When Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos celebrated the traditional Mass in St Mary Major on 24 May he shook the liberals in the Church to their core and gave great hope to traditionalists everywhere. We carried a report in our August issue; here is a longer report taken from the French magazine, Una Voce.
Since 24 May they are calling this event “the Mass of Rome”. Today we can consider the Mass of St Pius V, celebrated in the basilica of St Mary Major, the church where the holy Pope of Lepanto rests, not only as a record of a happy day, but also as that on which the traditional Mass was officially recognised as ever living, ever sanctifying, ever vigorous. Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos has solemnly confirmed it in his homily. From now on who could still describe it as forbidden? Anyone who did so would deserve to be called “liar”.
It was with profound joy that we had welcomed the news of this Mass. It was said to have been requested by lay people, but the Holy Father had to give his approval for it to be celebrated in Rome in one of the great basilicas by a serving cardinal. It was something which had not been seen since 1969.
That lay people should have requested it… certainly! At the end of each general assembly of the International Una Voce Federation a resolution was promulgated expressing this desire, this prayer, this earnest entreaty. A petition, signed by every president of the association, was even sent a few years ago to the Vatican. A profound silence was the only reply. It seems therefore that now our prayer has been heard. The Mass in St Mary Major, celebrated on the feast of Mary Auxiliatrix, is also a gesture in favour of the negotiations which may have taken place between the Vatican and the Fraternity of St Pius X.
Five cardinals assisting
This “Mass of Rome” followed the recitation of the Rosary. It was followed devoutly by a large number of Italians, but also by faithful who had come from France, Germany, Great Britain (with a large contingent from the Latin Mass Society). Almost a European ceremony. Even the frontiers of Europe were breached since the cardinal celebrant, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy and president of the Ecclesia Dei Commission is a Colombian and the numerous personalities who took part gave it a planetary character.
In fact, five cardinals assisted at this mass: Alfons Maria Stickler, archivist and librarian emeritus of the Vatican, Jorge Medina Estevez, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Divine Liturgy, William Wakefield Baum, penitentiary major emeritus, Bernard Law, archbishop emeritus of Boston, and Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra, archbishop of Antananarivo (Madagascar). Three bishops were also present: Mgr Luigi De Magistris, propenitentiary major; Mgr Julien Herranz, and Mgr Romer, as well as two Father Abbots: Dom Gérard Calvet of the Abbey of Sainte-Madeleine de Barroux and Mgr Wladimir-Marie de Saint- Jean, Abbot of the Canons Regular of the Mother of God.
A large number of Italian and foreign personalities also assisted at this “historic” Mass.
A very large number of priests and seminarians of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter and the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, and three priests of the Priestly Union of Saint-Jean-Marie-Vianney of Campos (Brazil), had taken their place in the choir. It is regrettable that the Priestly Fraternity of St Pius X did not consider that they ought to be represented.
The singers had taken their place in the tribunes of the choir; a Gregorian schola comprising Benedictines of the Roman abbey of St Anselm and, in particular, Fr Jehan of Barroux, provided the Proper of the Mass. On the tribune facing them, a choral group, directed by Henri de Villiers, sang several polyphonic pieces, motets such as Ave Virgo gloriosa at the Offertory, an O Salutaris adapted from a Russian theme and the Pange lingua of Orfeo Vecchi. The crowd – 2,000 persons – alternated with the Missa de Angelis. Also to be heard were the Magnificat (royal tone) and the Litany of Loreto, as well as the Christus vincit.
The homily
The homily of Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos was naturally listened to carefully. It was divided into three parts. The first was devoted to “Mary, the Holy Mother of God”, honoured under the title of Auxiliatrix. “Divine Providence has reunited us in this basilica, the premier church of Our Lady in Rome and the West, we who are Catholics from different parts of the world united in the same faith. We address ourselves to you, Mother of God, happy to have been welcomed into your house, in the context of this year of the Rosary proclaimed by the Holy Father. Salve, sancta Parens, enixa puerpera Regem, qui caelum terramque regit in saecula saeculorum”.
Then the cardinal recalled that the “Confessio” under the altar contained relics of the manger in which Jesus was laid at Bethlehem, and evoked the magnificent mosaic in the apse representing Mary from the Annunciation to the Assumption. “In fact,” he went on, “one of the intuitions of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, in continuity with the whole of the Traditio Ecclesiae, consisted in making the connection between the Most Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church, of which she is the most eloquent icon… recognised and honoured as the true mother of God and the Redeemer”. Then after having indicated how the Virgin - Auxiliatrix Christianorum – is always present in the misfortunes which daily befall both the Church and us poor sinners, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos launched his second point in which he spoke to us of the venerable person of the Holy Father, “the Bishop of Rome and as such the successor of St Peter. He is, as Vatican II in continuity with Vatican I teaches, the principal and foundation, perpetual and visible, of unity, both of the bishops and of the multitude of the faithful” (Lumen Gentium, 23; Vatican I const. Pastor aeternus, introduction DZ 3050-3051).
“Duc in altum”
This Mass, celebrated for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the pontificate of John Paul II, is also an occasion for remembering his apostolic ministry, “the storms and the challenges which confront the Mystical Body of Christ. Such is the lot of the Church, divine in its essence and human in its members”. The cardinal also evoked the “Duc in altum” of the miraculous draught of fishes; to take to the deep in the bark of Peter.
Before passing to his third point, devoted to the “venerable rite of Pius V”, the cardinal recalled the essence of the Mass: “Absolutely all powerful reality, inasmuch as it renews in an unbloody manner the unique Sacrifice of the Cross, while making truly present the Body and the Blood of Christ.
“Today a providential coincidence allows us to offer worship to God by celebrating the Holy Sacrifice according to the Roman rite which took shape in the Missal known as that of St Pius V, whose mortal remains lie right here in this basilica. This is the third symbol before us at this celebration”.
“Right of citizenship” recognised
Then the cardinal evoked the attachment of very many faithful to the traditional Mass and added, “The rite known as that of Pius V cannot be regarded as extinct. The authority of the Holy Father has expressed his loving welcome towards those faithful who, whilst recognising the legitimacy of the Roman rite reformed according to the principles of the Second Vatican Council, remain attached to the previous rite and find in it strong spiritual nourishment in their path of sanctification. Moreover the same Second Vatican Council declared that ‘Holy Mother Church holds all legitimately recognised rites in equal right and honour, and she wishes that they be preserved for the future and fostered in every way; the Council desires that where necessary they should be thoroughly revised with care, in the spirit of sound tradition, in order to give them a new vigour in the light of the circumstances and needs of our day’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 4). The ancient Roman rite therefore retains in the Church its right of citizenship in the bosom of the multiplicity of Catholic rites both western and oriental. What unites the diversity of these rites is the same faith in the Eucharistic Mystery, the profession of which guarantees the unity of the Church, holy, catholic and apostolic”.
The ancient Roman rite therefore retains in the Church its right of citizenship in the bosom of the multiplicity of Catholic rites both western and oriental
Then Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos recalled the word of the Pope at the time of the tenth anniversary of the motu proprio, Ecclesia Dei. He exhorted all Catholics to give signs of their unity and to renew their attachment to the Church. “All this is a reason for special gratitude towards the Holy Father. We are heartily thankful for the deep and paternal understanding which he demonstrates to those who wish to keep alive in the Church the richness which this venerable liturgical form represents.
“I know that you are immensely grateful to the Holy Father for the invitation which he has addressed to the bishops of the whole world to show understanding and a renewed pastoral attention to the faithful attached to the ancient rite; and, on the threshold of the third millennium, to assist those Catholics to live the celebration of the Holy Mysteries with a devotion which may be a nourishment for their spiritual life and a source of peace” (OR 26-27 October 1998, 8).
The Mass of martyrs
An exceptional day! Joy to see recognised the Mass which had too often been forbidden. I can still hear a priest saying to us, “Yes, you have made a banner of it!” It is in fact the banner of tradition, but it is natural that the Mass which has sanctified so many men and women whose heroic virtue has been recognised should itself be honoured. We could demand that those ecclesiastics who prohibited it should do penance, but we prefer to see the restoration to the Mass of its freedom. The word is that before the end of the year, the Pope could agree to a “universal indult” allowing all priests to celebrate Mass in the rite of their choice, according to the missal of 1962 or that of 1969-70. In any case we have heard that the Mass known as that of Pius V will be “freed”. Perhaps the Pope will celebrate it publicly then? With the Mass of 24 May the ground has, in any event, been prepared. Mary Auxiliatrix will keep watch over its future.
Recently, Jorge Cardinal Medina Estevez, retired Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, gave an interview to Italian journalist Alessandro Zangrando in which he offered some frank comments on the state of the new rite and prospects for the old rite. Extracts appear below.
AZ: It seems that the question concerning the liturgy is very much neglected. And yet, in many parts of the world continued liturgical abuses, changes and unwarranted improvisations are confusing the faithful and driving them away from the Church. Many liturgical celebrations lack any sense of the sacred. What can be done about it?
JCM: I am not in a position to evaluate the liturgical celebrations around the world according to the Roman rite. Abuses do exist. Many priests, however, celebrate the liturgy with dignity and in complete respect for the liturgical norms. It is also true that there are instances where the sense of the sacred is either cheapened or altogether absent.
In this regard, I like to recall the Holy Father’s message to the members of the Plenary of the Congregation for Divine Worship, which took place in September 2001: “The Second Vatican Council underlined the principle that no one, not even priests, are allowed to omit, add or change anything in liturgical celebrations (Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium n. 22,3). It seems to me that the period of superficial creativity and of their abuses is beginning to give place to a deeper understanding of the idea that all liturgical celebrations are actions of the Church, not the fruit of one’s whim. Celebrations that do not reflect the will or the spirit of the Church alienate and drive away many faithful.”
AZ:Chapels and churches where the liturgy is celebrated according to the rite of St Pius V are often crowded with young people, aged 15 to 30. The faithful attached to the pre-conciliar rite are already an important component of the Church. Wouldn’t this be an opportunity to recognise and give full legitimacy to traditional Catholics?
JCM: I’m aware of the feelings of many Catholics toward the Holy Mass according to the Rite of St. Pius V. The motu proprio Ecclesia Dei, issued by Pope John Paul II, recognises the desire of those traditionalists and is trying to give them an opportunity to participate in the liturgy according to that venerable rite, which was for centuries the only Roman rite.
The Pope urges the bishops to be generous and open to those Catholics who should not be marginalised or treated as “second class” members of the Catholic community. I personally believe that ample guarantees should be given to Catholic traditionalists whose only desire is to follow an approved and legitimate rite. At a time in history when “pluralism” enjoys a right of “citizenship”, why not recognise the same right to those who wish to celebrate the liturgy the way it was done for over four centuries?AZ: Cardinal Ratzinger recently wrote that the Church has never forbidden any orthodox forms of liturgy. Did the Church ever ban the rite of St Pius V, which was for centuries the official rite of the Church?
JCM: I studied carefully the question of the abrogation of the rite of St Pius V after Vatican Council II. I’m a close friend of Cardinal Ratzinger, a great theologian and churchman whom I’ve known and admired since 1962, and to whom I’m grateful for his profound liturgical insights. On the basis of my research, I cannot conclude that the rite of St Pius V was ever abrogated. Some think it was. Others take a different view. And so, as the Latin goes, in dubiis, libertas (“where there is doubt, there is freedom”)
On the basis of my research, I cannot conclude that the rite of St Pius V was ever abrogated. Some think it was. Others take a different view. And so, as the Latin goes, in dubiis, libertas (“where there is doubt, there is freedom”)
AZ: Do you foresee the day when the rite according to St Pius V will be allowed to co-exist with other rites?
JCM: Personally, I don’t particularly see any difficulty. There are already instances when certain celebrations outside liturgical norms enjoy at least a tacit approval, and so I see no problem with a four-century-old rite, which is also thoroughly orthodox. Such a decision, however, rests with the Holy Father, who would have to take into account the feelings of the faithful, the opinions of the bishops and of other Church institutions.
AZ: Over the past few years, you have occasionally officiated at public celebrations of the traditional Mass. Can you share your reactions with us?
JCM: My ordination and my first Mass were both conducted according to the rite of St Pius V. After fifteen years as a priest, I stopped celebrating Mass according to the old rite, once Pope Paul VI promulgated the liturgical reform. I must admit, however, that I have no difficulty with the new Ordo of Paul VI. After my transfer to Rome, upon the invitation of groups of Catholic traditionalists, I occasionally celebrated the Holy Mass and performed other liturgical ceremonies in the old rite. I did this with a sense of simplicity, with memories of my early years as a priest, when I celebrated in the old rite, which I still remember fairly well. I must confess that I very much enjoyed praying in Latin, since in that language the prayers of the Roman Missal are more incisive and convey a message, simple and substantive, unlike modern translations which are either incorrect or, unfortunately, not faithful to the original text.
AZ: What do you think about the almost total disappearance of Gregorian chant in the liturgy?
JCM: There is no question that the disappearance of the Gregorian chant is an unfortunate impoverishment of the liturgy, as much as the almost total banishment of Latin, which is the irreplaceable underpinning of the Gregorian music. The beauty of those melodies, for centuries an integral part of the liturgical texts of the Roman rite, is captivating even for those unfamiliar with Latin and Gregorian music.
At the Vatican, when the Holy Father presides at ceremonies of Beatification and Canonisation, parts of the Ordinary of the Mass are still sung in Gregorian music, and many in attendance manage to follow those centuries-old melodies, although they are not always executed in the solemn and impersonal style characteristic of a music which was not created to draw attention to somebody’s singing ability or to become a performance where the individual takes precedence over a singing and praying community.
Acknowledgement: The Latin Mass
[Taken from the Latin Mass Society's November 2003 Newsletter.]