Altar boys swing incense in a procession in Cologne, Germany. / ShutterstockWashington, D.C. Newsroom, May 14, 2022 / 06:00 am (CNA).Six Latin Mass altar servers in a Washington, D.C. parish have written an impassioned letter to the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, imploring him to consider their positive experiences in the Traditional Latin Mass when implementing the Vatican's new guidance on the Extraordinary Form."For us, the Latin Mass is a refuge," the May 4 letter, posted on the parish's Facebook page, says. "A refuge where the evils of the world and the struggles of life cannot penetrate. We believe it is the closest thing to heaven on earth and we would love to see it continue."Pope Francis issued a motu proprio in July 2021 called Traditionis custodes that includes new guidance and restrictions on when and where the Roman Missal of 1962, typically referred to as the Traditional Latin Mass, may be used. The document, which gives local bishops increased...
Altar boys swing incense in a procession in Cologne, Germany. / Shutterstock
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 14, 2022 / 06:00 am (CNA).
Six Latin Mass altar servers in a Washington, D.C. parish have written an impassioned letter to the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, imploring him to consider their positive experiences in the Traditional Latin Mass when implementing the Vatican's new guidance on the Extraordinary Form.
"For us, the Latin Mass is a refuge," the May 4 letter, posted on the parish's Facebook page, says. "A refuge where the evils of the world and the struggles of life cannot penetrate. We believe it is the closest thing to heaven on earth and we would love to see it continue."
Pope Francis issued a motu proprio in July 2021 called Traditionis custodes that includes new guidance and restrictions on when and where the Roman Missal of 1962, typically referred to as the Traditional Latin Mass, may be used. The document, which gives local bishops increased authority on the celebration of the Extraordinary Form, was received with much pain and confusion among Catholics who participate in the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass.
Although many bishops issued temporary guidance for their dioceses, there have been few reports of permanent guidance issued. The Archdiocese of Washington has yet to issue permanent guidance.
Altar boys serving at a Traditional Latin Mass at St. Mary Mother of God parish in Washington, D.C. Screenshot of Facebook livestream video
The letter, written by altar boys from St. Mary Mother of God parish in the nation's capital, says that if the Latin Mass were no longer allowed at St. Mary's, it would feel like "losing something precious, something of ourselves, nearly comparable to losing a loved one."
The altar boys wrote that they wish to "partake in the mystery of the Eucharist" through the Latin Mass and added that "hopefully, one or more of us will be called to serve Our Lord as a priest."
The altar boys remain unnamed. The letter is signed, simply, "St. Mary's Altar Boys."
"We have been going to the Latin Mass at St. Mary's since we were born and have loved it since we were old enough to understand the beauty of it," the letter says.
The altar boys wrote that they drive an hour to get to the church to serve Mass.
"The experience of serving the Mass is amazing and we also find great joy in teaching the young boys how to serve the Mass and leading them through the motions and prayers," the letter says.
The letter continues: "From the Gloria on Holy Thursday to the Procession with the Infant at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and the sad but beautiful liturgy of Good Friday we enjoy every bit of partaking in the great work of Christ. Our siblings have been baptized into the Church at St. Mary's and our families have received first Holy Communions there and been reconciled with God in our first Confessions at St. Mary's."
The letter concludes: "We ask that you consider these words when you make your decision about the continuing of this beautiful form of Jesus' Sacrifice on the Cross."
A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Washington was not immediately available for comment Saturday.
Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune of Charleston. / Doug Deas/The Catholic MiscellanyDenver Newsroom, May 22, 2022 / 14:00 pm (CNA).The newly consecrated Bishop of Charleston showed a great commitment and love for the Hispanic community in the Archdiocese of Atlanta where he previously served, according to a Hispanic leader in Atlanta. Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, a Haitian emigrant, became the Charleston diocese' first Black bishop when he was installed on May 13. Fabre-Jeune had previously served as the administrator of the San Felipe de Jesús Mission in Forest Park, Georgia, south of Atlanta, a congregation which he himself described at "99% Mexican."Jairo Martinez, who is retired today after 16 years serving as Director of the Atlanta Archdiocese' Hispanic Ministry Office, told CNA that despite not being a member of the Hispanic community, Fabre-Jeune endeared himself to the community with his "sense of commitment" as well as his "love for the people."Fabre-Jeune's commitm...
Yellow brick road. / ShutterstockDenver Newsroom, May 22, 2022 / 12:12 pm (CNA).A dress worn by Judy Garland in her classic role as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" is now the main character in a surprise drama. Supporting characters are the Catholic University of America and some relatives of a priest and former professor who, they say, would have wanted his relatives to own the rare collectible, not the university.The university had planned to auction the dress to fund its drama school. These plans were delayed by a legal challenge from Wisconsin resident Barbara Ann Hartke, 81, a niece of Father Gilbert Hartke, O.P., the founder and head of the university's drama school. She says that the dress should be hers because she is the priest's closest living relative.Barbra Ann Hartke's attorney, Anthony Scordo, told WTOP that there has been "absolutely no legal documentation of such a gift to the university" in any of its court filings. Her lawsuit also objects that the university di...
Pope Francis greets a crowd of an estimated 25,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square in Rome for his Regina Caeli address on May 22, 2022. / Vatican MediaVatican City, May 22, 2022 / 07:33 am (CNA).In his Sunday Regina Caeli address, Pope Francis reflected on Jesus' words to the disciples at the Last Supper in the Gospel reading from John: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you."Speaking to an estimated 25,000 pilgrims gathered on a bright day in St. Peter's Square in Rome, the pope noted that Jesus also makes a point to add, "Not as the world gives do I give it to you" (John 14:27)."What is this peace that the world does not know and the Lord gives us?" Pope Francis asked."This peace is the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit of Jesus. It is the presence of God in us, it is God's 'power of peace,'" he explained. "It is He, the Holy Spirit, who disarms the heart and fills it with serenity. It is He, the Holy Spirit, who loosens rigidity and extinguishes the temptatio...
Altar boys swing incense in a procession in Cologne, Germany. / Shutterstock
