An Explanation of the Latin Mass: EWTN Broadcast of the Consecration of Ss. Peter & Paul, F.S.S.P

We're reminded in this broadcast that Pope Benedict instructs the faithful concerning our disposition to the liturgy:

"It's really not primarily important that people understand in the sacred liturgy each and every word or phrase, but rather that they experience the devotion and reverence . . . and it's also true that the latin reminds us that we don't approach God even in language in a purely casual or everyday way. That when we come into His presence it has to be a communication filtered as it were, through the lens of reverence and devotion, and that it's not because the Mass is primarily about communicating bits of information. The Mass is not a lesson, it's not a class, it's not a news bulletin. It is the representation upon the altar of the Sacrifice of Cavalry."

The Battle for the Ancient Mass - Audio by FSSP Priest Fr. Calvin Goodwin

From the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter website:

Father Calvin Goodwin, FSSP, from Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska discusses the history and struggles associated with the Traditional Latin Mass in this hour long talk.

Vatican Comes out with Video on the Latin Mass for Priests

Live EWTN Broadcast: Consecration for the Chapel at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary FSSP

Click here for 11 AM Eastern Time (8 AM Pacific Time) to view broadcast today (4 hours).
Consecration of the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in Denton, Nebraska. Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz presiding.EWTN Special Mass

The Most Common Complaint Against Attending a Latin Mass

"I don't know Latin"

This seems to be the common response when one mentions the Latin Mass. I don't blame a person for this apprehension. After all, schools that offer Latin as a second language are virtually non -existant. However, let not your heart be troubled. Latin Mass missals all have the English translation alongside the Latin prayers. Simple enough. There are online missals available for printing or for purchase.

This medieval breviary is entirely in Latin the language most commonly used and spoken in the middle ages. Today, as modern society moves further from its roots, the official language of the Roman Catholic Church as well as the official language of the botanical, forestry, biology, and medicinal fields, has fallen from practice. Today, Latin Mass missals have the English translation beside the Latin text.

Latin Mass Training Video

New video coming soon by the FSSP - free for priests. See the trailer for more information.

Extraordinary Form training workshops are also available for priests interested in saying the Latin Mass.

Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos - Latin Mass No Permission Needed

To steal a line from a modern hymn, "Hope is flowing like a river . . . Spreading out into the de-sert. Setting all the captives free."


The President of Ecclesia Dei, a commission established by Pope John Paul II in 1988 to provide support for the Latin mass, told the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano that priests do not require permission from their bishops to celebrate the extraordinary form of the Latin liturgy. In an article published in The Catholic World Report, the Cardinal said,

"Some ask permission, as if this were some sort of concession or exception. But there is no need for that."

Traditional Latin Mass of Thanksgiving (English Translation)

The Four Ends of Sacrifice:
Adoration, Thanksgiving, Reparation, Prayer

Thanksgiving: To give thanks to God for His benefits. "Put in one heap," says St. Leonard of Port Maurice, "all the gifts, all the graces, you have received from God - so many gifts of nature and of grace; yes, the very life, too, of His Son Jesus, and His death suffered for us, which in themselves immeasurably swell the great debt which we owe to God - and how shall we ever be able sufficiently to thank Him? The law of gratitude is observed by the very beasts, who sometimes change their cruel anger into gentle homage to their benefactors; and how much more, of course, has this law not to be observed by man, gifted as he is with reason and so nobly endowed by the divine liberality!

"Now, the way most fully to thank our good God - our supreme benefactor - is taught us by the Royal Psalmist, holy David, who , led by divine inspirations to speak with mysterious references to this divine sacrifice, indicates that nothing can sufficiently render the thanks which are due to God, excepting holy Mass: 'I will uplift on high the chalice of the Lord,' that is, I will offer a sacrifice most grateful to Him, and with this alone I shall satisfy the debt of so many and such signal benefits . . . He Himself also gave us the example when, in the last supper, before the act of consecration in that first Mass, He raised His eyes to heaven, and gave thanks to His heavenly Father: 'Elevatis oculis in coelum, Tibi gratias agens fregit'. " (1)

Prayer

God, of Whose mercies there is no number, and of Whose goodness the treasure is infinite; we render thanks to Thy most gracious Majesty for the gifts Thou has bestowed upon us, evermore beseeching Thy clemency, that as Thou grant the petitions of them that ask Thee, thou will never forsake them, but will prepare the reward to come. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Secret

Receive as a sweet savor, O Lord, this sacrifice of thanksgiving: do Thou in the future shield from all harm those whom until now Thou has been pleased to hear and to save: and grant that they may serve Thee better and love Thee more. Through our Lord.

Post Communion

O God, Who suffers no one that hopes in Thee to be over afflicted, but listens kindly to their prayers: we thank Thee for having heard our prayers and granted our desires, and devoutly entreat Thee that what we have received may make us worthy to be delivered from all adversities. Through our Lord.


(1) Lassance, Rev. F. X.; 1945; The New Roman Missal; p. 18-19.