Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 2, 2025 / 14:51 pm (CNA).
The Vatican has granted a parish in Texas an exemption from restrictions to the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) imposed by Pope Francis’ encyclical Traditionis Custodes.
The exemption, requested by Bishop Michael Sis on Feb. 6, was granted to St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas.
No other such exemption by Pope Leo XIV has been reported since the start of his pontificate.
“The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments informed me in a decree of May 28, 2025, that my request has been granted for a further two years for a dispensation from article 3§2 of the motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, so that Mass according to the ‘Missale Romanum’ of 1962 may be celebrated in the parish church of St. Margaret of Scotland in San Angelo,” Sis, who previously served as a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, said in a statement he shared with CNA.
“Just as before,” he added, “the granting of this dispensation is based upon an ongoing effort to promote the full appreciation and acceptance of the liturgical books renewed by decree of the Second Vatican Council and promulgated by popes St. Paul VI and St. John Paul II.”
Sis noted further that when he submitted his request for the extension to the Vatican, he did so “with a spirit of total openness to whatever is the will of God.”
He continued: “I trust the judgment of our Holy Father Pope Leo and those who assist him in his ministry of unity through the various dicasteries of the Holy See.”
The exemption was originally announced in a June 27 social media post by the diocese’s director of vocations, Father Ryan Rojo.
I’m grateful to @Pontifex and to the Dicastery for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments for allowing the TLM to continue to exist in our parish church, extending permission for another two years. We look forward to shepherding them to heaven with love and care. pic.twitter.com/NBKUU0TRY4
— Fr. Ryan Rojo 🇺🇸🇻🇦🇲🇽 (@FrRyanRojo) June 27, 2025
“I’m grateful to @Pontifex and to the Dicastery for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments for allowing the TLM to continue to exist in our parish church, extending permission for another two years,” Rojo wrote in the June 27 post.
St. Margaret’s pastor, Father Freddy Perez, told CNA: “Now that we have the permission, the attitude is one of relief; I saw a lot of relief this past weekend.” Although the Vatican’s approval was dated May 28, Perez said he did not receive notification of the approval from his bishop until last week.
Perez revealed that the letter from the Vatican praised St. Margaret’s for the steps it took to follow the Holy Father’s motu proprio. The Vatican “commended our efforts and our ‘pastoral concern to instill a clear appreciation for the Church as unique, lex orandi,’” Perez told CNA, adding: “That’s a direct quote from the letter we were sent.”
Though the pastor noted some negativity from parishioners about having to ask permission to celebrate the TLM, his approach is to explain that “this is where the Church is right now, and is where we have to be obedient.”
Beyond the two-year extension, Perez said, “my hopes are just to continue to bring a positive experience of the liturgy to all of my people, to try to bring them into the Gospel, into the teachings of the Church, as we’re taught, and to try to teach them that the Mass gets us ready for heaven.”
Though the parish experienced uncertainty over whether it would be allowed to continue celebrating the TLM, Perez said the advice of Auxiliary Bishop Mario Avilés helped guide him. “The advice he gave me was very simple,” the pastor recalled. “He said: ‘Just be obedient, son.”
“And I think just putting my eyes on the Lord has satisfied everything that I wouldn’t be able to do through my own spirit of protest or my spirit of just being angry about not getting my way, by conforming my will to the will of Our Lord,” Perez reflected. “We’re in this world temporarily, and at the end of the day, we are asked to be faithful to Our Lord Jesus Christ and his holy mother Church.”
According to Perez, St. Margaret’s has been offering the TLM for just over five years, currently on Sunday afternoons and Thursday mornings.
The TLM community, he said, consists mostly of young families as well as curious people who are interested in experiencing the liturgy. The small parish consists of about 200 families, he said, noting that attendance at the TLM is usually on the larger side for the parish, with about 140 to 200 people each week.
News of St. Margaret’s exemption comes after the Archdiocese of Detroit announced earlier this month that non-parish churches in the archdiocese will be allowed to continue celebrating the TLM despite an earlier statement saying that most of the TLM celebrated in the area would be suspended.
The archdiocese reported that permissions given to parish church priests to carry out the TLM would expire and they could not be renewed, but Detroit Archbishop Edward Weisenburger said he would recognize at least four non-parish locations in the archdiocese where the TLM could still be celebrated.
Cardinal Raymond Burke, a champion of the traditional liturgy, has said he asked Pope Leo to remove measures restricting the celebration of TLM, stating at a conference in London recently: “It is my hope that he will, as soon as is reasonably possible, take up the study of this question.”
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Though I attend primarily the Novo Ordo Mass (and the TLM only occasionally, i.e., when the opportunity arises), I would dare to say that what we as a Church need is a prompt reversal of all restrictions to the TLM. This is part and parcel of any serious and true work for the UNITY of the Church based on the motto of Unity in Diversity.
Thank you. That’s true. The Church does have unity in diversity. How many rites and liturgies do we have? Quite a few.
“Just as before,” he added, “the granting of this dispensation is based upon an ongoing effort to promote the full appreciation and acceptance of the liturgical books renewed by decree of the Second Vatican Council and promulgated by popes St. Paul VI and St. John Paul II.”
According to Pope Benedict XVI, The Magisterium of The Catholic Church did not prohibit the TLM, so on whose authority did Jorge Bergoglio prohibit the TLM ? Certainly not on The True Magisterium of The Catholic Church which never prohibited The TLM, nor has it ever denied Christ’s teaching on sexual morality, as Jorge Bergoglio did, which serves out of respect for the Sanctity and Dignity of the life of every beloved son and daughter. Let the counterfeit magisterium justify why the TLM , The Beautiful and Reverent Mass of All Ages, which differs from the less reverent but still legitimate Novo Ordo Mass , in both form and substance should be prohibited, and why they are at it, let them explain on whose authority Catholic Churches were stripped of The Altar Rails? Certainly not Christ’s.
Until those whose competence it is, The Faithful, declare the counterfeit magisterium that is attempting to subsist within The Catholic Church, anathema, ipso facto , for in their denial of The Unity of The Holy Ghost, they deny The Divinity of The Most Holy And Undivided Blessed Trinity, the crisis in The Catholic Church will continue, for The Charitable Anathema was instituted by Christ, Himself, for The Salvation of Souls, including the Souls of those who deny The Divinity of The Word Of Perfect Divine Eternal Love Incarnate.
“You cannot be My Disciples if you do not Abide In My Word.” – The Charitable Anathema Of Jesus The Christ.
At the heart of Liberty Is Christ, “4For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5Have moreover tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come…”, to not believe that Christ’s Sacrifice On The Cross will lead us to Salvation, but we must desire forgiveness for our sins, and accept Salvational Love, God’s Gift Of Grace And Mercy; believe in The Power And The Glory Of Salvation Love, and rejoice in the fact that No Greater Love Is There Than This, To Desire Salvation For One’s Beloved.
“Blessed are they who are Called to The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb.”
“For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
“Hail The Cross, Our Only Hope.”
Agreed.It is appalling that the Latin Mass is at all discouraged, let alone forbidden.
Thank you St. Margaret of Scotland for your intercession. 🙏 🏴
“[T]he granting of this dispensation is based upon an ongoing effort to promote the full appreciation and acceptance of the liturgical books renewed by decree of the Second Vatican Council and promulgated by popes St. Paul VI and St. John Paul II.” This is exactly why the SSPX remains the only viable solution. The whole point of Traditionis Custodes is to force Catholics the accept something that is false, namely that the Mass of Pope Paul VI has been good for the faithful and that it constitutes a reform and renewal of the liturgy.
Catherine,
I agree. Have you read Diane Montagna’s reporting about the survey upon which Traditionis Custodes based its claims? Diane presents evidence to the contrary. See today’s Extra, Extra News and Views, first article in the list.
That two year extension should be the limit. After two years, strictly novus ordo. It’s well past time for the Church to decommission the preconciliar Mass. TLM Protestants can defect to the SSPX, as one commenter above has said. You either obey or you don’t.
The Church also needs to celebrate the novus ordo much better than it does. I daresay the implementation of the novus ordo has been inept. Correct the abuses, improve the quality, celebrate the novus ordo properly, and then decomission the TLM once and for all.
“TLM Protestants can defect to the SSPX.”
Thank you Robert for clearly stating the ideological agenda of the bully, Franciscus.
“Have all these changes served the renewal and vivification of faith? The opposite is the case. Vocations to the priesthood, as well as conversions, have greatly decreased, and the attendance of Catholics at Mass has greatly fallen off. The New Ordo Missae and most especially the reform of the liturgy of feasts and of the whole liturgical year, is so colorless, inorganic, and artificial, that it will not be able to last long.” – Dietrich Von Hildebrand, The Devastated Vineyard (1973) p. 73. Hildebrand could not have predicted people like you, who are blind to all evidence of the drastic failure of the Novus Ordo. But already, the trends that have continued unabated to the present day were clearly visible only a few years after the imposition of the new Mass.
“It’s well past time for the Church to decommission the preconciliar Mass.”
Why, exactly?
About “decommission[ing] TLM once and for all,”
And if/when the Novus Ordo is done right as you recommend, it might ALSO look like the early Mass recorded in the Didache (early 2nd Century https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0714.htm) .…The “glory,” the “sacrifice,” “knowledge,” being “reconciled,” “evil”, “immortality,” “grace” and stuff like that!
Chapter 9, The Thanksgiving (Eucharist)
Now concerning the Thanksgiving (Eucharist), thus give thanks. First, concerning the cup: We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of David Your servant, which You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant; to You be the glory forever. And concerning the broken bread: We thank You, our Father, for the life of knowledge which You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant; to You be the glory forever [….] But let no one eat or drink of your Thanksgiving (Eucharist), but they who have been baptized into the name of the Lord; for concerning this also the Lord has said, Give not that which is holy to the dogs. Matthew 7:6.
Chapter 10, Prayer after Communion
But after you are filled, thus give thanks: We thank You, holy Father, for Your holy name which You caused to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant; to You be the glory forever [….] Remember, Lord, Your Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Your love, and gather it from the four winds, sanctified for Your kingdom which You have prepared for it; for Yours is the power and the glory forever. Let grace come, and let this world pass away [….].
Chapter 14, Christian Assembly on the Lord’s Day
But every Lord’s Day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations.
SUMMARY: The one bad thing about decommissioning and amnesia is that it makes us forget a lot of stuff.
A Woodstock peace we with y’all!
Two years is a long time. Plenty of time for these people to prepare for the inevitable.
I’m really puzzled why it should be of any concern to folks who don’t attend the TLM in the first place?
Not to pick on anyone in particular but our society seems to encourage “Karens” and not just in homeowner associations. Surely we each have enough to be concerned about in our own lives and parishes?
Let’s hope and pray that some Midwestern pragmatism seeps its way back into Rome.
Saving souls.
Any kind of regional pragmatism would be a good thing.
🙂
If I were to attend a Spanish-language Mass in any of the THOUSANDS of parishes throughout the USA or attend Mass in any of the hundreds of non-English speaking countries across the globe, I WOULD UNDERSTAND NOT ONE WORD OF WHAT’S BEING SAID! Now, that’s real unity for you.
I wonder how many of the TLM people actually understand what is being said! During pre Vatican II masses many devout would be saying the rosary!
Assuming our ancestors were literate, they’d have a trusty missalette with them at Mass with Latin on one side & their native language translation on the other. It wasn’t rocket science unless you couldn’t read. Which to be fair though was often the case depending on the era & location.
The Our Father & other prayers said routinely at the TLM were memorized. Even by my illiterate ancestors.
The rosary recital @ Mass is a bit of a trope I think.
JAMES CONNOR: I don’t know whether you were around during the pre-Vatican II days, but this Catholic was able to follow the Mass with the simultaneous translation of Latin into English using my St.Joseph Missal. I was able to sing Gregorian chant as a 4th grader and know full well what I was singing. Of course, this was before the Catholic faith was dumbed down by the homosexualists in the Church.
James,
That’s why there are English/Latin hand missals.
If you are correct about TLM attendees not knowing the words the irony here is even more shocking: TLM folks might not know what the priest is saying but they believe in the miracle of the Mass and True Presence.
A huge percentage of Catholics at large know exactly what the words mean, but they do not believe.
This is the ultimate tragedy and the crisis of our times.
Ave Maria!
I bet you would be able to understand a little of the Spanish Mass because some words are quite similar to the Latin but i hear you. A universal prayer language has many advantages.
Mass for care of the climate in. TLM out. Pacamama must be pleased.
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/cop/praying-world-halts-climate-change-theres-now-catholic-mass-that-2025-07-03/
For those seeking Sacred Tradition and the peace of Christ, find a reverent Mass: https://reverentcatholicmass.com/map
Us traddies should strive mightily to avoid ‘sterile polemic’, but we must never let go of the fundamental truth: the Novus Ordo is a disastrous mistake, and the Church cannot recover till she recovers her authentic liturgy.
Thank you for showing that trads are SSPX at heart and hate the Vatican II Church.
There can be no reconciliation between trads and the Vatican II Catholics if the trads are going to be recalcitrant.
The novus ordo is the Roman Rite’s new, reformed, authentic liturgy. You need to accept that. If you can’t or won’t, then off to the SSPX with you, schismatic.
Pope Francis was right about the TLM fomenting hatred for the Church. The trads have made an idol out of the TLM.
Plenty of vitriol in these comments and it’s not coming from the TLM crowd.
Just sayin’.
Never underestimate the disposition on the part of hierarchs to lie.