the Holy Spirit is guiding his church. The Lord is giving me an opportunity to grow in holiness. The other path, he added, is to say, “'Wow. “One is that of anger and writing or calling or emailing without really thinking of the weight of the words that became somewhat hurtful, not only to me but to my staff who had to read such a tone,” he said. He added that he is grateful to the priests of the diocese who have promised respect and obedience to him.īurbidge offered a “respectful challenge as a spiritual father” and said that there are two different paths that can be followed when change occurs that one disagrees with. This is not the case in the neighboring Archdiocese of Washington.īurbidge recognized that there was disappointment and disagreement in response to his implementation plan. Priests are allowed to continue celebrating the Mass ad orientem, which consists of facing the altar. The eight parishes are not allowed to publish Latin Mass times in their bulletins, on their parish websites, or their social media channels, per the Vatican’s requirements. The other five parishes may only celebrate the Latin Mass in other designated locations. But only three of those parishes are allowed to continue offering the Extraordinary Form in their main church. 10.Įffective September 8, Burbidge’s directives allow eight parishes to continue offering the Latin Mass. “I think we accomplished our goals of showing fidelity to the Holy Father, to the Holy See, and also mindful that we are still providing the celebration of this Mass throughout our diocese,” Burbidge said on the diocese’s “Walk Humbly Podcast” on Aug.
The new restrictions were imposed following liturgical directives given by Pope Francis in July 2021. Bishop Michael Burbidge offered some additional thoughts on the recent guidelines he issued restricting the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Arlington.
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