Monday, February 23, 2009

URGENT NEWS- FSSP TO SAY MASS IN SAVANNAH

URGENT NEWS-PLEASE PASS THIS ON-WE NEED A BIG CROWD


Father Charles Van Vliet FSSP, will say a high mass in the Savannah Cathedral this Sunday at 1:00 pm.PLease pray his visit and mass will lead to "good things"

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Watch a Latin Mass

If you haven't seen a Latin Mass before here is a video of one .It is a Traditional Latin Mass filmed on Easter Sunday in 1941 at Our Lady of Sorrows church in Chicago. The film presents the ceremonies of the Missa Solemnis or Solemn High Mass in full detail with narration by then-Mgr. Fulton J. Sheen. Celebrated by Rev. J. R. Keane of the Order of Servites (hence the white habits and cowls), the ceremonies are accompanied by a full polyphonic choir, orchestra, and fifty Gregorian Chanters.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6AOvStZS64&feature=related

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Vocations Day

There will be a vocations day at St Francis de Sales in Mableton Georgia on Sunday May 17th 2009. There will be a missa cantata at 11:30am followed by a reception with various priests, religious, and nuns for anyone who would like to discuss a possible vocation. Literature from cloistered orders will be avaialble as well. For directions visit the parish web page at www.francisdesales.com

Traditional Conference Postponed

The traditional Catholic conference scheduled for March 21 2009 has been postponed. A new and larger location is being arranged. It will held this summer in the Atlanta area. Once firm dates and locations are made we will post the information here.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

LATIN MASS CONFERENCE FOR SOUTH GEORGIA REGION

A Conference on the Latin Mass will be held at St Josephs Catholic Church on 2-23-09 in Jacksonville Florida. Una Voce Supports this and encourages its members to attend.


ADULT EDUCATION: THE NOVUS ORDO AND THE TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS

The Adult Education Ministry will meet on Monday, February 23rd, at 7PM in the Cody Center. The topic is "The Traditional Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo- The Two Forms of the Roman Rite." The alternative form of the Mass is now more widely available as a result of Pope Benedict’s Motu Proprio (2007) to those who prefer the ancient usage. The two forms of the Roman Rite are: the Ordinary Form (the Mass of Paul VI, 1969) in English or Latin, and the Extraordinary Form (known as the Mass of John XXIII, the Traditional (Tridentine) Mass, in Latin only. The basic differences and principal features will be contrasted in terms of prayers, music, vestments, mood, and rubrics. Both forms are equal, mutually enriching, and fulfill the Sunday obligation. "There is certainly a difference of emphasis, but a single fundamental identity that excludes any contradition or antagonism between a renewed liturgy and the preceding liturgy," Pope Benedict XVI. Come and enjoy a lively discussion.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

UNA VOCE OFFICIAL RESPONSE

BELOW IS THE OFFICIAL RESPONSE OF UNA VOCE TO THE CRISIS IN THE PHILLIPINES AND THE ATTACK ON THE MASS

Una Voce Comments on Manila Guidelines

Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce has released its comment on the "Guidelines" issued by the Archdiocese of Manila attempting to regulate the application of Summorum Pontificum.


COMMENT:

There is so much in error with these guidelines that even though they mention the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, it is clear that the person who drafted the guidelines cannot possibly have read the Motu Proprio. The writer seems unaware that the previous rigidly-controlled state that existed under the indults of 1988 (Ecclesia Dei adflicta) and 1984 (Quattuor abhinc annos) ended abruptly at midnight on 13th September 2007. Under these indults, people and priests had to obtain permission from their local Ordinary before any celebrations of Mass using the Missal of 1962 could take place. Under Summorum Pontificum, which took effect from midnight on 13th September (i.e. from 14th September 2007), the permission to celebrate Mass according to the Missal of 1962 has been granted by the Supreme Legislator, the Pope, to "each Catholic priest of the Latin rite, whether secular or regular," to "use the Roman Missal published by Blessed Pope John XXIII in 1962,…and may do so on any day with the exception of the Easter Triduum. For such celebrations……..the priest has no need for permission from the Apostolic See or from his Ordinary." [Summ. Pont. Art 2]. The fact that one does not need the permission of the local ordinary to celebrate or attend Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form, does not, in itself, derogate from the right of bishops to regulate liturgical matters in their sees. No doubt the Supreme Pontiff took that right into account when he assumed that no Catholic bishop would dissent from the superseding right of the Successor of Peter to regulate the liturgy for the universal Church.
Therefore, not only has any priest of the Latin rite the freedom to celebrate Mass on any day of the year (excluding the Easter Triduum but NOT excluding Sundays), but the Motu Proprio removes a need to obtain permission from anyone - either from the Holy See or his local bishop [Summ. Pont. Art.2].
To comment specifically on the detail of the guidelines:
1. Despite what is said in the opening statement these guidelines are NOT in accordance with the norms laid down by the Apostolic Letter of Pope Benedict XVI.
2. In Summorum Pontificum, the Supreme Pontiff dispensed local ordinaries from “regulating” the celebration according to the Extraordinary Form when, in his Letter to Bishops accompanying the Motu Proprio, His Holiness states "The present norms are also meant to free Bishops from constantly having to evaluate anew how they are to respond to various situations."
3. "The presider at this form of celebration should be a priest duly appointed by the Archbishop…." [Guidelines, para.4] There is no 'presider' at a Mass in the Extraordinary Form, this is a term introduced with the new order of Mass. In the Extraordinary Form of Mass there is a 'celebrant' who offers up the sacred mysteries acting in persona Christi.
4. Concerning paragraph 5 of the Guidelines - it is the duty of all Sacred Pastors to ensure the solemnity and orderliness of the celebration of ALL forms of liturgy in their diocese so it needs to be explained why the Extraordinary Form requires special attention? As the Extraordinary Form and the Ordinary Form are "two uses of the same rite" [Summ. Pont. Art. 1], is the participation of other ministers (i.e., lectors, Master of Ceremonies, servers, choir, etc.) in the Ordinary Form also to be determined and regulated by the Ministry for Liturgical Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila?
5. It is commendable that a missal / booklet of the rite in Latin and English be prepared to help the faithful follow the celebration but why should those who wish to participate in this Mass have to undergo a catechetical orientation before the celebration? Will this requirement for a catechetical orientation apply equally to those attending the Ordinary Form?
6. The local Ordinary has jurisdiction over this celebration in the sense that he must ensure that ALL liturgy under his jurisdiction is celebrated in conformity with the laws of the Church. Whatever is decided in relation with the Extraordinary Form of Mass must be decided "in full harmony, however, with all that has been laid down by the new norms of the Motu Proprio" [Letter to Bishops]. It is an abuse of authority, and in disobedience to the law expressed by the Supreme Pontiff, our Holy Father, to interfere in the right granted by the Successor of Peter to any priest in good standing to celebrate the Extraordinary Form of Mass. The Pope, the Supreme Legislator, has issued a DECREE, for the benefit of all priests and faithful of the Roman Rite in the Universal Church and no local bishop can interfere with this law and impose his own conditions in an act of public disobedience to the Vicar of Christ
The way forward for any priest or member of the faithful is clear. In accordance with article 7 of the Motu Proprio they must contact immediately the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei for clarification and send a copy of the guidelines that obstruct the provisions of Summorum Pontificum. They should write to:
H.E. Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos,
President, Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei,
Palazzo della Congr. per la Dottrina della Fide,
Piazza del Sant Ufficio,
00193 Rome, ITALY.
Fax: +39 06 69 88 34 12. Email:
eccdei@ecclsdei.va.
Leo Darroch, Executive President - International Federation Una Voce.
11th February 2009.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

TRADITIONAL RETREAT BY THE FSSP

Spiritual Exercises with Fr. Demets, FSSP

Time goes definitively fast and we are now already in February, a few weeks after the beginning of the new year 2009. Many of you are busy with a professional life and the care of a family: many of you are too busy with temporal business, sometimes to the detriment of spiritual life. As usually you may have made good resolutions, and you now observe that you have not been able to keep them. Maybe they were not the right resolutions that you need. Maybe they were, but you lack of fortitude in order to keep them. Whatever is the reason, the fact is that you need more constancy in your spiritual life and to order your life. And because you are dependent on many affections and tendencies that are disordered, you miss many occasions to increase the love of God and to become more holy.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola, inspired by Our Blessed Mother gives you a wonderful remedy that allows you to follow Our Lord and to serve Him better. It is his famous Spiritual exercises that help you to conquer yourself and regulate your life, in other words, to become a saint by accepting and doing God’s will.
Father Gordon and I will give you an opportunity to follow the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius in a 4-days retreat. A retreat for ladies will be given from March 23rd to 26th and another one for men from April 13th to 16th, both at Subiaco retreat center in Arkansas. Will you consider this opportunity as an occasion to be renewed in the Spirit, as Saint Paul says, and to learn how to love and serve Him better?
It happens many times that Our Lord calls us, but we find many excuses for not answering his calls: "I have bought a farm and I must needs go out and see it. I pray thee, hold me excused. Or: I have bought five yoke of oxen and I go to try them. I pray thee, hold me excused. Or again: I have married a wife; and therefore I cannot come."
Be sure that your excuses are not a pretext to neglect the care of your soul. Remember what the Lord says: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
You will find some information and registration forms here. (DOC file)
With the assurance of my prayers for you and your families,
Father Laurent Demets, FSSP
40 Matecumbe Street
Cherokee Village, AR 72529
870 - 257 - 5588
www.defidecatholica.blogspot.com

JOIN THE CONFRATERNITY OF SAINT PETER

UNA VOCE GEORGIA SUPPORTS THE CONFRATERNITY OF SAINT PETER AND ENCOURAGES ALL MEMBERS TO JOIN THE CONFRATERNITY- PLEASE VISIT WWW.FSSP.COM


To the members of the Confraternity of Saint Peter
Reading, England, February 12th, 2009: Novena for Pope

Dear Members of the Confraternity of Saint Peter (CSP),
You are all well aware of the opposition which the Holy Father has faced in his efforts to reconcile the Society of Pius X. The current pressure from the media and others seems to not only threaten Pope Benedict’s work with SSPX. It also seems as though some would like to see it work as a means to undermine his very teaching and governing authority for his pontificate.
Given these oppositions which the Holy Father faces; given the particular role of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in working as a bridge for those who have grown apart from the Church in the last forty years; finally, given that we hold St. Peter as our patron and have a particular attachment to his successor, as also requested by our Superior General Very Rev Fr John Berg, FSSP, I would ask all of the members of the Confraternity of St. Peter to offer increased prayers at this time for strength for Pope Benedict XVI.
I suggest that each of our members may offer the following novena, which will be prayed as well by all our seminarians and priests, beginning on February 14th and concluding on the feast of the Chair of St. Peter, February 22nd.
Please remember that as a CSP member you can earn a plenary indulgence on that day, February 22nd, the second anniversary of the foundation of the CSP. On the same day the CSP chaplains will hold a meeting at the General House and will pray at all your intentions.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Armand de Malleray, FSSP, General Chaplain CSP

Novena (February 14 to 22)
Pater Noster, 3 Ave Maria, Gloria Patri
V. Orémus pro Pontífice nostro Benedícto.
R. Dóminus consérvet eum, et vivíficet eum, et beátum fáciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in ánimam inimicórum eius.
V. Tu es Petrus.
R. Et super hanc petram ædificábo Ecclésiam meam.
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, miserére fámulo tuo Pontífici nostro Benedícto : et dírige eum secúndum tuam cleméntiam in viam salútis ætérnæ : ut, te donánte, tibi plácita cúpiat, et tota virtúte perfíciat. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
R. Amen. Mater Ecclésiæ, ora pro nobis. Sancte Petre, ora pro nobis.

Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP
Priestly Fraternity of St Peter in England
179 Elgar Rd, RG2 0DH, Reading, Berkshire, UK

Sunday, February 8, 2009

SEPTUAGESIMA

In the pre-Conciliar calendar the time after Epiphany or Season of Epiphany, could be longer or shorter depending on the date of Easter. When Easter falls early, some of the texts for Sundays Masses after Epiphany are bumped to the end of the year. The time after Epiphany and the time after Pentecost are both called the tempus per annum, “the time through the year”. That terminology remained in the Novus Ordo to describe the two parts of “Ordinary Time”. This Sunday, however, we begin the Tempus Septuagesimae, "the time of Septuagesima".
In the traditional Roman calendar this Sunday is called Septuagesima, Latin for the “Seventieth” day before Easter. This number is more symbolic than arithmetical. The Sundays which follow are Sexagesima (“sixtieth”) and Quinquagesima (“fiftieth”). Ash Wednesday brings in Lent, called in Latin Quadragesima, “Fortieth”. These pre-Lenten Sundays prepare us for the discipline of Lent, which once was far stricter. Septuagesima gives us a more solemn attitude for Holy Mass. Purple is worn on Sunday rather than the green of the time through the year. The pre-Lent Sundays have Roman Stations. The Alleluia is sung for the last time at First Vespers of Septuagesima and is then excluded until Holy Saturday. There was once a tradition of “burying” the Alleluia, with a depositio ceremony, like a little funeral. A hymn of farewell was sung. There was a procession with crosses, tapers, holy water, and a coffin containing a banner with Alleluia. The coffin was sprinkled, incensed, and buried. In some places, such as Paris, a straw figure bearing an Alleluia of gold letters was burned in the churchyard. Somehow that seems very French to me.The prayers and readings for the Masses of these pre-Lenten Sundays were compiled by St. Gregory the Great (+604), Pope in a time of great turmoil and suffering. Pre-Lent is particularly a time for preaching about missions and missionary work, the evangelization of peoples. With the Novus Ordo there is no more pre-Lent. A terrible loss. We are grateful that with Summorum Pontificum the pre-Lent Sundays have regained something of their
ancient status.

(From Father Z at WDTPRS)

Thursday, February 5, 2009

RULES OF FAST AND ABSTINENCE

Rules for Fasting and Abstinence.
1. All persons who have completed their 14th year are bound by the law of abstinence; all adults are bound by the law of fast from the completion of their 18th year of age up to the beginning of their 60th year (ages 19 thru 59 inclusively). Nevertheless, pastors and parents are to see to it that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated in an authentic sense of penance. (Can. 1252)
2. Complete Abstinence are days which forbids the eating of meat as well as soup and gravy made from meat.
3. Complete Fast are days where only one full meal is allowed with two other meatless meals. The two other meatless meals should be sufficient to maintain strength but both together should not be equal to another full meal.
4. Days of Fast and Abstinence:
a). Complete Fast and Abstinence is to be observed under pain of mortal sin only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
b). Abstinence is to be observed on all Fridays of Lent and on all Fridays during the year (but without fault or sin if one fails to do so).
c). All Fridays throughout the year and the time of Lent are penitential days and times throughout the Universal Church. (Can. 1250)
First place is given to abstinence from flesh meat on all Fridays. However, if abstinence is not observed, then some other works of self-denial or personal penance is to be observed. Examples would be doing voluntary work in hospitals, visiting the sick, serving the needs of the aged and the lonely, instructing the youth in the Faith, meeting our obligations to our families, our friends, our neighbors, etc. Examples of Lenten devotions would be sermons, Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, etc.
Note: On other Fridays during the year, one is allowed to commute abstinence into another form of penance (e.g., the Way of the Cross, etc.).
5. On the weekdays of Lent, daily Mass is strongly recommended as well as a self-imposed observance of fasting.
6. Whenever a solemnity (First Class Feast) falls on a Friday, abstinence is dispensed (Can. 1251).
Can. 1249. All Christ’s faithful are obliged by divine law, each in his or her own way, to do penance. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days Christ’s faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.
Can. 1250. The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.
Can. 1251. Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Bishops’ Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

URGENT PRAYERS FOR THE POPE

JOIN UNA VOCE GEORGIA IN PRAYING FOR THE HOLY FATHER. THE VICAR OF CHRIST ON EARTH IS UNDER ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY FATHER

V: Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Benedicto.R: Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius.V: Fiat manus tua super virum dexterae tuaeR: Et super filium hominis quem confirmasti tibi
Oremus. Deus, ómnium fidélium pastor et rector, fámulum tuum Benedíctum, quem pastórem Ecclésiæ tuæ præésse voluísti, propítius réspice: da ei, quæesumus, verbo et exémplo, quibus præest, profícere: ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi crédito, pervéniat sempitérnam. Per Christum, Dóminum nostrum. Amen.


(English)V: Let us pray for our Pope Benedict.R: May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.V: May Thy hand be ever upon the man of Thy right hand.R: And upon the son of man whom Thou hast confirmed unto thee.Let us Pray. O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

SSPX UPDATE-BISHOP WILLIAMSON

NOTE OF THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE


Following the reactions caused by the recent Decree of the Congregation for Bishops, with which the excommunication of the four Prelates of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X was remitted, and regarding the negationist or reductionist declarations on the Shoah from Bishop Williamson, of the same Fraternity, it is considered convenient to clarify a few aspects of past events.1. Remission of the excommunication.As already published previously, the Decree of the Congregation for Bishops, dated January 21, 2009, was an act by which the Holy Father graciously responded to the reiterated requests by the Superior General of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X.His Holiness desired to remove an obstacle which prevented the opening of a door to dialogue. He now expects that an equal disposition will be expressed by the four Bishops in complete adherence to the doctrine and the discipline of the Church.The extremely grave censure of latae sententiae excommunication, in which the aforementioned Bishops had incurred on June 30, 1988, then formally declared on July 1 of the same year, was a consequence of their illegitimate ordinarion by Mons. Marcel Lefebvre.The removal of the excommunication released the four Bishops from an extremely grave canonical censure, but has not changed the juridical position of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X which, at the current moment, does not enjoy any canonical recognition by the Catholic Church. Not even the four Bishops, though released from the excommunication, have a canonical function in the Church and they do not exercise licitly a ministry in it.2. Tradition, doctrine, and the Second Vatican Council.For a future recognition of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X, the full recognition of the Second Vatican Council and of the Magisterium of Popes John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, and of the same Benedict XVI is an indispensable conditionAs it was already affirmed in the Decree of January 21, 2009, the Holy See will not avoid, in the forms judged appropriate, to deepen the the interested party the still open questions, so as to be able to reach a full and satisfactory resolution of the problems which originated this painful division.3. Declarations on the ShoahThe positions of Mons. Williamson on the Shoah are absolutely unacceptable and firmly rejected by the Holy Father, as he himself remarked on the past January 28, when, referring to that brutal genocide, reaffirmed his full and unquestionable solidarity with our Brethren receivers of the First Covenant, and affirmed that the memory of that terrible genocide must lead "mankind to reflect on the unpredictable power of evil when it conquers the heart of man", adding that the Shoah remains "for all a warning against forgetfulness, against denial or reductionism, because the violence against a single human being is violence against all".Bishop Williamson, for an admission to episcopal functions in the Church, will also have to declare, in an absolutely unequivocal and public manner, distance from his positions regarding the Shoah, unknown to the Holy Father in the moment of the remission of the excommunication.The Holy Father asks to be joined by the prayers of all the faithful, so that the Lord may enlighten the path of the Church. May the effort of the Pastors and of all the faithful increase in support of the delicate and burdensome mission of the Successor of Apostle Peter as "custodian of the unity" in the Church.

From the Vatican, February 4, 2009.


PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HOLY FATHER, HE IS UNDER ATTACK BY THOSE OPPOSSED TO TRADITION. PRAY THAT THE SSPX BE RECONCILED