Mass attendance in the USA

 This graph caught my eye.  It seems that Mass attendance in the USA has been in decline since the time of Vatican II, but that the decline has been particularly steep during the reigns of Paul VI and Francis.

More on the ICKSP

There is more excellent news from the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.  I understand that seven candidates will be joining their House of Formation in Preston in October.  This is a record number, admissions having been limited to five in previous years.  It is normal in the ICKSP for young men aspiring to be priests to spend a year discerning their vocation at a House of Formation before joining the seminary in Gricigliano.  

The House of Formation at Preston is within the Presbytery which is a large old building, which has been in need of repairs, especially to the roof.  Recently, benefactors have enabled roof repairs to be completed, and I presume that it is these works that have allowed the extra candidates to be accommodated.  The picture below shows the presbytery alongside the Church of St Walburge.

One thing is certain.  There is no shortage of young men wishing to test their vocation to become priests of the Institute of Christ the King.

Institute of Christ the King

A record number of young men have joined the seminary of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest at Gricigliano near Florence in Italy. The photograph below shows the new first year seminarians, who commenced their studies earlier this month.

If I have counted correctly, there are 34.  This compares with 23 last year and, I think, 15 the year before.  These figures are indicative of the spectacular growth that the Institute can expect to achieve over the next few years.  They are also indicative of the growth of the traditional movement within the Church more  generally.  It seems that Traditionis Custodes did nothing to dampen this movement.  Indeed, the movement seems to be accelerating at a remarkable rate.

Amongst the new seminarians are five who have spent a year of discernment at the Institute's house of formation in Preston.  

The seminary at Gricigliano, is far too small to accommodate all the seminarians, so they can expect to spend considerable time during the later years of their study located at the Institute's various missions around the world.  

Diocese of Arlington

Until recently, the Diocese of  Arlington in Virginia, USA made good provision for adherents of the older form of the Mass.  There were no less than 21 locations where it was offered, and these Masses were attended by about 2.5% of the Mass going population.   The Most Reverend Michael Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, has implemented Traditionis Custodes in a very strict way, and the number of locations has been reduced to eight and will be further reduced to five in 2023.

One of the locations to be dropped is Holy Trinity parish in Gainsville, which was one of the best attended.  In its place, the diocese has offered the use of a disused gymnasium at a school in Nokesville.  Supporters of the Latin Mass have, in very short time, transformed this gymnasium into a chapel by constructing an altar with reredos and providing a sanctuary with altar rails.  They have also acquired benches from a disused church and redecorated throughout.  The result can be seen below.

Two Latin Masses are now offered in the gymnesium every Sunday, and are attracting a congregation of over 200 at each.

King Charles III

 Check out these very wise words of our new King.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1567957411880923140

"More Protestant than Catholic"

The newly elevated Cardinal Roche, formerly Bishop of Leeds, but now Prefect of the Dicastery for  Devine Worship and the Sacraments, has given an interview to The Tablet.  In it, he describes supporters of the older form of the Mass as "stubbornly opposing" the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.  He says that these people are "putting themselves to the edges of the Church" and "becoming more Protestant than Catholic".

These statements have met with both derision and amusement throughout the traditionalist world.  To many it seems incredible that the Cardinal can describe those who align themselves with the form of the Mass that has been prevalent throughout most of the history of the Church as Protestant, when compared with those who prefer the newer form that has existed for merely 60 years.  Does Cardinal Roche not understand that the reforms that followed Vatican II were designed to make the Mass more closely resemble the Protestant liturgies?  

 

A Very Busy Weekend

Late on Sunday evening I returned home after attending the Latin Mass Society's walking pilgrimage to Walsingham.  It took place over three days, and about 160 pilgrims made the journey on foot from Ely to Walsingham, a distance of 56 miles. A few, like myself, did not walk, but provided support services such as catering.  My principal duty was as sacristan, setting up for four Masses each day, and transporting all the requisites between the four locations.  This is a picture of the post-pilgrimage Mass at the Slipper chapel on the Monday.

The following Monday the Pilgrimage in honour of St Margaret Clitherow took place in York, and I was on duty again.  This time I walked the mile between the Bar Convent and the York Oratory.  Here you can see the statue of St Margaret Clitherow which had been carried in the procession and placed in the sanctuary for Mass and Benediction.

Both events were a great success, and I would encourage anyone who is fit enough to attend one consider attending at least one of them next year.

Feast of the Assumption

Monday 15th August is the Feast of the Assumption.  Although most of the modern Church will be celebrating the feast on Sunday, there will be a Sung Mass at the York Oratory at 6pm on the Monday.

There will also be First Vespers of the Feast and Benediction at 4pm on Sunday. 

Chairman's Address to the AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Latin Mass Society took place in London on 30th July.  Unfortunately, it was difficult for people from Yorkshire to attend due to rail strikes.  Readers may like to listen to the chairman's address by clicking on the link below.

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-dnjzh-128ec0a

Showing Reverence

This is a picture of a policeman on duty in Charlotte, North Carolina.  He is kneeling whilst a Eucharistic procession passes.