TLM adherents ... Don't fret. Act!

I have seen some chatter today regarding the upcoming instruction from the Holy See on Summorum Pontificum. Some are saying that the new document will hurt the freedom of the Tradtional Latin Mass.

Let's be honest. The TLM has enjoyed some more freedom over the past 3 years but in many places that has been squashed by those who are opposed to it. May God have mercy on them. Seriously.

Some of us, but not me, who are traddies will be already upset at the mere mention that the freedoms (which in some places are just on paper) may be quelled. They will write on forums with newfound anger and righteous indignation without having seen even a sentence from the new document.

Surely we should pray. Pray and fast, as Fr. Z has suggested. But keep in mind that there are practical things you can do right now in your diocese to protect and grow the Latin Mass. Even if the document is favorable to us these suggestions will help grow the community.

The TLM will never be truly "free" unless the following things happen:

• The groups of adherents (world wide) are so large that they cannot be ignored. There is a reason nobody will touch the charismatic movement. Evangelize.
• TLM communities actively participate in the life of their diocese, to the extent they feel they can.
• TLM adherents gain employment in their chanceries. Apply.
• TLM communities do their best to break down barriers, socially, with Novus Ordo parishes. (when possible, avoiding scandal)
• TLM groups donate enough money to their dioceses that it would be missed if taken away.

...just some suggestions. This week my parish Knights of Columbus is having an event for people in the diocese to come and learn more about the traditional Latin Mass. We've got almost 100 people coming now and its quite thrilling. Say a prayer for us!

Introduction to the Extraordinary Form Seminar

For Immediate Release…

December 22, 2010

KOC Offers Seminar on Traditional Latin Mass

Introduction to the “Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite”

The Knights of Columbus Council 14829 in Scranton is offering a one day informational seminar Saturday, February 19, 2011 featuring an introduction to the extraordinary form of the Mass, according to the 1962 Roman Missal. The seminar will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 1703 Jackson Street, Scranton, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The presentation will begin with an explanation and overview of the traditional Latin Mass by Father Justin Nolan, FSSP, of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, followed by a question and answer period. A “sung” Mass, or Missa Cantata, will follow at 11:30. After lunch, Father Nolan will provide two additional presentations for a more in depth understanding of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

The seminar’s objective is to provide an educational, interactive, friendly and prayerful experience to inquirers of the traditional Latin Mass through talks on history, theology, and spirituality. The day includes participation in a Missa Cantata with Gregorian Chant and other forms of sacred music.

The seminar is free, including lunch, and open to the public.

Interest in the traditional Latin Mass has grown in recent years, especially since July 2007 when Pope Benedict XVI issued the Motu Proprio, Summorum Pontificum, permitting priests to freely celebrate the older liturgy.

One of the Pope’s objectives in issuing the Motu Proprio was to clarify that the Traditional Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo Missae, or new Mass, are part of the “same rite.” Like his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI has made unity a major goal of his pontificate. The Church, he said, must make “every effort” to achieve unity, adding: “Let us generously open our hearts and make room for everything that the faith itself allows.”

For more information, please email knights14829@gmail.com or call the rectory at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church at 570-961-1205.

You can also visit www.saintmichaelsrcc.org

Premium Calfskin Liber Usualis

I have become a fan of the Bible Design and Binding Blog, which specializes in showing off incredibly bound Bibles with copious pictures. All of the Bibles there are protestant (FYI) but we can learn great lessons as Catholics on how good books, indeed the Good Book, should be bound and covered. When it was time to rebind my, Liber which had a deteriorating hard cover, I knew whose blog sidebar would take me to the proper bindery. Go take a look around at the blog and you will see that as Catholics we are way behind...

There is probably little doubt that this Liber Usualis is now the only one like it. I had it redone in a Premium Calfskin Leather cover with new ribbons. Just take a look.

Gold foil stamping and new ribbons did not cost any extra. The stamping is very well done but the ribbons are a bit extravagant for my tastes. Nonetheless it is a nice job. The book lays flat when opened and will loosen (improve) with time and use. My apologies for the crummy pictures. I had bad light. In the future I may re-shoot them.

The cover feels like butter in the hand. It is a wonder to hold and sing from this now during the Mass. Fine books for fine liturgy.

The flap on the inside cover protects the binding and allows the book to open freely for many years.

This is great craftsmanship. I have two more books waiting to be sent out, a Breviary and a Knox translation Bible. We will be having a much needed conversation about book binding on this blog shortly! I had this bound by McSpadden Bookbindery in Oklahoma. I highly recommend their shop.

Great TLM Video

This I found over at the New Liturgical Movement this morning: