Laudetur Iesus Christus! Sunday is Pentecost, also known as Whitsunday (for the Easter catechumens who would again wear white at Mass). Benedictine liturgist Dom Gasper Lefebvre OSB wrote in the St. Andrew Missal that Pentecost is the second most important feast day in the Church’s liturgical year (next to Easter), was called “Red Easter” and has its own Octave to commemorate the foundation of the Church. 

The Benedictine monk also notes that the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles occurred at nine in the morning, and by Divine Providence, occurred on the same day as the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which was established around 1,600 years prior and commemorated the promulgation of the Law on Mount Sinai. In Jerusalem on this day in 33 A.D., many Jewish pilgrims were in the city to mark the feast day, and witnessed the new Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Ghost. 

There is much that can be shared on this solemn feast day, and we include but a few:

• Orations of the Feast of Pentecost: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/05/the-orations-of-feast-of-pentecost.html 
• Dom Prosper Gueranger’s Reflection for Pentecost: https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/469-temporal-cycle/paschal-tide/whit-sunday-the-day-of-pentecost/the-octave-of-pentecost/3558-whit-sunday-the-day-of-pentecost
• Traditions of Pentecost: https://www.fisheaters.com/customseastertide7.html and https://onepeterfive.com/forgotten-customs-octave-pentecost/

Plenary Indulgence for Pentecost

There is a plenary indulgence today, Pentecost Sunday, to all who pray the Veni Creator – ‘Come Holy Spirit’ under the usual conditions. This will normally be prayed during the Sunday Latin Mass.

Latin Masses this Week (Whit Embertide)

For more information about the Whit Ember Days, please see Embertide section below.

• Wednesday May 31, 6pm – St. Ann (Ember Wednesday within the Octave of Pentecost)
• Thursday June 1, 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas (Thursday within the Octave of Pentecost)
• Friday June 2, 7am – St. Ann (First Friday/Ember Friday within the Octave of Pentecost)
• Saturday June 3: Note: St. Thomas Aquinas Latin Mass & blessing of objects is canceled due to diaconate ordinations – see note below

Cancellation: No First Saturday Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas for Saturday June 3: Due to the transitional diaconate ordinations occurring on Saturday June 3 at St. Mark parish, Fr. Codd is unable to offer the 1^st Saturday Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas that morning. He and the other Latin Mass priests will be attending the ordination. Please pray for the seven men being ordained to the transitional diaconate.

Deacon Jose Palma Torres to preach at St. Ann Latin Mass – Sunday June 4, 12:30pm: On the topic of new deacons, the day after the diaconate ordinations, Trinity Sunday, newly ordained deacon Jose Palma Torres will preach during the 12:30pm St. Ann Latin Mass.

1^st Sunday Latin Mass in Salisbury – Sunday June 4, 4pm: Fr. Joseph Wasswa (Our Lady of Grace parish) will offer the 1^st Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury on June 4 at 4pm. There will be a potluck social in Brincefield Hall afterwards. One is welcome to bring a favorite dish, hors d’oeuvres or dessert.  For more information contact the Salisbury Latin Mass Community at: www.salisburylmc.org

Feast of Corpus Christi – Thursday June 8: For the traditional feast day of Corpus Christi (Thursday after Trinity Sunday), St. Ann parish will be offering its annual Corpus Christi Latin Mass at 7pm, which will begin the parish’s annual 40 Hours of Adoration devotion.  To sign up for one of the 40 hours please use this signup sheet: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0544a8af29a4f94-40hours2#/ St. Thomas Aquinas will also be offering its regular 7pm Latin Mass that evening as well.

Holy Face Devotions

• St. James, Concord (*NEW*) – Mondays 10-10:30am in the cry room in the church
• St Mark – Mondays 5pm in the church
• St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesdays 6am in the main church
• St. Ann – Tuesdays 7:30am now in the main church after the Novus Ordo Mass (uses the booklet/chaplet which takes 15-20 minutes)
• St Michael the Archangel, Gastonia – Tuesdays, 9am, Main Church
• Holy Spirit, Denver – Tuesdays 10-11am after the Novus Ordo Mass
• Don’t see your parish? Why not organize one?

2023 Women’s Traditional Silent Retreat (July 21-23)

The Legion of Mary in Raleigh is sponsoring a traditional silent women’s retreat at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory, northwest of Charlotte from July 21-23. The retreat will feature Fr. Sean Kopczynski of the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist, a Latin Mass order of priests in Kentucky. Masses will be offered each day. Cost is around $280 and the flyer is attached. To register or for more details please see flyer below.

Whit Ember Days (This Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday)

As our readers may recall, the Ember Days are the 3 penitential days in the 1962 calendar, occurring at the beginning of each season, that offer thanksgiving and prayers for holiness in the upcoming season.  This week is the Whit Ember Days for the summer season and occurs on the following dates below.  Though the below fasting/partial abstinence days are now voluntary, with all the problems occurring in the world (and in the Church), it may be worth participating in the traditional fasts if you have not done so before.

• Whit Ember Wednesday – Wednesday May 31 (fasting, partial abstinence), St. Ann, 6pm Low Mass
• Whit Ember Friday – Friday June 2 (fasting and since its Friday, complete abstinence from meat), St. Ann, 7am Low Mass
• Whit Ember Saturday – Saturday June 3 (fasting, partial abstinence), no Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas scheduled due to ordinations

The “Whit Ember” days are named after Whit Sunday (“white”), which was an ancient name for Pentecost Sunday and the robes worn by catechumens that day. To learn more about the Whit Ember days visit: https://www.fisheaters.com/customseastertide8.html

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• Archbishop Lori celebrates Pontifical Vespers at FSSP Baltimore: His Excellency William Lori, archbishop of Baltimore recently visited the Latin Mass parish in his city, St. Alphonsus Liguori Shrine, staffed by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), and led the Pontifical Vespers of 1962 and offered some brief remarks before the liturgical service began. It should be noted Archbishop Lori is also the Supreme Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus and also visited Charlotte in 2018 to offer the funeral Mass for late bishop of Charlotte H.E. William Curlin (+). The FSSP notes that their parish had the prior distinction of hosting the episcopal consecration of St. John Neumann in 1852. We share the article here: https://fssp.com/archbishop-lori-celebrates-pontifical-vespers-at-fssp-baltimore/ The video of the Archbishop’s remarks, vesting ceremonies, and Vespers can be seen at this website: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/05/a-video-of-solemn-pontifical-vespers.html#.ZG1LxaXMKHs
  
  CLMC note: It has been reported that His Excellency Lori also visited the Shine on Good Friday to participate in stations of the Cross. He was at least the second American bishop to pay a visit to an FSSP parish on Good Friday, as the new bishop of Phoenix His Excellency John Dolan also visited his FSSP parish that afternoon (according to the April 23 parish bulletin). What a blessing that more bishops are publicly supporting the Latin Mass in this time of uncertainty. As Archbishop Lori encouraged in his message to Shrine parishioners (see video above), let us pray for the Pope and the bishops.

• A miracle in Missouri? Body of Benedictine Sisters’ foundress thought to be incorrupt: Sister Mary Wilhelmina, the late foundress of the traditional Benedictine nuns in Gower, Missouri, Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, who died in 2019, was recently exhumed as part of the community’s reinternment plan and to the nuns’ amazement her body seems to be found incorrupt: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254384/a-miracle-in-missouri-body-of-benedictine-sisters-foundress-thought-to-be-incorrupt  Sr. Wilhelmina founded the Benedictines of Mary in 1995, with the assistance of a Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) priest and the nuns follow the traditional Latin Mass and breviary exclusively.

Thousands of faithful over the past week have flocked to the Abbey in Gower to view Sister Wilhelmina’s body. However, the nuns issued a statement welcoming the visitors but also reminding everyone that further investigations and scrutiny by competent medical authorities and the Church still remain (nor has a formal canonization process been opened yet). To view the statement visit: https://benedictinesofmary.org/srwilhelmina/  To learn more about Sr. Mary Wilhelmina please visit: https://benedictinesofmary.org/product/gods-will-the-life-and-works-of-sr-mary-wilhelmina/

CLMC note: Fr. Lawrence Carney, who visited several parishes in Charlotte last month to promote the Holy Face devotion, is currently serving as the nuns’ chaplain. Separately, as mentioned in our update a few weeks ago, the architect of the new Holy Spirit church building in Denver, William Heyer, designed the nuns’ new Abbey church where the remains Sr. Wilhelmina are currently resting.

• St. Philip Neri: A Patron Saint of Traditionalism:  This past Friday May 26 was the feast of St. Philip Neri, otherwise known as the “Apostle of Rome” who helped reconvert (along with Pope St. Pius V and others) Rome back to the faith during the 16th century. Dr. Mike Foley writes a great piece on this saint who also founded the 40 days devotion (which St. Ann will host next week). He also founded the Congregation of the Oratory, “a community of secular clergy living under obedience but not bound by vows”. Dr. Foley concludes his essay on why St. Philip Neri would also be a good patron for Traditionalism: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/05/st-philip-neri-patron-saint-of.html#.ZHFx_6XMKHs

• Our Lady Weeps: Firsthand Account of Notre Dame Cathedral’s Restoration: Photographer Ron St. Angelo has recently shared about his trip to Parish where he examines and captures the restoration efforts of the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was damaged in a fire during Holy Week 2019. St. Angelo shares that the reconstruction will be faithful to the traditional medieval designs: https://www.ncregister.com/blog/our-lady-weeps-firsthand-account-of-notre-dame-cathedral-s-restoration

The Solemn Feast of Pentecost

To prepare us for the great feast of Pentecost today, we close this update with Dom Prosper Gueranger’s reflections for today:

Jerusalem is filled with pilgrims, who have flocked thither from every country of the Gentile world. They feel a strange mysterious expectation working in their souls. They are Jews, and have come from every foreign land where Israel has founded a synagogue; they have come to keep the feasts of Pasch and Pentecost. Asia, Africa, and even Rome, have here their representatives. Amidst these Jews properly so called, are to be seen many Gentiles, who, from a desire to serve God more faithfully, have embraced the Mosaic law and observances; they are called proselytes. This influx of strangers, who have come to Jerusalem out of a desire to observe the Law, gives the city a Babel-like appearance, for each nation has its own language. They are not, however, under the influence of pride and prejudice, as are the inhabitants of Judea; neither have they, like these latter, known and rejected the Messias, nor blasphemed His works whereby He gave testimony of His divine character. It may be that they took part with the other Jews in clamouring for Jesus’ death; but they were led to it by the chief priests and magistrates of the Jerusalem which they reverenced as the holy city of God, and to which nothing but religious motives have brought them.

It is the hour of Tierce, the third hour of the day,[4] fixed from all eternity for the accomplishment of a divine decree. It was at the hour of midnight that the Father sent into this world, that He might take flesh in Mary’s womb, the Son eternally begotten of Himself: so now, at this hour of Tierce, the Father and the Son send upon the earth the holy Spirit who proceeds from Them both. He is sent to form the Church, the bride and the kingdom of Christ: He is to assist and maintain her; He is to save and sanctify the souls of men; and this His mission is to continue to the end of time.

Suddenly is heard, coming from heaven, the sound of a violent wind; it startles the people in the city, it fills the cenacle with its mighty breath. A crowd is soon round the house that stands on Mount Sion; the hundred and twenty disciples that are within the building feel that mysterious emotion within them, of which their Master once said: ‘The Spirit breatheth where He will, and thou hearest His voice’.[5] Like that strange invisible creature, which probes the very depth of the sea and makes the waves heave mountains high, this Breath from heaven will traverse the world from end to end, breaking down every barrier that would stay its course.

The holy assembly have been days in fervent expectation; the divine Spirit gives them this warning of His coming, and they in the passiveness of ecstatic longing, await His will. As to those who are outside the cenacle, and who have responded to the appeal thus given, let us, for the moment, forget them. A silent shower falls in the house; it is a shower of fire, which, as holy Church says ‘burns not but enlightens, consumes not but shines.’[6] Flakes of fire, in the shape of tongues, rest on the heads of the hundred and twenty disciples; it is the Holy Ghost taking possession of all and each. The Church is now not only in Mary, but also in these hundred and twenty disciples. All belong now to the Spirit that has descended upon them; His kingdom is begun, it is manifested, its conquests will be speedy and glorious.

Whit Sunday: The Day of Pentecost: https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/469-temporal-cycle/paschal-tide/whit-sunday-the-day-of-pentecost/the-octave-of-pentecost/3558-whit-sunday-the-day-of-pentecost

What Mass are you attending Pentecost Sunday?

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Just a reminder that tomorrow Saturday May 27th at 8am St. Ann parish will offer its 4th Saturday Respect Life Latin Mass.

After Mass there will be prayers at Planned Parenthood and a Holy Hour of Reparation in the church (for those unable to travel to the abortion facility). The day also happens to the Vigil of Pentecost, a special day of preparation for the solemn feast of Pentecost on Sunday – a great blessing for those able to attend tomorrow’s Mass.

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Today is the Sunday after Ascension, and the 4^th day within the ancient octave of the Ascension. We include a commentary on today’s propers for Sunday’s Mass: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/05/the-contextual-orations-of-sunday-after.html

Latin Masses This Week

• Wednesday May 24 – 6pm, St. Ann (Feria after Ascension)
• Thursday May 25 – 7pm, St. Thomas Aquinas (St. Gregory VII, Pope & Confessor)
• Friday May 26 – 7am, St. Ann (St. Philip Neri, Confessor)
• Saturday May 27 – 8am, St. Ann Respect Life Latin Mass (Vigil of Pentecost) (followed prayers at the abortion facility or a Holy Hour in the church)

Vigil of Pentecost: This Saturday May 27 will be a rare treat for Latin Mass attendees in Charlotte – the 8am St. Ann Latin Mass offered will be the Vigil of Pentecost, which will help prepare the faithful for the grand solemnity of Pentecost the next day. Prior to 1955, the Vigil of Pentecost was one of the richest liturgies of the year, serving as a “bookend” to the Easter Vigil, with folded chasubles, the reading of six Old Testament prophecies (compared to 12 prophecies in the ancient Easter Vigil), blessing of the Holy Water font, and baptisms (if there were catechumens). The 1962 Mass, which will be offered this Saturday, is much more simplified and abbreviated than the Pre-55 Vigil, but nonetheless will be a great gift for those able to attend.  

Wednesday May 24 – World Day of Prayer for Church in China: The universal Church sets May 24 as a day of prayer for the Church in China. Please consider offering a Rosary for the Chinese Catholics or pray this prayer by Pope Benedict XVI. To support the underground Church, please visit the Cardinal Kung Foundation: http://www.cardinalkungfoundation.org/

Cancellation: No First Saturday Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas for Saturday June 3: Due to the transitional diaconate ordinations occurring on Saturday June 3 at St. Mark parish, Fr. Codd is unable to offer the 1^st Saturday Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas that morning. He and the other Latin Mass priests will be attending the ordination. Please pray for the men being ordained to both the diaconate and priesthood next month.

Feast of Corpus Christi – Thursday June 8: For the traditional feast day of Corpus Christi (Thursday after Trinity Sunday), St. Ann parish will be offering its annual Corpus Christi Latin Mass at 7pm, which will begin the parish’s annual 40 Hours of Adoration devotion.  St. Thomas Aquinas will also be offering its regular 7pm Latin Mass that evening as well.

Holy Face Devotions

• St. James, Concord (*NEW*) – Mondays 10-10:30am in the cry room in the church
• St Mark – **Monday May 22, 2pm** (Special time for this date only); Monday May 29, 5pm (resumes regular time)
• St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesdays 6am in the main church
• St. Ann – Tuesdays 7:30am now in the main church after the Novus Ordo Mass (uses the booklet/chaplet which takes 15-20 minutes)
• St Michael the Archangel, Gastonia – Tuesdays, 9am, Main Church
• Holy Spirit, Denver – Tuesdays 10-11am after the Novus Ordo Mass
• Don’t see your parish? Why not organize one?

2023 Women’s Traditional Silent Retreat (July 21-23)

The Legion of Mary in Raleigh is sponsoring a traditional silent women’s retreat at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory, northwest of Charlotte from July 21-23. The retreat will feature Fr. Sean Kopczynski of the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist, a Latin Mass order of priests in Kentucky. Masses will be offered each day. Cost is around $280 and the flyer is attached. To register or for more details please below flyer.

Traditional Days of Fasting During Ascensiontide & Pentecost

As many of our readers know, in the Traditional Latin Mass of 1962, there are several additional days of fasting and penance throughout the year (now just optional). Typically the day before a major feast day (Assumption, Pentecost, and Nativity) was a vigil day and a day of penance or fasting and partial abstinence, with meat only permitted once per day.

Additionally, as our readers may recall, the Ember Days, the 3 penitential days at the beginning of each season that offer thanksgiving and prayers for holiness, were the other periods of penance outside of Lent or Advent.  For the remainder of this month and into June, we have several of these optional days occurring. Though the below fasting/partial abstinence days are now voluntary, with all the problems occurring in the world (and in the Church), it may be worth participating in the traditional fasts if one is able to and has not done so before.

• Vigil of Pentecost – Saturday May 27 (partial abstinence)
• Whit Ember Wednesday – Wednesday May 31 (fasting, partial abstinence)
• Whit Ember Friday – Friday June 2 (fasting and since its Friday, complete abstinence from meat)
• Whit Ember Saturday – Saturday June 3 (fasting, partial abstinence)

The “Whit Ember” days are named after Whit Sunday (“white”), which was an ancient name for Pentecost Sunday. Hence the Pentecost Ember Days. To learn more about the Whit Ember days visit: https://www.fisheaters.com/customseastertide8.html

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• Kolbe Center Creation Seminar with Fr. Ripperger: A few weeks ago, Fr. Chad Ripperger and Hugh Owen, with the Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation (whom the CLMC co-sponsored in 2019), teamed up for a Restore the Truth seminar in Wisconsin in which they explained the traditional doctrine of creation. The host parish has posted the 2-day seminar on its YouTube page where one can listen to the talks (one can fast forward through the breaks). Day 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxPMkeT7SkU and Day 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0e34Z0uVjQ Note: St. Thomas Aquinas parish will be hosting the Kolbe Center this fall on September 29-30. Details will be announced later this summer.

• What Does It Take to Build a Monastery?: In a brief video, the Carmelites Nuns of Fairfield, PA (who follow the traditional Carmelite Rite) have posted a quick video explaining what is necessary for the building of their monastery according to the ancient principles of St. Theresa of Avila: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SumgTjVzrcM To learn more about the Fairfield Carmelites or to support their building project visit: https://www.fairfieldcarmelites.org/

• Pictures of a Pontifical Mass in Lancaster, Pennsylvania: The recently retired Bishop of Harrisburg, PA, H.E. Ronald Gainer, (whose diocese includes the above Fairfield Carmelite sisters), offered a Pontifical Latin Mass in Lancaster, to commemorate the 15^th anniversary of the Latin Mass community at one of the parishes in the diocese. We share the beautiful photos here: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/05/pictures-of-pontifical-mass-in.html#.ZGlPBaXMKHs

• Prayer: The Great Means of Perfection and Salvation – by St. Alphonsus Liguori: Last week, we shared the great doctor of the Church, St. Alphonsus Liguori’s book The Glories of Mary. This week, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP)’s bookstore, Fraternity Publications, providentially recommends another book by St. Alphonsus Liguori, his classic book, Prayer: The Great Means of Perfection and Salvation. The description notes that the book is “one of the most powerful and accessible primers on the art of prayer ever written”. To learn more about this book visit: https://fraternitypublications.com/product/prayer/

Saturday After the Ascension – Our Lady Queen of the Apostles

As May is the month of Mary, we share another excellent installment of Fr. William Rock’s (FSSP) study of Old Testament readings/prayers in the Traditional Latin Mass. Specifically, Fr. Rock noted that on the Saturday after the Ascension (yesterday), there is a special local feast of Our Lady, under the title of Queen of the Apostles, with an accompanying votive Mass that can be offered in her honor and includes Old Testament readings about holy women from the books of Judges (Debbora) and Judith who both represent a type of Our Lady. Fr. Rock also notes the timely placement of this feast to the period between Ascension and Pentecost, when Our Lady and the Apostles were, at that time period, praying together in the Upper Room (Acts 1:14). We share a few excerpts here:

After the military victory, Debbora sang an inspired song.  The Church draws from this song for the aforementioned Offertory Chant for the Mass of “Our Lady, Queen of Apostles:” “It is I, it is I who [quae] will sing to the Lord the God of Israel.  The valiant men ceased and rested in Israel until a mother arose in Israel.  The Lord chose new wars, and He Himself overthrew the gates of the enemies.”2  In the Latin, it is clear that it is a woman who is singing this song.  In the historical context, it is Debbora who is singing.  She sings of the warriors of Israel who did not engage with their enemies, who “ceased and rested,” until “a mother arose in Israel,” that is Debbora herself who rallied the troops and went with them into battle.  They were victorious over their oppressors because it was the Lord Who called them to battle and Who was with them.

Figuratively, it is the Blessed Virgin Mary who sings these lines; she is the Mother who arose in Israel.  For Debbora is a type, a prefiguring, or a foreshadowing of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Debbora was a mother in the Old Israel, and Mary is the Mother of the New Israel.  Mary and Debbora are both prophetesses – “for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed” (Luk 1:48).  Debbora judged, that is, ruled over the Old Israel.  The Blessed Virgin is the Queen Mother of the New Israel.  Debbora lent her support in a military campaign, the Blessed Virgin supports her subjects, her children, in their battles against their enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil.

The valiant men can be seen as representing the Apostles, who “rested” in prayer with Our Lady, their common Mother, during these nine days of the Novena between the Ascension and Pentecost and then rose up and entered into the battle of founding and propagating the Church under the maternal gaze of Our Lady.  For the Apostles were strengthened by the coming of the Holy Ghost so that they might “faithfully serve God’s Majesty and propagate by word and example the glory of His Name,” as the Church requests on behalf of her children in the Collect (opening prayer) of the Mass of “Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles.”  For God Himself “overthrew the gates of the enemies” by the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of His Son.

The other woman mentioned, Jahel, who killed the enemy general by a blow to the head, can also be seen as a type of Mary.  When enemies receive death at the hand of a woman in the Old Testament, the death comes from a blow to the head, for all of these valiant women, including Jahel, are types, foreshadowings of the Woman predicted in Genesis who will crush the head of the ancient serpent (Gen 3:15) – the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Our Lady Queen of the Apostles: https://fssp.com/our-lady-queen-of-apostles/

Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles, pray for us!

Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! Today Wednesday May 17 is the Vigil of the Ascension, and tomorrow May 18 is Ascension Thursday, one of the most important feast days in the Church’s history, when Our Blessed Lord ascended into Heaven, 40 days after Easter. 

Acts 1:8-11: But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. And whilst they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments; Who also said; Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, so shall he come as you have seen him going into heaven.

Today St. Ann will offer a 6pm Latin Mass to prepare for tomorrow’s great feast.

Ascension Thursday Latin Masses – Thursday May 18

Although not a holy day of obligation in our metropolitan archdiocese, Ascension Thursday May 18 is indeed celebrated in the Traditional Latin Mass calendar on its actual date (40th day of Easter) and it’s a wonderful gift to be able to attend Latin Mass this day. The following parishes have announced Traditional Latin Masses on Ascension Thursday:

• 9:30am – St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, Boone, NC (2 hours northwest of Charlotte)
• 6:30pm – Our Lady of Grace, Greensboro, NC (1.5 hours north of Charlotte)
• 6:30pm – Our Lady of the Lake, Chapin, SC (1.5 hours south of Charlotte)
• 7pm – St. Ann
• 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas
• 7pm – Prince of Peace, Taylors, SC (2 hours southwest of Charlotte)

Commentary and Customs of Ascension Thursday

Additionally, we share links to the commentary of the Ascension Mass Collect and the customs and traditions of Ascension Thursday:

• The Elevating Collect of Ascension Thursday: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/05/the-elevating-collect-of-ascension.html
• The Meaning and Customs of Ascension Thursday: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2022/05/the-meaning-and-customs-of-ascension.html#.Yo6TJVTMKHs
• Ascension Commentary by Dom Prosper Gueranger: https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/465-temporal-cycle/paschal-tide/ascensiontide/octave-of-the-ascension/3548-the-ascension-of-our-lord

Photos of the Ascension

We attach the photos of the actual site of the Ascension outside of Jerusalem (now held by the Muslims) and the impression made by Our Lord’s footprint in the rock as He ascended. This area of the Ascension was also protected from damage by God during the Roman siege of Jerusalem nearly 40 years later (e.g. from the heavy weight of the Roman chariots, troops, and war machines), as Dom Prosper Gueranger notes in one of his Ascensiontide updates.  

Ascension Thursday Reflection

We close with a reflection by Dom Prosper Gueranger about the importance of Ascension Thursday, and how nature reflects the joyous event with the beautiful flora of spring. This is taken from his book, The Liturgical Year (Vigil of the Ascension entry):

The disciples are all assembled in Jerusalem. They are grouped around the blessed Mother, in the cenacle, awaiting the hour when their divine Master is to appear to them for the last time. Recollected and silent, they are reflecting upon all the kindness and condescension He has been lavishing upon them during the last forty days; they are ruminating upon the instructions they have received from His sacred lips. They know Him so well now! They know in very deed that He came out from the Father.[2] As to what regards themselves, they have learned from Him what their mission is: they have to go, ignorant men as they are, and teach all nations;[3] but (Oh sad thought!) He is about to leave them; yet a little while, and they shall not see Him![4]

What a contrast between their sorrow and the smiling face of nature, which is decked out in her best, for she is going to celebrate the triumphant departure of her Creator! The earth is blooming with the freshness of her first-fruits, the meadows have put on their richest emerald, the air is perfumed with blossom and flower; and all this loveliness of spring is due to the bright sun that shines upon the earth to give her gladness and life, and is privileged to be, both by its kingly splendour and the successive phases of its influence upon our globe, the grand symbol of our Emmanuel’s passage through this world.

Let us go back in thought to the dismal days of the winter solstice. The sun looked then so pallid; his triumph over night was slow and short; he rose, and sank again, often without our seeing him; his light had a certain timid reserve about it, and his heat was, for weeks, too feeble to rescue nature from the grasp of frost. Such was our divine Sun of justice, when first He came on earth; His rays made but little way in the world’s thick gloom; He kept His splendour in, lest men should be dazzled by too sudden a change from darkness to light. Like the material sun, He gained upon the world by slow advances; and even so, His progress was shrouded by many a cloud. His sojourn in the land of Egypt, His hidden life at Nazareth, were long periods during which He was wholly lost sight of. But when the time came for Him to show Himself, His glory shone forth, with all its magnificence, upon Galilee and Judea; He spoke as one having power,[5] His works bore testimony to His being God,[6] and the people hailed Him with the cry of ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’

He was almost at the zenith of His glory, when suddenly came the eclipse of His Passion and Death. For some hours, His enemies flattered themselves that they had for ever put out His light. Vain hope! On the third day, our divine Sun triumphed over this final obstruction, and now stands in the firmament, pouring out His light upon all creation, but warning us that His course is run. For He can never descend; there is no setting for Him; and here finishes the comparison between Himself and the orb of day. It is from heaven itself that He, our beautiful Orient, is henceforth to enlighten and direct us, as Zachary foretold at the birth of the Baptist.[7] The royal prophet, too, thus exultingly sang of Him: ‘He hath rejoiced, as a giant, to run the way: His going out is from the highest heaven, and His circuit even to the summit thereof: and there is no one that can hide himself from His heat.’[8]

This Ascension, which enthroned our Emmanuel as the eternal centre of light, was, by His own decree, to take place on one of the days of the month which men call May, and which clothes in its richest beauty the creation of this same God, who, when He had made it, was pleased with it, and found it very good.[9] Sweet month of May! Not gloomy and cold like December, which brought us the humble joys of Bethlehem; not lowering and clouded like March, when the Lamb was sacrificed on Calvary; but buoyant with sunshine, and flowers, and life, and truly worthy to be offered, each year, to Mary, the Mother of God, for it is the month of her Jesus’ triumph.

https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/463-temporal-cycle/paschal-tide/sixth-week-after-easter/3547-rogation-days-wednesday

Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! Sunday is the fifth and last Sunday after Easter, and as custom we provide a reflection on Sunday’s Collect and propers: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/05/the-school-of-love-in-orations-of-fifth.html

Latin Mass 4pm Today at Sacred Heart in Salisbury

Today Sunday May 14 there will be a 4pm Latin Mass at Sacred Heart in Salisbury (rescheduled from last weekend). Due to a scheduling conflict, there will not be a social afterwards. However, Fr. Carlson will be hearing Confessions 30 minutes prior to Mass. For more information contact the Salisbury Latin Mass Community at: www.salisburylmc.org

Latin Masses This Week

• Wednesday May 17, 6pm – St. Ann (Vigil of the Ascension/Lesser Rogations)
• Thursday May 18, Ascension Thursday (see schedule below)
• Friday May 19, 7am – St. Ann (St. Peter Celestine, Pope and Confessor)

Ascension Thursday Latin Mass Schedule – Thursday May 18

Although not a holy day of obligation in our metropolitan archdiocese, Ascension Thursday May 18 is indeed celebrated in the Traditional Latin Mass calendar on its actual date (40th day of Easter) and it’s a wonderful gift to be able to attend Latin Mass this day. The following parishes have announced Traditional Latin Masses on Ascension Thursday:

• 9:30am – St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, Boone, NC (2 hours northwest of Charlotte)
• 7pm – St. Ann
• 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas
• 7pm – Prince of Peace, Taylors, SC (2 hours southwest of Charlotte)

If we learn of any more Latin Masses this day, we will share them.

Holy Face Devotions

• St. James, Concord (*NEW*) – Mondays 10-10:30am in the cry room in the church
• St Mark – Mondays at 5pm
• St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesdays 6am in the main church
• St. Ann – Tuesdays 7:30am in the chapel after the Novus Ordo Mass (uses the booklet/chaplet which takes 15-20 minutes)
• St Michael the Archangel, Gastonia – Tuesdays, 9am, Main Church
• Holy Spirit, Denver – Tuesdays 10-11am after the Novus Ordo Mass
• Don’t see your parish? Why not organize one?

2023 Women’s Traditional Silent Retreat (July 21-23)

We are pleased to share that the Legion of Mary in Raleigh is sponsoring a traditional silent women’s retreat at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory, northwest of Charlotte from July 21-23. The retreat will feature Fr. Sean Kopczynski of the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist, a Latin Mass order of priests in Kentucky. Masses will be offered each day. Cost is around $280 and the flyer is attached. To register or for more details please see flyer below.

Minor Rogation Days (Wednesday May 17)

This Wednesday May 17 is Vigil of Ascension and also the 3^rd day of the minor Rogation days (to petition God for mercy against natural disasters such as famines, diseases, etc.). Not to be confused with the major Rogation day of April 25, the minor Rogation days occur the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to Ascension Thursday. The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter offers a reflection from Monday’s traditional breviary (1962): https://fssp.com/rogation-monday-st-ambroses-lessons-from-the-roman-breviary/

Additionally, Dr. Mike Foley has written a helpful article explaining the minor Rogation days: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2022/05/rogationtide.html#.ZGBpyaXMKHt

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• Architectural Reflections on the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima: Since yesterday was the 106^th anniversary of the first apparition by Our Lady at Fatima, Dr. Mike Foley recently reflects on his trip to Fatima, and reviews the church architecture at the apparition site, offering a comparison between the traditional and modernist building styles there: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/05/architectural-reflections-on-shrine-of.html#.ZF_NBKXMKHs

• How to Honor Saint Honoratus: Take the Cake: According to the Roman Martyrology, May 16 is the ancient feast of St. Honoratus, a bishop of Amiens, France and Dr. Mike Foley cooks up an essay and a recipe for the patron of chefs, taken from his book, Dining With the Saints: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/05/how-to-honor-saint-honoratus-take-cake.html#.ZF8O8aXMKHs

• The Glories of Mary – By St. Alphonsus Liguori: If there is one book that could encapsulate the entire month of May, dedicated to Our Lady, one could say it is The Glories of Mary, by St. Alphonsus Liguori. In this Marian masterpiece, the great Doctor of Moral Theology, spends nearly 700 pages “assembling the very finest information about Our Lady that he could find, all taken from the many writings of the Saints, Doctors of the Church, and other holy authors, as well as from Sacred Scripture”, and “is one of the greatest Catholic books ever written”, according to the summary of the 1977 TAN Books reprint of this classic. All detailing the importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary both to the Church and to our own souls. TAN Books has issued a new edition which one can purchase here: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-virgin-mary/devotions/the-glories-of-mary/

The Month of May, the Month of Mary

In addition to St. Alphonsus’ writings in The Glories of Mary (above), we conclude this update with another saint’s reflection the Blessed Mother as well as the month dedicated to her; this time from the great English convert, St. John Henry Newman (courtesy of Voice of the Family):

Why is May called “the month of Mary”, and especially dedicated to her? Among other reasons there is this, that of the Church’s year, the ecclesiastical year, it is at once the most sacred and the most festive and joyous portion. Who would wish February, March, or April, to be the month of Mary, considering that it is the time of Lent and penance? Who again would choose December, the Advent season — a time of hope, indeed, because Christmas is coming, but a time of fasting too? Christmas itself does not last for a month; and January has indeed the joyful Epiphany, with its Sundays in succession; but these in most years are cut short by the urgent coming of Septuagesima.

May, on the contrary, belongs to the Easter season, which lasts fifty days, and in that season the whole of May commonly falls, and the first half always. The great Feast of the Ascension of our Lord into Heaven is always in May, except once or twice in forty years. Pentecost, called also Whit Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Ghost, is commonly in May, and the Feasts of the Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi are in May not unfrequently. May, therefore, is the time in which there are such frequent Alleluias, because Christ has risen from the grave, Christ has ascended on high, and God the Holy Ghost has come down to take His place.

Here then we have a reason why May is dedicated to the Blessed Mary. She is the first of creatures, the most acceptable child of God, the dearest and nearest to Him. It is fitting then that this month should be hers, in which we especially glory and rejoice in His great Providence to us, in our redemption and sanctification in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost.

To read more visit: https://voiceofthefamily.com/the-month-of-may-the-month-of-mary/

The CLMC wishes all mothers a happy Mother’s Day.

Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! This Sunday May 14 there will be a 4pm Latin Mass at Sacred Heart in Salisbury. Due to a scheduling conflict, there will not be a social afterwards. However, Fr. Carlson will be hearing Confessions 30 minutes prior to Mass. For more information contact the Salisbury Latin Mass Community at: www.salisburylmc.org

Fatima Processions – Tomorrow Saturday May 13

Tomorrow Saturday May 13 is the 106^th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady to the shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. Since devotion to Our Lady of Fatima apparition is practiced by many Latin Mass attendees, we note the two Sunday Latin Mass parishes in Charlotte will be hosting Fatima processions tomorrow:

• St. Ann parish, 5:30pm – Dedication of the new Our Lady of Fatima statue/grotto and procession (occurs after the 4:30pm Novus Ordo Mass, so one may want to arrive a few minutes earlier than 5:30pm if attending)
• St. Thomas Aquinas parish, 7:30pm – Fatima procession (occurs each 13^th day from May – October)

Ascension Thursday May 18

This Thursday May 18, is Ascension Thursday in the Traditional Rite – the 40^th day of Easter. There will be two Ascension Thursday Latin Masses in Charlotte that evening:

• 7pm – St. Ann parish
• 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas parish

Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! Sunday is the Fourth Sunday after Easter, and as custom we share a reflection on Sunday’s Collect: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/04/the-school-of-love-in-collect-for.html

First Sunday Potluck at St. Thomas Aquinas: Today Sunday May 7, there will be a potluck after the 11:30am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas.

First Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart parish moved to Sunday May 14: Due to a scheduling conflict, the normally scheduled 1^st Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury will be moved to Sunday May 14 at 4pm (no 1^st Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart today May 7). Fr. Michael Carlson will offer the Mass. More information will be sent next week.  To learn more about the Salisbury Latin Mass Community visit: www.salisburylmc.org

Latin Masses This Week

• Wednesday May 10, 6pm – St. Ann (St. Antoninus, Bishop)
• Thursday May 11, 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas (Ss. Philip & James, Apostles – see note below)
• Friday May 12, 7am – St. Ann (Ss. Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, Virgin and St. Pancras, Martyrs)

Ascension Thursday note: Ascension Thursday is May 18. Both St. Ann and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes will offer a 7pm Latin Mass (FYI: Ascension Thursday is not a holy day of obligation).

St. Peter of Verona Palms Available at St. Ann today (12:30pm Mass)

As noted in last Sunday’s update, we have blessed St. Peter of Verona palms available at the CLMC info table at St. Ann parish for those who did not receive them in prior years. These palms were blessed by Father Reid on St. Peter’s feast day of April 29 and this blessing is only available in the Traditional Rite. When buried on one’s property, tradition holds that they protect against natural disasters. We’re grateful for Fr. Reid for blessing these sacramentals – please consider offering a decade of one’s Rosary for him. To learn more visit our update from a prior year: https://charlottelatinmass.org/2021/04/29/feasts-of-ss-peter-of-verona-and-joseph-the-workman/

Holy Face Devotions

• St Mark – Mondays at 5pm
• St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesdays 6am in the main church
• St. Ann – Tuesdays 7:30am in the chapel after the Novus Ordo Mass (uses the booklet/chaplet which takes 15-20 minutes)
• St Michael the Archangel, Gastonia – Tuesdays, 9am, Main Church
• Holy Spirit, Denver – Tuesdays 10-11am after the Novus Ordo Mass
• Don’t see your parish? Why not organize one?

2023 Women’s Traditional Silent Retreat (July 21-23)

We are pleased to share that the Legion of Mary in Raleigh is sponsoring a traditional silent women’s retreat at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory, northwest of Charlotte from July 21-23. The retreat will feature Fr. Sean Kopczynski of the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist, a Latin Mass order of priests in Kentucky. Masses will be offered each day. Cost is around $280 and the flyer is attached. To register or for more details please contact Tammy Huffman at the flyer below:

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• May 11 – Feast of St. Philip and St. James the Less, Apostles: In the 1962 calendar, this Thursday May 11 is the feast of Ss. Philip and James, apostles of Our Lord. In more ancient times, the feast was actually commemorated on May 1. We share Dom Prosper Gueranger’s entry for these two inspiring  saints and apostles: “Two of the favored witnesses of our beloved Jesus’ Resurrection come before us on this first day of May. Philip and James are here, bearing testimony to us, that their Master is truly risen from the dead, that they have seen him, that they have touched him, that they have conversed with him, during these forty days. And, that we may have no doubt as to the truth of their testimony, they hold in their hands the instruments of the martyrdom they underwent for asserting that Jesus, after having suffered death, came to life again and rose from the grave. Philip is leaning upon the cross to which he was fastened, as Jesus had been; James is holding the club wherewith he was struck dead.” https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/528-sanctoral-cycle/may/3121-may-1-sts-philip-and-james-the-less-apostles

• Remembering Father Terrence Gordon FSSP: The Church, and particularly the Latin Mass community across the Church, lost a great priest last weekend with the unexpected passing of Fr. Terrence Gordon, FSSP. A former marine, he was a priest of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP). Although he did not have ties to Charlotte, he was assigned to the FSSP parish in Richmond, VA (St. Joseph parish) five or six years ago, and those within our community who often stopped by St. Joseph’s on their travels north may have attended his Masses (which he offered on occasion wearing his combat boots). He was last assigned to the FSSP parish in Colorado Springs, CO, where his brother serves as pastor, and administered last rites to his dying brother. Please pray for the repose of Fr. Gordon’s soul. We share some tributes posted by LifeSiteNews (https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/remembering-father-terrence-gordon-fssp/) and Rorate Caeli (https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2023/05/father-terrence-gordon-fssp-rip.html#more). Friends have also set up a website featuring some of his excellent sermons and where one can submit spiritual bouquets: https://avemariapurissima.org

• Rooting Out Hidden Faults: The FSSP Bookstore (Fraternity Publications) is promoting a reprint of Father James F. McElhone’s 1952 classic, Rooting Out Hidden Faults, which provides a path for those desiring to obtain spiritual holiness based on a book which uses prayers from the Traditional Latin Mass missal. https://fraternitypublications.com/product/rooting-out-hidden-faults/

• The Mass for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Augustine of Hippo: Some of the religious orders have their own liturgical calendar and special feast days unique to their community. The Order of St. Augustine happens to be one of them, and on May 5, the day after the feast of St. Monica (St. Augustine’s mother, who prayed for his conversion), is the feast of the conversion of St. Augustine (different than his actual feast day in August). Dr. Mike Foley writes an article on this special Mass and its prayers: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/05/the-mass-for-feast-of-conversion-of-st.html#.ZFcxT87MKHs

• Holy Spirit parish in Denver (NC) to Build New Church Using Traditional Architecture: A few weeks ago, Holy Spirit parish in Denver (just west of Huntersville) unveiled plans for their new church building. What may be of note to CLMC readers, is this building will follow traditional architectural principles, and the parish has hired noted architect William Heyer of Columbus, Ohio, who has helped restore or design several Latin Mass churches and Abbeys including Clear Creek Abbey in Oklahoma, Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles in Missouri, and continues to work on the restoration of the Institute of Christ the King’s Provincial Shrine in Chicago which was severely damaged in a fire a few years ago. Even more noteworthy is Holy Spirit’s parish representative mentioned that the diocese of Charlotte will no longer be building “mega-churches” anymore; and the new Holy Spirit church will be the “poster child” for new churches in the diocese of Charlotte. The new building will seat a modest 700 people. To see photos and video of the presentation click here (see full version presentation): https://www.holyspiritnc.org/parish-groups/new-church-updates/new-church-update

• New Gothic Revival Church in the Charleston, South Carolina: If one cannot wait for the Holy Spirit church to be built and desires to visit a new traditional gothic church today (and only a few hours from Charlotte), one may wish to visit the new St. Clare of Assisi parish on Daniel Island (Charleston), South Carolina. Local writer and Latin Mass attendee John Sonnen did just that and captures some of the beautiful photos and details after the building was consecrated by the bishop of Charleston last month.  Although this parish does not offer the Latin Mass, the beautiful high altar gives great hope that one will be offered there someday: https://www.liturgicalartsjournal.com/2023/05/new-gothic-revival-church-in-diocese-of.html

Monday May 8 – Ancient Feast of the Apparition of St. Michael the Archangel

In the ancient Pre-55 missal, tomorrow Monday May 8 is the feast of the apparition of St. Michael the Archangel on Mt. Gargano, Italy, where around 490, St. Michael appeared to a bishop in a cave on the mount, and declared the grounds holy (the rocks of the cave are considered “relics” of St. Michael). Another time, on May 8, St. Michael appeared again to the bishop, and eventually the bishop decided to build a church dedicated to the saint, which still exists today (and one can also request relics from this sanctuary): https://www.santuariosanmichele.it/ Incidentally, the other feast of St. Michael, on September 29, was established to mark the dedication of a different, basilica, that of St. Michael in Rome.

A Catholic World Report article provides additional historical background: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2020/05/07/calling-upon-st-michael-the-archangel-on-mount-gargano/

In closing, as the Church is besieged by diabolical attacks from within, and from without, we share Dom Prosper Gueranger’s inspiring commentary on St. Michael who among his many titles is Guardian Angel of the Church:

Guardian Angel of Holy Church! now is the time for thee to exert all the might of thine arm. Satan is furious in his efforts against the noble Spouse of thy Master; brandish thy bright sword, and give battle to this implacable enemy. The Kingdom of Christ is shaken to its very foundations. Rome is in danger of seeing the Vicar of Christ dethroned within her walls. Is it that the reign of the Man of Sin is about to be proclaimed on the earth? Are we near that Last Day, when this guilty world having been destroyed by fire, thou art to exercise, in the name of the Sovereign Judge, the terrible office of separating the goats from the sheep?—If this earth is still to exist; if the mission of the Church is not yet completed; is it not time for thee, O Michael! to show the Dragon of hell that he may not, with impunity, insult on this earth the God who created it, who redeemed it, and whose name is King of kings, and Lord of lord? The torrent of error and crime is unceasingly dragging the world to the brink of the precipice; save it, O glorious Archangel, by confounding the dark plots which are laid for its destruction!

https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/528-sanctoral-cycle/may/3129-may-8-the-apparition-of-st-michael-the-archangel

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in praelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperat illi Deus; supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae coelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute in infernum detrude. Amen.

St. Michael, Guardian Angel of the Church, pray for us!

What Mass are you attending Sunday?

Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! This Saturday May 6 is first Saturday, and St. Thomas Aquinas parish will offer its regular 10am High Mass, followed by a traditional blessing of religious objects afterwards in the narthex. 

First Sunday Potluck at St. Thomas Aquinas: On Sunday, there will be a potluck after the 11:30am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas.  

First Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart parish moved to May 14: Due to a scheduling conflict, the normally scheduled 1^st Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury will be moved to Sunday May 14 at 4pm (no 1^st Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart on May 7). Fr. Michael Carlson will offer the Mass. More information will be sent next week. To learn more about the Salisbury Latin Mass Community visit: www.salisburylmc.org

Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! Sunday is the Third Sunday after Easter, and as custom we provide commentary on the orations for the Mass: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/04/the-joyful-orations-of-third-sunday.html

St. Peter of Verona Palms Available at St. Ann today (12:30pm Mass)

Yesterday April 29 was the feast of St. Peter of Verona, and there is an ancient custom only in the traditional rite to bless palms on his feast day. Tradition holds when the palms are buried around the four corners of one’s property, they protect against natural disasters. Father Reid has again kindly blessed the St. Peter palms and the CLMC will be distributing them at our Latin Mass welcome table at St. Ann after Sunday Latin Mass today while quantities last. We also have some St. Peter of Verona prayer cards which were kindly donated to accompany the blessed palms. Please note: If you already received one in prior years, you do not need new palms year (unless you moved). We also thank Fr. Reid for taking the time to bless the palms. To learn more about St. Peter of Verona, the 13^th century Dominican martyr please see the two articles below in our news section.

Latin Masses This Week

• Monday May 1 – Feast of St. Joseph the Workman (no Latin Masses scheduled for this day but see information about this feast day below)
• Wednesday May 3 – 6pm, St. Ann (Ss. Alexander and Companions, Martyrs)
• Thursday May 4 – 7pm, St. Thomas Aquinas (St. Monica)
• Friday May 5 – 7am, St. Ann (St. Pius V)
• Saturday May 6 – 10am, St. Thomas Aquinas (1^st Saturday of Our Lady) (after Mass will be a traditional blessing of religious objects in the narthex)

Fr. Lawrence Carney’s Holy Face Devotion Recap & Video

We thank everyone who attended Fr. Carney’s talk about the Holy Face devotion; and its importance in offering reparation for sins and to combat communism and freemasonry. Specifically we thank St. Thomas Aquinas parish for inviting him, as well as St. Mark and Holy Spirit parishes for hosting additional talks. St. Mark parish has kindly posted a video of his talk if you would like to review it: https://youtu.be/If-1eJnAkEI  If one wishes to learn more about the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face, please see Fr. Carney’s website, the League of St. Martin: https://www.martinians.org/

Also, to learn more about the Holy Face devotion, please see Fr. Carney’s recent book: Secret of the Holy Face: The Devotion Destined to Save Society: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/tan-books/the-secret-of-the-holy-face/  During Fr. Carney’s talk on the Holy Face he mentioned the threats to the faith posed by communism and freemasonry. For those looking to dive deeper into the latter (freemasonry), TAN Books has published a reprint of an excellent book from the 19^th century about the plan of freemasonry and its desire to subvert the Church and Christian society: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/war-of-the-antichrist/

The Holy Face devotion is an important devotion that will likely be discussed more in the future. It perhaps may be providential that Fr. Carney’s visit came ahead of the feast of St. Joseph the Workman on May 1, which was instituted (in a way) to combat Communism (something Our Lord warned about in the 1840s) and its “May Day”. See notes about St. Joseph’s feast day below.

Holy Face Devotions

• St Mark – Mondays at 5pm
• St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesdays 6am in the main church
• St. Ann – Tuesdays 7:30am in the chapel after the Novus Ordo Mass (uses the booklet/chaplet which takes 15-20 minutes)
• St Michael the Archangel, Gastonia – Tuesdays, 9am, Main Church
• Holy Spirit, Denver – Tuesdays 10-11am after the Novus Ordo Mass
• Don’t see your parish? Why not organize one?

2023 Women’s Traditional Silent Retreat (July 21-23)

We are pleased to share that the Legion of Mary in Raleigh is sponsoring a traditional silent women’s retreat at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory, northwest of Charlotte from July 21-23. The retreat will feature Fr. Sean Kopczynski of the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist, a Latin Mass order of priests in Kentucky. Masses will be offered each day. Cost is around $280. To register or for more details please contact Tammy Huffman at the contact information listed in the below flyer.

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• Conversion of St Peter of Verona’s Assassin: As noted earlier, Saturday April 29 is the feast of St. Peter of Verona, a 13 century Dominican who was martyred for defending the faith against heresy in Italy. However, there is actually more to the story. Like many saints, St. Peter’s martyrdom resulted in the conversion of his assassin, who is now beatified. To learn more about this story visit: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/04/blessed-carino-assassin-of-st-peter.html

• The Tomb of St Peter Martyr in Milan’s Portinari Chapel: Greg DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement wrote an article last year which we reshare some great photos of St. Peter of Verona’s tomb at the Basilica of St. Eustorgio in Milan: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2022/04/the-tomb-of-st-peter-martyr-in-milans.html#.Ym4BtNPMKHt

• Forgotten Customs of Rogation Days: Last Tuesday April 25 was the major Rogation Day in the traditional rite, where by prayers are offered to implore God’s mercy on creation. OnePeterFive has a helpful article explaining the ancient customs of this commemoration: https://onepeterfive.com/forgotten-customs-rogation-days/

• The Solemnity of St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church 2023: Last week, in the pre-1955 calendar, was ancient feast of St. Joseph Patron of the Universal Church. This was a different feast day from the general feast of March 19, but it was removed in 1955 and replaced with the feast of St. Joseph the Workman on May 1. Greg DiPippo writes a quick explanation of this ancient feast day dedicated to St. Joseph’s patronage of the Church: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/04/the-solemnity-of-st-joseph-patron-of.html#.ZE3r-s7MKHt

• Standing the Test of Time – Fairfield (PA) Carmelites: The cloistered nuns of Fairfield, Pennsylvania, who follow the traditional Carmelite Rite (similar to the Traditional Latin Mass) have published another installment of the building of their monastery according to the timeless principles of the great Carmelite reformer, St. Theresa of Avila. To watch this inspiring video visit: https://youtu.be/daC0uRWnj-k To donate to their project visit: https://www.fairfieldcarmelites.org/take-action

• Undoing the Dismal: Liberating Sunday’s Soul: In Fr. Carney’s talk at St. Thomas Aquinas, Father noted that one of the offenses against God was the profanation of Sundays. Providentially, Dr. Mike Foley has penned an excellent piece on the importance of why Catholics are to keep Sunday’s holy and how liberating it is for our souls, and how communists eliminated the Sunday rest: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/04/undoing-dismal-liberating-sundays-soul.html#.ZE3vfs7MKHt

Feast of St. Joseph the Workman – May 1

On the topic of combating communism, in the 1950s, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph the Workman on May 1 to counter the communist May Day “celebrations”. We share an article by Dr. Mike Foley wrote a few years ago on this important feast day: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/04/the-feast-of-saint-joseph-worker.html  Additionally, we share the Holy Pontiff’s predecessor’s, Pope Pius XI’s 1937 encyclical, Divini Redemptoris (On Atheistic Communism), proclaiming St Joseph the patron against Communism. We share some excerpts, specifically, Pope Pius XI explaining how the Church is the solution to the sufferings of the workers:

Faithful to these principles, the Church has given new life to human society. Under her influence arose prodigious charitable organizations, great guilds of artisans and workingmen of every type. These guilds, ridiculed as “medieval” by the liberalism of the last century, are today claiming the admiration of our contemporaries in many countries who are endeavoring to revive them in some modern form. And when other systems hindered her work and raised obstacles to the salutary influence of the Church, she was never done warning them of their error.

It may be said in all truth that the Church, like Christ, goes through the centuries doing good to all. There would be today neither Socialism nor Communism if the rulers of the nations had not scorned the teachings and maternal warnings of the Church.

To hasten the advent of that “peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ”[48] so ardently desired by all, We place the vast campaign of the Church against world Communism under the standard of St. Joseph, her mighty Protector. He belongs to the working-class, and he bore the burdens of poverty for himself and the Holy Family, whose tender and vigilant head he was. To him was entrusted the Divine Child when Herod loosed his assassins against Him. In a life of faithful performance of everyday duties, he left an example for all those who must gain their bread by the toil of their hands. He won for himself the title of “The Just,” serving thus as a living model of that Christian justice which should reign in social life.

• Divini Redemptoris:  http://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19370319_divini-redemptoris.html

St. Joseph the Workman, pray for us!

What Mass are you attending Sunday?

Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! Sunday is the 2^nd Sunday after Easter, otherwise known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The name is derived from Sunday’s gospel reading (John 10:11). We share a commentary for the Collect prayer from this Sunday’s Mass:  http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/04/the-freefall-collect-of-good-shepherd.html

Fr. Lawrence Carney’s Holy Face Presentations (Today – Tuesday)

Just a reminder that this morning Fr. Lawrence Carney will be offering the 11:30am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas and preaching on the importance of the Holy Face devotion. Tomorrow he will also be visiting St. Mark parish and Tuesday Holy Spirit (Denver). We list the schedule of events and encourage everyone to attend one of these talks if possible. Practice of this devotion may prove to be an important way in ending the current crisis in the Church and the world.  

• Sunday April 23, 11:30am Latin Mass – St. Thomas Aquinas parish (Fr. Carney will offer the Latin Mass and preach)
• Monday April 24, 5pm Holy Hour of Reparation and Talk – St. Mark parish, Huntersville (book signing to follow – see flyer below)
• Tuesday April 25, 10am Holy Hour of Reparation and Talk – Holy Spirit parish, Denver

Local publisher TAN Books has produced Fr. Carney’s book on the Holy Face: Secret of the Holy Face: The Devotion Destined to Save Society (https://tanbooks.com/products/books/tan-books/the-secret-of-the-holy-face/)

His book has been endorsed by Bishop Athanasius Schneider and Abbot Philip Anderson, OSB of Clear Creek Abbey.

Latin Masses This Week

• Wednesday April 26, 6pm – St. Ann (Ss. Cletus & Marcellinus, Popes & Martyrs)
• Thursday April 27, 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas (Feast of St. Peter Canisius, Doctor)
• Friday April 28, 7am – St. Ann (St. Paul of the Cross, Confessor)

Major Rogation Day – Tuesday April 25

Although no Latin Masses are scheduled Tuesday in Charlotte, Tuesday April 25 is the Major Rogation Day, which, unique to the traditional calendar, is a day instituted of petitions and formerly penances to God to protect against natural disasters and plagues. It comes from the Latin word “rogare” which is to ask or petition. Sometimes it is accompanied by a procession and the chanting of the litany of the saints. There are two types of Rogation days – major and minor. The major day is April 25, Roman in origin, and was established by Pope St. Gregory the Great in 590 A.D. for deliverance from plagues as Fisheaters.com notes: 

“Rogation” comes from the Latin “rogare,” which means “to ask,” and Rogation Days are days during which we seek to ask God’s mercy, appease His anger, avert the chastisements He makes manifest through natural disasters, and ask for His blessings, particularly with regard to farming, gardening, and other agricultural pursuits. They are set aside to remind us how radically dependent we are on God through His creation, and how prayer can help protect us from nature’s often cruel ways.  Hence, its mood is somber and beseeching; its liturgical color is purple.

Source: https://www.fisheaters.com/customseastertide3.html

Holy Face Devotions

• St Mark – Mondays at 5pm (this week led by Fr. Carney himself!)
• St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesdays 6am in the main church
• St. Ann – Tuesdays 7:30am in the chapel after the Novus Ordo Mass (uses the booklet/chaplet which takes 15-20 minutes)
• St Michael the Archangel, Gastonia – Tuesdays, 9am, Main Church
• Holy Spirit, Denver – Tuesdays 10-11am after the Novus Ordo Mass (this week led by Fr. Carney himself!)
• Don’t see your parish? Why not organize one?

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• Rogation and Ember Days – An Illustrated Guide:  On the topic of Rogation Days, Fr. Christopher Smith, who offers the Traditional Latin Mass at Prince of Peace parish in Taylors, SC (two hours southwest of Charlotte) has compiled an extensive but instructive explanation of the Rogation and Ember Days in the Traditional Rite. You can download it here: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2019/04/rogation-and-ember-days-illustrated.html
  
  
• Minor Rogation Days: Further on this topic, the minor Rogation days come during three days of Ascension week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday), and is more ancient than the major Rogation day, and comes from France in the late 5^th century as New Liturgical Movement explains: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2015/05/the-institution-of-rogation-days.html

• Recap of the Bi-Annual Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage in Washington DC: Noah Peters, the head of the Arlington Latin Mass Society in Virginia has penned a recap with photos about the March 25 pilgrimage to support the Latin Mass in Northern Virginia and Washington DC: https://onepeterfive.com/lucky-indeed-suffer-church/

• Following the Habsburg Way: Catholic writer Austin Ruse has written a brief book review about The Habsburg Way: Seven Rules for Turbulent Times. It was authored by Eduard Habsburg, a relative of Blessed Karl von Habsburg of Austria (the last Catholic monarch of Europe whom the CLMC has a devotion to). The book reviews the way of life of this great Catholic royal family and cultivates seven rules the family has found timeless for faith and family throughout the centuries: https://www.crisismagazine.com/opinion/following-the-habsburg-way  The book can be found here: https://www.crisismagazine.com/product/the-habsburg-way

• The War of the Antichrist with the Church and Christian Civilization – Msgr. George Dillon: During Fr. Carney’s talk on the Holy Face he mentioned the threats to the faith posed by communism and freemasonry. For those looking to dive deeper into the latter society (freemasonry), TAN Books has published a reprint of an excellent book from the 19^th century about the plan of freemasonry and its desire to subvert the Church and Christian society: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/war-of-the-antichrist/

The Archconfraternity of the Holy Face: Why Should One Join? – by Fr. Lawrence Carney

With Fr. Carney’s visit to Charlotte this weekend, we share some excerpts of a recent article he wrote for TAN Books about the Holy Face devotion:

St. Veronica wore a head veil. She saw Jesus carry His cross and broke through the mob to console his holy face and took the veil off her head to clean it. [5] The soldiers were stunned at such bravery that they stopped and did not know what to do. After this brief encounter, St. Veronica went home and put the veil on her table and began to weep. She had seen the Holy Face of Jesus in person and it moved her deeply. Someone observed the veil and saw the Face placed miraculously on it when Jesus had wiped his Face. Veronica could not contain her joy knowing that her Redeemer left her this precious relic as a remembrance to that wonderful encounter.

Today the enemies of God attack the freedoms of mankind. They are waiting for the day to take away our Mass. They are nothing but agents moved by the demons. The venomous serpents wait for the day they can wipe the Mass off the face of the earth as they wished to wipe the Face of Jesus off the earth. But we can break through this “mob” of agents and vipers by consoling the Face of Jesus in the devotions to the Holy Face found in the Manual of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face of Jesus. Jesus told Sr. Marie de Saint-Pierre, “…we render Him [Christ] the same service as did the pious Veronica…”[6] when we pray the prayers in this devotion!

…One must give reparation for the sins against God. Then he must strive to be more reverent. One example is by attending the Holy Mass or making efforts to encourage the bishop and priests in each local area to bring the Latin Mass there. Lastly, one must strive to intercede for reversion. This means praying for fallen-away Catholics that they will be led back into the Church. The Church was erected for two purposes, to render true adoration to God and to save souls. The devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus is an excellent outline to achieve these eternal goals.

The Archconfraternity of the Holy Face: Why Should One Join?: https://tandirection.com/tradition-restored/the-archconfraternity-of-the-holy-face-why-should-one-join/

Additionally, as we close this update, we also share an excerpt of Our Lord’s words to Sr. Mary St. Peter on the necessity of the Holy Face devotion and its ability to thwart those who wish to harm the Church. This is taken from the 1954 book by Fr. Emeric Scallan on the Holy Face, entitled The Golden Arrow.

“When a soldier knows that the reason for the war to which he is called to fight is an injury done against his ruler, he burns with indignation to avenge this insult, and therefore arms himself fearlessly for the encounter. Think now, My daughter, of the outrages inflicted on Me by this Society of Communists. They are the ones who have dragged Me from my tabernacles, and desecrated My sanctuaries.  These Communists have also dared to lay their hands on the priests of the Lord, but all their plotting is in vain, because their schemes will not succeed!

…This information must not remain fruitless in you because I am giving you these facts  in order to fire you with new enthusiasm to carry on the fight. Act in a spirit of simplicity because if you will indulge in too much human reasoning, you will not be an adequate tool in My hands. Think rather of the glory that will be offered Me by the whole heavenly court for having conquered such formidable enemies with such a puny instrument!”

– Our Lord Jesus Christ in an approved revelation to Sr. Mary St. Peter, April 1, 1847 (source: The Golden Arrow)

CLMC note: Reflecting upon these words, is there not a more timely devotion to defend the Catholic faith – including the Latin Mass – than by taking up the practice of the Holy Face devotion?

What Mass are you attending Sunday?