A Preferential Option for Tradition

We have responded today to a chain of combox posting on the Sentire cum Ecclesia blog.

We think this may be of interest in describing the features of these Monthly Masses. In summary form, this is what we said:


The watch-words are reverence, promotion of the sense of the sacred, following the wishes of the fathers of the Second Vatican Council authentically interpreted, the Holy Father's teaching and example and continuity with Catholic Tradition.

- Mass is offered "ad orientem" for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This single change is the most important for re-orientation of heart and mind to God and to overcome some of the dubious theology and psychology that is continuing to make its presence felt in the celebration of Holy Mass.

- Mass is chanted throughout

- Mass is offered in Latin

- the vernacular is used only in the prayers of the faithful and the sermon.

- the Ordinary is sung to the Gregorian settings proper to the season.

- we sing the Propers from the Graduale Romanum for Introit and Communion and where time and resources allow we also sing the Gradual/Tract (not the Responsorial Psalm which is really meant for read Masses not Sung Mass), the Alleluia and the Offertory from the Graduale Romanum, otherwise from the approved Solemes Version abridged chants for Graduals/Tracts, Alleluias and psalm tones.

- the Prayers of the Faithful / General Intercessions are fixed whenever possible

- the congregation almost always receives Holy Communion on the tongue whilst kneeling, according to the traditional practice.

- taking up the traditional practice of only using hymns "outside" Mass, we use only one hymn: the recessional. These hymns are from the traditional repertoire of Catholic hymnody.

- beautiful vestments are preferred to render appropriate solemnity and reverence for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

- the schola cantorum is vested in cassock and surplice, in accordance with the tradition.

- Latin/English Mass booklets are provided that seek to be as simple and as beautiful as possible. The traditional missal settings of a delicate type-face, font and formatting in red and black are used and art-work comprises classical engravings or traditional missal etchings

Where there is legitimate choice to be had, our approach is to adopt a Preferential Option for Tradition. So, if there is a legitimate degree of lee-way on something, we will choose the more traditional option (a classic example is certain options given in the Chant books: we will go back to the Extraorindary Form as see what it stipulated there, and choose that).

We try and do our little bit to show what can be and with very limited resources. It's not beyond any parish to do what we do.

Indeed, we are happy to consult with anyone on how to implement this.

Contact us at http://glorificamus.blogspot.com/

Promoting Reverence, the Sacred and the Beautiful in continuity with the Church's tradition and teaching of the Popes

Solemn Mass in the Ordinary Form/Use of the Roman Rite (Novus Ordo) “ad orientem”, in Latin with Gregorian Chant at St Brigid's Catholic Church, Fitzroy North On the last Sunday of each month.

Next Mass: Sunday, 30 November 2008 at 6pm (1st Sunday in Advent)

What: On the last Sunday of each month, St Brigid’s Parish offers Mass in a way that more closely follows the teachings of the Second Vatican Council in its document Sacrosanctum Concilium. Solemn Mass in the Ordinary Form/Use of the one Roman Rite (the Novus Ordo) is celebrated in Latin, with Gregorian chant and in an "ad orientem" posture for the Liturgy of the Eucharist: where Priest and Congregation together face liturgical east toward the Tabernacle.

Why: Many people think that the Second Vatican Council mandated the removal of Latin and Gregorian chant in the Mass and required the Priest to face the people when saying Mass. However, the Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) mandated none of these things. It actually required that Latin and Gregorian Chant remain an essential part of the Mass and envisaged no change to the venerable tradition of the Priest and Congregation together facing the Tabernacle (“Liturgical East” or "ad orientem"). This initiative of the Parish of St Brigid’s in conjunction with the Glorificamus Society seeks to answer the call of Cardinal Ratzinger, now His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, for a return to a greater sense of reverence, mystery, beauty and sacredness in the celebration of Holy Mass, by recovering these traditions of Latin, Gregorian chant and ad orientem posture.

When: These Masses are celebrated at 6pm on the last Sunday of each month. The next Mass will be offered on Sunday, 30 November 2008 at 6pm.

Where: St Brigid's Catholic Church, 378 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North (Melways Map 2C Ref A4). All are most welcome to attend. Mass booklets with full Latin/English translations will be available for those without their own missals for this Form of the Roman Rite.

Promoting Reverence, the Sacred and the Beautiful in continuity with the Church's tradition and teaching of the Popes

Solemn Mass in the Ordinary Form/Use of the Roman Rite (Novus Ordo) “ad orientem”, in Latin with Gregorian Chant at St Brigid's Catholic Church, Fitzroy North On the last Sunday of each month.

Next Mass: Sunday, 31 August at 6pm. 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

What: On the last Sunday of each month, St Brigid’s Parish offers Mass in a way that more closely follows the teachings of the Second Vatican Council in its document Sacrosanctum Concilium. Solemn Mass in the Ordinary Form/Use of the one Roman Rite (the Novus Ordo) is celebrated in Latin, with Gregorian chant and in an "ad orientem" posture for the Liturgy of the Eucharist: where Priest and Congregation together face liturgical east toward the Tabernacle.

Why: Many people think that the Second Vatican Council mandated the removal of Latin and Gregorian chant in the Mass and required the Priest to face the people when saying Mass. However, the Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) mandated none of these things. It actually required that Latin and Gregorian Chant remain an essential part of the Mass and envisaged no change to the venerable tradition of the Priest and Congregation together facing the Tabernacle (“Liturgical East” or "ad orientem"). This initiative of the Parish of St Brigid’s in conjunction with the Glorificamus Society seeks to answer the call of Cardinal Ratzinger, now His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, for a return to a greater sense of reverence, mystery, beauty and sacredness in the celebration of Holy Mass, by recovering these traditions of Latin, Gregorian chant and ad orientem posture.

When: These Masses are celebrated at 6pm on the last Sunday of each month. The next Mass will be offered on Sunday, 31 August 2008 at 6pm.

Where: St Brigid's Catholic Church, 378 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North (Melways Map 2C Ref A4). All are most welcome to attend. Mass booklets with full Latin/English translations will be available for those without their own missals for this Form of the Roman Rite.

Promoting Beauty, Reverence and the Sacred

Solemn Mass in the Ordinary Form/Use of the Roman Rite (Novus Ordo) “ad orientem”, in Latin with Gregorian Chant at St Brigid's Catholic Church, Fitzroy North On the last Sunday of each month.

Next Mass: Sunday, 27 July 2008 at 6pm. 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

What: On the last Sunday of each month, St Brigid’s Parish offers Mass in a way that more closely follows the teachings of the Second Vatican Council in its document Sacrosanctum Concilium. Solemn Mass in the Ordinary Form/Use of the one Roman Rite (the Novus Ordo) is celebrated in Latin, with Gregorian chant and in an "ad orientem" posture for the Liturgy of the Eucharist: where Priest and Congregation together face liturgical east toward the Tabernacle.

Why: Many people think that the Second Vatican Council mandated the removal of Latin and Gregorian chant in the Mass and required the Priest to face the people when saying Mass. However, the Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) mandated none of these things. It actually required that Latin and Gregorian Chant remain an essential part of the Mass and envisaged no change to the venerable tradition of the Priest and Congregation together facing the Tabernacle (“Liturgical East” or "ad orientem"). This initiative of the Parish of St Brigid’s in conjunction with the Glorificamus Society seeks to answer the call of Cardinal Ratzinger, now His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, for a return to a greater sense of reverence, mystery, beauty and sacredness in the celebration of Holy Mass, by recovering these traditions of Latin, Gregorian chant and ad orientem posture.

When: These Masses are celebrated at 6pm on the last Sunday of each month. The eleventh of these Masses will be offered on Ascension Sunday, on Sunday, 4 May 2008 at 6pm.

Where: St Brigid's Catholic Church, 378 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North (Melways Map 2C Ref A4). All are most welcome to attend. Mass booklets with full Latin/English translations will be available for those without their own missals for this Form of the Roman Rite.

2 Latin Novus Ordo Masses this week - Promoting Reverence, the Sense of the Sacred and Beauty in Catholic Liturgy

This week 2 Masses will be celebrated with the support of theGlorificamus Society.

Firstly, our usual monthly Mass will be offered this Sunday 29 June at 6pm at St Brigid's Church, North Fitzroy for the Solemnity of Sts Peter & Paul.

In addition, a special Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit will be offeredthis Friday, 27 June at 7pm in the newly restored church of St Mary's Star of the Sea, 33 Howard Street, West Melbourne.

The Mass is offered in preparation for the visit of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI to Sydney and for World Youth Day 2008, and has been organised by the Victorian Catholic Students and Young Adults Association. This Novus Ordo Mass will be celebrated in Latin, ad orientem, with Gregorian Chant. All are welcome to attend this Massnot just young people. Following its restoration, St Mary's is arguably Melbourne's finestand most beautiful church. This Mass will be one of the firstcelebrated in the fully restored church, which re-opens this Thursday.

Promoting Reverence, the Sacred and Beauty in Catholic Liturgy

Solemn Mass in the Ordinary Form/Use of the Roman Rite (Novus Ordo) “ad orientem”, in Latin with Gregorian Chant at St Brigid's Catholic Church, Fitzroy North On the last Sunday of each month.

Next Mass: Ascension Sunday, Sunday, 4 May 2008 at 6pm. PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR THIS MONTH ONLY, MASS HAS BEEN POSTPONED ONE WEEK TO THE FIRST WEEK IN MAY.

What: On the last Sunday of each month, St Brigid’s Parish offers Mass in a way that more closely follows the teachings of the Second Vatican Council in its document Sacrosanctum Concilium. Solemn Mass in the Ordinary Form/Use of the one Roman Rite (the Novus Ordo) is celebrated in Latin, with Gregorian chant and in an "ad orientem" posture for the Liturgy of the Eucharist: where Priest and Congregation together face liturgical east toward the Tabernacle.

Why: Many people think that the Second Vatican Council mandated the removal of Latin and Gregorian chant in the Mass and required the Priest to face the people when saying Mass. However, the Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) mandated none of these things. It actually required that Latin and Gregorian Chant remain an essential part of the Mass and envisaged no change to the venerable tradition of the Priest and Congregation together facing the Tabernacle (“Liturgical East” or "ad orientem"). This initiative of the Parish of St Brigid’s in conjunction with the Glorificamus Society seeks to answer the call of Cardinal Ratzinger, now His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, for a return to a greater sense of reverence, mystery, beauty and sacredness in the celebration of Holy Mass, by recovering these traditions of Latin, Gregorian chant and ad orientem posture.

When: These Masses are celebrated at 6pm on the last Sunday of each month. The eleventh of these Masses will be offered on Ascension Sunday, on Sunday, 4 May 2008 at 6pm.

Where: St Brigid's Catholic Church, 378 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North (Melways Map 2C Ref A4). All are most welcome to attend. Mass booklets with full Latin/English translations will be available for those without their own missals for this Form of the Roman Rite.