Laudetur Iesus Christus! 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:
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.
CLMC note: In prior ages, priestly ordinations would occur on Ember Saturday
Looking ahead here are the Latin Mass updates this weekend:
Six Sundays to Restore the Triduum
This Lent, in order to pray and sacrifice to help restore the canceled Latin Triduum, we are encourage all CLMC readers who are not currently attending the Sunday Latin Mass regularly, to consider making the sacrifice and join us each Sunday during Lent and pray for the Triduum’s restoration. The attached flyer lists all of the diocesan Latin Masses in the Diocese of Charlotte. Relatedly, the priests at St. Ann and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes (and others) will also be praying a Memorare after the Latin Mass on certain days for the protection of the Latin Mass: https://charlottelatinmass.org/2022/03/01/six-sundays-to-restore-the-latin-triduum/
1st Sunday Latin Mass in Salisbury
This Sunday there will be a 4pm Latin Mass at Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury (45 minutes north of Charlotte), offered by Fr. Noah Carter. After Mass there will be fellowship and food in Brincefield Hall. To learn more visit the Salisbury Latin Mass Community: http://salisburylmc.org/
Juventutem Young Adults Event – Saturday March 26, 6pm
Juventutem, the young adults group centered around the Traditional Latin Mass is organizing traditional Latin Vespers at 6pm and afterwards a talk on iconography at the Cathedral on Saturday March 26 at 6:30pm (Cathedral Youth Room). Vespers will be prayed at 6pm near the Marion Grotto behind the school (on the backside of the parish). Please see announcement below.
At 6pm we will gather at the Marian grotto behind St. Patrick’s School to pray Vespers in Latin. Following prayer, we will walk over to the Youth Room at 6:30pm for a talk on iconography by guest speaker, Rachel Willoughby. Learn about this Sacred Christian art form full of complex layers, symbolism, and meaning! There is also the potential for a future offering of a multi-session icon painting workshop.
How Traditional are Betrothals?: Former St. Ann schola and 12:30pm attendee Sharon Kabel has written another great post on the traditional betrothal ceremonies and its history: https://onepeterfive.com/how-traditional-are-betrothals/
Catholics Act Locally & Think Locally: In the wake of this corporate “cancel” culture and mandates, this sermon explores the importance of Catholics needing to support each other locally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wwv-g7–s0
Bishops ask Pope Francis to consecrate Ukraine and Russia to Immaculate Heart of Mary: In a miraculous turn of events, the Ukrainian bishops have formally written to Pope Francis asking him to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as requested by Our Lady of Fatima. As many followers of the Fatima apparitions know, Our Lady had requested in 1929 that the Pope consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart and doing so would usher in an era of peace, known as the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart. Since 1929 when this request was made, it has not been done. Some claim that Pope St. John Paul II did it in March 1984, but he did not mention Russia by name. The fact remains the era of peace promised by Our Lady after the consecration has certainly not occurred – particularly for those living in Ukraine, not to mention other global “hot spots”. Recently both Cardinal Burke, and Bishop Athanasius Schneider have also called for the consecration to be done: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2022/03/02/bishops-ask-pope-francis-to-consecrate-ukraine-and-russia-to-immaculate-heart-of-mary/
Confraternity of Our Lady of Fatima: As a reminder, one year ago, a new confraternity formed which is dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, and praying daily for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart. The group is endorsed by Bishop Schneider. This is great way to unite one’s self to the Ukrainian bishops’ request for the consecration: https://www.livefatima.io
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…
Lastly, as noted on Thursday, March 3rd marked the 9 year anniversary of the first Sunday Latin Mass at St. Ann parish. We attach an image of that first Mass (and a much younger Fr. Reid!). Please keep him in your Mass intentions this Sunday.
The Traditional Latin Mass, with its pre-Lent season of Septuagesima prepared the faithful for the 40 days of Lenten fasting, prayer and almsgiving now upon us. What Mass are you attending Sunday?
Laudetur Iesus Christus and blessed feast of the Holy Face of Jesus!
Many have already heard the shocking and disappointing news that was announced from the pulpit at St. Thomas Aquinas that the traditional Latin Easter Triduum, which has been celebrated for our community since 2017 has been cancelled this year by Bishop Peter Jugis. While we all have been saddened by this decision the news was especially heartbreaking for those catechumens who were looking forward to entering the Church at the Latin Easter Vigil Mass.
In response, CLMC has respectfully written to His Excellency, Bishop Jugis, explaining the spiritual harm that cancelling the Triduum brings to our community and imploring him to reconsider. We have read through the public documents from Rome and are not aware of any document or decree that requires such a cancellation.
A respected priest of the diocese advised our community that while we wait for the Bishop to consider our letter, we need to sacrifice and pray for this intention. With Lent starting tomorrow, we have six Sundays that remain between now and Holy Week and there is no better sacrifice and prayer than that of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, for Christ alone can glorify God as He deserves.
We invite you to attend the Traditional Latin Mass on Sundays during Lent and offer your Mass intention for Bishop Jugis to restore the Traditional Easter Triduum. While attendance at the Sunday Latin Masses recently has been surging, we know that for some families, the time or distance is difficult. If you’re not attending Sunday Latin Mass regularly, please consider making this added sacrifice during Lent and join us at the Sunday Latin Mass nearest to you. The below image lists all of the diocesan Latin Masses in the Diocese of Charlotte.
Relatedly, the priests at St. Ann and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes will also be praying a Memorare after the Latin Mass on certain days for the protection of the Traditional Latin Mass.
Finally, let us all join our Lenten prayers in unison to pray for our Bishop, who is in a difficult situation, and ask the Holy Spirit to come to our assistance with this intention.
***
Ash Wednesday Latin Masses/Distribution of Ashes
St. Ann parish, 7:00am
Our Lady of the Lake, Chapin, SC, 10:00am (1.5 hours south of Charlotte)
Our Lady of Grace, Greensboro, 12:15pm (1.5 hours north of Charlotte) (new time)
Prince of Peace, Taylors, SC, 12 noon (2 hours southwest of Charlotte)
St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, Boone, NC, 6:00pm (2 hours northwest of Charlotte)
St. John the Baptist, Tryon, NC, 6:30pm (2 hours west of Charlotte)
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, Dr. Mike Foley provides more background on this mini-liturgical season and the reflection on Sunday’s Collect: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/02/the-shrovish-collect-of-quinquagesima.html
** Special 1st Saturday Latin Mass at 5:30 AM – St. Thomas Aquinas **
Next Saturday March 5 is First Saturday, and the normal 10 am Latin Mass is canceled due to the daylong Catholic Men’s Conference at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. However, in a generous act of kindness toward the Latin Mass faithful, Fr. Codd is offering a special Low Mass at 5:30am so the faithful can make their 1st Saturday Fatima devotions. Indeed it is an early hour, but with Lent arriving, and need, now more than ever, for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, making a sacrifice to attend this Mass can help bear great fruit and graces.
5:30am Low Mass
Saturday March 5
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish (1400 Suther Road, Charlotte)
(there will not be any blessing of religious objects on this Saturday)
Note: If you are concerned about events overseas, please consider practicing the 1st Saturday Fatima devotions as it is the best way to bring about a permanent peace. The message of Fatima is still very much relevant today and the errors of Russia (e.g. communism) still continue to plague the world.
Ash Wednesday Latin Masses/Distribution of Ashes
St. Ann parish, 7:00am
Our Lady of the Lake, Chapin, SC, 10:00am (1.5 hours south of Charlotte)
Our Lady of Grace, Greensboro, 12:15pm (1.5 hours north of Charlotte) (new time)
Prince of Peace, Taylors, SC, 12 noon (2 hours southwest of Charlotte)
St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, Boone, NC, 6:00pm (2 hours northwest of Charlotte)
St. John the Baptist, Tryon, NC, 6:30pm (2 hours west of Charlotte)
Preparations and Guidelines for Lent (Fasting & Abstinence)
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:
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 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 March 1.
Annual CLMC Novena to St. Gregory the Great (March 3 – 11)
Thursday March 3rd begins our annual novena to St. Gregory the Great, the patron saint of the CLMC. The novena, which is attached, consists of praying 1 Rosary daily for 9 days (March 3 – March 11), and at the end of each daily Rosary, offering this attached prayer to St. Gregory for our spiritual needs to be provided for (although progress has been made in prior years, much still remains to be fulfilled). Please see the link below. As we prayed in prior years, we again ask you to also consider including the following intentions:
Full sacramental/parish life in Traditional Latin Mass for Charlotte (includes daily Masses & confessions, Confirmation, Triduum, Divine office, traditional catechesis, devotions, etc.)
Sanctity of our Latin Mass Priests and Bishop Jugis
That Our Lord may send more Latin Mass priests to Charlotte
Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday which is also the feast of the Holy Face. The day prior, on Monday, St. Mark parish’s Holy Face apostolate will be offering prayers of reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus from 2-3pm in the church. As background, in 1843, Sr. Mary of St. Peter, a Carmelite nun in the monastery in Tours, France, received a series of revelations from Jesus telling her that reparation for certain sins were an imperative, and that it was to be done through devotion to the Holy Face. The primary purpose of this apostolate is to, by praying certain prayers, make reparation for the sins committed against the first three Commandments of the Lord: The denial of God by atheism (communism), blasphemy, and the profanation of Sundays and Holy Days. Devotion to the Holy Face has been referred to as the devotion for Jesus Crucified. Attend as your schedule permits.
Pictures of a Traditional Ordination in Brazil: While some are worried about future restrictions on the Latin Mass due to the December 2021 responsa, the Latin Mass itself continues onward, unabated. Notably, we are pleased to share pictures of a Traditional Latin Mass ordination occurring in Brazil last month. The Pontifical Ordination Mass was offered by Brazilian Military Bishop Dom Fernando Guimarães, CSSR, who ordained one of men of the Institute of the Good Shephard (IBP) to the priesthood. IBP is another order of Latin Mass priests, similar to the Fraternity of St. Peter or Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2022/02/pictures-of-ibp-ordination-in-brazil.html#.YhsMRpZOmHs
Book Recommendation: Christian Social Principles – The Complete Guide to Catholic Social Teaching: If there is one aspect of the faith that has yet to be fully unpackaged in the Church, or even in Latin Mass circles today, it is the Church’s traditional social teachings and doctrine. Rest assured, this is not “social justice” or any Marxist ideology, but the perennial teachings taught for 2,000 years. Sadly, much of it has been forgotten or abandoned in the last 70 years, but thankfully Sophia Press has just re-published a gem which covers many topics relevant today. This comes recommended thanks to Sensus Fidelium: Here is the description: https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/christian-social-principles
Bishop Athanasius Schneider’s New Book on the Mass — A Masterful Doctrinal and Devotional Synthesis: Our friend, Bishop Athanasisus Schneider, who visited the CLMC & St. Ann parish in 2017), just released a wonderful new book on the Mass. Dr. Kwasniewski has just reviewed the book and posted a review: https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2022/02/bishop-athanasius-schneiders-new-book.html
Pope Francis Exempts FSSP from Traditiones Custodes Restrictions
Like rays of sunshine breaking forth from a cloudy day, the Latin Mass world is rejoicing over a decree issued on February 11 by Pope Francis, declaring that the Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), the Latin Mass order of priests, is essentially exempt from the new Motu Proprio Traditiones Custodes, and has full rights to use the 1962 Missal anywhere it operates – including Rome. This was unexpected, and thanks should be attributed to Our Lady of Lourdes intercession whose feast day the decree was written, and whom the FSSP (and CLMC) was praying a novena to in this regard.
It is implied though unverified, that this decree would also apply to the other “Ecclesia Dei” institutes. As background for our new readers, the FSSP, along with the Institute of Christ the King, Institute of Good Shephard, etc. are Latin Mass orders of priests that offer the Latin Mass exclusively, and staff parishes at the invitation of bishops throughout the world. They are called “Ecclesia Dei” institutes as they derive their juridical or legal standing in the Church from Pope St. John Paul II’s 1988 encyclical Ecclesia Dei, which created a structure for these societies to operate.
Here are some articles discussing the matter in more detail:
While the Latin Mass situation remains fluid, this certainly brings some stability and protection to the Latin Mass, where the FSSP priests offer the Mass. Let us pray that the diocese of Charlotte will likewise see similar stability and protection in the days and months ahead.
As Fr. Chad Ripperger noted last September, the Traditional Latin Mass will never cease until Christ returns. What Mass are you attending on Sunday?
Laudetur Iesus Christus! As many of you know, our diocese is home to the Veterum Sapientia Institute (VSI), a Latin language institute co-founded by Fr. Barone, Dr. Nancy Llewellyn (Latin professor at Belmont Abbey/St. Joseph’s seminary), Dr. Eric Hewett, and others.
This week VSI issued a major announcement – the establishment of a Diploma in Ecclesiastical Latin degree program. This is program forms the backbone of their accreditation and Institute overall. We share their press release at the bottom of the e-mail.
The degree program is among many projects in the works, and they hope to offer other certificate programs for Latin Mass attendees, homeschoolers, etc.
In order to do so, they need both prayers and financial support. Specifically, the support will help them achieve their goals more quickly and efficiently. To learn more or to support their work please visit: www.veterumsapientia.org
~
PRESS RELEASE:
Veterum Sapientia Institute is very pleased to announce the establishment of its new accredited degree program, the Diploma Latinitatis Ecclesiasticae (Diploma in Ecclesiastical Latin.) This program is launched in partnership with the Pontifical Institute for Higher Latinity, a faculty of the Salesian University in Rome, which shares VSI’s commitment to promoting the study of Ecclesiastical Latin. On January 25th of this year, the program received the official approval of the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education.
According to Dr Eric Hewett, President and Co-founder of the Institute, “This new diploma program opens up a clear and practical path to mastery of the Latin of the Church, and brings St John XXIII’s vision to life in our own day. We are especially thrilled to be able to make this announcement on the 60th anniversary of his Apostolic Constitution Veterum Sapientia, for which the Institute is named.”
The DLE is a three-year program designed especially for clergy and religious, in order to give them the necessary tools to become thoroughly familiar with the “wisdom of the ancients” contained in both the ecclesiastical and secular literature of the Latin language. VSI President Eric Hewett comments, “This new diploma program opens up a clear & practical path to mastery of the Latin of the Church, and brings John XXIII’s vision to life in our own day.”
The program is divided into two levels called “milestones.” In the first, after learning the fundamentals of Latin from the popular Familia Romana series, students will take three courses in the classical authors, both in poetry and prose, and the basic texts of ecclesiastical Latin such as the Catechism and the Order of Mass. At the completion of this first milestone, the student will receive a certificate of completion from VSI.
The second milestone will focus on various forms of Ecclesiastical Latin, with specialized courses in a wide variety of topics such as the Bible, the Church Fathers, the Catholic philosophical and theological tradition, liturgy and canon law. This part of the program will be completed with a special Summer Intensive Capstone Course, to be taken either in Rome or remotely, wherein students will work directly with the PIAL. At the conclusion, students will submit a thesis to the PIAL in Latin on a topic related to the DLE curriculum.
Following the inspiration of Fr Reginald Foster, with whom many members of VSI studied, our preferred mode of teaching will be to treat Latin as a living language, actively spoken by both teachers and students in class.
Since we recognize that the duties of many clergy and religious may make it difficult for them to dedicate themselves to the program on a full-time basis, students will have the options to fulfill the course requirements in non-consecutive semesters, or to take on a reduced course load per semester.
The program’s first semester will be offered in autumn of this year; VSI looks forward to fulfilling the mission entrusted to it by the Church, in keeping with Pope St John XXIII’s vision for the preservation and promotion of the study of Latin.
Laudetur Iesus Christus! Sunday is Sexagesima Sunday, where we now are within roughly 60 days of Easter, and 11 or so days from the beginning of Lent. As this is the second Sunday of this pre-Lent season of Septuagesima, we share two articles, one Dr. Mike Foley’s commentary on Sunday’s Collect, and secondly, his essay on the forgotten season of Septuagesima. We note in the first article, he also provides a brief explanation of the station churches in Rome which one may read about in the traditional liturgical books or see in the missal. We also include Dom Gueranger’s summary of Septuagesima season in case you missed it least week.
Respect Life Latin Mass – next Saturday February 26, 8am (St. Ann)
St. Ann will offer its monthly 4th Saturday Respect Life Mass this Saturday at 8am, followed by prayers at the abortion facility, or for those unable to go, a Holy Hour of reparation will be offered in the church.
Ash Wednesday March 2, Latin Masses/Distribution of Ashes
St. Ann parish, 7:00am (no 6pm Latin Mass this day)
Our Lady of the Lake, Chapin, SC, 10:00am (1.5 hours south of Charlotte)
Our Lady of Grace, Greensboro, 12 noon (1.5 hours north of Charlotte)
Prince of Peace, Taylors, SC, 12 noon (2 hours southwest of Charlotte)
St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, Boone, NC, 6:00pm (2 hours northwest of Charlotte)
St. John the Baptist, Tryon, NC, 6:30pm (2 hours west of Charlotte)
(More Masses will be added when announced)
Bring in Old Palms
As mentioned in St. Ann’s Friday Five, the 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)
Holy Face Apostolate at St. Mark – Mondays 2-3pm
St. Mark parish in Huntersville has a new apostolate that meets once a week to offer prayers in reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus each Monday from 2-3pm in the church. As background, in 1843, Sr. Mary of St. Peter, a Carmelite nun in the monastery in Tours, France, received a series of revelations from Jesus telling her that reparation for certain sins were an imperative, and that it was to be done through devotion to the Holy Face. The primary purpose of this apostolate is to, by praying certain prayers, make reparation for the sins committed against the first three Commandments of the Lord: The denial of God by atheism (communism), blasphemy, and the profanation of Sundays and Holy Days. Devotion to the Holy Face has been referred to as the devotion for Jesus Crucified.
BEGINS TODAY Holy Face Novena – Sunday February 20 – 28
Speaking of the Holy Face devotion, there is a novena to the Holy Face of Jesus that begins today Sunday February 20 and ends on Monday February 28, the day before Shrove Tuesday (which is the day prior to Ash Wednesday), and a day traditionally dedicated to offering reparation to the Holy Face for https://sensusfidelium.com/2022/02/18/novena-to-the-holy-face-of-jesus-february-20-28/ (CLMC note: with the march of communism proceeding through the world and the Church, this can only be a helpful novena to begin today.)
Latin Mass & Traditional News
Saddened by restrictions, NFL star speaks out in defense of Traditional Latin Mass: Kansas City Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker, who attends the Traditional Latin Mass, is defending the Latin Mass against attacks. He also questions whether Pope Benedict’s “Reform of the Reform” (ROTR) strategy promoted by some conservative priests is really viable anymore. (The ROTR is to try and borrow parts of the Latin Mass, and use it in the Novus Ordo to try and make the latter more reverent. The CLMC, among many, recommends abandoning this “experimental remedy” and just simply offer Traditional Latin Mass, which is far superior and always reverent, no matter the celebrant).
You used the word “persecuted.” Is that really how you feel?
I do. I feel like I’m almost not welcome in the Church for wanting to go to the Latin Mass and for wanting to have a traditional confirmation for my children. I feel like I’m a lesser-than Catholic and not part of the Church because I want to attend the traditional rite. But that’s not the reality at all. I want to be obedient to the Church. I want to stay within the Church. It seems like I’m getting persecuted just because I have a love for the traditional rite. And that rite is getting taken away, unfortunately, which is very sad.
When Traditionis custodes was issued, what was your reaction?
The first thing I thought was that I could still go to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) and the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest for the traditional sacraments. I hoped the motu proprio wouldn’t affect those two communities. I also had to completely rethink extraordinary form, ordinary form, mutual enrichment — everything that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI taught about that I read and I accepted has been like that’s not the case anymore. So, I’ve had to completely rethink that.
Top COVID-19 Expert: Vatican Violating Code of Bioethics, Must End Vaccine Mandate Now: Traditionalist reporter, Edward Pentin interviewed Dr. Peter McCullough, a protestant cardiologist from Dallas and outspoken critic of the COVID-19 “vaccines” (ed. note – Dr. McCullough has unfortunately been promoting, perhaps unwittingly, abortion-linked monoclonal antibody treatments as an alternatively). Regarding vaccine mandates, the doctor has recently offered his medical expertise on these “vaccines” and warned that Vatican has committed a grievous mistake in promoting these experimental treatments (also linked to abortion, as is commonly known). He also went on to say the Vatican will be guilty of the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people due to its promotion of the vaccine.
The Vatican should drop all mandates, drop all restrictions, and drop all advocacy or concern for the vaccines. The Vatican immediately should start a public interest campaign on vaccine injuries and vaccine deaths. They should formally apologize for taking a position on the vaccines that’s been deleterious and they will have to account for potentially hundreds of thousands of lives lost due to the vaccine worldwide because the Vatican has violated what’s called the Nuremberg Code — the Vatican has violated a critical code of bioethics and they must immediately recognize this. They must immediately apologize for this grievous error that they’ve committed. The Nuremberg Code states that no one under any conditions must apply any pressure, coercion or threat of reprisal for any medical treatment or procedure done, and particularly when the procedure is new, it’s investigational, it’s experimental, and we don’t know the outcomes.
CLMC note: Rome, and the dioceses that blindly follow her “health advice” may soon discover the unhealthy liability of promoting and endorsing an experimental medical treatment linked to abortion, which may have harmed or killed many innocent people – including Catholics. Those worried about a persecution from Rome or losing their bishop, pastor, or even schools or seminaries, may instead want to be more worried about losing their dioceses – including much of its assets – to vaccine injury settlements. This entire tragedy could have been avoided if Church leaders listened to the voices of traditional clergy such as Fr. Ripperger, Bishop Schneider, and Archbishop Viganò – all who offer the Traditional Latin Mass regularly and have a rich understanding of the Church’s traditional 2,000 year doctrine, theology and philosophy.
New Book Tells the Dramatic Story of Traditionalist Movement in the USA: A new book has been released detailing the early history of the Latin Mass movement from 1965 onward. We can only hope that the history of the Latin Mass movement in Charlotte was included. https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2022/02/new-book-tells-dramatic-story-of.html
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
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 in your 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).
Laudetur Iesus Christus! As we enter into the pre-Lent season of Septuagesima in the 1962 liturgical calendar, we wanted to 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 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.
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).
As mentioned in St. Ann’s Friday Five, the 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).
An Enclosed Garden of God: The Joyful Mystery of a Traditional Carmelite Monastery
In one of the most moving and powerful videos on the Latin Mass and tradition we can recommend this year, comes a documentary on the spiritual life of the traditional Carmelite sisters in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. As CLMC readers may recall, these nuns are pushing back against machinations from certain Church leaders to extinguish their contemplative charism founded by St. Theresa of Avila. The documentary is an hour, but well worth the time as it explains their charism, their daily routine, and features interviews with their bishop, priests, former novices, and families of the nuns. As one supporter says, these nuns are “the Navy Seals of religious communities!”. After watching, we think you’ll agree. Please keep them in your prayers, and consider supporting them if possible (www.fairfieldcarmelites.org).
CLMC comment: Let us also consider pray for dioceses such as ours which are vulnerable to spiritual attacks without having the presence of the “heavyweights” of religious life – contemplative religious orders – who pray and fast daily, according to the traditional charism. Any diocese would benefit much, both spiritually and civically, from the presence of similar communities. As Our Lord said, “this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:20)
Chicago’s Fight for the Mass of the Ages: As some readers may have heard, the Archdiocese of Chicago has imposed some strict rules upon some of the diocesan Latin Mass parishes. The Latin Mass families however are not taking this lying down and are mobilizing to defend the Latin Mass. https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2022/02/so-it-begins-chicagos-fight-for-mass-of.html#more
The Mass That Was Never Forbidden: Key Dates in the Old Missal’s Rehabilitation: For newcomers to the Latin Mass, we share this helpful article which gives a brief history of how the Latin Mass started its comeback after it was nearly prohibited in many places in 1970: https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-mass-that-was-never-forbidden-key.html#more
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 19th 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, 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.
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.
Last Wednesday February 9 was the feast of St. Cyril of Alexandria, the 5th century bishop and patriarch of Alexandria (and doctor). He was most famous for combating the heretic patriarch of Constantinople, Nestorius. It was unusual for a bishop to be proclaiming heresy (particularly involving the Blessed Mother and the Incarnation), but St. Cyril was appointed the task to combat this Nestorian heresy and to try and bring this heretic back into the Church. Dom Gueranger notes in The Liturgical Year some helpful reflections (emphasis ours):
When the shepherd becomes a wolf, the first duty of the flock is to defend itself. It is usual and regular, no doubt, for doctrine to descend from the bishops to the faithful, and those who are subject in the faith are not to judge their superiors. But in the treasure of revelation there are essential doctrines which all Christians, by the very fact of their title as such, are bound to know and defend. The principle is the same whether it be a question of belief or conduct, dogma or morals. Treachery like that of Nestorius is rare in the Church, but it may happen that some pastors keep silence for one reason or another in circumstances when religion itself is at stake. The true children of Holy Church at such times are those who walk by the light of their baptism, not the cowardly souls who, under the specious pretext of submission to the powers that be, delay their opposition to the enemy in the hope of receiving instructions which are neither necessary nor desirable.
The Patriarch of Alexandria could not rest content with opening his heart to those of whose sympathy he was assured. He strove to win back Nestorius by letters, in which his personal meekness is only rivalled by the vigour and breadth of his doctrine. But Nestorius was obdurate. Having no arguments at his command, he complained of the Patriarch’s interference. As it always happens, there were pacifists who, though not sharing Nestorius’ errors, thought it would be best not to answer him for fear of embittering him, increasing the scandal, and wounding charity…
…Men of this type, also represented in all ages, revealed the true motive of their hesitation when, after insisting on the advantages of peace and their ancient friendship with Nestorius, they suggested timidly that it would be dangerous to oppose so powerful an adversary. ‘Could I but satisfy the Bishop of Constantinople and heal the wounded spirit of my brother by suffering the loss of all my possessions!’ was Cyril’s reply. ‘But the faith is at stake. The scandal has spread through the Church, and all men are inquiring about the new doctrine. If we, who have received from God the office of teacher, fail to remedy such great evils, will there be flames enough for us at the Day of Judgment? I have already been struck by insult and calumny—let it pass. If only the faith be safe, I will yield to none in my love of Nestorius.
When the combat became inevitable, he organized the forces of the Church, and summoned monks and Bishops to his side. He did not attempt to conceal the holy enthusiasm which filled his heart. ‘As far as I am concerned,’ he writes to the clerics who represent him in the imperial city, ‘my greatest desire is to suffer, live and die for the faith of Jesus Christ. As it is written: “If I shall give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids, or rest to my temples”[7] until I have fought the battle which is necessary for the well-being of all. Therefore let your hearts be full of the same spirit and do manfully. Watch the enemy and inform us of his slightest movements. As soon as I can, I will send you some Bishops and monks, pious and prudent men, chosen out of many. I am already preparing my letters. I have resolved to labour without truce for the faith of Christ and to suffer all torments, yea death itself, which in such a cause would be sweet to me.'[8]
In the fifth century, the Blessed Mother’s title as Mary, the Mother of God, came under attack, but was swiftly defended by St. Cyril of Alexandria. Today the Traditional Latin Mass is under attack across the world and is need of defense. What Mass are you attending Sunday?
We also want to express our thanks to Fr. Jones who sublimely offered a beautiful Candlemas this past Wednesday. Please consider offering a decade of your Rosary for him this weekend.
End of Epiphany Celebration/Potluck – Today Sunday February 6, 12:30pm (St. Ann)
The CLMC will be hosting its annual close of Epiphanytide celebration today Sunday February 6 after the St Ann 12:30pm Latin Mass. Please bring a dish, desert, drink or a treat to share (tables will be set up in the plaza). The Cantate Domino Latin Choir is scheduled to sing a traditional wassailing (carol) song as well.
1st Sunday Latin Mass at Salisbury – 4pm
This Sunday February 6 is also the first Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury at 4pm. Mass will be offered by Fr. Michael Carlson. There will not be a social after Mass. For more information contact Mark Hartley with the Salisbury Latin Mass Community at: www.salisburylmc.org
Septuagesima season begins next Sunday February 13: The pre-lent season of Septuagesima will begin Sunday February 13. This marks the 70-day period before Easter, and the 3 week reminder that Lent is soon coming. The season has traditionally been a time to begin preparing by working in some Lenten penances. To learn more visit: https://www.fisheaters.com/customsseptuagesima1.html
New & Local Catholic Tech Company Offering E-mail Service
As noted last week, we are pleased to share that a new Catholic tech company has formed, founded by a faithful parishioner at St. John the Baptist in Tryon. Fidei.email is a new service which provides private e-mail without the connections to big tech or the surveillance/ marketing industry. It also has plans to offer other tech services. Check them out at: https://fidei.email/
Traditional Sermon – Has the Government Lied About Medical Experimentation?: A traditional Latin Mass priest, caring for the souls of his parishioners against coercive public health measures – provides some helpful examples of when in the past the government conducted and then lied about human medical experimentation (which as of course violates traditional Church teaching and the moral law): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fefr21bHaLA
Did Popes Pius VI and Gregory the XVI Support Paul VI’s Novus Ordo Mass?: Dr. Kwasniewski examines the arguments put forth by modern liturgical “reformers” that 18th century popes allowed for new rites like the Novus Ordo Mass to be introduced. Upon a closer look at these papal writings, this is not the case (as readers may have guessed): https://onepeterfive.com/does-pius-vis-auctorem-fidei-support-paul-vis-novus-ordo/
Liturgical Notes on the Purification of the Virgin Mary: As we just completed the 40 day Christmas cycle, it seems fitting to close it by looking back on Wednesday’s feast of the Purification. Greg DiPippo with NLM, provides some helpful background and liturgical notes on the historical development of this feast day, and its connection with Christmas: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2022/02/liturgical-notes-on-purification-of.html#.Yf9dWvhOmHt
Traditionalism vs. Modernism: A Priest Speaks
In our ongoing series in defending the traditional Church teachings and the Latin Mass against the plague of modernism in the Church, we share an interesting interview with a priest, Fr. James Mawdsley, who took a very unconventional approach to defend Tradition by leaving his order (the Fraternity of St. Peter) without permission and incurring a suspension in order to lead a campaign that encourages bishops to defend Tradition and speak out against Church leaders who attack Tradition and the Latin Mass. Sidestepping for the moment the ramifications of such an approach, this priest is no lightweight as according to the below article, “at the age of 27, he spent 14 months in solitary confinement in Burma’s infamous Kengtung prison and was brutally beaten for challenging the country’s regime for its human rights violations.”
That said, Fr. Mawdsley published a video charitably listing three strategically spiritual reasons why bishops need to speak out against the attacks from Rome. We post an important excerpt from the interview with The Remnant’s Diane Montagna. The video itself is included in the article link below (emphasis ours):
(Diane Montagna) Fr. Mawdsley, why did you make this video?
(Fr. Mawdsley) Because if we do not speak the obvious truth then truth will die in us. Pope Francis, Archbishop Roche, Cardinal Cupich, and many other bishops are acting illegally in attempting to suffocate tradition. They are betraying the mission which Jesus gave to the Church. It would be wonderful if they were so surprised by the strength of resistance that they reconsidered and repented. But their reaction is not the priority. More important is that priests speak the truth without fear, otherwise we have nothing left. The flock is starving. And as all generations before us have passed on the Deposit of Faith, so for the sake of future generations we must not drop the ball. Or we must recover it. Without Tradition there is no future. And most importantly, for God’s glory. Those who had Tradition robbed from them in the 1950-70s did not know where it was leading. We have seen the horror, the indignity, the weakness, and inappropriateness of the Novus Ordo. In essence it is still Christ’s awesome Holy Sacrifice of Calvary; but what man has done to His Memorial is a faithless insult to God.
(DM) What message would you like to send to your brother priests in light of Pope Francis’ Traditionis Custodes and the Responsa ad dubia issued by CDW Prefect Archbishop Roche just days before Christmas?
(Fr. M) God is mighty. We only need to follow Him, no matter what cost. He does not want us to support the destruction of Judas and Caiaphas, I mean with those like Archbishop Roche and Pope Francis who are savaging the Church and casting the faithful out. We can recognize their authority without complying with abuses of it. It really does not matter what price we pay on earth, only let us live in truth, let us defend the flock, let us break the jaws of the wicked and rescue the prey from their teeth. Traditionis Custodes is built on lies, its content is incoherent, and it is aimed at the destruction of the greatest good on earth.The Responsa are its vomit. It is better to be suspended than to pretend this wickedness has legal value.
This Sunday is the first Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury at 4pm. Mass will be offered by Fr. Michael Carlson. There will not be a social after Mass. For more information contact the Salisbury Latin Mass Community at www.salisburylmc.org
Charlotte Latin Mass Community 