As we approach yet closer to Holy Week, it’s good to keep an eye on current events relating to the Traditional Latin Mass. Before we talk about what’s happening to the TLM in the broader world, let’s take a close-in look at some local events and opportunities!
Lenten Retreat!
Father Boudoin, one of our former TLM chaplains (from back in the day not so long ago when you could have a Latin Mass in your own real parish church) will be leading us in a Lenten retreat on Saturday April 1 from 8:30 AM to noon.
And guess what?! April 1 is also First Saturday (no foolin’), so Mass will fulfill your First Saturday commitment, if you are observing this per Our Lady of Fatima’s rather strong…er… recommendations on the subject.
Join us at the Juan Diego Center 3015 Pala Mission Rd Pala CA 92059
An Interesting Set of Graphs
We saw this tweet on Twitter (that’s the place where you find tweets, apparently) from Jeff Cassman ( @JeffCassman ). Jeff offered the accompanying graphs along with the comment that while Traditional Catholics may only be about 1% of the population in the U.S., they produce about 10% of the vocations!
Pope Reaffirms Latin Mass Restrictions
In late February, America Magazine breathlessly informed us that: Pope Francis has unequivocally confirmed that bishops must obtain authorization from the Holy See before granting permission to celebrate the pre-Vatican II Mass in parish churches.
That link above is clickable, if you’re so inclined. As the article reminds us, “In July 2021, Pope Francis promulgated his apostolic letter “Traditionis Custodes” (“Guardians of the Tradition”), declaring only the liturgical books promulgated after the Second Vatican Council to be “the unique expression of the ‘lex orandi’ (law of worship) of the Roman Rite,” restoring the obligation of priests to have their bishops’ permission to celebrate according to the “extraordinary” or pre-Vatican II Mass and ordering bishops not to establish any new groups or parishes in their dioceses devoted to the former liturgy.”
They’re keeping the pressure on us. More and more reports indicate that Rome will be promulgating some new set of TLM restrictions, possibly as early as Holy Week. Be prepared. It could be bad.
While we await whatever set of new pronouncements they’re going to make against Traditional Catholics, let us remain firm in our commitment to the timeless and authentic teachings of our Faith, while at the same time continuing to pray for everyone in a leadership role in our beloved Catholic Church.