Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! This Saturday May 6 is first Saturday, and St. Thomas Aquinas parish will offer its regular 10am High Mass, followed by a traditional blessing of religious objects afterwards in the narthex.
First Sunday Potluck at St. Thomas Aquinas: On Sunday, there will be a potluck after the 11:30am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas.
First Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart parish moved to May 14: Due to a scheduling conflict, the normally scheduled 1st Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury will be moved to Sunday May 14 at 4pm (no 1st Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart on May 7). Fr. Michael Carlson will offer the Mass. More information will be sent next week. To learn more about the Salisbury Latin Mass Community visit: www.salisburylmc.org
St. Peter of Verona Palms Available at St. Ann today (12:30pm Mass)
Yesterday April 29 was the feast of St. Peter of Verona, and there is an ancient custom only in the traditional rite to bless palms on his feast day. Tradition holds when the palms are buried around the four corners of one’s property, they protect against natural disasters. Father Reid has again kindly blessed the St. Peter palms and the CLMC will be distributing them at our Latin Mass welcome table at St. Ann after Sunday Latin Mass today while quantities last. We also have some St. Peter of Verona prayer cards which were kindly donated to accompany the blessed palms. Please note: If you already received one in prior years, you do not need new palms year (unless you moved). We also thank Fr. Reid for taking the time to bless the palms. To learn more about St. Peter of Verona, the 13th century Dominican martyr please see the two articles below in our news section.
Latin Masses This Week
Monday May 1 – Feast of St. Joseph the Workman (no Latin Masses scheduled for this day but see information about this feast day below)
Wednesday May 3 – 6pm, St. Ann (Ss. Alexander and Companions, Martyrs)
Thursday May 4 – 7pm, St. Thomas Aquinas (St. Monica)
Friday May 5 – 7am, St. Ann (St. Pius V)
Saturday May 6 – 10am, St. Thomas Aquinas (1st Saturday of Our Lady) (after Mass will be a traditional blessing of religious objects in the narthex)
Fr. Lawrence Carney’s Holy Face Devotion Recap & Video
We thank everyone who attended Fr. Carney’s talk about the Holy Face devotion; and its importance in offering reparation for sins and to combat communism and freemasonry. Specifically we thank St. Thomas Aquinas parish for inviting him, as well as St. Mark and Holy Spirit parishes for hosting additional talks. St. Mark parish has kindly posted a video of his talk if you would like to review it: https://youtu.be/If-1eJnAkEI If one wishes to learn more about the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face, please see Fr. Carney’s website, the League of St. Martin: https://www.martinians.org/
Also, to learn more about the Holy Face devotion, please see Fr. Carney’s recent book: Secret of the Holy Face: The Devotion Destined to Save Society: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/tan-books/the-secret-of-the-holy-face/ During Fr. Carney’s talk on the Holy Face he mentioned the threats to the faith posed by communism and freemasonry. For those looking to dive deeper into the latter (freemasonry), TAN Books has published a reprint of an excellent book from the 19th century about the plan of freemasonry and its desire to subvert the Church and Christian society: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/war-of-the-antichrist/
The Holy Face devotion is an important devotion that will likely be discussed more in the future. It perhaps may be providential that Fr. Carney’s visit came ahead of the feast of St. Joseph the Workman on May 1, which was instituted (in a way) to combat Communism (something Our Lord warned about in the 1840s) and its “May Day”. See notes about St. Joseph’s feast day below.
Holy Face Devotions
St Mark – Mondays at 5pm
St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesdays 6am in the main church
St. Ann – Tuesdays 7:30am in the chapel after the Novus Ordo Mass (uses the booklet/chaplet which takes 15-20 minutes)
St Michael the Archangel, Gastonia – Tuesdays, 9am, Main Church
Holy Spirit, Denver – Tuesdays 10-11am after the Novus Ordo Mass
Don’t see your parish? Why not organize one?
2023 Women’s Traditional Silent Retreat (July 21-23)
We are pleased to share that the Legion of Mary in Raleigh is sponsoring a traditional silent women’s retreat at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory, northwest of Charlotte from July 21-23. The retreat will feature Fr. Sean Kopczynski of the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist, a Latin Mass order of priests in Kentucky. Masses will be offered each day. Cost is around $280. To register or for more details please contact Tammy Huffman at the contact information listed in the below flyer.
Conversion of St Peter of Verona’s Assassin: As noted earlier, Saturday April 29 is the feast of St. Peter of Verona, a 13 century Dominican who was martyred for defending the faith against heresy in Italy. However, there is actually more to the story. Like many saints, St. Peter’s martyrdom resulted in the conversion of his assassin, who is now beatified. To learn more about this story visit: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/04/blessed-carino-assassin-of-st-peter.html
Forgotten Customs of Rogation Days: Last Tuesday April 25 was the major Rogation Day in the traditional rite, where by prayers are offered to implore God’s mercy on creation. OnePeterFive has a helpful article explaining the ancient customs of this commemoration: https://onepeterfive.com/forgotten-customs-rogation-days/
The Solemnity of St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church 2023: Last week, in the pre-1955 calendar, was ancient feast of St. Joseph Patron of the Universal Church. This was a different feast day from the general feast of March 19, but it was removed in 1955 and replaced with the feast of St. Joseph the Workman on May 1. Greg DiPippo writes a quick explanation of this ancient feast day dedicated to St. Joseph’s patronage of the Church: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/04/the-solemnity-of-st-joseph-patron-of.html#.ZE3r-s7MKHt
Standing the Test of Time – Fairfield (PA) Carmelites: The cloistered nuns of Fairfield, Pennsylvania, who follow the traditional Carmelite Rite (similar to the Traditional Latin Mass) have published another installment of the building of their monastery according to the timeless principles of the great Carmelite reformer, St. Theresa of Avila. To watch this inspiring video visit: https://youtu.be/daC0uRWnj-k To donate to their project visit: https://www.fairfieldcarmelites.org/take-action
Undoing the Dismal: Liberating Sunday’s Soul: In Fr. Carney’s talk at St. Thomas Aquinas, Father noted that one of the offenses against God was the profanation of Sundays. Providentially, Dr. Mike Foley has penned an excellent piece on the importance of why Catholics are to keep Sunday’s holy and how liberating it is for our souls, and how communists eliminated the Sunday rest: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/04/undoing-dismal-liberating-sundays-soul.html#.ZE3vfs7MKHt
Feast of St. Joseph the Workman – May 1
On the topic of combating communism, in the 1950s, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph the Workman on May 1 to counter the communist May Day “celebrations”. We share an article by Dr. Mike Foley wrote a few years ago on this important feast day: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/04/the-feast-of-saint-joseph-worker.html Additionally, we share the Holy Pontiff’s predecessor’s, Pope Pius XI’s 1937 encyclical, Divini Redemptoris (On Atheistic Communism), proclaiming St Joseph the patron against Communism. We share some excerpts, specifically, Pope Pius XI explaining how the Church is the solution to the sufferings of the workers:
Faithful to these principles, the Church has given new life to human society. Under her influence arose prodigious charitable organizations, great guilds of artisans and workingmen of every type. These guilds, ridiculed as “medieval” by the liberalism of the last century, are today claiming the admiration of our contemporaries in many countries who are endeavoring to revive them in some modern form. And when other systems hindered her work and raised obstacles to the salutary influence of the Church, she was never done warning them of their error.
It may be said in all truth that the Church, like Christ, goes through the centuries doing good to all. There would be today neither Socialism nor Communism if the rulers of the nations had not scorned the teachings and maternal warnings of the Church.
To hasten the advent of that “peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ”[48] so ardently desired by all, We place the vast campaign of the Church against world Communism under the standard of St. Joseph, her mighty Protector. He belongs to the working-class, and he bore the burdens of poverty for himself and the Holy Family, whose tender and vigilant head he was. To him was entrusted the Divine Child when Herod loosed his assassins against Him. In a life of faithful performance of everyday duties, he left an example for all those who must gain their bread by the toil of their hands. He won for himself the title of “The Just,” serving thus as a living model of that Christian justice which should reign in social life.
Fr. Lawrence Carney’s Holy Face Presentations(Today – Tuesday)
Just a reminder that this morning Fr. Lawrence Carney will be offering the 11:30am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas and preaching on the importance of the Holy Face devotion. Tomorrow he will also be visiting St. Mark parish and Tuesday Holy Spirit (Denver). We list the schedule of events and encourage everyone to attend one of these talks if possible. Practice of this devotion may prove to be an important way in ending the current crisis in the Church and the world.
Sunday April 23, 11:30am Latin Mass – St. Thomas Aquinas parish (Fr. Carney will offer the Latin Mass and preach)
Monday April 24, 5pm Holy Hour of Reparation and Talk – St. Mark parish, Huntersville (book signing to follow – see flyer below)
Tuesday April 25, 10am Holy Hour of Reparation and Talk – Holy Spirit parish, Denver
Wednesday April 26, 6pm – St. Ann (Ss. Cletus & Marcellinus, Popes & Martyrs)
Thursday April 27, 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas (Feast of St. Peter Canisius, Doctor)
Friday April 28, 7am – St. Ann (St. Paul of the Cross, Confessor)
Major Rogation Day – Tuesday April 25
Although no Latin Masses are scheduled Tuesday in Charlotte, Tuesday April 25 is the Major Rogation Day, which, unique to the traditional calendar, is a day instituted of petitions and formerly penances to God to protect against natural disasters and plagues. It comes from the Latin word “rogare” which is to ask or petition. Sometimes it is accompanied by a procession and the chanting of the litany of the saints. There are two types of Rogation days – major and minor. The major day is April 25, Roman in origin, and was established by Pope St. Gregory the Great in 590 A.D. for deliverance from plagues as Fisheaters.com notes:
“Rogation” comes from the Latin “rogare,” which means “to ask,” and Rogation Days are days during which we seek to ask God’s mercy, appease His anger, avert the chastisements He makes manifest through natural disasters, and ask for His blessings, particularly with regard to farming, gardening, and other agricultural pursuits. They are set aside to remind us how radically dependent we are on God through His creation, and how prayer can help protect us from nature’s often cruel ways. Hence, its mood is somber and beseeching; its liturgical color is purple.
Minor Rogation Days: Further on this topic, the minor Rogation days come during three days of Ascension week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday), and is more ancient than the major Rogation day, and comes from France in the late 5th century as New Liturgical Movement explains: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2015/05/the-institution-of-rogation-days.html
Recap of the Bi-Annual Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage in Washington DC: Noah Peters, the head of the Arlington Latin Mass Society in Virginia has penned a recap with photos about the March 25 pilgrimage to support the Latin Mass in Northern Virginia and Washington DC: https://onepeterfive.com/lucky-indeed-suffer-church/
The War of the Antichrist with the Church and Christian Civilization – Msgr. George Dillon: During Fr. Carney’s talk on the Holy Face he mentioned the threats to the faith posed by communism and freemasonry. For those looking to dive deeper into the latter society (freemasonry), TAN Books has published a reprint of an excellent book from the 19th century about the plan of freemasonry and its desire to subvert the Church and Christian society: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/war-of-the-antichrist/
The Archconfraternity of the Holy Face: Why Should One Join? – by Fr. Lawrence Carney
With Fr. Carney’s visit to Charlotte this weekend, we share some excerpts of a recent article he wrote for TAN Books about the Holy Face devotion:
St. Veronica wore a head veil. She saw Jesus carry His cross and broke through the mob to console his holy face and took the veil off her head to clean it. [5] The soldiers were stunned at such bravery that they stopped and did not know what to do. After this brief encounter, St. Veronica went home and put the veil on her table and began to weep. She had seen the Holy Face of Jesus in person and it moved her deeply. Someone observed the veil and saw the Face placed miraculously on it when Jesus had wiped his Face. Veronica could not contain her joy knowing that her Redeemer left her this precious relic as a remembrance to that wonderful encounter.
Today the enemies of God attack the freedoms of mankind. They are waiting for the day to take away our Mass. They are nothing but agents moved by the demons. The venomous serpents wait for the day they can wipe the Mass off the face of the earth as they wished to wipe the Face of Jesus off the earth. But we can break through this “mob” of agents and vipers by consoling the Face of Jesus in the devotions to the Holy Face found in the Manual of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face of Jesus. Jesus told Sr. Marie de Saint-Pierre, “…we render Him [Christ] the same service as did the pious Veronica…”[6] when we pray the prayers in this devotion!
…One must give reparation for the sins against God. Then he must strive to be more reverent. One example is by attending the Holy Mass or making efforts to encourage the bishop and priests in each local area to bring the Latin Mass there. Lastly, one must strive to intercede for reversion. This means praying for fallen-away Catholics that they will be led back into the Church. The Church was erected for two purposes, to render true adoration to God and to save souls. The devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus is an excellent outline to achieve these eternal goals.
Additionally, as we close this update, we also share an excerpt of Our Lord’s words to Sr. Mary St. Peter on the necessity of the Holy Face devotion and its ability to thwart those who wish to harm the Church. This is taken from the 1954 book by Fr. Emeric Scallan on the Holy Face, entitled The Golden Arrow.
“When a soldier knows that the reason for the war to which he is called to fight is an injury done against his ruler, he burns with indignation to avenge this insult, and therefore arms himself fearlessly for the encounter. Think now, My daughter, of the outrages inflicted on Me by this Society of Communists. They are the ones who have dragged Me from my tabernacles, and desecrated My sanctuaries. These Communists have also dared to lay their hands on the priests of the Lord, but all their plotting is in vain, because their schemes will not succeed!
…This information must not remain fruitless in you because I am giving you these facts in order to fire you with new enthusiasm to carry on the fight. Act in a spirit of simplicity because if you will indulge in too much human reasoning, you will not be an adequate tool in My hands. Think rather of the glory that will be offered Me by the whole heavenly court for having conquered such formidable enemies with such a puny instrument!”
– Our Lord Jesus Christ in an approved revelation to Sr. Mary St. Peter, April 1, 1847 (source: The Golden Arrow)
CLMC note: Reflecting upon these words, is there not a more timely devotion to defend the Catholic faith – including the Latin Mass – than by taking up the practice of the Holy Face devotion?
Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! Just a reminder that this weekend Fr. Lawrence Carney will be visiting St. Thomas Aquinas (and other parishes) to give talks on the importance of the Holy Face devotion.
St. Ann 8am Respect Life Latin Mass Tomorrow 8am April 22: Before we share the Holy Face information, we just wanted to also remind our readers that on a separate matter, St. Ann will offer its regular 4th Saturday Respect Life Latin Mass tomorrow Saturday April 22, at 8am at St. Ann parish, followed by prayers at the local abortion facility or a Holy Hour of Reparation in the church (for those who prefer to stay after Mass).
Holy Face Visit
Regarding the Holy Face visit, we list the schedule of events as announced and encourage everyone to attend one of these talks. Practice of this devotion may prove to be an important way in ending the current crisis in the Church and the world.
Saturday April 22, Talk 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas parish (book signing afterwards)
Sunday April 23, 11:30am Latin Mass – St. Thomas Aquinas parish (Fr. Carney will offer the Latin Mass and preach on the Holy Face)
Monday April 24, 5pm Holy Hour of Reparation and Talk – St. Mark parish, Huntersville (book signing to follow – see attached flyer)
Tuesday April 25, 10am Holy Hour of Reparation and Talk – Holy Spirit parish, Denver
To answer the question, we share TAN Books’ summary of Fr. Carney’s book:
From the creation of man to the current ecclesial infiltration and world revolution, the devil and his minions have sought to destroy the human race made in the image of God. No longer attacking from without, they are now secretly laying siege from within the Holy Roman Catholic Church. But why is God allowing this? He loves to see souls heroically battle for the faith.
In the nineteenth century, Venerable Leo Dupont said that Communists would one day enslave the world—that is, “close up their churches, and make them slaves of the state . . . unless reparation is done, unless men come before the Face of their Saviour to ask His forgiveness and His help!”
In this powerful book, Father Carney reveals the essence and history of the Holy Face Devotion, its apostles, and how to save society and the Church from her foes.
“Reparation is destined to save society,” said Blessed Pope Pius IX. Join the ranks of Saint Thérèse and other saints in the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face and contemplate His Face to help restore Christendom from the evils of Communism and Freemasonry. Heaven longs for this devotion. Here is a timely book that provides a counter-revolution of reparation, reverence, and reversion.
Fr. Lawrence Carney
Father Lawrence Carney was ordained for the Diocese of Wichita in 2007. In 2014, he was appointed as chaplain of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles and he walks the streets of US cities in cassock carrying a crucifix and a rosary in each hand in an effort to bring souls to the Catholic Church. In 2017, he began the League of St. Martin, a pious association of the faithful that prays for reverence, reparation, and reversion—the chief goals being enrollment in the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face and the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. In 2022 continuing as chaplain of the Nuns and director of the League, he was appointed Apostolic Priest of Wichita, Kansas. (source: St. Mark parish flyer)
Fr. Carney also offers the Latin Mass regularly and, as noted above, serves as chaplain for the Benedictines of Mary, traditional Benedictine nuns in Gower, Missouri. St. Ann Latin Mass attendees may remember Fr. Buettner offering a homily one Sunday in the summer of 2019 about Fr. Carney’s prior book which discusses evangelizing souls simply by his walking the streets and holding a crucifix: https://onepeterfive.com/review-walking-road-god-father-lawrence-carney/
We hope everyone can attend one of his talks. This is a great blessing for the faithful in Charlotte.
Fr. Carney will also be offering and preaching the 11:30am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas on Sunday April 23. Please make all efforts to attend this important talk.
Fr. Carney’s Holy Face Talk at St. Mark Parish – Monday April 24 (5-7pm)
St. Mark parish will also have the privilege of hosting Fr. Carney for its Holy Face devotion on Monday April 24 from 5-7pm. Father will offer a talk and lead a Holy Hour. Please see the other attached flyer. He will also be available to sign his Holy Face book afterwards. His book is, Secret of the Holy Face: The Devotion Destined to Save Society, https://tanbooks.com/products/books/tan-books/the-secret-of-the-holy-face/
The Times of Mass: Fr. William Rock, FSSP, has penned another installment on the liturgy, and answers the question, what time of the day can Mass be offered, both in diocesan parishes, as well as abbeys, for different feasts and seasons: https://fssp.com/the-times-of-mass/
Why the Devil Hates (and Fears) Mary with Fr. Chad Ripperger: The Augustine Institute has published its fifth interview with Fr. Chad Ripperger, this time on the role of Mary in deliverance ministry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TtOyknCRko (if you would like to see the other interviews see Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV):
Missae Pro Missa – A worldwide spiritual bouquet for the preservation of the Traditional Latin Mass: There is a new Latin Mass campaign to have 1 million Masses offered by Pentecost in support of the preservation of the Traditional Latin Mass. To participate and learn more visit: https://www.missaepromissa.com
Low Sunday with Dom Prosper Gueranger
In closing, we share Dom Prosper Gueranger’s entry, from The Liturgical Year, for Low Sunday, which recounts St. Thomas the Apostle’s doubting of Our Lord’s appearances to the disciples since Easter:
To return to our Apostle — Thomas had heard Magdalene, and he despised her testimony; he had heard Peter, and he objected to his authority; he had heard the rest of his fellow-Apostles and the two disciples of Emmaus, and no, he would not give up his own opinion. How many there are among us, who are like him in this! We never think of doubting what is told us by a truthful and disinterested witness, unless the subject touch upon the supernatural; and then, we have a hundred difficulties. It is one of the sad consequences left in us by original sin. Like Thomas, we would see the thing ourselves: that alone is enough to keep us from the fullness of the truth. We comfort ourselves with the reflection that, after all, we are Disciples of Christ; as did Thomas, who kept in union with his brother-Apostles, only he shared not their happiness. He saw their happiness, but he considered it to be a weakness of mind, and was glad that he was free from it!
How like this is to our modern rationalistic Catholic! He believes, but it is because his reason almost forces him to believe; he believes with his mind, rather than from his heart. His faith is a scientific deduction, and not a generous longing after God and supernatural truth. Hence, how cold and powerless is this faith! how cramped and ashamed! how afraid of believing too much! Unlike the generous unstinted faith of the saints, it is satisfied with fragments of truth, with what the Scripture terms diminished truths. (Psalm 11:2) It seems ashamed of itself. It speaks in a whisper, lest it should be criticised; and when it does venture to make itself heard, it adopts a phraseology, which may take off the sound of the divine…
Now, it was the for the instruction of persons of this class that our Lord spoke those words to Thomas: Blessed are they who have not seen, and have believed. Thomas sinned in not having the readiness of mind to believe. Like him, we also are in danger of sinning, unless our faith have a certain expansiveness, which makes us see everything with the eye of faith, and gives our faith that progress which God recompenses with a superabundance of light and joy.
Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! Just a reminder that St. Thomas Aquinas’ Latin Mass today Easter Thursday, will be at 10am, not the normal 7pm. This change only occurs today due to the parish’s modified schedule for Easter week.
Christus Resurréxit! Resurréxit Vere! Blessed Pascaltide greetings on this Easter morning, the first day within the Octave of Easter.
The great Benedictine liturgist, Dom Prosper Gueranger OSB, aptly sums up the joy of Easter Sunday morning as experienced by the Blessed Mother, who, according to tradition, was the first to see her risen Son:
“The night between Saturday and Sunday has well nigh run its course, and the day-dawn is appearing. The Mother of sorrows is waiting, in courageous hope and patience, for the blissful moment of her Jesus’ return. Magdalene and the other holy women have spent the night in watching, and are preparing to start for the sepulcher. In limbo, the Soul of our crucified Lord is about to give the glad word of departure to the myriads of the long-imprisoned holy souls, who cluster round Him in adoring love. Death is still holding his silent sway over the sepulcher, where rests the Body of Jesus. Since the day when he gained his first victim, Abel, he has swept off countless generations; but never has he held in his grasp a prey so noble as this that now lies in the tomb near Calvary Never has the terrible sentence of God, pronounced against our first parents, received such a fulfillment as this; but never has death received such a defeat as the one that is now preparing. It is true, the power of God has, at times brought back the dead to life: the son of the widow of Naim, and Lazarus, were reclaimed from the bondage of this tyrant death; but he regained his sway over them all. But his Victim of Calvary is to conquer him forever, for this is He of whom it is written in the prophecy: “O death! I will be thy death!” Yet a few brief moments and the battle will be begun, and life shall vanquish death.
…Meanwhile, our risen Jesus, seen by no other mortal eye, has sped to His most holy Mother. He is the Son of God; He is the vanquisher of death; but He is, likewise, the Son of Mary. She stood near Him to the last, uniting the sacrifice of her mother’s heart with that He made upon the Cross; it is just, therefore, that she should be the first to partake of the joy of His resurrection. The Gospel does not relate the apparition thus made by Jesus to His Mother, whereas all the others are fully described. It is not difficult to assign the reason. The other apparitions were intended as proofs of the resurrection; this to Mary was dictated by the tender love borne to her by her Son. Both nature and grace required that His first visit should be to such a Mother, and Christian hearts dwell with delight on the meditation of the mystery. There was no need of its being mentioned in the Gospel; the tradition of the holy Fathers, beginning with St. Ambrose, bears sufficient testimony to it; and even had they been silent, our hearts would have told it us. And why was it that our Savior rose fro the tomb so early on the day He had fixed for His resurrection? It was because His filial love was impatient to satisfy the vehement longings of His dearest and most afflicted Mother. Such is the teaching of many pious and learned writers; and who that knows aught of Jesus and Mary could refuse to accept it?
Schedule Change: Easter Thursday April 13, 10am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas: Due to Easter Week, the Thursday Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas will be at 10am this Thursday. The normal 7pm Latin Mass is canceled for this week only.
Latin Masses This Week & Easter Sunday
Wednesday – 6pm St. Ann (Easter Wednesday)
Thursday – 10am, St. Thomas Aquinas (Easter Thursday – see schedule change above)
Friday – 7am – St. Ann (Easter Friday)
Save the Date: Saturday April 22, 7pm (St. Thomas Aquinas) – Holy Face Presentation with Fr. Lawrence Carney: Fr. Lawrence Carney will be visiting St. Thomas Aquinas parish to give a special talk on Saturday April 22 at 7pm. Father is the head of the League of St. Martin, which promotes the Holy Face Devotion which has been promoted often in these update. Father offers the Latin Mass exclusively, is chaplain to the traditional Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, in Gower, Missouri, and has recently published a book with TAN Books, on the Holy Face devotion: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/tan-books/the-secret-of-the-holy-face/ To learn more about his work please visit: https://www.martinians.org/ (Please see attached flyer for event information)
Fr. Carney will also be offering and preaching the 11:30am Latin Mass on Sunday April 23. Please make all efforts to attend this important talk.
Holy Face Devotions
St Mark – Mondays at 5pm
St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesdays 6am in the main church
St. Ann – Tuesdays 7:30am in the chapel after the Novus Ordo Mass (uses the booklet/chaplet which takes 15-20 minutes)
St Michael the Archangel, Gastonia – Tuesdays, 9am, Main Church
Holy Spirit, Denver – Tuesdays 10-11am after the Novus Ordo Mass
Don’t see your parish? Why not organize one?
Easter Evening: The Road to Emmaus – Dom Prosper Gueranger, OSB
To conclude today’s update as it began, we share excerpts from Dom Gueranger’s continued Easter reflection from his book, The Liturgical Year, specifically the fifth and last appearance Our Lord made on Easter Sunday evening, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus:
The Day of Jesus’ Resurrection is fast drawing to its close. It is the day honoured by God with the greatest of all miracles: it is the most important day that has ever dawned upon the world since Light was first created: but the night will soon be upon us, shadowing the brightness of the great day. Four times has our Redeemer appeared. He would now manifest Himself to the whole of His Apostles, and thus enable them to know by their own experience what they have, a few hours since, learned from Peter’s testimony. But, leaving, for a few moments longer, these men, whom He honours with the name of Brethren, and who now believe in His Resurrection, He would first console two hearts that are grieving on His account, though their grief comes from their want of faith.
Two men are traversing the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, slowly and sadly. They are evidently suffering from some cruel disappointment; nay, they give one the idea that a motive of fear impels them to leave the city. They had been Disciples of Jesus; but the ignominious and violent death of this Master, in whom they had had such confidence, has filled their hearts with bitter despondency. They were ashamed of having joined themselves with one who is not what they took Him to be. They had hid themselves after His execution; but the report having been spread of His sepulcher having been broken into, and the Body taken away, they resolve to seek a safer refuge. Jesus’ enemies have great power, and are doubtless busy taking proceedings against those who have dared to break the seal of the sepulcher. Perhaps all that have had any connection with this Jesus will be arraigned before the public tribunal.
Whilst thus conferring with each other on the sad events of the last few days, a stranger overtakes them and walks with them. It is Jesus. So absorbed are they in their own sorrow, that they do not recognize Him. The same happens to us, when we give way to feelings of human grief, we lose sight of that God who comes to cheer us by His presence along the path of our exile…
…At length, Jesus makes himself known to our two incredulous disciples. They have placed him at the head of the table; it is for him to break the bread. He takes it into his divine hands, as he did at the Last Supper; and no sooner has he divided the bread and given them their portion, than their eyes are opened, and they recognize their guest as Jesus, the risen Jesus. They would throw themselves at his feet—but he has disappeared, leaving them mute with surprise, and yet transported with exceeding joy. It is the fifth apparition. It is described by St Luke, and forms the Gospel of tomorrow’s Mass (Easter Monday).
The two disciples cannot wait; though so late in the evening, they must hurry back to Jerusalem, and tell the Apostles that their Master is living, that they have seen him, and talked with him. They therefore leave Emmaus, where they thought to pass the night, and are soon back in the city from which they had tremblingly fled. They are soon with the Apostles; but they find them already aware of the glad tidings, and fervent in their faith of the Resurrection. Before they have time to open their lips, the Apostles exclaim: ‘The Lord hath truly risen, and hath appeared unto Simon!’[41] The two disciples then relate what has just happened to themselves.
Laudetur Iesus Christus! Today is the second Sunday of Passiontide, Palm Sunday. As custom, we share a helpful reflection on today’s Collect, which marks the beginning of the holiest week of the liturgical year: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/03/the-collect-of-palm-sunday.html We also share some customs for the day:
1st Sunday Latin Masses in Salisbury and St. Thomas Aquinas Potluck
Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury will offer its 1st Sunday Latin Mass at 4pm. Mass is offered by Fr. Joseph Wasswa and Confessions will be offered prior to, and after, Mass. There will not be a social after Mass. For more information please contact the Salisbury Latin Mass Community at: www.salisburylmc.org
At St. Thomas Aquinas, there will be the monthly potluck after the 11:30am Latin Mass. Attendees are asked to bring a dish, desert or drink to share.
Latin Masses This Week & Easter Sunday
Wednesday – 6pm St. Ann parish (Feria of Holy Week, also known as Spy Wednesday)
Holy Week (Holy Thursday – Saturday): There will not be a Latin Easter Triduum at St. Ann or at St. Thomas Aquinas this year.
Easter Sunday: Normal Sunday Latin Mass schedule as announced. 11:30am (St. Thomas Aquinas) & 12:30pm (St. Ann)
Save the Date: Saturday April 22, 7pm (St. Thomas Aquinas) – Holy Face Presentation with Fr. Lawrence Carney: We are pleased to share that Fr. Lawrence Carney will be visiting St. Thomas Aquinas parish on Saturday April 22 at 7pm. Father is the head of the League of St. Martin, which promotes the Holy Face Devotion which we have shared much about. He offers the Latin Mass exclusively, is chaplain to the traditional Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, in Gower, Missouri, and has recently published a book with TAN Books on the Holy Face devotion: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/tan-books/the-secret-of-the-holy-face/ To learn more about his work please visit: https://www.martinians.org/
Community News
Holy Face Devotions
St Mark – Mondays at 5pm
St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesdays 6am in the main church
St. Ann – Tuesdays 7:30am in the chapel after the Novus Ordo Mass (uses the booklet/chaplet which takes 15-20 minutes)
St Michael the Archangel, Gastonia – Tuesdays, 9am, Main Church
Holy Spirit, Denver – Tuesdays 10-11am after the Novus Ordo Mass
Don’t see your parish? Why not organize one?
Latin Mass & Traditional News
New Shrine Dedicated to Blessed Karl of Austria: Yesterday, Saturday April 1, was the 101st anniversary of Blessed Karl’s passing into eternal life. He was the last reigning Catholic monarch in Europe and exiled to the Portuguese island of Madeira where he died. His body was found incorrupt and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004. The CLMC has hosted many talks on him over the years, including one by Bishop Athanasius Schneider. We are pleased to share that a parish in Minnesota has just dedicated a new Shrine to Blessed Karl. The article was written by John Sonnen, who attends Latin Mass here locally: https://www.liturgicalartsjournal.com/2023/03/new-shrine-dedicated-to-blessed-karl-by.html (To learn more about Blessed Karl visit: https://www.emperorcharles.org/)
Book Recommendation: Frequent Confession by Fr. Benedict Bauer, OSB: The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter’s bookstore is recommending a reprint of a book by the early 20th century spiritual writer, Dom Benedict Bauer, OSB, on Confession and how to derive more fruit out of this sacrament. To learn more visit: https://fraternitypublications.com/product/frequent-confession/
Solemn High Mass offered at Our Lady of Birnbaum in Germany: Priests and seminarians from the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter’s (FSSP) seminary in Germany took a trip to the beautiful sanctuary of Our Lady of Birnbaum near Munich to celebrate a Solemn High Mass for the feast of St. Joseph this past Monday. While the article is in French, the pictures of the sublime liturgy are universal in conveying the beauty of the Mass: https://fsspwigratzbad.blogspot.com/2023/03/2023-messe-solennelle-maria-birnbaum.html
The Chapters of Passiontide: Last year, Fr. William Rock, FSSP, wrote an article on the little “chapter” readings contained in the Divine Office for this Passiontide season and which helps to call everyone to reparation for their sins: https://fssp.com/the-chapters-of-passiontide/:
Palm Sunday Reflection – Dom Prosper Gueranger, OSB
To close this update, we share the great 19th century liturgist, Dom Prosper Gueranger’s reflection for Palm Sunday, in his book, The Liturgical Year:
“Early in the morning of this day, Jesus sets out for Jerusalem, leaving Mary, his Mother, and the two sisters Martha and Mary Magdalene, and Lazarus, at Bethania. The Mother of Sorrows trembles at seeing her Son thus expose himself to danger, for his enemies are bent upon his destruction; but it is not Death, it is Triumph, that Jesus is to receive today in Jerusalem The Messias, before being nailed to the Cross, is to be proclaimed King by the people of the great City; the little children are to make her streets echo with their Hosannas to the Son of David; and this in presence of the soldiers of Rome’s Emperor, and of the High Priests and Pharisees—the first, standing under the banner of their Eagles; the second, dumb with rage.
The Prophet Zachary had foretold this Triumph which the Son of Man was to receive a few days before his Passion, and which had been prepared for him from all eternity. Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Sion! Shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold thy King will come to thee; the Just and the Savior. He is poor, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass. Jesus, knowing That the hour was come for the fulfillment of this prophecy, singles out two from the rest of his Disciples, and bids them lead him to an ass and her colt, which they would find not far off. He had got to Bethphage, on Mount Olivet. The two Disciples lose no time in executing the order given them by their divine Master; and the ass and the colt are soon brought to the place where he stands.
The holy Fathers have explained to us the mystery of these two animals. The ass represents the Jewish people, which had been long under the yoke of the Law; the colt, upon which, as the Evangelist says, no man yet hath sat, is a figure of the Gentile world, which no one had ever yet brought into subjection. The future of these two people is to be decided in a few days hence: the Jews will be rejected for having refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Messias; the Gentiles will take their place, be adopted as God’s people, and become docile and faithful.
The Disciples spread their garments upon the colt; and our Savior, that the prophetic figure might be fulfilled, sat upon him, and advances towards Jerusalem. As soon as it was known that Jesus was near the City, the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of those Jews who had come, from all parts, to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. They go out to meet our Lord, holding palm branches in their hands, and loudly proclaiming him to be King. They that had accompanied Jesus from Bethania join the enthusiastic crowd. While some spread their garments on the way, others cut down boughs from the Palm trees, and strewed them along the road. Hosanna is the triumphant cry, proclaiming to the whole city that Jesus, the Son of David, has made his entrance as her King.
Thus did God, in his power over men’s hearts, procure a triumph for his Son, and in the very City which, a few days after, was to clamor for his Blood. This day was one of glory to our Jesus, and the holy Church would have us renew, each year, the memory of this triumph of the Man-God. Shortly after the Birth of our Emmanuel, we saw the Magi coming from the extreme East, and looking in Jerusalem for the King of the Jews, to whom they intended offering their gifts and their adoration: but it is Jerusalem herself that now goes forth to meet this King. Each of these events is an acknowledgement of the Kingship of Jesus: the first, from the Gentiles; the second, from the Jews. Both were to pay him this regal homage before he suffered his Passion…
…Jesus begins his reign upon the earth this very day; and though the first Israel is soon to disclaim his rule, a new Israel, formed from the faithful few of the old, shall rise up in every nation of the earth, and become the Kingdom of Christ, a kingdom such as no mere earthly monarch ever coveted in his wildest fancies of ambition.”
Laudetur Iesus Christus! This Sunday April 2nd is first Sunday and we have two events to share:
1st Sunday Latin Mass at Sacred Heart in Salisbury
Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury will offer its 1st Sunday Latin Mass at 4pm this Sunday. Mass is offered by Fr. Joseph Wasswa and Confessions will be offered prior to, and after, Mass. There will not be a social after Mass. For more information please contact the Salisbury Latin Mass Community at www.salisburylmc.org
1st Sunday Potluck at St. Thomas Aquinas
Sunday there will be the monthly potluck after the 11:30am Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. Attendees are asked to bring a dish, desert or drink to share.
Lastly, we also share that St. Thomas Aquinas is offering its first Saturday 10am Latin Mass this Saturday April 1, followed by its monthly traditional blessing of religious objects at 11am in the narthex.
Laudetur Iesus Christus! Sunday marks the beginning of the two-week period within Lent called Passiontide, where the faithful focus more specifically on Our Blessed Lord’s Passion. As noted in the below commentary images are veiled, and the Judica Me, and the Gloria Patri, are omitted from the Mass henceforth until Easter, as noted in the commentary on the propers for Sunday’s Latin Mass: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/03/the-secret-for-passion-sunday.html
Latin Masses This Week
Wednesday March 29, 6pm – St. Ann parish (Feria of Passiontide, e.g. no feast day)
Thursday March 30, 7pm – St. Thomas Aquinas (Feria of Passiontide)
Friday March 31, 7am (St. Ann) & 12:30pm (St. Mark), (Feria of Passiontide or Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Saturday April 1, 10am – St. Thomas Aquinas (Feria of Passiontide and First Saturday); traditional blessing of religious objects after Mass
St. Mark Latin Mass Ends This Friday March 31: Sadly, as noted from the pulpit and bulletin over the past few weeks, due to the new restrictions from Rome, the St. Mark parish Latin Mass will end this Friday March 31 on the commemoration of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is indeed sorrowful news, but let us offer prayers of thanksgiving for seven years this weekly Latin Mass has been offered by St. Mark priests and the countless souls it has supported and nourished.
Community News
Holy Face Devotions
St Mark – Mondays at 5pm
St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesdays 6am in the main church
St. Ann – Tuesdays 7:30am in the chapel after the Novus Ordo Mass (uses the booklet/chaplet which takes 15-20 minutes)
St Michael the Archangel, Gastonia – Tuesdays, 9am, Main Church
Holy Spirit, Denver – Tuesdays 10-11am after the Novus Ordo Mass
French bishop moves to end Traditional Latin Mass standoff: In an encouraging sign, a French diocese has now allowed a Latin Mass community to use a chapel for their weekly Sunday Latin Masses. For the past several years, the Latin Mass was offered outside on the steps of a hospital chapel near Paris, in various types of weather. This breakthrough development came after the diocese of Versailles and the Latin Mass community met and discussed the situation recently. https://www.pillarcatholic.com/french-bishop-moves-to-end-traditional-latin-mass-standoff/
Lady Day (March 25): Dr. Mike Foley has penned another informative feast day article. This time it is for yesterday’s feast of the Annunciation (Lady Day), and discusses the history and customs surrounding this important feast day of the Incarnation and Our Lady’s “Fiat”: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2023/03/lady-day.html#.ZB51PvbMKHt
Our Holy Emperor in Heaven: This coming Saturday April 1, is the 101st anniversary of Blessed Karl von Habsburg of Austria’s death. Newcomers to the Latin Mass may ask, why do Latin Mass attendees and groups have a devotion to a recently beatified Catholic Emperor (2004)? What’s the connection to the Latin Mass and tradition? OnePeterFive answers this question with a helpful article examining the link between Blessed Karl and Latin Mass attendees: https://onepeterfive.com/holy-emperor-heaven/
Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage: Yesterday March 25, was the second semi-annual Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage in Washington DC – all to defend and support the Latin Mass and Pope Benedict’s 2007 Latin Mass Motu Proprio, Summorum Pontificum– which liberated the Latin Mass for the faithful. The prayerful and penitential event began in front of St. Thomas More Cathedral in the diocese of Arlington, VA and pilgrims processed the five mile route across the Key Bridge into the Archdiocese of Washington, DC to St. Matthew Cathedral. Rorate Caeli posted a picture here: https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2023/03/2023-national-summorum-pontificum.html and OnePeterFive provided some video which one can skim through (it covered all 3 hours), including a speech at the end in Washington: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq0aXIBSkOQ
Passiontide – Dom Prosper Gueranger
To close this update, we share a Passiontide reflection by Dom Prosper Gueranger, OSB, the great 19th century Benedictine liturgist who wrote The Liturgical Year, which we excerpt for brevity:
During the preceding four weeks, we have noticed how the malice of Jesus’ enemies has been gradually increasing. His very presence irritates them; and it is evident that any little circumstance will suffice to bring the deep and long nurtured hatred to a head The kind and gentle manners of Jesus are drawing to him all hearts that are simple and upright; at the same time, the humble life he leads, and the stern purity of his doctrines, are perpetual sources of vexation and anger, both to the proud Jew that looks forward to the Messias being a mighty conqueror, and to the Pharisee, who corrupts the Law of God, that he may make it the instrument of his own base passions. Still, Jesus goes on working miracles; his discourses are more than ever energetic; his prophecies foretell the fall of Jerusalem, and such a destruction of its famous Temple that not a stone is to be left on stone.
Everything around us urges us to mourn. The images of the Saints, the very crucifix on our Altar, are veiled from our sight. The Church is oppressed with grief. During the first four weeks of Lent, she compassionated her Jesus fasting in the desert; his coming Sufferings and Crucifixion and Death are what now fill her with anguish.
This Sunday is called Passion Sunday, because the Church begins on this day to make the Sufferings of our Redeemer her chief thought. It is called also Judica, from the first word of the Introit of the Mass; and again, Neomania, that is, the Sunday of the new (or, the Easter) moon, because it always falls after the new moon which regulates the Feast of Easter Day.
Charlotte Latin Mass Community 