Going to an SSPX Mass

[Stylites]

Its more than latin and incense. The counsel of the church gave us the MP.

But as a Catholic you need to heed the pastoral counsel of your bishop beyond any document interpreted by yourself or others. Your path to happiness is not found in disregarding or disobeying what your bishop says to do or not do. He represents the Church to you, not the SSPX. Perhaps God requires your reverence within your local parish at this time for reasons you cannot possibly know or appreciate on this side of eternity. Just because there’s no EF Mass near you is no reason to go attend an illicit one. The Bridegroom does not dally with His betrothed, and the betrothed doesn’t dally with others.

 

[freshwind]

They were asked to stop that one thing and they stopped it immediately. I was impressed with their obedience to legitimate authority. Nine years later, I’m still there.

Blessings (time for sleep!)

I love this line. We need more priests like this.
We have the option of 5 churches within less than a 10 minute drive and we now go to one with priests that speak of sin, our struggles with it, the saints, their struggles, salvation, and even the lack of salvation in some cases…
The young priest there does an occasional EF at another parish in the city, they have brought back some of the old…and even add some things from 100’s of years ago that are allowed…this young priest even chanted the Liturgical Calendar at the beginning of the year as it was done pre-printing press and bulletins…

Sorry for the long windedness but the line you used reminded me of last Sunday…I can be a bit picky sometimes on noticing others’ misteps but am learning to ignore it somewhat. They had one little habit in Mass at this parish that I thought…“this isn’t right, but let it go”

Last week the pastor mentioned in the announcements “you may have noticed we did “this” a bit differently this week. The Holy Father has asked us priests to make sure it is done this way. In all honesty, I am not sure I fully understand the reasoning, but the Holy Father wants it done that way so my job is to obey and we will follow his advice”

I found this to be as strong a teaching moment as there is… he showed humilty and obedience in one sentence…something that really hits home.

I was looking for our good Brother in the shadows who posts here frequently as it sounded like his advice.

 

[Rich_C]

This is the “official” from the diocesan newspaper.

Members of the schismatic Society of St. Pius X, the Lefebvrites, are currently operating three churches in Idaho:

• Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, New Plymouth; Priest: Father Christopher Hunter, SSPX;
• Immaculate Conception Church, Post Falls; Priests: Father Crane, Father
  Hewko and Father Morgan, SSPX;
• St. Joseph Mission, Saint Maries; Priest: Father Leo Boyle, SSPX.
  The Society of St. Pius X is not in communion with the Roman Catholic
  Church and has no connection with the Diocese of Boise. Any sacraments
  conducted by this entity, under the title Catholic, are considered illicit.

I don’t assume that newspaper articles speak for the bishop unless his name is on them. Especially since there are factual errors about the Society’s canonical status here. I’d double check.

 

[Cider]

First off this is not the best place to learn about the SSPX. Having said that, I used to attend mass at their chapel, until we moved. And I’d do it again if there was one within a reasonable driving distance.

 

[Cider]

Indeed, but what if his Bishop says “don’t go there?”

The same Bishop that doesn’t have any EF in his diocese? I know where I used to live and attended the SSPX there was a clear desire and organized group wanting the EF and there were priests willing and able to pray it. Still no diocesan EF.

 

[Melchior_1]

I don’t assume that newspaper articles speak for the bishop unless his name is on them. Especially since there are factual errors about the Society’s canonical status here. I’d double check.

I’d give whoever wrote that some slack, as they may not be in schism per say, but even E.D. denotes that a schismatic attitude can form while attending there. Semantics? Perhaps!

The newsletter did say their Sacraments were illicit, which is also mostly true (Eucharist and the Ordinations are illicit, while the Confessions are invalid).

First off this is not the best place to learn about the SSPX. Having said that, I used to attend mass at their chapel, until we moved. And I’d do it again if there was one within a reasonable driving distance.

As opposed to where exactly? Their official USA website effectively says I’m not a real Catholic because I knowingly participate in the Ordinary Form, and that the OF is inherently sinful.

That’s right, the Mass the Pope celebrates in sinful. The Mass I go to? Sinful.

The same Bishop that doesn’t have any EF in his diocese? I know where I used to live and attended the SSPX there was a clear desire and organized group wanting the EF and there were priests willing and able to pray it. Still no diocesan EF.

Like it or not, that’s the Bishop’s choice and his prerogative.

Cider, do you share the SSPX belief that I am not as Catholic as the SSPX are because I attend a sinful Mass?

His Grace Williamson is a better Catholic than the Pope, because the Pope celebrates a sinful Mass.

 

[ProVobis]

But as a Catholic you need to heed the pastoral counsel of your bishop beyond any document interpreted by yourself or others.

So did the Pope waste his time with the MP (Summorum Pontificum)?

 

[Cider]

Cider, do you share the SSPX belief that I am not as Catholic as the SSPX are because I attend a sinful Mass?

Sorry, but I am not going to play word games with you. Nice try though.

 

[Melchior_1]

Sorry, but I am not going to play word games with you. Nice try though.

Word games? It’s on their website. They believe this, it’s public knowledge. There’s no word games involved, I want to know if I’m less of a Catholic due to the sinful Mass I attend.

According to the SSPX I am, don’t you know.

 

[Moore11]

Word games? It’s on their website. They believe this, it’s public knowledge. There’s no word games involved, I want to know if I’m less of a Catholic due to the sinful Mass I attend.

According to the SSPX I am, don’t you know.

If your complaint against the SSPX is an attitude of disobedience and discord with dividing attitudes and saying provocative things meant to divide then you probably should not engage in the exact things you criticize them for.
Asking someone the question you did is only meant to cause an argument. It is only meant to divide and provoke emotions that will get people riled up. You asked earlier where I got certain ideas from your postings. Well, here it is.

 

[Moore11]

I can’t say I don’t blame you. Before I started going to my parish, they were doing something that gave me second thoughts. I was considering leaving because of this one thing, everything else was fine. What changed my mind?

They were asked to stop that one thing and they stopped it immediately. I was impressed with their obedience to legitimate authority. Nine years later, I’m still there.

I will pray for you, friend. I understand what gives you spiritual nourishment you is far away geographically, I really do. I used to commute three hours (combined, there and back) to get to my parish, because that’s where my “home” is. But if you eat something that’s been left out of the fridge too long you might get sick (regardless of what kind of food it is).

Blessings (time for sleep!)

That is a good story of obedience. We are all called to be obedient. I only wish the parishes around my town would do that. I would never feel the need to look to the TLM if they did.

 

[Cider]

Cider, do you share the SSPX belief that I am not as Catholic as the SSPX are because I attend a sinful Mass?

His Grace Williamson is a better Catholic than the Pope, because the Pope celebrates a sinful Mass.

I never said that, you know I never said that and the fact that you make such wild accusations shows a lot about you. And with that I am done.

 

[Dr_Michelle_Rio]

YES. Attend Mass at a SSPX church. Everyone has the right to attend Mass at SSPX chapels, oratories, schools, seminaries and universities. Does anyone on this list have a document issued by the Pope stating the contrary?

Every member of the Church throughout the world has the right to worship God in the Traditional Latin Mass as offered by the SSPX.

Your bishop cannot prohibit what the Pope permits. Indeed, your bishop gets his authority from the Pope and your bishop has no authority to contravene the Pope.

Pope Benedict XVI has made it very clear that a) the SSPX is CATHOLIC, and b) you have a right to attend mass in the Extraordinary Form or Traditional Latin rite. So don’t worry about those who would disobey or contradict the Pope to prevent you from attending Mass by a priest of the SSPX.

Want a clear idea of the serious problems with the highly controversial New Mass? Read “The Ottaviani Intervention: THE CRITICAL STUDY OF THE NEW ORDER OF MASS” here: facebook.com/note.php?note_id=456269596794

---

YES! The Mass of Tradition is the Mass of the Future!***

 

[Moore11]

Ok, here is the update!

I went today. I did not take my family because I am the one emotionally invested in this and they are not. I was curious. Before I get started on my observation. No, I did not receive communion. The day before I talked to a priest (not SSPX) about going to see it and to experience the EF. He cautiously counseled me. So I felt ok. The Chapel was small but it was kept up. What surprised me was the younger age of the parishioners. Half were young families in their 20s or 30s. I was very impressed by 2 things.
1 The absolute reverence and respect shown by the parishioners. I have not seen that at that level in a Mass ever.
2 The homily was the best I have heard in a few years.

My family and I could never regualry attend.
I told her it was like homeschool.
We homeschool but we arent THAT kind of homeschooling family.
We like tradition but we arent THAT kind of traditionalist.

There was a little bit of a creepy factor but I like to attribute that to the fact that I was seeing something for the first time. I had no difficulty with following along.

I contrasted this experience by attending my regular Mass with my family later in the day. the “youth Mass” Which was strangely not as crazy as usual probably because our rock band was on tour (the teens went to a stubbinville conference.)
Both Masses were special in their own way.
If they are regularized I really think they could help fill a need especially in our diocese. And I could see going occasionally. Again, the homily was amazing and will definitely give me something to chew on for a while.
As for the atmosphere. It was pretty normal. Picture of the Pope in the hall, Vatican flag up by the altar. Heck, I cant find either of those two things in our Cathedral.
One thing I found currious was the posted directions for receiving Communion. They stated that you had to be a member of the Roman Catholic Church which I thought was odd because there are other rites. And that by direction of the Church you had to observe an hour fast though they would like it to be three. The reason I found this currious is that I believe that the “hour” rule is a Post V2 thing and it would seem encouraging that they are recognizing that as a legitimate authority.
There was no rabble rousing or references to the “modernist Church” so that is a good thing!

All in all it was an interesting experience.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Thanks for the update. Sonds like it was worth it to for you to see first hand. Glad the chapel near you was not of the very extreme that I have heard about.

I have never been to an SSPX chapel, or even FSSP etc. There are none in my diocese. We have a very generous opportunity for the EF offered by our diocesean priests, so there is really no need.

The chance to hear an excellent homily is always a bonus. I find the Lighthouse Media CDs are great for that also. A good dose of something to chew on for awhile as you say.

Hope your teens enjoy Steubenville. Some excellent homilies and talks to be had there also!

Ok, here is the update!

I went today. I did not take my family because I am the one emotionally invested in this and they are not. I was curious. Before I get started on my observation. No, I did not receive communion. The day before I talked to a priest (not SSPX) about going to see it and to experience the EF. He cautiously counseled me. So I felt ok. The Chapel was small but it was kept up. What surprised me was the younger age of the parishioners. Half were young families in their 20s or 30s. I was very impressed by 2 things.
1 The absolute reverence and respect shown by the parishioners. I have not seen that at that level in a Mass ever.
2 The homily was the best I have heard in a few years.

My family and I could never regualry attend.
I told her it was like homeschool.
We homeschool but we arent THAT kind of homeschooling family.
We like tradition but we arent THAT kind of traditionalist.

There was a little bit of a creepy factor but I like to attribute that to the fact that I was seeing something for the first time. I had no difficulty with following along.

I contrasted this experience by attending my regular Mass with my family later in the day. the “youth Mass” Which was strangely not as crazy as usual probably because our rock band was on tour (the teens went to a stubbinville conference.)
Both Masses were special in their own way.
If they are regularized I really think they could help fill a need especially in our diocese. And I could see going occasionally. Again, the homily was amazing and will definitely give me something to chew on for a while.
As for the atmosphere. It was pretty normal. Picture of the Pope in the hall, Vatican flag up by the altar. Heck, I cant find either of those two things in our Cathedral.
One thing I found currious was the posted directions for receiving Communion. They stated that you had to be a member of the Roman Catholic Church which I thought was odd because there are other rites. And that by direction of the Church you had to observe an hour fast though they would like it to be three. The reason I found this currious is that I believe that the “hour” rule is a Post V2 thing and it would seem encouraging that they are recognizing that as a legitimate authority.
There was no rabble rousing or references to the “modernist Church” so that is a good thing!

All in all it was an interesting experience.

 

[clem456]

Post edited

 

[TrueLight]

Ok, here is the update!

I went today. I did not take my family because I am the one emotionally invested in this and they are not. I was curious. Before I get started on my observation. No, I did not receive communion. The day before I talked to a priest (not SSPX) about going to see it and to experience the EF. He cautiously counseled me. So I felt ok. The Chapel was small but it was kept up. What surprised me was the younger age of the parishioners. Half were young families in their 20s or 30s. I was very impressed by 2 things.
1 The absolute reverence and respect shown by the parishioners. I have not seen that at that level in a Mass ever.
2 The homily was the best I have heard in a few years.

My family and I could never regualry attend.
I told her it was like homeschool.
We homeschool but we arent THAT kind of homeschooling family.
We like tradition but we arent THAT kind of traditionalist.

There was a little bit of a creepy factor but I like to attribute that to the fact that I was seeing something for the first time. I had no difficulty with following along.

I contrasted this experience by attending my regular Mass with my family later in the day. the “youth Mass” Which was strangely not as crazy as usual probably because our rock band was on tour (the teens went to a stubbinville conference.)
Both Masses were special in their own way.
If they are regularized I really think they could help fill a need especially in our diocese. And I could see going occasionally. Again, the homily was amazing and will definitely give me something to chew on for a while.
As for the atmosphere. It was pretty normal. Picture of the Pope in the hall, Vatican flag up by the altar. Heck, I cant find either of those two things in our Cathedral.
One thing I found currious was the posted directions for receiving Communion. They stated that you had to be a member of the Roman Catholic Church which I thought was odd because there are other rites. And that by direction of the Church you had to observe an hour fast though they would like it to be three. The reason I found this currious is that I believe that the “hour” rule is a Post V2 thing and it would seem encouraging that they are recognizing that as a legitimate authority.
There was no rabble rousing or references to the “modernist Church” so that is a good thing!

All in all it was an interesting experience.

Moore, was it a sung mass?

I agree the homilies are really good (both SSPX and FSSP). Sometimes we have good homilies at our parish too. Other times, I am tempted to attend the later SSPX Mass as well, just to hear one of the homilies.

Thanks for sharing!

P.S. I totally get what you mean by the creepy factor.

 

[JM3]

Does anyone on this list have a document

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/motu_proprio/documents/hf_jp-ii_motu-proprio_02071988_ecclesia-dei_en.html

APOSTOLIC LETTER
“ECCLESIA DEI”
OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
JOHN PAUL II
GIVEN MOTU PROPRIO

1. c) In the present circumstances I wish especially to make an appeal both solemn and heartfelt, paternal and fraternal, to all those who until now have been linked in various ways to the movement of Archbishop Lefebvre, that they may fulfil the grave duty of remaining united to the Vicar of Christ in the unity of the Catholic Church, and of ceasing their support in any way for that movement. Everyone should be aware that formal adherence to the schism is a grave offence against God and carries the penalty of excommunication decreed by the Church’s law.(8)

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_commissions/ecclsdei/documents/rc_com_ecclsdei_doc_20110430_istr-universae-ecclesiae_en.html

PONTIFICAL COMMISSION ECCLESIA DEI

INSTRUCTION
ON THE APPLICATION OF THE APOSTOLIC LETTER
SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM
OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
GIVEN MOTU PROPRIO

1. The faithful who ask for the celebration of the forma extraordinaria must not in any way support or belong to groups which show themselves to be against the validity or legitimacy of the Holy Mass or the Sacraments celebrated in the forma ordinaria or against the Roman Pontiff as Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church.

 

[ProVobis]

1. The faithful who ask for the celebration of the forma extraordinaria must not in any way support or belong to groups which show themselves to be against the validity or legitimacy of the Holy Mass or the Sacraments celebrated in the forma ordinaria or against the Roman Pontiff as Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church.

Does this means those who do ask for it must screen everyone within their group so that none have ever attended a non-diocesan Mass? Seems to me many who don’t have access to a diocesan EF have learned of the EF only through the FSSPX or some independent chapel.

 

[JM3]

Does this means those who do ask for it must screen everyone within their group so that none have ever attended a non-diocesan Mass? Seems to me many who don’t have access to a diocesan EF have learned of the EF only through the FSSPX or some independent chapel.

IMO, attending a SSPX Mass for educational reasons would not be support, but I am only laity and my opinion can be changed by the Pope or his Bishops.

While the excommunications were lifted, the Church still says that we “must not in any way support or belong to groups which show themselves to be against the validity or legitimacy of the Holy Mass or the Sacraments celebrated in the forma ordinaria or against the Roman Pontiff as Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church.”