Fr Z and Gerald Augustinus quote the full text of a press release giving notice that EWTN will screen a live Solemn High Mass at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama on September 14, 2007 at 8:00AM EST.
The PR also says that EWTN has asked for the assistance of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, an international Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right, to help celebrate Mass in the extraordinary form of the Roman rite.
This is very encouraging and joyful news. EWTN has always shown celebrations of the newer rite of Mass celebrated in Latin with dignity and reverence. They have come under fire in some quarters for not promoting the Classical Rite.
By screening the older form of the Mass on the date of the promulgation of Summorum Pontificum, I think they have shown a certain humility in the face of Pope Benedict's generous initiative. I also celebrated only the Novus Ordo for many years and tended not to get involved in circles where the Classical rite was celebrated.
In Ireland, the Treaty with the British and the subsequent Civil War in Ireland was referred to as "The Parting of the Ways". Former friends and comrades in arms found themselves on opposite sides.
One of the effects of the Motu Proprio might be a "joining of the ways", a cessation of hostilities between the "neo-orthodox" and the "traditionalists". I very much hope so because there is so much good on both sides of this particular liturgical debate. The joining of forces in the interest of orthodoxy, reverent liturgy, and a solid spiritual life could be of incalculable value in the genuine reform of the Church. EWTN is giving a very good example which others may be inspired to follow.
13 comments:
8.00 am EST, thats 1pm London, ie the usual daily Mass time on EWTN.
Ken
Father,
I know a gal who worked at EWTN for years and she said that the Bishop of B'ham wouldn't give an indult, and that's why EWTN couldn't have the Mass.
I don't know if that's true, but I have no reason to doubt her.
(She works for ICKSP now.)
It was long ago when we talked (a couple years) but she mentioned that if there was ever a universal indult, EWTN would bring many, many converts.
I think EWTN has always been very pro old-Mass, but couldn't really "show it", if that makes sense.
i really must get EWTN..have you any idea what the cheapest way to do this is? We already have cable but you can't get it on that...
Father,
Patronising and uncharitable comments like this will not help a meeting of the ways.
"If a priest is willing to learn to celebrate the older form of the Roman Rite, one thing he will need is an altar missal. You may be able to help out here by buying one for your local priest. (You know, the young one who wears clericals, preaches on Humanae Vitae and doesn't mess with the rubrics.)"
This is great news, although I'm not surprised by it. In the past, Mother Angelica was always very vocal in her support for celebrations of the Classical Rite.
As you say, Father, this is very fervently to be hoped for.
I have recently come to realize, however, that some friends who I might designate as "orthodox-progressive" Catholics, seem to be very upset about what the Pope has done, for reasons that I just can't fathom.
Have you seen signs of this?
To be fair to EWTN they came under fire very unjustly. It was the local Bishop who insisted that Masses which were Broadcast must always be said with the priest facing the people. This tied their hands. But they too are benefiting now from the Moto Proprio.
Jackie - I think the cheapest way is to get SKY with only the Free channels. But people who have Televisions might be better placed to advise on this :-)
Fr Catechism -
Patronising and uncharitable comments like this
Sincerely - I'm baffled. It was meant to be a charitable reference to our fine young clergy. Do you think I should soothe the feelings of those who dissent from Humanae Vitae and perpetrate liturgical abuse?
Michael - I haven't come across any orthodox clergy who are upset by Summorum Pontificum. Many have been quite humble in accepting it.
Father,
It was because you wrongly presume that if you
a) preach on how prophetic and essential for today Humanae Vitae is ( which I do);
b) You wear clericals (even on my day off);
c) That you don't mess around with the rubrics (they are not mine to mess around with):
That you are a Priest who is desirious to pray the Extraordinary rite.
Only if a stable community forms I will learn and pray the Extraordinary rite in response.
I have little time for those on the liberal side who see Church as reflecting their own vision of God and Liturgy as making people feel good about themselves. I have no wish to salve their mistakes and I expect them to be gone in a generation.
Sadly, too many times those who I should be siding with come across as cynical and sniping.
Fr Catechism.
"But people who have Televisions might be better placed to advise on this :-)"
Glory be to God! You mean you DON'T have a television?
Recently I have been thinking that the so-called vocations crisis is amenable to a very simple PHYSICAL solution: 1) get the televison (esp) and the other secular/secularizing media OUT of the Catholic home; 2) get the lives of the saints and good Catholic newspapers and magazines IN.
That would do it, would it not? Then the Holy Spirit could get a word in edgewise.
This, however, is impossible to accomplish when the moral authority needed to accomplish this is compromised by the leadership corps of the Church, the presbyerate, itself having television.
Not that priests have much time to watch it, but simply having it takes away their ability to open their mouths on the topic.
So there is hope that your congregation gets the occasional hardhitting pitch against this scourge. Certainly you are in an excellent position to make it.
We have here in the States an excellent organization called Priests for Life, but frankly I think that Priests without TV would be an organization much more to the point.
We scramble and muster organizations to oppose the secular propaganda which the secular media constantly spout, but do not undertake the harder but vastly more efficient approach of taking on the secular media itself. IMHO killing the messenger is the way to go in this case.
What would you as a priest say to the distraught father who framed his problem in these terms: "Father, our family lives near a university where I am a professor and we let out rooms to students. Well, one such student is emerging as a bit of a problem. He is an acrobat, a juggler, a magnificent story teller and a magician to boot. He fascinates the children and makes eyes at my daughter. He undermines my authority at every turn and makes me look like an idiot besides. He argues for pre-marital sex, for abortion, makes the Church look bad and exalts her enemies. I am having difficulty matching his arguments, which are endless. Learned papers with better arguments than his are piling up around my easy chair and I read them to the children in the evening, but he is prevailing by shear force of his truly inexhaustible energy. He only laughs and changes the subject- usually to something more unspeakable than his last enthusiasm. What ever shall I do?"
This is our situation, is it not, with an easy and obvious remedy...
Or shall we continue to multiply arguments and organizations? The name for such a losing strategy is "fighting the enemy on his own terms." The media sets the agenda, we respond- always less relentlesly, less vividly and less effectively than our electronic opponents, whereas killing the messenger can be done so, so simply. The arguments for doing so are overwhelming and find resonance in the hearts of many, many parents.
There only remains to make them, relentlessly and in every available venue.
A Church without TV would be an incredibly potent force for good and a thing devoutly to be wished and prayed for. This can clearly be seen in principle by considering the good that one priest without TV is in fact acomplishing.
Thank you for this wonderful example, Father! It gives me great hope.
The remarkable thing about EWTN is that it is not an organ of the USCCB . . . an organization that has failed to take much advantage of available media in spreading the Gospel. Three cheers for Sister Angelica and EWTN!
Lee - I posted on this a while back in "Chuck the Telly". I agree with you on the immense spiritual advantage that would accrue if the lives of the saints replaced the television in Catholic homes.
But if people do have the telly, I encourage them to watch EWTN.
Fr Catechism - Sorry: I can see that you are annoyed by the assumption but it I have come across quite a few younger clergy who now want to learn to say the old Mass. Let me be clear that I have the greatest respect for clergy such as yourself who set such a good example - regardless of whether they want to say the old Mass or not. No offence intended.
Two things re EWTN.
Firstly Mother Angelica's problems with the bishop over the Classical Rite are pretty well documented in Raymond Arroryo's excellent biography.
Secondly for those of you not wanting a telly - don't forget if you have broadband internet connection you can watch EWTN on your PC or Mac.
Best
TA
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