Possible to be a "traditionalist" diocesan priest?

[IrishDude45]

I am what some would call a traditionalist and I am wondering if it would be possible to be a priest in my diocese and celebrate the EF of the mass and a reverent NO mass with Gregorian chant, parts of the mass in Latin, and everything. I mean, if I were assigned to a very liberal parish would I be able to, put in a communion rail and celebrate the mass without guitars, female altar servers, etc, etc? I know I could just join the FSSP and not have to worry about it, but I love my diocese and I am feeling that if I am indeed called to the priesthood I would want to stay and help things around here. Is it possible for a priest to be that much in control of a parish or is it no longer possible? Just curious.

 

[BayernAnhaenger]

I am what some would call a traditionalist and I am wondering if it would be possible to be a priest in my diocese and celebrate the EF of the mass and a reverent NO mass with Gregorian chant, parts of the mass in Latin, and everything. I mean, if I were assigned to a very liberal parish would I be able to, put in a communion rail and celebrate the mass without guitars, female altar servers, etc, etc? I know I could just join the FSSP and not have to worry about it, but I love my diocese and I am feeling that if I am indeed called to the priesthood I would want to stay and help things around here. Is it possible for a priest to be that much in control of a parish or is it no longer possible? Just curious.

Hey Dude,
You CAN be a traditionalist priest in your diocese. How much of a traditionalist you can be after ordination, however, depends on your diocese’s traditionalism, and the viewpoint of your pastor (you’ll most likely be assigned as an Assisting Priest to a parish, and you will need to clear things with your pastor first).

If you were assigned to a liberal parish, you would probably be constrained by the pastor, where you wouldn’t be able to install a communion rail, have no guitars/female altar servers, and so on. What would would PROBABLY be able to do is offer the Extraordinary Form, if the pastor was ok with it (if he wasn’t then go to the bishop, because I’m pretty sure assistant pastors can say private EF Masses). You could also probably chant the prayers yourself, and use the Roman Canon (OF).

In short, you probably could make “little changes”, but nothing too major until you became a Pastor of a parish.

However, our dioceses need traditional priests! So, I think it would be worth it.

 

[FCEGM]

I am what some would call a traditionalist and I am wondering if it would be possible to be a priest in my diocese and celebrate the EF of the mass and a reverent NO mass with Gregorian chant, parts of the mass in Latin, and everything. I mean, if I were assigned to a very liberal parish would I be able to, put in a communion rail and celebrate the mass without guitars, female altar servers, etc, etc? I know I could just join the FSSP and not have to worry about it, but I love my diocese and I am feeling that if I am indeed called to the priesthood I would want to stay and help things around here. Is it possible for a priest to be that much in control of a parish or is it no longer possible? Just curious.

It is definitely possible - there are a number of priests in my diocese who serve the Church just in this manner, and I’m sure there are many other dioceses where this would be a possibility for you.

God bless you in your discernment.

 

[Joannm]

A lot would depend on the bishop and how much he will allow you to do, even as pastor of your own parish.

 

[LRThunder]

Actually, a priest does not have to have female altar servers when he’s celebrating Mass. If the bishop of the diocese allows it, then then it’s up to the pastor and then the celebrant.

Basically, a priest cannot be forced to use female altar servers.

 

[ASD]

I am what some would call a traditionalist and I am wondering if it would be possible to be a priest in my diocese and celebrate the EF of the mass and a reverent NO mass with Gregorian chant, parts of the mass in Latin, and everything. I mean, if I were assigned to a very liberal parish would I be able to, put in a communion rail and celebrate the mass without guitars, female altar servers, etc, etc? I know I could just join the FSSP and not have to worry about it, but I love my diocese and I am feeling that if I am indeed called to the priesthood I would want to stay and help things around here. Is it possible for a priest to be that much in control of a parish or is it no longer possible? Just curious.

Strictly speaking, I don’t think there’s any question that Summorum Pontificum entitles you to do that. In fact, reading it very broadly, I think that’s the big idea of Summorum Pontificum: More parishes like the one you describe.

It will be wonderful if you do it. However, although you’re certainly entitled to do it, it may take a great deal of courage, patience, etc, because there’s real resistance to Summorum Pontificum. Why? I think precisely because it can lead to the kind of parish you describe, even in a liberal diocese. Again, that’s the big idea.

You’re certainly allowed to do it, but, sadly, there may be all kinds of indirect repercussions, etc, for you.

Sancte Míchaël Archángele, defénde nos in prǽlio.

ASD​

Traditional Latin Mass: Translation and Grammar