Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! Sunday is the 5^th Sunday after Easter, and as custom we provide Dr. Mike Foley’s commentary on Sunday’s Collect and propers: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/05/the-school-of-love-in-orations-of-fifth.html

Ascension Thursday Latin Masses – Thursday May 13

Although not a holy day of obligation in most dioceses (sadly), Ascension Thursday May 13 is indeed celebrated in the Traditional Latin Mass calendar on its actual date (40^th day after Easter). As such, the following parishes will be offering Traditional Latin Masses on Thursday May 13:

• St. Thomas Aquinas, 7pm (High) (Fatima procession before Mass at 6:00pm)
• Our Lady of Grace, Greensboro 7pm (Low)
• St. John the Baptist, Tryon, 6:30pm (High) (Fatima Procession to follow at 7:30pm)
• St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, Boone 9:30am (Low)

Note: St. Ann will not be offering an Ascension Thursday Latin Mass this year; however, it will be offering the Vigil of the Ascension Low Mass on Wednesday May 12 at 6pm. This is not an “anticipatory” Mass like the Novus Ordo/English. Rather in the Traditional Latin Mass, major feast days were preceded by a special preparatory days called vigils, to spiritually prepare for the major feast. It was usually accompanied by fasting (see note below) and partial abstinence. 

History of Ascension: Please also see the end of this post for some background on the importance of Ascension Thursday.

St. Mark Latin Mass time change for Friday May 14 (12:15pm Special Mass Time)

For Friday May 14^th only, the St. Mark Friday Latin Mass will start at 12:15pm (not 12:30pm) to allow the 8^th grade class to attend Mass on this day. It will return to a normal 12:30pm schedule the following Friday. Please adjust your schedule accordingly.

Traditional Days of Fasting During Ascension & Pentecost Weeks

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, Ascension, Nativity) was a vigil day, a day of 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.  For May 2021, we have all those days occurring in a two week period this month. Though the fasting/partial abstinence are now voluntary, with all the sin occurring in the world (and in the Church), it may be worth participating in the traditional fasts if you have not done so before.

All days below were traditionally fasting and partial abstinence (meat at only 1 meal) unless otherwise noted:

• Vigil of Ascension – Wednesday May 12
• Vigil of Pentecost – Saturday May 22
• Whit Ember Wednesday – Wednesday May 26
• Whit Ember Friday – Friday May 28 (fasting and complete abstinence from meat)
• Whit Ember Saturday – Saturday May 29

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

Minor Rogation Days this Monday – Wednesday

As we noted a few weeks ago, the Monday through Wednesday of Ascension week are minor rogation days, a once penitential day(s) where the Church implores God’s protection and aid against natural disasters. Traditionally a blessing of fields would occur on this day as well. We are not aware of any parishes offering minor Rogation Masses. If we do, we will let you know.  Please see our post from a few weeks ago on the Rogation Masses:
https://charlottelatinmass.org/2021/04/24/rogation-day-3rd-sunday-after-easter/

St. Ann Respect Life Latin Mass – Saturday May 22 at 8am

St. Ann parish will host its 4^th Saturday Respect Life Latin Mass at 8am, followed by prayers at Planned Parenthood (or a Holy Hour in the church).

Next Juventutem Event – Saturday May 22^nd

Juventutem, the young adults group (18-35, married or single) centered around the Traditional Latin Mass will hold its next event on Saturday May 22^nd at 8am it will be the attending the 4^th Saturday Respect Life Latin Mass (8am) at St. Ann followed by prayers at Planned Parenthood.

Feast of the Sacred Heart – Friday June 11, 7pm (**NOW AT ST. ANN PARISH**)

We previously announced the Cathedral was offering its annual Traditional Latin Mass for the feast of the Sacred Heart. However, St. Ann parish already scheduled to offer its annual orchestral Latin Mass for this sublime feast day (Friday June 11 at 7pm). Hence the annual Latin Mass at the Cathedral will be moved to another later in June (see below announcement). All are invited to attend St. Ann for the Traditional Latin Mass for feast of the Sacred Heart at 7pm.

SAVE THE DATE: Feasts of Ss. Peter and Paul – Tuesday June 29, 7pm (Cathedral of St. Patrick)

We are pleased to announce the Cathedral has rescheduled its annual Traditional Latin Mass to the great feast of Ss. Peter & Paul on Tuesday June 29 at 7pm. It will be with the Carolina Catholic Chorale and feature  Missa Brevis in E minor by Carl Heinrich Biber.

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• Modesty Announcement at St. Ann:  Several ladies of the CLMC wanted to publically express their thanks to Fr. Reid for his gentle reminder about the importance of dressing modesty at St. Ann parish in last Sunday’s bulletin.  We also note that a new sign denoting the parish’s modesty reminder is posted in the narthex which we encourage all to read. Below is Fr. Reid’s message:
  
  As our weather begins to warm up, please be attentive to dressing modestly for Mass. Attending Mass is the most important thing we do each week, and the way we dress should reflect this. When we come to Mass, we are coming to visit our Lord, and thus we should be dressed appropriately. Thus, as your pastor I respectfully ask you to refrain from wearing shorts, t-shirts, short skirts, low-cut or revealing clothing at Mass. Moreover, clothing that is revealing or very tightly fitting can be a distraction to your fellow parishioners. So out of respect to our Lord, and in charity to your fellow parishioners, please be modest when selecting your clothes for Mass. I appreciate your attention to this important matter.

• The Winegrowers of Heaven: Between Rhône and Provence: Several months ago we shared a video about the traditional Benedictine Monks in La Barroux, France who produce wine using an ancient practice. A few weeks ago they were featured in another publication discussing their vineyards which may be of interest:
  https://aleteia.org/2021/04/30/the-winegrowers-of-heaven-between-the-rhone-and-provence/
  
  • To learn more about the Benedictine Monks of Abbey of Saint Madeleine du Barroux (who offer the Latin Mass exclusively) please visit: https://www.barroux.org/en/
  • If you would like to purchase their wine, please visit their U.S. distributors website: https://www.viacaritatis.us/
    
  • CLMC note: One can only imagine the spiritual power of traditional cloistered monks working the fields and valleys of Western North Carolina. Not only do these monks offer prayer and sacrifice, but their traditional way of life has the potential to convert many non-Catholics who have never seen “lifestyles” consecrated to God while working the land. As we’ve noted before, this diocese has great potential but has not yet “arrived” at maturity until it is dotted with many cloisters, convents, and monasteries. A diocese with cloistered religious offering daily pray, penances and sacrifices, is much more prepared not only to weather the spiritual war that lies ahead in our turbulent times, but to win it by converting the entire region to Catholicism.

• 104^th Anniversary of the Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima: Thursday is not only Ascension Thursday, but marks the 104^th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima’s first appearance to the children at Fatima. We include an important article from Fr. Linus Clovis, with Voice of the Family, a traditional pro-family organization in Europe. Fr. Clovis offers a traditional perspective on the Fatima message which we encourage all to read: https://voiceofthefamily.com/the-reform-of-our-lives-requested-at-fatima/

• The Apparition of St. Michael the Archangel: Yesterday, Saturday May 8, was the ancient feast of Apparition of St. Michael the Archangel, who appeared at a cave in Italy in the 6^th century. This site is now a basilica dedicated in his honor, and the rocks of the cave serve as his relics.  Note: This is a different feast day than the principal feast of Michalmas on September 29. Please see this excellent article from New Liturgical Movement: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/05/the-apparition-of-st-michael.html

The Importance of Ascension Thursday

According to the book, The Golden Legend, the extensive tome on the lives of the saints, written by Blessed Jacobus de Voragine, a 13^th century archbishop of Genoa, Ascension Thursday was considered so solemn a feast day in the early Church that Thursdays were a second holy day of the week like Sundays. Its importance was diminished in later times after increasing pressure to open up Thursdays for other feast days. Sadly, in our own times, the actual Ascension Thursday was further diminished, having its octave removed, and now, rarely celebrated on its proper day in the Novus Ordo, it is transferred to Sundays in most dioceses. As such Ascension Thursday is rarely made a holy day of obligation with the exception of a few archdioceses.

According to the great 19^th century Benedictine liturgist Dom Prosper Gueranger OSB, the original Ascension Day in 33 AD began with the disciples in the cenacle (upper room), when Our Lord appeared to them, shared a meal, and instructed them. At this point, he exhorts them to ‘Go ye into the whole world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not, shall be condemned.’ (Mark 16:15-16)  He then asks them to stay in Jerusalem until they receive the Holy Ghost.Gueranger notes:

Here, then, we have men unknown to the world and devoid of every human means, and yet commissioned to conquer the earth and make it acknowledge Jesus as its King! The world ignores their very existence. Tiberius, who sits on the imperial throne, trembling at every shadow of conspiracy, little suspects that there is being prepared an expedition which is to conquer the Roman empire. But these warriors must have their armour, and the armour must be of heaven’s own tempering. Jesus tells them that they are to receive it a few days hence.

Gueranger continues with the solemn procession from the cenacle to the Mount of Olives:

Jesus rises: His blessed Mother, and the hundred and twenty persons assembled there, prepare to follow Him. The cenacle is situated on Mount Sion, which is one of the two hills within the walls of Jerusalem. The holy group traverses the city, making for the eastern gate, which opens on the valley of Josaphat. It is the last time that Jesus walks through the faithless city. He is invisible to the eyes of the people who denied. Him, but visible to His disciples, and goes before them, as heretofore the pillar of fire led on the Israelites. How beautiful and imposing a sight! Mary, the disciples, and the holy women accompanying Jesus in His heavenward journey, which is to lead Him to the right hand of His eternal Father! It was commemorated in the middle ages by a solemn procession before the Mass of Ascension day.

To read the rest of this entry, please see Dom Prosper Gueranger, OSB; The Liturgical Year: https://sensusfidelium.us/the-liturgical-year-dom-prosper-gueranger/easter/the-ascension/

Lastly, the site of Ascension was also important and Gueranger noted in another entry (likely the 9^th Sunday after Pentecost) during the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD when Titus’ troops were encamped on the Mount of Olives ready to lay siege to the city, that Divine Providence, protected the site of the Ascension from the damage normally caused by the heavy Roman war machinery (horses, chariots, troops, etc.). Today, the site still remains, although it is part of a Mosque, but pilgrims can still visit the site and touch the imprint of Our Lord’s feet left on the rock during his ascent.

Below are few pictures taken from the Ascension “chapel” – the footprint still can be seen if one looks closely.