
Denver, Colo., Mar 11, 2020 / 03:01 am (CNA).- By this time in the coronavirus outbreak, you may have cruised the empty toilet paper aisles and pasta shelves at your local grocery store, and could have had moments of panic, or at least heightened anxiety.
With 13 U.S. states having declaring a state of emergency over COVID-19, what was once an overseas worry is now stateside. And for the general population, being a part of something like this is a new, and disconcerting, experience.
But it’s not a new experience in the life of the Church.
In the middle of the 14th century, the plague – also called “The Black Death” – also also called “The Greatest Catastrophe Ever” – ravaged Europe, killing 50 million people, or about 60% of the population (a vastly higher death rate than coronavirus), within a few years.
Lacking the advances of modern medicine today, and layering dead bodies in pits like “lasagne with layers of pasta and cheese,” the people had no choice but to cling to their faith.
It was at this time that the Fourteen Holy Helpers – Catholics saints, all but one of whom were early martyrs – came to be invoked by Catholics against the plague and other misfortunes.
According to New Liturgical Movement, devotion to these 14 saints started in Germany at the time of the plague, and they were called “Nothelfer,” which in German means “helpers in need.”
As bouts of the plague resurfaced over the decades, devotion to the Holy Helpers spread to other countries, and eventually Nicholas V declared that devotion to the saints came with special indulgences.
According to New Liturgical Movement, this introduction to the feast of the Holy Helpers (celebrated Aug. 8 in some places) can be found in the Cracow Missal of 1483:
“The Mass of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, approved by Pope Nicholas…it is powerful on their behalf, however so much one is in great illness or anguish or sadness, or in whatsoever tribulation a man shall be. It is powerful also on behalf of the imprisoned and detained, on behalf of merchants and pilgrims, for those that have been sentenced to die, for those who are at war, for women who are struggling in childbirth, or with a miscarriage, and for (the forgiveness of) sins, and for the dead.”
The collect for their feast in the Missal of Bamberg reads: “Almighty and merciful God, who didst adorn Thy Saints George, Blase, Erasmus, Pantaleon, Vitus, Christopher, Denis, Cyriacus, Acacius, Eustace, Giles, Margaret, Barbara and Catherine with special privileges above all others, so that all who in their necessities implore their help, according to the grace of Thy promise, may attain the salutary effect of their pleading, grant to us, we beseech Thee, forgiveness of our sins, and with their merits interceding, deliver us from all adversities, and kindly hear our prayers.”
Here’s a bit about each of the Fourteen Holy Helpers:
Saint George: While little is known definitively about his life, St. George was a fourth-century martyr under the persecution of the emperor Diocletian. A soldier in Diocletian’s army, St. George refused to arrest Christians and offer sacrifices to Roman gods. Despite bribes from Diocletian to change his mind, St. George refused the order and was tortured and eventually executed for his offenses. He is invoked against skin diseases and palsy.
St. Blase: Another 4th-century martyr, St. Blase’s death is very similar to that of St. George. A bishop in Armenia during a time of Christian persecution, St. Blase was eventually forced to flee to the forest to avoid death. One day a group of hunters found St. Blase, arrested him and brought him back to the authorities. At some point after his arrest, a mother with a son who had gotten a fishbone perilously stuck in his throat visited St. Blase, and at his blessing, the bone dislodged and the boy was saved. St. Blase was ordered by the governor of Cappadocia to denounce his faith and sacrifice to pagan gods. He refused, and was brutally tortured and eventually beheaded for this offense. He is invoked against diseases of the throat.
St. Erasmus: A 4th-century bishop of Formia, St. Erasmus (also known as St. Elmo) faced persecution under the emperor Diocletian. According to legend, he fled to Mount Lebanon for a time to escape persecution, where he was fed by a raven. After he was discovered, he was arrested and imprisoned, but made multiple miraculous escapes with the help of an angel. At one point he was tortured by having part of his intestines pulled out by hot rods. Some accounts say he was miraculously healed of these wounds and died of natural causes, while others say that this was the cause of his martyrdom. St. Erasmus is invoked by those suffering from stomach pains and disorders, and by women in labor.
St. Pantaleon: Another 4th-century martyr persecuted under Diocletian, St. Pantaleon was the son of a rich pagan, but was instructed in Christianity by his mother and a priest. He worked as a physician to the emperor Maximinianus. According to legend, St. Pantaleon was denounced as a Christian to the emperor by his peers who were jealous of his rich inheritance. When he refused to worship false gods, St. Pantaleon was tortured and his murder was attempted by various methods – burning torches on his flesh, a bath of liquid lead, being thrown into the sea tied to a stone, and so on. Each time, he was rescued from death by Christ, who appeared in the form of a priest. St. Pantaleon was only successfully beheaded after he desired his own martyrdom. He is invoked as a patron saint of physicians and midwives.
St. Vitus: Also a 4th-century martyr persecuted by Diocletian, St. Vitus was the son of a senator in Sicily and became Christian under the influence of his nurse. According to legend, St. Vitus inspired many conversions and performed many miracles, which angered those who hated Christianity. St. Vitus, and his Christian nurse and her husband, were denounced to the emperor, who ordered them to be put to death when they refused to renounce their faith. Like St. Pantaleon, many attempts were made at killing them, including releasing them to lions in the Colosseum, but they were miraculously delivered each time. They were eventually put to death on the rack. St. Vitus is invoked against epilepsy, paralysis, and diseases of the nervous system.
St. Christopher: A 3rd-century martyr originally called Reprobus, he was the son of pagans and had originally pledged his service to a pagan king and to Satan. Eventually, the conversion of a king and the instruction of a monk led Reprobus to convert to Christianity, and he was called on to use his strength and muscles to help carry people across a raging stream where there was no bridge. Once he was carrying a child who announced himself as Christ, and declared the Reprobus would be called “Christopher” – or Christ-bearer. The encounter filled Christopher with missionary zeal, and he returned home to Turkey to convert nearly 50,000. Angered, the Emperor Decius had Christopher arrested, imprisoned and tortured. While he was delivered from many tortures, including being shot with arrows, Christopher was beheaded around the year 250. He is invoked against epilepsy and toothache, and is the patron of a holy death.
St. Denis: There are conflicting accounts of St. Denis, with some accounts claiming he was converted to Christianity in Athens by St. Paul, and then became the first Bishop of Paris sometime in the first century. Other accounts claim he was a Bishop of Paris but a martyr of the third century. What is known is that he was a zealous missionary who eventually came to France, where he was beheaded on Montmartre – the Mount of Martyrs – a place where many early Christians were killed for the faith. He is invoked against demonic attacks.
St. Cyriacus: Another 4th century martyr, St. Cyriacus, a deacon, was actually favored by the emperor Diocletian after he cured the emperor’s daughter in the name of Jesus, and then the friend of the emperor. According to the Catholicism.org and The Fourteen Holy Helpers, by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, O.F.M., after Diocletian died, his successor, emperor Maximin, increased the persecution of Christians and imprisoned Cyriacus, who was tortured at the rack and beheaded for refusing to renounce Christianity. He is the patron of those who suffer from eye diseases.
St. Acacius: A fourth-century martyr under the emperor Galerius, St. Acacius was a captain in the Roman army when he heard a voice telling him to “Call on the help of the God of Christians,” according to tradition. He obeyed the voice and immediately sought baptism in the Christian faith. He zealously set about converting the soldiers of the army, but was soon denounced to the emperor, tortured, and sent before a tribunal for questioning, before which he again refused to denounce his faith. After many more tortures, from some of which he was miraculously healed, St. Acacius was beheaded in the year 311. He is the patron saint of those who suffer from headaches.
St. Eustace: Little is known about this second-century martyr, persecuted under the Emperor Trajan. According to tradition, Eustace was a general in the army who converted to Christianity after a vision of a Crucifix that appeared between the antlers of a deer while he was hunting. He converted his family to Christianity, and he and his wife were burned to death after refusing to participate in a pagan ceremony. He is invoked against fires.
St. Giles: One of the later Holy Helpers and the only one definitively known to not be a martyr, St. Giles became a seventh-century monk in the area of Athens, despite his birth to nobility. He eventually retreated to the wilderness to found a monastery under the rule of St. Benedict, and was renowned for his holiness and the miracles he performed. According to Catholicism.org, he also once counseled Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne, to confess a sin that had been weighing on him. Giles died peacefully around the year of 712, and is invoked against crippling diseases.
St. Margaret of Antioch: Another fourth-century martyr persecuted by Diocletian, St. Margaret, like St. Vitus, converted to Christianity under the influence of her nurse, angering her father and causing him to disown her. A consecrated virigin, Margaret was tending flocks of sheep one day when a Roman spotted her and sought to make her his wife or concubine. When she refused, the Roman had Margaret brought before a court, where she was ordered to denounce her faith or die. She refused, and she was ordered to be burned and boiled alive, and miraculously she was spared from both. Eventually, she was beheaded. She is invoked as a patron of pregnant women and those suffering from kidney diseases.
St. Barbara: While little is known of this third-century martyr, St. Barbara is thought to have been the daughter of a rich and jealous man who sought to keep Barbara from the world. When she confessed to him that she had converted to Christianity, he denounced her and brought her before local authorities, who ordered that she be tortured and beheaded. According to legend, her own father did the beheading, for which he was struck by lightning shortly thereafter. St. Barbara is invoked against fires and lightning storms.
St. Catherine of Alexandria: A fourth-century martyr, St. Catherine was the daughter of the Queen of Egypt, and converted to Christianity after a vision of Christ and Mary. The Queen also converted to Christianity before her death. When Maximinus started persecuting Christians in Egypt, St. Catherine rebuked him and attempted to prove to him that his gods were false. After debating with the emperor’s best scholars, many of whom converted due to her arguments, Catherine was scourged, imprisoned, and eventually beheaded. She is the patron saint of philosophers and young students.
[…]
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.”
“The Magisterium of The Catholic Church did not prohibit the TLM,” but what the church most definitely did was to replace the 1962 Ordo Missae and Ritus Servandus in 1965. The decree is called ‘Nuper edita instructione’ and was implemented with a new copy of these pages of the Missal published, printed, advertised and sold, to replace the corresponding pages of the 1962 Missal.
Abp Lefebvre welcomed these revisions
“The priest coming nearer to the faithful; communicating with them; praying and singing with them and therefore standing at the pulpit; saying the Collect, the Epistle, and the Gospel in their language; the priest singing in the traditional melodies the Kyrie, the Gloria, the creed with the faithful; these are so many good reforms that give back to that part of the Mass its true finality.
Abp. M Lefebvre; Itinéraires vol 95 July-August 1965 “
6 or 7 different Rites, and 24 separate Churches, including the predominant Latin Church.
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.
Although I firmly believe that the “Novus Ordo” should be respected and accepted by ALL Catholics and that the tendency to label it “inane” or “non-reverent”, etc. should end now (or at least be kept to oneself), I also believe that the TLM should be allowed to continue for those who find it more efficacious in their walk with Christ and the practice of the Catholic faith.
NOTHING is accomplished by promoting the TLM as “THE Mass,” and disparaging the “Novus Ordo” as…well, I won’t repeat it. All this condemnation of the “New Mass” does, IMHO, is demonstrate that the TLM does NOT help Catholics to show love and respect for others who are greatly edified by the “New Mass.”
As a convert to Catholicism from DYNAMIC Evangelical Protestantism, I am one of those people who loves the “New Mass”, including the acceptance of not kneeling (as I am not able to kneel–doctor’s orders), the contemporary music along with traditional hymns (all in the vernacular most of the time), the prayers in my own dear heart language, and it’s acceptance of the much-maligned “CITH” (Communion in the Hand).
Many years before I converted, I occasionally attended Latin Masses–and found them totally lacking in anything that would appeal to most Protestants, especially Evangelical Protestants. I certainly never went down the “Jack T. Chick” road and considered Catholicism a “mystery cult opposed to Christianity”, especially as the Pro-Life Movement gathered strength in the Catholic Churches long before any of the Protestants figured out that abortion is a real sin (and some Protestant denominations STILL haven’t figured this out, e.g., the United Methodists, who recently experienced a split with this issue as one of the causes).
I knew that Catholics were Christians–but many Protestants couldn’t get past the “Mass in a foreign, in fact, “Dead” language.” Now they can–and many converts have come into Holy Mother Church and quite a few of them have become “evangelists” of Catholicism to Protestants, resulting in even MORE converts to Holy Mother Church! There’s just something GOOD about “hearing the truth of the Gospel” in your OWN DEAR UNDERSTANDABLE HEART LANGUGE!
Yes, Protestants did convert under the TLM, but…I don’t think ?? that this was as common as it is today (other than in mixed marriage when the non-Catholic spouse converted, often just for the sake of the marriage, not because they actually accepted “Catholicism). I am grateful that I was able to hear the truth about Catholicism and Protestantism from former Protestant ministers (e.g., Scott Hahn) who converted.
Again, I do believe that the TLM should be available to those who love “all things classical” and find it more efficacious to their faith than the “New Mass.” There’s plenty of room for both! But there’s no room, IMO, for disparaging the Mass that we don’t like.
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.
I can’t judge the merit your comment about the decrease of vocations being caused by the advent of the “Novus Ordo” Mass, but I would like to suggest that the more likely reasons are because of the tumultuous changes in our world society, especially in the U.S.A..–and yes, this could well include, but not be limited to, the “New Mass.”
These changes include rebellion in the U.S. against the Viet Nam War back in the 1960s and 70s (which seemed to validate rebellion against traditional male roles in society), the rise of the use of hallucinogenic recreational drugs among Americans from all income levels and communities, the increasing ease by which people, (especially men) are able to acquire pornographic materials and become addicted, the rise of the LGBTQ, etc. population and the acceptance of their agenda by many people from all walks of life who had relatives/friends who were part of it or who were secretly part of it themselves or who simply lacked the discernment to disagree with this life choice, the decline of the public schools to adequately prepare students to enter the working world in jobs that were likely to pay a living wage, the increasing animosity and vitriolic attitudes between politicians which has led to disillusionment with “authority figures”, the development of so many opportunities for women to enter all job fields and also gain more respect and authority, and the incredibly rapid rise of the INTERNET and social media, which has enabled many people to learn about alternatives to organized religion and be convinced of the supposed value of these.
Also, of course, family size has decreased (artificial birth control, increasing inflation and expenses often making it necessary for both husband and wife to work at a paying job out of the home just to pay basic expenses, women’s liberation from “slavery” to the home, etc.). This decreasing birth rate alone means that there will be fewer young men available to become priests.
As for the smaller number of vocations–keep in mind that a lot of the Protestant churches have closed their doors, and some denominations have been discontinued, including the Baptist denomination that I grew with as a child, and the number of Protestant pastors who have been educated in a seminary instead of simply declaring themself a “pastor” has greatly decreased as well. I don’t know about the Islamic, Buddhist, and Jewish faiths–it’s possible that their leadership has dropped, too.
If Jack T. Chick was still alive, he would be proclaiming that the End of the World is eminent! (I don’t think that’s correct! 🙂
I do agree with you that the lack of men interested in at least looking into vocations is alarming and very sad. I pray often that my only grandchild, a boy, will discern a call to the priesthood someday–but it would mean the end of his daddy’s family line. Sigh.
“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 understand every word of the Latin at Mass, but during those parts of the Mass reserved to the priest, I often pray the rosary or some other devotion. That you would cite this as some defect of the TLM (or maybe a defect on my part?) would suggest that you do not understand what a Mass is and is not. Many of the pre-Vatican II popes specifically endorsed praying the rosary during Mass, including (ironically?) Leo XIII.
Praying the Rosary involves meditation or contemplation of the major events of Our Lord’s life. One involves His Sacrificial Giving of His Life, another His Offering Us His Consecrated Body. Seriously. What’s the problem with prayer centering on those? How about some pro-life themes? How about His Conception or His Blessing John the Baptist in the Womb? What’s the problem there? How about His Resurrection? Should a person not think of this during the Mass? The Ascension?, the Assumption, the FINDING JESUS IN THE TEMPLE? During the Mass, why ought we not pray or honor the Mysteries of Christ? Should we rather read text messages or sports scores from our phone, now that we’ve passed beyond the year 1964?
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.
DiogenesRedux, were you to attend the TLM anywhere in the world you would understand the majority of what is being said. Just not what is spoken in the local language. Being able to understand the mass in all countries with Latin as the shared language, That is real unity for you.
As regards Mr. Connor’s question, quite a few learn and know the Latin being prayed. Plus, the Saint Joseph missal has the Latin on the left and the English on the right. Why is it so difficult for people to understand this?
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.
In reality, there is no such thing as the novus ordo. Catholic Mass varies from parish to parish just as much as any Protestant worship service varies from all the others. It is odd to hear devotees of such extreme diversity demand absolute uniformity. It is quite an example of cognitive dissonance.
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.
Ask the trads how many of them want mutual enrichment from the NO to the TLM. Things like vernacular proclamation of the readings, a three-year lectionary cycle, and participation in the ordinary by the assembly. You’ll get vociferous opposition.
Trads don’t want mutual enrichment. Trads don’t want Vatican II. Trads want their pristine TLM. They don’t even care if the TLM is in union with the Catholic Church. They’ll go to the Lefebvrites if it comes down to a choice between that and the Novus Ordo.
That’s the mindset that Francis and now Leo has to correct. Leo has to be a true and authoritative spiritual father: he needs to take away the TLM pacifier and reaffirm that the Roman Church has one unique liturgical form: the Novus Ordo Mass.
We would not be having this conversation if Archbishop Lefebvre hadn’t schismatically ordained new priests and bishops without the pope’s authorization. Lefebvre chose the TLM over the Church. JPII and BXVI tried to keep Lefebvrite-leaning Catholics in the Church by granting them permission for the TLM. That didn’t work. The trads are SSPX, anti Vatican II to their core. The TLM would be nonexistent were it not for Lefebvre.
It’s high time we all admit it to be true like adults and just go our separate ways. Trads are welcome in the Catholic Church, but only on the condition that they celebrate the Novus Ordo with the rest of us.