Letter to my bishop Re: Indult Mass, please look over and make suggestions

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LilyOfTheFather

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This is a letter that I have written to my Bishop requesting that the Indult Mass be allowed in my diocese. Please make suggestsions; I have never written this kind of letter before so I’m not entirely sure what I’m about.

J M J

27 July 2004


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Your Excellency,

I am writing on behalf of myself and several others from the San Luis Obispo area of the diocese. We are concerned about the liturgical abuses that are taking place in most places where the Novus Ordo Mass is celebrated, namely the lack of reverence shown to the Blessed Sacrament during the Consecration, Distribution, and afterward. People stand in casual attitudes while the Blessed Sacrament is consecrated - this is Our Lord, bodily present in the church, and He is not being shown even a fraction of due reverence. We are aware that asking people to change their long-seated practises during Mass is a difficult thing to do. We have looked for an Indult Mass as an alternative to the Novus Ordo, owing to the fact that it is extremely rare to find a reverently celebrated Novus Ordo Mass in this area. However, the nearest Indult Masses are in Bakersfield, Ventura, and Santa Paula - a two - three hour drive in any direction.

We would like to humbly beseech Your Excellency to allow an Indult Mass to be said on occasion in this area. We honestly feel that this form of the Holy Mass demonstrates greater reverence toward Our Lord, moreso than is shown in the lax and somewhat secular attitudes of the Novus Ordo. Please take into consideration our request. Our feelings on this subject are not isolated; there is a growing number of Catholics in the area who wish for an Indult Mass. Thank-you for your time in considering this subject. May God bless you and Our Lady watch over you.

Pax Domini Tuum,

Sarah McDermott et al.
 
No No No

You will probably never get an Indult Mass that way.

You must solicit the bishop for one for positive reasons and without knocking the current Mass.

If you want to address abuses in the liturgy, do that through one channel but this letter could alienate your Bishop rather than make him want to cooperate.
 
Knoxville recently has begun having Indult Masses and the way they went about it was to submit this petition to the Bishop.

korrnet.org/uvknox/form.htm

You might try that approach which did work for them.
 
Deogratias’ post was right on target. I have only one thing to add.

I wouldn’t say, “May God bless you and Our Lady watch over you.” Instead I would end asking for the bishop’s blessing. For example, something like, “I remain humbly yours, begging your blessing,” or “Requesting Your Excellency’s blessings and prayers,”

I would say that your letter is pretty good. I would just focus more on the positives of the Traditional Latin Mass. 👍
 
Deogratias is correct, do not knock the current liturgy. Also I would not refer to it as the Novus Ordo. If necessary, refer to it as the Mass of Paul VI or the Missae Romano (sp?) .

On a side note, I grew up in SLO and Cambria. Which parish(es) are you thinking of? I know that at St Timothy’s in Morro Bay they (or did) standing during the Eucharistic Prayer, including the Consecration!
 
The note which accompanies the petition I referenced above was quite brief and could be incorporated into more of a letter if necessary.
We, who have signed below, respectfully request approval for the Tridentine Mass to be offered in Latin in accordance with the Apostolic letter, Ecclesia Dei, of our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. We affirm the validity of Vatican II and the postconciliar liturgy, and also affirm that we have no ties to groups which impugn the lawfulness and doctrinal soundness of that liturgy.
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BrianDay: I was mostly thinking of Old Mission San Luis Obispo, Nativity of Our Lady in SLO, St Rose of Lima and St William’s in Paso Robles, and St Elizabeth Ann Seton in Los Osos.
 
Okay… here’s revised version number one.

Your Excellency,

I am writing on behalf of myself and a number of others from the San Luis Obispo area of the diocese. We feel that the Tridentine Mass shows great respect and reverence toward Our Lord, as is due to him. It is said in the Catechism, paragraph 1387, that “…Bodily demeanour (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.” We feel that the Tridentine Mass best conveys the “respect, solemnity, and joy” that are proper and due to Christ being truly present. However, the nearest Indult Masses are in Bakersfield, Ventura, and Santa Paula - a two or three hour drive in any direction.

The Holy Father wished for a liberal application of the Indult. We therefore respectfully request approval for the Tridentine Mass to be offered in Latin in accordance with the Apostolic letter, Ecclesia Dei. We affirm the validity of Vatican II and the liturgy which came forthwith, and also affirm that we have no ties to groups which deny the lawfulness and doctrinal soundness of that liturgy. Please take into consideration our request. Our feelings on this subject are not isolated; there are growing numbers of Catholics in the area who wish for an Indult Mass. Thank-you for your time in considering this subject.

I remain humbly yours, begging your blessing,

Sarah McDermott

Read and review please.
 
It is said in the Catechism, paragraph 1387, that “…Bodily demeanour (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.” We feel that the Tridentine Mass best conveys the “respect, solemnity, and joy” that are proper and due to Christ being truly present.
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I still see a little problem with this paragraph as worded.
  1. The Bishop knows what the Catechism says.
  2. It is still sort of a back door slam
  3. Subtly implies that Christ is not present at any other Mass.
Try this

Your Excellency,

I am writing on behalf of myself and a number of others from the San Luis Obispo area of the diocese.

Our feelings on this subject are not isolated; there are growing numbers of Catholics in the area who wish for an Indult Mass because we feel the Tridentine Mass enriches our spirituality with its solemnity and celebration fo the mystery of Christ. We greatly desire the opportunity to assist at this Mass.

The nearest Indult Masses are in Bakersfield, Ventura, and Santa Paula - a two or three hour drive in any direction.

Since The Holy Father wished for a liberal application of the Indult, we therefore respectfully request approval for the Tridentine Mass to be offered in Latin in San Luis Obispo area in accordance with the Apostolic letter, Ecclesia Dei.

We affirm the validity of Vatican II and the liturgy which came forthwith, and also affirm that we have no ties to groups which deny the lawfulness and doctrinal soundness of that liturgy.

Thank-you for your time in considering this subject and await your advisement on what other steps may be necessary in this regard.

We remain humbly yours, begging your blessing,
 
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deogratias:
I still see a little problem with this paragraph as worded.
  1. The Bishop knows what the Catechism says.
  2. It is still sort of a back door slam
  3. Subtly implies that Christ is not present at any other Mass.
Try this

Your Excellency,

I am writing on behalf of myself and a number of others from the San Luis Obispo area of the diocese.

Our feelings
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In my opinion, this is a really good one…Definitely avoid knocking the N.O. Mass, and I’ll give you an example of why.

I attend a Tridentine Mass which is held seven days a week, twice on Sundays, and I ordinarily attend Sunday’s High Mass. I was ecstatic to be able to find this diocesan church. I prefer the Tridentine Mass. But I was in the bookstore and heard parishioners and employees of the store talking about the N.O. Mass. They were making comments similar to “the only real Mass is the Tridentine” and other statements to that effect.

Now I attend a daily N.O. Mass, which is done so reverendly and beautifully by our priest, that I was pretty darned angry at what I was overhearing. This people just thought so highly of themselves and were just so superior sounding. I never even thought I would have these defensive attitudes on the N.O. Mass, but I was just ticked enough to send a letter to the parish priest (whom I hope doesn’t feel the same way), but I didn’t, and I even briefly considered not returning to that Church (but of course their attitudes have nothing to do with worshiping God in that service). I mean I did overhear it (although they were making no secret of it) and I guess I should’ve said something to their faces instead of ratting them out to the priest (which I ended up not doing).

JELane
 
TLM Altar Boy:
Deogratias’ post was right on target. I have only one thing to add.

I wouldn’t say, “May God bless you and Our Lady watch over you.” Instead I would end asking for the bishop’s blessing. For example, something like, “I remain humbly yours, begging your blessing,” or “Requesting Your Excellency’s blessings and prayers,”

:
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FYI,

The traditional Complementary Close in a letter to a Bishop is

Kissing the Sacred Ring,
John Doe

.
 
I can share your concern for not being able to find reverently celebrated Novus Ordo. I am in the Los Angeles Archdiocese and have had to search diligently (with some success, praise God) and go to the Tridentine once a month when it is offered here.

You probably know this, but there is a Byzantine Catholic Church in SLO. If you’ve never experienced it, the Divine Liturgy is incredibly reverent. I have attended it myself. I’ll get the name and address for you if you don’t know about it.

I feel a great sense of sanity when I am at a reverently celebrated Mass/Divine Liturgy and, to be honest, my patience is waning when I am at a Mass with even one liturgical abuse (of which now I am hypersensitive).

My prayers are with you for success with your letter.
 
Here’s the info:

St. Anne
222 Foothill Blvd.
SLO

Divine Liturgy 10AM
(in communion with Rome; fulfills Sunday obligation)
 
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deogratias:
I still see a little problem with this paragraph as worded.
  1. The Bishop knows what the Catechism says.
  2. It is still sort of a back door slam
  3. Subtly implies that Christ is not present at any other Mass.
Try this

Your Excellency,

I am writing on behalf of myself and a number of others from the San Luis Obispo area of the diocese.

Our feelings on this subject are not isolated; there are growing numbers of Catholics in the area who wish for an Indult Mass because we feel the Tridentine Mass enriches our spirituality with its solemnity and celebration fo the mystery of Christ. We greatly desire the opportunity to assist at this Mass.

The nearest Indult Masses are in Bakersfield, Ventura, and Santa Paula - a two or three hour drive in any direction.

Since The Holy Father wished for a liberal application of the Indult, we therefore respectfully request approval for the Tridentine Mass to be offered in Latin in San Luis Obispo area in accordance with the Apostolic letter, Ecclesia Dei.

We affirm the validity of Vatican II and the liturgy which came forthwith, and also affirm that we have no ties to groups which deny the lawfulness and doctrinal soundness of that liturgy.

Thank-you for your time in considering this subject and await your advisement on what other steps may be necessary in this regard.

We remain humbly yours, begging your blessing,
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The above letter is your best bet .
Try this link for more info unavoce.org
 
JElane:
This people just thought so highly of themselves and were just so superior sounding. I never even thought I would have these defensive attitudes on the N.O. Mass,
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Pride is what usually keeps people from doing what’s right. You admit that you were estactic about the Tridentine Mass and then ditched it as soon as someone says something negative regarding something you have been loyal too. Of course your feelings would be hurt, that is natural. However I would advise you not to make decisions based on hurt feelings.
 
Your original letter states your true motivations. You are concerned about N.O. masses with specific abuses. And you feel that the Tridentine Mass would somehow be better (but from what you wrote, it’s not clear if you have any first-hand experience with it).

Why not work to get the N.O. masses cleaned up, which will have benefit to the entire diocese? Start in your own parish. Putting yourself and “several others” behind the wall of the Old Mass (where you can claim to be more reverent, etc.) doesn’t help.

I don’t think you should mis-state your motivations by allowing others (who clearly seem to have a different agenda that yourself) to re-word what you really wanted to say.
 
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Mandi:
You admit that you were estactic about the Tridentine Mass and then ditched it as soon as someone says something negative regarding something you have been loyal too.
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I didn’t ditch the TM. I still go to TM Sunday High Mass–and still attend N.O. daily Mass.

JELane
 
tcj - I believe Lily ASKED for suggestions and I believe that her agenda is two - one the abuses in the liturgy and the other desire for a Tridentine Mass.

In my first response I suggested she address the abuses separately.

If she really wishes success in obtaining the TLM, then using the recommendations of others who have been through this process and that of UvaVoce who helps people communicate with Bishops on the subject are indeed useful.
 
This version here is very good. It lacks the negativity of the first one, and gets to the main points, one by one, without editorializing. It totally lacks any whininess and doesn’t overdo the ornate, archaic language, but speaks in plain respectful English. I would definately leave out any kiss your right hand your excellency, I beseech thee, etc. I think that sounds a little phoney and unnatural.
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deogratias:
Your Excellency,

I am writing on behalf of myself and a number of others from the San Luis Obispo area of the diocese.

Our feelings on this subject are not isolated; there are growing numbers of Catholics in the area who wish for an Indult Mass because we feel the Tridentine Mass enriches our spirituality with its solemnity and celebration fo the mystery of Christ. We greatly desire the opportunity to assist at this Mass.

The nearest Indult Masses are in Bakersfield, Ventura, and Santa Paula - a two or three hour drive in any direction.

Since The Holy Father wished for a liberal application of the Indult, we therefore respectfully request approval for the Tridentine Mass to be offered in Latin in San Luis Obispo area in accordance with the Apostolic letter, Ecclesia Dei.

We affirm the validity of Vatican II and the liturgy which came forthwith, and also affirm that we have no ties to groups which deny the lawfulness and doctrinal soundness of that liturgy.

Thank-you for your time in considering this subject and await your advisement on what other steps may be necessary in this regard.

We remain humbly yours, begging your blessing,
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