The church of Maria Lanakila (“Victorious Mary” = Our Lady of Victory) has survived the terrible fire and destruction of Lahaina. if not a miracle, certainly divine Providence was involved:

Historic Lahaina church miraculously untouched by Maui wildfires that killed 80. (The New York Post)

It is in this church, by the way, that the Traditional Mass has been celebrated on the island of Maui:

MauiLatinMass

There will be no Latin Mass scheduled for the time being as the area in Historic Lahaina town is impassable. The regular parish novus ordo mass will be at Sacred Hearts Mission in Kapalua 8am daily, and 8am and 10am on Sundays. The fathers and sisters are praying for us all in this difficult time. John 13:34 “a new commandment I give unto you, love one another as I have loved you”.

What help can we give the parish and the Latin mass community of Maui in midst of this unimaginable tragedy?

Il Pastore e I Lupi: Ricordando Benedetto XVI

By Aldo Maria Valli

Chorabooks, Hong Kong 2023.

With a Foreword by Bishop Athanasius Schneider and a “Testimony” by Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Aldo Mario Valli is among the most articulate and inspiring defenders of Catholic traditionalism today both in the spoken and written word. Yet Valli is a relative newcomer to the traditionalist cause. Indeed, he was a long-term associate of the late Cardinal Martini of Milan. He covered the papacy of Pope Benedict for a leading Italian TV channel. But the blinkers fell from his eyes with the publication of Amoris Laetitia.  

In the Shepherd and the Wolves (Il Pastore e i Lupi) Valli has written a short history and defense of Pope Benedict XVI. It is evident from the book that Valli has great affection for Benedict, whom he knew professionally as a journalist but also from private encounters. Valli describes for us a gentle, spiritual man of great intelligence, who nevertheless, even before his papacy, became the target of outright persecution from forces within and outside the Church It was an attack which the scholarly, shy Benedict found difficult to confront. 

So, this book in not at all a critical analysis of Benedict’s papacy (at least up to the last few pages of this book!). Rather, it is a warm, appreciative reminiscence and a defense against the accusations that rained down on Ratzinger before, during and after his papacy – and which continue to do so now, even after his death. For example, as far as I am aware, in Germany a lawsuit is still underway against the estate of Benedict XVI related to the tenuous connections of Ratzinger when Archbishop of Munich with a sex offender priest – all in order to besmirch the Pope’s reputation in a potential trial.

Valli devotes much space in this short book to the public statements of Pope Benedict and in setting forth his philosophical and theological principles.  He also rebuts the endless attacks against Benedict in the media – that Benedict was unpopular, too focused on Europe and on condemning errors, disrespectful to other religions, indifferent to clerical sexual abuse, etc.  – not to mention even wilder claims.

In this regard, The Shepherd and the Wolves strongly resembles much of the
2020 biography of Pope Benedict by Peter Seewald. As I wrote of the latter book, I find such point-by-point defenses of limited utility, especially ten years or more after the facts. By structuring a book around rebutting clearly absurd accusations Valli (and Seewald) cede all the initiative to Benedict’s opponents. They are the ones who are allowed to set the framework of the discussion. Regarding the media a historian of Benedict’s papacy should be rather asking different questions:  Why were the media uniformly hostile to Benedict but currently are still fawning and obsequious towards Francis?  Why did the Vatican willingly participate in the staged media game? Above all, why were Pope Benedict and the Vatican so obsessed with their image in the media in the first place?

Like Seewald (at least until his most recent interview, that is!) Valli also appears to restate the assertions of Benedict that his resignation was entirely voluntary, dictated by his failing strength and not at all motivated by internal political crises of one kind or another in the Church. I am not sure anyone believes this, especially given the ten post-abdication years.

Yet at the very end of the book Valli breaks with this party line and offers an alternative critical review of Pope Benedict. His interpretation is sad and highly insightful– and, for what it’s worth, also agrees with my own views on the subject. First, Valli frankly points out the disastrous consequences of Benedict’s renunciation, not only by enabling the reversal of the Pope’s own policies but also by reconfirming the understanding of the papacy as a secular political function. 

Valli sees the key to Benedict’s actions in his consistent desire to find a Third Way between traditional theology and radical modernism. Pope Benedict could never ascribe any guilt for the unfolding catastrophe of the post-conciliar Church to the Council itself.  Rather, he made a mythical “council of the media” responsible for the Church’s woes. For Valli the tragedy of Benedict is not weakness of character but precisely his theological and intellectual starting point – his theology. Ratzinger at the Council had wanted to ignite a fire which would purify and illuminate the Church. Yet the wood for that fire was taken from warehouses in which it was claimed that that the Church and the world could and should live in reciprocal harmony. Yet the truth is that the world is marked by sin and the Church cannot do anything but call it to conversion. That purifying fire turned into a devastating blaze that could neither be contained nor brought under control.   

In a sense, the papacy of Bergoglio was the bitterest possible “punishment” for Ratzinger’s lack of insight.  Pope Benedict had to witness for ten years how the process of self-dissolution, initiated by the Council, was carried to its most extreme consequences precisely because of his own resignation. Valli asks: “Who could imagine a condemnation more terrible”?  Indisputably, the destiny of the humble Bavarian professor was ultimately tragic. (pp. 161-62)

Acknowledging these truths does not at all detract from Valli’s admiration for Pope Benedict.  He concludes his book by quoting from a letter he received from one of his readers. She wanted express her thanks to Pope Benedict, a man and pastor she has always considered a spiritual father, a witness who had given strength to her life and had always seemed to speak directly to her. Benedict’s rather summary funeral mass reflected how Benedict to the very end never had the recognition he merited.  In contrast, so many of the simple faithful had greeted and thanked him. His message had reached both the mind and the heart! (p. 163)

His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke celebrated a Solemn Pontifical Mass in honor of Our Lady of She-Shan for Catholics in China yesterday evening at the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist in Stamford, CT. The event was organized by the Cardinal Kung Foundation. A reception followed in the piazza after the Mass.

The Sunday Latin Mass that used to be celebrated at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys in Brookfield, CT, has been transferred to Immaculate High School Chapel, 73 Southern Boulevard in Danbury. The Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 12:30 pm, followed by a convivium. This Sunday Fr. Peter Lenox celebrated the Mass.

This Thursday, May 18, is the Feast of the Ascension, a holy day of obligation

The following churches will offer Traditional Masses:

Connecticut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, 8 am low Mass; 7 pm Solemn Mass.

Sacred Heart Oratory, Georgetown, 6 pm

Chapel at St. Pius X Church, Fairfield, Missa Cantata, 7 pm, Father Richard Cipolla celebrant.

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, 7:45 am low Mass, 6 pm high Mass.

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury, 8 am low Mass, 6 pm high Mass

St. Martha, Enfield, 7 pm

New York

Holy Innocents, New York, NY, 8 am low Mass; 6 pm Missa Cantata

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New York, NY, 7 am and 7:45 am low Masses; 7 pm Missa Cantata

St. Josaphat, Bayside, Queens, 7 pm

St. Rocco, Glen Cove, (Long Island) 7 pm

St. Matthew, Dix Hills (Long Island) 10:30 am

St. Michael, Farmingville (Long Island), 8 am and 7 pm

St. Paul the Apostle, Yonkers, 12 noon

Immaculate Conception, Sleepy Hollow, NY, 7 pm low Mass.

Annunciation Church, Crestwood, NY, 6 pm

Church of the Holy Trinity, Poughkeepsie, 7 pm

New Jersey

Our Lady of Sorrows, Jersey City, Missa Cantata, 7 pm

St. Anthony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, 9 am, 7 pm

Our Lady of Fatima, Pequannock, 7 am, 9 am, 12 noon, 7 pm

Corpus Christi Church, South River, 7:00 pm Solemn Mass

Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, 7 pm, Missa Cantata

St. John the Baptist, Allentown, NJ – 7:00p.m, Solemn Mass

The following churches will offer Traditional liturgies during Holy Week. Please help us make this a complete list.

Connecticut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, CT

For a schedule of the music for Holy Week go to the parish website.

~ PALM SUNDAY ~ (April 2)
10:00 AM: Solemn Traditional Latin Mass (Procession of the Palms; St. Matthew’s Passion by Victoria).

~ HOLY MONDAY ~ (April 3)
6:00-8:00 PM: Confessions at St. Mary with Fr. F.J. Ringley.

~ HOLY TUESDAY ~ (April 4)
8:00 AM:  Traditional Latin Mass.
11:30 am and 6:00-7:00 pm: Confessions at St. Mary.

~ SPY WEDNESDAY ~ (April 5)
8:00 AM:  Traditional Latin Mass.
11:30 AM:  Confessions at St. Mary.
7:00 PM:  TENEBRAE of Maundy Thursday.

~ MAUNDY THURSDAY ~ (April 6)
7:00 PM:  SOLEMN MASS in Cena Domini.
9:00 PM:  Vespers and Stripping of the Altars.
9:30 PM:  Vigil before the Blessed Sacrament (at the Altar of Repose in the lower chapel).

~ GOOD FRIDAY ~ (April 7)
11:00 AM:  Stations of the Cross (Latin, English, and Spanish).
3:00 PM:  The MASS of the PRESANCTIFIED (St. John’s Passion by Victoria; Worship of the Cross).
7:00 PM:  Procession of the CRISTO MUERTO and Burial of the BODY of CHRIST.

~ HOLY SATURDAY ~ (April 8)
12:30 PM:  Blessing of Easter Food (gym).
7:00 PM:  The GREAT VIGIL of EASTER.
11:30 PM:  Festive Reception.

~ EASTER SUNDAY ~ (April 9)
10:00 AM:  Solemn Traditional Latin Mass.

Sacred Heart Oratory, Redding, CT

Palm Sunday, Missa Cantata with a procession, 12 pm

Maundy Thursday, Mass and translation of the Blessed Sacrament, 8 pm, watch at altar of repose until midnight.

Good Friday, Solemn Liturgy of the Passion, 3pm, Stations of the Cross, 7 pm

Holy Saturday, Paschal Vigil, 8 pm

Easter Sunday, 12 noon.

St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, Brookfield, CT

Palm Sunday, low Mass, 12:30 pm

Easter Sunday, low Mass, 2 pm

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport

PALM SUNDAY – April 2nd
8 a.m. Confessions
8:30 a.m. Low Mass (no palms), 9:45 a.m. Confessions
10:15 a.m. Blessing of Palms, Procession & Mass
6 p.m. Vespers & Benediction

MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK – April 3rd
7:15 a.m. Confessions
7:45 a.m. Low Mass
6 p.m. Confessions
TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK – April 4th
7:15 a.m. Confessions
7:45 a.m. Low Mass
6 p.m. Confessions
SPY WEDNESDAY – April 5th
7:15 a.m. Confessions
7:45 a.m. Low Mass
7 p.m. Tenebræ, anticipated Matins & Lauds of Maundy Thursday

MAUNDY THURSDAY – April 6th
No confessions are scheduled before Mass today.
12 noon Mass of the Lord’s Supper followed by the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, vespers, stripping of the altar. Adoration at the altar of repose until 10 pm. 6 pm Mandatum (foot-washing ceremony in the church hall). 7 pm Tenebrae, anticipated Matins and Lauds of Good Friday.

GOOD FRIDAY – April 7th
11 a.m. Confessions (till 11:45)
12 noon Mass of the Presanctified followed by Vespers – Church open till 3 p.m. – GREAT SILENCE, 5:30 pm Confessions
6 p.m. Stations of the Cross
7 p.m. Tenebræ, anticipate Matins and Lauds of Holy Saturday

HOLY SATURDAY – April 8th
2 p.m. Confessions (till 2:30)
3 p.m. Easter Vigil followed by blessing of Easter baskets – Compline
(please place your baskets on the table by the Sacred
Heart statue BEFORE the Vigil begins)

EASTER SUNDAY – April 9th
8 a.m. Confessions
8:30 a.m. Low Mass followed by blessing of Easter eggs

9:45 a.m. Confessions
10:15 a.m. High Mass followed by blessing of Easter eggs

Children’s Easter Egg Hunt on the lawn after both Masses
6 p.m. Vespers & Benediction

OCTAVE OF EASTER
Daily Mass from Monday April 10th to Saturday April 15th
will be at 8 a.m., with confessions AFTER MASS. The
church will open at 7:45 a.m. each day this week.

St Stanislaus Church, New Haven

Palm Sunday, Missa Cantata with blessing of palms and procession, 2 pm, Fr. Peter Lenox, celebrant.

Good Friday, 11 am.

Easter Sunday, Missa Cantata, 2 pm.

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury

Palm Sunday, 8:30 low Mass (no palms), 10:30 Blessing of palms, procession and high Mass; 5:30 pm Organ recital followed by 6 pm vespers and benediction.

Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week: confessions at 7:30 am, Low Mass at 8 am

Spy Wednesday, 7:30 am confession; 8 am low Mass; 6 pm Tenebrae

Maundy Thursday, 11:00-11:45 am confessions; 12 noon High Mass of the Lord’s Supper followed by stripping of the altar; 6 pm, Tenebrae; adoration at the altar of repose until midnight

Good Friday, 11:00-11:45 am confessions, 12 noon Mass of the Presanctified; 3 pm Stations of the Cross followed by Great Silence; 6 pm Tenebrae

Holy Saturday, 11:00-11:30 am confessions; 12 noon, Easter Vigil followed by blessing of easter baskets

Easter Sunday, 8:30 am Low Mass, 10:30 am High Mass and Benediction, no vespers.

St. Augustine Church, North Branford, CT

Holy Tuesday, April 4, low Mass 6 pm

St. Martha Church, Enfield, CT

Palm Sunday, 11 am

Holy Thursday, 7:30 pm

Good Friday, 3:00 pm

Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil 7 pm

Easter Sunday, 11;30 am

New York

The Shrine and Parish Church of the Holy Innocents, New York

Holy Monday and Tuesday, 6 pm

Holy Wednesday, 6 pm Mass, 7:30 pm Office of Tenebrae

Maundy Thursday, 6 pm, Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper, all-night adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the repository (the church will close at midnight for those not staying all night and reopen at 6 am on Good Friday)

Good Friday, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues until 3 pm; 12 noon, 7 Last Words preached by Fr. James Miara; 3 pm Solemn Liturgy; 6 pm Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday, Church opens at 9 am for veneration of the cross; 12 noon blessing of Easter food; 6 pm East Vigil Solemn Mass followed by a festive reception in the parish hall

Easter Sunday, 9 am Low Mass; 10:30 am Missa Cantata followed by a festive reception in the parish hall

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine, New York

Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023
10:15 AM Outdoor Blessing of Palms outdoors at the East 116th Street Entrance, Procession followed by Missa Cantata 1962 Missal inside the Church
4:30 PM Solemn Vespers, Rosary and Benediction 
Holy Monday, April 3, 7 AM & 745 AM Low Masses, 3 PM Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, 1 PM to 3 PM Confessions,  4 PM to 9 PM Confessions 
Holy Tuesday, April 4, 7 AM & 745 AM Low Masses 3 PM Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet Confessions after Mass and Rosary
Spy Wednesday, April 5, 7 AM & 745 AM Low Masses 3 PM Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet Confessions after Mass and Rosary
** The Sacred Triduum **
Maundy Thursday, April 6
9 AM Tenebrae 3 PM Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet,  7:00 PM Mandatum & Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper pre 1955 Missal, 8:30 PM Procession to the Altar of Repose, Adoration at the Altar of Repose until Midnight
Good Friday, April 7, 9 AM Tenebrae, 12 Noon Annual East Harlem Good Friday Procession Starting Point: St Francis de Sales Church, 96th Street and Lexington Avenue, Procession goes north on 3rd Avenue from 96th Street to 117th Street, Ending Point: St Paul’s Church117th Street and Lexington Avenue, 3 PM “Mass”, Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, pre 1955 Missal, 7:30 PM Procession of Gesu Morte, Stations of the Cross and veneration of the Relic of the True Cross, Holy Name Society
Holy Saturday, April 8, 9 AM Tenebrae, 11 AM Święconka, Blessing of Easter Baskets, 3 PM Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, 6:30 pm Święconka, Blessing of Easter Baskets, 7:00 PM Easter Vigil and First Solemn Mass of Easter 1962 Missal, The Blessing of the Fire and Paschal Candle will begin Outdoors at the 115th Street Entrance 
Easter Sunday, April 9
10:30 AM Missa Cantata 1962 Missal 
4:30 PM Solemn Paschal Vespers, Rosary and Benediction

St. Michael Church, Staten Island

Easter Sunday, Missa Cantata, 5 pm

Low Sunday, April 16, Missa Cantata, 5 pm

Our Lady of Peace, Brooklyn

Palm Sunday, 9:20 pm

St. Josaphat Church, Bayside, Queens

Palm Sunday, 9:30 am

Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 am

Holy Thursday, 7:00 pm, adoration at altar of repose until midnight

Good Friday, 3 pm

Holy Saturday, Easter vigil, 8:30 pm

Easter Sunday, 9:30 am

St. Rocco Church, Glen Cove, Long Island

Palm Sunday, 11:30 am, Low Mass with Music and Solemn Blessing of Palms

Easter Sunday, 11:30 am, Missa Cantata

St. Paul the Apostle, Yonkers

Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, 1:30 pm

Annunciation Church, Crestwood, NY

Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, 11:15 am

Immaculate Conception, Sleepy Hollow, NY

Palm Sunday, 4 pm Missa Cantata with blessing and distribution of palms

Easter Sunday, 2 pm, Missa Cantata

St. Patrick Church, Newburgh, NY

Palm Sunday, low Mass, 3 pm

Easter Sunday, Missa Cantata, 3 pm

St. Joseph Church, Middletown, NY

Palm Sunday, 10:15 am Missa Cantata, in chapel

Easter Sunday, 10:15 am

New Jersey

Our Lady of Sorrows, Jersey City

Sunday, April 2 – Palm Sunday – 8:45am Blessing of Palms and Triumphal
Procession, Passion of Our Lord according to Matthew. Berchem O Jesu Christe, Dubois Adoramus Te Christe.
Wednesday, April 5 – Tenebrae – 7:00pm Ancient Office of Darkness beginning the Triduum. Gregorian Chant, Polyphonic Motets of Victoria
and others. Allegri’s Miserere.
Thursday, April 6 – Holy Thursday – 7:00pm Sung Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Procession to the altar of repose. Stripping of the Altar. Vigil before the Altar of Repose until Midnight. Gregorian and Ambrosian Chant.
Durufle’s Ubi Caritas,
Friday, April 7 – Good Friday – 3:00pm Mass of the Presanctified Immediately after the liturgy, procession through the streets with Our Lady of Sorrows
Saturday, April 8 – Holy Saturday – 10:15pm, the Easter Vigil. Anerio-Palestrina, Missa Papae Marcelli with chamber orchestra; Erbach Dum
Transisset; Franck Dextera Domini.
Off-street parking is available in the lot across the street from the church.

Our Lady of Victories, Harrington Park, NJ

Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, 8 am

St. Anthony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, NJ

Palm Sunday, April 2
7:30 am Low Mass – palms will be blessed prior to Mass
10:00 am High Mass – Preceded by blessing and distribution of palms, and procession.
(No 9 or 11 am Masses)
Maundy Thursday, April 6
6:00 pm Confessions
7:00 pm Solemn High Mass
8:30 pm Eucharistic adoration
Good Friday, April 7
12:00 pm Mass of the Presanctified
2:30 pm Stations of the Cross & Confessions
Holy Saturday, April 8
11:00 am Confessions
Noon Easter Vigil Mass (this Mass does NOT fulfill Sunday Mass)
Easter Sunday, April 9
7:30 am Low Mass
9:00 am Low Mass
11:00 am High Mass

Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, Paquannock, NJ

Palm Sunday
10:30 A.M. – Blessing of Palms – Chanting of the Passion – Solemn Mass
Holy Thursday
9:00 A.M. – Tenebrae
5:30 P.M. – Confessions
7:00 P.M. – Solemn Mass of Holy Thursday w/Adoration at the Altar of Repose until Midnight
Good Friday
8:00 A.M. – Tenebrae
1:00 P.M. – Confessions
2:00 P.M. – Stations of the Cross
3:00 P.M. – Good Friday Liturgy
Holy Saturday
9:00 A.M. – Tenebrae
Confessions: at usually scheduled time 12:30 – 1:30 P.M.
8:30 P.M. – Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday
7:00 a.m.; 9:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.; 1:30 p.m.
No 5pm Mass

Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, NJ

Palm Sunday, 10 am

Holy Thursday, 7 pm

Good Friday, 3 pm

Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil, 8 pm

Easter Sunday 10 am

St. John the Baptist, Allentown, NJ

Palm Sunday, Solemn Mass 12:30 pm

Holy Thursday, 7:30 pm followed by adoration at the altar of repose until midnight

Good Friday, 12 noon

Holy Saturday, 3:30 pm, Solemn Paschal Vigil

Easter Sunday, Solemn Mass 12:30 pm

St. Mary of the Mount Virgin Church, New Brunswick, NJ

Easter Tuesday, April 11, Missa Cantata 7pm, music of Rheinburger, Byrd, Lotti, Biery and Palestrina, veneration of the relics of the true cross, crown of thorns and holy sepulchre after Mass

This Saturday, March 25, is the Feast of the Annunciation.   Here is a list of some of the churches in the area that will offer a Traditional Mass. 

Connecticut

St. Roch Church, Greenwich, Missa Cantata, 8am

Sacred Heart Oratory, Redding, CT,  40 Hours Devotion starting this evening (Thursday) with Mass at 6 pm continuing to Saturday, closing with a procession and Solemn Mass at 10 am.  Festive reception follows at noon.

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, 7:45 am

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury, Missa Cantata, 8 am

New York

Holy Innocents Church, Missa Cantata, 1 pm

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine, New York, NY, 7:45 AM Low Mass, 9 AM Missa Cantata, 10 AM Covering of Crucifixes and Statues for Passiontide

Annunciation Church, Crestwood, NY, patronal feast, 11 am in the lower church.

St. Paul Church, Yonkers, NY, 12 noon.

New Jersey
Our Lady Of Sorrows, Jersey City, Missa Cantata, 11 am.

Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, 9:00 am Solemn Mass.