My acquaintanceship with the pilgrimage Summorum Pontificum or, as it was called this year, Ad Petri Sedem (1), is not of long standing; this is only the second I have attended. Of course, it is remarkable that, given Pope Francis’s war against traditionalism, this pilgrimage is occurring at all. Not only is it still taking place, but it is growing. Participation was substantially higher than last year. The church where the procession to St Peter’s began on Saturday morning (Santi Celso e Giuliano of the Institute of Christ the King) and that in which the pilgrimage ended on Sunday (S.S. Trinita dei Pelligrini of the Fraternity of St. Peter) were both completely overwhelmed by the crowds of worshippers. There was obviously room to spare at St. Peter’s and the Pantheon; but most or all of the seating set up in these churchs for the pilgrims was occupied. A couple of social events associated with the pilgrimage were also swamped by the mass of guests. For next year the organizers need to explore alternative venues for certain of the religious services and other events of the pilgrimage – in the past other churches have been used. Whether that is possible in today’s environment remains to be seen.
Compared to last year the number of clergy and religious present was also dramatically greater. Indeed this impressive gathering of clergy was also a problem: because of the restrictions imposed by Francis on the celebration of private masses in St. Peter’s – and perhaps elsewhere in Rome – the organization of the pilgrimage advised priests to reserve time at the side altars of the two churches mentioned above.
Of course, that Cardinal Zuppi presided at the opening vespers at the Pantheon was remarked upon; it sent at least one ally of Pope Francis into a rage. But other than that, the liturgies of the pilgrimage were solemn masses celebrated by priests. That is how it should be – in my opinion, traditionalists had placed too much emphasis in recent years on pontifical celebrations that were in part intended to convey the (false) impression of harmony between the hierarchy and the traditionalist movement The liturgies of this pilgrimage, reverend but restrained, fit better the mood of today and the actual position of traditionalism in the Church. It’s also better that the celebrants commence their liturgical duties without introductions or fanfare – that was mostly the case on this pilgrimage. The restrained sermons focused on themes of general spirituality and, as far as I could make out, did not directly address the Traditional Mass. Nor were there effusions of praise for the ecclesiastical authorities.
The organization of the pilgrimage was in other respects exemplary – aside from the previously noted overcrowding (the price of success!). Do I need to add that the music, vestments and the conduct of the ceremonies were once again of the highest order?
The spirit of the pilgrims was calm, subdued but resolute – no excitement, agitation or confrontational attitudes. This quiet confidence in the face of all the trials of the last year and a half was inspiring. For hadn’t the diocese of Rome issued drastically restrictive rules for the celebration of the Traditional liturgy immediately after the conclusion of last year’s pilgrimage? (Some of these subsequently seem not to have been enforced.) Yet the pilgrims returned this year in even greater force. The lasting impression of this year’s pilgrimage was not of what anyone said or did, but that we pilgrims were gathered in Rome from all over the world. The message is clear: Traditionalists are not going away.
(Above) It quickly became almost impossible to find a seat)
- Both terms have been used in the past.
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