From our Intriot we were instructed, “Give peace, O Lord, to them that patiently wait for Thee, that Thy prophets may be found faithful: hear the prayers of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel.”
From this verse we were given the words peace, faithful, and servant. Let us remain united to the peace that Christ alone can bring to our heart, let us allow the virtue of faith to be strengthened in order that we may never fall away from Christ and His Church, and let us always remain a servant to Christ in all that we say and do.
With this I must inform you that the pastors of parishes with the Extraordinary Form in collaboration with our bishop will now begin to transition this Mass into the Ordinary Form. This transition is made due to Pope Francis’ document, Traditionis Custodes, requesting that this form of the Mass no longer be offered in parish churches.
I understand that this news may be difficult to to hear. I sympathize with your fear and feelings of loss. Nevertheless, please be assured that this Mass at 2pm will continue for the most part as it has been.
This Mass will continue to be celebrated ad orientem, Gregorian chant including the chanting of the propers will continue, communion will continue to be offered at our make shift communion rail, and this Mass will continue to be offered in Latin. Despite transiting to the Missale Romanum 3rd edition the tradition of the Church will continue to be upheld and protected at this Mass.
As you exit the Church there will be a letter from me outlining this process of transition. Next weekend I have scheduled a meeting following Mass for anyone who would like to join me in discussing this transition that will be made over the course of the next three months.
No matter the feeling that we currently hold in our heart it is important that we remain united to the unity of the Church. We must remember and believe that the same Christ that is made present to us under the appearances of bread and wine will continue to be made manifest to us in the Eucharist. It is He who must be the rock upon which we place our faith. This transition is not reason to abandon the Church to pursue our own personal preferences. We must hold firm to the unity of faith for “the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”
Let us invite the peace that Christ alone can bring to enter into our midst. Let us always remain faithful to the truth of faith and not be led astray. Let us always remain servants who are willing to follow wherever the Lord may lead, no matter how difficult it may be for us to follow.
Together let us move forward upon this transition in faith and trust in the Lord.
