Rome Newsroom, Aug 31, 2021 / 21:51 pm (CNA).
Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the rector of the Pontifical North American College. The rector is Father Peter Harman.
In a memo sent to “the Community ” at the North American College (NAC), Rector Fr. Peter Harman announced that all Masses in the Extraordinary form will be permanently suspended at the most important American Catholic institution in Rome.
Also, according to the memo to which CNA had access, the celebration of the Extraordinary Form will no longer be taught to seminarians.
In a memorandum signed and published Aug. 31, Fr. Harman explained that “when Pope Benedict XVI issued Summorum Pontificum in 2007, the Pontifical North American College in accordance with his motu proprio began official training in the ‘Extraordinary Form’ and provided for Masses according to the Missale Romanum of 1962 to be included in the regular rotation of special Masses on Saturday. In addition, the College provided liturgical supplies that were needed for priests to celebrate according to the ‘Extraordinary Form'”
But the NAC’s rector proceeds to explain that “in light of the motu proprio of Pope Francis, Traditionis Custodes, which was issued on July 16, 2021, and after having received canonical counsel, the College remains consistent with what the Holy Father has asked of us. Consequently, the following will be the practice of the Pontifical North American College on the Janiculum.”
Fr. Harman also explained that “because permission from one’s diocesan bishop to celebrate according to the Missale Romanum 1962 is not sufficient for priest faculty or students priests to celebrate according to the Missale Romanum 1962 outside of their respective dioceses, there will no longer be ‘extraordinary Form’ training taking place, nor celebrations according to the Missale Romanum 1962. This includes the student led ones which were done generally on Saturday mornings in the past.”
The rector also informed that “the rotation of special Masses on Saturdays at 12:30 PM will be modified so that celebration of Novus Ordo Mass in Latin will replace the former ‘Extraordinary Form’ Mass.”
“Consequently” – Fr. Harman concludes – “Saturday afternoons at the 12:30 Mass, other than on Travel Permitted Weekends, during vacations, and during exam periods, there will be a rotation of the celebration of Mass in this order: Mass in Latin (Novus Ordo), Mass in Spanish, Mass in Spanish, Mass in Latin (Novus Ordo), Mass in Spanish.”
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Bishop Checchio has not been rector of the North American College for several years now. Not checking basic facts like that hurts the reputation of this website, which often does such good work. Please amend that.
It is great of the NAC to suspend the old pre-Vatican II mass. Future bishops and priests of the U.S. Church should be formed properly to receive the teachings of the Second Vatican Council correctly and not be confused – and so not infect their future flock – with the divisive virus of the theological gymnastics crafted by Pope Benedict XVI inventing this distinction between the extraordinary and the ordinary form of the mass. There is only one form of the Latin rite mass and it is the Vatican II mass.
Future bishops and priests of the U.S. Church should be formed properly to receive the teachings of the Second Vatican Council correctly
Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case with an overwhelming majority of those ordained following the Council. Rather than adhering to the actual teachings, the practice of subjective interpretation and liturgical abuses have become widespread. Bugnini’s liberties and agenda have superseded that which was supposed to occur, in theory, with the implementation of the contemporary Novus Ordo.
Anything that distances us from the teaching and mercy of Jesus Christ, can’t be of aid to our eternal soul. Is this a blessing or does it need to be re-thought?
Luke 1:79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Matthew 7:7-11 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.
Psalm 37:23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;
Psalm 25:9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.