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22 Nov

2021

Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage VII: Concluding Reflections

Posted by Stuart Chessman  Published in Pilgrimage Summorum Pontificum 2021

What more can we add regarding the Populus Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage to that which has been already shown by the pictures that we and others have published ? 

It’s endlessly inspiring to walk together with Catholics from so many countries – Italy, France, England, Sweden, Germany, even Vietnam.  They came in this hour of crisis to show their faith. I witnessed  no excitement,  anger or rancor among them. The events of the pilgrimage unfolded in a calm and orderly manner. The organization was effective yet discreet. Did I detect here the presence of men who had gained experience on  the “Pilgrimage of Christendom” from Paris to Chartres? Some of the hymns sung in the procession to St. Peter’s also reminded me of those heard on the path to Chartres.

The liturgical ceremonies of the three days of the pilgrimage proceeded beautifully  and seemingly effortlessly.  And the music at times was on an exceptionally high level. In my experience, that’s new on the continent of Europe – at least for France and Italy. The number of pilgrims surprised me; indeed, the capacity of the churches of St Celsius and Most Holy Trinity was really inadequate to receive the throngs of  worshippers  – but these parishes were of course mandatory,  given that they were in the care of the Ecclesia Dei Communities (FSSP and ICRSS). And the mass of pilgrims made an impression even in the vast spaces of the Pantheon and St. Peter’s! And at the last Mass of the pilgrimage, the eloquent sermon summarized why we are committed to the Old Mass and the totality of Catholic Tradition.

Present at the pilgrimage were leaders of the Catholic organizations that have labored for so many years in the cause of Catholic tradition. Of course there were the priests of the Institute of the Good Shepherd, the Institute of Christ the King,  Sovereign Priest, and of the Fraternity of Saint Peter. Then there were leaders of the European lay organizations: the Latin Mass Society, Paix Liturgique, the Lepanto Institute etc.  These groups and individuals have been  dealing with the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church and remember earlier years of adversity. And the proof of their effectiveness is that the events of this pilgrimage were able to take place at all in the face of  the undisguised hostility of the Vatican. I was struck by their serene and confident attitude  in the face of the ongoing crisis. I even hear the view expressed that perhaps bishops and laity in the Anglo-American world, unused to the ways of the Vatican,  take documents like Traditionis Custodes too legalistically, whereas in France, Italy and elsewhere in Europe, Catholics are supposed to be more relaxed about Church  legislation and its enforcement.

My reservation regarding all these admirable people is that, despite all their efforts, experience and connections,  they clearly have little or no insight into the dealings of Francis and his circle of “advisors” – let alone any influence over their actions. For example, shortly after the conclusion of the pilgrimage, the Vicariate of Rome, certainly with the direct participation of Francis (the Vicar of Rome is a favorite of the Pope),  made public drastically restrictive rules on the celebration of the Traditional rites for Rome itself. Only one venue for the Traditional Mass was unambiguously confirmed  (Santissima Trinita) and celebration of the other sacraments and the Easter triduum in the old rite was prohibited everywhere.  This is, moreover, the Pope’s first direct attack on the Ecclesia Dei communities,  which have a leadership role among traditionalists in the Eternal City.  The measure was dated October 7, yet I didn’t have the impression that any of the traditionalists or their clergy in Rome was aware of the imminent publication of such a measure – which, in a sense,  is Francis’s response to the pilgrimage.  It’s clear that Pope Francis intends to transform the threats of Traditionis Custodes into drastic reality – and that’s not just a misunderstanding of those in the English-speaking world! A long and grim struggle lies ahead.

In conclusion, the Pilgrimage Summorum Pontificum sets a great example for us all. For in this event, in the face of official indifference and worse, traditionalist Catholics of all ages, of all states of life and from many nations united to give public witness to their beliefs.   Yes, going forward negotiations and prudence will be needed. But much more important in these times is testifying to the truth. Just as in the days of the martyrs – so vividly present to us even today in the churches and catacombs of  Rome – Catholics are once more summoned to declare their faith openly and confess their principles before the world. It is tragic – but not at all unprecedented – that the persecutors are now within the Church itself. But I am sure that God, Who has brought us this far, in ways known only to Him, will bring good out of the present evil.

And Rome itself?

This pilgrimage of course took place in the city of Rome, the greatest witness, in brick and stone, to the course of Christian history – to its development, setbacks and glorious recoveries.  On this visit,  what most impressed me was not the relics of antiquity or the grandeur of the renaissance and baroque city, but the churches, often of the martyrs, from the later empire and the early middle ages, that illustrate Catholic history better than any book can do. St. Sebastian’s basilica, for example, which is located on the Via Appia and near several major catacombs.  St Cecelia and St Chrysogonus in Trastevere feature ancient mosaics and columns taken from pagan structures; both arose over even earlier churches and Roman residences of pre-Christian times. 

Especially complete is the complex of the churches of St Agnes outside the Walls and Santa Costanza. The latter, at first a mausoleum for Constantine’s daughter, was built by the middle of the 4th century.  A site was chosen   near the basilica and catacomb of the great martyr St. Agnes. The present basilica of St Agnes dates from no later than  638 – some 300 years after Santa Costanza! 

These churches still let us sense the world of the martyrs, of the rise of the Church out of the underground into the light of day, of the firm establishment of Christianity in the face of all the political chaos and theological conflict of the dying ancient world. When the golden mosaic of the apse of St Agnes was created, for example, was not the Eastern Christian world  beset and almost overrun by the onslaught,  first of the Persians,  and then of the Muslims? Was not most of Italy in the hands of the Lombards who still remained under Arian and even pagan influence? And did not even Pope Honorius,  immortalized in the grand apse mosaic of St. Agnes,  fall victim to the theological machinations of the Eastern Roman Empire (of which he still was a subject)? Later, he was even declared a heretic! Yet, despite all the vicissitudes of those now distant times, in the midst of clashing cultures, religions and peoples, the faith was preserved and handed down from one generation to the next. This should give us confidence as we too undertake to safeguard the tradition of the Church.  

St. Agnes outside-the-Walls. (Above) St Agnes in the court dress of a princess or empress of the long-departed Eastern Roman Empire. At her feet are the instruments of her martyrdom (fire and sword). (Below) Pope Honorius I (625-638) holding the church of St. Agnes he had had built.

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14 Nov

2021

Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage VI: All Souls Day

Posted by Stuart Chessman  Published in Pilgrimage Summorum Pontificum 2021

See earlier posts of the Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage

We returned to Most Holy Trinity of the Pilgrims for All Souls Day on Tuesday evening (on All Saints Day we had attended Mass at Sts. Celsus and Julianus (ICRSS)). It was an appropriately somber and reflective conclusion to the liturgical events surrounding the pilgrimage. The celebrant was once familiar to Traditionalists: Archbishop Guido Pozzo, former secretary of the now-suppressed Ecclesia Dei Commission.

(Below) Absolution at the catafalque.

See earlier posts of the Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage

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14 Nov

2021

Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage V: the Closing of the Pilgrimage

Posted by Stuart Chessman  Published in Pilgrimage Summorum Pontificum 2021

See earlier posts of the Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage

The 2021 pilgrimage of the people of Summorum Pontificum ended on Sunday, October 31, the eve of All Saints, with Solemn High Mass at the church of the Most Holy Trinity of the pilgrims (Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini) – the home of the FSSP in Rome. This church, with its grand late Rennaissance/early Baroque interior, was nevertheless barely adequate to contain the congregation.

While the people were assembling for the grand Mass, a low Mass was being celebrated at a side altar. The priest was attended by one server – and those in the pews or standing in the immediate vicinity of this liturgy. It reminded me of a story I had read in a parochial school reader years ago, of a boy who had lived through the siege of Vienna in 1683. The day after the siege was lifted, a grand mass of thanksgiving was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Stephens. But, this boy did not see that magnificent ceremony, for he was serving as the sole acolyte at the requiem Mass for his parish priest who had died the day of the victory.

The unique dignity and beauty of the traditional Mass never fails to amaze me – regardless of the number of clegry and ministers, the size of the congregation, the quality of the music, the splendor of the vestments, the architecture of the church etc. And it was heartening to see the side altars being used for their intended purpose.

The rousing homily formed a fitting conclusion to the pilgrimage. It was a celebration of the traditional liturgy and the role it must play it in the “apocalyptic” situation we live in today. It is a Mass that indeed represents the grandeur of the Christian ages, when Christ’s kingship was most widely acknowledged by men. Yet it also best expresses the deepest needs of the soul in the midst of the complete denial of that kingship by the present “apostate” age. It is our “imperative obligation to ensure the transmission of what we have received to the generation to come.”

…It is important to remember that this Mass was formed at the same time the West was constituting itself as Christian….The Roman Mass was fully constituted when the ideal of Christendom received its maturity. It is the Mass of Christendom.

Of course it is not enough to celebrate Mass as if we wish to lay a stone enabling the reconstruction of Christendom. Other struggles are necessary. But the anti-modern character of our liturgy, in contrast to a liturgy thst imitates profane fashions and language, helps us powerfully to put the priestly and royal mark of Christ on the whole of our personal, family and public life.

“Jesus,” said the good thief,  “remember Me when you come into your Kingdom.”  In other words, while Peter had denied Him and all the apostles except for Saint John had gone into hiding, it is this dying man who makes the most formidable confession of Christ’s kingship, thus becoming the first Christian saint. “This very night you will be with me in paradise.”  Let this confession be ours. “The Lamb ,who was slain, is worthy ,” says the Apocalypse in the passage that serves as an introduction to this Mass, “to receive power and divinity and wisdom and strength and honor; to Him be glory and power forever and ever.”

( Excerpts from the homily of Fr. Claude Barthe – I have slightly amended the English translation.)

Continue to Part VI: All Souls Day

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13 Nov

2021

Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage IV: Blessing of a Bell

Posted by Stuart Chessman  Published in Pilgrimage Summorum Pontificum 2021

See earlier posts of the Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage

Separate from the pilgrimage was the fascinating and unusual ceremony of the Blessing of a Bell. It took place on late Saturday afternoon in the church of the Most Holy Trinity of the Pilgrims (Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini ) This parish is in the care of the Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP).

This ceremony is a perfect example of the power of Catholic tradition. It communicates the significance of the church bell and of its consecration to God through a series of gestures and actions. These are not “didactic” but, nevertheless, by symbol and analogy, convey meaning more profoundly taan any pedagogical lecture could accomplish. Consider how these ceremonies in several respects parallel the baptismal rite.

In the course of the ceremony of blessing the bishop recites a series of magnificent exorcisms, prayers and blessings. One example:

Bless O Lord, this water with a heavenly benediction, and may the power of the Holy Ghost come upon it, so that when this vessel, prepared to call together the children of Holy Church, has been washed with it, there may be kept far away from wheresoever this bell may sound, the power of those lying in wait, the shadow of spectres, the ravages of whirlwinds, the stroke of lightning, the damage of thunder, the disaster of tempests, and every breath of storm; and when the sons of Christians hear its ringing, may their devotion increase so that, hastening to the bosom of their mother the Church, they may sing to Thee in the Church of the Saints a new canticle….

(Above and below)After blessing the water, the bishop washes the bell with an aspergillium of hyssop.
Two clerics then wash the whole bell, inside and out, with sponges dipped in holy water.
After the bell has been dried with a linen cloth, the master of ceremonies marks with chalk a series of crosses on the bell.
Prior to incensing the bell the bishop washes and purifies his hands.
The brazier for incensing the bell.
Incense from the brazier fills the bell.
Striking one of the first notes from the newly blessed bell.
The newly blessed bell is clad in a white “baptismal” garment.
(Above and below) After the ceremony.

continue to Part V

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12 Nov

2021

Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage III: Solemn Mass in St Peter’s

Posted by Stuart Chessman  Published in Pilgrimage Summorum Pontificum 2021

Continued from Part II

The altar of the Chair of St. Peter – a masterpiece of Bernini.

The pilgrims processed to the apse of the basilica of St. Peter’s, where the Solemn Mass would be celebrated at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter. The space initially reserved was quickly filled, and, just as in the Pantheon, a stream of new arrivals continued to swell the the congregation. At the end quite a number were left standing ouside the barriers the authorities of the basilica had set up.

The Mass was a votive mass of Sts. Peter and Paul. I should say that the particpants kept closely monitoring the news to make sure the events of the pilgrimage would take place at all. A pontifical liturgy had been scheduled for Saturday, but at the last minute the Archbishop in question had to withdraw. An official of the curia, Msgr. Patrick Descourtieux, stepped in to celebrate the liturgy – which accordingly took place as scheduled. (Msgr. Descourtieux in 2019 had assumed an office in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which had been given the functions of the abolished Ecclesia Dei commission). I understand that in the past masses of this pilgrimage had been celebrated by a bishop or Cardinal.

The celebrant gave his homily alternating beween various languages – something I confess that appears a little strange to me, especially since the program set out the full text of the homily in French and four other languages. The content was a non-controversial, non-specific but perhaps politically astute reflection on Sts Peter and Paul. As at the vespers of the previous evening, music was again provided by the Cappella Musicale di Santa Maria in Campitelli, directed by Vincenzo Di Betta.

Continue to Part IV

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12 Nov

2021

Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage II: Eucharistic Adoration and Procession

Posted by Stuart Chessman  Published in Pilgrimage Summorum Pontificum 2021

Continued from Part I

The Church of Saints Celsus and Julianus.

On Saturday morning, the pilgrims gathered at the Church of Sts. Celsus and Julianus (Santi Celso e Giuliano). A pretty 18th century baroque stucture, this church is currently the home of the Institute of Christ the King. But it was totally inadequate for the numbers of people who thronged it that morning. The rosary was recited, followed by Benediction. The Institute led the proceedings.

The veiw from in front of the church to the Castel Sant’Angelo.

From here the procession set out for St. Peter’s. Flags were provided for the pilgrims – not including that of the United States. Saturday, fortunately, was a beautiful day.

The pilgrimage continued on its way, singing. Often it was the familiar Christus Vincit.

Continue to Part III

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12 Nov

2021

Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage I: Friday Evening Vespers

Posted by Stuart Chessman  Published in Pilgrimage Summorum Pontificum 2021

I wanted to share some reflections on the recent Pilgrimage to Rome (“Peligrinatio ad Petri Sedem”) by traditionalist Catholics. The liturgical celebrations of the pilgrimage took place from Friday, Ocober 29 to Sunday, October 31. I also add to this set the Mass of All Souls Day, November 2.

The pilgrimage began with Solemn Vespers in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the august surroundings of the Basilica St. Maria ad Martyres – the Pantheon. This is appropriate, because, at least in the United States, the celebration of vespers has experienced a renaissance in traditionalist groups after having almost disappeared from parish life. And of course, All Saints Day, which we would celebrate on the following Monday, traces its origin to the consecration of the Pantheon to Our Lady and all the Martyrs in 609 or 610. (The date of this feast was moved to November 1 in the 8th century)

As was the case for all the events of this pilgrimage, attendance was impressive and row after row of chairs had to be added. This, despite travel restrictions still in effect in many places due to Covid. The organization of the weekend’s events was effective here and subsequently thoughout the pilgrimage.

The oculus of the Pantheon.
Eventually the congregation occupied about a third of the Pantheon.

The music was outstanding, reinforced by the wonderful acoustics of the Pantheon. The schola was the Cappella Musicale di Santa Maria in Campitelli of Rome, directed by Vincenzo Di Betta.

The celebration of Vespers was in the hands of the Institute of the Good Shepherd.

Continue to Part II

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