MADISON — On the first anniversary of the implementation of Summorum Pontificum, September 14, Bishop Robert C. Morlino will celebrate a Pontifical High Mass at the Throne according to the 1962 Roman Missal at 2 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Church, 120 W. Johnson St., Madison.
Last year Pope Benedict XVI issued an Apostolic letter, Summorum Pontificum, on the celebration of Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal, also known as the Tridentine Mass.
Two-fold use of same rite
The letter stated that Mass celebrated according to the 1962 Roman Missal is now called the Extraordinary Form, while Mass celebrated according to the 1970 Missal, also known as the Novus Ordo, remains the Ordinary Form.
Furthermore, in a letter accompanying Summorum Pontificum, the Holy Father pointed out that “It is not appropriate to speak of these two versions of the Roman Missal as if they were ‘two rites.’ Rather, it is a matter of a twofold use of one and the same rite.”
Bishop Morlino, in his comments before a Pontifical Low Mass in Extraordinary Form celebrated at Sydney for the World Youth Day pilgrims from the Diocese of Madison, said that “the celebration of this older form of the Mass (referring to the Extraordinary Form) is what the (Vatican II) council Fathers celebrated. It’s not ‘pre-Vatican II’: it is Vatican II.”
Increasing numbers
As a result of Summorum Pontificum, Masses in the Extraordinary Form are being celebrated in an increasing number of parishes across the world today.
Mass in the Extraordinary Form has been celebrated every Sunday at Holy Redeemer Church, beginning with the Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Bishop Morlino on Gaudete Sunday last December. Masses in the Extraordinary Form are also celebrated daily at St. Norbert Church in Roxbury.
Celebrated in Latin
Mass in the Extraordinary Form or Tridentine Mass is celebrated in Latin. Latin is the official language of the universal church and was never abolished or forbidden by the Second Vatican Council.
At Mass the readings in Latin are repeated in English. The homily is given in English.
One does not need to know Latin in order to fully participate in the Tridentine liturgy. By using the missals with English and Spanish translations, available at church, the faithful follow the Mass and the priest’s prayers silently. The faithful are not merely silent observers; they actively unite their prayers with the Sacrifice on the altar.
Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant is the core music used in the Extraordinary Form. Gregorian chant was not abolished by the Second Vatican Council. In fact, the council decreed that Gregorian chant, being the music of the Church for centuries, should be given its “pride of place” in the liturgy.
Gregorian chant transcends time and place because it reminds the faithful that the Holy Mass is the place where Heaven and Earth meet. The overall atmosphere of sacred silence and Gregorian chant facilitates moments of contemplation while the priest is offering the Eternal Sacrifice.
Priest faces altar
In the Extraordinary Form the priest is facing the altar instead of the faithful. This practice is not a sign of disrespect toward the faithful. In fact, it has been the practice of the Church for many centuries and has deep theological meaning.
As the priest leads the faithful to worship Almighty God, all face the same direction. The direction of prayer is called “ad orientum,” i.e., “toward the east” – the direction from which Our Lord will return.
The Tridentine Mass Society of Madison invites everyone to come to the celebration of the Pontifical Mass at the Throne on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 2 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Church. Everyone is also invited to the weekly celebration of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Sundays at 7 p.m.
You will be drawn in by the sense of awe, reverence, mystery, and transcendence.
The Pontifical Mass is sponsored by the Tridentine Mass Society of Madison, a private association of faithful dedicated to promoting the regular celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite according to the 1962 Roman Missal in the Diocese of Madison.