Catholic Family Vignettes

To-may-to, to-mah-to. Po-tay-to, po-tah-to.

Perhaps the more likely comparison would be apples and oranges. This is the precise problem encountered when looking at the original Vatican document and those that were released by the Nunciature to the USCCB (continenter vs. stabiliter).

Thank heavens, the Vatican is finally issuing a clarification/directive for implementation of the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum."

Thank you, Holy Father, for your continued "shepherding" of your flock.

Yet another reason to love our German Shepherd! Read more!

Thanks to Krislynne Lyons for these incredible photos!

On the Feast Of The Exaltation Of The Holy Cross, the implementation of our dear Holy Father's motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum, was celebrated with a Solemn High Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, Columbus. What a joyous evening! Never have the voices of the faithful more loudly and proudly proclaimed the ancient "Credo"..."

Et in unam sanctam cathólicam et apostólicam Ecclésiam...










Upon the altar was the 1607 Pius V Missale Romanum, the Mary Queen of Scots Chalice, a Relic of the True Cross and a vintage ciborium. Our holy priests were adorned in golden vestments from the 19th century. The english readings of the Epistle and Gospel where read from a 1st edition Rheims Bible. How beautifully each of these artifacts complimented the ancient liturgy, so beloved from antiquity!
The two motets, so beautifully rendered by the choir, Jubilate Deo (Mozart) and Adoremus Te Christe (Clemens non Papa), were performed during Holy Communion.

Voices soaring during the recessional, proudly proclaimed:

Holy God, we praise thy name;
Lord of all, we bow before thee;
all on earth thy scepter claim;
all in heaven above adore thee.
Infinite thy vast domain;
everlasting is thy reign.

The celebration that followed allowed the faithful the opportunity to venerate the Relic of the True Cross (to be able to kiss this holy relic...can words describe?!!) On display, as well, were the Missale, Bible and Chalice.

What an evening...what a grateful people... Read more!

Introibo ad altare Dei...

Deo Gratias! Effective immediately, the Holy Father's motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum" is released for implementation. Thank you, Holy Father, for giving your children and holy priests the ability to experience, without restriction, the beauty and transcendence of the ancient liturgy.

As the world-wide Church prepares for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, may we all join in prayerful thanksgiving as we celebrate the end of the Indult and the beginning of the Extraordinary!

Don't forget: Solemn High Mass and celebration at Holy Family Columbus Read more!

I'd like to extend an invitation to you, dear friends in Christ, for the September 14th Solemn High Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. As many of you are aware, September 14th is the date set for the full implementation of the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum."

The Solemn High Mass which will be offered at Holy Family Catholic Church in Columbus, Ohio, will provide a unique opportunity not only for the faithful as yet unfamiliar with the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, but will also utilize several precious artifacts from the Holy Family Jubilee Museum. The 1602 (correct me Father, if I have this wrong!) Pius V Missal will be used for this very special Mass, as will the Mary Queen of Scots Chalice.

Both items are generally kept in the Pontifical Museum, but will be brought out for this day of joyous celebration.

Consider a "road trip" to Holy Family. Attendance rates for the Extraordinary Form of the Mass have now exceeded those of the Ordinary in our parish, and Father Lutz desires greatly to pack the church to capacity.

Consider yourself invited! Read more!

From Lumen Gentleman:

Summorum Pontificum Contact Database

Search for contacts in your area

The motu proprio has been released! The next step is to start putting the Catholic faithful who want to assist at the extraordinary form of the Holy Mass in touch with Catholic priests who want to say the extraordinary form of the Holy Mass.

An online form is available to facilitate the search of the faithful seeking access to the Traditional or Extraordinary Form of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A database "search" feature will also provide contact information for specific parishes.

A tip of the hat (once again) to Rorate Caeli for this quote from Thomas Woods:

"For several decades, not only the Catholic left but also the 'orthodox' Catholic right condemned supporters of the 1962 Missal as disobedient, wicked, schismatic – you name it – because they believed that what was beautiful and venerable yesterday could not cease to be beautiful and venerable today. They likewise found it hard to believe that they were considered a little bit crazy, perhaps even in need of counseling, because they longed for the traditional Mass, the very thing they had been taught their whole lives to venerate."

The entire text of Mr. Woods article may be obtained here. Read more!

The USCCB has issued a newsletter regarding the "Apostolic Letter on Use of the Preconciliar Liturgical Forms." In general, a charitable and equitable document addressing many questions that both religious and faithful have regarding the application of the Summorum Pontificum. The comparison chart is quite interesting...judge for yourself. I was particularly edified to see this very specific reference: only clerics or "altar boys" perform liturgical ministry. Note the word "boys", not "servers". Seems a specific instruction, should there be any question.

September 14, 2007 - The Feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross, is the effective date. A triumph, indeed!
Read more!

To quote my dear priest, Fr. Kevin Lutz, "the indult is no more!" We have entered into the realm of the "extraordinary"...and what a delightful place it is.
Yesterday evening, in joyful anticipation of the long awaited motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum", our dear friend, Mr. Thomas Ryan, commissioned the above confectionery from a local Graeter's Ice Cream store. Apparently the individual responsible for "personalizing" the cake was unfamiliar with the term "Motu Proprio", so Mr. Ryan, with his devilish wit, informed her that it was the name of a foreign exchange student...

This morning's Mass was attended by a wonderful group of traditional Catholics, all of whom could barely contain their excitement and many bearing in hand, copies of the long awaited documents. Now we wait with great joy and humility for the full implementation of the "Summorum Pontificum" and what this great document will mean for the people of Christ's Church--the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

God bless you, dear Holy Father! A joy filled day of celebration to you all, dear friends! Read more!

From Rorate Caeli:

Holy See Press Office
NOTICE TO JOURNALISTS: Publication of the Motu Proprio "SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM"

Journalists are informed that tomorrow, Saturday, July 7, 2007, the Apostolic Letter of His Holiness Benedict XVI "given Motu Proprio" SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, on the use of the Roman Liturgy prior to the reform of 1970, will be made public.

The Document will be accompanied by an explanatory Letter of the Holy Father.

(Both texts will be available to journalists from 9.00 [Rome], under embargo until 12 [noon] of the same day.)

Waiting with joyful expectation... Read more!