On Sunday November 15, 2009 one priest, Fr. Joseph Portzer, and thirteen seminarians of the Fraternity of St. Peter brought the splendor of the ancient Roman Rite to Sacred Heart in a sung Mass or Missa Cantata. The Fraternity of St. Peter is a Catholic society dedicated exclusively to the Mass of the Roman Rite as celebrated according to the Liturgical Books of 1962. This form of the Mass is officially called the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite but most persons use the expression the Latin Mass (this is a misnomer, however, since the Ordinary Form of the Mass was always intended to, and still can be, entirely celebrated in Latin).
The members of the Fraternity drove over four hours that morning from Denton, Nebraska to arrive here at approximately 12:15. Mass began at 1:00. Fr. Portzer celebrated the Mass assisted by a master of ceremonies and four acolytes (servers). Since there is no concelebration with the Extraordinary Form I "sat in choir." The remaining eight seminarians composed the schola (small choir).
The rubrics of the older form of Mass are much more strictly outlined as could be observed by the gestures of Fr. Portzer and the acolytes. However, their strict following of the detailed rubrics also demonstrated their love for this ancient form of the Mass and that it should be celebrated with dignity and respect. The schola, likewise, demonstrated their great love and skill as they filled the Church with the ancient tones of Gregorian chant and the deep reverberation of the organ, as played by the professionally trained leader of the schola.
Fr. Portzer mentioned in his homily that this was basically the form of the Mass that was celebrated for 1,500 years. It has only been the past fifty years that this has not been the normative form of worship for the Church.
Since this was the first time that many persons had attended the Extraordinary Form of the Mass they were, understandably, a little unsure what was happening at times. Yet as Fr. Portzer pointed out in his homily we all know what happens at Mass and since this is the first time for many they should just watch and let the mystery seep in. This is something which is often lost in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. We become so focused, in practice, on simplicity, practicality and intelligibility that we often lose sight of the transcendence and majestic grandeur of the Mass and, therefore, of God. That was certainly not the case this day.
Upwards of 150 people turned out for the Mass which ended about 2:40. Mass was followed by a reception which enabled us to meet the seminarians, show our appreciation and give them sustenance for their four and a half hour journey home.
The seminarians came from all over the United States as well as England, Australia, Africa and Latin America. Just as the persons attending Mass found it beautiful and moving so also were the members of the Fraternity impressed by the beauty of our church, appreciative of the generosity of our parish and the opportunity to take a break from their studies and do what they love. The members of the Fraternity departed to return home about 4:00.
One of the reasons that Pope Benedict has returned the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite to the life of the Church is to help inform our celebration of the Ordinary Form. It has been said that once one learns to celebrate the older form of the Mass it affects the celebration of the newer form. While I am not at this time able to celebrate the Extraordinary Form my celebration of Mass, as a result of my studies, has been likewise shaped. May this experience help form us in our understanding of the liturgy and the centrality of the role of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in our faith.
For more pictures click here: Missa Cantata
