Laudetur Iesus Christus! Sunday is the third Sunday of Lent, and as custom, we share a commentary for Sunday’s Collect prayer: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/03/the-taciturn-collect-for-third-sunday.html

Daylight Savings Time: Reminder that today Sunday March 12 begins Daylight Savings Time. Please set your clocks ahead 1 hour.

CLMC Novena: Yesterday concluded our annual novena to our patron, St. Gregory the Great, whose feast day is today. We thank those who joined us in praying for full sacramental life in the Traditional Rite and for more Latin Mass priests.

On a separate but related note about Latin Mass priests, between Fr. Portzer’s Lenten mission and Fr. Ripperger’s visit this past weekend, these two back-to-back events were a source of great consolation for the Latin Mass faithful when the Latin Mass faces an uncertain future. If you haven’t already done so, please pray a decade of one’s Rosary for Fr. Codd (for hosting them), and consider thanking him when you have a chance. If missed the talks please see the below note.

Fr. Ripperger’s Talk/Supporting St. Thomas Aquinas

For the second week in a row, the CLMC is grateful for St. Thomas Aquinas parish for inviting a traditional priest to give a talk to the faithful. Fr. Ripperger’s talks and Q&A this weekend was a wonderful spiritual gift to all. For those unable to attend, the parish recorded both talks, which will be available at this website: https://www.stacharlotte.com/newpagea605b85d (select Fr. Ripperger 2023).  You may need to request a password from the parish to access the talks, if so, please contact them at: https://www.osvhub.com/st-thomas-aquinas-rc-church/forms/audio-pw-contact-us

The talks are also available here:

• St. Thomas Aquinas: The parish has posted the Friday talk at its YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqXGHUnP-2M
• Our Lady of the Lake, Chapin, SC: Our friends, the Columbia (SC) Traditional Latin Mass Supporters, have also posted their video of Fr. Ripperger’s talk have gave to their community last week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Aq7WGIhzA

Supporting St. Thomas Aquinas Parish: With all the great traditional speakers the parish brought in the last weeks, please consider supporting their speakers fund so they can invite more speakers in the future. This is a great almsgiving opportunity: https://www.osvhub.com/st-thomas-aquinas-rc-church/giving/funds/guest-speaker-fees

Latin Masses This Week

• Wednesday March 15, 6pm – St. Ann parish (Feria day, e.g. no feast day)
• Thursday March 16, 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas (Feria)
• Friday March 17, 7am (St. Ann) and 12:30pm (St. Mark), (feast of St. Patrick)

Community News

Charles Fraune to Speak at Catholic Men’s Conference – Next Saturday March 18

Next Saturday March 18 is the annual Catholic Men’s Conference of the Carolinas.  Charles Fraune, Latin Mass devotee, St. Thomas Aquinas parishioner, and author of Slaying Dragons, will be one of the featured speakers. As readers may recall, he also spoke at the Fatima Center talk a few weeks ago. The conference runs from 8:30 – 3:30pm and registration is required. To learn more or purchase a ticket visit: https://www.catholicmenofthecarolinas.org/

Holy Face Devotions

• St Mark – Monday at 5:30pm, left transept (special time for Monday March 13 only) (next week it will be March 20, 2pm)
• 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?

Update on Sarah Grant: Thank you for the prayers for Ryan Grant’s wife, Sarah Grant last week. Very sadly, according to his social media account, she is scheduled to receive Last Rites. The prayer that Fr. Chad Ripperger encouraged everyone to pray a few weeks ago for Sarah can be found here: https://charlottelatinmass.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/prayer-to-father-aloysius.pdf

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• Purim and Lent – Esther and Cecilia: Last September we shared a wonderful article by Fr. William Rock, FSSP, on the connections between the Traditional Latin Mass and Old Testament feast days, particularly the connection between Autumn Ember Saturday and the Jewish feast days of Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). This week, Fr. Rock has released an excellent follow up article,in which he discusses the Jewish feast of Purim, which occurs this time of year to honor the intercession of Queen Esther to save the Jewish people threatened by the Persian King’s officials.  The Traditional Latin Mass readings from this past week (Wednesday of the Second  Lent) honors that ancient feast by including a reading from the Book of Esther: https://fssp.com/purim-and-lent-esther-and-cecilia/

• Pray for the canonization of Ignatius Cardinal Kung – March 12: During the Cold War, there were two high ranking prelates imprisoned by communists on opposite ends of the earth for practicing their Catholic faith. As Archbishop Fulton Sheen remarked, in the west it was Servant of God, Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty of Hungary (who later escaped to the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, and then was later exiled to Austria until his death in 1975).  In the east, it was Cardinal Ignatius Kung, the first bishop of Shanghai who stood strong for papal authority, and for it, spent the better part of 30 years in prison (1955-1985). His Eminence was exiled to Connecticut in the 1980s where he offered the Traditional Latin Mass occasionally until his death on March 12, 2000.  Today marks the 23^rd anniversary of his death, please consider offering prayers for his canonization as he could be a powerful intercessor against Chinese Communism The Cardinal Kung Foundation is also a worthy group to give alms to and allow people to request Masses be offered by underground priests in China: http://www.cardinalkungfoundation.org/
  
  
• The Second Semi-Annual DC Latin Mass Pilgrimage on Saturday March 25: On the feast of the Annunciation, Saturday March 25, the second DC Latin Mass pilgrimage will occur in our nation’s capital. The goal is to march from the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia to the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, DC – all to pray and generate support for the Traditional Latin Mass. If you wish to travel please see the website for specific details: https://www.tlmpilgrimage.com/ To learn more about the purpose of the pilgrimage please visit this website: https://onepeterfive.com/the-second-semi-annual-dc-pilgrimage-on-march-25/ or view an informative interview with the organizer: https://savethelatinmass.org/2023/03/03/onepeterfive-the-national-summorum-pontificum-pilgrimage/

• Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter – Minor Ordinations 2023: In a sign of great hope, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) Seminary in Wigratzbad, Germany, has published photos of the conferral of minor orders on 32 seminarians. The Archbishop of Vaduz, Liechtenstein, His Excellency Wolfgang Haas, administrated the rite. The website is in German, but the pictures cross all language barriers: https://fsspwigratzbad.blogspot.com/2023/03/2023-ordres-mineurs.html

• Fairfield Carmelite Nuns Complete Their Refectory: If one is looking for more signs of hope for the future of the Traditional Latin Mass and the Church, look no further than the Fairfield Traditional Carmelite Nuns, who follow the traditional Carmelite Rite (like the nearby Carmelite Hermits). They are building a monastery according to the traditional principles outlined by St. Theresa of Avila, the great Carmelite reformer. In another installment, the Nuns have just posted a video about the completion of their refectory which was blessed by their local bishop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROoMlHZ8Jj4
  
  The nuns, who rely solely on donations (donate here), are also in need of some items for their daily needs, which one can purchase for them here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3FBH6PNCDVJTB?ref=cm_go_nav_hz
  
  CLMC note: As Dr. John Senior noted in his book Restoration of Christian Culture, monasteries are the building blocks of Catholic civilization and culture. Our country is quite blessed to have such an modest edifice rising to heaven. Despite these uncertain times, this gives us great hope for the future.

The Apostle of the Liturgy: St. Gregory the Great – March 12 by Dom Prosper Gueranger

The patron saint of the CLMC is St. Gregory the Great, whose feast day is today Sunday March 12. It is fitting to close with some of Dom Prosper Gueranger’s reflections from his book, The Liturgical Year:

Among all the Pastors whom our Lord Jesus Christ has placed as his Vice-regents over the universal Church, there is not one whose merits and renown have surpassed those of the holy Pope whose feast we keep today. His name is Gregory, which signifies watchfulness; his surname is the Great, and he was in possession of that title when God sent the Seventh Gregory, the glorious Hildebrand, to govern his Church.

In recounting the glorious of this illustrious Pontiff, it is but natural we should begin with his zeal for the Services of the Church. The Roman Liturgy, which owes to him some of its finest Hymns, may be considered as his work, at least in this sense, that it was he who collected together and classified the prayers and rites drawn up by his predecessors, and reduced to the form in which we now have them. He collected also the ancient chants of the Church and arranged them in accordance with the rules and requirements of the Divine Service. Hence it is that our sacred music is called the Gregorian Chant, which gives such solemnity to the Liturgy and inspires the soul with respect and devotion during the celebration of the great Mysteries of our Faith.

He is, then, the Apostle of the Liturgy, and this alone would have immortalized his name; but we must look for far greater things from such a Pontiff as Gregory. His name was added to the three who had hitherto been honored as the great Doctors of the Latin Church. These three were Ambrose, Augustine, and Jerome; who else could be the fourth but Gregory? The Church found in his Writings such evidence of his having been guided by the Holy Ghost—such a knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, such a clear appreciation of the Mysteries of Faith, and such unction and authority in his teachings that she gladly welcomed him as a new guide for her children.

• Link: https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/526-sanctoral-cycle/march/3092-march-12-saint-gregory-the-great-pope-and-doctor-of-the-church

The Traditional Latin Mass and the Gregorian Chant that accompanies it was safeguarded and codified by St. Gregory the Great, and despite these uncertain times, it will be offered until the end of time, and thus gives us great hope. What Mass are you attending Sunday?

St. Gregory the Great, pray for us!

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Sunday is the second Sunday of Lent, and we share a commentary on the Collect prayer for Sunday’s Latin Mass: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/02/the-transformative-collect-of-second.html

Latin Masses This Week

• Wednesday March 8, 6pm – St. Ann parish (Feria, e.g. no feast day)
• Thursday March 9, 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas parish (Feria)
• Friday March 10, 7am (St. Ann) & 12:30pm (St. Mark – preceded at 12 noon by Stations of the Cross), (Feria)

1st Sunday Potluck at St. Thomas Aquinas

Today there will be the monthly potluck after the 11:30am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. Attendees are asked to bring a dish, desert or drink to share.

1^st Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart in Salisbury

Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury will offer its 1^st Sunday Latin Mass at 4pm today. Mass is offered by Fr. Carlson and Confessions will be offered 30 minutes prior to and after Mass. Afterwards a potluck will be held in the Brincefield Hall. Please bring a Lenten dish or dessert to share. For more information please contact Mark Hartley with the Salisbury Latin Mass Community at: www.salisburylmc.org

FSSP Lenten Mission Talks

Thank you to everyone who made the sacrifice to attend the Lenten Mission with Fr. Portzer at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. This was a spiritual fruitful event. If you missed out or want to hear the talks, the parish has recorded them but its only available upon request. To obtain a link to watch the videos contact the parish here: https://www.osvhub.com/st-thomas-aquinas-rc-church/forms/contact-us

Support St. Thomas Aquinas parish: St. Thomas Aquinas has brought in many engaging speakers that appeal to all Catholics, but especially Latin Mass attendees, including Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, David Rodriguez from the Fatima Center, Fr. Portzer, and next week, Fr. Chad Ripperger (and more events scheduled!). These informative and educational talks aren’t easy to organize, and they do cost money.  Please consider making a donation to the parish’s speaker fund so they can continue hosting events: https://www.osvhub.com/st-thomas-aquinas-rc-church/giving/funds/guest-speaker-fees

Please also be sure to thank Fr. Codd for his support of these lectures, and offering up a decade of your Rosary for him. 

• CLMC note: Between Fr. Portzer’s talk, and Fr. Ripperger’s visit this coming weekend, these two back-to-back events may end up being a source of great consolation at an uncertain time for Latin Mass attendees.

Community News

Holy Face Devotions

• St Mark – Monday at 7pm (special time for Monday March 6 only) (Other dates/times for March: March 13, 5pm; and March 20, 2pm)
• 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?

Update on Sarah Grant: Thank you for the prayers for Ryan Grant’s wife, Sarah Grant last week. Very sadly, according to his social media account, this week the cancer has aggressively spread and she may only have a few weeks to live. The prayer for a miracle that Fr. Chad Ripperger recommended a few weeks ago for Sarah can be found here: https://charlottelatinmass.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/prayer-to-father-aloysius.pdf

Annual CLMC Novena to St. Gregory the Great (March 3 – 11)

Our annual novena is underway to pray for a full sacramental life in the Traditional Rite. Please join us if you haven’t begun to pray (see link below). With the future of Latin Masses uncertain, it’s a great opportunity to pray for its protection. Here’s how it works:

1. Pray a Rosary each day beginning tomorrow Friday March 3 and ending Saturday March 11 (the day before St. Gregory’s feast day).
2. At the end of each Rosary, add this novena prayer:

St. Gregory, you are known for your zeal for the Catholic faith, love of liturgy, and compassion and mercy toward those in need.  Please help and guide us so that we may share in these virtues and thereby bring Jesus into the hearts of our families and all we encounter.  We especially ask for blessings on our parish family, our priests and our deacons. We also ask that you graciously intercede for us before God so that we might be granted the special assistance and graces that we seek (full sacramental and parochial life in the Extraordinary Form for the Charlotte faithful and that Our Lord will send more Latin Mass priests to our diocese).  Help us to live as a faithful child of God and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.  St. Gregory the Great pray for us.   Amen

Intention: Full sacramental and parochial life in the Extraordinary Form for the Charlotte faithful and that Our Lord will send more Latin Mass priests to our diocese. 

10-Year Anniversary of the St. Ann Sunday Latin Mass: This past Friday March 3rd marked the ten-year anniversary of the first Sunday Latin Mass at St. Ann parish. We attach an image of that first Mass on Sunday March 3, 2013 (and a much younger Fr. Reid!). Please keep him in your Mass intentions this week as he has dutifully ensured a Sunday Latin Mass each week these past 10 years (no easy feat).

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• The Second Semi-Annual DC Latin Mass Pilgrimage on Saturday March 25: On the feast of the Annunciation, Saturday March 25, the second DC Latin Mass pilgrimage will occur in our nation’s capital. The goal is to march from the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia to the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, DC – all to pray and generate support for the Traditional Latin Mass. If you wish to travel please see the website for specific details: https://www.tlmpilgrimage.com/ To learn more about the purpose of the pilgrimage please visit this website: https://onepeterfive.com/the-second-semi-annual-dc-pilgrimage-on-march-25/ and watch an informative interview with the organizer here: https://savethelatinmass.org/2023/03/03/onepeterfive-the-national-summorum-pontificum-pilgrimage/

• “Everywhere You Turn, There’s Incredible Need” How Mission Tradition Is Carrying the Cross in Nigeria: As we’ve noted in prior updates, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), a society of Latin Mass priests which staff Latin Mass parishes and chapels across the world, also operates a mission in Nigeria where it serves the poor while introducing them to Traditional Latin Mass. Recently, one of the FSSP priests in Nigeria gave an interview about their work and the suffering the people are enduring due to lack of money, water, and resources. This community (and its priest) would literally starve without support from the faithful: https://www.missiontradition.us/carrying-the-cross-in-nigeria-2023/  

CLMC note: For those looking for places to send alms this Lent, the FSSP’s Nigerian mission is a worthy candidate. https://www.missiontradition.us/donate/

• Theistic Evolution vs. Creationism: A Catholic Debate: Crisis Magazine has done an excellent service to the Catholic faithful – it has hosted one of the first formal debates between Catholics on the topic of evolution vs. traditional doctrine creation. Dr. Kevin Mark with the Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation (whom the CLMC co-sponsored their Charlotte visit in 2019), debated Dr. Douglas Darnowski a Catholic molecular biology professor: https://www.crisismagazine.com/podcast/theistic-evolution-vs-creationism-a-catholic-debate

• New Edition of Dom Benedict Baur’s 1937 Classic on the Liturgical Year: If one is looking to read daily liturgical reflections based on the Latin Mass during Lent (or any other season), Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, who visited us last fall, wholeheartedly recommends this new reprint of Dom Benedict Baur’s 1937 book, Light of the World: Daily Meditations on the Traditional Latin Mass. To learn more about this great masterpiece visit: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/03/new-edition-of-dom-benedict-baurs-1937.html#.ZAQ5ux_MKHs

• A Formidable Apologia for Traditional Catholicism, by Dr Joseph Shaw: Dr. Kwasniewski also recommends another recently published book, The Liturgy, the Family, and the Crisis of Modernity, by Dr. Joseph Shaw, head of the Latin Mass Society of the UK. In his book, Dr. Shaw examines the crisis in the Church, and how the absence of the Traditional Latin Mass has helped to contribute to problems in the culture and in the Church: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/03/a-formidable-apologia-for-traditional.html#.ZAQ8yx_MKHs

• Sub tuum praesidium – a polyphonic video recording: Mr. Nicholas Lemme, professor of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony at the FSSP Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska (where two members of our community/St. Ann parishioners attend), pens a brief explanation of the origins of the Marian chant, Sub tuum praesidium (Under your patronage) and includes a video of FSSP seminarians chanting at St. Cecilia’s Cathedral in Omaha, NE: https://fssp.com/sub-tuum-praesidium-a-polyphonic-video-recording/

Lent – The Badge of Christian Warfare: Pope Benedict XIV

The first full week of Lent is finished, and as the second one is about to begin, it can seem difficult to continue the Lenten practices for the next five weeks. However, Dom Prosper Gueranger, in his history of Lent, taken from his book, The Liturgical Year, quotes Pope Benedict XIV from 1741 on how important these Lenten fasts are not just for ourselves, but for the stability of society. Gueranger shares this quote to encourage the faithful to continue on in the Lenten practices:

The same Pope [Benedict XIV], whose spirit of moderation has never been called in question, had no sooner ascended the papal throne, than he addressed an encyclical letter to the bishops of the Catholic world, expressing his heartfelt grief at seeing the great relaxation that was introduced among the faithful by indiscreet and unnecessary dispensations. The letter is dated May 30, 1741. We extract from it the following passage: ‘The observance of Lent is the very badge of the Christian warfare. By it we prove ourselves not to be enemies of the cross of Christ. By it we avert the scourges of divine justice. By it we gain strength against the princes of darkness, for it shields us with heavenly help. Should mankind grow remiss in their observance of Lent, it would be a detriment to God’s glory, a disgrace to the Catholic religion, and a danger to Christian souls. Neither can it be doubted that such negligence would become the source of misery to the world, of public calamity, and of private woe.’[21]

• Encyclical by Pope Benedict XIV, Non ambigimus, May 30, 1741

https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/501-commentary-on-the-seasons/lent/3636-chapter-1-the-history-of-lent

What Mass are you attending Sunday?

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Today Friday March 3 begins our annual novena to St. Gregory the Great, the CLMC’s patron – asking him for full sacramental and parish life in the Traditional Rite. Please join us in praying this novena (see attached).

Annual CLMC Novena to St. Gregory the Great (March 3 – 11)

Over the years, but especially in the past year, many of you have asked us when would we be able to have full sacramental life, a Latin Mass chapel, chaplaincy, or one of the Ecclesia Dei orders come to Charlotte (e.g. Institute of Christ the King, FSSP, etc.). Our annual novena is your opportunity to place those requests to prayer. Here’s how it works:

1. Pray a Rosary each day beginning tomorrow Friday March 3 and ending Saturday March 11 (the day before St. Gregory’s feast day).
2. At the end of each Rosary, add this novena prayer:

St. Gregory, you are known for your zeal for the Catholic faith, love of liturgy, and compassion and mercy toward those in need.  Please help and guide us so that we may share in these virtues and thereby bring Jesus into the hearts of our families and all we encounter.  We especially ask for blessings on our parish family, our priests and our deacons. We also ask that you graciously intercede for us before God so that we might be granted the special assistance and graces that we seek (full sacramental and parochial life in the Extraordinary Form for the Charlotte faithful and that Our Lord will send more Latin Mass priests to our diocese).  Help us to live as a faithful child of God and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.  St. Gregory the Great pray for us.   Amen

Intention: Full sacramental and parochial life in the Extraordinary Form for the Charlotte faithful and that Our Lord will send more Latin Mass priests to our diocese. 

1st Saturday Latin Mass

St. Thomas Aquinas is offering its 10am Latin Mass followed by its monthly traditional blessing of religious objects at 11am in the narthex.

1st Sunday Potluck at St. Thomas Aquinas

Sunday there will be the monthly potluck after the 11:30am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. Attendees are asked to bring a dish, desert or drink to share.

1^st Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart in Salisbury

Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury will offer its 1^st Sunday Latin Mass at 4pm. Mass is offered by Fr. Carlson and Confessions will be offered 30 minutes prior to Mass. Afterwards a potluck will be held in the Brincefield Hall. Please bring a Lenten dish or dessert to share. For more information please contact Mark Hartley with the Salisbury Latin Mass Community at: www.salisburylmc.org

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Tonight at 7pm (St. Thomas Aquinas) is Fr. Portzer’s final Mass and sermon before he departs home after his Lenten Mission.

Annual CLMC Novena to St. Gregory the Great (March 3 – 11)

Tomorrow Friday March 3 begins our annual novena to St. Gregory the Great, the CLMC’s patron – asking him for full sacramental and parish life in the Traditional Rite.

Over the years, but especially in the past year, many of you have asked us when would our community be able to have full sacramental life in the Traditional Rite, a Latin Mass chapel, or one of the Ecclesia Dei orders come to Charlotte (e.g. Institute of Christ the King, FSSP, etc.). Our annual novena is your opportunity to place those requests to prayer. Here’s how it works:

1. Pray a Rosary each day beginning tomorrow Friday March 3 and ending Saturday March 11 (the day before his feast day).
2. At the end of each Rosary, add this novena prayer:

St. Gregory, you are known for your zeal for the Catholic faith, love of liturgy, and compassion and mercy toward those in need.  Please help and guide us so that we may share in these virtues and thereby bring Jesus into the hearts of our families and all we encounter.  We especially ask for blessings on our parish family, our priests and our deacons. We also ask that you graciously intercede for us before God so that we might be granted the special assistance and graces that we seek (full sacramental and parochial life in the Extraordinary Form for the Charlotte faithful and that Our Lord will send more Latin Mass priests to our diocese).  Help us to live as a faithful child of God and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.  St. Gregory the Great pray for us.   Amen

Intention: Full sacramental and parochial life in the Extraordinary Form for the Charlotte faithful and that Our Lord will send more Latin Mass priests to our diocese.  

Looking ahead, here are the Latin Mass events occurring this weekend.

1st Saturday Latin Mass

St. Thomas Aquinas is offering its 10am Latin Mass followed by its monthly traditional blessing of religious objects at 11am in the narthex.

1st Sunday Potluck at St. Thomas Aquinas

Sunday there will be the monthly potluck after the 11:30am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. Attendees are asked to bring a dish, desert or drink to share.

1^st Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart in Salisbury

Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury will offer its 1^st Sunday Latin Mass at 4pm. Mass is offered by Fr. Carlson and Confessions will be offered 30 minutes prior to Mass. Afterwards a potluck will be held in the Brincefield Hall. Please bring a dish or dessert to share. For more information please contact the Salisbury Latin Mass Community at: www.salisburylmc.org

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Tonight Wednesday March 1 at 7pm is the last night of the Lenten Mission with Fr. Joseph Portzer, FSSP, a Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) priest. According to several attendees, the talks have been brilliant and edifying – if you haven’t made it out yet, we’d encourage all to attend the final evening tonight at 7pm (6pm Confessions). Father will also offer the Thursday evening Mass at 7pm (tomorrow March 2).

Support St. Thomas Aquinas’ Lectures

This week’s mission was not the first lecture event St. Thomas Aquinas has hosted. Over the past few months, the parish has brought in many engaging speakers that appeal to all Catholics, but especially Latin Mass attendees, including Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, David Rodriguez from the Fatima Center, Fr. Portzer, and next week, Fr. Chad Ripperger (and more events scheduled!).

These informative and educational talks aren’t easy to organize, and they do cost money. If you attend tonight, please consider making a donation to the parish’s speaker fund so they can continue hosting events. A donation kiosk will be in the entrance to the church. Or you could make one online at the parish’s online contribution portal: https://www.osvhub.com/st-thomas-aquinas-rc-church/giving/funds/guest-speaker-fees

Please be sure to thank Fr. Codd for his support of these lectures, and offering up a decade of your Rosary for him.  

Embertide Latin Masses this Week

Today, Friday and Saturday are the Lenten Ember Days – when the traditional Church sets aside 3 days each season for prayer, fasting and partial abstinence (the later now voluntary) to thank God for his gifts of creation and to use them in moderation. It’s a good time to also pray for sanctity for the upcoming season. The Mass times are as follows:

• Wednesday March 1, 6pm – St. Ann (Ember Wednesday – after Mass hurry over to St. Thomas afterwards for the final mission talk!)
• Thursday March 2, 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas (Feria – no feast day)
• Friday March 3, 7am (St. Ann) and 12:30pm (St. Mark)  (Ember Friday, preceded by Stations of the Cross at 12 noon)
• Saturday March 4, 10am – St. Thomas Aquinas (Ember Saturday/First Saturday) followed by a blessing of religious objects; and 10am Latin Mass at St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country in Boone (2 hours northwest of Charlotte) followed by first Saturday Rosary and devotions.

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Tonight begins St. Thomas Aquinas’ Lenten mission with Fr. Joseph Portzer, FSSP, a Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) priest. 

Lenten Mission: Monday February 28 – March 1 (Plus Sunday and Thursday Sermons)

The mission schedule is below and will feature a talk at 7pm each night as well as Confessions prior at 6pm. 

Mission

Monday February 27 – 6pm Confessions, 7pm Mission talk

• Monday February 27 – 6pm Confessions, 7pm Mission talk
• Tuesday February 28 – 6pm Confessions, 7pm Mission talk
• Wednesday March 1 – 6pm Confessions,7pm Mission talk
• NOTE: A plenary indulgence is typically available for those who attend all three talks (Monday – Wednesday)

Post-Mission Latin Mass

• Thursday March 2 – 7pm Latin Mass (offered by Fr. Portzer with sermon) (6pm Confessions)

Why attend the Mission?

While the talks will be for all the faithful, Latin Mass attendees will especially benefit from attending as the FSSP’s charism is to minister to the Latin Mass faithful. Therefore the CLMC is encouraging Latin Mass faithful to try and attend this Sunday’s 11:30am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas (where Father will offer and preach the Mass) and the mission talks each night.

In a time of uncertainty this is a beautiful spiritual gift and great grace for all our families and we encourage families to take advantage of this Lenten opportunity.

Why attend a Parish Mission? Listen to this sermon and find out why.

For those new to the Latin Mass, the Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) is a congregation of priests who offer the Latin Mass exclusively and staff chapels and parishes throughout North America and the world. Two members of our community and St. Ann parish are enrolled in the FSSP seminary in Nebraska. We are grateful St. Thomas Aquinas parish for offering this timely mission.

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent and as custom, we provide commentary on the prayers at Mass: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/02/fasting-and-orations-of-first-sunday-of.html

**No coffee/snacks today at St. Ann: Please note – due to the start of the St. Thomas Aquinas Lenten Mission today at the 11:30am Latin Mass (see below), the CLMC will not be hosting coffee/snacks after St. Ann Latin Mass today – please join us at St. Thomas Aquinas! We’ll resume next Sunday.

Lenten Mission: Mass Today, Mission Monday February 28 – March 1 (Plus Sunday and Thursday Sermons)

St. Thomas Aquinas begins its Lenten mission this week. Today, the mission priest, Fr. Joseph Portzer, FSSP, a priest of the Fraternity of St. Peter, will offer the Sunday 11:30am Latin Mass today and provide a sermon. This is a wonderful gift for all the faithful but particularly for the Latin Mass faithful, as the FSSP’s charism is to minister to Latin Mass devotees.  Please join the CLMC today at St. Thomas Aquinas, and during the week. The mission schedule is below and will feature a talk at 7pm each night as well as Confessions prior at 6pm.  Please see attached flyer.

TODAY: Pre-Mission Talk

• Sunday February 26 – 11:30am Latin Mass (offered by Fr. Portzer with sermon)
• Talk for parents – Sunday February 26 at 6:30pm

Mission

• Monday February 27 – 6pm Confessions, 7pm Mission talk
• Tuesday February 28 – 6pm Confessions, 7pm Mission talk
• Wednesday March 1 – 6pm Confessions,7pm Mission talk
• NOTE: A plenary indulgence is typically available for those who attend all three talks (Monday – Wednesday)

Post-Mission Latin Mass

• Thursday March 2 – 7pm Latin Mass (offered by Fr. Portzer with sermon)

For those new to the Latin Mass, the Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) is a congregation of priests who offer the Latin Mass exclusively and staff chapels and parishes throughout North America and the world. Two members of our community and St. Ann parish are enrolled in the FSSP seminary in Nebraska. We are grateful St. Thomas Aquinas parish for offering this timely mission.

Embertide Latin Masses this Week

This Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are the Lenten Ember Days – when the traditional Church sets aside 3 days each season for prayer, fasting and partial abstinence (the later now voluntary) to thank God for his gifts of creation and to use them in moderation. It’s a good time to also pray for sanctity for the upcoming season. A brief description is provided by Dom Prosper Gueranger writing for tomorrow, Ember Wednesday in Lent: https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/450-temporal-cycle/season-of-lent/first-sunday-in-lent/3467-wednesday-in-ember-week-of-lent

The fast of today is prescribed by a double law: it is Lent, and it is Ember Wednesday. It is the same with the Friday and Saturday of this week. There are two principal objects for the Ember days of this period of the year: the first is to offer up to God the Season of Spring, and by fasting and prayer, to draw down his blessing upon it; the second is to ask him to enrich with his choicest graces the Priests and Sacred Ministers who are to receive their Ordination on Saturday.  

• Wednesday March 1, 6pm – St. Ann (Ember Wednesday)
• Thursday March 2, 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas (Feria – no feast day)
• Friday March 3, 7am (St. Ann) and 12:30pm (St. Mark, preceded by Stations of the Cross at 12 noon)
• Saturday March 4, 10am – St. Thomas Aquinas (Ember Saturday/First Saturday) followed by blessing of religious objects; and a 10am Latin Mass at St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country in Boone (2 hours northwest of Charlotte), followed by a Rosary and first Saturday devotions

A Short Instruction On Fasting & Abstinence (including the difference between modern and 1962 traditional fasting rules): The Missionaries of St John the Baptist, an order of Latin Mass priests in Kentucky, published a good guide on fasting and abstinence during Lent:  https://mcusercontent.com/61eba0fda529907fc1dacf176/files/ee1ae3df-d987-4f22-920f-7d5deaebced0/Rules_for_Fasting.pdf

Community News

Holy Face Devotions

• St Mark – Mondays 5-5:45pm
• 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?

Annual CLMC Novena to St. Gregory the Great (March 3 – 11)

This Friday March 3 begins our annual novena to St. Gregory the Great, the CLMC’s patron – asking him for full sacramental and parish life in the Traditional Rite.

1. Pray a Rosary each day beginning today Friday March 3 and ending Saturday March 11 (the day before his feast day).
2. At the end of each Rosary, add this novena prayer:

St. Gregory, you are known for your zeal for the Catholic faith, love of liturgy, and compassion and mercy toward those in need.  Please help and guide us so that we may share in these virtues and thereby bring Jesus into the hearts of our families and all we encounter.  We especially ask for blessings on our parish family, our priests and our deacons. We also ask that you graciously intercede for us before God so that we might be granted the special assistance and graces that we seek (full sacramental and parochial life in the Extraordinary Form for the Charlotte faithful and that Our Lord will send more Latin Mass priests to our diocese).  Help us to live as a faithful child of God and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.  St. Gregory the Great pray for us.   Amen

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• The Mortifying Orations of Ash Wednesday: As Lent begins, we re-share Dr. Mike Foley’s 2022 essay on the Ash Wednesday prayers for the Latin Mass. These prayers were mentioned by Fr. Reid during his Ash Wednesday homily and worthy of reflection during the first week of Lent: https://www.newliturgicalmovementorg/2022/03/the-mortifying-orations-of-ash-wednesday.html#.Yh8EspZOmHs

• Traditional Catholics Received by French Bishops’ Conference: In a sign that can only be encouraging, the French Bishops’ Conference held a meeting with two representatives of the Latin Mass faithful of France this past week to dialogue about the sufferings and challenges of the Latin Mass faithful. The two representatives summarized their expectations which were as followed:
  
  • Access for the faithful to all the sacraments of Christian initiation (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist) according to the liturgical rite by which they wish to be sanctified;
    
  • The benefit for the faithful of the celebration of marriage and funerals according to the traditional rite in all dioceses;
    
  • The guarantee for the faithful to have access to the teaching of the Catholic catechism in a form that respects their attachment to the traditional liturgy;
    
  • The assurance for the faithful to be able to benefit from the apostolate of priests whose proper right to celebrate according to the old Ordo will not be called into question, contrary to several recent cases which have caused deep wounds;
    
  • The benevolent welcome by the diocesan authorities of the initiatives of the lay faithful to create independent schools, granting them without discrimination access to religious instruction in their programs, and Mass according to the traditional rite or confessions in the school for the students and the teaching staff.
    
    Link: https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2023/02/traditional-catholics-received-by.html
    
    CLMC comment: These five-points accurately clarify the spiritual needs of any Latin Mass community and is what the CLMC has been praying for each year during our annual novena (begins Friday – see above!). The French meeting is fascinating as it occurred in country that is not typically friendly to the Latin Mass or its attendees.
    
    Furthermore, as unusual as it may seem, the dialogue also shows that progressive clergy (e.g. liberals) can oftentimes – though not always – be cordial and even supportive toward a Latin Mass community’s needs (contrary to conventional thinking).  That is why Latin Mass communities should never give up advocating for their needs no matter who is bishop, archbishop, or Pope. The results may sometimes surprise us.

• Never Give In: Fighting the New Battle of Britain: Speaking of never giving up (or giving in), CLMC member and writer, Rachel Shrader has penned another excellent piece of her trip to the UK last summer. She writes about Britain’s tragic abortion crisis and shares her experience in attending the UK March for Life, specifically with wonderful the St. Mary’s Latin Mass parish from Warrington (staffed by the Fraternity of St. Peter priests) which she wrote about in a prior article. We share her current article here: https://www.goodcatholic.com/never-give-in-fighting-the-new-battle-of-britain

Lent: All Is Changed

As the holy season of Lent begins, we close with the opening words of Dom Prosper Gueranger’s reflection for Ash Wednesday in The Liturgical Year, give us a reminder of the importance of this season:

Yesterday the world was busy in its pleasures, and the very children of God were taking a joyous farewell to mirth: but this morning, all is changed. The solemn announcement, spoken of by the prophet, has been proclaimed in Sion: the solemn fast of Lent, the season of expiation, the approach of the great anniversaries of our Redemption. Let us, then, rouse ourselves, and prepare for the spiritual combat.

But in this battling of the spirit against the flesh we need good armor. Our holy mother the Church knows how much we need it; and therefore does she summon us to enter into the house of God, that she may arm us for the holy contest. What this armor is we know from St. Paul, who thus describes it: Have your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice, and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. In all things, taking the shield of faith. Take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The very prince of the apostles, too addresses these solemn words to us: Christ having suffered in the flesh, be ye also armed with the same thought. We are entering today upon a long campaign of warfare spoken of by the apostles: forty days of battle, forty days of penance. We shall not turn cowards, if our souls can but be impressed with the conviction that the battle and the penance must be gone through…

To read more visit: https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/448-temporal-cycle/season-of-septuagesima/3459-ash-wednesday

10 Year Anniversary of the St. Ann Sunday  Latin Mass: Lastly, this Friday March 3rd marks the ten-year anniversary of the first Sunday Latin Mass at St. Ann parish. We attach an image (below) of that first Mass on Sunday March 3, 2013 (and a much younger Fr. Reid!). Please keep him in your Mass intentions this week as he has dutifully ensured a Sunday Latin Mass each week these past 10 years (no easy feat).

The Traditional Latin Mass, with its pre-Lent season of Septuagesima prepared the faithful for the 40 days of Lenten prayer, fasting and almsgiving now upon us. What Mass are you attending Sunday?

First Sunday Latin Mass, St. Ann Catholic Church, Sunday March 3, 2013 (Fr. Timothy Reid, Celebrant)

Laudetur Iesus Christus!

Just a reminder that tomorrow Saturday February 25 at 8am St. Ann parish will offer its 4^th Saturday Respect Life Latin Mass.

After Mass there will be prayers at Planned Parenthood or a Holy Hour of Reparation in the church (for those unable to travel to the abortion facility).

Laudetur Iesus Christus and blessed feast of the Holy Face! The feast day occurs each Shrove Tuesday, the day prior to Ash Wednesday.  We share information on this feast day, and the Ash Wednesday Latin Mass schedule.

Shrove Tuesday – Feast of the Holy Face

Today, the day before Ash Wednesday, known as Shrove Tuesday (and commonly referred to as Fat Tuesday) is also the feast of the Holy Face of Jesus, a devotion that has growing interest in Charlotte. In 1910, Pope St. Pius X authorized a Mass for this feast day. To see the text of this Mass please see Fr. Lawrence Carney’s Holy Face webpage: https://www.martinians.org/mass-of-the-holy-face  (To learn more about Shrove Tuesday customs visit: https://www.fisheaters.com/customsseptuagesima2.html).

Fr. Carney, who offers the Traditional Mass exclusively, will be coming to St. Thomas Aquinas parish in late April, and recently gave an interview with LifeSiteNews on the Holy Face and the need for reparation: https://www.lifesitenews.com/episodes/a-prophesied-catholic-devotion-for-the-latter-days-to-fight-totalitarianism/

Father Carney also authored a book recently published by local publisher, TAN Books: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/tan-books/the-secret-of-the-holy-face/

Ash Wednesday February 22 – Latin Mass Schedule (as announced)

• 7am – St. Ann (the 6pm Mass will not be a Latin Mass) – this will likely be the only diocesan Latin Mass in the Charlotte area
• 10am – Our Lady of the Lake, Chapin, SC (2 hours south of Charlotte)
• 12 noon – Prince of Peace, Taylors, SC (2 hours southwest of Charlotte)
• 12:15pm – Our Lady of Grace, Greensboro, NC (1.5 hours north of Charlotte)
• 6pm – St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, Boone, NC (2 hours northwest of Charlotte)

Lenten Fasting & Abstinence Guidelines (Modern vs. 1962)

• A Short Instruction On Fasting & Abstinence (including the difference between modern and traditional fasting rules): The Missionaries of St John the Baptist, an order of Latin Mass priests in Kentucky, published a good guide on fasting and abstinence during Lent: https://mcusercontent.com/61eba0fda529907fc1dacf176/files/ee1ae3df-d987-4f22-920f-7d5deaebced0/Rules_for_Fasting.pdf

REMINDER: Lenten Spiritual Enrollment – 40 Days of Latin Masses, prayers, and penance (Deadline is TODAY)

The traditional Carmelite Hermits of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Fairfield, PA are offering a special Lenten spiritual enrollment which includes 40 Latin Masses, 40 days of praying the Divine Office (and other daily prayers), and 40 days of fasting and penance all for the intention of your family or other enrolled loved ones.  This is an amazing spiritual gift. Here is the link to the enrollment form: https://www.edcarm.org/lenten-enrollment/  (the deadline is today February 2021) – they also subsist on alms, which provides us a great opportunity for almsgiving.

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter – Thursday February 23 (Plenary indulgence)

Normally the feast of the Chair of St. Peter is held on February 22^nd to commemorate St. Peter’s episcopacy in Antioch and Rome (1962 missal). However, due to Ash Wednesday falling on the 22^nd, this feast has been transferred to February 23. Additionally, this feast day is a patronal feast of the Fraternity of St. Peter (a Latin Mass society of priests), as well as their lay apostolate, the Confraternity of St. Peter. For those enrolled in the Confraternity of St Peter, a plenary indulgence can be obtained under the usual conditions on February 23. To learn more about this indulgence visit the FSSP’s Houston parish website: https://reginacaeliparish.org/news/feb-23-plenary-indulgence-may-be-gained-by-csp-members To learn more about the Confraternity and how to join visit: https://www.fssp.org/en/help-us/confraternity-of-saint-peter/

NEXT WEEK: St. Thomas Aquinas Lenten Mission with the FSSP: February 27 – March 1, 7pm

St. Thomas Aquinas parish is inviting Fr. Joseph Portzer, FSSP, a Fraternity of St. Peter priest, for the Lenten mission Monday February 27 – Wednesday March 1.  The schedule will feature a mission talk at 7pm each evening as well as Confessions prior at 6pm.  Additionally, Fr. Portzer will offer and preach at the Sunday February 26, 11:30am Latin Mass, a talk to parents at 6:30pm that evening, and the Thursday March 2^nd, 7pm Latin Mass. We can’t express enough the blessing of having this mission and encourage everyone to take advantage of this wonderful event. Please see linked flyer.  

Fr. Ripperger: Prayer and Support Needed for Sarah Grant, wife of Ryan Grant

Lastly, as mentioned in Sunday’s update, Fr. Chad Ripperger, (the traditional exorcist who is coming to St. Thomas Aquinas next month) issued a plea for help for the family of Ryan and Sarah Grant, a Latin Mass family who lives in Idaho. The Grants operate Mediatrix Press, a small family-run Catholic publishing company, and the CLMC had the privilege of hosting Ryan in 2018 at St. Ann parish for a talk on English Catholicism. Tragically, Sarah, mother of 8 was diagnosed with terminal cancer with only six months to live. 

Fr. Ripperger is asking for prayers for Sarah – specifically to Servant of God, Fr. Aloysius Ellacuria CMF, an American priest who died in 1970 and whose cause for beatification is being considered. Please see the linked prayer for Fr. Aloysius. Additionally, Father also shares an online fundraising site for the Grants to help them pay for hospice and ongoing bills for childcare.  To learn more please visit these links below:

• Fr. Ripperger’s message about Sarah Grant, please visit Ryan’s Twitter site (no account needed): https://twitter.com/chesterbelloc3/status/1626748381443010560
• The Grant’s Online Donation Site: https://www.givesendgo.com/sarah-grant
• Official Page of Fr. Aloysius: https://aloysius.com/ (see attached prayer for Sarah)

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Sunday is Quinquagesima Sunday, or roughly 50 days before Easter. It is the Sunday prior to the beginning of Lent. As custom, we share commentary on this mini-liturgical season and the reflection on Sunday’s Collect: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/02/the-shrovish-collect-of-quinquagesima.html

Ash Wednesday February 22 – Latin Mass Schedule (as announced)

• 7am – St. Ann (the 6pm Mass will not be a Latin Mass) – this will likely be the only diocesan Latin Mass in the Charlotte area
• 10am – Our Lady of the Lake, Chapin, SC (2 hours south of Charlotte)
• 12 noon – Prince of Peace, Taylors, SC (2 hours southwest of Charlotte)
• 12:15pm – Our Lady of Grace, Greensboro, NC (1.5 hours north of Charlotte)
• 6pm – St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, Boone, NC (2 hours northwest of Charlotte)

Other Latin Masses This Week

• Thursday February 23, 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas parish (feast of the Chair of St. Peter, transferred)
• Friday February 24, 7am (St. Ann) & 12:30pm (St. Mark), St. Matthias, Apostle
• Saturday February 25, 8am Respect Life Latin Mass – St. Ann parish (Feria), afterwards prayers at Planned Parenthood or Holy Hour of Reparation in Church

Fasting & Abstinence Guidelines (Modern vs. 1962)

• A Short Instruction On Fasting & Abstinence (including the difference between modern and traditional fasting rules): The Missionaries of St John the Baptist, an order of Latin Mass priests in Kentucky, published a good guide on fasting and abstinence during Lent: Click to access Rules_for_Fasting.pdf

• Traditional Sermon – To Love Fasting: A Traditional priest has preached an excellent sermon on having a good attitude towards fasting during Lent:

http://reginaprophetarum.org/audio/20210213-To-Love-Fasting.mp3

Fr. Ripperger: Prayer and Support Needed for Sarah Grant, wife of Ryan Grant

This weekend Fr. Chad Ripperger, (the traditional exorcist who is coming to St. Thomas Aquinas next month) issued a plea for help for the family of Ryan and Sarah Grant, a Latin Mass family who lives in Idaho. The Grants operate Mediatrix Press, a small family-run Catholic publishing company, and have helped translate and publish important moral and theological works by saints and other pious writers into English for the very first time (most of these books were only written in Latin). The CLMC had the privilege of hosting Ryan in 2018 at St. Ann parish for a talk on English Catholicism.

Tragically, Sarah, mother of 8, was diagnosed with cancer during her most recent pregnancy last fall (the tumor was larger than the baby). While the baby was delivered safely, Sarah’s cancer has grown aggressively and she has now sadly received a terminal diagnosis with only have six months to live.  CLMC readers may recall the Grants suffered another tragedy back in 2019, when their eighteen-month old daughter Emma passed away.

Fr. Ripperger is asking for prayers for Sarah – specifically to Servant of God, Fr. Aloysius Ellacuria CMF, an American priest who died in 1970 and whose cause for beatification is being considered. Please see the linked prayer for Fr. Aloysius. Additionally, Father also shares an online fundraising site for the Grants to help them pay for hospice and ongoing bills for childcare.  To learn more please visit these links below:

• Fr. Ripperger’s message about Sarah Grant, please visit Ryan’s Twitter site (no account needed): https://twitter.com/chesterbelloc3/status/1626748381443010560
• The Grant’s Online Donation Site: https://www.givesendgo.com/sarah-grant
• Official Page of Fr. Aloysius: https://aloysius.com/ (see attached prayer for Sarah)

While the number of Latin Mass faithful across the worldwide Church is still relatively small, one benefit of this situation is that it creates a small knit Latin Mass “parish” family across the world, united in our love of the ancient liturgy. Especially in times like these, the Latin Mass faithful can rally together and support our suffering brethren.

REMINDER: Lenten Spiritual Enrollment – 40 Days of Latin Masses, prayers, and penance (3 days left!)

The traditional Carmelite Hermits of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Fairfield, PA are again offering a special Lenten spiritual enrollment which you can begin to participate in today. The Hermits will be offering 40 Latin Masses, 40 days of praying the Divine Office (and other daily prayers), and 40 days of fasting and penance all for the intention of your family or other enrolled loved ones.  This is an amazing spiritual gift. Here is the link to the enrollment form: https://www.edcarm.org/lenten-enrollment/

Please make an offering of alms along with this enrollment.  Your generous financial sacrifice will bear all the more fruit for your intentions. Enrollment needs to be completed by this Tuesday February 21.

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter – Thursday February 23 (Plenary indulgence)

Normally the feast of the Chair of St. Peter is held on February 22^nd to commemorate St. Peter’s episcopacy in Antioch and Rome (1962 missal). However, due to Ash Wednesday falling on the 22^nd, this feast has been transferred to February 23. Additionally, this feast day is a patronal feast of the Fraternity of St. Peter (a Latin Mass society of priests) as well as for their lay apostolate, the Confraternity of St. Peter.

For those enrolled in the Confraternity of St. Peter, a plenary indulgence can be obtained under the usual conditions on February 23. To learn more about this indulgence visit the FSSP’s Houston parish: https://reginacaeliparish.org/news/feb-23-plenary-indulgence-may-be-gained-by-csp-members To learn more about the Confraternity and how to join visit: https://www.fssp.org/en/help-us/confraternity-of-saint-peter/

NEXT WEEK: St. Thomas Aquinas Lenten Mission with the FSSP: February 27 – March 1, 7pm (Masses & Talk Added)

St. Thomas Aquinas parish is inviting Fr. Joseph Portzer, FSSP, a Fraternity of St. Peter priest, for the Lenten mission in two weeks (he also gave the Advent retreat).  The schedule will feature a mission talk at 7pm each evening as well as Confessions prior at 6pm.

Additionally, Fr. Portzer will offer and preach at the Sunday February 26, 11:30am Latin Mass, a talk to parents at 6:30pm that evening, and the Thursday March 2^nd, 7pm Latin Mass. We can’t express enough the blessing of having this mission and encourage everyone to take advantage of this wonderful event. Please see linked flyer.  

Pre-Mission Talk

• Sunday February 26 – 11:30am Latin Mass (offered by Fr. Portzer with sermon)
• Talk for parents – Sunday February 26 at 6:30pm

Mission

• Monday February 27 – 6pm Confessions, 7pm Mission talk
• Tuesday February 28 – 6pm Confessions, 7pm Mission talk
• Wednesday March 1 – 6pm Confessions,7pm Mission talk.

Post-Mission Latin Mass

• Thursday March 2 – 7pm Latin Mass (offered by Fr. Portzer with sermon)

For those new to the Latin Mass, the Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) is a congregation of priests who offer the Latin Mass exclusively and staff chapels and parishes throughout North America and the world. Two members of our community and St. Ann parish are enrolled in the FSSP seminary in Nebraska. We are grateful St. Thomas Aquinas parish for offering this timely mission.

Community News

Holy Face Devotions

• St Mark – Mondays 5-5:45pm
• St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesdays 6am in the main church (special Holy Hour of Reparation from 7am – 8am Tuesday February 21 for the feast of the Holy Face)
• 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?

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• Forgotten Customs of St. Valentine’s Day: OnePeterFive has an write up about the lost customs of this martyr’s feast day: https://onepeterfive.com/forgotten-customs-st-valentines-day/
  
  
• Shrove Tuesday – Feast of the Holy Face: The day before Ash Wednesday, known as Shrove Tuesday, but commonly referred to as Fat Tuesday, is also the feast of the Holy Face of Jesus, a devotion that has growing interest in Charlotte and other areas (see above). In 1910, Pope St. Pius X authorized a Mass for this feast day. To see the text of this Mass please see Fr. Lawrence Carney’s Holy Face webpage: https://www.martinians.org/mass-of-the-holy-face  (To learn more about Shrove Tuesday customs visit: https://www.fisheaters.com/customsseptuagesima2.html)
  
  
• The Irish Fight for the Latin Mass – Part 4: OnePeterFive continues its history series on how the Irish fought for the Latin Mass against the English protestants: https://onepeterfive.com/irish-latin-mass-4/
  
  
• Bishop Fernandes Makes First Visit to St. Leo the Great Oratory: In a follow up to last week’s article on the Bishop of Columbus (Ohio) making his first visit to the Latin Mass parish operated by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (another order of Latin Mass priests), we are pleased to share that his visit was covered by the Columbus diocesan newspaper. That’s a powerful statement of support for the Latin Mass, by a bishop, coming from his official newspaper. Please consider keeping Bishop Fernandes in your Mass intentions this weekend. https://catholictimescolumbus.org/news/the-catholic-times/bishop-fernandes-makes-first-visit-to-st-leo-the-great-oratory
  
  
• Let Your Saturday Be Saturday and Your Sunday Be Sunday: How Pastoral Concerns and Canonical Reforms Inflated the Sabbath and Deflated Its Importance: Adoremus Bulletin, a conservative liturgical journal, published an interesting piece on the history of the Saturday evening “anticipatory Mass” and Sunday afternoon Masses and the problems it created. Prior to Pius XII, these Masses were impractical (or impossible) due to the fasting requirement (after Midnight) before reception of Holy Communion: https://adoremus.org/2023/01/let-your-saturday-be-saturday-and-your-sunday-be-sunday-how-pastoral-concerns-and-canonical-reforms-inflated-the-sabbath-and-deflated-its-importance/
  
  
  
• Reunited: Nicaraguan priests welcomed by Charlotte parish after imprisonment: Last August, two Charlotte parishes (St. Ann and St. Mark) offered special votive Latin Masses for the Defense of the Church in response to the persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua by the communist regime. The issue took on a local angle as St. Matthew parishioners were related to one of the priests arrested by the government. Thankfully, we are pleased to report that the priest, as well as several others were released to the United States and have arrived in Charlotte. To learn more visit:  https://catholicnewsherald.com/88-news/fp/8979-reunited-nicaraguan-priests-welcomed-by-charlotte-parish-after-imprisonment

Feast of the Flight Into Egypt – February 17

In the ancient calendar, February 17 unofficially commemorated another important part of Our Blessed Lord’s earthly life: His flight into Egypt.  In a beautiful article, Fr. William Rock, FSSP, notes how this feast is beautifully timed as the flight into Egypt likely happened within a few weeks of the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Mother, when our Lord was presented to Simeon and Anna in the temple in Jerusalem (and Herod having heard about it). Here are a few comments by Fr. Rock (emphasis ours):

The first part of the oration makes it clear that the Flight into Egypt was part of the Divine Plan of the Father.  It was not something which happened by chance or by accident.  God protects those who hope and trust in Him, even, if at the time, things seem dark and confusing.  The second part of the oration asks for God’s aid, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so that the faithful may arrive at their heavenly homeland, mirroring the Flight into Egypt.  Just as God watched over the Holy Family during their flight into exile, may He watch over the faithful as they make their way from this land of exile to their true home.

Because Egypt was full of idols and superstitions.  They worshipped dogs, crocodiles, cats, calves, rams, goats, and what not.  Christ entered into Egypt that He might cleanse it from this filthiness, and consecrate it to the true God. Listen to S. Leo (Serm. 2 de Epiph.): “Then also the Saviour was brought to Egypt, in order that a nation given up to ancient errors might now be signed for salvation nigh to come, for hidden grace, and that she which had not yet cast out superstition from her mind might receive truth as her guest.”  Whence also Isaiah prophesies mystically of the same thing (xix. 1), saying: “Behold the Lord shall ascend upon a light cloud [the Blessed Virgin], and shall enter into Egypt, and all the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence.”  And so S. Jerome and others relate that the idols of Egypt did, in truth, fall down when Christ came into it.

This Mass, with its themes of exile and asking God to guide us to our true fatherland, is well fitted for the time of Septuagesima, in which or near which February 17th will always fall.  For liturgical commentators,3 the season of Septuagesima, which comes from the Latin for 70, brings to mind the Babylon Captivity of the Jews which lasted 70 years and invites the faithful to reflect upon their own exile from both the earthly and heavenly paradises due to sin. 

• The Mass of the Flight Into Egypt: https://fssp.com/the-mass-of-the-flight-into-egypt/

CLMC comment: Is the Latin Mass, and its faithful, in a situation where, should more restrictions be imposed, we will, like the Holy Family, need to fly into Egypt? Or is it that, after six decades in exile, the Latin Mass and its faithful, like the Israelites, are already in Egypt (or Babylon?) and are being prepared for an Exodus to the “promised land” of full restoration throughout the Church?

In those days: they shall cry to the Lord because of the oppressor, and He shall send them a Saviour and a defender to deliver them. – Isaiah 19:20-22 (Epistle from February 17)

What Mass are you attending Sunday?