New Latin Mass Association to be Formed in New Jersey

We received the following letter from the Latin Mass Committee of Jersey City:

“Catholics in Hudson County attached to the forms of our faith that have nourished saints for nearly two millennia have been blessed to enjoy glorious liturgies for nearly a generation.  This has created a community awed by the beauty of the mystery of salvation.  In 2002, our priestly founder, Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ, had recommended that an Association of the Faithful be formed to support and encourage this community.

“We are finally getting around to it! A draft of the proposed statutes is attached. 

“The proximate cause of this initiative is the loss of our liturgical home at St. Anthony’s last winter. We are most grateful to Fr. Thomas at St. Paul the Apostle in the Greeneville section of Jersey City who is allowing us to gather Sunday mornings at 9:15 for the Extraordinary form of the Mass. However,  we no longer have guaranteed access to the liturgy on Solemnities. Nor do we have guaranteed access for the sacraments. 

“We have adopted St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) as our patron.   St. Theresa Benedicta wrote extensively about the urgent need for the celebration of the traditional liturgy against a zeitgeist that was already showing iconoclastic impulses. We have also adopted Lena Edwards as our cause.  Dr. Edwards was noted for her piety and devotion which informed her life as the first female African American Medical Doctor in Jersey City. (a short vita)

“The statutes provide for priest members and lay members and for voting and non voting members. Anyone who has or is regularly attending the Latin Liturgies in Jersey City may claim voting membership.  Anyone anywhere who wants to be united with this community which seeks a reconciliation at the heart of the Church is welcomed and is indeed urged to join with us. We especially seek the spiritual support of priests who are laboring in the vineyard. “

If you are interested in reading and signing the proposed statutes, please contact: LatinMassJC@gmail.com.