St. John Cantius in Chicago as viewed from the organ loft

Christmas at Cantius

While a few Council members expressed some reservations, there was a general acceptance of the Cardinal's decision.

One of the chief concerns voiced was that those who will the celebrate the Tridentine Mass and those who will participate in it must also accept as valid the Novus Ordo or the Missa Normativa as well as liturgical reforms mandated by the Second Vatican Council. Another was that very few priests in the Archdiocese knew Latin very well.

In light of this news from Detroit and the concerns expressed by the Presbyteral Council , I would like to share with you what has taken place under similar circumstances in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

A number of years ago, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin asked the pastor of John Cantius Church, Father C. Frank Phillips, C.R. to celebrate the Tridentine Mass at his discretion at St. John Cantius. Subsequently, there were--and still are--two Tridentine Masses celebrated on Sundays, as well three Novus Ordo Masses, including the Saturday evening anticipated Mass.

What has been the upshot of this "innovation" in the Archdiocese of Chicago? For one thing, about two hundred former families of the Society of St. Pius X and other independent chapels were brought into the parish and into full communnion with the Catholic Church. For another, many young families, including home-schooled families, come to the Tridentine Mass from all over the Chicagoland area, including parts of Indiana. But it should be noted that the Tridentine Mass has not decimated the attendance at the Novus Ordo Masses. In fact, the Mass on Sundays having the greatest attendance is the 11 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass said in Latin.

Why do so many attend the Tridentine Mass here? There are a number of reasons. Some simply like to follow along in their missals praying silently. They also love the beautiful sacred music played and sung at the 12:30 p.m. Mass. They also identify Latin with worship. It is in fact an aid to worship. Of course, they have as well the English translations in their missals. And it must be admitted that many had identified the Novus Ordo Mass, as it was in fact celebrated improperly elsewhere, as being far from edifying and conducive to the worship of Almighty God.

In my opinion, I think there is another key factor. The children here really like the Traditional Mass. When one looks down from the choir loft at the families, the children are praying, they are worshipping. Rarely is there seen a coloring book or other such thing in an attempt to keep them from being bored. Still another reason: many high school and college age students are attracted to the Tridentine Mass as it is celebrated here, because it is a beautiful experience, an experience which obviously the world cannot provide. A beauty which has been obviously lacking elsewhere in their lives.

Having said all of these things, it should be well noted that our Novus Ordo Masses are well-attended also. This is true, certainly, in part, because they too are celebrated reverently, as well as in full conformity with the teaching of the Second Vatican Council and the directives of the GIRM ("The General Instruction of the Roman Missal.") As noted above, it the 11 a.m. Novus Ordo Latin Mass that is the best attended on Sundays. It also is accompanied by beautiful sacred music, including Gregorian chant, which the Church tells us: "All things being equal, Gregorian chant should hold a privileged place, as being more proper to the Roman liturgy. (GIRM, 41)

I believe that when the Tridentine Mass is celebrated in Detroit, many of the same things noted above in conjunction with St. John Cantius Church will occur there as well.

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Fr. Seeley is a priest of the Society of St. John Cantius. He is Associate Pastor at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago.

(CCI NOTE: All 5 directors of CCI attend Masses at St. John Cantius, three of them are registered parishioners.)