Bishop Finn Celebrates Traditional Latin Mass
On Saturday morning, September 15, 2007, His Excellency Robert W. Finn, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph, MO, celebrated the Traditional Latin Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a day after Summorum Pontificum took effect. This had not been done for some decades. Below are pictures of the Mass. The cathedral was full.
Above is the altar of the cathedral, prior to the start of Mass. The interior of the cathedral was redesigned in 1956 and again in 2003, the latest renovation--finished prior to Bishop Finn's arrival--was not done with the Extraordinary Form in mind.
Below, Bishop Finn entered the cathedral in Cappa Magna, on his way to the Blessed Sacrament to pray silently for a moment.
After the processional, Bishop Finn gave a sermon, noting at length the recent Motu Proprio of His Holiness Benedict XVI, by which the Extraordinary Form was made more available to the faithful. After the sermon and an episcopal blessing, the bishop vested for Mass.
Below, Bishop Finn prays at the foot of the altar with two of three priests of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest who assisted his celebration of the Mass.
Below, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles can be seen in the choir loft of the cathedral. These nuns sang the Sabat Mater as an offertory motet.
Below, the lavabo.
Prior to the recessional, the bishop again donned the Cappa Magna.
After Mass, Bishop Finn greeted the Faithful as they exited the cathedral.
Many diocesan seminarians attended this historic Mass.
The steps of the cathedral were full of persons who stayed long after Mass to visit.
It was a beatiful day and a beautiful Mass. It took many prayers from many persons for the events of this day to happen. Sadly, it took so long some died waiting. May we thank them for their prayers today, as well as Bishop Finn for acting upon the Motu Proprio with such dispatch and conviction.
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P.S. The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles blog has a post with a wonderful angle to the events of Saturday. More photographs at Dominican Inquirer.
34 comments:
I must say, I actually was teared up a bit.
I am novus ordo Catholic, I am in complete agreement with the Pope and with Bishop Finn, both liturgies have their strong and weak points and can learn a lot from each other.
Seeing all those people, and its been a awhile since we had been that full, all praying together, joining themselves with the Sacrifice, and, well, We lost so much.
God Bless our Holy Father, and God Bless Bishop Finn. This diocese will be stronger after today's celebration.
BTW Wolf, nice to meet you, I will keep your secret identity safe.
Wish I was there...You have a great bishop.
WT wrote:
> It was a beatiful day and a
> beautiful Mass. It took many
> prayers from many persons for
> the events of this day to
> happen. Sadly, it took so long
> some died waiting.
Good point.
I wouldn't mind seeing more pictures of this event. If you know of any, please post a link.
Erick
Well, I must say, I am all the more grateful for the Novus Ordo Mass. I took great comfort in seeing all my friends who love the Extrodinary Rite enjoying the affirmation that our good Bishop displayed in learning and "performing" the rite (is the proper term perform?)
The Epistle was in Latin, the Gospel was in Latin - and none of it was heard by the congregation. It is inexplicable to me - the appeal that this "silent" Mass has for those who attend -, but I am grateful for our bishops efforts, and happy for all my friends who love this rite.
Can a foreigner comment from England ?
The famous Fr. Z is over here in the U.K. paying us a visit, so I'm feeling rather international.
Many thanks for this post.
What smashing photos.
I must say I do like your bishop.
He looks a very good man.
Please pray for us over here, and we'll pray for you over there, that we might soon be seeing a wider use of the traditional Mass.
God bless the United States of America.
God bless Pope Benedict !
You are fortunate to have a bishop who leads his diocese in showing the beauty of the extraordinary form of the Mass. From what you say, it seems that many of those in the Cathedral would have been ordinary Catholics who, like me, are not regarded as "traddies."
My hope - which I believe is also the hope of the Holy Father - is that when people see the beauty and dignified celebration of the extraordinary form, they will desire that the ordinary form be also celebrated in such a manner.
I hope that priests around the world who are not familiar with the older liturgy will learn from it - so that all Masses will celebrated with the dignity that the perpetuation of the Sacrifice of Calvary deserves.
God bless Bishop Finn
I would just love to have the opportunity to attend the extraordinary form of the Mass. It will not be happening any time soon in my diocese. The indult was not allowed either. To have the Gospel and all read in Latin would surprise me. While I can follow the Latin in the Mass, I cannot converse and would not be able to fully appreciate the Gospel
In my round church where the 'assembly gathers to share a meal' we do not even have the Angus Dei, rather we sing Jesus, something or other, hear our prayer, by this bread and wine we share, may we be the sign of peace everywhere. And we have some peace and justice songs.
So between the Latin reverent, solemn, silent Mass and the free-for-all,lets sing about ourselves, Mass, I would choose the Latin if I were to ever have the choice.
"The Epistle was in Latin, the Gospel was in Latin - and none of it was heard by the congregation."
Yes, but the custom usually is for the priest to repeat them in the vernacular at the outset of the homily.
I would be surprised if Bishop Finn did not do this as well.
Dr. Wright,
I have to say that I really find it rather hard to think of Englishmen as foreigners. Legally, perhaps, but in other senses, not so much.
I just left the Novus Ordo 11:00 Mass here in Greenville, SC. Before I attended I was leery about returning to the "old" Mass. Words cannot express how beautiful it was! What a pleasure to return to the reverance and sacredness of the Mass. Father Steve Brovey will be celebrating 4 more before the end of the year at Prince of Peace Church. God has truly blessed this parish!
Judy
"The Epistle was in Latin, the Gospel was in Latin - and none of it was heard by the congregation."
This is actually not typical for the TLM. Usually, the Epistle and Gospel are read in English before the sermon which is given after the reading of the Gospel at the altar. In any event, the MP now seems to give the celebrant the option of reading the Epistle and the Gospel in the vernacular if he choses.
I am happy for the people who attended this Mass. Only two parishes do the Latin Mass in Miami and I know more Catholics demand it. I thank God and Pope Benedict for restoring this beautiful Mass and I pray that it becomes more widely available in Miami.
Thanks for posting the photos. I was born in 1969 and it would be so wonderful to have our Archbishop in Los Angeles celebrate this form of the Mass in our cathedral in downtown LA. Pray for us here in Los Angeles. I think we are going to need it!
I see Bishop Finn learned well how to celebrate this Liturgy from his time in St. Louis during the Institute's ordinations :)
Thank you for the photos. As all the comments and pictures spread around the world, let us hope they will inspire many and lead to an abundance of requests for the TLM.
God Bless you Bishop Finn, "way to go". I am 43 and grew up with a VERY liberal catholic upbringing by well intended persons but SO much was thrown out of such beauty and majesty and is not our Dear Lord Jesus Christ Beautiful and Majestic? Although I have attendedd an occassional "Latin" mass...The NEW mass said in Latin..and do like this very muc ..the gospel was in English....So I cannot say I woul dlike to attend catholic mass all the time with the priests back to me and all in an unfamiliar tongue I do believe it is a step on the right direction in joining our other family of Catholics who have continued to celebrate in this fashion for it is all in priase of our Lord Jesus Christ....and your know what?? perhaps it would have been better to grow up hearing the mass in this fashion...for with all the liberal stuff.....well does this tell it all?.....I attended my first benediction when I was 39...We two generations growing up in the 7o's, 80's, 90's missed so very much, I fi teach a CCD class it will be according to the GIRM and according to our Holy Father's standard;s not some liberal local bishop....and those kneelers...bring em back ALL backto each and evey church throughtout this nations...only when we kneel to almightly God will we again be humble enough to serve him well..
Hey WT! I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to talk with you yesterday and to introduce you to my wife. I had to go sing a nuptial Mass that afternoon. I got my photos posted, as well. It was a beautiful occasion, and you certainly took some great photos yourself. :)
Joe
I just returned from a Novus Ordo Mass celebrated by Father Brovey at 11:00 at Prince of Peace parish in South Carolina. I wasn't sure that the "old" Mass was for me. There are no words to express the respect and the solemnity with which the Mass was offered.It was absolutely magnificent to be a part of the sacredness of this Mass. As a parish, we are very blessed!
As always, wonderful photos!! You are far too modest.
I wish I could have been there. The photos are great. What a joyful day for the faithful and priests of this diocese!
That chasuble looks familiar. Was it the chasuble Rev. William Avis (ICRSS) was ordained in by Most Rev. Burke?
I couldn't tell from the photos ... were many young people there?
Kansas Bob: Young and old (and those in between) attended in good numbers. My wife told me that over half the women wore mantillas (the traditional chapel veil).
johnnyjoe, don't judge too much about the TLM after just one Mass. It sometimes takes awhile to "click", but once it does, it is an amazing thing. Several things also to consider:
1. Whenever a bishop is part of the Mass, it takes a long time. The special vesting ceremonies and prayers make the experience atypical.
2. Also, this was a Low Mass (even though the Bishop was there-- I have only seen one other, with Archbishop Burke) and much is not audible. The Solemn High Mass has many more audible prayers and more opportunities to sing responses-- for a novus ordo goer, it is initially therefore more user friendly.
3. The Bishop gave his sermon before the Mass, and that is the only reason you did not hear the readings and gospel in English, as you would if you attended any other ICRSS or FSSP Mass.
4. I always tell people-- take the five Mass challenge.
Wolftracker: Was there any local television coverage of this Mass? You may recall that when the Bishop of Vermont had a TLM for Assumption, it was covered well by one of the local TV stations -- with video posted on the station's Web site. That was very helpful.
One thing I tell the Novus Ordo folks is that the context of the entire liturgy of the TLM is completely different from what they are used to. The TLM (the Mass of All Times) is, from beginning to end, the entire theology and doctirne of the Catholic Church. This is the Mass that the martyrs of the faith died for, and the saints and Doctors of the Church lived for.
Especially at "low Mass," it is a time for inward prayer to God from of the missal. The priest and acolytes are saying the prayers for you, and you follow along in the missal. It is not a time for "fellowship with man."
The TLM brings back the vertical and holy reverence towards God, and God alone, which is sourly missed today. The entire Mass is a prayer. This is the time for submission to God, and God alone.
And do not let the Latin get you frustrated. Get a missal, study it, and when all else fails, read along in English. Remember a faith that demands nothing, is nothing. The abundant graces that come from this gift of the Church and God, if one puts in the small amount of effort towards it, will be endless.
Great comment kstewskis. Patrick, good to hear from you. But, no, there was no evident television coverage. As I have always said, "The restoration will not be televised."
At least not yet.
Anonymous of Los Angeles, born 1969, and others: There is a glimmer of hope. SS Peter and Paul's in Wilmington ( near the 110 frwy...important info to traffic afflicted Angelenos ) served by the Norbatine priests, will likely begin the Extraordinary Form of the Mass the first Sunday in Advent on a trial basis provided there are regularly 125 of the faithful in attendance. The notice just appeared this morning in the Church bulletin, and by 10:00 a.m., 46 parishoners had already signed their committment to regularly attend the Extraordinary Form at least 3 Sundays a month. This glorious parish, also, celebrates the most reverent of Novus Ordo Masses in Latin, Spanish and English. Today, the Pater Noster sung solo from the choir loft, seemed so humble and reverent yet majestic and full as to reach all the way to heaven and carry all within the church along, too!
Another suggestion: listed on the archdiocese website, is a "roving" Tridentine Mass monthly in 4 different locations in the archdiocese from Covina to San Pedro, downtown, and Santa Paula. You'll also find on the website a long list of just about every vernancular mass imaginable ( including sign language ) and cultural identity masses......but not a one in Latin.
Please keep us Angelenos in your prayers.
What's the next step?
For a First Traditional Mass, the Bishop did very well! Let's hope this won't be an isolated case, and that his Lordship will make a habit of offering the traditional Mass more often. Dare we hope that eventually the Cathedral will be reconfigured for the traditional Mass, with the addition of a proper Communion rail so as to avoid a repeat of that Chinese fire drill that broke out at Communion time on Saturday? Let's pray for it!
kstewskis, as a "traditional Catholic," I agree with you: the focus of the Tridentine liturgy is unambiguously and unapologeticly God. There's nothing in the liturgy of "fellowship with man."
That said, I've been to the Tridentine Mass in at least 4 different places, and there is no shortage of "fellowshipping with man" after the liturgy. In my own Church in Denver, there's also many friendships formed outside of Church among those who attend.
I think this is a good balance: in the liturgy, you're focused on the adoration of God and participation in offering the Sacrifice to Him. After liturgy and outside of Church, you're welcomed to fellowship to your heart's content. And many do just that.
thetimman, I've never heard of the "five Mass challenge," but I like it! First time I ever attended the Tridentine liturgy (1999, in my late 20's), I was bored to death. I didn't see what all the buzz was about. I returned 3-6 months later out of desperation from the liturgical abuses and empty homilies at my N.O. parish and this time grabbed a missalette (sp?) on the way in. I was really impressed by the depth of the prayers, the connection to the history and the richness of centuries' worth of organic liturgical development and I was hooked. Within a few months I quit going to the N.O.
It's good to see that this is happening in other dioceses. My family and I attended one last Friday at St Theresa's in Sugar land, TX. It's just beautiful. It's true that we lost quite a bit. Our area is quite lucky because we will have a chance to attend once a month, every 2:30 PM of the first Sunday.
i wish all the priest or bishop around the world (especially asian priest who doesn't have any experience in TLM) pls start to learn TLM now.
God bless Pope Ben16, bishop Finn and all the priest ....
start practicing TLM....... before too late.....
Fiddle back chasuables and the cappa magna? They're ugly things. I thought the Church threw out those costumes years ago. Just a little too theatrical for my taste.
I was an altar boy when the so-called Tridentine Mass was the only form of latin mass. It is grossly deficient liturgically speaking. It doesn't invite congregational participation, and it forces the congregation to bury their heads in a missal to understand what is going on. While it is a very pretty and a solemn floor show with pomp, glory, and circumstance, I'll take the Novus Ordo's simpler, more direct contact with the congregation and the minimal use of rubrics any day. I do like the Novus Ordo "hybrid Mass" with the priest facing east.
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