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?

Laudetur Iesus Christus and blessed feast of St. Valentine the martyr! As draw closer to Lent, we wanted to remind everyone about this wonderful annual opportunity for almsgiving that will benefit your friends and family. Our friends, the Carmelites Hermits of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Fairfield, PA, who offer the traditional liturgy exclusively (Carmelite Rite), are offering 40 days of Traditional Masses and 40 days of prayers and sacrifices for the following intentions:

• Spiritual renewal in the Church
• Sanctification of souls
• Healing of families and individuals
• Reversion of fallen-away Catholics
• Conversion of sinners who are far from God
• Protection for the Traditional Latin Mass

Knowing that many have family members away from the Sacraments and the Church or difficult situations in their lives, the Carmelites wanted to extend to all the opportunity to enroll their families, friends, clergy, or anyone in need of the graces from these many Masses and spiritual sacrifices.  We can also suggest you may also wish to include the in your enrollment the protection of the Traditional Latin Mass, the priests that offer it, and the bishops who can safeguard it.

The deadline is Tuesday February 21 to enroll.

Please consider making an offering of alms along with this enrollment.  Your generous financial sacrifice will bear all the more fruit for your intentions. (The Hermits completely subsist on donations).

To enroll visit: https://www.edcarm.org/lenten-enrollment/ (deadline is Tuesday February 21)

To learn more visit: https://vimeo.com/665845244

Lastly, today, St. Valentine’s feast day, is a day which commemorates a priest who was martyred for his defense of Christ. Some critics question whether St. Valentine was even real, but a simple visit to Whitefriar Carmelite Church in Dublin would dispel those doubts as one can see the chest containing his relics:  http://www.whitefriarstreetchurch.ie/index.php/the-church/shrines/saint-valentine  See also Dom Gueranger’s entry for his feast: https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/525-sanctoral-cycle/february/3074-february-14-st-valentine-priest-and-martyr

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Sunday is Sexagesima Sunday, where we now are within roughly 60 days of Easter, and 11 days from the beginning of Lent. Today there is the Fatima talk at 2pm (St. Thomas Aquinas parish) and today also begins the important Holy Face novena which concludes on Shrove Tuesday (please see details below).

As this is the second Sunday of this pre-Lent season of Septuagesima, we share two articles, one commentary on Sunday’s Collect, and secondly, an essay on the forgotten season of Septuagesima, which is a three-week period to begin preparing for Lent, and easing in penances.  The first article also provides a brief explanation of the stational churches in Rome which are tied to a specific day during liturgical seasons such as this or Lent – one may come across them in the daily missals.

• The Pauline Collect of Sexagesima Sunday: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/02/the-pauline-collect-of-sexagesima-sunday.html 
• Septuagesima: The Time that the Land Forgot: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/02/septuagesima-time-that-land-forgot.html
• Dom Prosper Gueranger on Septuagesima Season: https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/448-temporal-cycle/season-of-septuagesima/3441-saturday-before-septuagesima-sunday

Latin Masses This Week

• Wednesday February 15, 6pm – St. Ann parish (Feria day – no feast day)
• Thursday February 16, 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas parish (Feria)
• Friday February 17, 7am (St. Ann) & 12:30pm (St. Mark) (Feria)

TODAY: Fatima Talk Sunday February 12 at 2pm (St. Thomas Aquinas)

St. Thomas Aquinas parish is hosting a special Fatima seminar featuring David Rodriguez of the Fatima Center, and Charles Fraune, author of Slaying Dragons, and St. Thomas Aquinas Latin Mass attendee. Both will be giving talks on the importance of the Fatima message and it will take place in Aquinas Hall after the Latin Mass at 2pm on Sunday February 12. All are invited to attend. Please see linked flyer for schedule and details.

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

• 7am – St. Ann (the 6pm Mass will not be a Latin Mass) – this 7am TLM 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)
• 6pm – St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, Boone, NC (2 hours northwest of Charlotte)

If more Latin Masses are announced we will share them.

Bring in Old Palms: St. Ann parish has a basket in the narthex for old palms where you can drop off your old palms from last year (they will be used for ashes on Ash Wednesday)

Rules for Fasting & Abstinence: 1962 vs. Current Discipline: https://mcusercontent.com/61eba0fda529907fc1dacf176/files/ee1ae3df-d987-4f22-920f-7d5deaebced0/Rules_for_Fasting.pdf

UPDATE: 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 flyer at bottom of the page.  

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 (NEW TIME for JANUARY)
• 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?

BEGINS TODAY Holy Face Novena – Sunday February 12 – 20

On the topic of the Holy Face devotion, there is a novena to the Holy Face of Jesus that begins today Sunday February 12 and ends on Monday February 20, the day before Shrove Tuesday (e.g. the day prior to Ash Wednesday), and a day traditionally dedicated to offering reparation to the Holy Face.  The novena is attached, but you can also view it here: https://www.martinians.org/novena-to-the-holy-face (CLMC note: with continued threats against the Latin Mass, this can only be a helpful novena to begin today)

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• Feast of St Valentine – February 14: Contrary to secular thought, St. Valentine’s Day is a day which commemorates a priest who was martyred for his defense of Christ. Some critics question whether St. Valentine was even real, but a simple visit to Whitefriar Carmelite Church in Dublin and one can see the chest containing his relics:  http://www.whitefriarstreetchurch.ie/index.php/the-church/shrines/saint-valentine  See also Dom Gueranger’s entry for his feast: https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/525-sanctoral-cycle/february/3074-february-14-st-valentine-priest-and-martyr

• Another Bishop Stands With Latin Mass Community: Last Sunday in Columbus, Ohio, Bishop Earl Fernandes visited the Traditional Latin Mass parish, St. Leo the Great Oratory, staffed by priests of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, a traditional order of Latin Mass priests, to support the Latin Mass faithful: https://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/fetzen-fliegen/item/6378-another-bishop-stands-with-latin-mass-community

• Handbook of Moral Theology: This Lent, if one is looking to do some deeper reading about the Catholic faith, the Fraternity of St. Peter is recommending a republished 1921 book on moral theology by Fr. Dominic Prümmer: https://fraternitypublications.com/product/handbook-of-moral-theology/

• The Irish Fighting Spirit Parts II and III (The fight for the Latin Mass): A few weeks ago we shared the first part of a series about how the Irish fought for the Traditional Latin Mass against King Henry VIII’s government when it tried to impose protestant worship on Ireland. We are pleased to share the remaining two parts: Part II (https://onepeterfive.com/irish-fight-latin-mass-part-2/) and Part III (https://onepeterfive.com/irish-fighting-spirit/)

• KC Chiefs Superstar Defends Latin Mass: In the secular world Sunday is Superbowl Sunday. However, one player in Sunday’s game is not only a Catholic, but a Latin Mass devotee who also serves at Mass: Kansas City Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker. We share an article by the Remnant about Mr. Butker’s love of the Mass of Ages: https://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/headline-news-around-the-world/item/6368-kc-chiefs-superstar-defends-latin-mass
  
  
• Appeal for Prayers and Penances for the Liberty of the Traditional Mass in Lent: With Lent coming and continued threats against the Latin Mass, the leading international Latin Mass organization, Una Voce (One Voice), is asking Catholics to apply their Lenten prayers and penances for the protection of the Latin Mass: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/02/appeal-for-prayers-and-penances-for.html#.Y-h-ma3MKHs

Carmelites Lenten Offering: 40 days of Latin Masses, Prayers and Fasting For your Intentions

As we approach Lent next week, we wanted to re-share with you a wonderful annual opportunity for almsgiving that will benefit your friends and family. Our friends, the Carmelites Hermits of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Fairfield, PA, who offer the traditional liturgy exclusively (Carmelite Rite), are offering 40 days of Traditional Masses and 40 days of prayers and sacrifices for the following intentions:

• Spiritual renewal in the Church
• Sanctification of souls
• Healing of families and individuals
• Reversion of fallen-away Catholics
• Conversion of sinners who are far from God
• Protection of the Traditional Latin Mass

Knowing that many have family members away from the Sacraments and the Church or difficult situations in their lives, the Carmelites wanted to extend to all the opportunity to enroll their families, friends, clergy, or anyone in need of the graces from these many Masses and spiritual sacrifices. 

As Una Voce encourages (see earlier article above) we also invite everyone to include in one’s enrollment the protection of the Traditional Latin Mass, specifically the priests that offer it, and the bishops who can safeguard it.

Please consider making an offering of alms along with this enrollment.  Your generous financial sacrifice will bear all the more fruit for your intentions. (The Hermits completely subsist on donations).

• To enroll visit: https://www.edcarm.org/lenten-enrollment/ (deadline is Tuesday February 21)
• To learn more visit: https://vimeo.com/665845244

What Mass are you attending Sunday?

Laudetur Iesus Christus! This Sunday while the secular world focuses on a naturalistic event that will draw close to 70,000 people, another event will occur this Sunday at St. Thomas Aquinas parish examining a series of supernatural events which culminated in a miracle witnessed by 70,000 people and even reported in the Masonic secular newspaper at the time.

That supernatural event was Fatima, when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children at Cova da Iria (Fatima), Portugal in 1917 to deliver a prophetic message about the future of the Church, the world, and the need for prayer and reparation. These apparitions concluded with the miracle of the sun on October 13, 1917, which was witnessed by 70,000 people. While that event occurred over 105 years ago, the late Pope Benedict XVI cautioned the Church in 2010 when he said, “We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete.”

With that mission ongoing, this Sunday February 12, at 2pm (after the 11:30am Latin Mass), St. Thomas Aquinas is hosting a talk entitled “Fatima: Why the time is now!” with David Rodriguez (Fatima Center) and St. Thomas Aquinas parishioner and author Charles Fraune.

“At a time when the human family was ready to sacrifice all that was most sacred on the altar of the petty and selfish interests of nations, races, ideologies, groups and individuals, our Blessed Mother came from heaven, offering to implant in the hearts of all those who trust in her the Love of God burning in her own heart. At that time it was only to three children, yet the example of their lives spread and multiplied, especially as a result of the travels of the Pilgrim Virgin, in countless groups throughout the world dedicated to the cause of fraternal solidarity.” – Sermon, Pope Benedict XVI, May 13, 2010, Fatima Portugal.

For more details please see the parish website: https://www.stacharlotte.com/

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Sunday begins the three week pre-Lent season of Septuagesima, which roughly means 70 days before Easter. We will have more on this season below, but as custom, we share a commentary on the Collect for Sunday’s Latin Mass: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/01/the-exilic-collect-of-septuagesima.html#.YgiKJJZOmHs To learn more visit:https://www.fisheaters.com/customsseptuagesima1.html

Blessing of Bread Sunday February 5 – St. Ann parish

Sunday is also the feast of St. Agatha and the CLMC and St. Ann parish will be organizing a blessing of bread after the 12:30pm Latin Mass at St. Ann parish.  There is an ancient tradition to bless bread on her feast day, and Father will bless anyone’s bread with a traditional Latin blessing after Mass. Everyone is welcome to bring bread to be blessed – we will have a table available for bread blessing in the plaza. This will also occur at St. Thomas Aquinas (see below).

First Sunday Potluck at St. Thomas Aquinas

There will be a potluck and blessing of bread (see above) after the 11:30am Sunday Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. Please bring a dish or desert to share.

First Sunday in Salisbury

Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury will offer its 1^st Sunday Latin Mass at 4pm. Mass is offered by Fr. Putnam 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: www.salisburylmc.org

Latin Masses This Week

• Wednesday February 8, 6pm St. Ann – feast of St. John of Martha
• Thursday February 9, 7pm St. Thomas Aquinas – feast of St. Cyril of Alexandria, bishop
• Friday February 10, 7am (St. Ann) & 12:30pm (St. Mark) – St. Scholastica

Fatima Seminar – Fatima: Why The Time Is Now! – Next Sunday February 12, 2pm

St. Thomas Aquinas parish is hosting a special Fatima seminar featuring David Rodriguez of the Fatima Center, and Charles Fraune, author of Slaying Dragons, and St. Thomas Aquinas Latin Mass attendee. Both will be giving talks on the importance of the Fatima message and it will take place in Aquinas Hall after the Latin Mass at 2pm on Sunday February 12. All are invited to attend. Please see this flyer for schedule and details.

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

As Septuagesima begins, the Church, through the Traditional Rite, now begins to focus on the coming season of Lent. With that focus, we are pleased to announce that St. Thomas Aquinas parish will again be inviting a Fraternity of St. Peter priest, Fr. Joseph Portzer, FSSP, for a mission – this time for Lent (he also gave the Advent retreat).  The schedule will feature a mission talk at 7pm as well as Confessions prior at 6pm each evening. We can’t express enough the blessing of having this mission and encourage everyone to take advantage of this wonderful event. Please see this flyer for details.  

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

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 (NEW TIME for JANUARY)
• 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?

First Saturday in Boone

Although first Saturday is past, we did want to share with our readers that St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country in Boone, NC (2 hours northwest of Charlotte) offers a series of first Saturday events beginning with 10am Latin Mass, followed by a Rosary, meditation, and also a potluck at 11:30am.

Latin Mass & Traditional News

• Highlands church meets ‘audacious goal’: Many of you may remember when Fr. Barone was at St. Ann parish and offered the Latin Mass regularly. Now he is pastor of Our Lady of the Mountains in Highlands (3 hours west of Charlotte) and is embarking on a magnificent endeavor to build a new church – in the Baroque style.  Not only that, but the fundraising campaign has broken diocesan records in reaching its initial goal in record time, in a single campaign. Quoting the diocese’s development director, Jim Kelly, the article notes (emphasis ours):
  
  “Over the past 35 years, our office has assisted parishes and schools with more than 270 capital campaigns. Our Lady of the Mountains has raised more than the other 270 campaigns, and no other church in our diocese’s history has ever raised that much in a single campaign. Congratulations to Father Barone, their campaign leaders and their parishioners for their extraordinary results.”
  
  Article: https://catholicnewsherald.com/88-news/fp/8953-highlands-church-meets-audacious-goal
  To see videos and images of the project visit the parish’s website: https://olmhighlands.com/capital-campaign

CLMC comment: Extraordinary might be the key word to describe this project.

• The Great Pat Buchanan Signs Off: Conservative political commentator and former White House advisor to Presidents Nixon and Reagan, Patrick Buchanan, has announced his retirement from writing.  While he is known for his political writings and his campaigns for president, he is also a regular attendee and defender of the Traditional Latin Mass, and was often seen at Sunday Latin Mass at Old St. Mary’s in Washington, DC (when it was offered there). There is also a local Catholic connection to Buchanan: during his famous 1992 convention speech on the culture wars, Mary Potter Summa, of the noted Catholic family here in Charlotte, introduced him to the convention floor. Crisis Magazine has a write up on Buchanan’s retirement: https://www.crisismagazine.com/editors-desk/the-great-pat-buchanan-signs-off and we share Buchanan’s praise of Pope Benedict’s Summorum Pontificum, which provided greater access to the Latin Mass, when it was released in July 2007: https://buchanan.org/blog/pjb-a-triumph-for-traditionalists-798

• The Character of God Refutes Theistic Evolution: Among certain Catholic circles, there is a mistaken belief in an unproven scientific theory called theistic evolution. The general premise is that God did not create the world in six literal days as the Word of God stated in Genesis, but that God supposedly allowed the universe to form over millions (or billions) of years, and molecules eventually coalesced to form the basic building blocks of life, which over long periods of time eventually formed living creatures, some of which eventually evolved to apes, and then to man, which the latter was supposedly given a soul.  Despite the many Church teachings over 2,000 years condemning such theories, some Catholics, however, still believe it to be true. Thankfully Dr. Kevin Mark, of the Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation (which the CLMC co-sponsored their visit in 2019), has written an excellent essay affirming the traditional doctrine of creation, and examining how theistic evolution goes against the character of God: https://www.kolbecenter.org/the-character-of-god-refutes-theistic-evolution/

• On Singing Gregorian Chant Artfully (Part 2): Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, who the CLMC hosted in September, penned the second installment on how to sign Gregorian chant (part 1 is here): https://onepeterfive.com/on-singing-gregorian-chant-artfully-part-2/

• Bishop Schneider in Lebanon: His Excellency Bishop Athanasius Schneider, who visited the CLMC and St. Ann in 2017, has recently given a new interview during his Christmastide trip to Lebanon. He offers encouraging words defending the Latin Mass and its attendees against the restrictions from Rome, which we share:
  
  “End this discrimination of these Catholics, this is a huge injustice, and to treat them as second class Catholics. This is and will remain as a grave injustice on the part of the Pope, of the Holy See, against faithful devout Catholics who love the Pope, who pray for the Pope, and for the bishops. They are not schismatics. They are true daughters and sons of the Church.”
  
  https://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/fetzen-fliegen/item/6373-bishop-schneider-in-lebanon-the-interview

The Season of Septuagesima

For those new to the Traditional Latin Mass, a pre-Lent season may sound foreign as it does not exist in the Novus Ordo. Yet as the great 19^th century Benedictine liturgist, Dom Prosper Gueranger writes in The Liturgical Year, a pre-Lent season is absolutely necessary to prepare for one of the principal seasons of the year, Lent. We share some reflections of this season beginning with the suspension of the Alleluia which occurs on the Saturday prior to Septuagesima (e.g. yesterday), and provides a subtle transition between Christmastide and Lent:

Suspension of the Alleluia

Our holy mother the Church knows how necessary it is for her to rouse our hearts from their lethargy, and give them an active tendency towards the things of God. On this day, the eve of Septuagesima, she uses a powerful means for infusing her own spirit into the minds of her children. She takes the song of heaven away from us: she forbids our further uttering that Alleluia, which is so dear to us, as giving us a fellowship with the choirs of angels, who are forever repeating it. How is it that we poor mortals, sinners, and exiles on earth, have dared to become so familiar with this hymn of a better land? It is true, our Emmanuel, who established peace between God and men, brought it us from heaven on the glad night of His Birth; and we have had the courage to repeat it after the angels, and shall chant it with renewed enthusiasm when we reach our Easter. But to sing the Alleluia worthily, we must have our hearts set on the country whence it came. It is not a mere word, nor a profane unmeaning melody; it is the song that recalls the land we are banished from, it is the sweet sigh of the soul longing to be at home.

https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/448-temporal-cycle/season-of-septuagesima/3441-saturday-before-septuagesima-sunday

Septuagesima Sunday

Gueranger continues with a helpful explanation of today which begins this preparatory season of penance and prayer.

The Season of Septuagesima comprises the three weeks immediately preceding Lent. It forms one of the principal divisions of the Liturgical Year, and is itself divided into three parts, each part corresponding to a week: the first is called Septuagesima; the second, Sexagesima; the third, Quinquagesima.

All three are named from their numerical reference to Lent, which, in the language of the Church, is called Quadragesima, — that is, Forty, — because the great Feast of Easter is prepared for by the holy exercises of Forty Days. The words Quinquagesima, Sexagesima, and Septuagesima, tell us of the same great Solemnity as looming in the distance, and as being the great object towards which the Church would have us now begin to turn all our thoughts, and desires, and devotion.

Now, the Feast of Easter must be prepared for by a forty-days’ recollectedness and penance. Those forty-days are one of the principal Seasons of the Liturgical Year, and one of the most powerful means employed by the Church for exciting in the hearts of her children the spirit of their Christian Vocation. It is of the utmost importance, that such a Season of grace should produce its work in our souls, — the renovation of the whole spiritual life. The Church, therefore, has instituted a preparation for the holy time of Lent. She gives us the three weeks of Septuagesima, during which she withdraws us, as much as may be, from the noisy distractions of the world, in order that our hearts may be the more readily impressed by the solemn warning she is to give us, at the commencement of Lent, by marking our foreheads with ashes.

https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/500-commentary-on-the-seasons/septuagesima/3628-chapter-1-the-history-of-septuagesima

Septuagesima Season has begun, to prepare us for Lent. What Mass are you attending Sunday?

Laudetur Iesus Christus! Tomorrow is the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, otherwise known as Candlemas. This day marks the end of the 40 day Christmas season and for those attending St. Thomas Aquinas parish tomorrow, it will feature a blessing of candles and a candlelight procession followed by Latin Mass (St. Ann will bless candles before 7am Novus Ordo Mass tomorrow morning – see below). We provide a special commentary on the prayers of Mass today by Dr. Mike Foley: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2022/02/the-purifying-orations-of-candlemas.html#.Yfoun_hOmHs

We also provide a quote by Dom Prosper Gueranger from today’s reflection in The Liturgical Year:

At length, the Holy Family enters Jerusalem. The name of this holy City signifies Vision of Peace; and Jesus comes to bring her Peace. Let us consider the names of the three places in which our Redeemer began, continued, and ended his life on earth. He is conceived at Nazareth, which signifies a Flower; and Jesus is, as he tells us in the Canticle, the Flower of the field and the Lily of the valley, by whose fragrance we are refreshed. He is born at Bethlehem, the House of Bread; for he is the nourishment of our souls. He dies on the Cross in Jerusalem, and by his Blood he restores peace between heaven and earth, peace between men, peace within our own souls; and on this day of his Mother’s Purification, we shall find him giving us the pledge of this peace.

• February 2^nd – The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary: https://fsspatl.com/liturgical-year/525-sanctoral-cycle/february/3065-february-2-the-purification-of-the-blessed-mary

Candlemas – Feast of the Purification Thursday February 2^nd

The 40 day Christmas season closes tomorrow, but not before the brilliant feast of Candles is celebrated, the 40^th day of Christmas.  Candlemas is known as the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Leviticus 12:2-8), and candles were blessed on this day as a symbol of the Blessed Mother presenting the Light of the World (the Infant Jesus) to God in the Temple – hence it’s also called the feast of the Presentation.  Thus candles – representing the Light of Christ – are blessed on February 2nd. The next day, February 3^rd is the feast of St. Blaise, and the blessing of throats occurs with the candles blessed the day prior. Here are some of the Latin Masses for February 2nd:

• St. Ann, No Latin Mass. A traditional Latin blessing of Candles will occur before the 7am Novus Ordo Mass: Prior to the start of the 7am  Novus Ordo Mass, Fr. Jones will bless candles in the Traditional Rite. Please bring candles near the altar rails. Please arrive a few minutes early.
• St. Thomas Aquinas, 7pm – Latin Mass, blessing of candles and procession: Please bring candles to the table near the sanctuary to be blessed.
• St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, Boone, NC – 9:30am Latin Mass, (100 miles northwest of Charlotte): Candle blessing at beginning of Mass.  
• Holy Cross, Kernersville, 7pm Latin Mass (90 miles north of Charlotte): Will include a blessing of candles.
• Prince of Peace, Taylors, SC – 7pm Latin Mass (100 miles southwest of Charlotte): Prince of Peace parish will offer a Latin Mass along with a blessing of candles. It is suggested to arrive 10-15 minutes early. Parish is located at 1209 Brushy Creek Road, Taylors, SC.  
• Our Lady of the Lake, Chapin, SC, – 6:30pm Latin Mass (100 miles south of Charlotte): Blessing of candles will take place at the beginning of Mass, followed by a procession. It will be offered at Our Lady of the Lake parish in Chapin, SC (195 Amicks Ferry Road, Chapin, SC)

Candle Instructions: Candles should be 51% beeswax or greater (no scented candles, etc.); packages should be opened and any plastic wrap should be removed to allow the candles to be blessed with Holy Water.

Customs of Candlemas

• To learn more about the traditions customs, and recipes for this feast day (including its influence on Groundhog Day), visit: https://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterepiphany3.html
• Dr Peter Kwasniewski compares the Latin candle blessing vs. the modern one: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/02/a-comparison-of-old-and-new-blessing-of.html#.Yfos_fhOmHt

First Sunday in Salisbury

Lastly Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury will offer its 1^st Sunday Latin Mass at 4pm. Mass is offered by Fr. Putnam 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

First Sunday Potluck at St. Thomas Aquinas

There will be a potluck after the 11:30am Sunday Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. Additionally, Fr. Codd will be offering a special blessing of breads in honor of St. Agatha – so please bring any breads you would like to have blessed.

Blessing of Bread Sunday February 5 – St. Ann parish

As noted above, Sunday is the feast day of St. Agatha and the CLMC and St. Ann parish will be organizing a blessing of bread after the 12:30pm Latin Mass at St. Ann parish.  There is an ancient tradition to bless bread on her feast day, and Father will bless bread with a traditional Latin blessing after Mass. Everyone is welcome to bring bread to be blessed – we will have a table available for bread blessing in the plaza.

The Labor of Bees

As noted above, it is appropriate to have 51% beeswax or greater candles blessed today as the 1962 Missal has a special prayer for blessing of beeswax candles only available on February 2^nd which specifically references the labor of bees in making the beeswax used for candles to be blessed. This prayer reads:

Holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, who hast created all things out of nothing, and by Thy command hast caused this liquid to become perfect wax by the labour of bees…

Bees take on special meaning in the symbolism of the spiritual life, as the CLMC’s own Chris Lauer explained in his article, because they sacrifice themselves for others:

• On Candles and Sacrifice: https://liturgyguy.com/2017/01/31/on-candles-and-sacrifice/

Dom Prosper Gueranger expounds further in The Liturgical Year, on the other symbols of wax, bees, the candles:

The mystery of today’s ceremony has frequently been explained by liturgists, dating from the 7th century. According to St. Ivo of Chartres, the wax—which is formed from the juice of flowers by the bee (which has always been considered as the emblem of virginity)—signifies the virginal flesh of the Divine Infant, who diminished not, either by his conception or his birth, the spotless purity of his Blessed Mother. The same holy Bishop would have us see, in the flame of our Candle, a symbol of Jesus, who came to enlighten our darkness. St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, speaking on the same mystery, bids us consider three things in the blessed Candle: the Wax, the Wick, and the Flame. The Wax, he says, which is the production of the virginal bee, is the Flesh of our Lord; the Wick, which is within, is his Soul; the Flame, which burns on the top, is his Divinity.

Lastly, in case you missed yesterday’s announcement about Saturday’s 1^st Saturday schedule change, and upcoming talks at St. Thomas Aquinas including one on Fatima, and the FSSP’s Lenten Mission, please see this update: https://charlottelatinmass.org/2023/01/31/st-thomas-aquinas-parish-fssp-lenten-mission-upcoming-talks/

Laudetur Iesus Christus! We thank everyone who joined us for the end-of-Christmas celebration on Sunday, and for the many who provided delicious dishes and treats. Moreover we thank the Cantate Domino Latin Choir for helping to close Christmas with their joyful and festive singing. We have a few upcoming seminars this coming month (in reverse order).

St. Thomas Aquinas Lenten Mission: February 27 – March 1, 7pm

As Christmas ends this week, the Church, through the Traditional Rite, now begins to focus on the coming season of Lent. With that focus, we are pleased to announce that St. Thomas Aquinas parish will again be inviting a Fraternity of St. Peter priest, Fr. Joseph Portzer, FSSP, for a mission – this time for Lent (he also gave the Advent retreat).  The schedule will feature a mission talk at 7pm as well as confessions prior at 6pm each evening. We can’t express enough the blessing of having this mission and encourage everyone to take advantage of this wonderful event.

The schedule is as follows:

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

For those new to the Latin Mass, the Fraternity of St Peter 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.

Fatima Seminar – Fatima: Why The Time Is Now! – Sunday February 12, 2pm

St. Thomas Aquinas parish is hosting a special Fatima seminar featuring David Rodriguez of the Fatima Center, and Charles Fraune, author of Slaying Dragons, and St. Thomas Aquinas Latin Mass attendee. Both will be giving talks on the importance of the Fatima message and it will take place in Aquinas Hall after the Latin Mass at 2pm on Sunday February 12. All are invited to attend. Please see link for event details.

Special 1^st Saturday Latin Mass Time of 8:30am this Weekend (Saturday February 4)

The first Saturday Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas parish this Saturday February 4 will be at 8:30am (not 10am). The blessing of religious objects is canceled for this Saturday. This change is due to a 10am special talk on the Church’s teaching marriage given by convert and EWTN host David Anders.

Candlemas Thursday & First Sunday in Salisbury

As a reminder, St. Thomas Aquinas parish will be offering the Candlemas as the regular 7pm Latin Mass this Thursday February 2. It will also feature the Traditional blessing of candles and a candlelight procession – all part of the liturgy for the evening. If you have not been to a traditional Candlemas before, this would be an excellent opportunity to attend.

Lastly Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury will offer its 1^st Sunday Latin Mass at 4pm. Mass is offered by Fr. Putnam 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