"Today Our attention is directed to one of the most common of them (abuses), one of the most difficult to eradicate, and the existence of which is sometimes to be deplored in places where everything else is deserving of the highest praise; the beauty and sumptuousness of the temple, the splendor and the accurate performance of the ceremonies, the attendance of the clergy, the gravity and piety of the officiating ministers. Such is the abuse affecting sacred chant and music."- St. Pius X, Pope
Showing posts with label Una Voce Toronto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Una Voce Toronto. Show all posts
Sunday, 11 August 2019
Saturday, 26 January 2019
Missa Cantata - Sung Latin Mass for Candlemas in Toronto
Church of the Transfiguration (SSPX) at 8:00
Toronto Oratory Church of the Holy Family at 8:30
St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Parish at 10:00
Labels:
Una Voce Toronto
Thursday, 11 May 2017
TORONTO! Our Lady of Fatima Latin Mass
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Tomorrow, May 13 is the 100th anniversary of the appearance of the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God at Fatima, Portugal. In the traditional calendar, May 13 is the Feast (3rd class) of St. Robert Bellarmine. In the new calendar for the Novus Ordo Missae, it is the "Optional Memorial" of Our Lady of Fatima. An "Optional Memorial" is just that, the priest can choose the text for Our Lady of Fatima or the Ferial. The traditional calendar was never updated liturgically to recognise the appearance of Our Lady at Fatima.
In the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, Pope Benedict XVI
made possible the updating of the traditional Mass calendar of 1961 to include
more current feasts and saints. Recently, the Pontifical Council Ecclesia Dei
in the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith decreed that Our Lady of
Fatima could be celebrated on May 13 in the traditional Mass. How appropriate
then that the first change should be for Our Lady and in 2017, to recognise the
100th anniversary of her appearance at Fatima.
The text of the Mass is the Votive Mass of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary (August 22) with the double Alleluia for Paschaltide. The feast
of St. Robert Bellarmine will be commemorated, meaning the Collect, Secret and
Postcommunion will be doubled to include those from both Masses.
Una Voce Toronto is very grateful to the pastor and parish
of St. Mary's Polish Roman Catholic Church for the opportunity to celebrate
this great day.
We ask you to be generous at the collection as the funds
will be used by the parish for sanctuary renovations.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Labels:
Fatima,
Una Voce Toronto
Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Rubrical reminders from Una Voce Toronto - because we're "rigid"
Posted today at www.unavocetoronto.blogspot.com
unavocetoronto@gmail.com
Let us review some terms and basic rubrics for
the Traditional Latin Mass, also known in modernist circles, as the
Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. There is charity in truth and there is
peace and unity in truth. There is no charity in silence and appeasement. It is
incumbent upon those who work in the sacred liturgy to humble themselves to
what the Church expects.
The commentary below is written with
"referential authority." That is to say, the authority comes not from
this writer but from the documents from the which the information is gleaned
and condensed. The referred documents are Tra le sollecitudini, Mediator Dei,
Da Musica Sacra et Sacra Liturgia and Rubricarum. The notorious Musica Sacra of
1967 is prohibited in accord with Summorum Pontificum and Universae Ecclesiae.
Read Mass or Missa Lecta
Commonly referred to as “Low” Mass, this form of
Mass is more properly referred to as a “Read Mass.” This comes from its Latin
name, Missa Lecta. The Mass, in history, would have always been Solemn (see below),
but as parishes and villages developed away from monasteries and cathedrals;
and as mendicant Orders such as Dominicans and Franciscans, journeyed to
preach, priests would desire to offer the Holy Sacrifice for themselves and the
souls they found on their journeys. The Missa Lecta was developed for this
purpose. It is a quiet and contemplative Mass with one server only, though two
can be “tolerated.” The Mass is entirely in Latin, though, in accord with the
legitimate Law as prescribed by Pope Benedict XVI, in Universae Ecclesiae the
Lesson(s), Epistle and Gospel may be said in the vernacular from an approved
translation (at the time of 1962) from the Altar without first being read in
Latin. There is normally no music permitted.
Read Mass with Music
Music is not permitted in a Read Mass except in
specific circumstances and certain specific rubrics. In fact, a more proper
word than permitted would be tolerated, in its classic sense. One may have an
organ prelude or postlude and organ music at the Offertory or during Communion
in those times of the year where organ music is not prohibited and no solo
organ music is permitted in the Mass during Advent, except on Gaudete Sunday or
in the season of Lent on Laetare Sunday. No solo organ music is permitted at
anytime at a Requiem Mass. Organ music may be used at a Requiem Mass only to
support the singing and only if absolutely necessary to even do that. Music or
hymn singing may be used at a Read Mass in the following manner. A hymn may be
sung as a processional and the recessional and these may be in the vernacular.
A Latin hymn may be sung at the Offertory and the Communion but it may not be
the text of the Proper of the Mass which must be read by the priest aloud and
heard by the faithful in attendance. A hymn may be sung in the vernacular at
the Offertory and Communion provided it is connected with the liturgical
action. For example, the Offertory hymn could be, “See Us Lord, About Your
Altar,” or, “Lord, Accept the Gifts We Offer.” At Communion, the hymn, if in
the vernacular, must be a hymn to the Blessed Sacrament or be a hymn of
Thanksgiving. The Gloria and Credo
cannot be sung at any Read Mass. A
Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei may be sung if they are short, for example, Mass
XVI or Mass XVIII, never Mass IX or VIII the Missa de Angelis. These are two
long and delay the priest. All singing must conclude so that the action of the
Priest is not delayed and the audible texts are not covered by music. The
Priest does not sing the Collect or Postcommunion nor any other oration, nor
does he chant in any way the salutations, nor do the people respond in chant.
These are only said.
Sung Mass—or Missa Canata or Solemn Mass—Missa
Solemnis
All Propers must be sung, there are no
exceptions. The Epistle and Gospel must be sung, there are no exceptions. All
salutations and response are sung, there are no exceptions. If the priest
cannot sing the melismatic tones of the Lesson, Epistle or Gospel, then he can
chant them recto tono, on the same note. If the Schola cannot manage to sing
the Proper chants with the melisma, then it is permissible to sing them in
psalm tone, or recto tono. They can also be sung in Polyphony when considered
appropriate. At the Offertory and Communion, Latin motets or hymns can also be
sung, but only after the Proper Antiphon.
Requiem Mass
The musical rubrics apply to a Requiem Mass as
to the degree above.
Holy Mother Church has determined the above
rubrics in order to ensure the proper dignity of the Mass. When we work within
the Laws of the Church, there is peace and understanding and serene
contemplation of the holy actions taking place before us.
When we deviate from these for pastoral or other
reasons or through pressure, we create confusion and disunity and distress and
these are not from the Holy Spirit; we insert our own desires into the liturgy,
where it does not belong. None of us are masters of the Liturgy of God, we are
rather, its servants. We must do our work in truth and humility, we must submit
to the mind of the Church and we must reject any inculturation and pastoral
provision that deviates from the truth.
At no time is a guitar permitted during a
Traditional Latin Mass. It's been done!
There is no evidence that Fr. Franz Gruber, S.J.
ever permitted Stille Nacht on guitar at a Midnight Mass due to a broken organ.
This is “fake news.”
At no time is it permitted to sing anything in
the vernacular in a Sung or Solemn Mass. Processional and recessional hymns
take place outside of Mass. Mass begins with the Introit and ends with the
Ite. Any reference to what occurred
between the great wars in Europe in Germany, Belgium or Holland should be
understood in the context of dissent and diabolical disorientation that lead to
the complete upheaval of the holy liturgy.
Lest one doubt the above, be assured that every
educated Catholic in proper Church music and liturgy according to its venerable
tradition is aware of these rubrics and knows where to find the sources. If
they are not, then they are unqualified to do the work and they need to become
educated. Let those who labour for the love of true worship of the LORD in the
timeless liturgy understand the need to maintain consistency, peace and
serenity in the work before us. This peace and serenity can only be achieved if
we work within that which we are given. By humbling ourselves to the timelessness,
we will achieve peace in our work. It is when deviations occur that we bring
disunity and cognitive dissonance to the holy work before us.
Una Voce Toronto
Sunday, 4 December 2016
How to celebrate Advent in Toronto - Get thee to a Traditional Latin Mass!
The Toronto Traditional Mass Society - UNA VOCE TORONTO, is announcing a number of Masses for the Advent season some of which are regularly scheduled, and some which are specifically organised by the Society.
On every Sunday in the Archdiocese of Toronto, there are four Masses offered in the Traditional Rite at diocesan parishes. In addition, the Society of St. Pius X offers three Masses at its Toronto Chapel and one in Orillia.
St. Patrick's Schomberg
9:00 A.M. Sung Mass
Oratory Church of St.Vincent de Paul
9:30 A.M. Read (Low) Mass
Oratory Church of the Holy Family
11:00 A.M. Solemn Mass
St. Lawrence the Martyr, Scarbrough
1:00 P.M. Read Mass with music
Society of St. Pius X
Church of the Transfiguration Toronto
8:00 A.M. Read Mass
10:30 A.M. Sung Mass
5:00 P.M. Read Mass
Church of the Canadian Martyrs Orillia
10:00 A.M.
There are three particular outside of Sunday to which I wish to draw your attention.
This coming Thursday, December 8, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There will be varied traditional Mass locations in diocesan churches in Toronto plus the SSPX.
Two more that you should note and attend.
Saturday, December 10 at 9:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Polish Roman Catholic Church on Davenport Road in Toronto; a Read Rorate Mass with Music. While the old "custom" was to start before daybreak, that is not a liturgical rubric. The pastor at the parish offers the traditional Mass every Saturday at 9:00 A.M. and will offer here, the Votive Mass for Our Lady in Advent.
The next Saturday, December 17, is the Ember. There will be a Sung Mass (with Vox chanting) at the Carmel in Mississauga. An incredible liturgy that is rarely, if every sung with its multiple Lessons and Graduals culminating in the sung Canticle of the Three Children from the fiery furnace in Babylon.
Leave the shopping. Leave the insanity of our secular and grotesque and hostile Toronto. Get thee to a Latin Mass and get back to God this Advent!
On every Sunday in the Archdiocese of Toronto, there are four Masses offered in the Traditional Rite at diocesan parishes. In addition, the Society of St. Pius X offers three Masses at its Toronto Chapel and one in Orillia.
St. Patrick's Schomberg
9:00 A.M. Sung Mass
Oratory Church of St.Vincent de Paul
9:30 A.M. Read (Low) Mass
Oratory Church of the Holy Family
11:00 A.M. Solemn Mass
St. Lawrence the Martyr, Scarbrough
1:00 P.M. Read Mass with music
Society of St. Pius X
Church of the Transfiguration Toronto
8:00 A.M. Read Mass
10:30 A.M. Sung Mass
5:00 P.M. Read Mass
Church of the Canadian Martyrs Orillia
10:00 A.M.
There are three particular outside of Sunday to which I wish to draw your attention.
This coming Thursday, December 8, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There will be varied traditional Mass locations in diocesan churches in Toronto plus the SSPX.
Two more that you should note and attend.
Saturday, December 10 at 9:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Polish Roman Catholic Church on Davenport Road in Toronto; a Read Rorate Mass with Music. While the old "custom" was to start before daybreak, that is not a liturgical rubric. The pastor at the parish offers the traditional Mass every Saturday at 9:00 A.M. and will offer here, the Votive Mass for Our Lady in Advent.
The next Saturday, December 17, is the Ember. There will be a Sung Mass (with Vox chanting) at the Carmel in Mississauga. An incredible liturgy that is rarely, if every sung with its multiple Lessons and Graduals culminating in the sung Canticle of the Three Children from the fiery furnace in Babylon.
Leave the shopping. Leave the insanity of our secular and grotesque and hostile Toronto. Get thee to a Latin Mass and get back to God this Advent!
Labels:
Una Voce Toronto
Saturday, 2 January 2016
Traditional Latin Masses in Toronto, this Epiphany and beyond
A regular commenter in a post two below left the following:
Anyone who believes that this writer, or any blogger for that matter, has that much power ascribes something which does not exist. More importantly, it is an insult to the Holy Spirit who has through the work of many hands beginning in Econe, preserved the Holy Mass in the traditional form, to this day where others have been able to take up the cause. To state that this blog hurts the cause because someone might be offended, is simply poppycock. If anyone hurts the cause, it is those who throw around such language as "radical traditionalists" and "trads behaving badly" and other such puerile silliness. Good grief, to be Catholic is to be traditional!
Now, let us look at Toronto, since that was the matter raised.
On Epiphany upcoming, there will be two Read (Low) Masses and one Sung and one Solemn in the Archdiocese of Toronto celebrated in diocesan churches by diocesan priests. This does not include the Society of St. Pius X which has recently had to add a third Mass to its Toronto Chapel Sunday schedule.
On Immaculate Conception last there were five and two of them were Solemn and one was Sung and in 2014 there were actually six with three being Solemn.
I can also report that there is another parish in the east of the Archdiocese that has implemented a Latin Mass very Friday evening with three out of four Ordinary Form celebrated "ad orientem" and one, Extraordinary showing the "two forms of one Roman Rite" as Pope Benedict XVI so desired in parishes and another in the east on the First Saturday.
Not only that, but one of Toronto's oldest personal ethnic parishes has a traditional Mass every Saturday morning except on the First Saturday when it is in the Ordinary Form.
Now, I can remember as recently as 2007 prior to Summorum Pontificum except for two crumbs under the "generosity" of Cardinal Ambrozic there were two Sunday indult Masses in diocesan churches On Feast days other than the two Holy Days of Obligation, there were none. Zero, Nada, Zilch! In fact, Ambrozic refused anything further lest he give be seen to give support to something which he did not. Yes, that letter is on file with Una Voce Toronto.
Under Cardinal Collins, the facts are the total opposite and for that, he is to be thanked and commended as is the current Chancellor, Father Ivan Camillieri. Both have been supportive. In fact, your writer had the distinct opportunity and grace to have been the prime organiser under Una Voce Toronto and the Schola Director for the Music for the Mass pictured at the right and below. In those pictures are the Cardinal, a Latin Mass Chaplain-Associate Pastor, a Pastor or two, a Priest of Opus Dei, other Associate Pastors, a newly ordained diocesan priest and Seminarians of Toronto and thirty priests and monsignors in choir.
If the question is of Sunday, there are four every Sunday, not including the SSPX. One Sung, one Solemn and two Read. It would be wonderful to have more but let us look at some issues that impede the growth that have nothing to do with this blog or my writing - truly, some give too me too much power,
The Archdiocese of Toronto has a policy of no changes to a Sunday schedule without episcopal permission. No additions of Masses, particularly in other languages, no reduction, no supplanting of one language or rite over another. There is no problem in this; changing languages and mass times can have a deleterious affect on parishes without proper consultation. As for schedule an Extraordinary Form Mass, to remove an OF for an EF would be upsetting and controversial. We don't need to see what happened to our parents and grandparents repeated. Further, in many parishes where there have been EF Masses, the Sunday schedule is already jammed with five or six Masses. This has not affected the growth of the traditional rite because there is no demand at this time for more, nor the people who could sustain it. Everyone who truly desires the Mass on Sundays in the Archdiocese of Toronto can get to it within 45 minutes and that includes the outer reaches of the Archdiocese. Is this great? No, but so it is better than it has been and as younger priests come along, it will continue to grow.
Further, we have organised a Triduum the last two years and there will be one in 2015 in Toronto in a Diocesan Chapel with the blessing of the Chancellor and Seminary! The fact is, while the loss of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter was regrettable, the diocesan priests have filled the gap, the Cardinal Archbishop and his Chancellor have been supportive and it is my belief that we are in fact, better off notwithstanding the current lack of a "personal parish." The fact is, if we look at where the FSSP exists in Canada, - St. Catharines, Ottawa, Calgary, Quebec City, with the exception of Vancouver, these are the only places where the traditional Latin Mass is offered. It has become a ghetto. The loss of the FSSP in Toronto is proving to be a blessing in disguise as priest and laity have stepped up and pushed ahead.
The situation in Toronto is actually better than most places in Canada, and is not dissimilar to that elsewhere. The growth of the traditional movement is happening and it is sustainable and it is not going to be stopped. To suggest that this blogger or any other hurts this growth is preposterous and I won't stand for it when the growth is there for all to see.
Fundamentally, the growth must be organic for it to take root in people's hearts and minds. We don't need 1950's Catholicism a mile wide and an inch deep.
"But are all these blog visits changing anything for the better? There is no increase in the number of TLM's in Toronto and beyond."The writer of this comment, "Karl Rahner, Jr." and I welcome his input, has previously opined that my style and the content of this blog detracts from any work that I engage in for the purposes of spreading interest in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Further, there are a few others out there who with ignorance, arrogance and puerile petulant pride use phrases such as "radical traditionalists" and "trads-behaving badly" and other such silliness and opine that those terrible people, whomever they might be, actually hurt he cause of promoting the traditional Mass. Some of these, try to link Vox personally to a problem that does not exist because in my other life, I am President of the Toronto Traditional Mass Society-Una Voce Toronto.
Anyone who believes that this writer, or any blogger for that matter, has that much power ascribes something which does not exist. More importantly, it is an insult to the Holy Spirit who has through the work of many hands beginning in Econe, preserved the Holy Mass in the traditional form, to this day where others have been able to take up the cause. To state that this blog hurts the cause because someone might be offended, is simply poppycock. If anyone hurts the cause, it is those who throw around such language as "radical traditionalists" and "trads behaving badly" and other such puerile silliness. Good grief, to be Catholic is to be traditional!
Now, let us look at Toronto, since that was the matter raised.
On Epiphany upcoming, there will be two Read (Low) Masses and one Sung and one Solemn in the Archdiocese of Toronto celebrated in diocesan churches by diocesan priests. This does not include the Society of St. Pius X which has recently had to add a third Mass to its Toronto Chapel Sunday schedule.
On Immaculate Conception last there were five and two of them were Solemn and one was Sung and in 2014 there were actually six with three being Solemn.
I can also report that there is another parish in the east of the Archdiocese that has implemented a Latin Mass very Friday evening with three out of four Ordinary Form celebrated "ad orientem" and one, Extraordinary showing the "two forms of one Roman Rite" as Pope Benedict XVI so desired in parishes and another in the east on the First Saturday.
Not only that, but one of Toronto's oldest personal ethnic parishes has a traditional Mass every Saturday morning except on the First Saturday when it is in the Ordinary Form.
Now, I can remember as recently as 2007 prior to Summorum Pontificum except for two crumbs under the "generosity" of Cardinal Ambrozic there were two Sunday indult Masses in diocesan churches On Feast days other than the two Holy Days of Obligation, there were none. Zero, Nada, Zilch! In fact, Ambrozic refused anything further lest he give be seen to give support to something which he did not. Yes, that letter is on file with Una Voce Toronto.
| Mass in the Presence of a Greater Prelate (Thomas Card. Collins) |
Under Cardinal Collins, the facts are the total opposite and for that, he is to be thanked and commended as is the current Chancellor, Father Ivan Camillieri. Both have been supportive. In fact, your writer had the distinct opportunity and grace to have been the prime organiser under Una Voce Toronto and the Schola Director for the Music for the Mass pictured at the right and below. In those pictures are the Cardinal, a Latin Mass Chaplain-Associate Pastor, a Pastor or two, a Priest of Opus Dei, other Associate Pastors, a newly ordained diocesan priest and Seminarians of Toronto and thirty priests and monsignors in choir.
If the question is of Sunday, there are four every Sunday, not including the SSPX. One Sung, one Solemn and two Read. It would be wonderful to have more but let us look at some issues that impede the growth that have nothing to do with this blog or my writing - truly, some give too me too much power,
The Archdiocese of Toronto has a policy of no changes to a Sunday schedule without episcopal permission. No additions of Masses, particularly in other languages, no reduction, no supplanting of one language or rite over another. There is no problem in this; changing languages and mass times can have a deleterious affect on parishes without proper consultation. As for schedule an Extraordinary Form Mass, to remove an OF for an EF would be upsetting and controversial. We don't need to see what happened to our parents and grandparents repeated. Further, in many parishes where there have been EF Masses, the Sunday schedule is already jammed with five or six Masses. This has not affected the growth of the traditional rite because there is no demand at this time for more, nor the people who could sustain it. Everyone who truly desires the Mass on Sundays in the Archdiocese of Toronto can get to it within 45 minutes and that includes the outer reaches of the Archdiocese. Is this great? No, but so it is better than it has been and as younger priests come along, it will continue to grow.
Further, we have organised a Triduum the last two years and there will be one in 2015 in Toronto in a Diocesan Chapel with the blessing of the Chancellor and Seminary! The fact is, while the loss of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter was regrettable, the diocesan priests have filled the gap, the Cardinal Archbishop and his Chancellor have been supportive and it is my belief that we are in fact, better off notwithstanding the current lack of a "personal parish." The fact is, if we look at where the FSSP exists in Canada, - St. Catharines, Ottawa, Calgary, Quebec City, with the exception of Vancouver, these are the only places where the traditional Latin Mass is offered. It has become a ghetto. The loss of the FSSP in Toronto is proving to be a blessing in disguise as priest and laity have stepped up and pushed ahead.
The situation in Toronto is actually better than most places in Canada, and is not dissimilar to that elsewhere. The growth of the traditional movement is happening and it is sustainable and it is not going to be stopped. To suggest that this blogger or any other hurts this growth is preposterous and I won't stand for it when the growth is there for all to see.
Fundamentally, the growth must be organic for it to take root in people's hearts and minds. We don't need 1950's Catholicism a mile wide and an inch deep.
Sunday Masses in the Extraordinary Form in Toronto
St. Patrick's Schomberg, Sung Mass at 9:00AM
St. Vincent de Paul Toronto, Read Mass at 9:30AM
Holy Family Toronto, Solemn Mass at 11:00AM
St. Lawrence the Martyr Scarborough, Low Mass with organ and hymns at 1:00PM
Other days and Feast Days
Immaculate Conception Port Perry, 7:00 PM Last Friday of the month
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Toronto, 9:00AM Saturday except First Saturday
St. Isaac Jogues Pickering, 11:00AM First Saturday
St. Patrick's Phelpston 7:20 PM on Feast Days
St. Joseph's Mississauga 7;30P M on Feast Days
Monday, 24 November 2014
There is no such thing as a Sung Low Mass
I cannot count the numbers of Masses which I have attended and chanted as Cantor or Schola Master according to the more ancient use. I chant every Sunday and have personally organised over 30 Solemn or Sung Masses since Summorum Pontificum including a Mass in the Presence of a Greater Prelate. I say this not to boast but to indicate my level of experience.
Never, ever have I heard of a Sung Low Mass, it simply does not exist.
Here from the Una Voce Toronto blog, the Toronto Traditional Mass Society.
Never, ever have I heard of a Sung Low Mass, it simply does not exist.
Here from the Una Voce Toronto blog, the Toronto Traditional Mass Society.
Thursday, 6 November 2014
Where is the mercy?
It is also repugnant that certain puerile people label them and others as madtrads or radtrads or trads-behaving-badly. It is insulting, degrading, juvenile, schizophrenic and unbecoming of any Catholic who purports to love the Our Lord Jesus Christ, and His Holy Sacrifice at the Mass and His Church.
It is regrettable that under our dear Pope Benedict XVI, a complete reconciliation could not be realised and I long for the day in God's good time and may I live to see it, that a perfect communion is established.Full disclosure: I have worshipped at the Toronto chapel in the past and sang in the Schola there whilst between other chant engagements. I have never gone to the Sacrament of Confession there for obvious reasons but the Mass if valid and holy.
What these two bishops, in Italy and Argentina have done, by threatening the lay faithful with excommunication when the Church has already stated that they are not excommunicated is the height of episcopal arrogance and hypocrisy. These are our brother and sisters. These are Catholic faithful living the faith as the parents of these bishops did!
There is much talk of mercy these days. Mercy for sodomites, mercy for those paying the price for murder, mercy for adulterers. Mercy. Mercy. Mercy.
Well? Where is the mercy for these 99?
INTERNATIONAL UNA VOCE FEDERATION
MEDIA RELEASE – IMMEDIATE – 4 November 2014
International Una Voce Federation: threatened
SSPX excommunications may be illegal
LONDON 4 November 2014 – The International Una
Voce Federation which seeks to promote the traditions, particularly the
liturgical traditions, of the Roman Catholic Church, within the official
structures of the Church, today questioned the legality of a “notification”
dated 14 October 2014 of the Roman See of Albano, Italy, claiming to
ex-communicate those who receive the sacraments from, or attend religious
services of, the Society of St Pius X (SSPX).
The Federation questions the legality of a
notification in similar terms of Bishop Óscar Sarlinga of Zárate-Campana in
Argentina, issued on 3 November 2014.
The Federation, which is a lay movement
independent of any priestly or religious community, believes that preservation
of doctrine, law and justice, as well as good pastoral practice, within the
Church, is important.
The Federation believes that these
“notifications” tend to imply that anyone who has ever attended services of the
SSPX is not welcome in parish churches in these dioceses.
This view is clearly in direct contrast with
the emphasis of the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis, upon mercy and forgiveness,
as well as the “openness of heart” requested by Pope Benedict XVI as a prelude
to a healing of divisions “in the heart of the Church”.
The Bishop of Albano is the Rt Rev Marcello
Semeraro, media spokesman of the Italian Bishops’ conference and secretary of
the Papal inner Council of 9 advisers.
The Federation is asking the Holy See to advise
that these notifications are defective and to require them to be modified so as
to comply with the law of the Church and the decisions of the Holy See.
BACKGROUND
On 14 October 2014, the Chancery of the Diocese
of Albano issued a notification to parish priests claiming that anyone who
attends SSPX services, even, apparently, children, thereby “break communion
with the Catholic Church” and can only be re-admitted to the Church after “an
adequate personal path of reconciliation”. The notification reads:
“The Catholic faithful cannot participate at
Mass, neither request and/or receive sacraments from or in the Society. Acting
otherwise would mean to break communion with the Catholic Church.
Therefore, any Catholic faithful who requests
and receives sacraments in the Society of Saint Pius X, will place himself de
facto in the condition of no longer being in communion with the Catholic
Church. A readmission to the Catholic Church must be preceded by an adequate
personal path of reconciliation, according to the ecclesiastical discipline
established by the Bishop.”
Bishop Óscar Sarlinga of Zárate-Campana in
Argentina, in a letter to his diocese dated 3 November 2014, states:
“It is not licit for the Catholic faithful to
take part in the celebration of Mass in these conditions, neither to request
nor to receive sacraments from the priests of the aforementioned "Society
of Saint Pius X", including in private places turned into places of
worship, without excluding, in case of obstinacy, also the ferendae sententiae
penalties that may apply, according to the ecclesial spirit and that of
protection of the faithful.
In the case of the rupture of ecclesiastical
communion by the above-mentioned founded motives, in order to be later
readmitted to the Catholic Church, a personal path of reconciliation (and
eventually of removal of the canonical censure) will be required, according to
the discipline advised by the Holy See and the [diocese's] own, established by
the diocesan bishop.”
CANONICAL BRIEF
The attitude of the Holy See has always been
that lay faithful who receive the sacraments from priests of the SSPX are not
excommunicated. Examples are as follows.
In 1991 Bishop Joseph Ferrario of Honolulu
declared six lay Catholics excommunicated on grounds of schism for having
procured the services of an SSPX bishop to administer confirmation. These
appealed to the Holy See which, through Cardinal Ratzinger as Prefect of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, declared the decree invalid because
their action, though considered blameworthy, did not constitute schism.
On 5 September 2005, the Holy See, through the
Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, affirmed that “the faithful who attend the
masses of the aforesaid Fraternity are not excommunicate, and the priests who
celebrate them are not, either—the latter are, in fact, suspended.” (Protocol
n.55/2005, signed by the then Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia
Dei, Mgr Camille Perl).
On 27 September 2002, quoted and reaffirmed on
18 January 2003, the Holy See, through the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei,
stated that “In the strict sense you may fulfil your Sunday obligation by
attending a mass celebrated by a priest of the Society of St. Pius X.” (Letters
signed by Mgr Camille Perl).
“To break communion with the Catholic Church”,
i.e. excommunication, can only be incurred where there is both an “external
violation of a law or precept” and it is “gravely imputable by reason of malice
or culpability” (canon 1321) and only if the proper penalty is excommunication.
Excommunication is not the proper penalty for
“participating at mass” or “requesting or receiving the Sacraments” from SSPX
priests or in SSPX-administered places of worship. Thus:
It is accordingly not correct that
excommunication is thereby incurred.
In any event, those under the age of sixteen
cannot incur a penalty (canon 1323.1); this would apply to those under this age
who received baptism or confirmation.
Even when basing a canonical argument on the
assumption that the SSPX has no canonical status in the Church and that its
priests are suspended, following ordination without dimissorial letters, it
does not follow that to seek the sacraments at their hands is an illegal act on
the part of the lay faithful.
To say otherwise also conflicts with the
provision in canon law (canon 1335) for the suspension of any prohibition of
the celebration of the Sacraments or sacramental, or the exercise of a power of
governance, when one of the faithful requests it for “any just reason”.
Furthermore, the notifications appear to
challenge the Decree of the Congregation of Bishops dated 21 January 2009
lifting the excommunications of the SSPX bishops and instead seem to wish to re-impose
those excommunications, within each diocese, contrary to this decree of a
Congregation of the Holy See.
Moreover, it would be incongruous for the
legislator to lift the excommunication of the bishops while imposing or
maintaining it on the lay faithful to whom they minister.
CONCLUSION
The Federation is thus obliged to question the
notifications since they appear to undermine papal legislation and canon law.
** ends **
The International Una Voce Federation is a lay
movement, initially founded in Zurich in 1967.
The International Una Voce Federation aims to
foster the cultural heritage of the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church
upon which so much of European culture, music, art, literature and architecture
has been built and nourished. Beginning with the retention of the Jewish Temple
worship which, under Christian tutelage, developed into plainchant, sacred
music became the basis of all later classical and choral music. Similar
developments took place in art, architecture, literature and all the arts, in
which the Christian tradition built upon the ancient Classical world and upon
the Hebrew traditions that it inherited.
The Federation’s principal aims are to ensure
that the traditional Roman rite of the Church is maintained in the Church as
one of the forms of liturgical celebration, and to safeguard and promote the
use of Latin, Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony and all the sacred,
artistic, literary and musical traditions of the Roman Church in all their
beauty and integrity.
A General Assembly of the Federation is
convened every two years in Rome and elections are held for the Council and
Presidency.
The Federation is recognized by the Holy See,
its views are received with courtesy and respect by the relevant Roman
Congregations, and its representatives are received by them in the same manner.
Its first President, Dr Eric Vermehren de
Saventhem, was a German anti-Nazi diplomat who, together with his wife, born
Countess von Plettenberg, from a well-known anti-Nazi Catholic family, escaped
via the Embassy in Istanbul to Britain. Other Presidents have included the
author Michael Davies from Britain.
Over the years the Federation has made various
successful interventions. It was instrumental in persuading Pope John Paul II
in 1986 to convoke a special Commission of Cardinals which resulted in the
issue of the decree Ecclesia Dei Adflicta in 1988 and also played a part in
persuading Pope Benedict XVI to issue the motu proprio decree Summorum
Pontificum in 2007.
Mr James Bogle
Labels:
FSSP,
Pope Francis,
SSPX,
Trad bashers,
Una Voce Toronto
Saturday, 22 December 2012
Una Voce Toronto's work recognised by leading blog!
One of the world's leading blogs on Catholic faith, catechetics, liturgy and culture, Rorate Caeli, the actual Introit of both Forms of the Roman Rite for this Fourth Sunday of Advent, has recognised the work of the Toronto Traditional Mass Society-UNA VOCE TORONTO!
Labels:
Una Voce Toronto
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Toronto Missa Solemnis-Candlemas
Labels:
Una Voce Toronto
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Toronto Missa Cantata-Epiphany of the LORD
Una Voce Toronto has announced that a Missa Cantata in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite will be celebrated on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 7:30PM at St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Church.
If you are in Toronto, please make an effort to attend and support the growth of the Traditional Latin Mass.
.
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Missa Solemnis in Toronto - Immaculate Conception
A Solemn High Mass (Missa Solemnis) will be held in Toronto on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary this Thursday, December 8 at 7:30PM.
The Mass will be celebrated at St. Lawrence the Martyr Scarborough at 2011 Lawrence Avenue East, just west of Kennedy Road on the north side. The Mass is sponsored by Una Voce Toronto and a reception will follow in the Church Hall. More infomration is here and here on Facebook.
The Liturgical progrma of Sacred Music includes:
Organ Prelude: Alvus Tumescit Virgo - Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)
Missa cum Jubilo-Gregorian Mass IX
Credo III
Gregorian Chant Propers - Liber Usualis
Ave Maria - Jacques Arcadelt-Pierre-Louis Dietsch
Jesu Rex Admirablis - Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Alma Redemptoris Mater - Tonus Simplex
Immaculate Mary - Lourdes Hymn
Organ postlude: Ricercar pro Tempore Adventus super Initium Cantilenae: Ave Maria klare - J.K.F. Fischer 1656 - 1746
Monday, 31 October 2011
All Saints Missa Solemnis - Toronto
Una Voce Toronto is pleased to be sponsoring a Missa Solemnis for the Feast of All Saints on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 7:30 P.M. at St. Leo's Mimico. Located at 277 Royal York Road in Etobicoke. The Sacred Ministers include Father Paul Nicholson, Priest, Father Kim D'Souza, Deacon and Father Russell Asch, Subdeacon. This the fifth time that Father D'Souza has been Deacon in a Solemn Mass, the fourth since being ordained to the priesthood in 2010. Father Asch was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Toronto in May 2011. Father Nicholson celebrates both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite as his parish, St. Patrick's Kinkora in the Diocese of London. The Pastor of St. Leo's, Father Frank Carpinelli, will provide the homily.
Thw music will be provided by the new Una Voce Toronto Schola and Choir and includes the Gregorian Propers including the extended Offertory and the extended Psalm verses for the Communion. The Ordinary is the Mass for Three Voices by William Bryd with motets by Palestrina, Viadana and Dering.
We hope to see you at this most sacred feast.
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