Latin Mass Lourdes Chapel of National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception?

[Cetil]

I have noticed when visiting the National Shrine on weekdays that there is sometimes a Latin Mass in the Lourdes Chapel. I am wondering if anyone here can give me the schedule? When I asked at the reception desk at the Shrine I got a rather unfriendly response. Does anyone here know if this is a regular Mass? Thanks much!

c.

 

[Cetil]

I’ve just learned that this Mass will now be available on Wednesdays at 11:10 a.m. but the schedule may be sporadic for the time being. One was held last week but may not happen this week. I’ll post here when I have a better idea.

C.

 

[HCC]

Just curious Cetil, What was the response you got from the reception desk?

 

[Cetil]

I guess I would qualify that somewhat. The desk is manned by unpaid volunteers and they just seemed rather chilly on the subject. Maybe it’s just their personal feelings and not the position of the Shrine staff. One opined that the priest said the Latin too quickly. Maybe they think the TLM is somehow still not really “kosher”. It isn’t a Mass that appears on the official schedule anywhere which I don’t understand. I think the Lourdes chapel is a perfect spot for the TLM myself.

C.

 

[malphono]

I guess I would qualify that somewhat. The desk is manned by unpaid volunteers and they just seemed rather chilly on the subject. Maybe it’s just their personal feelings and not the position of the Shrine staff. One opined that the priest said the Latin too quickly. Maybe they think the TLM is somehow still not really “kosher”. It isn’t a Mass that appears on the official schedule anywhere which I don’t understand.

While I haven’t been to the Shrine in over 35 years, there was a time when I was a frequent visitor. But the receptionists’ disposition still rings true. Apparently things haven’t changed all that much in those years.

I think the Lourdes chapel is a perfect spot for the TLM myself.

Even better would be the Crypt church. The onyx altar (if it’s still there, that is) is phenomenal.

 

[HCC]

I guess I would qualify that somewhat. The desk is manned by unpaid volunteers and they just seemed rather chilly on the subject. Maybe it’s just their personal feelings and not the position of the Shrine staff. One opined that the priest said the Latin too quickly. Maybe they think the TLM is somehow still not really “kosher”. It isn’t a Mass that appears on the official schedule anywhere which I don’t understand. I think the Lourdes chapel is a perfect spot for the TLM myself.

C.

That is why I asked. I noticed on a Latin Mass website that an EF Mass was being offered at my father’s parish. I mentioned it to my father and he knew nothing about it, not in the bulletin, nor on their website. He looked into it and the pastor begrudgingly told him they do offer it, but he then made an off handed comment that made it sound like he was doing it to keep a few nut jobs quiet.

 

[Cetil]

Yes, it’s pretty strange isn’t it? The TLM is a scandal to some people. I guess we still have a long way to go. And then they try to tell us only a few old people want the TLM but plenty of young people who never attended a Latin mass are going to them now.

C.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

It could also be that this Mass is not an official Shrine Mass in the sense the it was organized by the shrine. I believe that any priest with proper facilities can get permission to say a “private” Mass in a shrine chapel (say for a visiting group or somehting similar) without it being a Mass organized and promoted by the Shrine itself. That would explain why it wasn’t on the shrine schedule or that the volunteers at the desk didn’t have complete details about it.

Let us try to be charitable in our reactions, expecially toward those who are giving their time to staff our wonderful shrine. I wish I was available mid-day to attend a Mass at the shrine (latin or otherwise). We do usually make it there every few months for a special event or just to soak in the beauty.

 

[rosary_kat]

Let us try to be charitable in our reactions…

'Nuff said.

:grouphug:

 

[Cetil]

It could also be that this Mass is not an official Shrine Mass in the sense the it was organized by the shrine. I believe that any priest with proper facilities can get permission to say a “private” Mass in a shrine chapel (say for a visiting group or somehting similar) without it being a Mass organized and promoted by the Shrine itself. That would explain why it wasn’t on the shrine schedule or that the volunteers at the desk didn’t have complete details about it.

Let us try to be charitable in our reactions, expecially toward those who are giving their time to staff our wonderful shrine. I wish I was available mid-day to attend a Mass at the shrine (latin or otherwise). We do usually make it there every few months for a special event or just to soak in the beauty.

I never said they did not have details of it. They knew exactly what I was talking about.
Charity is required of everyone really. Shrine staff should endeavor to help all visitors and keep their subjective opinions of the TLM and its followers to themselves. I have attended events of other groups at the Shrine without encountering a similar reaction. The last two popes have made it clear that respect must be shown to those who are attached to the Latin liturgical tradition such as these words of John Paul II:
“In this matter I ask support of the bishops and all of those engaged in the pastoral ministry in the Church… . . respect must everywhere be shown for the feelings of those who are attached to the Latin liturgical tradition by a wide and generous application of the directives already issued some time ago by the Apostolic See, for the use of the Roman Missal.” The pope made that statement over 20 years ago, and some still pay no heed.

C.

 

[Cetil]

For any who may be interested there will be a traditional Latin Mass this Wednesday in the Lourdes chapel of the National shrine at 11:10 a.m.

C.

 

[puzzleannie]

It could also be that this Mass is not an official Shrine Mass in the sense the it was organized by the shrine. I believe that any priest with proper facilities can get permission to say a “private” Mass in a shrine chapel (say for a visiting group or somehting similar) without it being a Mass organized and promoted by the Shrine itself. That would explain why it wasn’t on the shrine schedule or that the volunteers at the desk didn’t have complete details about it.

Let us try to be charitable in our reactions, expecially toward those who are giving their time to staff our wonderful shrine. I wish I was available mid-day to attend a Mass at the shrine (latin or otherwise). We do usually make it there every few months for a special event or just to soak in the beauty.

this was my understanding from DD’s report, when they visited recently. It seems groups of pilgrims or visiting priests are allowed to say the TLM there and there is a local group with their own priests who sometimes uses it, as yet there is not a scheduled thing, more on an ad hoc basis. Locals may know if that has changed.