Updated Indult Request Letter: Please Edit!

[DominvsVobiscvm]

Okay, whatcha think?

August 21, 2004
Feast of Saint Pius X

The Most Reverend John Clement Favalora
9401 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami Shores, FL 33138

Your Grace,

I am writing on behalf of myself and a number of others from the South Broward area of the archdiocese, only a few of whose signatures appear below.

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 rite enriches our spirituality with its solemnity and celebration of the Mystery of Christ. We greatly desire the opportunity to assist at this Mass.

The nearest Indult Masses are in Lighthouse Point and Miami, a 30-40 minute drive in either direction. The one is a Low Mass offered twice a month; the latter, officered at Saint Robert Bellarmine, is a beautiful High Mass, but offered very early in the morning, at a very inconvenient hour (8:00 AM), making it difficult for large numbers of the faithful to attend, especially those who live far away and have large families with small children. Furthermore, so that this Mass will not run into the 9:30 AM English Mass, the ceremonies of the High Mass have to be abridged; for instance, the Gospel and Dismissal cannot be chanted, and a lay reader has to read the Epistle while the priest does so silently in Latin.

Since the Holy Father wished for a liberal application of the Indult, we respectfully request approval for the Tridentine Mass to be offered in Latin in the South Broward area in accordance with the Apostolic letter, Ecclesia Dei. We feel that there is a real desire for this Mass on the part of the faithful, evidence for which can be found in the existence of several schismatic traditionalist chapels throughout the South Florida region.

We affirm the validity of Vatican II and the liturgy which came forthwith. We also affirm that we have no ties to groups which deny the lawfulness and doctrinal soundness of that liturgy. I myself am a former postulant of the Society of Saint John Cantius, a new Order of canons regular (approved by Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago), devoted to the sanctification of the faithful through the solemn celebration of the Church’s rites, both Tridentine and Pauline.

If a priest from the archdiocese could not be found to celebrate the Tridentine Mass, perhaps a priest of the Sacerdotal Fraternity of Saint Peter could be invited?

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

We remain humbly yours, begging your blessing,

Kissing the Sacred Ring,

Eric Giunta et al.

cc: His Eminence Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, President of the Commission Ecclesia Dei

 

[Psalm45_9]

It looks good, I hope it is granted.

 

[BrianDay]

There was a similar thread earlier.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=9447

There were lots of good suggestions on the wording.

 

[DominvsVobiscvm]

Actually, I’m well aware of that thread. It’s what inspired me to write this in the first place!

I added some stuff, though, and was wondering if y’all felt it was appropriate.

 

[TeAmo]

I like it; I think it’s polite and well-written. I think it’s good that you make it clear that you’re not schismatic.

 

[DrCat]

TeAmo:

I like it; I think it’s polite and well-written. I think it’s good that you make it clear that you’re not schismatic.

Looks good to me.

John (English Teacher)

 

[Mjohn1453]

It is a hundred fold better than the original one. I would omit the part about how hard it is to get to the 8 o’clock Mass. If you want to have this so bad you would find a way to get there, right? perhaps change the wording to making it impractical on a regular basis or some such thing.

On my edit

On second though just get rid of this little line

at a very inconvenient hour (8:00 AM)

 

[deogratias]

If a priest from the archdiocese could not be found to celebrate the Tridentine Mass, perhaps a priest of the Sacerdotal Fraternity of Saint Peter could be invited?

This may be premature - I think I’d wait and if he denied it on that basis alone, then I might inquire if he had considered that option.

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

I agree with the two edit suggestions.

An 8 AM Mass with a 30-40 minute drive shouldn’t be that difficult; I know folks who get up and leave home at 5 or 6 AM to make it to their Mass. But since it isn’t offered every Sunday, that’s a real consideration.

Although it’s only through preference and not really terribly wrong, I was taught never to begin a letter with “I am writing.” The reader knows you’ve been writing! (That’s what I was told by a college business instructor.)

In this case, it’s ok, but I was just always taught to open a letter with anything but “I am writing.”

Anyway, you’ve inspired me to write my bishop requesting a TLM in my deanery. Good luck and Godspeed to both of us!

Pax Christi. <><

 

[deogratias]

I think in this case the “I am writing” is necessary because it tells why he is writing “in behalf of myself and a number of others”.

I guess he could just say “In behalf of myself and a number of others etc.” but then this would be an incomplete sentence.

It could be ammended to say

“On behalf of myself and a number of others from the South Broward area of the archdiocese, only a few of whose signatures appear below, we wish you to consider our request for an Indult Mass.”

This would also make clearer what subject is being referenced in the next paragraph below whereas the existing first paragraph makes no reference to “the subject”.

"

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 rite enriches our spirituality with its solemnity and celebration of the Mystery of Christ. We greatly desire the opportunity to assist at this Mass.

 

[Thomas2]

Hi Dominus -

I can’t really say much about your request, but I have a question -
I thought that in the Tridentine Rite, a “high Mass” could only be celebrated at a certain time?

Peace and all good,

Thomas2

 

[deogratias]

Thomas2:

Hi Dominus -

I can’t really say much about your request, but I have a question -
I thought that in the Tridentine Rite, a “high Mass” could only be celebrated at a certain time?

Peace and all good,

Thomas2

Most people say “high Mass” when refererring to the Missa Cantata
whereas others mean a Solemn High Mass.

There are no time restrictions about when any of these can be celebrated. Usually only a low Mass is offered on week days because there is no available choir to assist the priest to sing the High Mass.

A Solemn High Mass is not done weekly because it requires that the priest be assisted by choir, deacon, subdeacons and acolytes. I am not sure that there are many “subdeacons” around to do this unless you live near an FFSP or other seminary dedicated to training Priests in the Tridentine Mass.

Hope that answeres your question.

 

[JohnCantius]

A few grammar mistakes, a missed capitalization here and ther, but otherwise looks good.

 

[deogratias]

JohnCantius:

A few grammar mistakes, a missed capitalization here and ther, but otherwise looks good.

Doncha wish this software had a spell checker, I do - I usually catch mine after it is too late to edit them.