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Vol. 46 No. 16
July 11, 2007 |
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Local Latin Mass attendees welcome Pope’s
directive
By Gregory A. Shemitz
TLIC photographer |
Uniondale — Pope Benedict XVI’s approval of wider use
of the traditional Latin Mass was welcome news to many
worshippers who regularly attend the weekly Latin-language
liturgy at St. Pius X Chapel here. The Mass, based on the
Roman Missal promulgated by Blessed John XXIII in 1962, has
been celebrated on Sundays on the campus of the former
diocesan prep seminary since 1989, when Bishop John McGann
first permitted its use at that location.
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Under the pope’s directive, released July 7 in a
four-page apostolic letter titled “Summorum Pontificum,”
the older Mass is to be made available in parishes where
“a group of faithful attached to the previous liturgical
tradition exists stably.” During this rite of the Mass
the priest prays in Latin, with his back facing the
congregation.
Father James Pereda, the new judicial vicar for the
diocesan Tribunal who regularly celebrates the Mass at
St. Pius, told TLIC that Pope Benedict acted in “a
spirit of charity, trying to reconcile any groups that
may have been separated from the Church.”
The Holy Father’s directive, Father Pereda said,
recognizes “the rich liturgical tradition of the Church.
It is a very positive thing,” he told TLIC. “I see only
good coming from it.”
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Father James Pereda elevates the
chalice during a Latin Mass July 8 at St. Pius X Chapel,
Uniondale. Pope Benedict last week issued a decision
easing restrictions on the celebration of the earlier
form of the Mass. |
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Joan Virzera, who travels from Lindenhurst to attend the
Mass at St. Pius X, is “hopeful” the traditional Mass will
be offered in churches throughout the diocese. “I’ve been
waiting for a wider application of the indult since 1988,”
said Virzera, a former Catholic school teacher. “I hope
there will be opportunities for the traditional Latin Mass
in each parish so people don’t have to travel far and wide
to find it.”
Virzera’s boyfriend, Donald Lospinuso, a pediatric nurse
practitioner from Huntington, agreed.
“I come here because there isn’t one closer to me,” he told
TLIC after attending Mass here July 8. “By having it in this
setting, you feel sequestered. I would love it if there was
a Mass closer to me or in a more suitable and traditional
location.”
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A man receives Communion from
Father James Pereda during Mass July 8 at St. Pius X
Chapel, Uniondale. |
According to Father Pereda, the weekly liturgy here
averages 150 worshippers, while about 60 people attend
the Latin-language Mass at Sacred Heart Church in
Cutchogue, where it is offered on the first Sunday of
each month. Masses at both sites begin at 11 a.m.
Bill Frank, a resident of Bay Shore who directs the
choir at St. Pius X, attends Mass here with his wife,
Doria, daughter Catherine, an organist at the Mass, and
brother-in-law John DePaola.
“It’s inspirational,” said Frank, who converted to
Catholicism from a Protestant denomination 10 years ago.
“It’s vertical, not horizontal. The priest faces the
Blessed Sacrament and we’re all facing God. It’s
inspiring and humbling … I wouldn’t have converted if it
wasn’t for the traditional Mass.” |
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The “beauty and reverence” of the Mass draws Virzera to St.
Pius X each week. “It’s an unchanging liturgy” she said; and
“Latin is a mystical language” that “enhances the Mass.”
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Last modified:
11/17/2007
© Copyright 2007 The Long Island Catholic |
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